Paging Woody Allen: Bank teller can't read bank robber's holdup note

By Associated Press Published: Oct 1, 2009 at 5:16 AM PST Last Updated: Oct 1, 2009 at 12:10 PM PST
Paging Woody Allen: Bank teller can't read bank robber's holdup note »Play Video
Stephanie Martin

HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) - Police say a bank robbery attempt in Hillsboro failed after a teller told the woman who handed her a threatening note that she couldn't read the handwriting.

According to police, a 30-year-old woman walked into a Wells Fargo bank branch Wednesday and handed a teller a note that said, "Need $300 or I'll kill you. I'm serious."

The teller told the woman she couldn't read the writing. While the woman, identified as Stephanie Martin, stepped away to rewrite her note on a bank slip, the teller hit a silent alarm button and the bank manager intervened, asking Martin how he could help her.

Police and FBI agents soon arrived and arrested Martin; police say she was under the influence of drugs.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)