Black Panther Director Ryan Coogler Mistaken For Bank Robber And Handcuffed In Atlanta

The famous director of blockbuster movies Black Panther and Creed Ryan Coogler has spoken out after revealing that he was handcuffed by police after being mistaken for a bank robber in Atlanta.

Coogler shares that he was arrested after he attempted to withdraw $12,000 from his personal bank account in Atlanta. 

image credit: Sipa US / Alamy

The embarrassing incident happened at the beginning of the year. 

According to BBC News, the police report reveals how one of the bank employees informed her boss that she is suspecting an attempted robbery at the branch. According to the report, Coogler was wearing a face mask, sunglasses and a hat so his face was pretty much covered. He handed the employee a withdrawal slip declaring his intention to withdraw his $12,000.

The report further adds that Coogler did show the teller his ID.

With the withdrawal slip, Coogler included a note that read: "I would like to withdraw $12,000 cash from my checking account. Please do the money count somewhere else. I’d like to be discreet."

As per The New York Times, Coogler was attempting to pay for a medical assistant who had been working for his family and he wished to be discreet because he was withdrawing a huge sum and was worried about his safety. 

The publication adds that the tell - who is also Black - was pregnant and concerned about her own safety.

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Apart from this, the transaction also triggered an automatic notification, due to the fact the request was over $10,000.

So when the worried teller informed her boss, the police were immediately called.

Soon there were 4 Atlanta police officers at the bank who spoke to the staff and soon Coogler was handcuffed.

Officers also detained two of the director's colleagues, who were waiting for him outside. They were placed in the back of a police vehicle.

image credit: Sipa US / Alamy

After learning about Coogler's identity and confirming it, he was released.

Now, Coogler has revealed more about the incident in an interview with TMZ, telling the outlet that the "situation should never have happened".

image credit: Sipa US / Alamy

Coogler said that Bank of America has since been working with the director and has "addressed it to [his] satisfaction". He added that both sides have "moved on".

A spokesperson for Bank of America has also provided a comment on the story, telling Variety: "We deeply regret that this incident occurred. It never should have happened and we have apologized to Mr. Coogler."

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