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Aspiring actor up for robbery
05/12/2006 10:16 - (SA)
New York - An aspiring actor who landed a part in an episode of the Law and Order TV series after his release from prison has been charged in a series of robberies in which police said he claimed to be wired to explosives.
David Wayne, 47, was arrested on Friday after a store customer recognised him from a police sketch, captain Joseph Delio said on Monday. Police gathered outside the store in a suburb north of New York City as Wayne allegedly robbed the store and then chased him down.
In five robberies or robbery attempts since November 17, a man opened a coat to reveal what looked like dynamite sticks wrapped around him and demanded money. In several incidents, the man also wore bandages on his face and fingers.
On Friday, Wayne had gauze on his face but nothing that looked like explosives, Delio said.
Greenburgh police Chief John Kapica said a "respectful and cooperative" Wayne told police he used highway flares, not dynamite, in the other robberies.
Greenburgh police charged Wayne in two local robberies at Subway sandwich shops, as well as Friday's drug store stickup. Two nearby hotels and a restaurant also were robbed.
Wayne has not yet filed a plea.
Wayne spent 14 years in prison for earlier robberies, and while he was at Sing Sing Correctional Facility he took part in the Rehabilitation Through the Arts programme.
Wayne was "totally committed to making it as an actor with no backup plan if that didn't work", said Katherine Vockins, who launched the programme.
"It's dangerous when people have a dream and they have no backup plan. That's my concern for anyone coming out of prison."
Since his release in April 2005, Wayne had worked at a hospital doing storytelling and creative writing projects as therapy.
On Law & Order last May, using the name David Wayne Britton, he played a best-selling, once-imprisoned author who denounced racism and gang violence.
- AP
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South Africa
