An elaborate plan to rob an armored car, involving a bogus Craigslist ad and a getaway by inner tube, is at the top of Wired’s “Seven Best Capers of 2008” list.

It was weird enough when police said they thought the thief made at least part of his escape by inner tube on the Skykomish River. Then details emerged about an ad for gardening jobs, intended to lure unwitting decoys to distract police.

The plot unraveled and a Lake Stevens man was arrested after police connected him to the heist through a Gatorade bottle full of saliva and chewed tobacco.

Vote for Snohomish County’s own bizarre caper and read about others on Wired’s list.

Thanks to Justin over at Big Game Hunter for pointing out the local connection.