Prosecutors described 41-year-old former US marine Stanley Heiserman's exploits as "simply nuts".

They said he decided to rob stores in and around Allentown in Pennsylvania in the nude because during previous crimes he had been fully dressed and had been identified by his clothing.

He raided one store twice in the space of a day and got away with $400.

Cashiers said he was stark naked both times apart from the underwear on his head.

A laughing matter

On another occasion, two employees began giggling as Heiserman, who became known as the "Naked Bandit", walked into their corner store without a stitch on.

He claimed to have a gun in a bag and demanded money.

The staff handed over the cash and carried on laughing as he made his getaway.

But police were far from amused by his antics and following his fourth and final nude robbery they trapped him after a short car chase.

He was semi-decent as he was wearing just a shirt at the time.

In all Heiserman got away with about $1,000 but he is facing a possible jail term of between eight to 40 years when he is sentenced next month.

He told the judge he turned to crime while he was on drugs and emotionally distraught about his dying mother.