Uber driver turns in passenger accused of attempted Idaho Falls bank robbery

IDAHO FALLS — A 50-year-old California woman was arrested Tuesday night after police say she tried to steal money from multiple local banks, prompting employees to trigger a panic alarm. She was later driven to the officers by an Uber driver.

Wendy Bess is charged with three felony counts of burglary, felonies for grand theft and attempted grand theft, attempting to elude an officer, aggravated battery, and leaving the scene of an accident.

According to a news release from the Idaho Falls Police Department, dispatch received an alert Monday night after 6 p.m. that a robbery or panic alarm had been triggered at Idaho Central Credit Union at 3330 South 15th East.

Emergency communications officers spoke with a bank employee who confirmed that a woman, later identified as Bess, was inside the bank trying to withdraw a large amount of money from an account that did not belong to her, using a stolen ID.

When the first officer arrived, he reportedly saw a white GMC Terrain parked in front of the bank. As the officer walked toward the bank, Bess was leaving and started to get into the car.

The officer yelled at her, but she continued to get into the car and backed out of the parking spot. The officer reached for the driver’s door and told Bess to stop the car, while reaching into the open window to try to unlock and open the door.

Bess started speeding away, allegedly dragging the officer approximately 50 feet. When she turned to exit the parking lot, the officer let go of the car and rolled several times on the pavement. The officer was later treated and released from a local hospital with minor injuries.

More officers arrived as the car was leaving the parking lot, trying to convince Bess to pull over. According to the news release, she began speeding south on South 15th East, then east onto West 49th South.

Bess reportedly reached speeds of between 70 and 80 miles per hour, hitting a fence when she turned onto West 49th South, failing to stop at multiple stop signs, and driving into oncoming traffic, forcing other cars to drive off the road.

Officers ended the chase but saw Bess turn off West 49th South shortly after the intersection with South 45th East. Residents in the area called dispatch and reported seeing the car turn into a driveway that dead-ends at a house.

IFPD officers, Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies, and an Idaho State Police trooper surrounded the area to search for her. Using police drones, officers learned that the woman had abandoned her car on the property and was likely on foot.

While officers were searching, an Uber driver pulled his car up to an officer and said that he thought his passenger might be the suspect. The Uber driver said he had picked up Bess, who had ordered an Uber, at the tree line just south of where the officers were.

Noting the suspicious circumstances and police in the area, he brought his car and the suspect to the closest officers.

During an interview with investigators, Bess reportedly admitted to driving the vehicle and being involved in the attempted theft. Through investigation, detectives learned she had allegedly successfully, but fraudulently withdrawn $10,000 from another bank and failed to make a withdrawal from a third bank earlier in the day.

Bess was booked into the Bonneville County Jail on a $200,000 bail. She is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing on June 24. If convicted, she could face up to 50 years in prison.

“This incident highlights great partnerships and community members within Idaho Falls and the surrounding area. The Idaho Falls Police Department appreciates the bank employees, neighbors, and the Uber driver who each were paying attention and recognized suspicious activity in their sphere and worked with law enforcement to hold the person accountable for their actions,” says the release. “As always, the Idaho Falls Police Department appreciates partners at the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and the Idaho State Police who assisted in the resolution of this incident.”

Though Bess has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean she committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.