59-year-old James Verone, from North Carolina, US, recently lost his job as a delivery man after 17 years, and he also lost his health insurance.
Suffering from a number of painful complaints, including a slipped disc, arthritis, and an injured foot, Verone went to desperate measures to protect his own health — though it would cost him his freedom.
Verone went to his local bank and handed the teller a note demanding a single dollar. He told her, “I’ll be sitting right over there in the chair waiting for the police,” and that’s exactly what he did.
Before staging what’s been dubbed “the word’s smallest robbery”, Verone wrote to his local paper explaining the motive behind his crime:
“When you receive this, a bank robbery will have been committed by me. This robbery is being committed by me for one dollar. I am of sound mind but not so much sound body.”
According to police, prior to the “robbery”, Verone had paid his outstanding rent and donated all his possessions to charity.
A source said:
“He was well prepared to go away. Most people in that situation wouldn’t care what mess they left behind, but he thought of everything. It’s actually quite sad that he’s had to resort to this just to get medical care.”
Since his arrest, Verone has received medical attention in jail, and is due for surgery on his injured foot. He had hoped to receive a three-year sentence, as that would give him time to recover from his ailments, but was saddened to learn he’ll only serve around 12 months in jail.
Some users suggested, sarcastically, that for Verone to get the medical attention he needs he’ll have to commit a more serious crime when he is released.
Are Verone’s actions justified by his desperate need for healthcare?