Part of their plan included a diversion. The diversion they concocted was to phone in three simultaneous phony bomb threats at Cabrillo College, a junior college in Aptos somewhat off the beaten path. To maximize the effect of the diversion, they made the calls just before they intended to rob the bank. Naturally, Aptos police immediately went to the college to investigate the incidents.

While this diversion was happening, the crooks swarmed the bank brandishing assault rifles. They made off with $88,000, jumped into their getaway car and fled. For their getaway route they chose -- guess what? -- the main drag bordering Cabrillo College. (As I said, Cabrillo College is somewhat off the beaten path, so the crooks had to go out of their way to be drive near the college.)

Needless to say, at this time a high concentration of police squad cars were all over the Cabrillo College campus. Thanks to the not-so-modern miracle of police radios, the cops had heard of the robbery immediately after it happened -- "211 in progress." The report given to the cops included a description of the getaway car.

Cut to the final scene: Several cop cars see the getaway car streaking by and through the college. They give chase. Within a few blocks they capture the crooks at gunpoint.

I guess the crooks never heard of police radios or likely getaway routes away from cops. And it took them *three months* to plan this brilliant caper? I nominate all of the captured crooks for instant hall of fame recognition in the next go-around of the annual Darwin Awards.

Submitted on 12/02/2003

Submitted by: Semper Fidelis
Reference: KSBW-TV news, 2003.12.02

Copyright © 2003 DarwinAwards.com

Greg said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
Darwin has included a "dumb crooks" section in each of her books, and although the direct risk to life is minimal this is one of the better ones I have seen posted.

Charles said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
Normally, I'd award this an instant fail: "Stupid, yes; but once they have served their time, they will be able to return to society and father children as stupid as they are themselves. Since they have not permanently removed themselves from the gene pool, they are ineligible for inclusion on this site." Given Greg's comments, I will leave it as one for Darwin to look at.

Daniel said:
Definitely Toss: No Self-Selection
There are sites for stupid criminal tricks, but as long as they can still reproduce, this isn't for us.

Bill said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
I have to agree with Greg - I went and read the newest Darwin Awards book, and it includes stupid criminals. Which means changing my policy, which I thought was general policy, of rejecting stupid criminals. Let the readers decide if they like it and Darwin sort it out.

Jack said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
I haven't seen the latest book yet, but if she has a section for "dumb crooks," who am I to argue? As Bill said, let the readers decide and then let Darwina sort it out. Although I think this might be an issue for discussion elsewhere.

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