Exposing the Duct Tape Bandit

Though brash young Kasey Kazee became the laughing-stock of a nation due to his duct-taped face while committing a botched robbery, his traumatic background gives us a clue as to why he acted in such a bizarre manner.

It was one of the most bizarre, if not comical, attempted robberies that has ever taken place: On August 10, in the river town of Ashland, Kentucky, 24-year-old Kasey Kazee wrapped duct tape around his head and, with his shirt pulled over his head like the "Cornholio" figure in the cartoon "Beavis and Butthead," attempted to rob a 13th Street liquor store. Though not brandishing any noticeable weapon, he took two rolls of quarters before the manager pulled out a large stick (oddly enough, wrapped with duct tape itself) and chased him from the store.
He didn't get far, however, as an employee and one customer apprehended and held him until the police arrived. Soon after, an EMT crew appeared on the scene and easily cut the sweaty tape from Kazee's face.

Shortly after his arrest, the young man was interviewed by a local television station and, from the Boyd County Detention Center, acted like a hip-hop "thug" as he proclaimed his innocence. It was quite a show -- one that was shown nationwide.

Since the attempted robbery, millions of people have laughed at and condemned Kazee for his odd disguise as well as his Eminem-like behavior in front of the cameras. However, few, if any, know the story behind the duct tape.

Kazee -- originally from Ashland -- was the product of the proverbial "broken home". His father was known to be a drug addict, abuser and alcoholic who walked out on his family. His mother met another man shortly after and moved the family to California. Soon, her boyfriend became Kazee's step-father -- who, in no uncertain terms, made it clear that he didn't want the youngster. Kazee was sent back to Kentucky to live with relatives.

However, they didn't want him, either, and sent him back to California, hoping that his step-father would change his mind. But, once again, he was returned to Ashland -- where, again, he was unwanted.

As with many youngsters facing the same situation, Kazee turned to the streets and hung out with a rough-and-tumble group of friends. Soon, his "street cred" started to grow. That made him daring enough to attempt the robbery.

But, since he was neglected and rejected for most of his life, he wanted to do something that would get him noticed. Since the streets demand the absurd, he decided to duct-tape himself for the robbery. Besides, the tape could be lifted from any construction site, or easily hidden when leaving a hardware store (such as the one directly across the street from the liquor store).

Although the robbery was a failure, he finally got his fifteen-minutes of fame when the television station taped its interview with him and broadcast it that evening. So he played the street personality to the hilt. Soon, it hit the national newspapers and the internet, which increased his notoriety.

Although his trial is yet to come -- and, certainly, he's facing prison time -- he received recognition at last. He was a "renegade" ... an "outlaw" ... a "thug".

This is neither meant to excuse his actions nor appeal for a kinder view of Kazee; he committed a crime, and must pay for it. However, it shows the person behind the duct tape, and why he committed such a bizarre crime. His story was gleaned from interviews with his relatives and neighbors during the two weeks following his arrest.