7 reasons why 2016 was a great year for bizarre robbery fails

Robbers like Robin Hood, Jesse James and Australia’s Ned Kelly are folklore heroes thanks to their depictions in pop culture. 

But in 2016, brazen thieves have proven to be little more than bumbling idiots.

They’ve had to face shopkeepers ignoring their demands for money, they been forced to retreat after having bags of candy thrown them, and they’ve had shirtless dudes thwarts their devious plans. 

But hey, at least no one got hurt. 

In case you missed them, here are the most bizarre foiled robberies of the year.

1. The kebab shop owner who ignored a robber with a gun

Instead of freaking out, when a thief came at him with a gun demanding money, kebab shop owner Said Ahmed ignored him and served the customer waiting for his order first.

“I am a businessman. I hadn’t finished with my customer and my priority was to finish serving him,” Ahmed told BBC News. “When the customer left I walked to the kitchen to called the police. I told him too and he couldn’t believe it.”

“For a moment I was scared he might shoot but then I just thought if that happens then it is my destiny, but my calm reaction just surprised him I think and he just ran away,” he told the news outlet.

And the robber did, shrugging his shoulders at Ahmed’s chill reaction with the firearm in hand. 

2. The shirtless Aussie dude who foiled a robbery

These two Aussie dudes might be the least likely robbery thwarters, but James Ross-Munroe and Kane Wiblen basically became national heroes after they helped stop a theft at a Gold Coast fast food restaurant in January this year.

What’s more, Ross-Munroe’s response on TV to whether he works out is equally as entertaining: “Mate I don’t go to the gym, haven’t been to the gym in years. The only gym I go to is Jim Beam.” Legend.

3. The guy who chased away a robber with a knife — with two knives

Noodle shop owner Hunter Hu from Brisbane channeled a bit of Crocodile Dundee when a robber threatened him with a knife in November. 

Hu chased the robber out holding two meat cleavers, and told the robber: “You have one knife? I have two.” Amazing.

4. Two bros who pepper sprayed and stabbed themselves accidentally

These two robbers in Perth attempted to steal sleep apnea masks from a pharmarcy. Oh, and they managed to cut and pepper spray themselves in the meantime. 

Clumsy, to say the least.

5. The wannabe robbers scared away by bags of candy 

Trick or treating just got a whole lot more intense in this foiled robbery at a service station in Maitland back in November. The attendant threw candy at would-be robbers on approach. The robbers quickly fled.

6. The robber who forgot to look behind him when holding up this cab

Because (surprise, surprise) there was a police officer right behind the taxi.

7. The adult store employees who fought off an armed robber by throwing dildos at him

You heard right. Amy, as she’s referred to by news outlet KABC7, started screaming at the attacker before an associate threw sex toys at the would-be thief, who left empty handed. Great work, all.

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