After the Bank Heist, He Took Off for Bermuda

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that a local bank was robbed by a guy who obviously wasn’t trying to blend in with the customers.

The thief was described as a heavy-set man in his 50s who “wore a neon, button-down shirt, a beanie and sunglasses, a pink-and-teal windbreaker, dark shorts and tennis shoes and white socks.”

Incidentally, this item was sent to me by a reader whose name I’ve misplaced, the worst crime an item columnist can commit.

Finding the loophole: Tom Tomaselle of Lompoc noticed a sign at a shopping center that forbade bike riding, rollerblading and skateboarding on the sidewalk, but not automobile driving, as you can see (see photo).

Sounds like ... : Did a home seller mistakenly use the wrong word on his “for sale” sign or was he, in the words of Richard Rice of L.A., merely “tired of dealing with unscrupulous potential buyers?” (see photo).

Long time no see: I’d wondered what had happened to my old pal Chester until Bill Stanley of Van Nuys informed me that he’s back on the market again (see accompanying).

Attention, Guinness folks: Chris Jackson of June Lake noticed an ad that may have set a world record for the most different spellings of, uh, ice box (see accompanying).

To live and drive in L.A.: After I queried readers about the meaning of a vanity license plate that read UTURNOK, I heard various theories: It’s a self-help term for changing one’s life; it’s a Christian term for turning away from the road to sin, etc. Christine MacLean wondered if it might signal a change in one’s sexual preferences.

I thought just about every possibility was covered until I heard from the owner of the plate.

The correct answer? None of the above.

She said it refers to “the fabulous turning radius of my Volvo.... [It] can make a U-turn on the narrowest street and in the tightest space.”

Angelenos really are serious about their cars, aren’t they?

miscelLAny: Since Al Davis moved his football team back to Oakland, Los Angeles no longer has to worry about the rampages of Raider fans in their scary outfits on Sunday afternoons.

Not so San Diego, though, where the Chargers host a game against Oakland each year.

The Chargers have tried to discourage visits by Raider fans by requiring anyone buying tickets to the Chargers-Raiders game to buy tickets to at least one other Charger home game.

San Diego really is hoping that the ploy works this year, since the game is on ... Halloween.

Steve Harvey can be reached at (800)LATimes, Ext. 77083, by fax at (213) 237-4712, by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012, and by e-mail at [email protected].