Would-be robber stymied by stuffy nose

from earth times

SACRAMENTO, Dec. 31 A man is in police custody in Sacramento, Calif., after his attempt to rob a bank was foiled by his own runny nose.

Sudan Provost, 40, entered a bank in downtown Sacramento Friday afternoon and announced in a low voice that he was there to rob it -- but apparently, nobody heard him, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Provost then walked up to a teller's window, indicated he was armed and asked for a tissue.

After his tissue request was denied, Provost reportedly walked to a nearby pharmacy, the newspaper said.

When he returned to the bank a few minutes later, police were there reviewing the security camera footage of his earlier visit.

He was arrested immediately on suspicion of attempted robbery, the Bee reported.