NEWSQUIRKS
Curses, foiled again
Robert Michelson, 21, called 911 wanting to know how much trouble he could get into for growing one marijuana plant. When the dispatcher told him he could be arrested, Michelson said thank you and hung up. The dispatcher promptly notified police, who went to Michelson’s house in Farmington, Conn., and arrested him for marijuana possession. (Associated Press) Authorities arrested Jerrie Perkins, 30, for shoplifting after she tried to leave a store in Rochester Hills, Mich., with $600 worth of stolen electronics merchandise. According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the 400-pound woman’s getaway was thwarted when her mobility scooter got stuck at the door. (Michigan’s The Macomb Daily)
When China rules the world
China’s Civil Affairs Ministry wants the government to make it mandatory for adult children to visit their elderly parents. The ministry’s proposal would allow parents to sue no-shows. “Younger generations are moving away from their parents and quickly developing different values,” said Ninie Wang, international director of the Gerontological Society of China, which endorsed the measure. “Filial piety is a myth.” (The New York Times)
Second-Amendment follies
A New York City police officer tried to switch on a pistol-mounted flashlight but pulled the trigger instead, shooting Jose Colon, 76, in the stomach. Colon survived. The incident followed the shooting death of an unarmed man in Plano, Texas, that occurred when an undercover police sergeant drew his pistol in a dark parking lot and tried to turn on the flashlight mounted on it but accidentally fired the gun. Both incidents involved the Surefire X300 flashlight, whose manufacturer insisted it “prevents misidentification and saves police lives.” Firearms expert Kenneth Cooper disagreed, warning that pistol-mounted flashlights complicate what is already a stressful situation for police officers pointing guns. (New York Post)
More strikes than a bowling alley
After a minivan struck a man crossing a street in Hawthorne, Calif., the driver sped off. Moments later, a second vehicle ran over the man and continued without stopping. As several pedestrians who witnessed the incidents rushed to help the pedestrian and block other cars from running over him, a third vehicle struck one of them. This time, the driver stopped to help the woman, but the crowd attacked him anyway. “These criminal bystanders assaulted the victim and ultimately stole his cell phone,” a police statement said. Police arrested Tran Lewis, 32, on suspicion of beating and robbing the motorist and located the driver of the second vehicle. The pedestrian died, and the woman hurrying to help him suffered moderate injuries. (The Los Angeles Times)
Compiled from the nation’s press by Roland Sweet. Authentication on demand.
