Man attempts to rob a bank by threatening to infect everyone with COVID-19

Crawley told bank employees that he had tested positive for the virus and would proceed to infect everyone in the branch if his demands were not met. But when the teller refused to hand over the money and instead began to notify the police, Crawley quickly fled the bank, leaving behind an empty threat.

After having responded to the scene of the crime, Riverdale Police soon identified Crawley and obtained a warrant for his arrest. Authorities located Crawley at his residence and brought him into custody without resistance. Presently, it’s unclear if Crawley had actually tested positive for the virus.

According to the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office police report, Crawley told authorities that he had been in need of $2,000 to pay off bills.

Crawley isn’t the only one to have threatened a bank with COVID-19. In October, Daquan Rashaad Crenshaw was taken into custody after threatening to “spray” a clerk with the virus—another attempt to use contagion as a means of theft.

Neither attempt was successful.