SYDNEY (Reuters) - Bemused diners watched as three hapless thieves
unsuccessfully tried to kick open a sliding door in a botched attempt to rob
an Australian seafood restaurant, police said on Monday.



The men, wearing balaclavas, ran off empty-handed but left their bootprints
on the industrial-strength glass door in a robbery bid that Australian
Broadcasting Corp. radio said could have been mistaken as "a rehearsal for a
slapstick comedy."


Police said about 20 diners watched as the men, one of whom was carrying a
knife, tried to push open the door of the restaurant in the coastal village
of Gerringong, 140 km (85 miles) south of Sydney, and then began kicking the
glass.


"They're probably more dangerous because they're dumb," police investigator
Jamie Williams said.


Restaurant owner Greg Moore said diners remained calm as they watched events
unfold while enjoying dessert and coffee.


"The door's open, the sign says 'Slide' but obviously with their balaclavas
they couldn't read too well," Moore said.


Diners were given complimentary bottles of wine .......