The Daily News Dating Service

ON WEDS., MAY 5, the Daily News ran a story about an East Side bank manager who chased down and captured the man who'd just robbed his employer. It was a story worth telling, full of human drama and excitement. But there was a weird subtext running throughout the piece.

No, scratch that—it was too obvious and blatant to be called a "subtext." Consider the headline: "Hunk Corrals Bank Robber."

Or the lede: "A pinstriped banker with brains, brawn—and a black belt in karate—became a real-life superhero yesterday when he chased a robber out of his branch and nabbed him on a busy Manhattan street."

Already something tells us there's some weirdness afoot. "Hunk"? This was more than a story about bravery and goodness prevailing—this was a personals ad.

Marc Ravage, 36, manager of the Commerce Bank on E. 77th St., is described at various points in the story as follows:

"The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Ravage said he sprang into action when a co-worker pointed out the robber, who was headed out the door."

(He's big, but he's in great shape!)

"'It was just adrenaline,' said Ravage, who holds a fourth-degree black belt as well as degrees in English literature and philosophy."

(He's smart, but he's still full of zest!)

"Pedestrians started dialing 911 for Ravage, who never lost his cool as the robber tried to wiggle free."

(He stays collected under pressure! He's got self-control!)

One witness was quoted as saying, "The manager was actually trying to be polite to the guy…He was saying, 'I don't want to hurt you. Please, sir, don't try to get away.'"

(He's got good manners, but he can be firm when he needs to be!)

"Afterward, Ravage scooped up the loot from the sidewalk and dusted off his pinstriped suit. As the dark-haired bachelor sauntered back to the bank, admirers marveled at his guts."

(Guts! Good looks! Attitude! A snappy dresser! Money!)

The capper to the whole thing, however, was at the bottom of the story. We can't say for sure we'd ever seen anything like it before. Not in a crime story, anyway.

Here's the skinny on hunky, crime-busting bank manager Marc Ravage:

Age: 36

Height: 6-feet-3

Weight: 205 pounds

Education: Graduate of Tufts University, with degrees in English literature and philosophy

Hobby: Fourth-degree black belt in karate

Wardrobe: Pinstripe suits, karate robes

Marital status: Single

Why, he's a man with everything! Smart, rich, kind, cool, strong, handsome—and he's single, too? Imagine that! Take your best shot, ladies, you know where he works!

We couldn't help but notice that the one detail the Daily News never mentioned was whether or not he was gay.