PORT ANGELES — A man accused of unsuccessfully robbing 1st Security Bank last month was arrested over the weekend for shoplifting at Safeway, police say.
James Lavon Lewis, 50, was booked into the Clallam County jail Saturday and held without bond on a felony bench warrant and investigation of first-degree robbery and third-degree theft. He will likely appear in Clallam County Superior Court today.
“Our investigation developed probable cause for his arrest,” said Port Angeles police Cpl. Clay Rife. “He was our suspect.”
Rife said Lewis was the suspect before he allegedly shoplifted at Safeway at 110 E. Third St., but the latest incident helped track him down.
“The suspect was located and it turned out to be him,” Rife said.
Police say Lewis tried to rob the 1st Security Bank at 134 W. Eighth St. at about 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 24. The man waited for an open teller before showing a handwritten note demanding money in large bills.
He tapped on his pocket as though he had a weapon in it, a bank employee told police. He did not take out a weapon or threaten anyone with a weapon.
Before the teller could get him money, he walked quickly out of the bank, police have said.
“No money was taken,” Rife said. “It was a completed robbery, but he didn’t leave with any money. Nothing.”
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladaily news.com.