Tennessee man tried to rob gas station with 5-foot-long snake after 2 failed attempts: cops

Tennessee man tried to rob gas station with 5-foot-long snake after 2 failed attempts: cops

If at first you don’t succeed, try again with a snake around your neck.

A Tennessee man was arrested after trying to rob a gas station three times, with the final attempted stickup involving a 5-foot-long snake, police said.

Reginald Cook, 26, first tried to rob the Shell gas station on Elvis Presley Boulevard, in Memphis, at around 2:00 a.m. on Monday, local WREG reports.

The suspect had entered the store to make a purchase, but later demanded money from the cashier, who refused, according to the police affidavit.


Reginald Cook, 26, was arrested after trying to rob a Memphis gas station three times, once with a snake around his neck.
Reginald Cook, 26, was arrested after trying to rob a Memphis gas station three times, once with a snake around his neck. Memphis Police

Cook promptly left, but he returned 30 minutes later to demand the money again — this time reaching into his pockets to make it seem as though he had a weapon, according to the cashier’s testimony.

After the second unsuccessful robbery, police said Cook came back with a shorter temper and a five-foot snake wrapped around his neck.

“Give me the damn money,” Cook allegedly shouted to the frightened cashier.

As Cook reached into his backpack — implying again that he was about to arm himself — the cashier pulled out his own weapon in self-defense, the affidavit states.


Cook was arrested at the gas station on Elvis Presley Boulevard early Monday morning.
Cook was arrested at the gas station on Elvis Presley Boulevard early Monday morning. Google Maps

The store employee called 911, and police arrived shortly afterward and arrested Cook without further incident.

Memphis Police found a railroad spike and a rock inside Cook’s backpack. Officers also confiscated the snake, according to the affidavit.

Cook was charged with two counts of attempted aggravated robbery, with his bond set at $4,000.

His family had visited the Shell station the following day to apologize for the incident and offered to pay for any damages caused by Cook, according to the local outlet.

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Ronny Reyes

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