US bank robber arrested after being convinced to take loan

MELBOURNE - A robber in the US, who set out to rob a bank to ease his financial problems, ended up getting arrested after staff convinced him to take a loan instead.

Mark Smith, 59, had allegedly told bank workers in Watsonville, California, that he had a bomb in his backpack and that he would detonate it inside the building unless he was given 2000 dollars.

But the bank manager somehow managed to convince him to take a loan from the branch.

And while Smith sat down patiently waiting for the loan paperwork to be brought to him, the manager called emergency services.

“Quick-thinking staff kept the man calm and distracted him with some paperwork until we arrived,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Lieutenant Darren Thompson as telling the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

Police arrested Smith on suspicion of attempted robbery, as well as charges of making a false bomb report. Smith was not carrying weapons of any kind. (ANI)