Apollo Robbins, professional pickpocket

[Richmond Weems]

Not sure where to put this, but it's as good a place as any, I think, since we can learn a lot from this.

Apollo Robbins is a pickpocket extraordinaire. You have to watch this video. Seriously. Watch it.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blog...pocketing.html

And definitely check out the article. Here's an excerpt:

"He is probably best known for an encounter with Jimmy Carter's Secret Service detail in 2001. While Carter was at dinner, Robbins struck up a conversation with several of his Secret Service men. Within a few minutes, he had emptied the agents' pockets of pretty much everything but their guns. Robbins brandished a copy of Carter's itinerary, and when an agent snatched it back he said, "You don't have the authorization to see that!- When the agent felt for his badge, Robbins produced it and handed it back. Then he turned to the head of the detail and handed him his watch, his badge, and the keys to the Carter motorcade."

[Southern_land]

Re: Apollo Robbins, professional pickpocket

Try googling Derren Brown and watching some of his youtubes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br2YfuR-Iv0 for instance

Assuming its genuine the guys frigging amazing

[Richmond Weems]

Re: Apollo Robbins, professional pickpocket

Yeah, he's good. I'd say that the main difference is that Apollo tells people that he's going to take something from them.

In the article, Penn Jillette, who said he ranked pickpockets "a few notches below hypnotists", dared Robbins to take something from him.

Robbins demurred, claiming that he felt uncomfortable working in front of other magicians. He pointed out that, since Jillette was wearing only shorts and a sports shirt, he wouldn't have much to work with.

"Come on,- Jillette said. "Steal something from me.-


Again, Robbins begged off, but he offered to do a trick instead. He instructed Jillette to place a ring that he was wearing on a piece of paper and trace its outline with a pen. By now, a small crowd had gathered. Jillette removed his ring, put it down on the paper, unclipped a pen from his shirt, and leaned forward, preparing to draw. After a moment, he froze and looked up. His face was pale.


"****. You,- he said, and slumped into a chair.

Robbins held up a thin, cylindrical object: the cartridge from Jillette's pen.

[ctp]

Re: Apollo Robbins, professional pickpocket

I read the feature, too. Interesting stuff.