Two neighboring banks on 15th Avenue used the “safe catch” method, using kindness to scare off a would-be bank robber, the FBI says. The suspect popped into the First Mutual Bank at 6310 15th Ave. NW on Tuesday afternoon and employees recognized him as a suspect in an Oct. 16 bank robbery on Sandpoint Way. Before he knew it, employees walked up to him and warmly greeted him, scaring him off. The idea behind the method is that bank robbers want to remain anonymous, so being approached spooks them.

The First Mutual employees, realizing he might strike again, called the U.S. Bank across the street to warn them moments before guy walked into their bank. Those employees used the same tactic and the man again left, empty-handed. More details here.