View from the cop: Crime & punishment
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AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2007 > March > 23
Friday, March 23, 2007
Michael Vick, protective vests & the weekly roundup
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Michael Vick just remembered that he was keeping jewelry in his water bottle instead of something else that a whole lot of people suspected as perhaps some pot or residue of pot. It was a very emotional interview with Vick on last evening’s TV news. There he sat trying to paint a picture of a possible conspiracy “I don’t want to say framed but look what I had to go through”
Was he framed? Maybe. As unfunny as Saturday Night Live is now, the Michael Vick skit was pretty darn good. It made the Internet rounds for weeks. Those guys at SNL are pretty desperate for humor. They may have had a plan.
The Miami-Dade cops were a little confused about the story. “That’s the first we’ve heard of that” said their spokesperson.
Why didn’t Vick explain the “jewelry” story at the time? Maybe he tried to and they muted him. They can do that you know. They tend to mute you so you can’t explain things. They do unexplained things here too. They put illegal drugs in cars of people who are just about to leave a bar at 2 a.m. and then secretly call the cops and tip us off. When the poor driver gets pulled over for something really insignificant like driving on the wrong side of the road, the cops know to look in his pockets because the conspiracy people told us the drugs would be there.
A vested interest in protecting cops Acworth police officer James Van Alstine survived a gunshot wound Thursday after a suspect shot him in the chest. The suspect, Anthony Bernard King, age 26, was killed in the return fire from the officer. If you know anyone in law enforcement, especially in small agencies that don’t provide protective vests, raise a few dollars and buy one. Better yet, do some serious fund-raising and buy them all one. Sandy Springs Police officers are issued vests and we don’t have a problem reminding them to wear them.
Investigation Update The investigation on the deceased child found almost two weeks ago in Sandy Springs continues. The detectives are following several pieces of information but we still do not know the identity of the mother. Any information can be forwarded to Detective Mike Lindstrom at 770-551-3310.
Burglary $3,000 in quarters was stolen in the 1000 block of Windridge Drive.
The victim said that upon return to the 5300 block of Peachtree Dunwoody Road from out of town, he found that someone had taken a 26” TV, Dell lap top and his I-Pod. I know this sounds simplistic but when you’re going to be out of town for a day or so, stash some of your good stuff in a place that would require some looking around to find.
A woman reported that her wallet was taken from her purse. The purse was sitting in the ‘steal-me’ position of her shopping cart.
The glass door of a retail business in the 7500 block of Roswell Road was shattered by someone who entered the business and took a cash register and a computer. There was no alarm or camera system. Invest in a camera and alarm system if you’re going to put all that money into a business. Maintain it and if something were to happen, you’ll be glad you did. A lot of people go to jail on good video evidence. If you have tape, upgrade to digital.
A 30-year old man was arrested after he tried to steal a deli sandwich from the Publix store at 1100 Hammond Drive. The man tried to walk out the front door after passing the checkout lanes. An employee grabbed the sandwich so the bad buy punched him in the shoulder. A passing shopper helped subdue the man until the cops got there. The suspect compounded his problem by giving a false name (See Sports Authority arrest below) and so he was charged with that as well.
The manager of a store in the 8200 block of Roswell Road said a young male came in and asked if the store would sell him a single condom. The employee said that they are only sold in packs. A few seconds later the male put a condom in his pocket and walked out and got into a car that was described as a white van, and left. The problem here is that not only was that guy a thief but apparently his social life ain’t doing so well either. If you don’t need the pack it doesn’t mean you have to admit it.
A 30-year old man was arrested at Sports Authority at 6690 Roswell Road for shoplifting clothing. Then he gave the officer a false name which, by the way doesn’t work. You sit in jail until we verify identification via fingerprints. It doesn’t take that long now days and it is another criminal charge that we levy. Don’t do it.
A 21-year old man was arrested and charged with Prowling and Loitering after cops were called to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment. She said that she heard noises on her balcony and previously she’s found things out of place inside her apartment and believed the suspect was coming inside. When they talked to the suspect, he said that he did go onto the balcony but only to retrieve his belongings. Then he said he wanted to talk to her. Boys, when it’s over, it’s over. Don’t make it worse. I’ve seen hundreds of scenarios like this. Stalking is never a good plan to get your girl back.
5400 block of Highpoint Road 30342 Two men, ages 46 and 47 were arrested in the 5400 block of Highpoint Rd. for Loitering and Prowling after officers received a call of suspicious people in the area According to the complainant, the men came onto her property and tried to open the door to her house. She did not know either one nor did they have business on the property. These are the kinds of arrests that we like. These two clowns were burglars-to-be. Don’t hesitate to call 911.
A 43-year old female was arrested after officers got a fight call at a residence in the 9400 block of Huntcliff Trace. On arrival they spoke with the woman who appeared to be intoxicated. She was a bit unruly and demanded to be taken to jail so she was. While being transported she banged her head against the car containment compartment and threatened to sue the officers. They told her the guy in the next paragraph had already done much worse.
A 45-year old man was arrested after officers were called to the Chevron at 5701 Roswell Rd. about a man standing in the doorway screaming obscenities. The man was cursing and threatening to kill the customers as well as the employee. The officers took the man into custody so the man began to curse and threaten to kill the officers and their families when he got out of jail. After the man was placed in the back seat of the police car, he began to bang his head against the window, all the while threatening to kill the window and the window’s family when he got out of jail. The car window was not damaged. After he got to jail he hit himself with his fist and then threatened his fist.
Thefts
A man advertised some collectables on the “Craig’s List” Internet site. He was contacted by another man in Chicago who wanted to swap similar collectables in return. The victim shipped the items to the Chicago address but never received the swapped items in return.
NOTE: My son had a Sony PSP portable game system when they first came out. He got bored with it and wanted to sell it. I advertised it on Craig’s List. I got about a dozen responses, all of which were fraud. One guy went to the extent of fabricating a U.S. Postal money order and all this other official stuff. The premise is the same. They want the item shipped prior to the money in your hand. Once you ship any item without a check or money order CLEARING the bank, the game, at that point, is over. You have no control. Craig’s List is a national site and sort of a gathering point for people to make deals. The site is legit and they tell you up front that scams are possible and to be careful. Bottom line: If someone wants to purchase your item via the Internet or even face to face, don’t let that stuff go until the check clears the bank.
