Robber undone by own greed

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 37-year-old man found out the hard way yesterday that people just won't tolerate a robber with bad manners.

He was arrested and booked on second-degree robbery after police said he was chased down by customers at the Kapahulu branch of First Hawaiian Bank. The man was being held last night in a police cellblock pending charges.

Police said a man walked into the branch on Kapahulu Avenue at about 4 p.m. and demanded money from a teller. He was given some money, but demanded more.

The teller complied and handed the robber more money. Still not satisfied, the man demanded even more money.

By then, customers in line had heard the commotion and attempted to apprehend the robber. But the man said he had a gun and ran out of the bank.

He ran toward the Ala Wai Canal with the customers giving chase. Police said the man jumped into the canal, swam to the other side and leaped into a trash bin.

Police arriving at the scene were told by the witnesses that the robber was hiding in the trash bin. He was found and arrested, and police said all of the money was recovered.

Police said the man did not have a weapon when he was arrested.