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Teen Robs Shop with Banana, Eats Evidence Before Police Arrive

  • Susan
  • May 19, 2009
Going Bananas over holding something

A North Carolina teen who tried to rob a store with a concealed banana, reportedly ate it before police arrived.

John Szwalla, 17, walked into a Winston-Salem Internet cafe and announced a stick up.  Holding what he indicated was a gun under his shirt, he threatened to kill the clerk  unless he handed over money and a Mountain Dew.

Bobby Ray Mabe, owner of the 109 Biz Center, wrestled the hapless thief to the ground with help from a customer, at which time they discovered his gun was nothing more than a ripe banana.  Mabe called the local authorities, but Szwalla quickly ate his weapon before police showed up, leaving the skin behind.

When the officers arrived, they took pictures of the peel, and joked they may charge the teen with destroying evidence.

“If  he had a gun, he would’ve shot me,”Mabe told reporters.  “But he had a banana”

Szwalla has been charged with attempted armed robbery.

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