In 1992, an armed robber named Dennis Lee Curtis was arrested in Rapid City, S.D.
In his wallet he carried a list, sort of a robber’s rules.
I came across it while reading a fascinating book called “The Words We Live By: The Creeds, Mottoes and Pledges that Have Shaped America,” by Brian Burrell (The Free Press).
This is the list:
1) I will not kill anyone unless I have to.
2) I will take cash and food stamps–no checks.
3) I will rob only at night.
4) I will not wear a mask.
5) I will not rob minimarts or 7-Eleven stores.
6) If I get chased by cops on foot I will get away. If chased by a vehicle I will not put the lives of innocent civilians on the line.
7) I will rob only seven months out of the year.
8) I will enjoy robbing from the poor to give to the poor.
Isn’t that a most amazing document? I think so.
Though I am confused by the thief’s rule number 4 and don’t buy rule number 5, I can only surmise from the other rules, specifically numbers 6 and 8, that this is the sort of professional crook who takes pride in his work and who probably never should have gotten caught.
Better he did though, given pesky rule number 1.
