FIVE DUMB THINGS ABOUT A JAILBREAK ATTEMPT

Belgian police arrested

the suspects in an “amateurish” prison breakout in less than 24 hours because the gang booked the helicopter they used to try to free one of their wives under their real names. Here’s what went down:

1 HEY GUYS, I’VE GOT AN IDEA!

The three men chartered the flight on Friday near Antwerp on the pretext of taking aerial shots for a television program but planned to use the helicopter to free Kristal Appelt, 27, the wife of the main suspect Mike Gielen, 24. They were married in prison last year. She is awaiting trial for the murder of her then- boyfriend. “My client has admitted he wanted to release his wife from prison,” said Gielen’s lawyer. “Right now it seems like the whole thing is pretty

amateurish.”

2 IT WAS THE ANTICIPATION

After taking pictures of landmarks, the men produced imitation guns and ordered the pilot to fly to the prison. The excitement was too much for Gielen, who vomited

up to five times.

3 IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A … MIKE

The helicopter hovered over two other prisons before arriving at Berkendael women’s prison. The pilot managed to convince him it was impossible to land the helicopter in the prison courtyard. De Standaard

newspaper reported the helicopter’s arrival caused panic among the prison staff but “hilarity” among

the prisoners.

4 OH, FORGET IT

After hovering for a short while,

the helicopter flew out of Brussels to a parking lot in the French- speaking region

of Wallonia. A head count in the prison revealed that no one

had escaped.

5 DARWIN AWARD CONTENDERS

The three men fled in a car only to be picked up less than a day later

after officers traced them from their names on the helicopter book

ing forms. They were arrested and will appear in court next week. A fourth man, Gielen’s adoptive father, was also arrested after picking the men up. He was released on Sunday.