Bank robber throws money in the air and shouts 'Merry Christmas'

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By VT

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A bank robber has thrown the money that he stole into the air and shouted "Merry Christmas!"

The incident took place in Colorado Springs at 12:30 on Monday, December 23. The suspect, 65-year-old David Oliver, entered the Academy Bank on 1 S. Tejon St., and like many bank robbers, demanded cash under the pretense that he had a weapon.

However, unlike 99.99% of robbers, once he was given the money, he didn't pocket it and flee. Instead, he threw the undisclosed amount of cash into the air and shouted "Merry Christmas!", 11 News reports.

This is a news report on the incident: 

While the exact details of the incident are still emerging, one eyewitness, Dion Pascale, has provided a particularly compelling account to 11 News.

According to Pascale, the 65-year-old robber "started throwing money out of the bag and then said Merry Christmas. He robbed the bank, came out, threw the money all over the place."

He was "throwing it behind him," Pascale said, "because the guy was right on his tail. What else can you do but get rid of it?"

This robber returned what he stole after seeing his victim's bank balance: 

While it's not known who was following Oliver, the person is believed to have been in the bank.

Bystanders were understandably confused, and once their confusion had worn off, they picked up the money and returned it to the bank.

After the festive cash fling, Oliver went to a Starbucks branch down the road. According to Pascale, he "sat down and waited for the cops. It was almost like he wanted it to happen [an arrest]."

An eyewitness to a robbery.
Credit: 2352

Shortly after sitting down at Starbucks, authorities arrived and arrested the man. He was subsequently identified in custody. Colorado Springs Police has reported that he was booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center.

As per BBC News, Oliver, who is suspiciously white-bearded, is not believed to have had any little helpers.

Meanwhile, this restaurant has offered a "free barbecue for life" to anyone who helps capture these robbery suspects.