A bank robbery was thwarted after the cashier convinced the man to take a seat – only for police to turn up and arrest him in the lobby.

The FBI said James Timothy Kelly entered PNC Bank in Hollywood, Florida carrying a mesh bag and handed over a note stating: “Give me the money.”

The employee pretended not to see it, according to an affidavit detailing the case, and instead gave him a withdrawal slip.

Kelly allegedly told her: “I am not here for that. I am here to rob you.”

“In fear of her safety and the safety of others around her, the victim bank teller pretended to have computer issues and asked Kelly to take a seat,” the affidavit states.

Kelly is said to have obeyed – but his compliance appears to have been fatal to his 7 July heist attempt.

Police had been called and entered through the bank’s back entrance, arresting the suspect after finding him sitting in the lobby.

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The FBI said he was taken to its Miami office where he admitted trying to rob the bank.

He now faces a maximum 20-year sentence, according to local media.

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