Elderly man says he robbed Florida bank to pay medical bills

[Judi Lynn]

Elderly man says he robbed Florida bank to pay medical bills
Wednesday February 11, 2004
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) An elderly man told police he robbed a bank to pay his wife's medical bills.

His wife was behind the wheel of a getaway car Tuesday when the 71-year-old man ran from the bank, police said. Her doctor's appointment was scheduled a half hour later.

A dye pack exploded inside the bag of money, covering James Roland Clark as he left the bank. Clark and his wife, Deloris Jane Clark, 66, were arrested soon afterward, said Gainesville police Sgt. Keith Kameg.

Clark told police he threatened bank tellers saying he had a bomb, but it was actually a bag of sand, Kameg said.
(snip/...)

http://cbsnewyork.com/national/ElderlyBankRobber-aa/resources_news_html

[Judi Lynn]

1. Kick!

:kick:

[Laughing Mirror]

2. We should expect to see more of our elders

Robbing to pay medical bills, having learned that they should not have accumulated those bills perhaps, but having not given up trying to get decent health care to begin with.

[demdave]

4. Especially if they have been bank robbers since 1954!!!!

James Clark has a federal criminal history dating back to 1954, Kameg said. Charges include bank robbery, mail fraud and conspiracy to grow and distribute marijuana, officers reported. He also had been sentenced in 1992 to 12 years in a federal prison on bank robbery charges.

Looks like this was his life's work. Poor man. <sarcasm>

[sybylla]

6. Must not have been routine robbers

Dye bombs have been a part of the defense against bank robbers for 20 years. You'd think he would have known about it if this was a regular excursion for him.

[Ilsa]

3. Well, at least he'll be able to get some medical care

in prison (thankfully), but his poor wife will still have to fend for herself. Maybe she can knock off a Quickstop and finally get some health care service.

(Thanks again, Jeb.)

[no_hypocrisy]

5. The NEW "Les Miserables". What will it take to make elected

officials directly address and act on this "imminent" and grave issue. Lack of expenses to pay for one's survival via medical care affects each of us directly and indirectly.

[no one in particular]

7. Don't make him out to be Jean Valjean.

As someone else pointed out, he's just a common thug; a criminal.

The elderly can be scum too, and this man appears to qualify.

Health care is a legitimate topic, but this guy ain't a good poster boy.