Odd News

Police nab bandit who used underwear as mask

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-07-23 09:05

MIDWEST CITY, Oklahoma – An unemployed woman who said she was desperate for money has been arrested on charges she robbed an Oklahoma McDonald's with a white stretch girdle wrapped around her face as a makeshift mask.

A video grab shows Sharon Lain, with a woman's girdle wrapped around her face as a make-shift mask, robbing an Oklahoma McDonald's. Lain, 51, an unemployed woman who said she was desperate for money has been arrested on charges she robbed the McDonald's. [Agencies]

Authorities said 51-year-old Sharon Lain of Midwest City admitted to being the underwear-masked bandit who made off with the contents of a cash drawer from the fast-food restaurant around 3 a.m. Tuesday.

A surveillance video captured the woman on tape and was broadcast on local television, prompting several tips that led police to a condemned home on Wednesday night where Lain was found living, said Midwest City Police Chief Brandon Clabes.

Police found the underwear - a white stretch girdle known as 'spanx' - along with illegal drugs, including methamphetamine.

"She admitted to her role in the burglary," said Clabes. "And we found the clothes she wore. This was a really bizarre disguise. I wasn't sure what spanx was. I've never seen a woman with one on; now I've seen one on someone's face."

Police said Lain was a former night shift manager at McDonald's but was fired about a month ago. Lain told investigators she needed money and suffered from a gambling problem.

She is being charged with second-degree burglary, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of paraphernalia and illegal trespass.