The robbers thought they'd negotiated a better deal. What they'd actually done was schedule their own arrest.
A group of would-be robbers in Charleroi, Belgium, were arrested after being talked into rescheduling their own robbery by the shop owner they'd targeted — giving police enough time to set up a trap.
An Unusual Negotiation
Around 3 p.m., six men entered an e-cigarette shop in Charleroi and demanded cash from the owner, Didier. Recognizing he had no realistic way to fight off six men at once, Didier tried a different approach: he told the group that 3 p.m. was a poor time to rob the shop, since the till held relatively little cash at that hour, and suggested they come back around 6 p.m., when the register would be fuller. The men discussed it among themselves for roughly 15 minutes and agreed, then left.
A Call to Police
As soon as they were gone, Didier called police and explained what had happened, including the men's stated plan to return later that evening. Officers were reportedly skeptical that anyone would actually follow through on a robbery they'd openly scheduled in advance.
They Came Back Anyway
At 6 p.m., exactly as arranged, the group returned to rob the shop. Plainclothes officers were waiting inside, and the men were arrested on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the robbery actually happen?
No. The would-be robbers were arrested the moment they returned to carry it out, thanks to the shop owner's tip to police.
Why did the robbers agree to come back later?
The shop owner convinced them a later time would yield more cash, giving him time to alert police without directly confronting six armed men himself.
Where did this happen?
At an e-cigarette shop in Charleroi, Belgium.