Police: Tampa teller, man conspire to rob bank

Police: Tampa teller, accomplice conspire to rob Bank of America branch

Published On: Jan 17 2013 08:22:24 AM EST   Updated On: Jan 17 2013 11:59:19 AM EST
TAMPA, Fla. -

Authorities say a teller at a Bank of America branch in Tampa helped another man rob the bank.

Tampa police say a 911 caller reported a suspicious person putting on gloves and a hoodie near the bank around noon on Wednesday.

Reports say an armed robbery call came in as police were responding to the original call. An arriving officer saw someone running from the bank.

Tampa police say the man dropped the bag when he saw police. Officers caught up with 21-year-old Marcus Ryan Halbert after a chase. Officers say Halbert told them he and 20-year-old teller Alan Michael Ethington planned to stage the robbery.

They are charged with grand theft and defrauding a bank. Both confessed to police and are being held in jail.

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