Smart Criminals, Foolish Choices

New York City -- After executing a smooth $1.9 million jewelry heist at Tiffany's two weeks ago, the decidedly unstreetwise thieves fenced their wares directly on the streets of Times Square and Harlem. Offering $10,000 pieces for as little as $200, the group was quickly rounded up by police.

West Plains, Missouri -- A man attempting to pawn a stolen bracelet was apprehended earlier this month when the pawn shop owner recognized the jewelry -- it was his wife's.

Indianapolis -- A would-be drug user was nabbed in June after inadvertently dialing a police detective instead of his drug dealer's beeper. The detective played along with the conversation and later busted the caller after posing as his supplier's associate.

Charleston, West Virginia -- In March a knife-wielding mugger accepted a $300 check when his victim could only produce $12.50 in cash. The thief was arrested the next day trying to cash the check.

Lynn, Massachusetts -- After $4,466 was stolen from the Equitable Cooperative Bank in February, the robber was tracked down minutes later in his getaway car -- a hailed taxicab. Identification was made easier by the fact that the criminal was still wearing the mask he used during the stickup.

Memphis, Tennessee -- While pillaging a local home last winter, a burglar left behind his red and white Nikes. Realizing later where he had lost them, he returned and asked the lady of the house if she had found a pair of colorful athletic shoes lying about. She called police. He was arrested shortly thereafter.