Police: Man tries to rob bank, gets $0, then car breaks down

Published 3:54 pm Wednesday, February 9, 2022

EVERETT — Around 11 a.m. Tuesday, a man walked into the Wells Fargo Bank on Evergreen Way and handed the teller a note.

“I have a gun, give me your money,” the note read, according to a police report.

One problem: The register’s till was empty. So the teller reportedly walked away and called 911.

The robber turned around and left the bank empty-handed, according to police. He went to a silver Honda parked at a nearby apartment complex, where witnesses reported seeing the man drive away on 75th Street SE.

Everett police shared the description of the car with other local law enforcement agencies.

A couple hours later, a 31-year-old Marysville man was reportedly driving past Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies when his car stalled and died right in front of them, according to police. He was then arrested for investigation of first-degree robbery.

Police reported later finding clothes inside the Honda that the robber wore on bank security footage. An officer’s report didn’t note if a weapon was recovered.

In a police interview, the man initially denied involvement. He told police he was outside the bank and never went inside, according to court papers.

His tune reportedly changed when officers told him witnesses and surveillance footage told another story. The Marysville man said this wasn’t who he was, but recent events in his life made him desperate.

Officers connected him with a public defender.

Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.