UNION — Knox County Sheriff deputies arrested a would-be alleged bank robber this afternoon in Union, charging him with criminal attempted robbery.

According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the Damariscotta Bank and Trust at 17 Sennebec Road at 3 p.m. this afternoon, after reports described a suspicious male wearing a ski mask had approached the front door.

“When the man attempted to open the door he found that it was locked,” the release said. “The doors get locked by bank personnel as the lobby closes at 3 p.m.  Witnesses stated the man went back to his car and left. The car was described as silver in color with a cardboard license plate.”

Knox County Sheriff’s deputies and troopers from Maine State Police responded to the town.

 “Within minutes of the call, Deputy Jeremy Joslyn stopped a vehicle fitting the description near Camden National Bank [52 Burkett Road] at the Common in Union,” the release said.

Joseph M. Lewis, 31, of Waldoboro, was in that vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office.

In the car beside him was the ski mask that was believed to have been used, the sheriff’s release said.

The Sheriff’s Office alleges that, “Further investigation revealed that Lewis was going to attempt to rob the bank until he found that the doors were locked.”

Lewis was arrested and transported to Knox County Jail.