Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Threatening toilet paper note imprint linked would-be robber to pizza shop theft attempt
A threatening note written on toilet paper helped unravel a robbery attempt at a pizza shop in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, according to police.
Eric W. Frey, 29, of Uniontown is charged with walking into Michael Maria's Pizza shortly before 8pm on Saturday and handing an employee a note handwritten in black ink on a scrap of toilet paper, police said.
The note read, “I have a gun. Give me $300,” according to court documents.
Frey told the employee that another man had “a gun on me right now, and if I don't come out of here with the money, I'm going to get shot,” police said.
When the employee hit a panic button, police responded to find Frey still in the shop. He told officers that a large, bearded man put a gun to his back in a nearby alley and forced him to take the note to the pizza shop, warning that he would shoot him if he left the business without cash, court documents indicate. When police Lt. Tom Kolencik told Frey that he didn't believe his story, Kolencik asked to visit his apartment “to see if his toilet paper matched that of the one used in the robbery attempt,” documents show. Frey said, “Let's go. I don't have anything to hide,” according to those documents.
In Frey's bathroom, police found a recently opened package of toilet paper on a table. One of the rolls had “writing engraved in it that matched the exact wording on the piece of toilet paper that Frey handed” to the pizza shop employee, Kolencik said. Police found a black pen next to the roll matching the colour of ink used to write the threatening note, Kolencik said. At one point, Frey told officers that the man who had put the gun to his back was in the apartment, but “then noticed three males walking down the street, and stated, ‘That's them.' ”
Police said they spoke to the three men and determined they were not involved. While in the apartment, officers saw a can on a kitchen counter they said had been altered to be used in smoking marijuana. Once they obtained a search warrant for the apartment, police said they found 91 grams of marijuana, syringes and spoons containing burned drug residue. Frey, who has four unrelated drug cases pending, was arraigned before District Judge Wendy Dennis of North Union and placed in the Fayette County Prison on $25,000 bail. He faces a preliminary hearing on Jan. 7 on attempted robbery, theft and drug charges.
When the employee hit a panic button, police responded to find Frey still in the shop. He told officers that a large, bearded man put a gun to his back in a nearby alley and forced him to take the note to the pizza shop, warning that he would shoot him if he left the business without cash, court documents indicate. When police Lt. Tom Kolencik told Frey that he didn't believe his story, Kolencik asked to visit his apartment “to see if his toilet paper matched that of the one used in the robbery attempt,” documents show. Frey said, “Let's go. I don't have anything to hide,” according to those documents.
In Frey's bathroom, police found a recently opened package of toilet paper on a table. One of the rolls had “writing engraved in it that matched the exact wording on the piece of toilet paper that Frey handed” to the pizza shop employee, Kolencik said. Police found a black pen next to the roll matching the colour of ink used to write the threatening note, Kolencik said. At one point, Frey told officers that the man who had put the gun to his back was in the apartment, but “then noticed three males walking down the street, and stated, ‘That's them.' ”
Police said they spoke to the three men and determined they were not involved. While in the apartment, officers saw a can on a kitchen counter they said had been altered to be used in smoking marijuana. Once they obtained a search warrant for the apartment, police said they found 91 grams of marijuana, syringes and spoons containing burned drug residue. Frey, who has four unrelated drug cases pending, was arraigned before District Judge Wendy Dennis of North Union and placed in the Fayette County Prison on $25,000 bail. He faces a preliminary hearing on Jan. 7 on attempted robbery, theft and drug charges.
Man claims sex revelation by 'spiritual' girlfriend caused him to damage her car
A Florida man told police officers he trashed his girlfriend’s car because he “snapped” when she told him his dead grandmother would appear in his dreams and commit unusual sex acts involving him and an adult toy.
The damage that Casey Molter, 28, is accused of causing to his girlfriend’s 1997 Nissan Altima appeared to be the culmination of issues between the two, according to Indian River County Sheriff’s records. Investigators went to an address in Vero Beach at about 7:45 a.m. on Nov. 24, where Molter and his girlfriend had been living for a few weeks. They explained that law enforcement officials were called earlier in the morning when they got in a physical altercation.
During the fight, Molter damaged the girlfriend’s car and smashed her cell phone. In this earlier incident, the girlfriend said she wanted to press charges against Molter for damaging the car and phone. She left the scene and returned later to find additional damage, including a broken passenger side mirror, deflated tyres, a used prophylactic, and “love notes” on the hood and windscreen. When a deputy questioned Molter, he said his girlfriend is a “‘spiritual person’ and can tell a person about their dreams.”
Molter said his girlfriend told him his dead grandmother was going to appear in his dreams and “‘(commit an unusual sex act to him involving an adult erotic device)’,” a report states. “Molter stated that he could not get the image out of his head and he snapped,” the report adds. That, he said, is when he took actions including letting the air out of the tyres and throwing the creams and lotions. Molter, of Sebastian, was arrested on a criminal mischief charge.
The damage that Casey Molter, 28, is accused of causing to his girlfriend’s 1997 Nissan Altima appeared to be the culmination of issues between the two, according to Indian River County Sheriff’s records. Investigators went to an address in Vero Beach at about 7:45 a.m. on Nov. 24, where Molter and his girlfriend had been living for a few weeks. They explained that law enforcement officials were called earlier in the morning when they got in a physical altercation.
During the fight, Molter damaged the girlfriend’s car and smashed her cell phone. In this earlier incident, the girlfriend said she wanted to press charges against Molter for damaging the car and phone. She left the scene and returned later to find additional damage, including a broken passenger side mirror, deflated tyres, a used prophylactic, and “love notes” on the hood and windscreen. When a deputy questioned Molter, he said his girlfriend is a “‘spiritual person’ and can tell a person about their dreams.”
Molter said his girlfriend told him his dead grandmother was going to appear in his dreams and “‘(commit an unusual sex act to him involving an adult erotic device)’,” a report states. “Molter stated that he could not get the image out of his head and he snapped,” the report adds. That, he said, is when he took actions including letting the air out of the tyres and throwing the creams and lotions. Molter, of Sebastian, was arrested on a criminal mischief charge.
Bus driver fined for dancing while driving down busy motorway
A bus driver has been fined for dancing while driving his minibus on a busy motorway in Istanbul's Sultanbeyli neighborhood in Turkey.
He was filmed occasionally getting off his seat to dance the “horon,” a traditional group dance from the Black Sea region.
YouTube link.
Turkish authorities identified the man as Metin Kandemir. Kandemir was fined 160 Turkish Lira (£50, $80), while his driving licence was also seized.
"It was a mistake. I apologize to everybody. I will not repeat it. I have been a minibus driver for the past 10 years and this is the first time that I did it," Kandemir said.
He was filmed occasionally getting off his seat to dance the “horon,” a traditional group dance from the Black Sea region.
YouTube link.
Turkish authorities identified the man as Metin Kandemir. Kandemir was fined 160 Turkish Lira (£50, $80), while his driving licence was also seized.
"It was a mistake. I apologize to everybody. I will not repeat it. I have been a minibus driver for the past 10 years and this is the first time that I did it," Kandemir said.
Would-be thief's plan to blow up ATM knocked him off his feet
A man who blew up a cash machine in the Darwin suburb of Winnellie in Australia's Northern Territory overnight was knocked backwards by the explosion.
The man's flip-flops were blown off his feet and he fled barefoot.
The ATM was a tangled mess of electronics and broken metal when police arrived, alerted by an alarm triggered at about 3:45am. Police confirmed the man took no money. The man, who was wearing a t-shirt over his face during the incident, was also wanted over a similar incident on Christmas Eve, police said.
YouTube link. LiveLeak link.
CCTV shows the man light an explosive and then appear to insert it into the machine. Within seconds the item exploded. He escaped serious injury, police said. Police said the offender may have used "some sort of gas" to destroy the cash machine.
"The machine is completely destroyed. You need a new machine in there," duty superintendent Bob Harrison said. "In relation to sophistication it wasn't something that was done by somebody who had expertise. It looks as though some sort of gas was used to get into the machine."
The ATM was a tangled mess of electronics and broken metal when police arrived, alerted by an alarm triggered at about 3:45am. Police confirmed the man took no money. The man, who was wearing a t-shirt over his face during the incident, was also wanted over a similar incident on Christmas Eve, police said.
YouTube link. LiveLeak link.
CCTV shows the man light an explosive and then appear to insert it into the machine. Within seconds the item exploded. He escaped serious injury, police said. Police said the offender may have used "some sort of gas" to destroy the cash machine.
"The machine is completely destroyed. You need a new machine in there," duty superintendent Bob Harrison said. "In relation to sophistication it wasn't something that was done by somebody who had expertise. It looks as though some sort of gas was used to get into the machine."
Police unhappy about horse being transported on open deck of truck
A blue truck with a horse tied to the flat deck standing up has been spotted several times on roads in Houhora, New Zealand, this holiday period, including travelling at up to 100km/h on state highways.
The practice has been labelled potentially dangerous. Constable Tracee Knowler said several different people saw it.
"Enquiries will be made as to exactly what was going on and then a decision made as to a course of action (including possible charges), " she said.
Ms Knowler said she will be trying to track down the owner. Ms Knowler added that while it appeared the horse was well trained, it was a shame the owner was not as equally well trained.
The practice has been labelled potentially dangerous. Constable Tracee Knowler said several different people saw it.
"Enquiries will be made as to exactly what was going on and then a decision made as to a course of action (including possible charges), " she said.
Ms Knowler said she will be trying to track down the owner. Ms Knowler added that while it appeared the horse was well trained, it was a shame the owner was not as equally well trained.
Llama on the loose sparked six hour chase in Greater Manchester
Littleborough, part of Rochdale in Greater Manchester, was gripped by a llama drama on Monday night after a pet went on the run.
Calista, a female llama, escaped from a field at Ealees at about 6pm after being scared by a dog.
The terrified creature was then spotted by dozens of motorists as it ran around the streets of the town. Owner Dan Taylor eventually managed to track her down at about midnight, before calming her down and walking her back home. Mr Taylor, 48, has 19 of the creatures which he keeps as pets on the family farm.
He believes Calista, one of 14 females in the herd, ran away after a dog got into the field and started to chase her. Mr Taylor said: “She was very frightened and it will take her a long time to get over this. All of them were very spooked by the dog. They are very timid and friendly creatures and this kind of thing really upsets them.
YouTube link.
“I would really urge dog owners not to let their animals out loose in the area as they are not allowed in the field.” The sight of the creature running amok on the streets of Littleborough drew some confused stares from passers by. Mr Taylor added: “It’s not the kind of thing you see every day, people were looking at me with strange expressions when I eventually walked her home.”
The terrified creature was then spotted by dozens of motorists as it ran around the streets of the town. Owner Dan Taylor eventually managed to track her down at about midnight, before calming her down and walking her back home. Mr Taylor, 48, has 19 of the creatures which he keeps as pets on the family farm.
He believes Calista, one of 14 females in the herd, ran away after a dog got into the field and started to chase her. Mr Taylor said: “She was very frightened and it will take her a long time to get over this. All of them were very spooked by the dog. They are very timid and friendly creatures and this kind of thing really upsets them.
YouTube link.
“I would really urge dog owners not to let their animals out loose in the area as they are not allowed in the field.” The sight of the creature running amok on the streets of Littleborough drew some confused stares from passers by. Mr Taylor added: “It’s not the kind of thing you see every day, people were looking at me with strange expressions when I eventually walked her home.”
Escaped wallaby spotted hopping up middle of snow covered road in Leicestershire village
An escaped wallaby has been spotted hopping around a snow covered Leicestershire village.
The marsupial was seen by residents at about 9am on Monday in Rookery Lane, Wymondham, near Melton.
Owner Vernon Moore, who lives nearby, said his pet named Thumper was a bit of an "escape artist."
YouTube link.
He added that Thumper was probably out looking for a new girlfriend.
The marsupial was seen by residents at about 9am on Monday in Rookery Lane, Wymondham, near Melton.
Owner Vernon Moore, who lives nearby, said his pet named Thumper was a bit of an "escape artist."
YouTube link.
He added that Thumper was probably out looking for a new girlfriend.
Thief caught after returning tablet he could not work to charity shop he'd stolen it from
A thief stole an Android tablet from a charity shop, only to return it eight days later as he couldn't get it to work.
Christopher Hooson took the device from the window display of the Jonny Kennedy in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, when staff weren’t looking.
But the 33-year-old struggled to get the tablet to work and tried to donate it back to the shop just eight days later.
He was then recognised by staff from CCTV footage.
Hooson, who initially tried to claim he had forgotten he’d put the tablet in his bag and had returned it when he realised, pleaded guilty to one count of shop theft at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.
Lynne Russell, prosecuting, said the offence happened on November 11. She said: “The defendant went into the Jonny Kennedy charity shop on Park Avenue. Once in there, he removed a computer tablet, valued at £50, which was in the window display. He put it in a carrier bag and left the shop. Eight days later, he returned to the same charity shop. He returned the stolen computer tablet. Because of CCTV, he was then identified by staff and arrested.”
Ms Russell added: “He was taken to the police station. He admitted taking the item. He said he saw it in the window and thought it would be cheap or free, as it was in a charity shop, so took it. He took it and realised it didn’t work without further equipment, so returned it to the shop.” Hooson, of Sunderland, was representing himself in court. He said: “I didn’t intend to steal it. I forgot I had it in my bag, so I returned it when I noticed.”
But District Judge Begley didn’t accept Hooson’s excuse and said: “How do you walk out of a shop having put it in your bag and not notice?” Hooson replied: “I know, it sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?” District Judge Begley said: “That’s not what happened, is it?” After hesitating, Hooson replied: “No.” Fining Hooson £75 for the offence, District Judge Begley said: “It’s not very nice to steal from a charity shop. At least some sense eventually returned to you and you returned the item. However, it is a particularly mean offence.” Hooson was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
Lynne Russell, prosecuting, said the offence happened on November 11. She said: “The defendant went into the Jonny Kennedy charity shop on Park Avenue. Once in there, he removed a computer tablet, valued at £50, which was in the window display. He put it in a carrier bag and left the shop. Eight days later, he returned to the same charity shop. He returned the stolen computer tablet. Because of CCTV, he was then identified by staff and arrested.”
Ms Russell added: “He was taken to the police station. He admitted taking the item. He said he saw it in the window and thought it would be cheap or free, as it was in a charity shop, so took it. He took it and realised it didn’t work without further equipment, so returned it to the shop.” Hooson, of Sunderland, was representing himself in court. He said: “I didn’t intend to steal it. I forgot I had it in my bag, so I returned it when I noticed.”
But District Judge Begley didn’t accept Hooson’s excuse and said: “How do you walk out of a shop having put it in your bag and not notice?” Hooson replied: “I know, it sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?” District Judge Begley said: “That’s not what happened, is it?” After hesitating, Hooson replied: “No.” Fining Hooson £75 for the offence, District Judge Begley said: “It’s not very nice to steal from a charity shop. At least some sense eventually returned to you and you returned the item. However, it is a particularly mean offence.” Hooson was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
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