Give a crook a headline-worthy moniker and you'll catch him/her that much faster. That's the theory, anyway (it also sells papers!). From The Record...
"We look at monikers as a marketing strategy," said FBI Special Agent Larry Carr, who is credited with some of the more unusual tags for bank bandits on the West Coast.FBI agents in New Jersey insist that reporters nickname most of their serial robbers. That may explain why the bandit who struck some 18 banks statewide the past 10 months ended up with two monikers – "The Mad Hatter" and the "Hat Bandit" – depending on where you get your news.
New Jersey's most prolific serial bank robber in recent years also had one of the more memorable handles: Known as the "Puffy Cheek Bandit," Cazzie L. Williams of East Orange was accused of robbing 27 banks in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and Virginia in a three-year period, netting about $100,000.
Williams, a former U.S. postal employee, thought he could foil surveillance cameras by puffing out his cheeks to distort his facial features, agents said.
Only in New Jersey do you get a crime spree and a pizza joint with the same name. The folks at the Mad Hatter Pub and Pizzeria in Sea Bright tell me they get people teasing them about the connection. They also boast having the #2 pizza locally.
More about the Mad Hatter and their pizza...
The thin crusted pizza can be ordered plain or with any of a variety of toppings, including pepperoni, sausage, anchovies, meatballs, green peppers, broccoli, hot peppers, tomatoes and black olives.Hawaiian pizza topped with pineapple and ham and a pie sporting chopped buffalo chicken are on the menu as well.
“Our house special is the pizza with sausage and peppers,†Amy Kelly said.
In lieu of offering pizza by the slice, the Mad Hatter sells a four-slice personal pie to satisfy the solo diner.
Comments (6)
"FBI agents insist that reporters..."....since when can law enforcers from any agency tell reporters what to write? This sounds, if true and if talking to the press is made contingent on this, more than a little craven on the part of cooperating reporters. They certainly didn't learn this one in journalism school.
That said, yes, the Mad Hatter isn't a bad choice in Monmouth County for pizza, though there's a place in Rumson with a much bigger reputation.
Rumson, you say... You referring to Val's Tavern, Cathar?
Yep, but I was aiming to keep it a relative "secret" here. I haven't been there in a while, however.
There was a bar on the Upper East Side in the 1970s named the Mad Hatter. A very swinging establishment, I recall, and I recall all too little from that era. It was on 2nd near 77th; I believe the location now hosts a place called Brother Jimmy's.
The Mad Hatter Saloon, on 3rd in the mid-20's, is not the same kind of place as its UES predecessor - but it is worth stopping in for a pint if for no other reason than to see one of the few remaining Jacob Rupert / Knickerbocker Brewery bars left in the world. 'Tis a beautifyl thing.
"FBI agents in New Jersey insist that reporters nickname most of their serial robbers."
Cathar -- you misinterpreted what is just a poorly written sentence. I think the fibbies were trying to "insist" that they don't name serial robbers - the media does. Or maybe you did get it and you are doing your own little version of Emily Latella :) Never mind.
Conan, it may just be a poorly written sentence, I honestly didn't think of that. Mainly because this wasn't from the Star-Ledger.(Nor, apparently, did the Baristas, who seem to verbally support the idea of such monickers as a "marketing strategy" above.)
But it also sounds like something the agency other characters call "Fart, Barf & Itch" in James Lee Burke's novels might just do. And I have learned never to doubt the willingness of reporters to play such friendly games with official sources.