Russell Napier was caught after a security dye pack placed with the cash he stole exploded, covering him and the money in red dye.
A bungling bank robber who threatened staff with a bomb and was caught after police found him covered in red dye, has been jailed for three years.
Russell Napier, 46, admitted robbery of a "substantial" amount of cash from the Natwest Bank in Boscombe, Dorset, on 15 June.
He went into the bank, pointed at his stomach and said 'I've got a bomb under here, give me money', police said.
Napier was found by police with red dye on his face and hands.
Police said he dropped some cash at a supermarket and after a local search, he was found nearby sitting on a kerb in a carpark .
When Napier, of no fixed address, was asked to stand up a "large quantity" of cash fell from his t-shirt, police said.
'Great upset'
A cashier had put a security dye pack with the cash which exploded a short time after he left the bank covering Napier and the money in red dye.
He was jailed for three years at Bournemouth Crown Court.
Det Con Ben Griffin said: "Napier's actions that day caused great upset to the staff working in the bank at the time and members of the public.
"I would like to praise the quick-thinking cashier for putting the security dye pack in the bag which undoubtedly led to him being caught and convicted."
- Published14 May 2014
- Published14 January 2013
