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The handwritten demand note handed to a Seattle bank teller wasn’t typical, investigators said.
“Sorry, but this is a robbery,” the note at the Bank of America said on Dec. 4. “I have a gun. Empty Till Quick & Easily.
“Please. My kids are hungry.”
The man behind the note, Steven Cobbs, Sr., had his hand in his pocket indicating he was armed, police said. He wore a wig, glasses, and a face covering, FBI investigation documents show.
Police believe he bought them from the thrift shop next door to the bank.
But court documents show the suspect has a history of assaults on children – and the bank teller didn’t buy his story.
The teller didn’t comply with the demand, even when Cobbs allegedly told the teller he had a minute to comply. When he didn’t, Cobbs fled without any money.
Seattle police found the wig and face covering in a nearby garbage can. Surveillance video also helped the teller identity Cobbs. When officers found him not far from the bank, they said he was wearing the same clothes as in the surveillance images.
“He said he purchases his disguise at the Value Village store which is next to the banking center,” Detective Len Carver III wrote in a probable cause document. “Cobbs viewed printed surveillance images taken during his robbery attempt and identified himself in them. He signed and dated the images. Cobbs looked at the demand note and identified it, adding that he had written it.”
Court records show Cobb had a violent criminal history – one that includes assaults on children.
In 1998, he was convicted of child rape, and has three convictions for child molestation. Cobbs also has been convicted for hit and run, domestic violence assault, resisting arrest, DUI and other crimes.
If convicted for the current attempted robbery charge, Cobbs, 46, will have his third strike toward life in prison.
His arraignment, where Cobbs is expected to enter a plea, is scheduled for Dec. 23.
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