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        riddles >> what happened >> Another Attempted Theft Puzzle
        
(Message started by: K Sengupta on Jun 23^rd, 2006, 7:57am)

Title: Another Attempted Theft Puzzle
Post by K Sengupta on Jun 23^rd, 2006, 7:57am

As Detective J walked toward the bank, he watched a car pull over to the curb in front of it. the driver got out of the car. Without locking the door, he looked around left and right as he approached the bank. He wore a brown jacket over a blue shirt that was not tucked in and that stuck out past the bottom of the jacket. He held his right hand in the pocket of his baggy slacks, and his left hand held a small piece of paper. He wore a green baseball cap, and he lowered his head as he walked through the door of the bank.

Detective J entered the bank and watched the man who had come in before him as he waited for a teller. He saw the teller's startled expression, and when she handed the man a large bag, Detective J signaled the guard, whom he knew, and he took out his pistol.

When the man turned away from the teller, he was facing two guns. The guard's gun was pointed at his face, and Detective J's was aimed at his heart. He dropped the bag of money, and he slowly took the gun out of his pocket with two fingers and laid it on the floor.

What clues gave him away to Detective J?

Source : Puzzle Book.

Title: Re: Another Attempted Theft Puzzle
Post by Icarus on Jun 23^rd, 2006, 3:19pm

What clues didn't give it away? The whole description seems to shout "I'M A THIEF! I'M A THIEF!"

Title: Re: Another Attempted Theft Puzzle
Post by BNC on Jun 24^th, 2006, 2:01am

I wonder if it's not some kind of a joke. Like:

A: "I enter the place. Jim was hanging by his neck from the ceiling. He had visible signs of being hit by a blunt object at the back of his neck, a knife stuck in his chest, and several gun wounds"

B: "Hmm... Whom do you think poisoned him?"

Title: Re: Another Attempted Theft Puzzle
Post by Grimbal on Jun 26^th, 2006, 5:39am

The baseball cap. It wore the name of a baseball team from a state that didn't match the car's number plate. Obviously the man was trying to hide his identity.

Or maybe [hide]Detective J recognized the car as his own car that was stolen in the morning[/hide].

Title: Re: Another Attempted Theft Puzzle
Post by Icarus on Jun 26^th, 2006, 3:15pm

Just to be "official", here is the list of what I see:

Parked at curb in front of bank (this assumes a bit, but it is unlikely that a bank would have open curbside parking in front of it, so I suspect that this was a no-parking zone, but the thief wants his vehicle close at hand).

Left the door unlocked: not wise in most places in the world - unless you want a quick getaway.

Looked around as he approached bank: looking for cops or other trouble - apparently can't recognize a detective.

Shirt out/baggy pants: makes it easier to run, also easier to hide gun.

Walks with one hand in pocket: very awkward. You don't do this normally - not unless there is something in your pocket you wish to keep in hand, but out of sight.

Wears cap/Lowered head as he entered the door: hiding his face from view.

Startled teller gives large bag: clenches it.

Title: Re: Another Attempted Theft Puzzle
Post by william11141 on Jan 6^th, 2007, 4:01pm

I think I go with Icarus. Everything Icarus said had everything I had in mind. :) I wanna know the real answer. Nice going!

Title: Re: Another Attempted Theft Puzzle
Post by K Sengupta on Jan 6^th, 2007, 7:18pm

The undernoted clues constitute the solution as provided in the puzzle book.

The reason I did not post a solution to the riddle under reference till date is that all the clues comprising the said solution has already been mentioned by the members in terms of their respective posts.

PUZZLE SOLUTION :

1) He left his car unlocked for a quick getaway.

2) As he went into the bank, he checked around for police or anything else that might hinder his getaway.

3) His right hand held the gun in his pocket so it would not bounce around so that no one would notice he outline of the gun in his pocket, and so he could draw the gun quickly.

4) He also wore baggy clothes with his shirttails out to hide the gun in his pocket.

5) A bank robber often wears a baseball cap because its long brim helps cover his face.

6) He also lowered his head to keep his face out of sight of cameras and witnesses.

7) Detective J watched the teller's face for any sign of shock or fear as she read the note. This was the strangest clue.

8) The final clue was the large bag of money which assumed special significance because of all the other clues that the detective had already seen.