Thursday, December 18, 2014
ODDLY ENOUGH
Firewood explodes in wood stove; WWII grenade found
VIENNA
Austrian police investigating a grenade blast were less puzzled by the explosion and more by where it took place — inside a wood stove that appeared to contain nothing but firewood.
The woman who owned the wood burner also had no clue at first. After all, she only put firewood inside.
Or so she thought.
Police spokeswoman Petra Datscher said recently that a World War II grenade apparently landed on a tree during fighting. It was then enveloped by wood growing around it to the point that it was invisible when the tree was chopped down for firewood and sold to the supermarket where the unidentified 22-year-old woman bought it.
The blast, which happened Nov. 30 in the lakeside town of Gmunden, shattered the stove’s glass panel, but the sturdy wrought-iron stove prevented injuries.
Texas teen carjackers are thwarted by car’s stick shift
HOUSTON
Authorities say two teenagers attempting to carjack a vehicle in Houston were foiled by a stick shift.
The pair held the motorist at gunpoint earlier this month and demanded that he tell them how to drive the vehicle. After the driver provided a few instructions, the teens ordered him out of the vehicle. He then called police.
A brief police chase ensued. Stefan Happ, an officer for the University of Texas at Houston, told KPRC-TV the teens “had issues operating the vehicle.”
The pair opted to flee on foot and were later apprehended.
The suspects are 15 and 17 years old. They were taken into custody. The older boy was charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.
Boys dial 911 in search of Santa
MAYVILLE, Wis.
Two young brothers from southeastern Wisconsin are likely hoping they haven’t landed on Santa’s naughty list after police showed up at their doorstep.
The boys, ages 3 and 6, thought the best way to get in touch with the North Pole was by phone. And for youngsters of that age, their Christmas lists could be considered an emergency.
So, the brothers used their Dad’s cellphone to place a 911 call, hoping to be connected with the North Pole and the big guy himself.
The Beaver Dam Daily Citizen said that brought police to their Mayville home where officers gave the boys some advice. If you want to talk to Santa, do it in person.
Associated Press