Wednesday, March 04, 2015
27-year-old woman impersonating 65-year-old boyfriend thwarted by falling off fake moustache
A 27-year-old woman who posed as her senior citizen boyfriend to withdraw cash from his account was given away when her fake moustache started peeling off.
Police say Kayleigh Mendonca of Leominster, Massachusetts, was in disguise last Friday when she drove up to the window of the IC Federal Credit Union in Fitchburg and filled out a form to withdraw $500 from her boyfriend's account, using his driving licence as identification.
“At first glance the authorities and officials there at the bank saw the moustache falling off, which gave them the first clue that something may be not necessarily on the up and up,” Fitchburg Police Sgt. Glenn Fossa said. A credit union teller told Mendonca to come inside the bank. Bank officials then immediately noticed her huge coat and gloves. She's only 5 feet tall and her voice changed from low to high when they asked her questions.
Police said when it became clear the credit union wasn't going to allow her to make a withdrawal, she ran out and pushed a bank employee. She took off in her boyfriend's truck empty-handed. “Right now I think the most surprised folks are the folks that thought there was an attempt to make a very good disguise which turned out to be not such a great disguise,” Fossa said. Mendoca was charged with six counts, including identity fraud. Her bail was set at $5,000 cash and her next scheduled court appearance is March 10.
With news video.
Police say Kayleigh Mendonca of Leominster, Massachusetts, was in disguise last Friday when she drove up to the window of the IC Federal Credit Union in Fitchburg and filled out a form to withdraw $500 from her boyfriend's account, using his driving licence as identification.
“At first glance the authorities and officials there at the bank saw the moustache falling off, which gave them the first clue that something may be not necessarily on the up and up,” Fitchburg Police Sgt. Glenn Fossa said. A credit union teller told Mendonca to come inside the bank. Bank officials then immediately noticed her huge coat and gloves. She's only 5 feet tall and her voice changed from low to high when they asked her questions.
Police said when it became clear the credit union wasn't going to allow her to make a withdrawal, she ran out and pushed a bank employee. She took off in her boyfriend's truck empty-handed. “Right now I think the most surprised folks are the folks that thought there was an attempt to make a very good disguise which turned out to be not such a great disguise,” Fossa said. Mendoca was charged with six counts, including identity fraud. Her bail was set at $5,000 cash and her next scheduled court appearance is March 10.
With news video.
Police found weed in tub labelled 'Not Weed'
A 21-year-old Nebraska motorist was arrested on Saturday night after a police officer discovered his marijuana stash inside a plastic tub labelled “Not Weed.”
Jordan Meier was travelling with three passengers at around 9pm when a Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office deputy pulled over his 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo on a Lincoln street for a traffic violation.
Meier was subsequently “placed into custody for DUI,” investigators noted. During a post-arrest inventory search of Meier's vehicle, officers located a 16-ounce plastic container (which once held Land O’Lakes sour cream) under the front passenger seat.
Meier claimed ownership of the container, which had the words “Not Weed” written in marker on its lid. But when deputies opened the container, they found more than 11 grams of marijuana inside. As a result, Meier was also cited for possession of marijuana.
Jordan Meier was travelling with three passengers at around 9pm when a Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office deputy pulled over his 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo on a Lincoln street for a traffic violation.
Meier was subsequently “placed into custody for DUI,” investigators noted. During a post-arrest inventory search of Meier's vehicle, officers located a 16-ounce plastic container (which once held Land O’Lakes sour cream) under the front passenger seat.
Meier claimed ownership of the container, which had the words “Not Weed” written in marker on its lid. But when deputies opened the container, they found more than 11 grams of marijuana inside. As a result, Meier was also cited for possession of marijuana.
Penguins harassed by tourists with selfie sticks
A colony of little penguins in St Kilda, near Melbourne, Australia, is under threat from snap-happy tourists who are taking flash photos of the birds using selfie sticks.
Guide Susie Parker told 3AW , (audio interview), that tourists are jamming the probes into burrows to capture the perfect shot, but the close-ups are upsetting the penguins and could potentially injure them.
"The selfie stick's not really the problem, it's the flash on the camera that's coming out," she said. "Penguins don't have eyelids, so they can't blink and their eyes are very sensitive." Although the flightless birds are not afraid of humans, they can be easily startled and stressed from visitors invading their space.
Earthcare president Terry Lobert, whose volunteer penguin guides show tourists around the colony at dusk, said selfie sticks worsened a long-standing problem. “I think this is the first year we’ve seen people using them,” Mr Lobert said. “They can get their phones really close to the penguins now; we have to tell them not to stick it right in the penguin’s face, to keep their distance. It’s just unpleasant for the penguins, to have people invading their space.”
Mr Lobert warned tourists the little birds might retaliate, and could even “peck the phone and break it - they are quite strong.” Volunteers use torches covered with red cellophane to illuminate penguins so visitors can take photos without the harsh light of a flash distressing the birds. Signs are posted around the colony warning tourists not to use flash photography, but Mr Lobert said many tourists “either don’t read them or pretend they haven’t read them”.
"The selfie stick's not really the problem, it's the flash on the camera that's coming out," she said. "Penguins don't have eyelids, so they can't blink and their eyes are very sensitive." Although the flightless birds are not afraid of humans, they can be easily startled and stressed from visitors invading their space.
Earthcare president Terry Lobert, whose volunteer penguin guides show tourists around the colony at dusk, said selfie sticks worsened a long-standing problem. “I think this is the first year we’ve seen people using them,” Mr Lobert said. “They can get their phones really close to the penguins now; we have to tell them not to stick it right in the penguin’s face, to keep their distance. It’s just unpleasant for the penguins, to have people invading their space.”
Mr Lobert warned tourists the little birds might retaliate, and could even “peck the phone and break it - they are quite strong.” Volunteers use torches covered with red cellophane to illuminate penguins so visitors can take photos without the harsh light of a flash distressing the birds. Signs are posted around the colony warning tourists not to use flash photography, but Mr Lobert said many tourists “either don’t read them or pretend they haven’t read them”.
Out-of-control cats overrun Japanese island
A Japanese island which is home to just 22 people is being overrun by cats.
The felines were originally brought to the island of Aoshima, off Ehime prefecture, to deal with mice that were damaging fishing boats.
But with no predators, their breeding got out of control - and so far the authorities have done little about it. There are now around 120 cats on the island, and only 10 of them have been neutered. The cats have survived by foraging on local crops and food left in rubbish.
The island village, which has no shops or hotels, has come to be known as Cat Island and it is drawing crowds from the mainland on twice-daily ferries. At its peak, the island had a population of 900, but this gradually dropped over the past 70 years as young people moved away.
YouTube link.
Now, with the sudden surge in its popularity, some of the island's inhabitants are worried that their quiet lives are going to be disrupted. One said: "I just hope that (tourism) doesn't become a burden on the people who live here and if so then I don't think it's a problem."
But with no predators, their breeding got out of control - and so far the authorities have done little about it. There are now around 120 cats on the island, and only 10 of them have been neutered. The cats have survived by foraging on local crops and food left in rubbish.
The island village, which has no shops or hotels, has come to be known as Cat Island and it is drawing crowds from the mainland on twice-daily ferries. At its peak, the island had a population of 900, but this gradually dropped over the past 70 years as young people moved away.
YouTube link.
Now, with the sudden surge in its popularity, some of the island's inhabitants are worried that their quiet lives are going to be disrupted. One said: "I just hope that (tourism) doesn't become a burden on the people who live here and if so then I don't think it's a problem."
Students unhappy about ban on strawpedoing
Students banned from strawpedoing have accused their union leaders of running a “draconian nanny state”.
Anyone caught strawpedoing, downing high-sugar alcopops while using a straw to avoid creating a vacuum, in the Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) club on Potterrow now face being thrown out by staff.
But angry undergraduates have condemned the move. An online petition calling on EUSA to “Un-ban the Strawpedo” has been launched, and on Saturday night unrest broke out in the queue to get into The Big Cheese, a popular club night run by EUSA, as a group of students allegedly tried to storm the club to strawpedo their drinks in protest at the ban.
Tasha Boardman, EUSA’s vice-president services, said: “We have a responsibility to operate in a socially responsible manner in accordance with licensing law. We had been seeing an increase in strawpedoing which is not deemed as responsible consumption under licensing legislation, which we have a duty to uphold.
“We removed the straws so we could communicate to customers when requesting a straw that strawpedoing is not a practice we allow and if caught they may be removed.” Dr Sarah Jarvis, medical adviser to alcohol education charity Drinkaware, says that strawpedoing could put students at risk of “drinking too much, too quickly”.
But angry undergraduates have condemned the move. An online petition calling on EUSA to “Un-ban the Strawpedo” has been launched, and on Saturday night unrest broke out in the queue to get into The Big Cheese, a popular club night run by EUSA, as a group of students allegedly tried to storm the club to strawpedo their drinks in protest at the ban.
Tasha Boardman, EUSA’s vice-president services, said: “We have a responsibility to operate in a socially responsible manner in accordance with licensing law. We had been seeing an increase in strawpedoing which is not deemed as responsible consumption under licensing legislation, which we have a duty to uphold.
“We removed the straws so we could communicate to customers when requesting a straw that strawpedoing is not a practice we allow and if caught they may be removed.” Dr Sarah Jarvis, medical adviser to alcohol education charity Drinkaware, says that strawpedoing could put students at risk of “drinking too much, too quickly”.
Mystery giant dead python found in Lancashire
One of the world’s biggest breeds of snakes has been found dead by the Leeds and Liverpool canal in Lancashire.
The reticulated python, which measured around 16 feet, was found by horrified walkers near the High Street canal bridge in Rishton.
Ribble Valley Wildlife Crime Officer PC Carl Chew said: “Experts believe that a python of this size could have been capable of attacking a person so it is fortunate that no one came to any serious harm.
“There are specific offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and Animal Welfare Act in relation to releasing a python and we would urge anyone with any information as to where the python came from to contact us. It is a possibility that the python may have outgrown its home. We would urge anyone thinking about getting rid of their pets, particularly those which may pose a risk to the public, to contact an animal charity for advice so that they can be rehomed safely and responsibly.”
It is believed to have been around 12 to 15 years old and it may have been living in the wild for a number of days before it died. Following an autopsy, the reptile showed signs of respiratory disease which could have contributed to its death. Officers are now investigating the circumstances surrounding how the python came to be by the canal and are appealing for anyone with any information that could assist with their enquiries to come forward.
Rishton councillor Ken Moss said he suspected the snake had been dumped after growing too big for its owner, and described whoever left it as ‘heartless’. He said: “The general consensus is it has become too big for somebody and they have dumped it in the canal. If that’s the case it’s heartless because we have a reptile shop in Rishton and they would have taken it. People need to be aware of just how big these animals can get. Of course, there could be a completely innocent explanation but someone somewhere knows who that snake belongs to, and we are hoping to find out who. The snake could not have lasted long in this weather.”
“There are specific offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and Animal Welfare Act in relation to releasing a python and we would urge anyone with any information as to where the python came from to contact us. It is a possibility that the python may have outgrown its home. We would urge anyone thinking about getting rid of their pets, particularly those which may pose a risk to the public, to contact an animal charity for advice so that they can be rehomed safely and responsibly.”
It is believed to have been around 12 to 15 years old and it may have been living in the wild for a number of days before it died. Following an autopsy, the reptile showed signs of respiratory disease which could have contributed to its death. Officers are now investigating the circumstances surrounding how the python came to be by the canal and are appealing for anyone with any information that could assist with their enquiries to come forward.
Rishton councillor Ken Moss said he suspected the snake had been dumped after growing too big for its owner, and described whoever left it as ‘heartless’. He said: “The general consensus is it has become too big for somebody and they have dumped it in the canal. If that’s the case it’s heartless because we have a reptile shop in Rishton and they would have taken it. People need to be aware of just how big these animals can get. Of course, there could be a completely innocent explanation but someone somewhere knows who that snake belongs to, and we are hoping to find out who. The snake could not have lasted long in this weather.”
Investigation after lizards dumped in the Dales
An investigation has been launched after three lizards were found dumped in freezing temperatures at a remote location in the Yorkshire Dales.
Two of the reptiles were found dead by an RSPCA inspector, and a third is being cared for by the charity after being recovered ‘just in time’.
The RSPCA has slammed the ‘totally abhorrent’ actions of the people responsible, and is appealing for witnesses to come forward.
RSPCA Inspector Chris Towler attended a rural spot at Burton-in-Lonsdale, North Yorkshire, after a report from a member of the public. Behind a wall he found a broken up vivarium with a dead bosc monitor lying underneath broken glass, where the doors of the tank had smashed. The lizard was around two-and-a-half foot long. Four days later Mr Towler found a second dumped vivarium, around a tenth of a mile north of the first one, behind two rocks.
It contained two bearded dragons, one measuring around 12-14 inches, and the other 8-10 inches. “The larger one was dead, and the smaller one was just barely alive,” Mr Towler said. “At first I thought it was dead, but I placed it on the dashboard in the sun, and it opened its eyes.” Mr Towler said the tank with the bearded dragons was found complete with heating bulbs, wood chippings and food bowls with mealworms left in them.
“This suggests to me that prior to being left they were well cared for - something has occurred and someone decided to get rid of them in this manner.” He added that they were looking into the possibility that the lizards had been stolen. “We have had unwanted lizards found in dustbins but to have them left with all the equipment, is very unusual. It would have taken a couple of people at least to dump tanks that size.” Any witnesses are asked to contact the RSPCA.
RSPCA Inspector Chris Towler attended a rural spot at Burton-in-Lonsdale, North Yorkshire, after a report from a member of the public. Behind a wall he found a broken up vivarium with a dead bosc monitor lying underneath broken glass, where the doors of the tank had smashed. The lizard was around two-and-a-half foot long. Four days later Mr Towler found a second dumped vivarium, around a tenth of a mile north of the first one, behind two rocks.
It contained two bearded dragons, one measuring around 12-14 inches, and the other 8-10 inches. “The larger one was dead, and the smaller one was just barely alive,” Mr Towler said. “At first I thought it was dead, but I placed it on the dashboard in the sun, and it opened its eyes.” Mr Towler said the tank with the bearded dragons was found complete with heating bulbs, wood chippings and food bowls with mealworms left in them.
“This suggests to me that prior to being left they were well cared for - something has occurred and someone decided to get rid of them in this manner.” He added that they were looking into the possibility that the lizards had been stolen. “We have had unwanted lizards found in dustbins but to have them left with all the equipment, is very unusual. It would have taken a couple of people at least to dump tanks that size.” Any witnesses are asked to contact the RSPCA.
Poison pen letter left in kidnapped parrot's cage
A woman has made a desperate plea after her pet parrot was kidnapped and a poison pen letter threatening to kill it left in the cage.
Cara Cosson, 45, from Oakley, Bedfordshire, was left devastated when she received a call from her mother to say she had been the victim of a break-in while at work.
But she was plunged even further into despair when she found the heartless thief had stolen her African grey parrot Joe Joe.She says she then discovered a letter inside his cage, written using newspaper clippings, threatening to kill the bird if she called the police.
Cara says her beloved parrot has been with her since it was 14-weeks-old and loves reggae and Motown music. He will often dance along to music and his favourite songs are The Whisper’s hit Needle in a Haystack and Heatwave by Martha and the Vandellas. She said Joe Joe also barks like a dog and loves nothing more than a good cup of tea. Cara said: “Joe Joe is not a pet, he is family. He is a real character and everyone who had met him loves him. The person who stole him has taken him because that is the only thing that would be able to hurt me.People are worried about retribution but that is not important to me.
“The only thing that is important is that he is unharmed. It feels to me that my child has been kidnapped, to want of a better word. People will think it is just a bird but he’s not. He is my family. I’m trying not to think of the worst but I suspect the worst may already have happened.” Cara claims she was told by a psychic on the day of the theft that something bad would happen to her. The psychic returned to her home on Saturday and told her that Joe Joe could be returned to her by May. Cara added: “I have seen a psychic and she says that he is safe with a couple who know the person who took him. That gives me some hope.
“She said that the bird is still alive and it would be four or five weeks until I got him back. Apparently he won’t be in a good way. She actually gave me a reading on the day he went missing that something might happen but I didn’t think Joe Joe would be targeted.” The burglary took place on the morning of Friday, February 20 and Cara believes she knows who is responsible for the theft as nothing else was touched in the robbery. She has told police the information and thinks Joe Joe could be being held in Rushden or Kettering. A Bedfordshire Police spokeswoman confirmed they had arrested a man in his 40s and he had been released on bail. She added: “Unfortunately at this stage the parrot has not been recovered and the police investigation is continuing.”
Cara says her beloved parrot has been with her since it was 14-weeks-old and loves reggae and Motown music. He will often dance along to music and his favourite songs are The Whisper’s hit Needle in a Haystack and Heatwave by Martha and the Vandellas. She said Joe Joe also barks like a dog and loves nothing more than a good cup of tea. Cara said: “Joe Joe is not a pet, he is family. He is a real character and everyone who had met him loves him. The person who stole him has taken him because that is the only thing that would be able to hurt me.People are worried about retribution but that is not important to me.
“The only thing that is important is that he is unharmed. It feels to me that my child has been kidnapped, to want of a better word. People will think it is just a bird but he’s not. He is my family. I’m trying not to think of the worst but I suspect the worst may already have happened.” Cara claims she was told by a psychic on the day of the theft that something bad would happen to her. The psychic returned to her home on Saturday and told her that Joe Joe could be returned to her by May. Cara added: “I have seen a psychic and she says that he is safe with a couple who know the person who took him. That gives me some hope.
“She said that the bird is still alive and it would be four or five weeks until I got him back. Apparently he won’t be in a good way. She actually gave me a reading on the day he went missing that something might happen but I didn’t think Joe Joe would be targeted.” The burglary took place on the morning of Friday, February 20 and Cara believes she knows who is responsible for the theft as nothing else was touched in the robbery. She has told police the information and thinks Joe Joe could be being held in Rushden or Kettering. A Bedfordshire Police spokeswoman confirmed they had arrested a man in his 40s and he had been released on bail. She added: “Unfortunately at this stage the parrot has not been recovered and the police investigation is continuing.”
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