The stereotype about cops and donut shops is pretty well known and has been used, repeatedly, for comic effect in movies and on television. Most people just laugh when they pass a donut shop where there is a police car in the parking area. I know I do. But there's enough of a grain of truth in the stereotype that you would think everyone was aware of it. Well, not this guy. While being pursued for stealing some expensive pants from a local department store, this enterprising individual attempted to hide. In a donut shop.
Authorities in Johnson City said the 40-year-old man dashed into the bathroom of a Dunkin' Donuts across the street from the Oakdale Mall after stealing trousers from a Kaufmann's store.
The two store security guards and police officers subdued Robinson and took him into custody.
Robinson was charged with robbery and tampering with evidence. Police said he tried to eat the tags from the stolen clothing. He was sent to Broome County Jail without bail.
He tried to eat the tags. Maybe he should have gotten some coffee to dunk them in.
As a police officer myself, I pronounce the thief an idiot. Having said that, I rarely eat doughnuts. BTW, while I cannot give a specific and factual reason for cops hangin out in doughnut shops I have pondered it. My best guess is that years ago, when it was a rarity to see anything open 24-hours a day, doughnut shops were about the only thing open all night. Cops working nights would stop in for coffee (primarily) and doughnuts (secondarily). Thus, it became common to see cop cars parked at doughnut shops…at least at night. I’ll assume that these doughnut shops did what a lot of business did: gave cops a discount because they liked having them stop by and visit (no one robs a business when a cop car is parked in front). Word spread amongst the cops and they began stopping by on all shifts.
That’s my theory anyway.
Actually, that’s probably pretty close. I suspect you have a good point about where the stereotype started.
It’s more than just donuts. The neighborhood where my folks lived was changing and not for the better, so an old pal who became a local cop took it upon himself to frequently drive past the house and occasioanlly park his car prominently in front and come in for a chat and a snack.
My folks loved it, the neighbors loved it, I loved it, and my pal from the 5th grade, Red Arnold, loved it. He died too soon, and we all miss him.