A QUICK-THINKING BANK MANAGER KEPT A BANK ROBBERY FROM HAPPENING IN WATSONVILLE YESTERDAY. THAT AFTER 59 YEAR-OLD MARK SMITH WALKED INTO THE EAST LAKE AVENUE BRANCH, DEMANDED 2 THOUSAND DOLLARS SO HE COULD PAY A FRIEND’S RENT, AND SAID HE HAD A BOMB IN HIS BACK-PACK. THE BANK MANAGER TOLD SMITH HE’D BE BETTER OFF JUST TAKING OUT A LOAN. WHILE PRETENDING TO GO GET THE APPROPRIATE LOAN PAPERWORK, SHE CALLED 9-1-1.
SMITH WAS BOOKED INTO SANTA CRUZ COUNTY JAIL ON SUSPICION OF ATTEMPTED ROBBERY, MAKING CRIMINAL THREATS, AND MAKING A FALSE BOMB REPORT.