In brief: Burqa-wearing man robbed ATM, police say

Chicago – An ATM technician disguised himself in a burqa as part of an elaborate plan to steal more than $168,000 from a Chase Bank cash machine in a Chicago suburb, federal prosecutors allege.

When Gildardo Lopez Jr. was arrested Thursday coming out of the Chase branch in LaGrange, Illinois, he was wearing a black burqa and had a walkie-talkie connected to ear buds, according to a criminal complaint. He also was wearing latex gloves and carrying a suitcase stuffed with $168,174 in cash.

“There’s a lot of money in there,” the complaint quoted Lopez as telling FBI agents who took him into custody.

Authorities also arrested Douglas Pineda, who was sitting in a minivan about a block from the bank. Officers found a walkie-talkie with ear buds attached on the front seat. He is the alleged getaway driver.

The two were charged with one count of bank robbery.

Governor takes action after ‘spice’ overdoses

Concord, N.H. – New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan declared a state of emergency Thursday after more than 40 people overdosed on synthetic cannabinoid, also known as “spice.”

At least 41 people in Manchester suffered “serious medical reactions,” and at least 20 of those were hospitalized, according to a statement from Hassan’s office. Three people in Concord became seriously ill from spice in the previous 24 hours, according to the release. No one has died.

Spice, usually sold at gas stations, is supposed to be used as incense, but people also smoke it to get high.

The state of emergency allows authorities to investigate, quarantine and require the destruction of targeted spice brands.

Cat survives fall from 12 stories up

New York – A cat named Gizmo has only minor injuries after a 12-story fall at a Manhattan apartment building.

Owner Samuel Jacobs said Gizmo fell off his penthouse terrace Tuesday. He crashed onto a third-floor landing and became wedged between a skylight and a wall.

Jacobs said he didn’t see Gizmo slip through the door to the terrace – but that’s what must have happened.

Jacobs said he looked down and started yelling: “Gizmo! Gizmo! Gizmo!”

He had to climb out a neighbor’s window to rescue his cat.

Jacobs said the gray-and-black cat was “freaked out.” He rushed his pet to a vet, fearing massive internal injuries.

The diagnosis: scratches and a broken tooth.