Man busted for robbery at cop convention

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 28 (UPI) -- A 19-year-old man chose the wrong venue to try an armed robbery -- a Pennsylvania hotel hosting 300 police narcotics officers, officials allege.

Jerome Blanchett of Harrisburg, Pa., who was already awaiting trial on robbery charges, was arrested and charged anew with robbery along with making terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and other counts after he was apprehended Friday outside the Holiday Inn-Harrisburg East, the (Harrisburg) Patriot-News reported.

John Comparetto, a retired New York City Police Department lieutenant, said Blanchett held him up at gunpoint in the hotel's bathroom. After giving the assailant $138, Comparetto said he unholstered a gun and pursued the man, joined by other officers staying at the hotel for a conference. They reportedly caught up with Blanchard outside as he was trying to get into a taxi.

Blanchard, who was out on bail, was scheduled to go on trial for the previous robbery charge Monday, the Patriot-News said.

"He chose to rob a cop in a place where there were 300 cops," Comparetto told the newspaper. "He's not very bright."