Sideswipe: The dumbest criminals of 2010

(Clockwise from top): Interesting juxtaposition of messages on a Mainfreight truck; A box of, er, something has arrived at my wife's store, says Jason; Watch out for the blue cocktails tonight. Happy New Year!

* The broke guy who walked into a bank claiming to have a bomb and demanding $2000, who was then convinced by the bank manager to fill out a loan application.

* The middle-aged gardener who was upset that someone had stolen one of his marijuana plants, so called the police to report the theft. The police responded by swiping his other four plants.

* The man who cut ahead of two uniformed police in line at Starbucks and then demanded cash from the till. The man was quickly tackled and arrested.

* The Florida woman who started a fire in a filing cabinet at work so she could go home early and still get a full day's pay.

* The carjacker who dropped his gun into his 69-year-old victim's lap; she quickly picked it up and aimed it back at him.

* The husband and wife team who made a living by shoplifting and then reselling the goods online, and went on TV's Doctor Phil to brag about it.

Time to trade in your karma

Thanks a lot Karma: Three days before Christmas Cate found $100 worth of Westfield vouchers so she tracked down the owners and posted them back and waited for all the good karma to flow her way. "Since then my seemingly sound, regularly serviced car broke down and can't be fixed until everything opens January 10th, I have lost my cellphone and my fridge packed up! Cheers karma!

The kindness of others

Sideswipe's holiday lost-and-found service.

Item 1: Elizabeth has found a little purse with a ring in it in Olsen Ave, Hillsborough. To claim it, phone (09) 625-0046 and describe the purse and ring.

Item 2: Boat trailer number plate Q395H found on the Pakuranga Highway last Monday. Phone the finder on 021-976-423.

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