( CNN ) -- Jim Nicholson could 've just handed over the cash . Instead , he gave the would-be robber a run for his money -- and paid for it . The 30-year-old bank teller said the suspect , dressed in black and wearing sunglasses , walked up to his counter at the Key Bank branch in suburban Seattle , Washington , demanding he fill the man 's bag with cash . `` So I grab the bag ... I threw it on the floor , '' Nicholson told CNN Radio . He said he demanded the robber show him a weapon . When he realized there was none , Nicholson said , he lunged at the robber , chased him down the street , pinned him down and waited for the police . That was Tuesday of last week . He lost his job Thursday . Why ? `` Policy violation , '' Nicholson said . `` Basically , we are supposed to comply with any robber that would come in . We 're supposed to just give him the money and let him go -- and obviously I did not do that . '' Key Bank spokeswoman Anne Foster declined to comment on the incident , saying it 's under investigation , and Nicholson 's termination , saying it 's a personnel matter . `` What I can say is Key 's highest priority is to protect the safety of our employees and our clients , '' she said . `` Our policies and procedures are in the best interest of public safety and they 're consistent with industry standards . '' `` Money , after all , is insurable and it 's replaceable , '' she added . `` Lives are not . '' Nicholson said he knew about the company 's robbery policy before the incident , but said he acted on instinct . He found his dismissal a bit harsh , but said he does n't plan to challenge it . `` I think that they probably wanted to set an example , '' he said . `` I do n't think they want other tellers to do the same thing . ''
Jim Nicholson , 30-year-old bank teller said suspect demanded cash . Nicholson demanded robber show him a weapon , then chased him down the street . Pinned him down and waited for the police . Key Bank branch in suburban Seattle , Washington , later fired him .