Howard County police arrested an Ellicott City man they say robbed one Howard County bank — and tried to rob another.
Police charged Michael F. Zemanick, 53, of 500 block of Oella Avenue, with robbery, attempted robbery, theft and attempted theft.
Police contend that on Feb. 15, Zemanick robbed an Ellicott City bank after attempting to rob a West Friendship bank.
The first incident took place at approximately 12:50 p.m. at the Columbia Bank in the 2800 block of Frederick Road in western Howard County. Police said Zemanick walked into the building, wearing a hat and glasses, and started to cover his face up, but a clerk grew suspicious and did not allow him access to the bank. Twenty-five minutes later, Zemanick walked into the Bradford Bank inthe 10100 block of Route 40 in Ellicott City, implied to the teller that he had a weapon and demanded cash. He fled the area after obtaining an undisclosed amount of money, police said.
Police said a tip led investigators to Zemanick, who was arrested Sunday morning at his home.
Zemanick has spent the past few years in and out of various area courts. In 1996, in District Court in Bel Air, he was convicted of malicious destruction of property, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. In 1997, Zemanick was convicted in Howard County District Court of drug possession and having a handgun in his vehicle.
He is being held without bond.
