Stupid criminal

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/7915349.htm

Here is a story about a stupid criminal who robbed the bank near where I used to live in Northeast Philadelphia. Rule #1 of bank robbing: Bring a BAG for the cash! Don't just run out of the bank carrying handfuls of bills!

Posted on Tue, Feb. 10, 2004Police: Off-duty officer foils bank robber's escape

An off-duty Philadelphia police officer out with his wife in the Mayfair section of the city yesterday morning spoiled a bank robber's getaway, according to police.

The drama began shortly before 10 a.m., when Officer Gregory Rice, 31, a 10-year veteran assigned to the Fifth Police District, saw a man running out of the Wachovia Bank branch at 6420 Frankford Ave. The man was clutching a pile of money. Rice, in his car parked across the street, saw the man jump into a blue 1981 Mazda 626 and speed off.

Rice followed the Mazda while his wife called 911, police said. The pursuit continued for about 16 blocks to the 3400 block of Tyson Avenue, where the man ditched the Mazda and tried to run off. Rice caught him after a short pursuit, police said. Police said more than $1,700 was recovered. The suspect was turned over to the FBI for prosecution, police said.

The FBI identified the suspect as Thomas Hefferon, 52, a Philadelphia police officer from 1971 to 1977, whose last known address is in Pennsauken. Hefferon was in federal custody last night awaiting a federal detention hearing.