Bank robber uses rusty pitchfork as weapon
Bank robber uses rusty pitchfork as weapon
AIKEN, S.C. -- A robber who used a rusty pitchfork to stick up a bank got away -- and so far, finding him has been like looking for a needle in a haystack.
The man, wearing sunglasses and a mask, entered Security Federal Bank on Tuesday morning and threatened employees with the 4-foot pitchfork. The man took an undisclosed amount of money.
The robber dropped the farm tool as he ran from the bank through a wooded area to a golf course behind the bank, police said.
Bloodhounds tracked the robber to a fast-food restaurant parking lot, where police say the man got into a white van driven by a woman.
No customers were in the bank during the holdup, and no one was injured.
Pro wrestling defense
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Lionel Tate, the teen who walked out of prison eight months ago after his life sentence for the killing of a 6-year-old playmate was overturned, was arrested on charges of violating his probation.
Officials found Tate, 17, and a friend walking near Tate's Pembroke Pines home last Friday, sweating and panting as though they had been running, the Broward Sheriff's Office said.
Tate, who gave a false name, and his 18-year-old friend told sheriff's officials they had been "chasing girls," though no girls were seen in the area, according to a sheriff's office report.
Tate agreed to a search, and deputies found a folding knife with a 4-inch blade in his front pocket and identification cards with his real name.
A probation officer determined Tuesday that Tate was in violation of the terms of his probation and he was arrested at his home. He was being held without bail at the Broward County Jail.
Tate was 12 when he killed 6-year-old Tiffany Eunick more than five years ago. He served three years of a mandatory life sentence for first-degree murder before the 4th District Court of Appeal overturned his conviction, clearing the way for a plea deal to second-degree murder.
Before the deal won Tate his freedom, he had claimed he accidentally killed the girl while imitating professional wrestling moves he had seen on television. His life sentence stirred national debate over Florida's treatment of juvenile criminals.
Before he was convicted of first-degree murder, Tate's mother had turned down a plea deal offered by prosecutors that would have brought him a three-year sentence for a guilty plea to second-degree murder.
Too close for comfort
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Deputies didn't have to go far to find this marijuana: It was growing right outside their Green Bay headquarters.
Green Bay television station WLUK-TV reported Tuesday that it received a tip and alerted the Brown County Sheriff's Department about the pot in a planter on the south side of the courthouse.
Chief Deputy John Gossage wasn't sure of the plants' identity, but a drug officer confirmed the presence of marijuana.
The drug officer pulled the six small plants, which were to be destroyed.
Just a day early
WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- New Zealand Finance Minister Michael Cullen seemed to suffer a slip of the tongue in Parliament today, announcing an interest rate increase by the nation's Reserve Bank a day early.
The Reserve Bank, which is independent of the government, was due to announce a review of its 6 percent benchmark official cash rate Thursday.
Cullen stunned lawmakers in parliament when he referred to why the bank had raised interest rates "today."
Responding to a prepared question from a government lawmaker about reports on the state of the economy, Cullen noted that a National Bank article had observed good news seemed to be everywhere.
He then added, "Although the Reserve Bank raised interest rates today, it did so because growth is so strong."
Cullen immediately backtracked by claiming he was referring to predictions from market economists -- all of whom expect the interest rate to rise 25 points to 6.25 percent.
Cullen immediately denied that Reserve Bank governor Allan Bollard had told him of a rate rise.
Associated Press