Ex-Bank Teller Admits Role In Robbery

A former Spokane bank teller, whose roommate committed suicide after a foiled robbery getaway, pleaded guilty Friday to embezzlement.

Anthony B. Maze, 20, admitted being the mastermind behind the holdup Dec. 6, 1995, of the drive-up window at First Interstate, 2910 E. 30th, where he worked.

The guilty plea was part of an agreement with prosecutors. Under its terms, the prosecutor will seek dismissal of a second charge, bank theft, that Maze faces.

U.S. District Court Judge Fred Van Sickle ordered a background report, and set sentencing for May 10.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Johnson and Assistant Federal Defender Roger Peven, who represents Maze, will argue then whether the robbery involved more than “minimal planning” or whether Maze “abused a position of trust.”

Maze’s roommate, John Wayne Carver, 19, staged the robbery, pointing a handgun through the drive-up window at Maze.

Maze gave a description of the robber’s truck and a partial license plate number. He did not tell police the robber was his roommate.

Police quickly spotted the getaway truck, and pulled it over near 11th and Ivory.

As officers approached, Carver put the handgun to his head and fatally shot himself.

Maze said he concocted the robbery plan after stealing $2,000 from his till the day before the holdup.

The bank teller reported the robber stole $4,635, but police and FBI agents only found $2,635 in Carver’s truck.

“So, was the robbery designed to cover up the $2,000 you’d taken the day before?” Van Sickle asked Maze.

“Yes, your honor,” the defendant responded.

Shortly after Carver’s suicide, FBI agents and police learned he and Maze shared a rental house at 32 E. Rockwell. They also learned Maze had a drug conviction.

When FBI agents searched the pair’s rental home, they learned that Carver had slept on a handmade wooden coffin.

Agents spotted nooses, knives and a clothed skeleton in the basement bedroom.

After booking Maze into jail, FBI agents found that he left $950 in cash under rear floor mats of their car. They also found $47 in his pockets.

He paid $1,000 in delinquent rent to his landlord shortly before being arrested.

, DataTimes