When he realized another man was trying to rob a west Cobb County bank, one customer took matters into his own hands, police said Wednesday.

He grabbed a handgun from his car and ordered the robbery suspect down to the ground, according to Sgt. Dana Pierce. When officers arrived at the Wells Fargo on Mary Eliza Trace around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, they found one man holding a gun on another, Pierce said.

Officers quickly learned what happened inside the bank, prompting the unnamed customer to assist with apprehending the suspect.

Mark Lance Katchem, 25, of Chicago, presented a “demand note” to a teller, Pierce said. The good Samaritan customer, whose name was not released, followed Katchem out of the bank, according to police. After he ordered the alleged robber onto the ground, officers arrived and took over the scene.

Katchem was arrested and charged with robbery by intimidation. He was booked into the Cobb jail, where he remained Thursday evening on $15,000 bond, records showed.

About the Author

Featured

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — pictured at an August rally in Peachtree City that also featured Vice President JD Vance — appears to have scored another legal victory over gubernatorial rival Attorney General Chris Carr in their battle over campaign finance issues. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC