moonbuggy

‘A couple who authorities say were so obsessed with the Internet and video games that they left their babies starving and suffering other health problems have pleaded guilty to child neglect.

The children of Michael and Iana Straw, a boy age 22 months and a girl age 11 months, were severely malnourished and near death last month when doctors saw them after social workers took them to a hospital, authorities said. Both children are doing well and gaining weight in foster care, prosecutor Kelli Ann Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal. [..]

Viloria said the Reno couple were too distracted by online video games, mainly the fantasy role-playing “Dungeons & Dragons” series, to give their children proper care.

“They had food; they just chose not to give it to their kids because they were too busy playing video games,” Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal.’

‘An investigation is under way involving a nude woman in the middle of a busy road claiming she was taking her 7-week-old baby to meet Satan.

News Five’s Emily Longnecker reported that Lebanon police are calling this one of the most bizarre cases they’ve ever seen.

A South Lebanon man discovered the woman walking along Miller Road Saturday morning, with her baby in her arms.

“She said flat out she was going up to meet Satan and take the baby to Satan. He told her to walk up there naked and bring him the baby. So I didn’t know what to think after that,” said Steven McCabe. [..]

When police got to Mitchell, they said there was no sign of her baby. When they asked Mitchell what she’d done with him, she told them she had given the baby to Satan because he told her he wanted it, Sgt. Jeffrey Mitchell said.’

‘A 24-year-old Texas mother is in jail after she treated her 2-year-old son’s head injury with a Popsicle instead of calling 9-1-1.

Ebony Thorne’s son Joshua later died of the injury.

Arlington police said the boy fell eight feet down a U-shaped stairwell in Thorne’s apartment Wednesday morning. Investigators said instead of calling for an ambulance, Thorne placed a Popsicle on her son’s head and put him to bed.

When the boy’s father arrived later, he found Joshua unresponsive. Police said he called Thorne’s mother, who drove to the apartment from Fort Worth and called 911.’

‘Police are looking for whoever stole and mutilated an autistic California child’s 42-pound pet tortoise.

Bob, an African spurred tortoise, was in guarded condition Saturday after thieves stole him July 7 and tried to cut his neck and slice his legs from his shell, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday. [..]

William, whose autism makes him wary of talking to people, freely chatted with 25-year-old Bob, whose species is known to grunt, whistle and croak in response.

“Now he’s scared to death that not only has he lost his friend, but that whoever did this are going to come after him too,” Vaughan said.’

‘Police officers in the UK are to be given head-mouted video cameras to film incidents and arrests, the footage of which can then be used in evidence.

The Home Office is to give police £3 million to fund a national roll-out of head cameras after regional trials proved they were successful in fighting crime, the Government has announced. [..]

A spokesman for the force said: “The clear evidence provided by head camera footage means that offenders have less opportunity to deny their involvement, leading to less paperwork for the police, earlier guilty pleas, less time spent in court and an increase in convictions.” [..]

According to the guidelines officers are to wear a sign and to announce: “I am video recording you.”‘

‘The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles reached a settlement agreement Saturday with more than 500 people who allege they were sexually abused by clergy, the main plaintiff’s attorney told The Associated Press.

Attorneys for the archdiocese, the nation’s largest, and the plaintiffs will release a joint statement Sunday morning and hold a news conference Monday, said plaintiff’s attorney Ray Boucher.

The deal is valued at $660 million, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the settlement had not been officially announced.’

Here’s a short video of the man driving a stolen APC through Sydney, and some of they mayhem he caused.

Followup to Man goes on rampage with tank in suburbs.

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see it here »

‘A convicted killer who had already staged one helicopter-assisted prison break, again escaped from a French prison today using a helicopter.

Pascal Payet, 43, broke out of Grasse prison, southeast France, after a helicopter hijacked by four masked men landed on the roof of one of the prison buildings, said a source close to the investigation.

The helicopter landed some time later at Brignoles, 38 km northeast of Toulon, on the Mediterranean coast. Payet and his accomplices released the pilot unharmed and fled the scene.’

‘A former monk has appeared in court to contest his conviction for torturing children more than 40 years ago. [..]

In 2003, Murphy, known as Brother Benedict, was found guilty of giving children painful jolts with an electrical gadget. [..]

As well as Brother Benedict’s electric shocks, the pupils were whipped with knotted laces and made to eat their own vomit.

One boy’s arm was broken when the monk lost his temper over a cheeky comment.

A woodwork teacher at the same school is appealing against a jury’s verdict that he sexually abused boys there.’

‘The nation’s top anti-drug official said people need to overcome their “reefer blindness” and see that illicit marijuana gardens are a terrorist threat to the public’s health and safety, as well as to the environment.

John P. Walters, President Bush’s drug czar, said the people who plant and tend the gardens are terrorists who wouldn’t hesitate to help other terrorists get into the country with the aim of causing mass casualties. Walters made the comments at a Thursday press conference that provided an update on the “Operation Alesia” marijuana-eradication effort. [..]

“These people are armed; they’re dangerous,” he said. He called them “violent criminal terrorists.”‘

‘A woman calls 911 during a burglary and the 911 operator doesnt sound completely convinced that their really is a burglar until the husband shoots him with his .38 revolver.’

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‘A Toronto judge has ruled that Canada’s pot possession laws are unconstitutional after a man argued the country’s medicinal marijuana regulations are flawed. [..]

The man has no medical issues and doesn’t want a medical exemption to smoke marijuana. In 2001, Health Canada implemented the Marijuana Medical Access Regulations, which allow access to marijuana to people who are suffering from grave and debilitating illnesses.

In court, the man argued that the federal government only made it policy to provide marijuana to those who need it, but never made it an actual law. Because of that, he argued, all possession laws, whether medicinal or not, should be quashed.

The judge agreed and dismissed the charges.’

‘Police are investigating a city councilwoman and her husband are under investigation for performing an exorcism on their 18 year old daughter.

Police have recommended the State Attorney’s Office file charges of battery and false imprisonment against Edgewater city councilwoman Debra Rogers and her husband, Daniel Rogers.

Investigators said the couple admitted they tried to exorcise the demons out of their daughter by pouring olive oil on her while they held her hands behind her back on June 27. [..]

Detective Brady said police believe this wasn’t the first time this happened. “This is bizarre, but this apparently was a normal occurrence.”

This time police found the teen’s clothes torn off in the struggle and she had bruises on her arm and knees.’

‘Police in Iran are reported to have taken 14 squirrels into custody – because they are suspected of spying.

The rodents were found near the Iranian border allegedly equipped with eavesdropping devices. [..]

The IRNA said that the squirrels were kitted out by foreign intelligence services – but they were captured two weeks ago by police officers.

A Foreign Office source told Sky News: “The story is nuts.”‘

‘Auto-finance specialist Nizameddine Hassan Chokr lives the life men crave. He works undercover missions for the FBI, belongs to a Middle Eastern family worth at least $6 billion and can fly fighter jets. By his own “cautious” estimation, the Costa Mesa man is well-educated, healthy and adored.

What’s more remarkable about Chokr is, for lack of a better word, his mojo. His presence can turn female strangers relentlessly horny. Bus stops, cheap hotel parking lots and fast-food restaurants are among the places women have demanded sex from him. He’s not even safe from lust in a donut shop.

Chokr acknowledges it’s not always his striking looks and intelligence that mesmerize women. He has a secret weapon, and when he’s wearing his tight 1992 Fashion Avenue suede pants, the opposite sex can’t resist him.

That is Chokr’s version of reality. Police, on the other hand, say the Beirut, Lebanon, native is one of Orange County’s serial public masturbators.’

‘A woman has been banned from going into the sea around the British coastline after trying to drown herself more than 50 times.

Amy Beth Dallamura’s suicide attempts over the past five years have cost emergency services up to £1million.

The 44-year-old has tried to kill herself by jumping off piers and jetties and wading into the ocean.

Police, lifeboats, coastguards and the RAF’s air and sea rescue helicopters have all been involved in rescuing her. [..]

The former golf professional was stopped by police from going into the sea on June 21.

Later that day she was winched from a cliff face after again trying to go into the sea.

On June 23, she had to be airlifted to hospital after going into the sea and being pulled out of the water. Two days later she phoned police threatening to kill herself in the sea. She was found on rocks suffering from hypothermia.’

‘A man has been arrested after an armoured personnel carrier (APC) was taken on a rampage in Sydney’s western suburbs.

Mt Druitt police on patrol discovered the armoured vehicle destroying an electricity substation in Sterling Road, Minchinbury, at about 2am (AEST) today.

They followed the APC through several suburbs, including Mt Druitt, Dharruk, Emerton, Glendenning and Plumpton.

The APC left a path of destruction, bringing down a number of mobile phone towers and relay sheds, police said.

The pursuit ended in Dean Park after about 90 minutes, when the vehicle stalled as it was being driven towards another mobile phone tower.’

‘Police on Capitol Hill are baffled by an attempted robbery that began with a handgun put to the head of a teenager and ended in a group hug. [..]

“Give me your money, or I’ll start shooting,” he said, according to D.C. police and witnesses.

Everyone froze, including the girl’s parents. Then one guest spoke.

“We were just finishing dinner,” Cristina “Cha Cha” Rowan, 43, told the man. “Why don’t you have a glass of wine with us?”

The intruder had a sip of their Chateau Malescot St-Exupery and said, “Damn, that’s good wine.” [..]

The story then turns even more bizarre.

“I think I may have come to the wrong house,” he said before apologizing. “Can I get a hug?”‘

‘Police helped a Boston man find his lost 3-year-old son at South Shore Plaza, then charged the father with stealing

Officers arrested Jonathan Williams because of what they said he was doing when his boy wandered away, Deputy Police Chief Russell Jenkins said. [..]

Stolen clothing was found in a bag that Williams had left at a customer service desk while looking for his son, Deputy Jenkins said.

He was arrested and charged with larceny.’

‘Thieves have stolen nearly $US300 million ($347m) from a bank in Baghdad, police and a bank official said today, in what is probably one of the biggest thefts in Iraq since the 2003 war to topple Saddam Hussein.

Police said the thieves were three guards who worked at the private Dar Es Salaam bank in Baghdad’s Karrada district.

They said that when bank employees arrived for work yesterday they found the front door open and the money gone.

The guards, who normally slept at the bank, had also disappeared, they said.’

‘Air travelers in Canada who make comments about bombs and guns will from now on only be arrested if it is clear they are making a serious threat, officials said on Wednesday.

The Canadian Air Transport Safety Authority, trying to clamp down on screeners who alert police every time they hear alarming words, has issued a bulletin urging staff to show more discretion. [..]

Brigitte Caron, a spokeswoman for the authority, compared the new system to handing out yellow warning cards in soccer. A player can receive one yellow card and still stay in the game.’

‘Prison overcrowding is contributing to a sharp rise in inmate suicides in jails in England and Wales, the Chief Inspector of Prisons said today.

So far this year, some 50 prisoners have taken their own lives, compared to 67 in the whole of last year.

If deaths continue at the same rate, it would reverse a trend which has seen prison suicides fall from levels such as 95 in 2002, 94 in 2003 and 95 in 2004 to 78 in 2005 and 67 in 2006.

Chief Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers, said that the recent overcrowding crisis had seen newly-convicted prisoners housed in police and courthouse cells, where they do not have access to the support proper jails offer at their time of greatest vulnerability.’

‘A Cape Cod man who claimed he was homophobic, racist and a habitual liar to avoid jury duty earned an angry rebuke from a judge on Monday, who referred the case to prosecutors for possible charges. [..]

On a questionnaire that all potential jurors fill out, Ellis wrote that he didn’t like homosexuals and blacks. He then echoed those sentiments in an interview with Nickerson.

“You say on your form that you’re not a fan of homosexuals,” Nickerson said.

“That I’m a racist,” Ellis interrupted.

“I’m frequently found to be a liar, too. I can’t really help it,” Ellis added.

“I’m sorry?” Nickerson said.

“I said I’m frequently found to be a liar,” Ellis replied.

“So, are you lying to me now?” Nickerson asked.

“Well, I don’t know. I might be,” was the response.’

A tip for burglars: do the Google search for “how to open a safe” _before_ you begin your robbery.

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see it here »

‘Two people are expected to be charged Wednesday in connection with the bizarre 2003 case in which a pizza deliveryman died after a collar bomb attached to him exploded, CNN has learned.

Brian Wells died August 28, 2003, in Erie, Pennsylvania, after he claimed gunmen grabbed him, locked the bomb around his neck and ordered him to rob a bank. Police detained him after the robbery, and the device exploded as he waited on the pavement. A bomb squad was en route to the scene but did not arrive in time.’

The Smoking Gun has more.

‘A man who wanted to bail his friend out of the Marion County jail is behind bars after a high speed chase.

Deputies said he drove to the sheriff’s office with a trunk full of drugs and no ID. The 100 mile-per-hour chase began when deputies tried to check Eugene Allen’s ID at the front gate of the jail. Allen didn’t have any ID, so he sped off, hitting a sergeant’s car and an SUV before flipping over.

Allen faces charges for driving on a suspended license and having cocaine and methamphetamines.’

‘A man armed with a gun has been detained in Tasmania after he attempted to buy an airline ticket, saying he needed to visit Prime Minister John Howard.

The incident this morning came as Mr Howard toured northern Tasmania campaigning.

It is understood the man walked into Launceston Airport this morning and demanded a ticket to Sydney, saying he needed to visit Mr Howard.

He was found to be in possession of a gun and police were immediately called by airline staff.’

‘A Nova Scotia man has brought the term “raining on the parade” to a whole new level.

Eighteen-year-old Corey Rondelet appeared in a Pictou court yesterday on a charge of urinating from an upper window onto spectators watching the annual Lobster Carnival parade on Saturday.

Horrified parade-goers told the Mounties a half-naked man was exposing himself and peeing from the window.’

‘A 70-year-old US woman has been left bruised and bloody after an unexpected clash with police who came to caution her for not watering her lawn.

Trouble flared when Utah pensioner Betty Perry, 70, refused to give her name after being upbraided because her garden breached local regulations.

She says the officer hit her with handcuffs, cutting her nose, although police insist she slipped and fell.

Ms Perry said she was “distraught” after the incident.’

‘A female Muslim juror has been arrested in Britain after allegedly listening to an MP3 player under her hijab headscarf during a murder trial, police said Monday.

The woman in her early 20s was spotted by a fellow juror listening to music as she was meant to be helping try the case of a pensioner accused of bludgeoning his wife to death after 50 years of marriage.

She could now be charged with contempt of court and, if convicted, may be punished with an indefinite jail sentence and an unlimited fine.’