Apr 10, 2009 6:46 am US/Central
Contrite Robber Returns $167 To Doughnut Shop
HINSDALE, Ill. (CBS) ―
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Alex Holmes allegedly robbed a Dunkin' Donuts in Hinsdale, then came back, returned the money, and asked to give the clerk a hug.
Hinsdale Police
A day after he held up a Hinsdale Dunkin' Donuts, the teenaged robber returned to the same store — to apologize and return the $167 he took, police said Thursday.
"He said he felt bad about it," said Hinsdale Police detective Charles Leuver, who called the case "very unusual ... borderline bizarre."
The unusual gesture, however, didn't prevent police from arresting the alleged holdup man — whose Tuesday morning robbery and second visit to the store early Wednesday were both captured by a surveillance camera.
Alex Holmes, 17, was arrested Wednesday afternoon as he rode his bike in the western suburb. He was charged with felony aggravated robbery and remains jailed on $75,000 bond.
Police say Holmes' alleged action in returning the money — right down to the loose change taken from the cash register — surprised them.
"I've been in law enforcement for 14 years, and I've never seen this happen," said Leuver.
Holmes allegedly walked into the store through an unlocked back door about 3:05 a.m. Tuesday carrying a handgun, ordered the female clerk to empty the cash register, then fled again out a back door, according to Hinsdale police.
He returned early Wednesday morning, approached the same clerk — then placed a stack of money on the counter with a hand-written note apologizing for taking the money the morning before, police said. "I'm sorry I took your money, ma'am," it says. "I truly apologize. I shouldn't have done it."
Holmes also asked to hug the clerk to show there were no hard feelings, Leuver said.
"He tried to hug her — she backed away," Leuver said.
The boy left the store on a bike and was last seen heading south on York Road.
Using photos taken by the security camera in the store, police located and arrested Holmes Wednesday at about 5:30 p.m. as he rode a bike west on Symonds Drive from Elm Street. Officers stopped the boy and identified him as the robber. He was taken into custody without incident to the Hinsdale Police Department, police said.
The pistol Holmes allegedly carried during the holdup later was found to be a pellet gun, DuPage County authorities said.
Leuver said the teen "understood he made a mistake and he wanted to make amends for it." But the detective said he has no regrets that Holmes was arrested.
No one answered the door at Holmes' residence Friday.
Meanwhile, coffee shop customers are divided about punishment.
"I was very pleased that he came back, that he had a conscience," Linda Hussey said. "I think that was inspiring."
"I credit him for being honest about it, but he shouldn't have done it in the first place," Peter Martin said.
CBS 2's Derrick Blakley and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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