Thursday, January 22, 2015
Man stole python by stuffing it up his shirt
A pet store in Derby, Kansas, hopes surveillance footage will help capture an alleged thief.
Video filmed at Tails & Scales shows a man looking at a display case of snakes. He then grabs a snake, in its personal case, and stuffs it up his shirt.
The man then walks by a crowd of customers and heads out the door. The snake is an rare white-coloured, blue-eyed leucistic ball python.
YouTube video. Facebook video.
It was born this past summer and is worth $600. Other stores across the state are now working with the pet store to find the exotic snake.
Video filmed at Tails & Scales shows a man looking at a display case of snakes. He then grabs a snake, in its personal case, and stuffs it up his shirt.
The man then walks by a crowd of customers and heads out the door. The snake is an rare white-coloured, blue-eyed leucistic ball python.
YouTube video. Facebook video.
It was born this past summer and is worth $600. Other stores across the state are now working with the pet store to find the exotic snake.
Door-to-door salesman soliciting for tax service in a chicken suit arrested on outstanding warrant
Police in Hueytown, Alabama, say it wasn't hard to find a door-to-door salesman because of his unusual garb.
Chief Chuck Hagler said police received a complaint on Tuesday about several unpermitted door-to-door solicitors, including one dressed as a giant chicken.
"Turns out that Mr. Knock-On-Your-Door-In-A-Chicken-Suit had a felony warrant on him for assault," Hagler said on the department's Facebook page. "Guess he missed the day at criminal school where they talked about keeping a low profile." Brian Eades, 40, was arrested on the outstanding assault warrant. Another member of the group, 58-year-old Michael Bratton, had a felony warrant out on him for possession of a controlled substance.
Both were arrested and transported to the county jail. The men, Hagler said, were soliciting for a tax service. The chief said residents should always be cautious with who you let in your home. Court records show Eades has a lengthy criminal past, including convictions for assault, possession of an altered firearm, drug possession, receiving stolen property and obstruction of justice dating back to 1997.
"We have had numerous problems with these door-to-door outfits in the past. Never assume that even companies you have heard of screen these people for criminal histories," Chief Hagler said. "And if you have concerns about them, notify your local law enforcement." The chief is still clucking about it, though. "After 25 years in law enforcement," he said, "the only thing that surprises me is that I still get surprised."
"Turns out that Mr. Knock-On-Your-Door-In-A-Chicken-Suit had a felony warrant on him for assault," Hagler said on the department's Facebook page. "Guess he missed the day at criminal school where they talked about keeping a low profile." Brian Eades, 40, was arrested on the outstanding assault warrant. Another member of the group, 58-year-old Michael Bratton, had a felony warrant out on him for possession of a controlled substance.
Both were arrested and transported to the county jail. The men, Hagler said, were soliciting for a tax service. The chief said residents should always be cautious with who you let in your home. Court records show Eades has a lengthy criminal past, including convictions for assault, possession of an altered firearm, drug possession, receiving stolen property and obstruction of justice dating back to 1997.
"We have had numerous problems with these door-to-door outfits in the past. Never assume that even companies you have heard of screen these people for criminal histories," Chief Hagler said. "And if you have concerns about them, notify your local law enforcement." The chief is still clucking about it, though. "After 25 years in law enforcement," he said, "the only thing that surprises me is that I still get surprised."
Man admitted to three robberies while wearing race-changing disguise
A man living in Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, admitted on Monday that he committed a carjacking and two quick bank robberies in a disguise so realistic that witnesses described him as an unmasked white man, even though he was black.
In January 2014, Solomon Zemichael Teklie carjacked a woman, robbed a bank, robbed a second bank, then was pulled over and arrested by police.
The three robberies and arrest all took place within 37 minutes.
Through it all, the 39-year-old Teklie wore a disguise that fooled everyone.
“I don’t know where this mask was made, I don’t know where it came from, but it’s uncanny how much it looks like a real person,” said Crown prosecutor Carrie-Ann Downey. “It was so realistic that each witness on this file thought that Mr. Teklie was white. He is not white.” Teklie wore a winter cap and sunglasses over the mask. The court heard Teklie forced Caroline Ombago from her Honda Civic in a parking lot with a pellet gun at around 11am. Ombago thought the gun was real. The robbery, Ombago wrote in a victim impact statement, left her sleepless and unable to trust. Fearful, she has since moved out of Edmonton.
Minutes after the carjacking, Teklie walked into the Bank of Montreal in Londonderry Mall and showed a teller his pellet gun. Teklie was given $1,000 in cash and fled the bank. He drove to a CIBC branch on 97th Street and again showed a teller his pellet gun. “You have 30 seconds to give me the money,” he said. Teklie was given $100 in $10 bills and ran outside to his stolen car. After the robberies, bank employees described Teklie as a white man, though two of them noticed he had “damaged” or “strange” skin. Minutes later, police spotted the vehicle Ombago had reported stolen. Teklie was compliant as he was ordered from the vehicle and arrested. The cash and mask were in the car. “This was a planned spree,” Downey said.
“Mr. Teklie had a plan. It might not have been a good plan, but it was a plan.” In a police interview, Teklie told officers he was addicted to cocaine and hoped to be deported. Defence lawyer Deborah Hatch said Teklie, originally from Ethiopia, came to Canada from Africa and was in a Kenyan refugee camp for years. Due to his lack of documents, he is stateless and may not be deported after he serves his sentence. He is currently a permanent resident of Canada. “He had a tragic and violent childhood marked by death and aggression most of us will never see,” Hatch said. Teklie apologized to the court when it was his turn to speak. “I’m truly sorry for my actions. That’s all I can say.” He pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery. Teklie is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 23. He is currently in custody.
“I don’t know where this mask was made, I don’t know where it came from, but it’s uncanny how much it looks like a real person,” said Crown prosecutor Carrie-Ann Downey. “It was so realistic that each witness on this file thought that Mr. Teklie was white. He is not white.” Teklie wore a winter cap and sunglasses over the mask. The court heard Teklie forced Caroline Ombago from her Honda Civic in a parking lot with a pellet gun at around 11am. Ombago thought the gun was real. The robbery, Ombago wrote in a victim impact statement, left her sleepless and unable to trust. Fearful, she has since moved out of Edmonton.
Minutes after the carjacking, Teklie walked into the Bank of Montreal in Londonderry Mall and showed a teller his pellet gun. Teklie was given $1,000 in cash and fled the bank. He drove to a CIBC branch on 97th Street and again showed a teller his pellet gun. “You have 30 seconds to give me the money,” he said. Teklie was given $100 in $10 bills and ran outside to his stolen car. After the robberies, bank employees described Teklie as a white man, though two of them noticed he had “damaged” or “strange” skin. Minutes later, police spotted the vehicle Ombago had reported stolen. Teklie was compliant as he was ordered from the vehicle and arrested. The cash and mask were in the car. “This was a planned spree,” Downey said.
“Mr. Teklie had a plan. It might not have been a good plan, but it was a plan.” In a police interview, Teklie told officers he was addicted to cocaine and hoped to be deported. Defence lawyer Deborah Hatch said Teklie, originally from Ethiopia, came to Canada from Africa and was in a Kenyan refugee camp for years. Due to his lack of documents, he is stateless and may not be deported after he serves his sentence. He is currently a permanent resident of Canada. “He had a tragic and violent childhood marked by death and aggression most of us will never see,” Hatch said. Teklie apologized to the court when it was his turn to speak. “I’m truly sorry for my actions. That’s all I can say.” He pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery. Teklie is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 23. He is currently in custody.
Kangaroo knocked former female cricketer off bicycle
Former Australian cricketer Bronwyn Calver escaped with eight stitches in the knee after being knocked from her biycle in Canberra on Monday evening by a kangaroo.
Bronwyn Calver, who played three Tests and 34 one-day internationals for Australia during the 1990's, was cycling home from work at 6.25pm when she encountered an obstacle she certainly was not expecting. "One second I was riding along and next minute this kangaroo has come out from the side; it all happened so fast," Ms Calver, 45, said.
"I think I tried to break and turn my wheel to the right but he's collected my front wheel and thrown me down hard on my left side, meanwhile he's hopped off." Three cars stopped to offer help and people walking by waited with Ms Calver until an ambulance arrived. The kangaroo's luck on the road was short-lived though.
YouTube link.
Moments after the initial collision, it jumped over a railing onto another road and was killed by an oncoming car. Rather than worry about possibility of another kangaroo hopping out in front of her, Ms Calver said she will soldier on and take her chances. "If it happens again, it's bad luck I reckon," she said.
With additional video report narrated by Ms Calver.
Bronwyn Calver, who played three Tests and 34 one-day internationals for Australia during the 1990's, was cycling home from work at 6.25pm when she encountered an obstacle she certainly was not expecting. "One second I was riding along and next minute this kangaroo has come out from the side; it all happened so fast," Ms Calver, 45, said.
"I think I tried to break and turn my wheel to the right but he's collected my front wheel and thrown me down hard on my left side, meanwhile he's hopped off." Three cars stopped to offer help and people walking by waited with Ms Calver until an ambulance arrived. The kangaroo's luck on the road was short-lived though.
YouTube link.
Moments after the initial collision, it jumped over a railing onto another road and was killed by an oncoming car. Rather than worry about possibility of another kangaroo hopping out in front of her, Ms Calver said she will soldier on and take her chances. "If it happens again, it's bad luck I reckon," she said.
With additional video report narrated by Ms Calver.
Sewage plagued homeowner unhappy about being told that rats would not cause her to be ill
A homeowner who suffers frequent sewage overflows in her garden was left stunned to be told the rats it has brought do not cause a health issue.
Carol Chalkley, of Althorne, Essex, owns a 17th century timber-framed cottage and has had years of flooding problems in her back garden after heavy rainfall, the latest as recently as Thursday last week.
The backed up water has resulted in structural damage to her cottage, as well as a rat problem in her garden.
She already has a complaint with Anglian Water, but in December this year, when Miss Chalkley called Maldon District Council to assist with the rat problem, she says she received a surprising response. She said: "I had a foot of sewage and waste up to my back door, plus it was creeping into my floor boarding. On top of my drain was a dead rat. I was obviously very concerned. When I called Maldon District Council I spoke to an officer about my rat problem and he responded by saying that 'rats would not cause me to be ill'.
"He was rather patronising saying 'people have them as domestic pets you know'. I was angry and disgusted with this comment." The council told Ms Chalkley that no environmental officer was free to visit her home to discuss the sewage and rat problem and she was instead sent a booklet on how to maintain a grade II listed property. The 43-year-old continued: "I thought that was ridiculous." Maldon District Council has said they investigated the drainage problem and agreed to revisit the property with a conservation officer.
A council spokesman added: "The officer in question is very experienced and professional and gave advice about the public health significance of rodent activity and the relevance in this particular situation. It is unfortunate that Mrs Chalkley was dissatisfied with the advice as the council always aims to provide a good customer experience through every contact." Anglian Water has said that it is aware of the problem and is looking at a long-term solution, but it was a "complicated challenge to address".
She already has a complaint with Anglian Water, but in December this year, when Miss Chalkley called Maldon District Council to assist with the rat problem, she says she received a surprising response. She said: "I had a foot of sewage and waste up to my back door, plus it was creeping into my floor boarding. On top of my drain was a dead rat. I was obviously very concerned. When I called Maldon District Council I spoke to an officer about my rat problem and he responded by saying that 'rats would not cause me to be ill'.
"He was rather patronising saying 'people have them as domestic pets you know'. I was angry and disgusted with this comment." The council told Ms Chalkley that no environmental officer was free to visit her home to discuss the sewage and rat problem and she was instead sent a booklet on how to maintain a grade II listed property. The 43-year-old continued: "I thought that was ridiculous." Maldon District Council has said they investigated the drainage problem and agreed to revisit the property with a conservation officer.
A council spokesman added: "The officer in question is very experienced and professional and gave advice about the public health significance of rodent activity and the relevance in this particular situation. It is unfortunate that Mrs Chalkley was dissatisfied with the advice as the council always aims to provide a good customer experience through every contact." Anglian Water has said that it is aware of the problem and is looking at a long-term solution, but it was a "complicated challenge to address".
Man cleared of drink driving on mobility scooter due to passengers potentially being joyriders
A disabled man from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, found over the limit on his mobility scooter with two other men on board has been cleared of drink driving because it couldn’t be proved he was carrying passengers on purpose.
Colin Beven, who suffers from a spinal condition, branded a decison to take him to court as “a waste of money”.
The 47-year-old, of Millfield, denied driving with excess alcohol and without a valid licence and using a vehicle without insurance when he appeared before city magistrates on Monday.
He had been arrested in the early hours of June 22 and a breath test revealed a reading of 88 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
John McGlone, prosecuting, told magistrates that a disabled person using a mobility scooter would normally be exempt from the Road Traffic Act, unless they were carrying passengers. But he told the court there had been two men on the scooter with Mr Beven when he was stopped, adding: “The fact he was carrying two passengers on that vehicle means he was not using it solely for himself, therefore, it does not comply with the criteria to be exempted.” PC Marie Duke told the court she had seen the scooter in Millfield, in the early hours of June 22. Mr Beven was driving, while another man sat on his lap and a third was on the back. But when asked by Willie Johnstone, defending, whether she had identified the other two men, PC Duke replied: “I was not concerned with the passengers, it was the driver of the carriage I was concerned with.”
Mr Beven told the court he was on his way home when he passed a group of men at a bus stop. As he passed them, two jumped on to the scooter, one beside him and the other at the back. Mr Beven denied either man had been sitting in his lap, saying: “I would not have been able to drive the scooter if there had been anyone on my knee,” he said. Asked by Mr Johnstone, “As far as you were concerned, were you giving these lads a lift?” he replied. “No.” Asked, “You had not seen them before?” he again replied, “No.” Asked by Mr McGlone why he did not simply stop, Mr Beven added: “All I wanted to do was get them off my scooter. My thinking was that if I was going the opposite way to where they wanted to go, they would have to jump off.”
Mr Johnstone told the court the prosecution had failed to prove Mr Beven was not exempt from the law. “Mr Beven can drink as much as he wants, do whatever he wants to with that scooter, as long as he does not carry passengers,” he said. Mr Johnstone said the police could not disprove Mr Beven’s version of events, adding: “They did not see how the lads got onto his carriage. What it boils down to is, was he giving these lads a lift as passengers? Was he taking them home? The Crown has to prove that beyond reasonable doubt.” Magistrates agreed the prosecution had not proved Mr Beven knew the men and he was cleared of all charges. Speaking after the hearing, he said: “I am just pleased it is all out of the way. It has been a waste of money. It is ludicrous – if they had done their job in the first place, spoken to the people who were on the scooter with me and taken statements, it would not even have got this far.”
John McGlone, prosecuting, told magistrates that a disabled person using a mobility scooter would normally be exempt from the Road Traffic Act, unless they were carrying passengers. But he told the court there had been two men on the scooter with Mr Beven when he was stopped, adding: “The fact he was carrying two passengers on that vehicle means he was not using it solely for himself, therefore, it does not comply with the criteria to be exempted.” PC Marie Duke told the court she had seen the scooter in Millfield, in the early hours of June 22. Mr Beven was driving, while another man sat on his lap and a third was on the back. But when asked by Willie Johnstone, defending, whether she had identified the other two men, PC Duke replied: “I was not concerned with the passengers, it was the driver of the carriage I was concerned with.”
Mr Beven told the court he was on his way home when he passed a group of men at a bus stop. As he passed them, two jumped on to the scooter, one beside him and the other at the back. Mr Beven denied either man had been sitting in his lap, saying: “I would not have been able to drive the scooter if there had been anyone on my knee,” he said. Asked by Mr Johnstone, “As far as you were concerned, were you giving these lads a lift?” he replied. “No.” Asked, “You had not seen them before?” he again replied, “No.” Asked by Mr McGlone why he did not simply stop, Mr Beven added: “All I wanted to do was get them off my scooter. My thinking was that if I was going the opposite way to where they wanted to go, they would have to jump off.”
Mr Johnstone told the court the prosecution had failed to prove Mr Beven was not exempt from the law. “Mr Beven can drink as much as he wants, do whatever he wants to with that scooter, as long as he does not carry passengers,” he said. Mr Johnstone said the police could not disprove Mr Beven’s version of events, adding: “They did not see how the lads got onto his carriage. What it boils down to is, was he giving these lads a lift as passengers? Was he taking them home? The Crown has to prove that beyond reasonable doubt.” Magistrates agreed the prosecution had not proved Mr Beven knew the men and he was cleared of all charges. Speaking after the hearing, he said: “I am just pleased it is all out of the way. It has been a waste of money. It is ludicrous – if they had done their job in the first place, spoken to the people who were on the scooter with me and taken statements, it would not even have got this far.”
Investigation after wheelie bin given parking ticket
A traffic warden is being investigated after a parking ticket was placed on a wheelie bin.
The warden was accused of "bizarre behaviour" by onlookers as the penalty charge notice was stuck on the bin which was on double yellow lines in Carmarthen, Wales.
Carmarthenshire council said no ticket was inside the wrapper and the incident was a light-hearted moment. However it said the warden's conduct was being looked into. Salesman Mike Jones said he spotted the warden talking to other motorists about the wheelie bin from a town centre shop blocking the road.
"It was bizarre - I realised I had just watched a warden give a ticket to a wheelie bin for bad parking," he said. "It appeared the warden slapped the plastic ticket envelope on the bin in a moment of high jinks after a member of public pointed out it was parked on double yellow lines."
Carmarthenshire council traffic and safety manager John McEvoy said: "There was no ticket issued, it is not possible to book a wheelie bin or anything that is not motorised. Although this was meant as a humorous incident, we take this kind of thing very seriously and have launched a formal investigation into the conduct of this officer."
Carmarthenshire council said no ticket was inside the wrapper and the incident was a light-hearted moment. However it said the warden's conduct was being looked into. Salesman Mike Jones said he spotted the warden talking to other motorists about the wheelie bin from a town centre shop blocking the road.
"It was bizarre - I realised I had just watched a warden give a ticket to a wheelie bin for bad parking," he said. "It appeared the warden slapped the plastic ticket envelope on the bin in a moment of high jinks after a member of public pointed out it was parked on double yellow lines."
Carmarthenshire council traffic and safety manager John McEvoy said: "There was no ticket issued, it is not possible to book a wheelie bin or anything that is not motorised. Although this was meant as a humorous incident, we take this kind of thing very seriously and have launched a formal investigation into the conduct of this officer."
Breastfeeding banned at breastfeeding summit
Mothers were to have been banned from breastfeeding at a summit on nursing babies.
The snub was discovered after the government event was announced to promote the use of breast milk.
Delegates who asked to bring babies to next month’s conference at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium were told by officials the venue “is not designed to accommodate breastfeeding”.
Dr Lesley Taylor, who runs Normalising Public Breastfeeding, said: “A few asked if they could bring a nursing child or requested an aisle seat in case they needed a quick getaway with their baby. But they were told the summit could not ‘accommodate’ breastfeeding. The advert for the event said the government is trying to break down the barriers to breastfeeding.
“They should be setting an example and being the change they hope to see.” Labour MSP Elaine Smith added: “It’s astonishing that breastfeeding mothers were not welcome at a conference on the very issue.” Women who emailed officials to check children were welcome received replies saying: “we ask babies and infants are not brought along.”
Bosses have now backed down following after a flurry of complaints, but claimed they did not expect mothers to bring children. A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We have arranged for an extension to the baby changing facilities and a quiet area to ensure all who wish to attend can.”
Dr Lesley Taylor, who runs Normalising Public Breastfeeding, said: “A few asked if they could bring a nursing child or requested an aisle seat in case they needed a quick getaway with their baby. But they were told the summit could not ‘accommodate’ breastfeeding. The advert for the event said the government is trying to break down the barriers to breastfeeding.
“They should be setting an example and being the change they hope to see.” Labour MSP Elaine Smith added: “It’s astonishing that breastfeeding mothers were not welcome at a conference on the very issue.” Women who emailed officials to check children were welcome received replies saying: “we ask babies and infants are not brought along.”
Bosses have now backed down following after a flurry of complaints, but claimed they did not expect mothers to bring children. A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We have arranged for an extension to the baby changing facilities and a quiet area to ensure all who wish to attend can.”
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