Tavie Folk, crime stopper.

Howard ABMS Tavie Folk earned a well-deserved thank-you for her quick thinking and help catching four thieves.

Two Saturdays ago, the customer — who is in college — visited the branch early in the morning to close some accounts after the theft of her purse, which had contained her driver’s license, credit and debit cards, and savings book.

“Then, three hours later, these people came through the drive-thru and sent in the customer’s driver’s license and a withdrawal slip for her account,” Tavie says. “I was like, What?!”

Tavie called the customer’s house, where the customer’s father answered. “I explained the situation in probably half a second, I was talking so fast,” Tavie says. After verifying that he wanted her to call the police, Tavie did so.

“I was trying to stall the people in the drive-thru,” she says. “I thought it would be tough, but these people listened to and believed every word I said.” She kept them occupied by claiming she was having computer problems, among other things. “The whole time, they just waited there. They thought they were going to get their money. They wanted $2,000.”

The police arrived just as the thieves had decided to pull out, and arrested all four people in the car. The customer returned with her mother to file a report — and to retrieve her purse, which the police found in the car.

“She got everything back,” Tavie reports. This was especially good news because the customer had planned to return to college for the new school year that weekend, and was afraid she’d have to travel back to Green Bay later to get a new driver’s license.

The customer’s father shared his compliments with the bank soon after.

“Because of the impressive work done by Tavie, our exposures were limited,” he wrote. “I’ve learned how serious North Shore is about safeguarding my property, which I’ll never forget. When looking for a banking institution, I expect friendly/courteous service (which you have). However, I don’t expect the level of service provided by Tavie — that’s what will differentiate you and earn you the trust of others. Rest assured, I plan to share this experience with others, so the ‘free’ advertising you will get is a testimonial to people like Tavie. Thanks again and consider me a customer for life!”

“It was kind of surreal,” says Tavie, who was just happy she could help the customer. “Everything happened so fast.”

Submitted by Howard/Green Bay West Branch Manager Sharon Hack