Bomb squad detonates improvised 'sex toy' explosive device used in US bank robbery

A US man has been charged after he attempted to rob a bank armed with a makeshift bomb crafted from a sex toy, a mobile phone and electrical tape.

The brazen bandit walked into a bank in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on Monday and demanded $15,000 from the teller.

The robber had wires dangling from his shirt and threatened to detonate the device if the employee did not comply, local news station WPXI reports.

He was detained in a white Toyota sedan after fleeing with the cash and officers found the fake improvised bomb inside the car.

It and a suspicious briefcase were detonated remotely using a police robot.

“He stated he had a bomb, showed the teller wires hanging out from his shirt and demanded cash,” Crafton Police Chief Mark Sumpter said.

“[It was] a makeshift box he made out of a box, black tape, vibrator and cellphone.”

Officers said the suspect confessed almost immediately.

“As we were getting him out of the vehicle, he started telling us what he did,” local police chief Mike Gastgeb said.

“He said he made a big mistake.”

The man was charged with robbery and making terroristic threats.