'Lucky' Bill Helps Police Catch Robber

A man is accused of robbing a Kansas City auto parts store with a toy gun and getting away with a unique $20 bill.

Jordan Hoffman, 20, is charged with first-degree robbery in connection with a holdup Monday at CarQuest in the 3000 block of Main Street.

Police said the robber walked into the store, picked up a bottle of engine oil, brought it to the counter and then demanded money from the cash register.

"Next thing you know, he had the gun out pointing over at me and telling me, 'Give me the money out of the cash register,'" clerk Lee Cramer told KMBC's Jere Gish.

Cramer gave up about $300 in cash, including a $20 bill from 1950.

"I told my driver, 'Aw, crap, I just lost my lucky $20 bill,'" Cramer said.

The thief fled on foot while Cramer called 911.

Cramer said his "lucky" bill came into his possession a year ago when a customer paid with it.

"I don't know why I kept it," Cramer said. "It's kind of like marked money, but that's not what it was in there for."

The robber didn't get far. Police caught up with him about two blocks away from the store. In his pocket was $299, including the unique $20, officers said.

"Sure enough, when she opened it up and looked at it on the counter, there was the $20 bill with the 1950 serial date on it," Cramer said.

Now the bill is back in Cramer's drawer.

"It really became lucky as of yesterday," he said.

Cramer has worked at the Midtown auto parts store for seven years.

"I've been robbed twice and I wouldn't wish it on anybody," Cramer said.

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