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NATIONAL BRIEFING / AND FINALLY . . .

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Times Wire Reports

Would-be robbers take note: Don’t use your debit card during a holdup.

A Charleston, W.Va., man who police say attempted to rob a convenience store ended up buying a soft drink with his debit card instead -- ultimately leading to his arrest.

Shawn Thomas Lester, 33, told the store clerk Monday that he had a gun and wanted all the money in the register, police said. But the suspect got flustered when a customer walked in, and the clerk told him to pay for the soft drink.

Lester handed over his debit card, signed the receipt “John Doe” and left without any cash.

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Police traced the debit card and found Lester, who told police he was only joking when he said he had a gun and demanded money.

He was charged with armed robbery.

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