Fortunately for a local business owner, this thief was not the brightest bulb. On August 10, a week ago, police say 28-year old Jamal James snuck under a metal roll-down gate at Loon Chun Liquor, 45 Pitt St., just before it closed.
James allegedly took $2,100 from the register and a few bottles of alcohol from the shelves, which he stuffed into his pockets. There was just one problem. He was trapped inside the store, located about a half block north of the 7th Precinct. The Post picks up the story from here:
After studying the entrance for a few minutes, James can be seen on surveillance video removing the money and alcohol from his pockets and placing them on the counter. He then stuffs the $20 bill in his sock and attempts to exit the store, but to no avail. When officers arrived on the scene, they found James inside and arrested him, the complaint said… Lower East Side residents were dumbfounded when told of the stupidity that led to James’ demise. “That kid is one dumb SOB,” said 61-year-old Miguel Marian, as he stood outside Loon Chun on Friday. “You need to be a real drunk idiot to end up in that sh–hole situation.” … “This sounds like something I’ve seen in one of those cop comedies,” added Kyle Jordan, 20. “He must have drank all the liquor in the store to do something that idiotic.”
James faces burglary charges.
