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Police: Robber refuses $10, takes $4
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GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- A knife-wielding robber needed only $4, so he refused to take a $10 bill from his victim and waited while the man made change at a pizza parlor, police said Tuesday.

He then took the $4 and ran off, only to be captured a few blocks away, police said.

The suspect, James Mitchell, 48, was arraigned Tuesday on robbery and weapon charges. His lawyer, Arlene Popkin, refused to comment.

Police Capt. Joseph DeCarlo said it "really is an odd case, but it is a robbery."

The confrontation began over an artificial rose that the 18-year-old victim had just bought, police said.

"He came out of the store and was approached by the suspect, who said, 'Give me the rose,'" DeCarlo said. "The kid told him, 'Go in there and get one.' But the suspect says, 'I want that one, and your money, too,' and pulls out a knife.

When the teen said all he had was $10, the suspect said he wanted only $4, DeCarlo said.

"He tells the kid to go into the pizza parlor and get change," DeCarlo said. "Then the kid comes out, he takes his $4 and he leaves."

The teenager and his mother, who was across the street, called police and led officers to Mitchell, DeCarlo said.

He couldn't say why Mitchell wanted only $4.

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Reader comments on this story - 9 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Todd the Bod wrote on Aug 31, 2007 2:54 AM:

" Did this happen on the west side? "

Sox 05 wrote on Aug 30, 2007 1:36 PM:

" Yep, it is too bad she wasnt armed. Someone could have died for four dollars and everyone would have been happy. Well, most would be happy. Maybe a few. At least one person would be happy. Forget it. "

for a date wrote on Aug 30, 2007 11:58 AM:

" remember he wanted the rose too. i think he was taking someone out on a date. he needed $4 to buy a couple wine coolers for him and his lovely. "

Holmzy wrote on Aug 29, 2007 11:35 AM:

" .... he needed money for the vending machine "

Lee wrote on Aug 29, 2007 9:22 AM:

" This man wanted to go to jail. I have no idea why. I hope this gets covered so I can find out why a man would do such a thing. "

hmm wrote on Aug 29, 2007 9:06 AM:

" people are dumb...that's all there is to it. "

huh? wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:51 AM:

" why did the kid come back out of the pizza place? Why not stay inside, and call the police? "

ONLY IN AMERICA- wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:28 AM:

" Too bad the mother wasn't armed and with her 18 yr old she could have shot the guy- The kid should have stayed in the store and called police..... "

i know why wrote on Aug 29, 2007 2:28 AM:

" Four double cheeseburgers at McD's... "
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