Snaking the drain
A trapper who stuffed a 14-foot python down a drain pipe, then called the media to witness the dramatic rescue was arrested on charges of perpetrating a hoax.
Justin Matthews, 47, called Tampa Bay, Fla., media to witness the capture of a large Burmese python from a drainage pipe. Matthews, a professional trapper, said he was capturing the snake on his own dime because the python posed a threat to nearby schoolchildren. The story made national headlines.
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Matthews made the news again after police learned that he had bought the snake a month earlier. Matthews admitted he staged the event to call attention to a growing problem of irresponsible pet ownership.
He was charged with misusing a 911 emergency system and maintaining wildlife in an unsafe manner — resulting in threats to the public.
Dude, where’s my weed?
An Oregon man who called 911 to report his marijuana was stolen was booked on drunken-driving charges after he put the dispatchers on hold and pulled over to vomit.
Police said Calvin Hoover called to report a vehicle break-in at the Freeloader Tavern. Hoover told dispatchers that the thieves made off with $400 in cash and about $180 worth of pot.
But police were unable to find the caller. An hour later, Hoover called 911 again, angry that deputies had not arrived.
Dispatchers had difficulty understanding the caller because the caller was driving and stopped several times to vomit.
Deputies eventually found the man and the truck several blocks away. He told deputies that he was looking for the people who stole his “weed.”
Is that a banana in your pocket or … ?
A 51-year-old man who robbed a Pennsylvania bank kept a rotten banana in his pocket to make it appear as if he had a gun, police say.
But Lloyd Virgil Barclay, of Philadelphia, slipped up when he left his wallet on the bank counter, according to The Morning Call.
Classiest. Wedding. Ever.
Markeith and Tasha Johnson’s fairy tale-themed wedding started with a horse and carriage and ended in an all-out brawl.
The “Jerry Springer”-like fight started after a guest became upset when the groom started to “make it rain,” tossing money into the dance floor for the children to scoop up. Some of the wedding guests chose sides, and fists started flying. Investigators say nearly 40 people were involved.
One woman put the groom’s 74-year-old grandmother in a choke hold.
Tampa, Fla., police arrested a man who was armed with a stolen gun and were looking for the grandmother’s attacker.
The bride and groom were not hurt. Family members say they’re now celebrating their honeymoon in the Bahamas.
– Compiled by Scott McCabe
