Thursday, June 11, 2015
Man accused of kidnapping neighbour because she was being too loud in her laundry room
A Florida man is accused of abducting a neighbour on Sunday after he claimed the woman and her husband were being too loud in their laundry room.
Vero Beach resident Leon Thurston, 61, is facing multiple charges including felony armed burglary to a dwelling, felony aggravated assault, felony kidnapping, felony false imprisonment and felony carry concealed firearm.
Authorities with the Vero Beach Police Department said Leon Thurston, 61, entered the laundry room of Jessica Scoville's home with a black baton and a handgun. Investigators said Scoville's husband, David Scoville, was hit twice with the baton before Thurston grabbed Jessica Scoville by the wrist and took her from the home. David Scoville then called police for help.
YouTube link.
Police launched a search for Jessica Scoville, and she flagged down police near Charles Park at about 7:30am. Thurston was taken into custody, and officials said a gun was found in his pants. Jessica Scoville told authorities she asked to use a restroom and was able to get away and find help. Thurston is being held at Indian River County Jail with no bond. A "no contact order" has also been issued for Thurston against the victims in this case.
Vero Beach resident Leon Thurston, 61, is facing multiple charges including felony armed burglary to a dwelling, felony aggravated assault, felony kidnapping, felony false imprisonment and felony carry concealed firearm.
Authorities with the Vero Beach Police Department said Leon Thurston, 61, entered the laundry room of Jessica Scoville's home with a black baton and a handgun. Investigators said Scoville's husband, David Scoville, was hit twice with the baton before Thurston grabbed Jessica Scoville by the wrist and took her from the home. David Scoville then called police for help.
YouTube link.
Police launched a search for Jessica Scoville, and she flagged down police near Charles Park at about 7:30am. Thurston was taken into custody, and officials said a gun was found in his pants. Jessica Scoville told authorities she asked to use a restroom and was able to get away and find help. Thurston is being held at Indian River County Jail with no bond. A "no contact order" has also been issued for Thurston against the victims in this case.
Plumber pulled iguana out of woman's blocked toilet
A South Florida homeowner was surprised to discover an iguana was blocking her toilet at her home on Sunday.
Fort Lauderdale resident Marian Lindquist said her encounter with the foot-and-a-half reptile began when her daughter Lily tried unsuccessfully to flush the toilet at their home in the Poinsettia Heights neighbourhood. "I knew that something had to be wrong," said Lily.
Lily said she then called her mother for help.
"I thought that maybe something had fallen and was stuck in the toilet," Lily continued, "Maybe jewellery or something." Marian said she used a plunger several times, but the toilet remained clogged. "I put the plunger in, then I pushed on it, but water came up," she said. Marian then called Roto Rooter. Professional plumber Alisa Scott came to the family's aid. "You just never know what you're gonna get out of there," she said. Armed with an auger, Scott dug in.
Not long after, she discovered what was blocking the toilet. Then she screamed. "We heard this bloodcurdling scream from the bathroom," said Lily. "I said, 'What's the matter?' And she said, 'It's a lizard,'" said Marian. The homeowner said the iguana was so large that the plumber required assistance. "She needed help because the auger was stuck in the iguana," she said. The plumber said the incident was a first in her 12 years of fishing in toilets.
Scott said the reptile was alive when she first pulled it out, but since it got hooked on the auger, it later died. It is not uncommon for residents in the Lindquists' neighbourhood to see iguanas crawling around, especially near the edge of the area's small man-made lake. As it turns out, the reptile had lodged itself in the pipeline by way of the roof. "She said that it probably jumped from the tree onto the roof, went down the pipe, couldn't figure out how to get out," said Marian. With the lines freshly flushed, the Lindquists spent Monday morning on their roof, sealing off their house to prevent encore appearances by free-roaming reptiles.
With news video.
"I thought that maybe something had fallen and was stuck in the toilet," Lily continued, "Maybe jewellery or something." Marian said she used a plunger several times, but the toilet remained clogged. "I put the plunger in, then I pushed on it, but water came up," she said. Marian then called Roto Rooter. Professional plumber Alisa Scott came to the family's aid. "You just never know what you're gonna get out of there," she said. Armed with an auger, Scott dug in.
Not long after, she discovered what was blocking the toilet. Then she screamed. "We heard this bloodcurdling scream from the bathroom," said Lily. "I said, 'What's the matter?' And she said, 'It's a lizard,'" said Marian. The homeowner said the iguana was so large that the plumber required assistance. "She needed help because the auger was stuck in the iguana," she said. The plumber said the incident was a first in her 12 years of fishing in toilets.
Scott said the reptile was alive when she first pulled it out, but since it got hooked on the auger, it later died. It is not uncommon for residents in the Lindquists' neighbourhood to see iguanas crawling around, especially near the edge of the area's small man-made lake. As it turns out, the reptile had lodged itself in the pipeline by way of the roof. "She said that it probably jumped from the tree onto the roof, went down the pipe, couldn't figure out how to get out," said Marian. With the lines freshly flushed, the Lindquists spent Monday morning on their roof, sealing off their house to prevent encore appearances by free-roaming reptiles.
With news video.
Fleet of emergency vehicles responding to report of plane crash found man washing truck
Four ambulances, three County Sheriff's deputies, a couple of State Highway Patrol troopers, a firetruck and a few more emergency vehicles descended on a farm just east of Springfield, Missouri, on Monday afternoon.
Authorities had received a report of a possible plane crash in the area, so dispatchers, fearing the worst,sent a lot of emergency responders.
But what the callers, who are new to the neighbourhood, thought was a plane crash beyond the tree-line south of their property ended up being a bath for Shockwave, the jet-powered semi-truck that tops out at 376 miles per hour.
Shockwave's owner, Neal Darnell, said he raced the vehicle, which looks like a fighter plane and a semi-truck had a baby, on a dirt course last week, so the truck needed to be washed. Part of that washing process means firing up the jet engines on the back of the 36,000-horsepower truck, and that makes for some loud noises and a cloud of white smoke outside of Darnell's garage. "We do it from time to time and it will usually generate a couple of 911 calls, but today for some reason it brought out a whole army of emergency vehicles," Darnell said.
"And I hate that because they have better things to do than come out here." The new neighbours said next time they will know that those jet-like noises just mean it's bath time for Darnell's racing truck. Darnell said he doesn't blame the neighbours for being concerned. He said he has had Shockwave for about three years and he and his son take the truck to shows all over the country, where they do things like setting stacks of cars on fire or racing fighter planes. Darnell, who has been drag-racing his whole life, said Shockwave started as a hobby but has now turned into a "crazy business."
YouTube link.
He showed the first-responders his truck and apologised for having wasted their time. A deputy on scene said no citations were issued and the 911 callers were acting in good faith because they genuinely believed someone might be in danger. Darnell said the deputies and emergency medical technicians were friendly once they found out there weren't any downed planes in his yard, but instead the roaring engines of the fastest jet-powered semi-truck in the world. "The cops thought it was cool," Darnell said. "They said, 'Boy, we wish we would have been here 25 minutes ago so we would have been able to see it.'"
Shockwave's owner, Neal Darnell, said he raced the vehicle, which looks like a fighter plane and a semi-truck had a baby, on a dirt course last week, so the truck needed to be washed. Part of that washing process means firing up the jet engines on the back of the 36,000-horsepower truck, and that makes for some loud noises and a cloud of white smoke outside of Darnell's garage. "We do it from time to time and it will usually generate a couple of 911 calls, but today for some reason it brought out a whole army of emergency vehicles," Darnell said.
"And I hate that because they have better things to do than come out here." The new neighbours said next time they will know that those jet-like noises just mean it's bath time for Darnell's racing truck. Darnell said he doesn't blame the neighbours for being concerned. He said he has had Shockwave for about three years and he and his son take the truck to shows all over the country, where they do things like setting stacks of cars on fire or racing fighter planes. Darnell, who has been drag-racing his whole life, said Shockwave started as a hobby but has now turned into a "crazy business."
YouTube link.
He showed the first-responders his truck and apologised for having wasted their time. A deputy on scene said no citations were issued and the 911 callers were acting in good faith because they genuinely believed someone might be in danger. Darnell said the deputies and emergency medical technicians were friendly once they found out there weren't any downed planes in his yard, but instead the roaring engines of the fastest jet-powered semi-truck in the world. "The cops thought it was cool," Darnell said. "They said, 'Boy, we wish we would have been here 25 minutes ago so we would have been able to see it.'"
Snake-carrying hawk hit power line causing four-acre fire
A brush fire that broke out on a hillside in Sorrento Valley, San Diego, California, on Tuesday morning was caused by a hawk and snake.
The four-acre fire was reported at 5:43am near the General Atomics building. According to San Diego Fire-Rescue, it was sparked when a hawk carrying a snake hit a high-voltage power line. The two animals were killed.
80 firefighters with San Diego Fire-Rescue responded, along with a helicopter that conducted water drops. The fire started in light grass and spread into heavier grass and brush. Crews had it extinguished within an hour.
YouTube link.
The fire did not threaten any of the businesses that sit at the top of the hill. More than 400 San Diego Gas & Electric customers in the Sorrento Valley and Torrey Pines area were without power for more than 90 minutes. The fire caused an estimated $10,000 in damage to SDG&E equipment.
The four-acre fire was reported at 5:43am near the General Atomics building. According to San Diego Fire-Rescue, it was sparked when a hawk carrying a snake hit a high-voltage power line. The two animals were killed.
80 firefighters with San Diego Fire-Rescue responded, along with a helicopter that conducted water drops. The fire started in light grass and spread into heavier grass and brush. Crews had it extinguished within an hour.
YouTube link.
The fire did not threaten any of the businesses that sit at the top of the hill. More than 400 San Diego Gas & Electric customers in the Sorrento Valley and Torrey Pines area were without power for more than 90 minutes. The fire caused an estimated $10,000 in damage to SDG&E equipment.
Police search for man dressed as woman who used mirror to peep into cubicle in ladies' toilet
Police are searching for a Peeping Tom, dressed in women’s clothes, who tried to spy on a woman in a bathroom stall at Walmart in Woodbridge, Virginia, at around 10:30pm on May 15.
The victim, a 53-year-old Woodbridge woman, told police she was using the toilet when an unknown man dressed in women’s clothing stood in front of her stall and tried to use a mirror to peep inside, police said.
The victim confronted the suspect, who fled the restroom. No physical contact was made. The peeper was described as white, about 45 to 55 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and 220 pounds.
He was last seen wearing a brown wig, pink shirt, black Capri-style pants, black and neon green shoes, black sunglasses and carrying a large red and black handbag. Prince William police spokesman Jonathan Perok said the peeping incident is the first of its kind police have received. Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 cash for information that leads to an arrest.
The victim, a 53-year-old Woodbridge woman, told police she was using the toilet when an unknown man dressed in women’s clothing stood in front of her stall and tried to use a mirror to peep inside, police said.
The victim confronted the suspect, who fled the restroom. No physical contact was made. The peeper was described as white, about 45 to 55 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and 220 pounds.
He was last seen wearing a brown wig, pink shirt, black Capri-style pants, black and neon green shoes, black sunglasses and carrying a large red and black handbag. Prince William police spokesman Jonathan Perok said the peeping incident is the first of its kind police have received. Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 cash for information that leads to an arrest.
Man fined after dressing up as his girlfriend to take exam in her place
A student in Kazakhstan has been fined after dressing up as his girlfriend and trying to take an exam in her place.
Ayan Zhademov, 20, was desperate to help his 17-year-old girlfriend out when she told him she was worried about an upcoming test.
The girl, who has not been named, had been preparing for her Unified National Testing, an exam in Kazakhstan which school students must take when finishing school to get into university.
Zhademov took her place by donning a black wig, putting on make-up, and wearing her white blouse and grey skirt before sneaking into the exam hall in Zhetisai, south Kazakhstan. But eagle-eyed exam administrators spotted him and took him aside for questioning. Zhademov's cover was finally blown when 'he tried speaking in a high voice, but it was obvious that he was a male'. A spokesman for the exam board said: "We suspected it might be another woman that had taken the candidate's place.
"But we never suspected it was a man that had taken her place." At least not until he started speaking. Zhademov was then fined the equivalent of £1,400 ($2,175) for his actions. But now he has been dubbed romantic of the year by locals after a businessman stepped into help pay off the fine after being impressed like many others by the 20-year-olds ingenuity. Fellow student Dariga Nesterova said: "It was stupid but very romantic. Sometimes love leads us to do silly things, I wish my boyfriend was this romantic."
Another student, Goga Korzhova, said: "She’s lucky to have someone as brave as this, someone who will risk everything for her." Businessman Olzhas Hudaibergenov who has agreed to pay half of the fine said he was delighted to see romance was still alive and well. He added: "I suspect that his romantic moves in the future will be more legal." The girl was told she will have to now wait until next year before taking the exam.
Zhademov took her place by donning a black wig, putting on make-up, and wearing her white blouse and grey skirt before sneaking into the exam hall in Zhetisai, south Kazakhstan. But eagle-eyed exam administrators spotted him and took him aside for questioning. Zhademov's cover was finally blown when 'he tried speaking in a high voice, but it was obvious that he was a male'. A spokesman for the exam board said: "We suspected it might be another woman that had taken the candidate's place.
"But we never suspected it was a man that had taken her place." At least not until he started speaking. Zhademov was then fined the equivalent of £1,400 ($2,175) for his actions. But now he has been dubbed romantic of the year by locals after a businessman stepped into help pay off the fine after being impressed like many others by the 20-year-olds ingenuity. Fellow student Dariga Nesterova said: "It was stupid but very romantic. Sometimes love leads us to do silly things, I wish my boyfriend was this romantic."
Another student, Goga Korzhova, said: "She’s lucky to have someone as brave as this, someone who will risk everything for her." Businessman Olzhas Hudaibergenov who has agreed to pay half of the fine said he was delighted to see romance was still alive and well. He added: "I suspect that his romantic moves in the future will be more legal." The girl was told she will have to now wait until next year before taking the exam.
Joint owner-pet cemeteries open in Germany
The first two cemeteries allowing pet lovers to be buried with their furry friends have opened in Germany this week.
“The role of the pet in society has changed,” said Judith Könsgen, director of Bestattungsunternehmen Deutsche Friedhofsgesellschaft (German Cemetery Association) said. She added that her organization had been approached “time and time again" with requests for the service.
Now up to two humans and four pets will be able to rest in peace in a “friendship” plot, or up to 12 human or animal urns in a “family grave". A spokesman for the German Cemetery Association said that no spaces had been reserved so far, but there were “a lot of interested parties.” Pets and humans must be cremated separately before they can be buried in the same grave.
In the likely event of the human or pet dying at different times, arrangements can be made with the vet or undertaker to make sure the survivor's remains end up in the right place. The first cemetery, “Unser Hafen” in Braubach (Rheinland-Pfalz) opened on Monday, and the second opened in Essen (Western Germany) on Wednesday. Additional locations are looking at offering the service.
“The role of the pet in society has changed,” said Judith Könsgen, director of Bestattungsunternehmen Deutsche Friedhofsgesellschaft (German Cemetery Association) said. She added that her organization had been approached “time and time again" with requests for the service.
Now up to two humans and four pets will be able to rest in peace in a “friendship” plot, or up to 12 human or animal urns in a “family grave". A spokesman for the German Cemetery Association said that no spaces had been reserved so far, but there were “a lot of interested parties.” Pets and humans must be cremated separately before they can be buried in the same grave.
In the likely event of the human or pet dying at different times, arrangements can be made with the vet or undertaker to make sure the survivor's remains end up in the right place. The first cemetery, “Unser Hafen” in Braubach (Rheinland-Pfalz) opened on Monday, and the second opened in Essen (Western Germany) on Wednesday. Additional locations are looking at offering the service.
Council considers chopping down row of trees to end caterpillar infestation
A row of cherry trees lining a street in Corby, Northamptonshire, may have to be chopped down after being plagued by webbing from a moth for a second year running.
A number of people are concerned about the trees in Cottingham Road, which have been covered in webbing from top to bottom. While the webbing from an ermine moth is harmless and poses no health risk, this is the second year running that the trees have been affected so they may have to be chopped down and replaced with a different species which won’t fall victim to the pest.
A spokesman for Corby Council said: “We are aware there are trees on Cottingham Road which have been affected by ermine moth (bird cherry moth); a type of caterpillar which produces an excessive amount of webbing within the host trees. The webs are completely harmless and pose no health risk, these would usually only last from May to July with the moth flying late summer.
YouTube link.
“Our tree and landscape officer has been out and inspected them and has found the trees are currently not dead, dying or dangerous and are in a safe condition. As this is the second year running these trees have been infected by ermine moth, it is likely they will soon have to be removed and replanted with a different species not prone to this type of pest. During the cycle in which ermine moth take over our tree and landscape officer will be making regular inspections to monitor the situation.”
A number of people are concerned about the trees in Cottingham Road, which have been covered in webbing from top to bottom. While the webbing from an ermine moth is harmless and poses no health risk, this is the second year running that the trees have been affected so they may have to be chopped down and replaced with a different species which won’t fall victim to the pest.
A spokesman for Corby Council said: “We are aware there are trees on Cottingham Road which have been affected by ermine moth (bird cherry moth); a type of caterpillar which produces an excessive amount of webbing within the host trees. The webs are completely harmless and pose no health risk, these would usually only last from May to July with the moth flying late summer.
YouTube link.
“Our tree and landscape officer has been out and inspected them and has found the trees are currently not dead, dying or dangerous and are in a safe condition. As this is the second year running these trees have been infected by ermine moth, it is likely they will soon have to be removed and replanted with a different species not prone to this type of pest. During the cycle in which ermine moth take over our tree and landscape officer will be making regular inspections to monitor the situation.”
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