Bank robber celebrates too soon

[Champ]

April 29, 2004 (HUNTINGTONBEACH, Calif.) — An alleged bank robber celebrated a successful heist a bit prematurely.

Authorities say Ronald Langdale, 59, stopped by a bar and had a beer minutes after he robbed a bank that was doors away on the same strip mall in Huntington Beach. Investigators said that on April 22, Langdale told a teller a the local Bank of America that he had a weapon and wanted cash. Authorities did not reveal how much Langdale stole, but he fled the bank on foot.

Langdale didn't go very far. He entered Mario's Restaurant minutes later, slapped down a $5 bill and ordered a Budweiser draft. Langdale had only taken a few sips from his beer and was counting his stolen loot when police walked in and arrested him without a struggle.

According to Sgt. Mike Mello, Langdale was identified by witnesses to the bank robbery and had the money in a white plastic bag at the time of his arrest. He was being held without bail.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/strange/042904_sn_beerbreak.html