EVERETT — An Everett woman reportedly told police she “accidentally” robbed an Arlington bank last month because she was hungry and needy.
Navey Skinner, 34, also admitted that she used some of the heist money to buy methamphetamine, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Ed Stemler wrote in court papers.
Stemler charged Skinner with first-degree robbery for the Dec. 30 hold-up at Arlington’s Chase Bank. Skinner, a convicted felon, also is under investigation for stealing her 12-year-old daughter’s Christmas presents.
No charges have been filed in connection with the theft case.
Skinner on Monday pleaded not guilty to the robbery charge. She was being held on $10,000 bail.
Prosecutors aren’t convinced that the bank robbery was an accident.
Witnesses told detectives that the suspect, later identified as Skinner, walked into the bank, filled out a slip and then left. She returned a few minutes later, poured herself a cup of complimentary coffee and then approached a teller.
The teller told investigators that the robber passed her a note that read, “Put the money in the bag now or ie.” The teller understood the message to be, “Put the money in the bag now or die,” Stemler wrote. She began pulling cash out of her register.
The robber reportedly grabbed the cash and fled.
Detectives were able to identify Skinner and went to her mother’s house the following day. They were told that Skinner was using meth and was no longer welcome at the home. Her mother told detectives that she cares for Skinner’s 12-year-old daughter. She allowed Skinner to come home on Christmas day.
That’s when Skinner reportedly stole the girl’s Christmas gifts.
Investigators caught up with Skinner a few days later in Tacoma. That’s when she reportedly blurted out, “I accidentally, I robbed a (expletive) bank.”
Skinner told detectives she’d been thinking about robbing a bank for a long time because she was hungry and needy, Stemler wrote. She allegedly admitted that she spent all the money, using some to buy meth. She said she knew it was wrong to rob the bank.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.
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