A woman who robbed a Vancouver Umpqua Bank branch in October was sentenced in Clark County Superior Court to more than two years in prison.
Kaelesha Bennett, 20, pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted first-degree robbery in connection with the Oct. 21 incident. The original charge of first-degree robbery was amended as part of a plea deal.
Shortly before 11 a.m., Bennett entered the bank at 11515 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., and presented a note to the teller, which read, “Give me the money, don’t try anything, be (quick) and hurry, no sudden (movements),” according to a probable cause affidavit.
The bank teller said she stared at Bennett and told her she couldn’t move. Bennett replied, “Yes you can,” the affidavit states. The teller told police she noticed Bennett had her hand inside her purse. Bennett reportedly told the teller, “Don’t make me do something I don’t want to do.” In response, the teller gave Bennett $473, court records said.
Vancouver police obtained video surveillance of the robbery, as well as the note Bennett left behind, according to court documents.
Police received multiple anonymous tips that Bennett was the robber. One tipster said two males put her up to the robbery and drove her to the bank, the affidavit states.
Only one of those men has been arrested. Bennett’s co-defendant, Justin D. Taylor, 28, of Vancouver is accused of putting her up to the robbery and driving her to the bank. Employees saw him inside the bank during the robbery and said they thought he may have been a “diversion,” according to court documents.
Taylor, who is charged with first-degree robbery, has a trial readiness hearing today.
Bennett was arrested in December on a warrant by the U.S. Marshal’s Service after surveillance footage shared between investigators and police in Beaverton, Ore., confirmed she was the robber, court records said.
During her hearing, Deputy Prosecutor James Smith asked that Bennett be sentenced to 27 months in prison. Her defense attorney, Bob Vukanovich, requested a few months less.
Judge David Gregerson split the difference and sentenced Bennett to 25 months and 18 months of community custody. She was given credit for 49 days in custody. She will also have to undergo a drug abuse evaluation and treatment.
Bennett indicated during her hearing that she was using cocaine at the time of the robbery, Smith said.
