Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Crime Buster!!!

On any given day, one of the first things I do each morning is take a brisk walk around the neighborhood. But, yesterday was different, I got so busy it wasn't until after 8 PM when I found the time to go outside. My neighborhood is a quiet and established area with beautiful old homes which have either been well cared for or remodeled. So, walking after dark is really never a problem.

One of the places on my route is a church with a huge parking lot that I usually cut through on my way back home. Last night I noticed two guys sitting in a truck which had been backed in to a space along the backside as I entered the lot. "Okay", I thought, "just keep your eyes forward and walk as if you're on a mission." I got within 10 feet of the truck when both doors flew opened, the guys exited the truck and were standing there with one foot still in the truck. Uh oh, their eyes were on me.

I had to think fast. "Have you seen a man walking a large dog come through here?" I said this hoping they would think I wasn't alone, that I was looking for my husband who was walking our large, ferocious dog - I have neither. They grunted, "No". I said, "Thanks", and kept walking, faster and faster. As I reached the other side of the parking lot, I noticed a Volvo and, through the shadows, I saw a hose which stretched from the gas tank to a gas can sitting on the ground. Holy crap, these guys are siphoning gas!

Upon leaving the lot, my route took me out of their line of sight and my brisk walk became a dead on run for the last block before I reached my home. I fumbled for my keys, unlocked the door and dialed 9-1-1. "What's your emergency?", the dispatcher asked. I quickly explained to her what I had just witnessed and she said she was sending out a unit to investigate. I hung up the phone however, my curiosity got the best of me.

I headed out back down the street to watch while staying out of the line of fire. Within 30 seconds here comes two police cars - one entered from one side of the lot and one entered the side close to where I was standing. I moved in closer. As the cops approached the truck, the doors opened and the guys began to flee the scene. The chase was on! These guys did not get very far before they were tackled to the ground. Wow!

I moved in a little closer when a third police car pulled up right next to me. I quickly said, "I'm the one who made the call", the officer pulled on into the lot next to the Volvo. Next thing I know, a helicopter is overhead with its beacon shining all around. Damn! The guys were then placed into the patrol cars then the cops searched their truck. On the back of the truck was a camper shell and from the inside they pulled out seven 5-gallon gas cans. Holy crap, these guys are professionals!

As the police were wrapping things up, I was feeling pretty proud of myself and decided to head back to the house. I looked at the clock, checked the TV schedule and had just settled in when a knock came at the door, "Phoenix Police". We had a brief conversation where I learned these guys apparently had been working the neighborhood for the past week or so due to the number of reports made. That's 40 gallons per haul at $2.69 per gallon. The officer told me that often times the gas is sold at half the pump price to friends and associates and this is an activity which happens all over the valley of the sun. What a way to make a living.

Now that this post is finished, it's time for my walk. Watch out criminals, here I come!

27 comments:

  1. Is this for REAL!? I will never cut through our church parking lot again; it already gives me the creeps to run through it in the day time; let alone night. I love the helicopter hovering above; haha. I didn't get that much reaction after having my garage robbed.

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  2. @ mama-face - Yep, it's for real alright! I guess because of all the reports of gas siphoning in the neighborhood, not to mention Senator McCain lives 3 blocks down the street from me, the police acted very quickly.

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  3. That was a brave move Me-Me. I am glad the guys got caught. You were a real hero. Hooray!:)
    That sure is a stupid way to live. Selling stolen fuel...
    They could have maybe tried stealing cars. That would be more profitable BTW.... lol (Just kidding)

    Have a great day...:)

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  4. Nothing like getting involved. Especially since you didn't get a gun pointed at your head. Nice goin'.

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  5. Ha! Great story. I've often wondered why there weren't more gas siphoning stories on the news what with the high prices and such. In the old days when we had a shortage (late 70s) every car company had their gas tanks with locking devices but these days you can access nearly every cars gas tank.

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  6. Wow MeMe!

    You're a heroine!

    Good going GF!

    Walk at night? I'm stickin' to watching Law & Order eppies! hee hee

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  7. Holy crap girl you got balls!! Good going, and nice thinking with the big dog. I'm such a wuss I probably would of peed myself on the way home.

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  8. Crime can happen in any neighborhood.

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  9. Me-Me King... the real life crime stopper! Now with helicopters! Boy, things sure are getting exciting around here!

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  10. Bad Boys Bad Boys Watcha Gonna Do...well we know what MeMe does. Way to go! Brave girl.

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  11. We need you in Texas!

    At first I thought maybe they were going to burn the church or were stealing copper wire. Both are problems around here.

    Stealing gas?

    Wait. Where can I find these guys?

    Oh yeah, the brig.

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  12. Great job, Me-me! Who you gonna call? GASBUSTERS!

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  13. lol @ Chris I read that comment and couldn't resist continuing the song "I ain't afriad of no gas!"

    Sorry, that's just the way my brain works...lol.

    Anyway, great job on cracking the gas thieving! With that much gas stolen I'd ask what the reward is for having caught the guys red handed!

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  14. Wow girl!

    What colors are you picking out for your cape and crown??

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  15. Holy gas busters batman. You go girl! Where's your crime stoppers badge?

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  16. yeah, what Buggys said...lol
    That was one hell of a walk.

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  17. Go get em Me-Me! Just found your blog and Love it!

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  18. Thanks everyone, but I don't believe I did anything more than anyone of you would have done given the circumstances. I believe my time spent working on Capital Hill taught me to keep an eye out for criminal activity.

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  19. Catholic churches are common places for crime. You know, if you consider pedophilia a crime.

    For the record, I do. Sorry priests.

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  20. Geez. I never have any excitement in my life. How lucky can you get? A live cops and robbers show, without any commercials.

    But, what low-life! 40 gallons per haul at $2.69 per gallon, thats $107.60 per haul. If they sell it for half, that's just $53.80. They'll never make the cover of Felon Weekly Magazine with cheap crimes like that. You should form a committee to try to attract a higher class of criminal to your neighborhood.

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  21. That was a lot of excitement and real potential danger in one day. They could have been worse than gas thieves. I'm truly happy you made it out in one piece.

    Sounds like you made all the right moves- with the end result of two criminals going to jail because of you. Nice work!

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  22. Oh my! I would have been so scared if it had been one man! You are very brave!!

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  23. Be careful or you're going to wind up a honorary weekend deputy, I checked the Maricopa county sheriff's site trying to find the culprits, but I don't think the site has been updated to show them yet. I'll have to check again tomorrow.

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  24. Wow! You're like Honey West. A one-woman crime fighting syndicate. Very cool! Next time bring pepper spray with you or carry a night stick. Are you thinking of working undercover, as the unassuming female pedestrian, who likes to take walks after dark? Don't worry. I won't blow your cover.

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  25. You be careful! Next time walk away from the strange men that give you the creeps!

    Great job catching the crooks, though.

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  26. did you ever find your husband and that large dog?

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  27. Nice work, Sgt. "Pepper" Me-Me. You're one hell of a Police Woman.

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