It’s not often that criminals suffer attacks of remorse, it doesn’t really figure high on the ‘attributes list’ when applying for a position as a bank robber, for example.

Having said that, it is exactly what happened in a Washington state bank in the USA last week. Richard Gorton, 64, entered a branch of Banner Bank and handed one of the tellers a note demanding copious amounts of cash be handed over. Bellingham Police Department, whilst not saying how much, said that the teller complied with the request.

However, on leaving the bank the hapless robber suddenly had a fit of remorse, which caused him to just hang around outside the bank waiting for the police to arrive, which of course they duly did and he was promptly arrested.

A police spokesperson said, “he admitted to officers that he had committed the crime and indicated that he had become remorseful right after he walked out of the bank.”
Richard the remorseful robber (good title for a children’s book), now faces charges of robbery and is being held Whatcom County Jail awaiting trial.

Just a quick couple of points about the photograph… firstly, having worked for the police for nearly 20 years, I shouldn’t really say this, but I think I like Richard and hope he gets off. On the other hand, the police officer next to him who actually appears to be posing for the picture should be prosecuted from crimes against cool!

 

(news, Wonky, World, USA)