Cops: Kidnapper Could Be 'Dumbest Criminal of Year'

He allegedly scheduled a meeting with the victim and actually showed up for it
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 14, 2016 6:33 PM CST
Cops: Kidnapper Could Be 'Dumbest Criminal of Year'
Jason Hayes   (Nether Providence Police Department)

"If he can survive the remaining 340-some days of the year, he will definitely win the dumbest criminal of the year," Philly.com quotes police chief David Splain. The dumb criminal in question is Pennsylvania 17-year-old Jason Hayes, who is charged with kidnapping and robbing an old woman at gunpoint. Police say Hayes entered the victim's home through a window early Jan. 3 and woke her up by poking her with a gun, according to Fox 29. When she didn't have any cash to give him, he allegedly made her drive to an ATM, Philly.com reports. Police say he wanted $2,000, but the ATM would only let the victim withdraw $460. Hayes allegedly held the victim and her husband at gunpoint in their kitchen for another hour or so before telling the victim to meet him in a parking lot the following morning with $1,500.

"Not that we would believe that a robber would have ever showed up for a scheduled appointment, but it was something we had to cover," Philly.com quotes Splain. Not only did Hayes show up, but he was wearing the exact same clothes the victims described from previous morning. Unfortunately for him, it was the police and not the victim who was waiting for him. According to Fox, Hayes allegedly had $363 and what appeared to be the victims' watch on him when he was arrested. Police say Hayes threatened to kill the couple multiple times, including if they went to the cops. They are "scared to death" of him. Hayes is facing 11 charges, including robbery and kidnapping, in connection with the incident. (More weird crimes stories.)

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