Friday, November 16, 2007

Masked bandit robs ice cream store with stapler

A man wearing a ski mask held up an eastern Kentucky ice cream store with a stapler, and briefly got away with $175.

Police identified the stapler bandit as Gerald A. Rocchi, 32, who was arrested shortly after he allegedly flashed a chrome-plated stapler at an employee of The Ice Cream Shop in Ashland on Tuesday and demanded money.

Ashland Police Capt. Don Petrella said he didn't know if Rocchi planned to shoot staples at the shop's employees or use it as a blunt instrument if he didn't get the cash. It didn't come to that because the employees handed over the cash, Petrella said.

Several witnesses saw Rocchi leave the shop and told police where he was headed, Petrella said. After arresting Rocchi, police searched his house and found money, a stapler and a ski mask. Rocchi was charged with first-degree robbery.

There's a news video on this page.

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