Thursday, April 16, 2015
Man burned after trying to kill bedbugs in car with alcohol before lighting a cigarette
A man was burned inside his rental car after he tried to kill the bedbugs populating it with alcohol, then lit a cigarette, setting the vehicle ablaze on Tuesday afternoon outside a supermarket in Eastport, New York.
Scott Kemery, 44, of Bridgehampton, was airlifted from the King Kullen shopping centre to Stony Brook University Hospital with first and second-degree burns.
"He said he had bedbugs in the car, and someone told him if he saturated them with alcohol, it would kill them," said arson Det. Sgt. Edward Fitzgerald. "So he went and bought some alcohol, he poured it all in there and he sat in his car and lit a cigarette." The intense heat from the fire heavily damaged two other cars.
Kemery was able to escape his burning car on his own. He remains in the emergency room. He told detectives that it was a rental car from Florida, but the vehicle was so burned that the licence plates are gone. Detectives want to get the VIN, or vehicle identification number, to confirm Kemery's full story.
YouTube link.
"Everything's burned up," Fitzgerald said, "so we're going to wait until the vehicle theft section gets us a confidential VIN number. Then we'll know for sure." Fitzgerald said the fire does not appear to be criminal in nature at this point, but for now, the cause will be marked "undetermined" until all the evidence from Kemery and detectives is in. So far, he said, "those facts seem to line up."
"He said he had bedbugs in the car, and someone told him if he saturated them with alcohol, it would kill them," said arson Det. Sgt. Edward Fitzgerald. "So he went and bought some alcohol, he poured it all in there and he sat in his car and lit a cigarette." The intense heat from the fire heavily damaged two other cars.
Kemery was able to escape his burning car on his own. He remains in the emergency room. He told detectives that it was a rental car from Florida, but the vehicle was so burned that the licence plates are gone. Detectives want to get the VIN, or vehicle identification number, to confirm Kemery's full story.
YouTube link.
"Everything's burned up," Fitzgerald said, "so we're going to wait until the vehicle theft section gets us a confidential VIN number. Then we'll know for sure." Fitzgerald said the fire does not appear to be criminal in nature at this point, but for now, the cause will be marked "undetermined" until all the evidence from Kemery and detectives is in. So far, he said, "those facts seem to line up."
Coffee-loving parrot distracted driver before crash
A woman says before she drove her car off a road in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, her coffee-loving pet parrot distracted her.
Angel Holyfield, 35, of Uniontown, was driving in South Union Township when she says she looked down at her parrot, which was inside the vehicle.
According to Holyfield, her parrot, which likes to drink coffee, was pecking at the lid of the coffee cup and distracted her. She then drove her car off the road and into a guard rail.
Holyfield was transported to Uniontown Hospital and treated for a broken forearm and facial lacerations from the airbags. Police say there was bird feed in the cup holder next to the coffee cup. The parrot was safely removed from the vehicle at the scene. Police say charges are pending.
Angel Holyfield, 35, of Uniontown, was driving in South Union Township when she says she looked down at her parrot, which was inside the vehicle.
According to Holyfield, her parrot, which likes to drink coffee, was pecking at the lid of the coffee cup and distracted her. She then drove her car off the road and into a guard rail.
Holyfield was transported to Uniontown Hospital and treated for a broken forearm and facial lacerations from the airbags. Police say there was bird feed in the cup holder next to the coffee cup. The parrot was safely removed from the vehicle at the scene. Police say charges are pending.
Firefighters helped 5-year-old boy who climbed 30-foot tree in attempt to see squirrel's nest
First responders in Centre County, Pennsylvania, made an unusual rescue on Monday after reports of a child stuck 30 feet up in a tree.
The curious 5-year-old had climbed a tree in Orchard Park and once he got up there, he couldn’t get down.
Mercedes Jones watched nervously as emergency crews from Alpha Fire Company and the State College Police Department talked to her son Landon as he was stuck up in the pine tree. “He saw a squirrel nest and wanted to see inside of it,” Jones said.
Jones said it only took her son a few minutes to reach nearly the top of the tree, and once he got there, she said he looked down and decided he wasn’t going anywhere. Alpha Fire Chief Jeff Martin was one of the first on scene. He climbed up to keep Landon company while waiting for a ladder truck. “I told him I used to climb trees a lot when I was a kid,” Martin said.
YouTube link.
But the ladder wasn’t needed. After a few minutes of talking and realising that Landon wasn’t upset, Martin and two State College police officers worked the little boy down, one limb at a time. “He’s going to have a good time telling his dad this story tonight,” Jones said. Although he was stuck in the tree for nearly an hour, Landon was fine.
Mercedes Jones watched nervously as emergency crews from Alpha Fire Company and the State College Police Department talked to her son Landon as he was stuck up in the pine tree. “He saw a squirrel nest and wanted to see inside of it,” Jones said.
Jones said it only took her son a few minutes to reach nearly the top of the tree, and once he got there, she said he looked down and decided he wasn’t going anywhere. Alpha Fire Chief Jeff Martin was one of the first on scene. He climbed up to keep Landon company while waiting for a ladder truck. “I told him I used to climb trees a lot when I was a kid,” Martin said.
YouTube link.
But the ladder wasn’t needed. After a few minutes of talking and realising that Landon wasn’t upset, Martin and two State College police officers worked the little boy down, one limb at a time. “He’s going to have a good time telling his dad this story tonight,” Jones said. Although he was stuck in the tree for nearly an hour, Landon was fine.
Man who refused to leave hospital after being denied an enema arrested
A 35-year-old Florida man was arrested after police say he refused to leave a hospital where he was denied an enema.
Fort Pierce police took Joseph Williams to the St. Lucie County jail following the April 5 incident at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute in Fort Pierce, according to records.
At about 10:05pm police went to the hospital after a report of a person who wouldn’t leave the emergency room. Officers found Williams lying on the ground outside. “His nurse explained that he came into the ER requesting an enema,” an affidavit states.
Meanwhile, doctors had evaluated Williams and discharged him, determining he didn’t need an enema. He was told to leave but refused. Police arrested Williams, of Fort Pierce, on outstanding warrants related to failing to appear in court.
Fort Pierce police took Joseph Williams to the St. Lucie County jail following the April 5 incident at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute in Fort Pierce, according to records.
At about 10:05pm police went to the hospital after a report of a person who wouldn’t leave the emergency room. Officers found Williams lying on the ground outside. “His nurse explained that he came into the ER requesting an enema,” an affidavit states.
Meanwhile, doctors had evaluated Williams and discharged him, determining he didn’t need an enema. He was told to leave but refused. Police arrested Williams, of Fort Pierce, on outstanding warrants related to failing to appear in court.
Woman apologises for squirting police officer with breast milk
A woman from Perth in Australia has apologised for squirting breast milk at a female police officer during a strip search.
Erica Leeder, 26, from Calista in Perth's south, was arrested on a warrant last week and taken to Rockingham police station.
It is alleged that while she was being strip-searched at the police station the 26-year-old grabbed her breast and squirted milk onto a female officer's forehead, arms and clothing. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry (to the officer) and there's not much that I can say besides the fact that I wasn't really myself at the time," Ms Leeder said outside the court.
Ms Leeder was charged with assaulting a public officer, but denies she intended to hurt the policewoman. "It wasn't really something that I went in with thoughts of malice about," she said. The mother of two said she was not feeling mentally stable at the time.
On Tuesday at Perth Magistrates Court a judge told Ms Leeder could face jail time if found guilty as she already has a conviction for assaulting a police officer in 2012. She was released on bail on the condition that she stay at her mother's home and to undergo regular mental health assessments. She faces a maximum penalty of 18 months in jail or an $18,000 fine if convicted.
With news video.
It is alleged that while she was being strip-searched at the police station the 26-year-old grabbed her breast and squirted milk onto a female officer's forehead, arms and clothing. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry (to the officer) and there's not much that I can say besides the fact that I wasn't really myself at the time," Ms Leeder said outside the court.
Ms Leeder was charged with assaulting a public officer, but denies she intended to hurt the policewoman. "It wasn't really something that I went in with thoughts of malice about," she said. The mother of two said she was not feeling mentally stable at the time.
On Tuesday at Perth Magistrates Court a judge told Ms Leeder could face jail time if found guilty as she already has a conviction for assaulting a police officer in 2012. She was released on bail on the condition that she stay at her mother's home and to undergo regular mental health assessments. She faces a maximum penalty of 18 months in jail or an $18,000 fine if convicted.
With news video.
Police hunt balding man following theft of hair growth products
Police in Bridport, Dorset, are appealing for help in identifying a balding suspect after a high value theft at the Holland and Barret in the town.
The incident happened between 12pm and 1pm on Saturday 4 April at the health shop. The offender, who has grey, thinning hair, entered the store and took a large amount of hair growth products from the shelf.
He made no attempt to pay for them before leaving. Police Constable Brian Puttock, of Bridport police, said: "I am releasing a CCTV image of the suspect in hope that someone will recognise him.
"Anyone who may be able to identify the individual or has more information about the theft should contact me."
The incident happened between 12pm and 1pm on Saturday 4 April at the health shop. The offender, who has grey, thinning hair, entered the store and took a large amount of hair growth products from the shelf.
He made no attempt to pay for them before leaving. Police Constable Brian Puttock, of Bridport police, said: "I am releasing a CCTV image of the suspect in hope that someone will recognise him.
"Anyone who may be able to identify the individual or has more information about the theft should contact me."
Gnome collector to be cremated in his outfit
A man who collected more than 1,800 gnomes is set to be cremated in the gnome outfit he regularly wore.
Ron Broomfield, from Lincolnshire, who collected gnomes for more than 50 years, died at the weekend, aged 80.
The retired window cleaner, known as Ron The Gnome, raised thousands of pounds for charities, including the NSPCC.
Part of his collection of pointy-hat clad figurines will be auctioned off in aid of his favourite good causes, his family said. His niece, Patricia Hammond, said Mr Broomfield was "remarkable", "well-loved" and "brought happiness into the lives of many people". He started collecting gnomes after a divorce, she said.
"He was very sad, obviously. He saw a gnome in a shop and thought, 'Oh, he looks happy' so he bought one. Then he bought two, then three, and now he's got a lot - 1,800," she said. Soon, his home in Alford, named Gnome Cottage, became a shrine to the ornaments, and they filled every corner.
"He had a 'gnome-mobile' - it was a trolley and he used to have a little box on the back for the NSPCC and people used to put their change in it," said another niece Maureen Edwards. "Birthdays, Christmas, people that called - you had to buy him a gnome," said Ms Hammond. "One Christmas I thought I won't buy him a gnome, I'll buy him some bird seed. He was so upset, I had to go out and buy a gnome."
There's an interview recorded with the late Mr Broomfield in 2013 here.
Part of his collection of pointy-hat clad figurines will be auctioned off in aid of his favourite good causes, his family said. His niece, Patricia Hammond, said Mr Broomfield was "remarkable", "well-loved" and "brought happiness into the lives of many people". He started collecting gnomes after a divorce, she said.
"He was very sad, obviously. He saw a gnome in a shop and thought, 'Oh, he looks happy' so he bought one. Then he bought two, then three, and now he's got a lot - 1,800," she said. Soon, his home in Alford, named Gnome Cottage, became a shrine to the ornaments, and they filled every corner.
"He had a 'gnome-mobile' - it was a trolley and he used to have a little box on the back for the NSPCC and people used to put their change in it," said another niece Maureen Edwards. "Birthdays, Christmas, people that called - you had to buy him a gnome," said Ms Hammond. "One Christmas I thought I won't buy him a gnome, I'll buy him some bird seed. He was so upset, I had to go out and buy a gnome."
There's an interview recorded with the late Mr Broomfield in 2013 here.
Misunderstanding led to paramedic rushing to emergency call about injured pigeon
A London Ambulance Service paramedic rushed to the aid of a collapsed woman at around 5.50pm on Sunday only to find it was a pigeon that needed treatment.
Senior paramedic Rachel Lack arrived at the Broadway in Southall, west London, only to discover that the 'bird' she had been called to help was of the feathered variety. She said: "When I arrived I saw three men and a woman standing around a pigeon.
"I asked if they had called an ambulance for the pigeon and they said they had. They were surprised to learn that the ambulance service is for humans not animals." Two cycle responders from St John Ambulance, who were providing medical cover at a nearby event, were also called to the scene.
A language barrier meant the call handler in the control room believed the patient was a woman, not a pigeon, in need of help. Director of Operations Jason said: "Fortunately incidents like this are very rare but we'd still like to remind people to use us wisely and contact our colleagues in the RSPCA for advice on animal welfare."
Senior paramedic Rachel Lack arrived at the Broadway in Southall, west London, only to discover that the 'bird' she had been called to help was of the feathered variety. She said: "When I arrived I saw three men and a woman standing around a pigeon.
"I asked if they had called an ambulance for the pigeon and they said they had. They were surprised to learn that the ambulance service is for humans not animals." Two cycle responders from St John Ambulance, who were providing medical cover at a nearby event, were also called to the scene.
A language barrier meant the call handler in the control room believed the patient was a woman, not a pigeon, in need of help. Director of Operations Jason said: "Fortunately incidents like this are very rare but we'd still like to remind people to use us wisely and contact our colleagues in the RSPCA for advice on animal welfare."
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