Michael Harrell, 54, held up the U.S. Bank on Monday morning, officials with the Cleveland Division of the FBI said. However, investigators were able to identify him quickly because the demand note he passed to the teller was written on a document from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles -- a paper that included his name and address, WJW reported.
According to a report filed by the Cleveland Police Department, the note said, "This is a robbery. Don't get nobody hurt," CNN reported.
Special Agent Vicki Anderson of the FBI's Cleveland office told the television station the teller was surprised and even called him by his first name. The teller passed over $206 and then called authorities, WJW reported. The surveillance video in the bank confirmed the man passing the note was Harrell and a warrant was issued. Cleveland police later arrested Harrell, who was booked into the Cuyahoga County Jail.
"When the teller took the note, and looked at it and looked at the other side, she saw his name. He had used a note that he had used earlier at the BMV and it had his name on it," Anderson told WJW. "She actually even referred to him as Michael. Gave him the money and called him Michael and then notified law enforcement."
Anderson said Harrell's case is not unique. People robbing banks have left pieces of evidence behind, and Anderson said that helps authorities find them more quickly.
"We've had individuals drop things on the way out the door, that they didn't intend to, obviously. We've had individuals drop cell phones that have all their identifying information in it," Anderson told WJW. "A lot of times, we're sending out pictures, we have no idea who this person could be or what part of town they could be from. And when you present a note that has your name already on it and address, it helps law enforcement tremendously."
About the Author