Young bank thief told to get help
Published 11:18 pm Wednesday, February 11, 2009
EVERETT — A young woman who stole $200 from an Arlington bank last month was ordered on Wednesday to get help for her drug problem.
Laura Potter, 20, told a Snohomish County judge she had quit a yearlong addiction to prescription pain killers but went back to the drugs after her mother committed suicide and her fiance was deployed to Iraq.
“Everything was turned upside down,” Potter said.
Potter pleaded guilty Wednesday to first-degree theft.
She admitted to bringing a robbery note with her to the KeyBank on Jan. 13.
She ditched the robbery plan and dropped the note on the ground. Instead, she asked the teller for change for $200. When the teller placed the bills on the counter Potter snatched the money and ran.
Employees later found the note on the floor. Bank security cameras snapped clear images of Potter during the incident.
Potter was sentenced to 45 days in jail out of a possible 90-day sentence for the theft.
She had no prior felony convictions. She now will be under community supervision for two years.
Superior Court Judge Ronald Castleberry also ordered Potter to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any treatment recommendations.
“I have no intention when I get out of having anything to do with (drugs),” Potter told the judge.
She said she planned to live with her fiance’s family.
“The problem is it takes more than good intentions. It takes action,” Castleberry said.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com.
