Friday, March 06, 2015
Man arrested for allegedly stealing two bicycles and a goat
A bicycle theft investigation led detectives in Portland, Oregon, to a man who not only stole bikes, but also a family's goat, according to police.
Penelope the goat was typically tethered and secured in the front yard of a home. On the morning of Aug. 4, 2014, Penelope's owners noticed their goat was gone.
The Nigerian dwarf goat was like a pet to the family.
They originally brought her in to clean up the property, but she wasn't interested. They decided to keep her anyway. "Her personality, the way she would warm up to people and everything like that makes her much like a guard dog in a lot of ways," Andrew Huckaby said last August. Huckaby said he hoped the goat theft was a prank. It turns out, someone tried to profit from Penelope.
Police said Penelope was taken by 18-year-old Oleg Stepanovich Plyushchev. Police first contacted Plyushchev as part of a bicycle theft case. A man reported to police that he found his stolen bicycle for sale on Craigslist. Detectives contacted the seller and arranged to buy the bike, along with a second bike. Police said the second bike was stolen, as well, after checking the serial number with police records.
After his arrest on Tuesday, detectives said they learned Plyushchev also took the goat. Investigators said Plyushchev put Penelope on consignment at a farm supply business in Boring. Penelope was located by officers, who said she was unharmed, and returned to her owners. Plyushchev was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on charges of first-degree theft and computer crime.
With news video.
They originally brought her in to clean up the property, but she wasn't interested. They decided to keep her anyway. "Her personality, the way she would warm up to people and everything like that makes her much like a guard dog in a lot of ways," Andrew Huckaby said last August. Huckaby said he hoped the goat theft was a prank. It turns out, someone tried to profit from Penelope.
Police said Penelope was taken by 18-year-old Oleg Stepanovich Plyushchev. Police first contacted Plyushchev as part of a bicycle theft case. A man reported to police that he found his stolen bicycle for sale on Craigslist. Detectives contacted the seller and arranged to buy the bike, along with a second bike. Police said the second bike was stolen, as well, after checking the serial number with police records.
After his arrest on Tuesday, detectives said they learned Plyushchev also took the goat. Investigators said Plyushchev put Penelope on consignment at a farm supply business in Boring. Penelope was located by officers, who said she was unharmed, and returned to her owners. Plyushchev was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on charges of first-degree theft and computer crime.
With news video.
Fake surveillance cameras stolen before man had a chance to install them
A recent theft in the Washington Park West neighbourhood of Denver, Colorado, made the homeowner laugh.
To help deter crime, Brian Schwarz ordered three fake surveillance cameras and security stickers for his house.
"They were $7 apiece, so I thought it was a good investment," Schwarz said. The fake cameras were shipped to Schwarz but the box was stolen from his front porch before he arrived home from work.
YouTube link.
Schwarz said: "I like the image of the thief sitting on his living room floor thinking he hit the jackpot and all he gets is three fake surveillance cameras with fake stickers. That's delicious irony."
To help deter crime, Brian Schwarz ordered three fake surveillance cameras and security stickers for his house.
"They were $7 apiece, so I thought it was a good investment," Schwarz said. The fake cameras were shipped to Schwarz but the box was stolen from his front porch before he arrived home from work.
YouTube link.
Schwarz said: "I like the image of the thief sitting on his living room floor thinking he hit the jackpot and all he gets is three fake surveillance cameras with fake stickers. That's delicious irony."
Man held his mother hostage because she wouldn't buy him basketball cards and a mask
An Illinois man threatened his mother with a machete and later held her hostage in a police station parking lot because she refused to buy him $4,000 worth of basketball cards and a costume mask on eBay, according to police.
“This is one of the most bizarre domestic situations I have ever seen in my 30 years at the Riverside Police Department,” Chief Thomas Weitzel said. The machete-wielding son went so far as to slice up bedroom sheets in front of this mother to make the point that he would harm her, he added.
The incident started at about 7:30pm on Saturday at a Riverside home when 19-year-old Aaron M. Perez asked his mother to use her eBay account, according to a Riverside police statement. He wanted to buy basketball cards and a costume mask from a popular movie that was being bid at $4,000, police said. She refused because she didn’t have the money. That’s when Perez said: “Things are gonna go my way,” and robbed her of $130 in cash while armed with a machete, police claim. He then held her hostage in her bedroom, forcing her to sign in to her eBay account and give him her phone so he could buy the items, authorities allege.
At some point, he sliced up the bed linen to convince his mother he would harm her if she didn’t obey, police claim. The mother was ultimately able to run to a car parked in the driveway, police said. The son followed, but she persuaded him to drop the machete and come with her to a relative’s home. Instead, she drove to the nearby police station in North Riverside. She made multiple 911 calls on the way, and at one point told dispatchers she was being held hostage in a vehicle in the police station parking lot. North Riverside officers arrested Perez without incident, and he later gave a full statement after he was turned over to Riverside police, the statement said.
“The mother, who was in fear of her life the entire time this incident took place, acted as calm as she could and I credit her with her actions that led to the arrest of her son,” Weitzel said in the statement. Police later recovered the shredded sheets, machete and stolen cash and phone, the statement said. Perez, of Riverside, is charged with felony counts of kidnapping, armed robbery, unlawful restraint and intimidation, as well as misdemeanor counts of aggravated assault with a weapon and unlawful use of a weapon. He was ordered to be held on a $50,000 bond on Monday. “To think that this entire incident took place over the purchase of a movie mask on eBay and other eBay purchases that the son wanted to make is simply astonishing,” Weitzel said.
The incident started at about 7:30pm on Saturday at a Riverside home when 19-year-old Aaron M. Perez asked his mother to use her eBay account, according to a Riverside police statement. He wanted to buy basketball cards and a costume mask from a popular movie that was being bid at $4,000, police said. She refused because she didn’t have the money. That’s when Perez said: “Things are gonna go my way,” and robbed her of $130 in cash while armed with a machete, police claim. He then held her hostage in her bedroom, forcing her to sign in to her eBay account and give him her phone so he could buy the items, authorities allege.
At some point, he sliced up the bed linen to convince his mother he would harm her if she didn’t obey, police claim. The mother was ultimately able to run to a car parked in the driveway, police said. The son followed, but she persuaded him to drop the machete and come with her to a relative’s home. Instead, she drove to the nearby police station in North Riverside. She made multiple 911 calls on the way, and at one point told dispatchers she was being held hostage in a vehicle in the police station parking lot. North Riverside officers arrested Perez without incident, and he later gave a full statement after he was turned over to Riverside police, the statement said.
“The mother, who was in fear of her life the entire time this incident took place, acted as calm as she could and I credit her with her actions that led to the arrest of her son,” Weitzel said in the statement. Police later recovered the shredded sheets, machete and stolen cash and phone, the statement said. Perez, of Riverside, is charged with felony counts of kidnapping, armed robbery, unlawful restraint and intimidation, as well as misdemeanor counts of aggravated assault with a weapon and unlawful use of a weapon. He was ordered to be held on a $50,000 bond on Monday. “To think that this entire incident took place over the purchase of a movie mask on eBay and other eBay purchases that the son wanted to make is simply astonishing,” Weitzel said.
Man burned by fajitas while praying can't sue restaurant
A man who leaned over a plate of sizzling fajitas to pray can't sue a restaurant in Westampton, New Jersey, because the dish burned him, an appellate court ruled on Wednesday.
Hiram Jimenez sought damages from Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar after a March 2010 incident at the chain's restaurant on Burlington-Mount Holly Road.
But an appellate panel said Applebee's can't be held responsible because the hot food posed an "open and obvious" danger. According to the ruling, Jimenez ordered fajitas that were placed in front of him in a "sizzling skillet." When he bowed his head "close to the table," the ruling says, Jimenez heard "a loud sizzling noise, followed by 'a pop noise' and then felt a burning sensation in his left eye and on his face."
In an incident report prepared for Appelebee's, Jimenez said he was burned on his face, neck and arms after "grease popped" on the fajitas. His lawsuit said a waitress did not warn Jimenez that the dish was hot. It argued Jimenez suffered "serious and permanent" injuries "solely as a result of (Applebee's) negligence when he came in contact with a dangerous and hazardous condition, specifically, 'a plate of hot food'."
A trial judge dismissed the suit, finding Applebee's, a California-based chain with more than 1,900 restaurants, was not required to warn Jimenez "against a danger that is open and obvious." Jimenez appealed, but a two-judge panel came to the same conclusion. It noted business owners are required to "discover and eliminate dangerous conditions, to maintain the premises in safe condition and to avoid creating conditions that would render the premises unsafe." But it said the risk posed by the hot platter was "self-evident." Applebee's, the ruling said, "had no duty to warn (Jimenez) that the food was sizzling hot and should be approached with due care."
But an appellate panel said Applebee's can't be held responsible because the hot food posed an "open and obvious" danger. According to the ruling, Jimenez ordered fajitas that were placed in front of him in a "sizzling skillet." When he bowed his head "close to the table," the ruling says, Jimenez heard "a loud sizzling noise, followed by 'a pop noise' and then felt a burning sensation in his left eye and on his face."
In an incident report prepared for Appelebee's, Jimenez said he was burned on his face, neck and arms after "grease popped" on the fajitas. His lawsuit said a waitress did not warn Jimenez that the dish was hot. It argued Jimenez suffered "serious and permanent" injuries "solely as a result of (Applebee's) negligence when he came in contact with a dangerous and hazardous condition, specifically, 'a plate of hot food'."
A trial judge dismissed the suit, finding Applebee's, a California-based chain with more than 1,900 restaurants, was not required to warn Jimenez "against a danger that is open and obvious." Jimenez appealed, but a two-judge panel came to the same conclusion. It noted business owners are required to "discover and eliminate dangerous conditions, to maintain the premises in safe condition and to avoid creating conditions that would render the premises unsafe." But it said the risk posed by the hot platter was "self-evident." Applebee's, the ruling said, "had no duty to warn (Jimenez) that the food was sizzling hot and should be approached with due care."
Dog rescued after getting wedged between walls
Firefighters had to get creative to rescue a dog trapped between a wall and a hard place in West Hollywood, California, on Monday.
Every time the pooch whimpered or cried while stuck between a retaining wall and a house, he fell deeper into the gap. This would cause him to become even more tightly trapped.
Rescuers couldn't destroy either wall, so the Los Angeles County Fire Department first responders had to think outside the box. Firefighters slid a pike pole, which is normally used to pull down ceilings during a fire, under the dog to prevent him from falling farther, then tied webbing around his paws and pulled him out.
YouTube link.
The dog, which was not injured, was reunited with his family. Inspector Randall Wright said the incident was a "great training opportunity for firefighters." Video from the rescue might be used to train firefighters who encounter a similar situation, Wright said.
Every time the pooch whimpered or cried while stuck between a retaining wall and a house, he fell deeper into the gap. This would cause him to become even more tightly trapped.
Rescuers couldn't destroy either wall, so the Los Angeles County Fire Department first responders had to think outside the box. Firefighters slid a pike pole, which is normally used to pull down ceilings during a fire, under the dog to prevent him from falling farther, then tied webbing around his paws and pulled him out.
YouTube link.
The dog, which was not injured, was reunited with his family. Inspector Randall Wright said the incident was a "great training opportunity for firefighters." Video from the rescue might be used to train firefighters who encounter a similar situation, Wright said.
Man tried to rob bank while armed with a spoon
A 24-year-old man attempted to rob a bank in Vienna, Austria, while armed with a stainless steel spoon.
The man tried to pretend he had a knife but bank staff immediately saw it was just a dessert spoon and called the police, refusing to hand over any cash.
The man entered a bank branch just before 4pm in Weintraubengasse on Tuesday afternoon, marched straight to the cashier and demanded he give him some money. He seemed to be under the impression that the silver object in his hand would be mistaken for a knife. Witnesses said that no one took the man seriously.
The cashier pretended that he was going to get some cash and then called the police. Meanwhile the would-be thief sat down in the waiting area, where police found and arrested him when they arrived at the bank. He’s currently being held in prison and said that his only motive for the attempted bank robbery was that he needed money.
The man tried to pretend he had a knife but bank staff immediately saw it was just a dessert spoon and called the police, refusing to hand over any cash.
The man entered a bank branch just before 4pm in Weintraubengasse on Tuesday afternoon, marched straight to the cashier and demanded he give him some money. He seemed to be under the impression that the silver object in his hand would be mistaken for a knife. Witnesses said that no one took the man seriously.
The cashier pretended that he was going to get some cash and then called the police. Meanwhile the would-be thief sat down in the waiting area, where police found and arrested him when they arrived at the bank. He’s currently being held in prison and said that his only motive for the attempted bank robbery was that he needed money.
Fire investigation dog sisters hang up their detective boots after 126 years loyal service
Two fire investigation dogs have retired after helping secure convictions against "dozens" of criminals.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's search dogs Saxon, 11, and her sister Inca, ten, are hanging up their boots after a total of 18 years, or 126 dog years, loyal service.
The two Labradors have attended more than 500 incidents. Graham Howlett, the dogs' handler, said: "It's a pleasure to work with such talented lovely-natured dogs. I'm so proud of what they have achieved. We have done jobs where the evidence they have found has been instrumental in getting a conviction."
In 2010, both dogs identified an ignitable fluid at a house fire, showing that petrol had been poured through the letterbox. The man responsible was jailed for endangering life. Fire investigation dogs are trained to work out how fires started by using their sense of smell to hunt for traces of the flammable liquids used to start fires.
The dogs are able to smell one drop of petrol as far away as the length of a football pitch. Saxon has been with the service for more than ten years while Inca, her younger sister, has served eight years. Graham and his wife Jo are to take in the two dogs for their retirement.
The two Labradors have attended more than 500 incidents. Graham Howlett, the dogs' handler, said: "It's a pleasure to work with such talented lovely-natured dogs. I'm so proud of what they have achieved. We have done jobs where the evidence they have found has been instrumental in getting a conviction."
In 2010, both dogs identified an ignitable fluid at a house fire, showing that petrol had been poured through the letterbox. The man responsible was jailed for endangering life. Fire investigation dogs are trained to work out how fires started by using their sense of smell to hunt for traces of the flammable liquids used to start fires.
The dogs are able to smell one drop of petrol as far away as the length of a football pitch. Saxon has been with the service for more than ten years while Inca, her younger sister, has served eight years. Graham and his wife Jo are to take in the two dogs for their retirement.
Police helicopter scrambled to gorge following report of cries for help found a goat and her kid
A police helicopter went on a 40-mile round trip after a report of cries for help only to discover it was a goat and her kid.
A worried member of the public dialled 999 saying they heard screams for help inside Cheddar Gorge, Somerset.
A National Police Air Service helicopter, fitted with high-powered video equipment, was scrambled from Filton in Bristol 20 miles away. But within minutes of arriving over the scene on Wednesday they realised the sounds were coming from a goat and her offspring.
The helicopter crew tweeted: "1205hrs Cheddar Gorge reports of cries for help. We located a goat and her baby believed responsible for the calling. We're not kidding!" Avon and Somerset police said: "A member of the public called to say they were concerned that someone was asking for help.
"The police helicopter used video imaging from the helicopter and decided it was just goats. They informed the caller it appeared to be a false alarm." It is estimated the police helicopter, which has two crew, a pilot and a spotter, costs around £800 an hour to operate. The aircraft is thought to have been in the air for around an hour, including hovering over the gorge in an attempt to locate the source of the cries.
A National Police Air Service helicopter, fitted with high-powered video equipment, was scrambled from Filton in Bristol 20 miles away. But within minutes of arriving over the scene on Wednesday they realised the sounds were coming from a goat and her offspring.
The helicopter crew tweeted: "1205hrs Cheddar Gorge reports of cries for help. We located a goat and her baby believed responsible for the calling. We're not kidding!" Avon and Somerset police said: "A member of the public called to say they were concerned that someone was asking for help.
"The police helicopter used video imaging from the helicopter and decided it was just goats. They informed the caller it appeared to be a false alarm." It is estimated the police helicopter, which has two crew, a pilot and a spotter, costs around £800 an hour to operate. The aircraft is thought to have been in the air for around an hour, including hovering over the gorge in an attempt to locate the source of the cries.
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