Albert Einstein Masked Robber Is Caught After A Dumb Mistake
Albert Einstein, the most influential physicist of the 20th century and genius who brought the world the theory of relativity, could not have predicted his small involvement in a crime spree that recently came to an end on Wednesday.
Matthew Donald Maxwell, of Tampa, Florida, is accused of wearing an Albert Einstein mask in order to disguise himself while he robbed a Venice Wells Fargo Bank in Florida on November 2, 2013, according to WTXL.
The Albert Einstein impersonator wore latex gloves and demanded money from the tellers and fled with it, according to Bradenton Herald. A customer followed the robber, who had used a bicycle to get away, but the masked man maced his pursuer and jumped into a red Chevy Cruze behind the bank and drove off.
This robber was no Einstein, though. Maxwell took off his mask before getting into the car, giving his pursuer a chance to see him without the Albert Einstein disguise. He even had a chance to take a picture of Maxwell’s getaway car with his cell phone as Maxwell sped off.
Another witness was parked nearby and saw Maxwell take off his Albert Einstein costume and got a good look at him.
In mid July, deputies in Sarasota received a tip which identified the man behind the Albert Einstein mask as Maxwell. Police were able to organize a photo lineup, and witnesses were able to point out Maxwell. The registered owner of the red Chevy Cruze was Maxwell’s wife.
The 29-year-old was arrested while on vacation in Atlanta with his wife and his child, according to FOX 13. That same day, investigators were combing through his belongings in his home.
Neighbors of Maxwell claim that the search of his home lasted approximately 12 hours. Investigators were able to find a large amount of cash hidden away in a secret compartment, but authorities would not comment on how much money they found.
“We’re not sure if that was all of it, if he spent some of it, or if he’s hiding some somewhere else, so we’re still investigating to see if there are other properties or if he gave some cash to someone else to hang onto,” HCSO spokesperson Cristal Bermudez-Nunez told reporters.
It is unclear if authorities found the Albert Einstein mask that Maxwell is accused of wearing last year among his personal belongings in the home.
Authorities believe that Maxwell started his crime spree robbing various locations, including Tampa and Clearwater, when he donned the Albert Einstein mask and robbed the Venice Wells Fargo Bank last November.
[Image via WTXL]
