Man Attempting Bank Robbery with Toy Water Gun Receives Suspended Sentence... Court "Considers Financial Hardship"

[Financial News] A man in his 30s who attempted a bank robbery with his 8-year-old son's toy dinosaur water gun was given a suspended sentence in the first trial.

Busan District Court Dongbu Branch Criminal Division 1 (Chief Judge Lee Dong-gi) sentenced a man in his 30s, identified as A, to 2 years and 6 months in prison for attempted robbery, with the execution of the sentence suspended for 4 years on the 26th. Additionally, he was ordered to undergo probation and perform 120 hours of community service.

A was brought to trial on charges of attempting a robbery at a bank in Gijang-gun, Busan, on February 10th at around 11 a.m.

A wrapped his 8-year-old son's toy dinosaur water gun in plastic and pretended it was a real gun, demanding that the bank staff fill it with 50,000 won bills.

During this process, a customer grabbed his water gun and subdued him after a struggle when A was momentarily distracted.

It was revealed that A attempted the bank robbery due to financial difficulties.

The court stated, "Although it was a toy, considering the situation at the time, it would have caused significant fear and shock to the staff and citizens in the bank," adding, "However, considering the fact that the crime tool posed no real danger and that the crime was committed due to financial hardship, the sentence was determined."


hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter