RUNNING ON EMPTY-HEADED

A New Jersey man saw his bank robbery attempt tank in a big way after he tried to start his getaway car -- only to find he'd run out of gas.

Steven Mercado handed a teller a note saying that he had a gun hidden under a cloth on his hand and demanded a load of cash -- which he was given. As he fled to the parking lot, an employee called cops, who arrived just as Mercado was trying to call for a cab -- having found out his own car wouldn't start.

Mercado was ordered held on $400,000 cash bail. Police said the weapon he had was a garden hose spray nozzle