Man Tries To Rob Police Station Near Dallas: Keithan Manuel, 18, Insists It Was A Joke [MUGSHOT PHOTO]

A teenager is being held in the Dallas County Jail on robbery and other charges after he allegedly tried to rob a police officer in a police station.

Keithan Manuel, 18, insists the alleged stickup was a joke, according to CBS Dallas.

Manuel allegedly walked into the Wilmer Police Department Saturday holding a white towel covering his hands to simulate that he had a gun, police said, according to the news station.

Yeah well, a young man walked into the lobby and approached the dispatch window there and told our Communications Officer 'give me all your money, Police Chief Victor Kemp told CBS Dallas. This young man wasn't using his head for sure. You hear of those World's Dumbest Criminals every once in a while but you never think it's gonna happen in your city.

While Manuel originally asked for money, according to police, he changed his mind and said he went to the Wilmer Police Department station to check on a warrant.

[H]e gave a different name and after a few moments of maybe playing it off he said 'you do know I have a gun'. At that point he seemed to be very serious, Kemp said, according to CBS Dallas.

The officer then called for additional officers and backup from another agency when the assisting officers took down Manuel at gunpoint.

It turned out the 18-year-old robbery suspect didn't have a gun, although a police dispatcher told CBS Dallas she recalled Manuel saying he had a firearm.

Manuel denied saying that and insisted he was joking.

I didn't say nothing like that, I swear to God I didn't say nothing like that; that's why they didn't find no guns on me, Manuel said, CBS Dallas reported. Man I play like that all the time, I didn't think she would take it seriously.

Manuel was charged with robbery and other charges and was being held in the Dallas County Jail as of last week on $200,000 bond, according to the television station.