Alleged bank robber says he's innocent, since he said "please"
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - A man accused of robbing a Virginia Beach bank says he didn't commit a crime because the note he passed to the teller included the word "please," reports CBS affiliate WTKR.
Twenty-three-year-old Dominyk Antonio Alfonseca was arrested after posting two videos of the incident and a photo of the note to his Instagram account. The videos show the teller putting stacks of cash in a bag.
Police tell the station that Alfonseca walked into a TowneBank on Monday and handed the teller a note asking for $150,000 in bonds. The note included the word "please" and a couple of drawn smiley faces.
Alfonseca posted the image and videos online immediately afterwards and was arrested 20 minutes later carrying a gym bag full of money.
In a jailhouse interview, Alfonseca told the station that asking for money isn't a crime.
"I don't know how I'm a robber because I asked for it. She could have said no, and I could have left," he says.
"I didn't have a gun. I didn't have anything. I even waited my turn. They called me up and I handed them the note," he added.
He says he posted the videos to Instagram to protect himself from police and prove he wasn't armed.
That's what he said: To protect himself from police.
The station reports Alfonseca is an aspiring rapper and entrepreneur. When asked whether he pulled the stunt for publicity, he conceded he did think it would be a good way to get the media's attention.
Darn!!!
Alfonseca is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on June 12.