Hero or fool? NJ bank teller says no to robber’s demand for cash

You don’t see this every day.

What if someone tries to rob a bank and you just give them the Nancy Reagan treatment? What if you just say no?

This is exactly what police say went down on June 30 in Lakewood at the Wells Fargo on West Kennedy Boulevard. Authorities say a man walked inside, approached a teller and handed them a note demanding money.

Michael Burrell

Police say the teller just said no.

“The teller denied his request, so he left the bank and proceeded to walk across the intersection to the TD Bank (on) Madison Avenue,” according to township police Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith.

At that second bank he pulled the same routine and was handed $1,500, authorities say.

Staffordsmith said an investigation later determined the suspect to be 67-year-old Ivan Sevastianow from Howell who they say robbed a bank in Old Bridge days later. He was charged with three counts of second-degree bank robbery and was taken to Middlesex County Jail ahead of a court hearing.

Prathaan

So let’s get this straight. Apparently, when someone is trying to steal something from you or your business you have the option to say no? Who knew?!

It’s like something out of the very old Woody Allen movie “Take The Money And Run.” Allen played a not very assertive or menacing bank robber who once botched a robbery because the tellers gathered around trying to argue with him about his poor penmanship on the demand note.

Wouldn’t we all like to see the look on the suspect’s face when a teller just tells him no? Was there any cajoling? Did he just immediately accept the rejection and sheepishly leave? Women on dating apps should have it this easy to get rid of somebody.

I’ll leave it up to you to decide if this was a heroic, bold act of defiance or a dangerous, foolish move on the teller’s part. I just hope they don’t get in any hot water with their job for not following some potential compliance protocol.

25 True Crime Locations: What Do They Look Like Today?

Below, find out where 25 of the most infamous crimes in history took place — and what the locations are used for today. (If they've been left standing.)

UPDATED: All the stores where NJ legal weed is sold

The number of recreational cannabis dispensaries continues to grow, since the first NJ adult recreational sales in April 2022.

NJ county fairs are back! Check out the 2023 summer schedule

A current list of county fairs happening across the Garden State for 2023. From rides, food, animals, and hot air balloons, each county fair has something unique to offer.

(Fairs are listed in geographical order from South NJ to North NJ)

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Jeff Deminski only.

You can now listen to Deminski & Doyle — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite afternoon radio show any day of the week. Download the Deminski & Doyle show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now.

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.