Kind of sad COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A man who couldn't find steady work came up with a plan to make it through the next few years until he could collect Social Security: He robbed a bank, then handed the money to a guard and waited for police. On Wednesday, Timothy J. Bowers told a judge a three-year prison sentence would suit him, and the judge obliged. "At my age, the jobs available to me are minimum-wage jobs. There is age discrimination out there," Bowers, who turns 63 in a few weeks, told Judge Angela White. The judge told him: "It's unfortunate you feel this is the only way to deal with the situation." Bowers said he had been able to find only odd jobs after the drug wholesaler he made deliveries for closed in 2003. He walked to a bank and handed a teller a note demanding cash in an envelope. The teller gave him four $20 bills and pushed a silent alarm. Bowers handed the money to a security guard standing in the lobby and told him it was his day to be a hero. He pleaded guilty to robbery, and a court-ordered psychological exam found him competent. "It's a pretty sad story when someone feels that's their only alternative," said defense attorney Jeremy W. Dodgion, who described Bowers as "a charming old man." Prosecutors had considered arguing against putting Bowers in prison at taxpayer expense, but they worried he would do something more reckless to be put behind bars. "It's not the financial plan I would choose, but it's a financial plan," prosecutor Dan Cable said. Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
That's an interesting way to deal with no cash flow. It's better than committing suicide. Man...I drive a busy road (two lanes each way with plenty of stop lights) to get to the freeway everyday to get to work and there are literally thousands of cars that drive this road in the morning to get to the freeway from their subdivisions. There is always this fellow who is grubby looking and who I assume to be homeless sitting on the curb just looking straight ahead as all these cars drive past him. I'm not sure how long he sits there. It's almost like he sleeps nearby in the field, gets up, and just sits there on the curb each morning. I don't see him on the way home but I may not always be looking for him. I can't help but feel bad for the guy. One of these days...if I keep seeing this guy there...I'm just going to go to an ATM and withdraw a fair amount of money. Then, I'm just going to pull over and give this guy a wad of cash. It's truly one of the saddest things I've seen and I know we have all seen a lot of homeless people but this guy just looks empty and alone. I can't...for the life of me...figure out why he would sit at the curb of such a busy road with an empty stare. I ask myself..."what the hell is going through this guy's mind? is he even there? hello?". I'm almost afraid to approach the guy, though. He seems out of it and I don't know how he will react. It seems like he would be better off in jail...kind of like this guy...getting room and board basically.
makes plenty of sense to me when I hear stories like women committing petty theft crimes to go to jail for the healthcare while pregnant.
That story is really sad. If I didn't have my freedom, I would probably kill myself. To me its better than being destitute and free, than being incarcerated and well fed.
I guess he didn't have good enough credit to take out a loan. Breaking the law to get around the process is pitiful. I really don't feel sorry for him. Taxes wasted. This is probably more common than we perceive.
Didn't you read the story? He lost his job. He could not get another one because of his age. It's just too damm sad that we, the most powerful country in the world, can not take care of our old citizens !
This is more common that you might think. I know a friend who tells me about similar cases happening with more and more frequency. Look at it this way: commit a 'pity' crime, get paid housing, health care, and your daily meals. Of course, you lose your freedom for a short period of time, but I can understand how it would be 'worth it' for this man and a number of others who might take a similar path. Look on the bright side, he might actually get a job in prison...
