Crime

Man drops ID info after allegedly trying to rob Bellingham bank

A Spokane man was arrested Friday, Oct. 21, after allegedly attempting to rob a bank in the 1500 block of Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham — and he led police right to him.

Mark D. Gotcher, 65, was charged with attempted first-degree robbery after allegedly walking into the bank Friday around 10:30 a.m. and saying, “This is a bank robbery,” Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Bellingham Herald in an email Monday, Oct. 24.

Gotcher then allegedly requested a photocopy of his ID from the teller, dropped a piece of paper with his name and date of birth on it and fled on foot after being yelled at by a patron of the bank, according to police.

Gotcher did not get any money, according to police.

Officers found Gotcher a few blocks away and he admitted to attempting to rob the bank, according to police.

Gotcher remained in custody Monday at the Whatcom County Jail. His bail is set at $10,000.

This story was originally published October 25, 2022 at 5:00 AM.

Rachel Showalter
The Bellingham Herald
Rachel Showalter graduated Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2019 with a degree in journalism. She spent nearly four years working in radio, TV and broadcast on the West Coast of California before joining The Bellingham Herald in August 2022. She lives in Bellingham.
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