ASHLAND — The Duct Tape Bandit? He’s so yesterday.
Do the math. Do the homework.
And meet his heir apparent — the Staple Gun Stickup Man.
In the most recent local example of what can only be described as criminal stupidity, police say that an Ashland man on Tuesday held up an ice cream parlor with a decidedly nonlethal weapon:
A chrome-plated stapler.
Gerald A. Rocchi, 32, allegedly walked into The Ice Cream Shop, 713 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., about 6:40 p.m., his face covered with a ski mask, brandished the stapler and demanded money, Ashland Police Department Capt. Don Petrella said.
It’s not known whether the robber had plans to fire projectiles with the stapler, or to use it as a blunt instrument if his demand wasn’t met.
Because of its chrome finish, the stapler could have conceivably been mistaken it for a handgun “if someone didn’t get a good look at it,” Petrella said.
Store employees complied with the robber, forking over about $175 from the register, according to Petrella.
Unlike Kasey Kazee, the accused Duct Tape Bandit, Rocchi was able to make a successful getaway. He ran into the neighboring Ponderosa steakhouse, went into a restroom and changed clothes, then fled to a house on 10th Street, Petrella said.
However, several witnesses saw Rocchi fleeing and were able to provide responding officers with information on his direction of travel.
Officers surrounded the 10th Street house where Rocchi had holed up. He refused their orders to come out, Petrella said.
Police negotiated with Rocchi for about 45 minutes before he finally agreed to surrender, he said.
Officers searched the house and found the money from The Ice Cream Shop heist, along with the stapler and the ski mask, Petrella said.
Additionally, police located evidence at the scene linking Rocchi with a holdup that occurred Thursday at Wendy’s in the Midtown Mall, Petrella said. He declined to say what that evidence was.
It’s believed that Rocchi also used a staple gun in the earlier heist, Petrella said.
Rocchi told police he lived in the 2100 block of Winchester Avenue, but he had actually been living in the 10th Street house, Petrella said.
Rocchi had not been charged in the Wendy’s heist as of Wednesday. He was being held in the Boyd County Detention Center on a single count of first-degree robbery.
Rocchi was arraigned Wednesday morning in Boyd District Court.
Local News
Ice cream parlor robbed with stapler
Ashland man, 32, arrested in bizarre Midtown Mall incident
- Local News
-
-
Search for new ACTC president to begin soon
A national search will begin soon to replace Ashland Community and Technical College President Gregory D. Adkins, who is retiring.
-
Red Tails recommended
With sincere appreciation to their hosts, local military veterans whose service spanned World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan gathered at Kyova 10 Theatre late Tuesday afternoon for a screening of the film “Red Tails.”
-
More updates coming to Boyd jail
While a nonfunctional fire alarm system has been fixed, the Boyd County Detention Center is now dealing with problems in another of its security systems.
-
APD probes early morning stabbing
Ashland police are investigating a stabbing in the area of 30th Street and Greenup Avenue early Tuesday morning.
-
Local briefs: 2/8/12
A Carter County man was killed Monday in an all-terrain vehicle accident.
-
3 indicted in grave-marker thefts
A Carter County grand jury has indicted three in connection with the December theft of metal markers from the graves of World War II veterans.
-
Boyd to save money with refinancing
The Boyd County Fiscal Court is planning to save money by refinancing a bond issued for work on the county’s jail and sewer system.
-
White-nose syndrome found in more Kentucky caves
The mysterious and deadly disease that has been killing bats for several years in the United States has reached more caves in Kentucky.
-
A haunted hunt for a hidden hundred
On the heels of a tremendously popular effort in Louisa, “the Scare Crew” from the Fallsburg Haunted House will begin its next Haunted Hunt for Cash in Ashland this week, starting with a clue on the organization’s Facebook page.
-
Minton asks for additional funding
With several circuit clerks seated behind him, Kentucky’s Chief Justice of the Supreme Court told a legislative budget subcommittee Tuesday the court system can’t retain entry-level employees because as soon as they are trained they’re hired away by the executive branch.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Search for new ACTC president to begin soon
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
