Robber Attempts to Hold Up Bank With Fake Plastic Gun, Gets Shot in the Face With Very Real .357 Magnum

Armed with a realistic plastic replica handgun, a 34-year-old man on Friday attempted to rob a bank in Trimble, Mo., according to police. Unfortunately for the robber, one of the bank's employees was able to retrieve a very real Smith and Wesson .357 revolver and shoot the suspect in the face, effectively ending the robbery attempt.

The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri said Monday that Michael Oliva has been charged in federal court in connection with the attempted bank robbery and leading police on a high-speed chase. Oliva remains hospitalized and is in federal custody pending a detention hearing, WDAF-TV reports.

WDAF-TV has more details about the robbery based on court documents:

According to an affidavit filed in support of Monday’s criminal complaint, Oliva entered First Security Bank, 202 U.S. Hwy. 169, Trimble, at about 1:25 p.m. Friday, March 1.

Oliva allegedly pulled on a black mask, pointed what appeared to be a handgun, but was later found to be a realistic plastic replica, at a bank employee and ordered her to give him the money in her teller drawer.

The employee instead dropped to the floor behind the teller stations and began crawling toward another bank employee, shouting for help. As she was crawling, the affidavit says, she saw Oliva lean over the teller station and point his handgun at her. She grabbed a plastic trash can and tossed it over the teller counter toward Oliva; however, Oliva had moved around the end of the teller stations and was directly behind her.

The second bank employee, who was in an office, heard the shouts for help. He saw Oliva pointing a handgun at the first bank employee, the affidavit says, and retrieved a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver. He fired two rounds at Oliva. The first shot struck Oliva in the jaw, according to the affidavit, and he turned and started toward the bank’s front doors.

No money was taken during the attempted robbery.

The worker who fired the shots is not expected to face charges. He is reportedly a legal concealed carry permit holder.

“Anybody that does any kind of crime, breaks into houses or goes and robs anybody they basically they’re taking their own life on the line,” said Chief Larry Fish, Trimble Police Chief.

A bank employee told police she saw the robber staggering behind a building after the robbery attempt. Police said the man left a significant blood trail for about 150-200 feet leading to a handicapped parking space.

Trimble police officers located Oliva's Dodge Stratus and pursued him at speeds approaching 100 miles per hour, according to the affidavit. Police used spike strips to stop the vehicle.

After police officers approached the vehicle, Oliva emerged from the car and reportedly asked, "You guys going to let me die?"

Police said Oliva seemed to have suffered a gun shot to the jaw or chin and there was a lot of blood on him and his vehicle.

(H/T: Weasel Zippers)

Featured image via shutterstock.com