International Association for Property and Evidence, Inc.
Evidence Log - 1994 Vol 94, No 3

Just for Laughs taken from national news articles
Real stories that range from Unique to the Bizarre.

BIDDLEFORD, MAINE

Police arrested two suspects and are searching for a third suspect for assaulting a pedestrian with a sugary weapon. The victim told police she had been taking an early morning walk when she was strafed and hit in the face by a salvo of doughnut holes sprayed from a passing vehicle.

The vehicle license plate was recorded when the attackers returned for a second "drive-by" assault. Police said the alleged perpetrators - Chris Roy, 19, and Christopher Cote - admitted they were not strangers to throwing doughnuts. They confessed to normally attacking street signs and were not sure why they had turned on a human target.

NEW YORK

A subway mugging victim is suing to get the $4.3 million a jury awarded his attacker because a policeman shot and paralyzed him as he tried to flee.

Jerome Sandusky has sued Bernard Cummings under the state's "son of Sam" law, aimed at ensuring criminals do not profit from their crimes.

Sandusky was attacked by two men as he entered a subway station in 1984. A Transit Police officer shot McCummings in the spine.

McCummings spent two years in prison for the attack. He sued the transit authority alleging excessive force, and a jury awarded him $4.3 million.

TULSA, OKLAHOMA

Mary Annette Cole, 33, a fugitive wanted for robbery, was arrested by police as she sat in a movie theater. She missed the end of the movie "The Fugitive."

INDIO, CALIFORNIA

Officers pulled over a car, finding themselves in foot pursuit of two youths. As officers gave chase, one of the teenagers suddenly stopped and screamed that a dog had attacked him.

A moment later, a pit bull attacked one of the pursuing officers, knocking him down. The officer threw the pit bull off and fired at the dog, which attacked a second officer, who also fired upon the dog.

Slightly wounded by a bullet, the pit bull ran to the patrol car, jumped through the open window and sat down on the front seat. Deciding the dog had enough; the officers deemed the pit bulls actions as a self-surrender. The dog was treated for the wound and taken to the animal shelter.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

One of the most bizarre Superior Court cases in recent history has gone to trial.

Archie Calvin Whitehurst told police that a woman invited him into her room at the Mission Boulevard Convalescent Hospital. He told police he and the woman had a lengthy conversation before having sex and she had agreed to everything. "She was fabulous," Whitehurst said.

Police were called to the scene by frightened nurses. Whitehurst was charged with attempted rape and burglary. Deputy District Attorney Allison Danzig confirmed that "technically, it's attempted rape because under the law one cannot rape a dead person."

The "woman" that Whitehurst had "enjoyed sex with had been pronounced dead of natural causes eight hours before Whitehurst entered her room. The body was left in the room until the deceased could be picked up by a funeral home the next morning.

KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS

James Bridgewater told police he had a bag of marijuana and a bag of money side by side on the front seat when he went to the drive up teller at the bank. Bridgewater picked-up a bag and placed it in the tube so the teller could complete the transaction. Police were called when the teller discovered 2.5 grams of marijuana and three joints in the deposit bag. James Bridgewater was arrested waiting for his receipt at the drive up window of the local bank.

OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA

Nanci Miller was startled to see a dress of hers, which had been stolen, being worn by the hostess of a Neighborhood Watch Meeting. Nanci Miller also noticed the rather attractive furniture looked familiar. In fact, upon closer inspection she realized that the furniture and assorted household goods surrounding her had been taken during a burglary of her storage shed a few days earlier. The hostess and her husband were arrested.

YUMA, ARIZONA

law enforcement dispatchers calmed Yuma area residents who thought they had been hit by an earthquake. The ground shaking event turned out to be law enforcement and military explosive experts undergoing training in dealing with car bombs at the local Marine Corps Air Station.

BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA

Earlier this year, Beckley Police Chief Billy Cole warned residents of a con man calling up and identifying himself as Chief Cole. The con man was soliciting donations to the Salvation Army.

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Special thanks to Lorna Herron of East Bay Regional Parks Police, CA for her "Oakland, California" contribution to "Just for Laughs".
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"Just for Laughs" is always looking for articles that fit the humorous to bizarre. If you come across a news article or story that qualifies let us know. Recognition will be sent to your department acknowledging your contribution and you will be on your way to qualifying as an IAP.E. distinguished member. 

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Copyright © 1999 International Association for Property and Evidence, Inc.
Reprinted from the Evidence Log, Volume 1994, Number 3, Page 15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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