Stupid Criminals
Illegible bank robbery note
Incomprehensible bank robbery notes are a recurring theme in weird news. For instance, we've posted previously about the 1980 case of the spelling-challenged bank robber whose note simply baffled the teller he handed it to.A similar case occurred in 2021, reported in the Sussex World:
The note:
Not great handwriting, but I was actually able to read it fairly easily.
via whattheythink.com
Posted By: Alex - Sat Mar 15, 2025 -
Comments (3)
Category: Stupid Criminals
Burglar Trap
If the intruder is considerate enough to step in exactly the right place, his or her foot will be ensnared.Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jan 09, 2025 -
Comments (0)
Category: Inventions, Patents, Stupid Criminals, 1920s
Sharing too much during a job interview
Asheville Citizen Times - July 16, 1975
Posted By: Alex - Sun Nov 10, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Police and Other Law Enforcement, Stupid Criminals, 1970s
Library Robbery
The most important rule for being a successful robber is to rob places that have money.
Los Angeles Times - Feb 23, 1973
Posted By: Alex - Mon Jun 24, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Stupid Criminals, 1970s
Girl Stowaways
As you're reading the first column, jump down to the second image, which is a continuation of same.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Jun 11, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Oceans and Maritime Pursuits, Stupid Criminals, 1950s, Women
Unauthorized Dwellings 33
Read the full story here.NOTE: image is generic.
A man in Washington smelled cigarette smoke in his home and traced it to an upstairs loft. There he found a makeshift bed, a running heater, half-eaten food, and drugs. The following day the suspect returned to the house and was taken into custody, police said.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Apr 17, 2024 -
Comments (3)
Category: Drugs, Stupid Criminals, Unauthorized Dwellings, Twenty-first Century
Bad Wig Bandits
Bad hairpieces are a definite theme for bank robbers. The first such I find is from the 1950s. The latest is from 2020. When will the next Bad Wig Bandit strike?The newspaper piece below was too long to reproduce in its entirety, but you can read about Frank Sprenz here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Feb 27, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Stupid Criminals, Twentieth Century, Twenty-first Century, Hair and Hairstyling
Spelling-Challenged Bank Robber
As far as I can tell, this guy was never caught. On the other hand, it doesn't sound like his efforts got him much money.
Miami Herald - Oct 11, 1980
Posted By: Alex - Thu Feb 08, 2024 -
Comments (3)
Category: Stupid Criminals, 1980s
The bank robber who waited
June 1997: When a bankrobber demanded money, the teller told him to wait while she got it. She kept him waiting for 20 minutes, until the police arrived.I'm pretty sure banks now instruct their employees to give robbers the money, rather than trying anything like this.
Miami Herald - June 10, 1997
Posted By: Alex - Tue Dec 05, 2023 -
Comments (1)
Category: Stupid Criminals, 1990s
Cup Final Seats
"A man who placed advertisements in a national newspaper offering 'Cup Final seats" for £15 sent applicants small canvas stools with 'Cup Final' written on them."He probably thought he had figured out the perfect crime.
The Guardian - May 24, 1977
Posted By: Alex - Tue Nov 28, 2023 -
Comments (0)
Category: Stupid Criminals, 1970s
| Who We Are |
|---|
| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |