James L. McClinton, Ph.D.
I bet the tow truck driver still charges him $500 to get his toy back… A 51-year-old Indiana man has been arrested after allegedly driving a Power Wheels Jeep® (a child’s electric powered toy) while impaired. An Indiana State Police trooper was patrolling in Vincennes when he saw the man driving the toy Jeep in the road. Authorities said the vehicle had no lights or reflectors and was hard to see. The Power Wheels Jeep was eventually stopped and police said the man displayed signs of impairment and failed the field sobriety tests. He was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction. (Is it possible to install a breathalyzer on a Power Wheels?)
“Film at 11…” or maybe not… The armed robbery problem has become so bad in Chicago that armed robbers recently robbed a TV news crew doing a story about an armed robbery. That unbelievable development occurred as at least 30 people were robbed or carjacked during sprees in a 24 hour period. A reporter and photojournalist were preparing to do a live shot about the latest robbery spree when a holdup crew rolled up to them. A Chicago police spokesperson confirmed that a 28-year-old man and a 42-year-old man were outside taping the story when a black SUV and a gray sedan pulled up. Three men got out of the vehicles wearing ski masks and displaying guns. They reportedly took the victims’ personal belongings, went into their work vehicle and stole the station’s camera. They are the second Chicago TV news unit to be robbed in the same month. (It turns out that the trio weren’t really criminals, just lovers of irony.)
This guy really knows what it means to be a porch pirate… A Georgia man was charged with one count of felony theft after he allegedly walked past several “no trespassing” signs and stole a neighbor’s wooden porch which was not attached to a home at the time of the alleged theft. Deputies with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office had identified the suspect and had been on the lookout for him for several days when they were called to his home for a domestic disturbance. They said that he had gotten into a fight with his wife and had been throwing rocks at their house. He was charged with two counts of domestic violence in addition to one count of felony theft for stealing the porch. (Police suspected he stole the outhouse, too, but had nothing to go on.)
He seems to have had a problem with his auto focus… It appears Google Maps Street View might soon feature breakneck snapshots of an in-progress police pursuit after a Florida man, who claimed to work for the mapping tech giant, led Middletown police officers on a high-speed chase – all while a 360 degree camera was mounted to the roof of his car. The Middletown Police Department says a Google Maps Street View car was clocked driving past a local high school at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour – the posted speed limit is 55 mph and 40 mph when the school zone lights are flashing. As the vehicle passed the officer, the officer noted the 360 degree cameras mounted to a tall antenna atop the car. The officer gave chase and ended up catching the driver after he eventually lost control of the Google car and drove through a yard before crashing into a creek and becoming stuck. (I always wondered how they blurred everyone’s face.)
Next time, try a skateboard… Police officers were dispatched after receiving a report of a personal protection order violation stemming from domestic violence issues. Upon arrival, the 24-year-old man fled from police, leading them on a chase through the streets of Saginaw. While that alone is not unusual, his means of conveyance was. The man tried to get away from the officers on a minibike which is essentially a bicycle with a lawn mower engine strapped to it. He almost certainly could have walked faster than the bike carried him, as the 15 mph “chase” led the officers through city streets. Finally, the matter came to its expected conclusion. The foolish fugitive was overcome, arrested and charged with fleeing from the police, aggravated stalking and parole violation. (Just like my grandpa used to say, “Ain’t no use in being stupid if you don’t show it!”)
To protect and swerve… A newly minted Louisville Metro Police officer, who had just completed the department’s academy, found himself facing a DUI charge and was promptly fired mere hours after taking his oath. The former police officer was accused of driving under the influence following an incident where he collided with several parked cars at approximately 2:00 a.m. on a Saturday. According to the arrest report, the officer openly disclosed that he had been drinking at a bar with friends, confessed to being inebriated, and willingly placed his hands behind his back, saying, “Let’s go.” The report indicated that his blood alcohol level was measured at .189. While his first shift was scheduled for Sunday, the Police Chief promptly terminated his employment, as stated in an official statement. This rookie officer was part of a group of 19 officers who were sworn in on the previous Friday. (“I have the right to remain silent… anything I say may be held against me…”)