Thursday, May 23, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
A suspected bank robber's politeness -- wishing tellers a nice day and leaving the owner of a getaway car $120 for gas -- didn't earn him any points with the judge.
U.S. Magistrate Lawrence Leavitt said Wednesday that he was uneasy with the use of good manners during a violent act and ordered Behrouz Dehghan-Manshadi jailed until his trial.
The 34-year-old Iranian national and longtime Las Vegan was arrested Friday on charges he kidnapped a tourist, robbed a bank and used the man's truck as a getaway car.
Assistant Public Defender Shari Kaufman argued that Dehghan-Manshadi should be released on electronic surveillance, which allows law enforcement to track his movement.
"This is not a dangerous, cruel man," said Kaufman, pointing out that five family members or friends attended the court hearing to vouch for Dehghan-Manshadi's character.
But Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Schiess contended that Dehghan-Manshadi was a danger because the alleged bank robbery was so out-of-character no one could be certain it would not be repeated.
The owner of State Carpet Cleaning is accused of surprising tourist Stephen Winters as he walked away from an automated teller machine on North Rancho Drive.
The defendant allegedly jumped out from behind Winter's 1987 Ford, waving a pistol and ordering him into the truck.
Winters, a 46-year-old Death Valley National Park employee, eventually was forced to climb into the camper shell and covered with a carpet.
Dehghan-Manshadi made certain that Winter was comfortable before he allegedly robbed the Bank of America at 4361 N. Rancho Road.
He is accused of brandishing a gun and ordering tellers to fill his duffel bag with money. As he left, he allegedly said, "Thanks a lot. Have a nice day."
A short time later, Winters said the bank robber abandoned the truck, but not before leaving him $120 for gas.
Dehghan-Manshadi was arrested and police said they discovered about $7,700.
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