Teller Can't Read Bank Robber's Note So He Walks Away Empty Handed

In a world of computers, laptops and smart phones, there's still at least one realm in which penmanship counts: bank robberies.

This was illustrated perfectly by what police say was a man's failed attempt to rob a bank in Wheeling, W.Va. WTOV reports that detectives said a "white, scruffy-looking man" handed a teller a note demanding money, but the teller couldn't tell what the note said. When she handed the would-be robber his note back, he got frustrated and walked out, authorities said.

The robber didn't get away with any cash, but police are still hoping to track him down with the help of video surveillance tape, which can be seen on WTOV.

Death and Taxes magazine offered a few takeaways from the debacle:

First, if your handwriting is crappy, make sure to type out super important notes. There’s nothing more embarrassing than trying to come off as intimidating and getting a quizzical look in return. Second, pretending not to understand what someone is saying (not that I’m accusing the teller of this) isn’t a bad way of dislodging yourself from a dangerous situation.

Newser pointed out that the same humiliating situation happened to Woody Allen's character in "Take the Money and Run".

Comments

[Lev Raphael]

10:50 AM on 11/27/2011

This is like the Woody Allen movie from the 70s where he tries to rob a bank but the teller think he's written "I have a gub" instead of "I have a gun" and an argument ensues. Only, the Allen character ends up in jail. Here's the scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UHOgkDbVqc

[SevenUPtheUNCOOLA]

12:49 AM on 11/20/2011

if she couldnt read it how does the teller know it was an attempted robbery? maybe it said, "i am a mute. i would like to open up an account at your nice bank." and now hes being hunted like a rabid dog!

[1reasonedtruth]

09:01 PM on 11/19/2011

I have a gub.

[NELLIEGREY]

08:55 PM on 11/19/2011

There was a similar story a few years ago. The teller looked at the note then handed it back to him saying she could not read it and told him to rewrite it. He went to the lobby desk and tried to rewrite it. Was still trying when the police arrived and took him into custody. --- My favorite was one about a young man with a knife who attempted a hold up of a well dressed man in an expensive suit. The man reached to his inside pocket to produce his wallet. The other hand went behind his back and produced a revolver. The well dressed man then opened the wallet to display his F B I badge. Big ooops on that one.

[nix28]

08:51 PM on 11/19/2011

"First, if your handwriting is crappy, make sure to type out super important notes. There’s nothing more embarrassing than trying to come off as intimidating and getting a quizzical look in return."

HILARIOUS!

[bmitche]

08:27 PM on 11/19/2011

It worked out well with this guy, but there are some out there who will take that as an insult, and that's not too good if he is holding a gun.

[Kritikos]

07:20 PM on 11/19/2011

He blames it all on his edumacation.

[Mark Helfgott]

07:15 PM on 11/19/2011

"Take The Money And Run", Woody Allen's first movie had that exact same bit.

[GreetingsToU1]

06:57 PM on 11/19/2011

Well criminals are going to have to print or type out their demands in the future because penmanship and script writing lessons are steadily being dropped from all schools!! Our state does not teach cursive writing anymore at all. I am wondering how people will even be able to sign their names on legal documents.

[lindamom]

07:49 PM on 11/19/2011

X

[anilimili]

06:07 PM on 11/19/2011

Tee-hee....Here's to penmanship lessons at school.
Here's the new PR for keeping wannabe criminals educated--"STAY IN SCHOOL SO YOU CAN WRITE YOUR ROBBERY NOTES BETTER!"
Great story! Whether the teller really did not understand his writing (and seeing some of young people's writing nowadays, when they get almost no practice beyond 4th Grade, after which they are often allowed to type notes and hand in printed papers, I can actually believe that is possible!), or has a stroke of brilliance to not understand the scribble as a way of gaining more time to think--GOOD FOR THE TELLER!
Love that story.
Major Stupido!

[rockymtnleather]

06:01 PM on 11/19/2011

This makes no sense. If the teller couldn't read the note, how do they know it was a holdup?

[lindamom]

07:50 PM on 11/19/2011

Very good brain cells in you! LOL...

[Scottilla]

05:41 PM on 11/19/2011

It happens all the time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UHOgkDbVqc

[rightfromwrong]

04:39 PM on 11/19/2011

typical media tactic. when using a headline about a crime committed by a white person, always put up a photo of a black criminal along with more information about the crime committed by the black guy to balance it out AND cause a distraction.
no one comments on the "white scruffy guy" who attempted to rob the bank, but they didnt waste time commenting on the black guy who committed a crime two months ago. im sure im not the only one who notices this happens every time! yes, every time!

[GreetingsToU1]

07:01 PM on 11/19/2011

"when using a headline about a crime committed by a white person, always put up a photo of a black criminal "
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I am not saying it always happens, but that is an interesting observation about this particular article since I also thought the Black man had done the crime when I first clicked on this story.

[rightfromwrong]

11:51 PM on 11/20/2011

its not just this particular story. its a 90% rate at least! look for it and 9 out of 10 times, it happens. they will put up a picture of a black man.

[lpcrsotp]

04:35 PM on 11/19/2011

I blame the school system for this man not being able to be successful in his chosen trade. LOL

[GOODDOC1]

04:25 PM on 11/19/2011

Maybe they should hire Pharmacists as bank tellers -- if they can read some of my colleague's handwriting, they can read anything!