Robbery foiled -- but victim gives attacker money

[August 12, 2011]  VIENNA (AP) -- First he pulled a knife -- and when that didn't work a would-be robber persuaded his victim to hand over money with a sob story.

An Austrian police official said Thursday that a woman last month refused demands by a knife-wielding man to give him 400 euros ($570) from an ATM -- but she then handed over 90 euros ($130) out of pity after he put away his weapon, took off his mask and told her that he was homeless and broke.

The woman's husband, however, was not so understanding. The unidentified culprit was arrested Tuesday after he alerted authorities in Neunkirchen, a town south of Vienna and the scene of the crime.

The official did not identify himself on the telephone

[Associated Press]

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