ANTIOCH, Calif., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Police in California said an alleged would-be bank robber fled empty handed when a teller was unable to read the handwriting on his robbery note.

Investigators said Jamal Garrett, 29, handed a note demanding cash to a teller at the Wells Fargo Bank in Antioch around 9:45 a.m. Monday, but the teller had difficulty reading his handwriting, the San Ramos Express, Pleasanton, Calif., reported Thursday.


Police said the teller called a manager to help her discern the contents of the note and the suspect left through the back door of the bank while the teller and manager were attempting to interpret his handwriting.

The bank workers eventually determined the note was a robbery note and contacted police.

Police said they later received a report of a suspicious man at Somersville Towne Center and officers determined the man matched the description of the suspect from the bank. Witnesses identified him as the same man from the Wells Fargo incident.

Garrett was arrested on a charge of attempted bank robbery and an outstanding warrant for parole violations.