Man Diguised as a Tree Robs Citizen’s Bank in Manchester, NH (James Coldwell Arrested)

If you were a bank robber, what type of tree would you be?

aka: When Tree Huggers Go Bad

(Maybe someone would like to explain just how a person could walk into a bank dressed like a tree and security not think some thing might be just a bit off?)

Truth is always stranger than fiction. Yesterday, an individual walked up to a bank teller of the Citizen’s Bank branch at 1550 Elm St. in Manchester, NH with tree branches duct taped to his body and demanded money from the bank teller. Surprisingly the teller did not actually break out into laughter. It really makes one wonder how a man walking into a bank with tree limbs ducted taped to himself would not raise suspicion. Only in New England I guess.

The teller filled a bag with cash and the suspect took off. A dye pack inside the bag exploded, the Web site reported.

Manchester cops described the man as a white male, between 45 and 50 years old, wearing glasses and a blue shirt

Man in tree garb robs bank branch

Police Detective Sgt. Ernie Goodno, who said the robber was a white man, standing 5-foot-8, with a thin build and very dark hair. The robber was also wearing a bluish-colored T-shirt, possibly with red trim, and blue jeans. He also had thick glasses

UPDATE I: James Coldwell, The Tree Bandit,Chopped Down to Size and Arrested

Though images captured by the bank’s security cameras weren’t much help because of the branches and leaves, police said an anonymous tip led them to James Coldwell, 49, of Manchester. He was arrested at his home Saturday night and charged with robbery. (Boston Globe)