A Florida man’s quest for the perfect penny turned into a police pursuit (well, more like a polite pickup). Michael Patrick Fleming, 41, waltzed into a Lady Lake Chase Bank last month with a mission as peculiar as a seashell-encrusted mailbox. His target? A single, solitary cent.
Florida Man Attempts One-Penny Withdrawal, Gets Arrested by Police
Apparently lacking a Chase account (and perhaps basic banking knowledge), Fleming filled out a withdrawal slip for a measly $0.01. The teller, understandably confused, informed Fleming such a withdrawal wasn’t possible. Fleming, however, dropped an enigmatic bomb:
“So you want me to say the other word?”
Did he mean “abracadabra” and this was some elaborate penny-conjuring ritual gone wrong? Did he have a secret code for inciting a citizen’s arrest? Fearing the worst (and possibly a rogue penny launcher), the teller wisely called the cops.
Fleming, thankfully, awaited his police escort with all the serenity of a man waiting for his number at the DMV. He was apprehended without incident, but not without a felony robbery charge (minus the firearm or weapon part, which just adds to the surrealism).
Here’s where things get even weirder. Investigators suspect Fleming’s true desire wasn’t a single cent, but a one-way ticket to jail. He had no criminal record and cooperated fully after his arrest. Additionally, a previous attempt at the same penny play at a Citizens First Bank (which, conveniently, was closed) hints at a premeditated plan.
The theory? Fleming, recently evicted for a measly $900 rent delinquency, expected the one-cent withdrawal to trigger a theatrical arrest. He’d then, presumably, just chill in the bank chair until the authorities arrived.
Whether Fleming was seeking a roof over his head (albeit a jail cell roof) or simply craved the drama of a “citizen’s arrest gone wrong” remains a mystery. Regardless, this incident serves as a cautionary tale: even the pursuit of a perfect penny can land you in hot water (or, in this case, a jail cell).
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