Man Robs Texas Bank: Leaves Note Blaming COVID

Police in Houston, Texas are asking the public for help in identifying a man who robbed a bank and left a note saying he was forced to do so because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The robbery reportedly occurred on Wednesday, when the man walked into the Woodforest National Bank and told a teller that he needed to make a withdrawal. It was then that he handed the teller a note saying that he was robbing the bank, and that he had to because of coronavirus, according to KTRK-TV.

“I didn’t get a stimulus or that 10K loan. I lost my business to COVID so please make this easy and comply,” the note read. “I don’t wanna hurt nobody but will if I have to. Any suspicious moves and I will start shooting so please go get my money. Don’t make anything noticeable!”

Suspect robs Houston bank on July 8th at 9:00 am while blaming #COVID19 for his actions; leaves note with the teller. If you know who this suspect is, please call @CrimeStopHOU w/info at 713-222-TIPS or contact @FBIHouston. See story here–>https://t.co/xogiwbg6sQ @houstonpolice pic.twitter.com/xDvwvM9l2D

— Houston Police Robbery (@hpdrobbery) July 16, 2020

The teller later told police that while she didn’t see a gun, she feared for her life during the robbery. Officers said that the robber ended up getting away, but they would not reveal the amount of money he left with. They now want help from the public in identifying who the robber is, and they’re offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest.

Perhaps the robber got the idea to carry out this plan from Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who recently blamed her city’s uptick in crime on the desperation of people amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Maybe this has to do with the fact that people aren’t paying their rent and are scared to pay their rent,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “And so they go out and they need to feed their child and they don’t have money so you…maybe have to …they’re put in a position…they feel like they either need to shoplift some bread or go hungry that night,” she theorized.

AOC on increased NYC crime: "Maybe this has to do with the fact that people aren't paying their rent & are scared to pay their rent & so they go out & they need to feed their child & they don't have money so… they feel like they either need to shoplift some bread or go hungry." pic.twitter.com/oHSTWWJZ6a

— The Hill (@thehill) July 12, 2020

This piece was written by PoliZette Staff on July 17, 2020. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.