Dollar Bill Bandits' Small Haul
Crime spree yields $1 for bumbling group of Florida thieves
By BRIAN HAMACHER
Updated 12:30 PM EDT, Tue, Feb 9, 2010
A West Florida crew of master thieves pulled off the ultimate heist over the weekend, but their take will hardly buy them a cup of coffee.
After breaking into three seperate businesses on the same street over in Pine Island north of Tampa, the thieves' total haul for the day: $1, according to WBBH.
That's right, just $1, and it turns out the dollar may be tracebale.
The dollar was stolen from April's Island Salon, owned by April Collins, who said she couldn't believe someone would steal one measly buck.
"I was bringing in my groceries here for the week and we realized we had been robbed," a bewildered Collins told WBBH. "We are a trusting little community and when something like this happens it's kinda like well, I guess we do have to lock our doors."
The dollar was the salon's first, hung on the wall for sentimental value. It was signed and inscribed by the first customer, so if it's spent in Pine Island it won't be hard to collar the crook.
Had it not been for the dollar theft, the thieves' spree would have been a total loss. They also struck out when they tried to rob a nearby real estate office and a thrift store.
About the only success was in smashing windows and angering many in the small, tight-knit community.
"Most island people and families, even families in need, know what we do, and wouldn't come after us," said Barb Peckinpaugh, with the Beacon of Hope thrift shop.
Collins and her friends are now keeping an eye out for the dollar bill bandits, hoping they can catch them if or when they try to use it.
First Published: Feb 9, 2010 12:07 PM EDT
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