A poor grasp of flammable liquids ensured that Mikio Kinoshita's attempt to rob his local shop in Nishinomiya, Japan, was doomed. Having aroused a little too much suspicion by walking into the shop in the early hours of the morning, buying a knife and taking pictures, the 59-year-old then demanded money from employees, one of whom fled to alert the police.
Aware that time was running out and that escape might be a good idea, Kinoshita grabbed some salad oil from a shelf, poured it all over the shop floor and attempted to light it. He was still struggling unsuccessfully when the police arrived and arrested him.
Spotted in the Mainichi Daily News, Japan, September 20
