How Not to Fake a Bank Robbery
Unhappy customer attempts to shut bank down
By MATT BARTOSIK
Updated 2:50 PM CST, Tue, Dec 23, 2008
One Bolingbrook man was quite upset with the service he received at a Bank of America branch, 111 Lily Cache Lane. But instead of calling customer service, he decided to call 9-1-1.
John A. Pighee Jr., 58, had attempted to withdraw money from account, which the bank had a hold on due to an out-of-state lien, police reported. When the bank refused Pighee access to the funds, "he stated he was going to shut the bank down," Lieutenant Ken Teppel, spokesperson for the Bolingbrook Police Department, told The Bolingbrook Sun.
"Apparently Mr Pighee's intention was to disrupt the bank's service in protest, so while inside the bank he called 9-1-1 to report a bank robbery in process," said Teppel, according to the Romeoville Reporter.
But when operators asked Pighee to give a description of the robber, he gave them a description of himself.
Responding officers looked through the bank's windows and contacted employees inside. Imagine the employees' surprise as they had to explain to police that no robbery was actually in progress. After 15 to 20 minutes, the police entered the bank, saw Pighee—who, of course, matched his own description—and promptly took him into custody.
Police arrested Pighee on a local misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge, which was later upgraded to a felony charge of disorderly conduct by the Will County State's Attorney.
"Because he did not imply he had a weapon or gun, did not have a weapon, and did not ask for money, there is no charge for bank robbery," Teppel said.
For all his trouble, did Pighee actually succeed in shutting the bank down?
"The bank was closed for a while as we interviewed all employees," said Teppel, "but was back in operation in about an hour."
Copyright NBC Local Media / NBC Chicago
First Published: Dec 23, 2008 7:44 AM CST
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