Here's something you might be interested in.
I remember being about 11 when the movie "Going in Style" came on HBO. It was about three old guys (George Burns, Art Carney, and Lee Strasberg), who decide to rob a bank.
I only saw it once, but if memory serves, they had a few reasons for plotting the heist.
One of them didn't like the small amount of social security he was living on. Another wanted to have a big fortune to leave his grandkids. And I think one was just bored and thought it would be fun.
When they weighed the pros and cons, I believe it was George Burns who said "What's the worst that can happen? We get caught and go to jail for the rest of our lives. How much longer would that be? A year?" (Again, I'm quoting that from what I remember almost 30 years ago)
I thought about that movie when I heard about the robbery in La Jolla the other day.
A well-dressed senior citizen wearing glasses, a checkered sports coat and matching golf cap, and an argyle sweater...walked in and robbed the National Bank on Ivanhoe near Wall Street just after 10:00 a.m.
Do you want to guess what he was carrying?
I would immediately think of some revolver from the 1800s. I mean, you don't think of the elderly walking into a bank with an Uzi or Tommy Gun.
Well, he walked into the bank carrying an oxygen tank.
No, this wasn't like Javier Barden in "No Country For Old Men". He carried that air compression cattle gun thingy that he'd kill people (and break locks) with. Which was a cool gimmick for a movie villian, but hardly practical.
This old guy brought the oxygen tank because...well...because he wanted to breathe. There were tubes from the tank going into his nose.
The man would've been imposing for a robber -- he stood 6'4", with white hair and a gray mustache (I like to think it was a handlebar mustache, but the reports didn't describe it).
The gentleman handed the teller a demand note and left with an unknown amount of cash. (note: I don't usually describe criminals as "gentleman"...but I'm assuming this guy robbed the bank with the utmost amount of politeness)
Now, are you ready for the kicker to all this?
This old codger got away with it. The FBI is asking US for information.
Now, I did a blog a few weeks ago about a bank teller chasing down a burglar and tackling him. He then lost his job.
I mentioned how horrible it also was when employees of a clothing store held a shoplifter until the police arrived.
But it seems this is one incident where a teller could've glanced outside and witness the guy strolling off with his walker. He could've casually walked up and...I dunno...kicked one of the tennis balls out from under the walker, tripped him up a bit.
Or maybe when the demand for money was given, and the secret alarm pressed, you could've asked the coot about his grandchildren. Or about what it was like driving an Edsel.
Once he starts talking (and stroking his mustache), I'm sure that would be enough time for the authorities to show up and apprehend him.
This is one description of a robber that doesn't have something like a tear tattoo, or a doo-rag. Or the usual Raiders jersey (hey sorry...I needed one dig in before Monday Night Footbal).
So, everyone be on the lookout for a tall, well-dressed white senior citizen, carrying an oxygen tank and a bag of loot. I'm guessing one with the big dollar symbol on the side.
I remember being about 11 when the movie "Going in Style" came on HBO. It was about three old guys (George Burns, Art Carney, and Lee Strasberg), who decide to rob a bank.
I only saw it once, but if memory serves, they had a few reasons for plotting the heist.
One of them didn't like the small amount of social security he was living on. Another wanted to have a big fortune to leave his grandkids. And I think one was just bored and thought it would be fun.
When they weighed the pros and cons, I believe it was George Burns who said "What's the worst that can happen? We get caught and go to jail for the rest of our lives. How much longer would that be? A year?" (Again, I'm quoting that from what I remember almost 30 years ago)
I thought about that movie when I heard about the robbery in La Jolla the other day.
A well-dressed senior citizen wearing glasses, a checkered sports coat and matching golf cap, and an argyle sweater...walked in and robbed the National Bank on Ivanhoe near Wall Street just after 10:00 a.m.
Do you want to guess what he was carrying?
I would immediately think of some revolver from the 1800s. I mean, you don't think of the elderly walking into a bank with an Uzi or Tommy Gun.
Well, he walked into the bank carrying an oxygen tank.
No, this wasn't like Javier Barden in "No Country For Old Men". He carried that air compression cattle gun thingy that he'd kill people (and break locks) with. Which was a cool gimmick for a movie villian, but hardly practical.
This old guy brought the oxygen tank because...well...because he wanted to breathe. There were tubes from the tank going into his nose.
The man would've been imposing for a robber -- he stood 6'4", with white hair and a gray mustache (I like to think it was a handlebar mustache, but the reports didn't describe it).
The gentleman handed the teller a demand note and left with an unknown amount of cash. (note: I don't usually describe criminals as "gentleman"...but I'm assuming this guy robbed the bank with the utmost amount of politeness)
Now, are you ready for the kicker to all this?
This old codger got away with it. The FBI is asking US for information.
Now, I did a blog a few weeks ago about a bank teller chasing down a burglar and tackling him. He then lost his job.
I mentioned how horrible it also was when employees of a clothing store held a shoplifter until the police arrived.
But it seems this is one incident where a teller could've glanced outside and witness the guy strolling off with his walker. He could've casually walked up and...I dunno...kicked one of the tennis balls out from under the walker, tripped him up a bit.
Or maybe when the demand for money was given, and the secret alarm pressed, you could've asked the coot about his grandchildren. Or about what it was like driving an Edsel.
Once he starts talking (and stroking his mustache), I'm sure that would be enough time for the authorities to show up and apprehend him.
This is one description of a robber that doesn't have something like a tear tattoo, or a doo-rag. Or the usual Raiders jersey (hey sorry...I needed one dig in before Monday Night Footbal).
So, everyone be on the lookout for a tall, well-dressed white senior citizen, carrying an oxygen tank and a bag of loot. I'm guessing one with the big dollar symbol on the side.