Police: Man attempted to rob Utica bank with toilet plunger

[flamingdem]

UTICA —

A Utica man armed with a toilet plunger attempted to rob a Utica bank Thursday, city police said.

Police at about at 1:30 p.m. responded to Key Bank on Genesee Street in an unmarked car after two other banks previously called authorities about the suspicious man entering those facilities.

When the suspect approached the unmarked police car, he recognized they were police, reached for his waist band and then ran, police said.

The officers chased him around the Bank of America ATM, but briefly lost sight of him. He was found shortly after and taken into custody.

Arrested was Lawrence Deptola, 49, of Cottage Place, who was charged with attempted third-degree robbery, police said.

http://www.uticaod.com/features/x1726852323/Police-Man-attempted-to-rob-Utica-banks-with-toilet-plunger

[Rhiannon12866]

1. Only in Utica...

[flamingdem]

2. I assume you hail from this unusual town?

better than a gun I guess

[Rhiannon12866]

23. LOL. No, but I went to college right nearby

And it was the target of jokes long before that. And since they closed Manny's Delicatessen, I have little sympathy for them...

Though I think this story would be humorous anywhere... Love the graphic!

[NBachers]

24. Commentary by Schultz and Dooley at 11

[pinboy3niner]

3. Hand over all the cash or I'll unclog your toilets?

What was he on when he thought that one up?

[flamingdem]

4. It had to be a substance

drink or drug, or maybe he is a psychotic plummer standing his ground?

[pinboy3niner]

6. A wannabe Joe the "Plumber"?

I guess there's a first for everything...and there's no accounting for some people's taste.

At least the police quickly cracked the case.

[flamingdem]

11. Took me a minute

[flamingdem]

12. PS That is a plummer

not meaning to post nasty pictures on DU

[pinboy3niner]

13. Now THAT'S the REAL crime!

[hifiguy]

29. He needs one of those t-shirts that "eliminate plumber's butt"

that I've seen advertised on the intertubes.

[flamingdem]

30. Found this video "How to fix plumbers butt"

[hifiguy]

32. That's the very one I was thinking of.

Couldn't remember what the brand name was.

[dimbear]

5. I'll bet you anything his helper gets off scot free.

No use clogging the system with an accessory.

[flamingdem]

17. ?? these

[pinboy3niner]

21. Police believe there may be another accomplice identified only as 'Snake'

The newly-identified accomplice may be hiding in the garage of a local homeowner, police said.

[lpbk2713]

7. I've been wondering whatever happened to Sarah Failin's stooge.

I guess Joe the Dumber just can't seem to make it without the half-governor.

[sakabatou]

8. Weirdest headline for the week?

[Kaleva]

9. This wouldn't have happened if only licensed plumbers were allowed to carry a plunger

[flamingdem]

19. +1

Would like to be a fly on the wall when Big Dude asks him "so what are you in for?"

[Jamastiene]

20. Lol

[steve2470]

10. I guess he finally took the plunge, huh ?

[flamingdem]

15. He could use the excuse

"My mortgage was underwater!"

[Kaleva]

14. We had three young guys attempt to rob a bank using the drive thru.

It was a Saturday and the main lobby was closed and the doors locked so the three walked up to the drive thru window and demanded money from the teller there who was behind thick bullet resistant glass. When the teller refused to give them any money and told them the police had been called, they ran off but were quickly apprehended.

[flamingdem]

16. That's extremely hard to live down

in a small town!

[Jamastiene]

18. Well, the banks do tend to be full of shit.

I guess it makes sense, if you look at it that way.

[flamingdem]

22. I'd award you a Duzy

if I had one!

[raouldukelives]

25. See how they like a little pump & dump for a change. nt

[Javaman]

26. "You mean this isn't a plumbing supply store?!" nt

[PA Democrat]

27. This thread is comedy gold.

[hifiguy]

28. Darwin Awards nominee for sure.

"Hand over the money or I'll plunge you and everyone in this bank!!"

Clearly not the brightest bulb on the marquee.

[callous taoboy]

31. He told the teller- Don't give me any crap.

[smirkymonkey]

34. Laughing out loud here at my desk, right next to my boss.

Honestly, this whole thing is so Utica. I grew up nearby and it's probably one of the safest places in the world - as demonstrated by plunger man.

We tend to use random household objects instead of weapons during confrontations. Someone tried to steal our garden hose once and threw a tea cozy over my dad's head and tried to knock him out with some needlepoint throw pillows. He never got away with the hose though. My dad was armed with a whiffle ball bat.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

33. One could get a nasty infection from one of those things. Throw the book at him!!