Polite armed robber

[sar05]

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As the owner of a Shell gas station, John Henry has been robbed before. But he never expected a theft like this.

The thief kept apologizing while holding up the gas station in White Center, and all of it was captured by surveillance cameras.

Everything seemed normal enough when the mild-mannered thief walked into the store, forking over $1.30 for a cup of coffee.

But then came the twist.
More..

Thief: "Now if you'd do me a favor."

Clerk: "Yes."

Thief: "Can you empty that till for me, please? Put it right here."

Clerk: "What do you mean?"

Thief: "Put the till right here. I'm robbing you."

Clerk: "You sure?"

Thief: "Yes, I'm sure."

Working behind the counter was Henry, the owner of the Shell station.

The man, Henry said, was as polite as possible but brandishing what looked to be a real handgun. He told Henry he had to do this for his children.

Thief: "I'm really sorry to have to do this, but I've got kids."

Clerk: "How about if I give you $40 and this is it?"

Thief: "Well, I can't do that, sir. I've got rent to pay. I've got bills, and the kids need to eat."

Henry handed over $300 in cash, genuinely believing the thief desperately needed money, but highly skeptical for what reason.

"He told that me he needed the money for his kids, and he looked like 65 years old," Henry said. "It's not true, because if you're 65 years old, you are not going to have kids."

The robbery took place around 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

The man did nothing to conceal his identity, and his every move was captured by the 14 surveillance cameras installed inside and outside the gas station.

Before he calmly walked away, he made Henry a promise:

"Thank you very much, I really appreciate it. And I'm sorry. And if I ever get back on my feet again, sir, I'll bring it back."

Detectives arrested a suspect in the case on Monday after Henry made an identification in a photo lineup. The 65-year-old man was captured in the Top Hat area.

[MasterOfNone]

I saw the video and was disgusted by the pity Henry showed for the man. A nice demeanor doesn't change the fact that the man chose to steal from Henry. A person's actions (robbery) is the true measure of his kindness.

[C-dub]

That may be true, but the owner seemed to read the man and was able to keep things from getting out of hand and no one got injured or killed.

[seamusTX]

The "suspect" in this case was busted in Seattle Monday. He has previously been convicted of robbery. He also was not flat broke and did not have dependent children.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/t ... e_kno.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[Cobra Medic]

Robbers are usually younger but this is a good reminder that they're not all spring chickens.

[seamusTX]

As many of you are aware, I frequently defend the press on various issues.

However, I fault them for popularizing nicknames for criminals such as this "Polite Robber," "Green River Killer," "Jack the Ripper," etc.

These nicknames may make criminals seem harmless or even "lovable." At worst, they add to the grandiose fantasies of sociopathic murderers who may commit additional crimes to get attention.

Some of these criminals, when caught, have been found with scrapbooks and video archives of news reports on their misdeeds.

Every robber, armed or not, using a real weapon or a non-functional replica, creates the potential for mayhem. Victims have had heart attacks and other medical crises just because of the threat.

(Though not a newspaper creation, the "Birdman of Alcatraz" was a nasty murderer and psychopath that you would not want dating your sister: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Franklin_Stroud" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

- Jim

[MasterOfNone]

I fault them for popularizing nicknames for criminals such as this "Polite Robber," "Green River Killer," "Jack the Ripper," etc.

And had the clerk responded with force, imagine the headline: "Store clerk shoots polite robber"

[Excaliber]

The polite gig was likely an attempt to manipulate the station owner into not reporting the crime out of pity.

[MasterOfNone]

The polite gig was likely an attempt to manipulate the station owner into not reporting the crime out of pity.

or into not resisting.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

If in Texas, the store owner's polite response might have been

"Excuse me, sir, but your actions require me to double tap you
with my pistol. <2 rounds are then fired>"

SIA

[Pawpaw]

If in Texas, the store owner's polite response might have been

"Excuse me, sir, but your actions require me to double tap you
with my pistol. <2 rounds are then fired>"

SIA

And then have him charged for stealing ammunition!