Publication date: November 2025 Source: Animal Behaviour, Volume 229 Author(s): Shengyu Wang, Kevin Ching Hei Lo, Verna Wing Ting Shiu, Christy Yuen Ching Hung, Emily Shui Kei Poon, Chris Newman, Christina D. Buesching, Simon Yung Wa Sin

Delinquent protagonists in true-crime stories tend to have a memorable MO: Young lovebirds might find the thrill of theft romantic, while a teenager might relish roping her friends into targeting their favorite celebrities’ homes. But Jeffrey Manchester, the robber known as “Roofman,” made headlines for being unusually polite when he executed his misdeeds. After he surprised McDonald’s employees by dropping in through the roof—hence his nickname—and holding them at gunpoint, he gently reminded one of them to breathe while they collected cash.