Stupid people of the week

Flagstaff PD officers fully naked, fondled during massage investigation

It’s a good job if you can get it.

Two Flagstaff police officers went undercover to massage parlors, took their pants off, and allowed themselves to be fondled eight different times.

Experts tell ABC15 that state law clearly outlines that as illegal. The operation, though, was approved by federal agents, Coconino County prosecutors and Flagstaff’s command staff.

Federal agents called it “Operation High Country Hydra.”

In 2019, a tip was called in about Flagstaff massage parlors accepting money for sex acts.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Flagstaff PD launched a joint months-long investigation to try and stop the suspected “human trafficking, sex trafficking and prostitution.”

When the investigation was complete, not a single trafficking victim had been identified.

Police arrested 13 people though, after two officers went undercover and got completely naked.

“I didn’t know where to stop it.”

Officer Dustin Eberhardt remembers the ‘confusion’ from his first undercover massage.

“I was like, ‘Well, do you want me to take them off?’ And so she was like, ‘Well, your comfort – if you want them off or you don’t want oil on them.’ There was kind of some confusion on that, so I ended up taking them off because that’s what I felt like the suggestion was from her,” recalled Eberhardt in a video deposition.

The Flagstaff officer went on to explain that he tried to minimize the amount of time the massage parlor employee was fondling his exposed genitals.

“As soon as I got aroused, that’s when I immediately started asking about the money and how much. And like I said, I’ve never done one of these, so I was fairly nervous and I didn’t know where to stop it. So I was trying to stop it quickly.”

Police reports reveal Officer Eberhardt allowed different women to touch him seven more times over the next 48 hours.

Roughly three months later, another Flagstaff police employee, Officer Hutchinson, went back into five of the same massage parlors and did the same thing. The reason for the second round of sexual contact was to see if the businesses would accept debit cards.

Both men documented every instance of sexual contact with a recording device, and in detailed reports.

Also, Officer Eberhardt’s initial ‘confusion’ about ‘where to stop’ may come as a surprise – since the operation had been in the works for months, and the ‘fondling’ was discussed and approved ahead of time by prosecutors, police department leaders and federal agents.

Source; ABC15

Florida man tries to outrun deputies on riding lawnmower, authorities say

When you gotta mow, you gotta mow.

A Florida man who evaded deputies earlier this year by escaping into a swamp was caught on Saturday after he tried to outrun law enforcement on a riding lawnmower, authorities said.

Dusty Mobley, 40, was located around 9:30 a.m. at a home on Pasco Broxson Circle in Holt, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said. He was wanted on warrants related to the theft of a $40,000 boat in January.

When Mobley spotted the deputies, the sheriff’s office said he switched a John Deere riding lawnmower “into high gear” and tried to flee the scene. Mobley was quickly apprehended after pursuing deputies tased him.

Mobley was taken into custody and found in possession of a revolver, a handcuff key and a pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue, deputies said.

Days after the January theft, deputies said they found Mobley aboard the stolen boat. But when they tried to speak with him, he jumped overboard into the swamp and disappeared.

Investigators believe Mobley had used heavy machinery to cut a hole in the side of a business’ metal building off Highway 4 in Baker to steal the vessel.

Mobley faces a slew of charges including grand theft, grand theft of a vehicle, felony criminal mischief, two counts of resisting an officer, possession of a concealed weapon by a felon, carrying a concealed handcuff key, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felony failure to appear, among others.

Mobley is being held without bond at the Okaloosa County Jail.

Source; Fox News

‘Tire Extinguishers’ Activists Are Deflating SUV Tires in Major US Cities

Because nothing will help the environment more than a bunch of SUVs being hauled into tire shops by even bigger tow trucks.

A U.K.-based activist group called “The Tyre Extinguishers” has landed in the U.S. and claims they’ve deflated tires on dozens of SUVs in several major cities, including New York, Chicago, and the Bay Area. The group, which says the thirsty SUVs significantly contribute to climate change, has no official leadership but encourages independent participation through social media and offers a hallmark note to be left on the victims’ cars.

Boasting about the action on Twitter, the group took the opportunity to share links to its manifesto.

As you might guess from the spelling, the group has its roots in the U.K. The BBC reports the activist group has deflated tires on hundreds of SUVs across London. Their primary targets have been high-wealth neighborhoods like Chelsea, Belgravia, and Notting Hill.

The group cites the climate disaster as a primary reason for their actions. SUVs have been called out by the UN itself for their impact. The note also claims SUVs pose a greater danger to pedestrians and other road users, along with the health risks of higher air pollution. As for the group’s aims, it hopes “to see bans on SUVs in urban areas, pollution levies to tax SUVs out of existence, and massive investment in free, comprehensive public transport.”

Notably, the protest group runs in a leaderless fashion. The aim is to inspire individuals to participate independently.

The Tyre Extinguishers website shares guides on how to spot an SUV and how to deflate its tires safely. Specific instructions are given to target “posh/middle-class areas” that are more likely to feature these vehicles. Hybrid and electric vehicles are considered “fair game,” as well, with the group citing the high environmental costs of producing and running these large vehicles.

The typical tactic used is to place a lentil or piece of gravel into the valve stem, depressing the valve. The valve cap is then screwed back on, holding the debris in place and allowing the air to leak out. This lets the activist flee the area while the tire continues to deflate. Advice is given to practice on bicycle tires first before taking action on SUVs in the field.

Fundamentally, it’s a method that’s far easier and safer than outright slashing tires. It’s also more likely to inspire annoyance rather than sheer outrage.

As with most political movements, there’s a leaflet involved, which is placed on vehicles targeted by the group. It notifies the owner that the vehicle has been disabled and the group’s reason for doing so. Owners are advised that they will have “no difficulty getting around without your gas guzzler, with walking, cycling, or public transport.” The leaflet has been translated into 10 languages, including American English, which substitutes “tire” for “tyre.”

Deflating people’s tires is unlikely to win the group many fans or inspire SUV owners to make greener choices. Instead, the overall goal is to step up operations to the point where it is “impossible to own a huge polluting 4×4 in the world’s urban areas.” Many more tires will have to be let down to achieve that target. In the meantime, a handful of SUV owners will wake up frustrated now and then to find another leaflet and another flat tire.

Source; The Drive

Montgomery Co. cop nearly carjacked in marked cruiser, suspect released from jail for $0

A man, who tried to carjack an on-duty Montgomery County officer sitting inside of a marked police cruiser, was released from jail on a $0 bond, court records obtained by 7News reveal.

Around 8:15 a.m. Friday, five officers exited the Starbucks located at 19724 Germantown Road. As they walked to their respective squad cars, the officers spotted an individual linked to recent suspicious activity at the 5th District Station along Aircraft Drive in Germantown.

One officer entered their cruiser, started the engine, and was preparing to drive away, when the suspicious man, identified as Dlaunte Wade, 42, of Germantown, allegedly opened the cruiser door.

“[The officer] ordered Dlaunte Wade to stop any further action and [to] get out of the cruiser,” police wrote in court documents.

Police detained Wade who stated he was homeless and freely stated he had intended to carjack the armed, on-duty officer.

The night before, Wade was found looking at a parked cruiser in the back lot of the 5D Station. Then a few hours later, around 10 p.m. Thursday, Wade was allegedly seen trying to open the doors of a different police cruiser in the back lot. That prompted a sergeant and officer to stop and question Wade.

“I just wanted to open the door and see what was inside,” Wade reportedly confessed before walking off.

Despite being charged with carjacking, which carries up to 30 years in prison, records show Wade was released from the Montgomery County Detention Center in Rockville on his own recognizance. In other words, a court commissioner determined Wade’s alleged crime did not warrant a cash or collateral bond.

Law enforcement sources tell 7News Wade that returned to the 5th District Station in Germantown late Sunday night. Officers quickly spotted him near the back lot. Wade reportedly told those officers he wanted to steal a police car and go on a joy ride. Wade described the sensation as an “uncontrollable urge.” Wade was taken to the hospital for psychiatric observation, sources added.

Carjackings have spiked across the DMV since COVID hit the world stage in March of 2020. Montgomery County recorded a significant increase in 2021 and it has not cooled down so far this year. As of July 9, the county had recorded 45 year-to-date carjackings.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) has frequently addressed rising violent crime in his community of nearly 1.1 million residents, and in some cases, connected it to a nationwide trend. Eroding public safety has become a campaign issue in the executive’s race with Maryland’s primary election now only one week away.

According to court paperwork, Wade is divorced and the father of eight children. He most recently worked in cybersecurity for an insurance company, earning around $33 per hour, court documents added. He faces up to 36 years in prison on criminal charges of carjacking, plus rogue and vagabond.

Source; WJLA

US tourist falls into Mount Vesuvius after taking selfie

Nothing says “I’m an American” more than trespassing on a volcano and then falling into it while taking a selfie.

An American tourist fell into Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano in Italy, after trespassing to take a selfie, officials said.

The 23-year-old man, who dropped his phone and tried to retrieve it after the selfie, fell several meters into the ash of the crater before being saved by nearby park officials on Saturday.

He sustained only minor injuries, officials said.

The man, who has not been named, allegedly walked on an unauthorized path to reach the summit of Mount Vesuvius at 1,281 meters, according to a spokesperson from the Carabinieri of the Forestry department of the Park of Vesuvius.

The spokesperson told ABC News he believes the man went on the unmarked path because tickets for visiting Vesuvius, which are limited to 2,700 a day, were all booked.

The man had come to the opposite side of the crater, where visitors are not permitted, the spokesperson said.

At around 3 p.m., local news sources reported the park’s volcanological guides had spotted some people on the upper part of the crater, an area forbidden for solo access.

The guides immediately started moving toward the area and were able to come to the man’s rescue after seeing him attempt to retrieve his cellphone, according to Carabinieri’s spokesperson.

The guides also performed first aid on the man’s minor injuries to his legs, arms and back.

According to Carabinieri’s spokesperson, two other Americans, two Brits and one Austrian were with the American man who fell.

Some local sources have reported that there were three family members with him, but the spokesperson believes only one of the other Americans is related to the man who fell.

The Branch of Carabinieri arrived at the scene after the man was rescued, taking him and the others into custody. They were charged with encroachment on public land or land for public use, Italian news reported.

The president of the Volcano Vesuvius Permanent Presidium and Figav-Confesercenti, Paolo Cappelli, told the Corriere Della Sera that he was grateful for the guides’ work.

“[The guides] are always on the crater to safeguard the safety of tourists. So, recognizing the promptness and professionalism shown on this occasion as well seemed the right thing to do,” Cappelli said.

“Having spoken directly with those who provided the rescue, I can safely say that last Saturday on Mount Vesuvius they saved a human life. I officially thank the whole group of guides belonging to the Presidio Permanente Vulcano Vesuvio, always ready and operational in any condition,” Cappelli added.

A spokesperson from the Carabinieri of the Forestry department of the Park of Vesuvius told ABC News that the man could have fallen 300 meters if he wasn’t stopped by the nearby guides.

He said that on the opposite side of the crater, where visitors are permitted, there are barriers around the opening, but where this man was there were none.

According to the spokesperson, it is extremely rare that visitors stray from the authorized path. Cappelli, however, said this is a somewhat common occurrence, happening about 10 times a year.

The Carabinieri spokesperson said that he does not think any kind of legal action will be taken against the man, except for a fine.

Source; ABC News

Category: "Teh Stoopid", Crime, Police, WTF?