A man who robbed a Fort Lauderdale bank then ran down a street naked throwing the cash in the air after a dye pack exploded on him told investigators he was trying to "begin his career as a comedian," according to court documents released Wednesday.
Alexander Hayden Sperber, 25, was arrested for Tuesday's robbery of the Regions Bank at 100 Southeast 3rd Ave., according to an FBI criminal complaint.
The complaint said Sperber approached a teller, said he had a gun and demanded that money be put into a bag. The teller placed $7,500 in the bag, along with the dye pack and a bait bill, the complaint said.
Sperber fled the bank on foot, but the dye pack exploded a short time later, getting red dye all over his clothing, hand and a cast on his wrist, the complaint said.
That's when Sperber removed his clothes and ran naked down Las Olas Boulevard, throwing the money into the air as he ran. Witnesses who captured the bizarre scene on camera said he was throwing out $100 and $50 bills.
"When I initially saw him I thought he was maybe mental patient but then when I heard about the bank robbery I thought it was more shocking and could've been dangerous," said Dennis Toledo, a valet employee who witnessed the scene from a city parking lot.
Authorities took Sperber into custody near 800 Northeast 4th Street. When he was questioned, Sperber told authorities he decided to rob the bank and run naked to "begin his career as a comedian," the complaint said.
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Sperber was hospitalized and later booked into jail, where he was being held without bond Wednesday, records showed. Attorney information wasn't immediately available.
