Red-Dyed Cash Used at Strip Club Foils Suspected Bank Robber
As a bank robber, the last thing you want to do is make a statement by handing out dollar bills covered in red dye.
Maybe Todd J. Kettler was just color-blind or perhaps he thought the crimson cash was normal with the red interior lighting. The bank robber used the cash to pay for services at the Angels Gentlemen's Club in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Instead of making it rain, he got caught by the cops.
The strip club's manager reported Kettler to police for using his red-dyed cash and they used that evidence to arrest Kettler.
Colorful cash makes a statement and that statement is 'criminal.'
Many banks protect their cash from robberies using dye packs that explode if mishandled. In the case of a robbery the packs will explode, covering the cash and often the robber with colorful dye that makes it easy for police to identify the stolen goods.
When police were called to the scene they likely knew the cash was stolen.
After a short interview with Kettler they also suspected he was the robber and linked the cash to a robbery at Charter One Bank in Southfield, Michigan, reports Michigan Live. With that knowledge Kettler was arrested.
Kettler obviously didn't know the purpose of dyed cash when he started handing out his decorated bills. If he'd managed to keep it to himself he might have gotten away with the crime. Then again if he'd been more prudent he might not have gotten involved in bank robbery in the first place.
As theft crimes go, robbery is one of the more serious.
By its definition robbery requires force against other people in getting the stolen property. Crimes that involve violence or potential violence against others are generally taken more seriously under the law.
So far Kettler is being held on $1 million bond awaiting a preliminary examination conference later this month. As of Tuesday he was not represented by a lawyer, reports the Associated Press.
Related Resources:
- Dumb Bank Robber, Dumber Outfit (FindLaw's Legal Grounds)
- Cops Nab Criminal Suspects Accused of Calling Ahead to Rob a Bank (FindLaw's Legally Weird)
- Teen Robbery Suspect Shot Himself in the Foot (FindLaw's Legally Weird)