FOILED! Olympia bank teller stops robbery before it happens (PHOTOS)

(Photo: City of Olympia)



OLYMPIA -- An alert teller helped police nab a man who said he planned on robbing the bank.

Police say the teller noticed a man acting strangely in the lobby. She said he had several bandages on his face and was wearing a bandana and heavy clothing which seemed odd for such a warm day.

The 32-year-old man was looking at brochures but eventually left the bank and got into an SUV, police say.

Officers found the SUV just a few blocks away from the bank and started questioning the driver.

Police say they noticed a pile of clothing in the back seat matching the teller's description. They also discovered a small pellet gun in the parking lot near the SUV.

Officers say the suspect eventually admitted he was planning a bank robbery because it was the only way to pay his debts. The man also told police he had been in two other banks while wearing the same disguise.

The suspect said he did not follow through with the robbery because he thought someone in the bank may have alerted police. Officers booked the man into Thurston County Jail. He will likely face an attempted robbery charge.