Caught Red Faced

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Note to all the potential bank robbers out there. Wait until the paint bomb goes off before looking in your loot bag or at least wait until you get home. This reminds me of the scene in 'Pulp Fiction' where Vincent accidentally shoots Marvin in the face.

 

LOUISVILLE -- Police say they were able to nab an armed bank robbery suspect less than a half-hour after he made his getaway because he was carrying a virtual red flag.

 

Charles Cross, Jr., is being held on $40,000 bond for the May 5 robbery of the Fifth Third Bank branch on Poplar Level Road. Police say he terrorized employees with a military style carbine during the robbery two weeks ago.

"He came in wearing a motorcycle helmet, pointing the gun," said Det. Bryan Arnold of the LMPD Robbery Squad. Arnold says Cross was allegedly "threatening the victims and was very violent in nature, and was screaming 'Put the money in the bag!'"

 

Investigators believe Cross chose the Poplar Level branch for a reason.

 

"Simply based on its location," Arnold said. "Maybe he did it because the expressway was so close, just a block and a half away," Arnold said.

 

Inside the bank for less than a minute, Cross ran out to his car, a white Chevy Malibu that police say he rented. The money was in a clear plastic bag. But as he drove away, his plan literally blew up in his face.

 

"He's probably looking in his bag to find out what he's got and as he looks down, probably with that same helmet on, the dye pack goes off and explodes all over his face and his hands," Arnold said.

 

Security officials declined to show WAVE 3 Investigator James Zambroski how they work, but agreed to set off one of the dye packs often hidden in bundles of cash. They are triggered when a suspect leaves the bank, spraying the money and anything nearby with an indelible stain and a heavy dose of tear gas.

 

"I think it actually razzled him somewhat to where I don't think he knew what to think," Arnold said.

 

Police say Cross dumped the getaway car at the German American Club east of the bank and hid the money there. He then set out on foot east toward Newburg Road, where he was spotted by a police K-9 officer.

 

"He (the officer) notices that there's dye, red dye, all over his face and hands," Arnold said. "He gets him down, gets him handcuffed."

 

The money and getaway car were found shortly after that, police said.

 

"It's dye-stained at this point, and he was probably trying to get another ride home," Arnold said.

 

Most bank robbers get caught, and some cases are easier for police than others.

 

"Is this in the Dumb Criminals Hall of Fame?" Zambroski asked.

 

"I'd say it's probably up there," Arnold said.

 

Cross declined an interview request by WAVE 3 News. He's charged with one count of bank robbery and is due back in court on June 15. Police say he has not cooperated with their investigation, which is continuing.

 

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