Bystanders help thwart suspect in Everett bank robbery

Published 8:46 pm Saturday, September 8, 2007

EVERETT — A bank robber’s attempt at a clean getaway Saturday was thwarted by some alert neighbors.

The suspect ended up running around in circles, through an apartment and into the arms of Everett police officers. The bandit was met with an electric stun gun and carted off to jail for investigation of robbery and residential burglary.

The holdup unfolded just before 1 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Bank in the 7500 block of Evergreen Way. The man passed a note demanding money to a teller, Everett police Sgt. Chip Higinbotham said.

He made off with a little bit of money, but his luck ran out when bystanders pointed out the man’s getaway path to police.

The suspect was running in circles, across back yards and through brambles. All the while people were keeping tabs on his whereabouts and telling police officers who’d raced to bank. Finally the man ran into a nearby apartment and ran out the front door. He was greeted by police, who used a stun gun to subdue him, Higinbotham said.

Help from bystanders was instrumental in helping officers find the suspect, the sergeant said.

“It’s always nice to catch these guys,” Higinbotham said.