Pizzeria robber lied about kids

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HELENA, Mont., Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Police in Montana say a man who broke down crying while trying to rob a pizza restaurant may have lied about wanting to support his wife and children.

David Randall Lacey, 33, was arrested Thursday afternoon and charged with attempted robbery for the Jan. 22 incident that took place at a Papa John's restaurant in Helena, The Independent, Helena, reported.

Lacey allegedly walked into the Papa John's wearing a bandana to hide his face and handed the clerk a note that read: "Hay Bro r Sis I Don't wont eny [expletive] just give me what I want AND you wont Get hert OK! Thank you."

The clerk asked, "What is this?" and the man said, "Just do it," a police affidavit stated.

The clerk pulled a total of $24.56 out of the register, a store report cited in the affidavit shows.

"David said that when the register was placed on the counter, he realized there was hardly any money," the affidavit said. "At that point, David told the clerk the story about needing money for his wife and kids. David does not have any children in Helena and told me he was referring to his friends' kids, who consider him an uncle."

After Lacey broke down, the clerk made him a pizza, which Lacey accepted.

The affidavit said when Lacey was later arrested, he admitted to the robbery, telling police he needed money to buy food. He was being held at Lewis and Clark County jail with bail set at $25,000.