Would-be robbers 'overly prepared'

From Stuff.co.nz -

Herman Sakaria, a Whangaparaoa-based security guard was heading home when he saw two youths covering their car plates, then put clear plastic bags over their faces, and socks over their shoes, before running into the Bay View Store in Stanmore Bay armed with steak knives.

Sakaria parked behind their vehicle and approached the dairy, where one of them remained at the entrance while the other demanded cash. But the male owner repelled the attacker and chased both youths out of his store, where Sakaria intercepted them.

The Korean couple who owns the store came out after the youths, with the woman hitting them with a flyswat. By sheer coincidence the mother of one of the youths turned up.

Rodney police are applauding Sakaria’s quick thinking and actions. The youths were to appear in the North Shore District Court charged with assault with intent to rob, carrying a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.

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New York robber wanted $4, and not a penny more

From Chron -

Aug. 28, 2007, 8:15PM, GREENBURGH, N.Y. — A knife-wielding robber, James Mitchell, 48, needed only $4, so he refused to take a $10 bill from his victim and waited while the man made change at a pizza parlor. He then took the $4 and ran off, only to be captured a few blocks away.

Police Capt. Joseph DeCarlo said it "really is an odd case, but it is a robbery." The confrontation began over an artificial rose that the 18-year-old victim had just bought.

"He came out of the store and was approached by the suspect, who said, 'Give me the rose,'" DeCarlo said. "The kid told him, 'Go in there and get one.' But the suspect says, 'I want that one, and your money, too,' and pulls out a knife.

When the teen said all he had was $10, the suspect said he wanted only $4. "He tells the kid to go into the pizza parlor and get change," DeCarlo said. "Then the kid comes out, he takes his $4 and he leaves."

The teenager and his mother, who was across the street, called police and led officers to Mitchell, DeCarlo said. He couldn't say why Mitchell wanted only $4.

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