Is that a real gun?
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2003 7:47 am
NEILLSVILLE, Wis. (Court TV) — When Joel D. Peterson allegedly tried to stick up a pharmacy he may have been unarmed.
But he did have his fingers.
Peterson, 30, reportedly attempted to rob the drug store with nothing more than his gloved hand and pointed finger. His thumb was extended like the cocked hammer of a pistol, according to police.
Pharmacy co-owner Bill Weiler, 55, believed the hand gesture to be a pistol for a moment but quickly gave the holdup attempt a thumbs down. Peterson reportedly became upset, pushed Weiler, and the two allegedly scuffled their way down a flight of stairs.
During the fracas, Weiler unmasked Peterson and claims to have recognized him as the same person recently accused of forging prescriptions at the pharmacy.
Peterson escaped but was arrested later that night. He was charged with attempted robbery. Since he only used his fingers, an attempted armed robbery charge just wouldn't stick.
He is scheduled to appear in Clark County court on July 8.
But he did have his fingers.
Peterson, 30, reportedly attempted to rob the drug store with nothing more than his gloved hand and pointed finger. His thumb was extended like the cocked hammer of a pistol, according to police.
Pharmacy co-owner Bill Weiler, 55, believed the hand gesture to be a pistol for a moment but quickly gave the holdup attempt a thumbs down. Peterson reportedly became upset, pushed Weiler, and the two allegedly scuffled their way down a flight of stairs.
During the fracas, Weiler unmasked Peterson and claims to have recognized him as the same person recently accused of forging prescriptions at the pharmacy.
Peterson escaped but was arrested later that night. He was charged with attempted robbery. Since he only used his fingers, an attempted armed robbery charge just wouldn't stick.
He is scheduled to appear in Clark County court on July 8.
