Robber armed with staple gun

Gerald A. Rocchi, 32, was arrested on Tuesday for robbing an Ashland, Kentucky ice cream shop at stapler-point. He ran off with $175 but witnesses pointed police in his direction. A search of Rocchi's home turned up cash, a ski mask, and the chrome-plated stapler. From the Associated Press:

Ashland Police Capt. Don Petrella said he didn't know if Rocchi planned to shoot staples at the shop's employees or use it as a blunt instrument if he didn't get the cash...

Petrella said the chrome finish on the stapler could have made it look like a gun "if someone didn't get a good look at it."

Link

Previously on BB:
• Ashland, KY robber disguised face with duct tape Link

[#1 posted by UkuleleElvis , November 15, 2007 8:29 PM]

surely a glue gun would have been a better option!

[#2 posted by deckard , November 15, 2007 9:02 PM]

A staple can kill an ice-cream. It was a real threat.

Policeman Don Petrelli is a hero.

[#3 posted by jimtealiii , November 15, 2007 9:33 PM]

I served on a jury in a case where a man tried to rob a convenience store with a twig. I guess you could say it was a "stick-up".

[#4 posted by dculberson , November 15, 2007 10:21 PM]

Jim, was his bark worse than his bite?

[#5 posted by EH , November 15, 2007 11:40 PM]

HEY-O

[#6 posted by han , November 16, 2007 12:57 PM]

Was it a staple gun or a stapler? A powered staple gun is a dangerous tool that can seriously hurt you at close range. (It's also a fun tool to play with if your parents are away.) However, the news article only mentions a "chrome-plated stapler" and even heavy-duty staplers are not that dangerous, except as blunt instruments.