STRATEGIC PARTNERS
April 16, 2002
RARITAN TOWNSHIP, NJ -- James Kahlke had no idea he would miss Thanksgiving dinner when he stopped to withdraw cash from an ATM at a Commerce Bank branch.
But that's what happened after the lobby door, which was activated to lock automatically, trapped the 36-year-old man for nine hours, according to the Associated Press.
He pounded on the door, paced and withdrew money -- emptying his account -- before curling up on a rug to sleep.
He was finally freed at 6 a.m. the following morning, when the bank's assistant manager showed up for work.
A Commerce Bank spokesman described Kahlke's entrapment as a "very freak accident" and said the bank is investigating the incident.
Kahlke was apparently not reassured by the bank's promise that it wouldn't happen again. He closed his account.
