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03-11-2005, 10:40 AM
CRANBERRY, Pa. (AP) - The would-be robber wanted to inspire fear, but his choice of a Disney character mask to conceal his features provoked only giggles from a convenience store clerk.
Cranberry police said a clerk at Gordon's Mini Market burst into laughter when the person wearing a Pluto mask walked into the store about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday.
The clerk was laughing so hard he didn't comply with the robber's demand to turn over the cash register money - so the frustrated robber left the store, police said.
Police Sgt. Dave Kovach said the clerk's response was ill-advised and dangerous, even if it foiled the robbery.
"Pluto could have been a strung-out heroin addict," Kovach said. "You never know."
Pluto drove away in a car, but not before the clerk noticed that he was 6-foot-2 and appeared to be white under the mask. Police believe he's about 20 years old and weighs about 170 pounds.
Cranberry police said a clerk at Gordon's Mini Market burst into laughter when the person wearing a Pluto mask walked into the store about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday.
The clerk was laughing so hard he didn't comply with the robber's demand to turn over the cash register money - so the frustrated robber left the store, police said.
Police Sgt. Dave Kovach said the clerk's response was ill-advised and dangerous, even if it foiled the robbery.
"Pluto could have been a strung-out heroin addict," Kovach said. "You never know."
Pluto drove away in a car, but not before the clerk noticed that he was 6-foot-2 and appeared to be white under the mask. Police believe he's about 20 years old and weighs about 170 pounds.