Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Patient escaped from hospital in hijacked ambulance
A patient escaped from a hospital in Goodyear, Arizona, on Sunday by hijacking an ambulance parked outside the facility, police officers said.
A firefighter sitting in the back of the vehicle was able to jump out safely, according to Goodyear police spokesman Lisa Kurtis. Michael Lopez, 40, of Avondale, took off from West Valley Hospital and failed to pull over.
Officers tracked the vehicle to his home, where he was arrested. Lopez was booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail in Phoenix on charges of theft of means of transportation, felony flight, failure to yield to police and disorderly conduct.
When asked why he escaped, Lopez told police he thought he was being held against his will. It's not known why Lopez was being hospitalised. West Valley Hospital is an acute-care community facility. The ambulance was returned to the Buckeye Valley Fire Department.
A firefighter sitting in the back of the vehicle was able to jump out safely, according to Goodyear police spokesman Lisa Kurtis. Michael Lopez, 40, of Avondale, took off from West Valley Hospital and failed to pull over.
Officers tracked the vehicle to his home, where he was arrested. Lopez was booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail in Phoenix on charges of theft of means of transportation, felony flight, failure to yield to police and disorderly conduct.
When asked why he escaped, Lopez told police he thought he was being held against his will. It's not known why Lopez was being hospitalised. West Valley Hospital is an acute-care community facility. The ambulance was returned to the Buckeye Valley Fire Department.
Disgruntled employee stole and crashed train
A rail worker is facing charges for protesting at working conditions by stealing a train and taking it on a joy ride before crashing it into another locomotive on Thursday.
22-year-old Derek Skyler Brux was charged on Friday with reckless endangering, felony destruction of property and felony destruction, obstruction or removal of railroad track or fixtures after allegedly stealing a train from the North Antelope Rochelle mine in Wyoming and driving it 13 miles before ploughing it into another train.
Deputies were called out to the mine at about 8:55 am.
The incident started when Brux, a utility coal operator for Rail Link, allegedly became upset about his supervisor’s response to working conditions, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Circuit Court.
The disgruntled employee then unhooked some cars and drove the locomotive around what is described as a “loop” at the site and “pretty much squashed the ‘expletive’ outta their scales,” Brux said.
Brux then called his supervisor and asked her if she wanted to play chicken. He hung up the phone and then called the rail dispatch, advising personnel there he was going onto the main rail line. Brux said he estimated he was going 60 mph for about 15 minutes. He told deputies he did not know where he was headed and that he wanted to make Rail Link pay. Brux said he headed south on the main line. When asked how fast he was going, he responded that he didn’t know if he “quite got up to 70 mph,” but estimated he was going 50 mph for a good part of the trip. Employees from Peabody Energy Corp. and Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC. attempted to stop the locomotive but were unsuccessful. At least one person, Royce Biegler, was reported to be working on the train tracks at the time of the incident. When Biegler heard Brux call dispatch and say he was going on the main line, Biegler moved his pickup off the track before the oncoming train arrived. No injuries were reported.
At some point in his journey, Brux passed through an area where construction was occurring near a highway crossing. Brux told deputies he blew his horn while passing and said that there were “a lot of workers there.” When asked if he scared the workers Brux said, “They were probably (expletive) scared. They probably (expletive) themselves. Whatever.” During the ride, Rail Link employees tried contacting Brux on his employee phone, Brux told investigators. He got mad and said he was not an Apple fan and smashed the phone for something to do. He took the train to Nacco Junction before backing out onto the main line and approaching a train near an oil field crossing. Brux finally crashed the train into another. “I wanted to see what it was like to hit something, so I hit at it,” Brux said. Brux then backed up and hit the train again.
He estimates the speed of both collisions was under 10 mph. Kerby Caves, a Rail Link Employee, arrived at the scene of the crash as Brux was attempting to leave the area. Caves hit the emergency shut-off switch on the fuel tank, disabling the train. Brux then fled on foot before being caught by deputies. He stated that he was having a bad day and trying to prove a point. When asked if he had thought about taking his own life, Brux replied, “a couple of times.” The affidavit reports Brux said he would do so by hitting “another train, putting possibly other lives in danger ...” The total cost of the damages is not known. Reckless endangering is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment up to one year, a fine up to $750 or both. Felony destruction of property is punishable by imprisonment of not more than 10 years, a fine of up to $10,000 or both. Destruction, obstruction or removal of railroad track or fixtures is a felony punishable by a imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than 20 years, a fine of up to $10,000 or both. Brux could also face additional federal charges from the Federal Railroad Administration.
Brux then called his supervisor and asked her if she wanted to play chicken. He hung up the phone and then called the rail dispatch, advising personnel there he was going onto the main rail line. Brux said he estimated he was going 60 mph for about 15 minutes. He told deputies he did not know where he was headed and that he wanted to make Rail Link pay. Brux said he headed south on the main line. When asked how fast he was going, he responded that he didn’t know if he “quite got up to 70 mph,” but estimated he was going 50 mph for a good part of the trip. Employees from Peabody Energy Corp. and Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC. attempted to stop the locomotive but were unsuccessful. At least one person, Royce Biegler, was reported to be working on the train tracks at the time of the incident. When Biegler heard Brux call dispatch and say he was going on the main line, Biegler moved his pickup off the track before the oncoming train arrived. No injuries were reported.
At some point in his journey, Brux passed through an area where construction was occurring near a highway crossing. Brux told deputies he blew his horn while passing and said that there were “a lot of workers there.” When asked if he scared the workers Brux said, “They were probably (expletive) scared. They probably (expletive) themselves. Whatever.” During the ride, Rail Link employees tried contacting Brux on his employee phone, Brux told investigators. He got mad and said he was not an Apple fan and smashed the phone for something to do. He took the train to Nacco Junction before backing out onto the main line and approaching a train near an oil field crossing. Brux finally crashed the train into another. “I wanted to see what it was like to hit something, so I hit at it,” Brux said. Brux then backed up and hit the train again.
He estimates the speed of both collisions was under 10 mph. Kerby Caves, a Rail Link Employee, arrived at the scene of the crash as Brux was attempting to leave the area. Caves hit the emergency shut-off switch on the fuel tank, disabling the train. Brux then fled on foot before being caught by deputies. He stated that he was having a bad day and trying to prove a point. When asked if he had thought about taking his own life, Brux replied, “a couple of times.” The affidavit reports Brux said he would do so by hitting “another train, putting possibly other lives in danger ...” The total cost of the damages is not known. Reckless endangering is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment up to one year, a fine up to $750 or both. Felony destruction of property is punishable by imprisonment of not more than 10 years, a fine of up to $10,000 or both. Destruction, obstruction or removal of railroad track or fixtures is a felony punishable by a imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than 20 years, a fine of up to $10,000 or both. Brux could also face additional federal charges from the Federal Railroad Administration.
Misunderstood man accused of armed robbery
To avoid any misunderstanding, Jonathan Warrenfeltz has broadcast his status in life with ‘Misunderstood’ tattooed across his forehead.
And the word was there in all its glory when, police said, Warrenfeltz and a companion robbed five beachgoers at gunpoint in Dania Beach, Florida.
In fact, the tattoo was how the victims readily identifed him as their assailant. Warrenfeltz, 24, of Fort Lauderdale, along with Joshua Zeaya, 23, reportedly approached the women who were sitting on the beach at around 6am on Wednesday and demanded their cash and valuables. The women, in fear for their lives, handed over what they had.
Warrenfeltz and Zeaya then ran to a waiting car driven by Kaitlyn Florez and sped off, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. A short time later, Warrenfeltz was picked up at a motel on Dania Beach Boulevard trying to rent a room. One of the women from the beach was driven to the motel and clearly identified him as the man who had robbed them.
Seven witnesses identified Warrenfeltz from several facial tattoos, including "Misunderstood" in cursive script. Warrenfeltz has been convicted of cocaine possession, battery and trespassing, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He is scheduled to be sentenced next week for a cocaine conviction. Warrenfeltz and Zeaya are being held without bond on five counts each of robbery with a firearm.
In fact, the tattoo was how the victims readily identifed him as their assailant. Warrenfeltz, 24, of Fort Lauderdale, along with Joshua Zeaya, 23, reportedly approached the women who were sitting on the beach at around 6am on Wednesday and demanded their cash and valuables. The women, in fear for their lives, handed over what they had.
Warrenfeltz and Zeaya then ran to a waiting car driven by Kaitlyn Florez and sped off, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. A short time later, Warrenfeltz was picked up at a motel on Dania Beach Boulevard trying to rent a room. One of the women from the beach was driven to the motel and clearly identified him as the man who had robbed them.
Seven witnesses identified Warrenfeltz from several facial tattoos, including "Misunderstood" in cursive script. Warrenfeltz has been convicted of cocaine possession, battery and trespassing, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He is scheduled to be sentenced next week for a cocaine conviction. Warrenfeltz and Zeaya are being held without bond on five counts each of robbery with a firearm.
14-year-old boy arrested for dressing up as a clown and chasing and scaring other children
A 14-year-old boy was arrested in Bakersfield, California, on Thursday for dressing as a clown and scaring younger children.
Officers were dispatched in the afternoon to reports of a clown chasing children. Police said one child "was clearly scared as a result of being chased by the clown."
Investigators found the suspect, whose name was withheld, at a home in Pacheco. Police said he admitted to the acts and said he did it to perpetuate a sinister clown hoax he had seen online.
YouTube link.
The suspect was booked into Kern County Juvenile Hall and could face a charge of annoying a minor, according to police.
Officers were dispatched in the afternoon to reports of a clown chasing children. Police said one child "was clearly scared as a result of being chased by the clown."
Investigators found the suspect, whose name was withheld, at a home in Pacheco. Police said he admitted to the acts and said he did it to perpetuate a sinister clown hoax he had seen online.
YouTube link.
The suspect was booked into Kern County Juvenile Hall and could face a charge of annoying a minor, according to police.
Man being attacked by grizzly bear accidentally shot by hunting partner trying to rescue him
A 56-year-old man is recovering in a Calgary, Canada, hospital after being mauled by a grizzly bear while hunting on Sunday morning near the southern B.C. town of Fernie.
A spokesman for STARS air ambulance says a crew responded to an emergency call just before 9:30am. David Fairbanks says the man was not only attacked, but also shot by his hunting partner who was trying to neutralize the animal.
B.C.’s environment ministry says the hunting partner managed to kill the bear and was not injured in the incident. Conservation officers and other first responders rushed to the scene.
The victim was driven out of the forested area on an ATV, then flown by helicopter to a Calgary hospital. The man was in stable condition when he was flown from the area and his injuries are described as non life-threatening. Provincial conservation officers from Fernie and Cranbrook, B.C., are examining the scene.
A spokesman for STARS air ambulance says a crew responded to an emergency call just before 9:30am. David Fairbanks says the man was not only attacked, but also shot by his hunting partner who was trying to neutralize the animal.
B.C.’s environment ministry says the hunting partner managed to kill the bear and was not injured in the incident. Conservation officers and other first responders rushed to the scene.
The victim was driven out of the forested area on an ATV, then flown by helicopter to a Calgary hospital. The man was in stable condition when he was flown from the area and his injuries are described as non life-threatening. Provincial conservation officers from Fernie and Cranbrook, B.C., are examining the scene.
Jailed woman walked out front door of courthouse
A woman escaped being sent to jail from a court in West Auckland, New Zealand, on Monday afternoon by simply walking out the front door.
The woman was being sentenced in Courtroom Three at Waitakere District Court at about 2.30pm when, upon hearing she would be jailed on charges relating to dishonesty offending, she simply walked out of the sentencing box and out the front door, a witness who was in the courtroom at the time said.
"The judge said 'someone stop that woman' and she just kept on going," the witness, who declined to be named, said. "It's quite embarrassing for them really." No police or court security staff were in the courtroom at the time, however a lawyer attempted to apprehend the woman, only to be pushed aside, the witness said.
Court security were not believed to have been monitoring the court's entrance at the time the woman escaped. Court security staff declined to comment on the incident. A police spokeswoman said the woman had still not been located. She was described as a "low risk" offender.
The woman was being sentenced in Courtroom Three at Waitakere District Court at about 2.30pm when, upon hearing she would be jailed on charges relating to dishonesty offending, she simply walked out of the sentencing box and out the front door, a witness who was in the courtroom at the time said.
"The judge said 'someone stop that woman' and she just kept on going," the witness, who declined to be named, said. "It's quite embarrassing for them really." No police or court security staff were in the courtroom at the time, however a lawyer attempted to apprehend the woman, only to be pushed aside, the witness said.
Court security were not believed to have been monitoring the court's entrance at the time the woman escaped. Court security staff declined to comment on the incident. A police spokeswoman said the woman had still not been located. She was described as a "low risk" offender.
Pet duck swallowed more than 20 pieces of metal
Vicki Hicks thought her pet muscovy had been looking a little peaky for a few days, but it wasn’t until Ducka coughed up a nail that the she was sure that something wasn't right.
After rushing the eight-month-old duck to the Avian Reptile and Exotic Animal Hospital at Brownlow Hill in south-west Sydney, Australia, Ms Hicks was told that Ducka had more than 20 pieces of metal, including nails, screws and washers inside her stomach and would require a series of operations.
“She was walking really lopsidedly, she couldn’t eat, she just wasn’t well,” Ms Hicks said. “She threw up a nail and I thought, ‘oh my god,’ I knew we had to take her to the vet straight away,” she said. With her condition deteriorating, Ducka was taken to the animal hospital, where senior veterinarian Hamish Baron, assessed her and ordered X-rays. It was then immediately clear what was causing her discomfort as the shocked staff and Ms Hicks could see a large ball of metal objects sitting in her stomach.
Dr Baron had an inkling that Ducka might have swallowed some metal but the sheer amount of objects took him by surprise. “We didn’t expect that much, that’s the most metal I’ve ever seen in an animal,” Dr Baron said. After consulting with a number of experts, Dr Baron recommended a series of operations. Over the next few days, Ducka underwent five hours of surgery to extract the painful metal, piece by piece, and was nursed in hospital for eight days. The cost of the treatment was more than $2000.
The Hicks family are delighted the much-loved bird is now at home and fully recovered. Dr Baron said owners needed to be more aware that birds were attracted to shiny objects like discarded nails and small pieces of metal. “We do see it relatively frequently and it’s something most owners don’t know about,” he said. “Most of the time birds will eat screws and shiny things, so people with poultry and other birds should not throw small metal objects into the grass.”
“She was walking really lopsidedly, she couldn’t eat, she just wasn’t well,” Ms Hicks said. “She threw up a nail and I thought, ‘oh my god,’ I knew we had to take her to the vet straight away,” she said. With her condition deteriorating, Ducka was taken to the animal hospital, where senior veterinarian Hamish Baron, assessed her and ordered X-rays. It was then immediately clear what was causing her discomfort as the shocked staff and Ms Hicks could see a large ball of metal objects sitting in her stomach.
Dr Baron had an inkling that Ducka might have swallowed some metal but the sheer amount of objects took him by surprise. “We didn’t expect that much, that’s the most metal I’ve ever seen in an animal,” Dr Baron said. After consulting with a number of experts, Dr Baron recommended a series of operations. Over the next few days, Ducka underwent five hours of surgery to extract the painful metal, piece by piece, and was nursed in hospital for eight days. The cost of the treatment was more than $2000.
The Hicks family are delighted the much-loved bird is now at home and fully recovered. Dr Baron said owners needed to be more aware that birds were attracted to shiny objects like discarded nails and small pieces of metal. “We do see it relatively frequently and it’s something most owners don’t know about,” he said. “Most of the time birds will eat screws and shiny things, so people with poultry and other birds should not throw small metal objects into the grass.”
Cat tracked down owner who had moved into nursing home
Staff at a care home in Westcott, Surrey, have been left amazed after realising that a persistent feline they thought was just a stray begging for food was actually seeking her former owner, who had moved into the home.
Cleo the cat was picked up by Nancy Cowen as a stray in Richmond, before the pair moved to Wescott eight years ago.
But when Mrs Cowen moved into Bramley House care home in the village eight weeks ago, Cleo was left in the care of her former neighbours. But it seems the loyal four-legged friend had other ideas. Bramley House employee Laura Costello said: "About two weeks after Nancy moved in this cat just started turning up and sleeping on the benches outside the home. It was very strange."
The true identity of the care home's newest resident did not become clear for another two weeks. Carer Ms Costello continued: "One of the other carers picked her up one day and Nancy said 'That cat looks like my cat'. Then she said 'But my cat lost part of her tail in a traffic accident'. The carer looked at the cat she was holding and realised part of its tail was missing.
"Then Nancy's sister came round and said she definitely was Cleo." The happy pair have now been officially reunited, with Bramley House able to cater for the contented feline and keep her in her beloved owner's company. The pet-friendly facility has also pledged to give Cleo a home for as long as she needs one in the future. Fiona Collins, who also works at the home, added: "I have no idea how she's found her. It's quite spooky in a way."
But when Mrs Cowen moved into Bramley House care home in the village eight weeks ago, Cleo was left in the care of her former neighbours. But it seems the loyal four-legged friend had other ideas. Bramley House employee Laura Costello said: "About two weeks after Nancy moved in this cat just started turning up and sleeping on the benches outside the home. It was very strange."
The true identity of the care home's newest resident did not become clear for another two weeks. Carer Ms Costello continued: "One of the other carers picked her up one day and Nancy said 'That cat looks like my cat'. Then she said 'But my cat lost part of her tail in a traffic accident'. The carer looked at the cat she was holding and realised part of its tail was missing.
"Then Nancy's sister came round and said she definitely was Cleo." The happy pair have now been officially reunited, with Bramley House able to cater for the contented feline and keep her in her beloved owner's company. The pet-friendly facility has also pledged to give Cleo a home for as long as she needs one in the future. Fiona Collins, who also works at the home, added: "I have no idea how she's found her. It's quite spooky in a way."
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