A man in Slidell, Louisiana, pulled off a theatrical bank robbery with a fake limp and cane, only to sprint away with cash in hand, leaving tellers stunned and police on the hunt.
This audacious crime unfolded at a Fidelity Bank branch just outside New Orleans, where surveillance footage captured the suspect’s elaborate deception, as reported by Fox News. The robbery took place shortly before 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, according to local authorities.
Disguised with a neck brace, bucket hat, face mask, and multiple layers of clothing, the suspect hobbled into the bank clutching a short cane, immediately raising suspicions among staff. His appearance screamed red flags, and employees sensed trouble before he even made his move.
Unmasking the Deception in Slidell
Bank staff noted the suspect’s odd getup from the moment he entered, with a spokesperson later telling Fox News, “He walked in as a red flag, just out of pure appearance.” If you can’t even see someone’s face behind all that gear, it’s not hard to guess something’s off, especially in a place handling cash.
The man lingered inside for several minutes, biding his time until other customers cleared out. Once alone with the tellers, he slid a note across the counter and shouted, “This is a robbery!”—a line straight out of a bad crime flick.
Before the teller could even read the demand, he was screaming and grabbing the money, snatching back his note for good measure. Then, in a blink, the supposed disability vanished as he bolted out the door, cash stuffed in a clear fanny pack.
A Bold Escape Caught on Camera
Surveillance video shows the suspect sprinting through the parking lot, his fake limp nowhere to be seen, proving the whole act was just a prop for the heist. It’s almost comical if it weren’t so brazen—using a cane one second, running like an Olympian the next.
Police and K-9 units scoured nearby neighborhoods, suspecting he may have fled in a waiting vehicle. Despite the search, the man described as a Black male in a gray tracksuit, bucket hat, and face mask remains at large.
A Slidell Police Department spokesperson remarked, “The pure elaborate game plan that he went in there with—acting like he was crippled, going to that extent, and then just taking the money and running away, literally no injury—was something else.” You have to wonder if this guy thought he was starring in his own blockbuster, but reality doesn’t offer a clean getaway.
Technology vs. Old-School Crime Tactics
Bank robberies might be less common these days thanks to advanced security and tracking tech, but this suspect’s old-school approach shows some still think they can outsmart the system. It’s a gamble that rarely pays off, especially when cameras catch every step of your disappearing act.
Police are now combing through evidence, with the spokesperson hinting at a promising lead, saying, “We’re fishing through all the evidence, but I’ve been told we’ve finally got our hands on something potentially promising.” That’s a sliver of hope, but until he’s caught, tellers and customers alike are left on edge.
Authorities are urging anyone with information or home security footage from along Choctaw Drive to contact the Slidell Police Department at 985-643-3131. Every tip counts when a suspect this bold is still out there, likely plotting his next charade.
Community on Alert After Brazen Robbery
This incident shakes up a sense of safety, reminding folks that even small-town branches aren’t immune to big-time crime. Thankfully, no one was harmed, but the audacity of faking a disability to exploit trust leaves a sour taste.
It’s a wake-up call for financial institutions to double down on training and vigilance, because costumes and theatrics shouldn’t fool anyone in a high-stakes environment. Staff were understandably rattled, and while they followed protocol, the system still took a hit.
As Slidell waits for answers, this robbery stands as a stark example of how far some will go for a quick score, discarding any shred of decency along the way. Let’s hope police close in soon, before this actor takes his show to another stage.
