Quick-Thinking Bank Employees Locked Themselves in Safe as Robber Waited

A man intending to rob a Gwinnett County bank Monday, Aug. 18, was duped by bank employees who locked themselves in the safe and left him waiting at the counter until he realized what happened.

Lilburn Police said the man waited several minutes before he “calmly walked” out the door of the PNC Bank location at 4014 Lawrenceville Highway — with no money.

Police released photos of the man, who wore a brown bandana and carried a black portfolio. He did not leave in a vehicle.

Police said the man entered the bank during the noon hour Monday and asked to open an account. An employee took him into an office to begin the application process.

The man said his name was “Seth” and he was from “Cali.” He then interrupted the employee and told her, “This is how this is going to work.”

He told her they were going to walk to the counter together and she was going to put $2,000 in the portfolio.

When they did that, the woman went behind the counter to presumably get the money.

“The teller grabbed a second employee and stepped into the safe and locked themselves inside,” police said. “The suspect stood at the counter for several minutes before exiting and calmly walked towards the neighboring IHOP restaurant.”

If you have seen this man or have any other information on the incident, call Investigator C. Belcher at 404-516-0657.

(Photo: Lilburn Police are looking for this man wanted for attempted bank robbery. Credit: Lilburn PD)