“Gumby robbery” may have been prank

GlobalPost

The man who police said tried to rob a 7-Eleven store in San Diego in a Gumby costume has turned himself in, and reports indicate the incident may have been a practical joke.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Jacob Kiss, 19, turned himself in on Tuesday along with an alleged accomplice, Jason Giramma, also 19.

Robbery detectives apparently contacted Giramma last week and told him he needed to turn himself in. On Tuesday morning, the duo went to a police station, where they were questioned. They brought along the Gumby suit, which was confiscated.

Kiss and Giramma were then released, and the case was passed on to the District Attorney’s Office to figure out what, if any, charges will be filed.

The incident occurred on Labor Day, when Kiss (wearing the suit) walked into the 7-Eleven at 12:30 a.m. Surveillance video shows "Gumby" entering the store with his hands over his head. Kiss then allegedly told a clerk "this is a robbery." The clerk thought it was a joke at first, but Kiss then said he had a gun, even though he did not actually have one. According to the Union-Tribune, Kiss then tried to reach in his pocket for something but, "[a]fter fumbling around for a minute all he managed to do was drop 26 cents."

He then left the store and joined his accomplice, who was waiting in a minivan.

Watch a video of the incident, complete with some Gumby-themed music:

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