FBI: Nothing Wrong With Request for Fake Ambulance

WINS News ^ | 6/21/02

[areafiftyone]

(Newark, New Jersey-AP) -- The FBI says there appparently was nothing sinister about attempts by two Middle Eastern men to buy a fake ambulance.

The attempted transaction, in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, promoted warnings that terrorists might try to use bogus emergency vehicles as weapons.

The FBI interviewed one of the men, a maintenance worker, and found he wanted the vehicle to store tools in its compartments.

The other man is to be interviewed tomorrow, but an FBI spokeswoman says the agency doesn't believe there is a terrorism link.

The men offered to buy the ambulance from a firm that rents replicas to TV and film producers.

The firm's owner was suspicious because they offered cash.

[eFudd]

There is a real problem here, but our society is so strung out on credit that the problem becomes hard to see.

The firm's owner was suspicious because they offered cash.

Sad state of affairs.

[dawn53]

The FBI interviewed one of the men, a maintenance worker, and found he wanted the vehicle to store tools in its compartments.

And exactly what is his definition of "tools."

[Phantom Lord]

Should these men be questioned and looked at closely? Probably.

But is it out of the ordinary for old ambulances to be purchased by contractors as a 'work truck'? No

But the commonality of such a thing is probably why they choose this type of vehicle. Hoping it will fall under the radar.

[peteram]

Yeah, during the "war" on drugs over the last 15 years, if you tried to pay cash, you were thought to be a drug dealer. Now, you could be suspected of being a terrorist. Some people just like to go on the "one-payment" plan.

Kudos to the owners vigilance though. But it DOES say something about our attitude about credit.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

The FBI interviewed one of the men, a maintenance worker, and found he wanted the vehicle to store tools in its compartments.

Please tell me that the 'feds' are dumbing themselves down for the media or something...

[dawn53]

Don't you think the term "cash" can be misleading.

If they mean a cashier's check or certified check, then cash to me should not be an automatic signal to raise suspicions.

But if cash means a wad of bills amounting to $20,000, then I venture to say, I'd be pretty suspicious.

[Publius6961]

Ok.
So it is becoming increasingly obvious that not all FBI agents and their supervisors were tested for IQ over 60...

[End Times Sentinel]

I’ve got to think that this is disinformation on the part of the FBI. I can’t really imagine them saying “We’re pretty sure these two are terrorists so we’re going to watch them and see who they’re consorting with.”

Hopefully, the Pakis will be so dumb that they’ll believe they gave the FBI the slip and continue their scheming.

I hope this is the case, anyway…

Owl_Eagle

”Guns Before Butter.”

[Phantom Lord]

It is not uncommon for contractors to buy old ambulances for work trucks because of their ample storage space and the ease of retrival created by the ability to 'walk in' to where the tools are.

[makoman]

In this case the system worked. The owner found the request a bit strange and reported it.

[ravingnutter]

I am curious as to just how much cash was involved. A maintenance worker doesn't make that much money, it is odd that he would have that much cash on hand.

[dawn53]

Here's an excerpt from an article a few days ago.

About two weeks ago, two men walked into Movie Time Cars Inc., a Lyndhurst company that rents replicas of ambulances and police cars to TV and film producers. The men offered to pay cash to buy a replica ambulance, said Joe Sargo, the company's owner.

Seems this company rents replicas of ambulances for films. I'm just wondering if replicas are fully equipped with compartments, etc., just like the regular ambulances? Anybody know?

[iconoclast]

There is a real problem here, but our society is so strung out on credit that the problem becomes hard to see.

Hmmm. I agree there's a real problem here but it may be hard to see if your head's stuck in a tight orifice.

Thank goodness for the businessman's alertness and awareness. If only our bureaucrats could show some of the same.

[katana]

This doesn't at all pass a smell test. I think we have every reason to be highly suspicious of Middle Eastern men trying to purchase a vehicle which by its nature would be waived through red lights and emergency barriers. Also, sorry to say, but there are genuine reasons why payment in cash should raise suspicions. It is the best and most common way to avoid a paper trail.

Either the FBI is playing this down to avoid panic, let the guys off with the hope of their leading to much bigger fish, or they are incredibly stupid. Take your pick.

[Phantom Lord]

Depends on what kind of maintanence worker they are. One of my friends here in Raleigh NC is self employed as a "handy man". He does the odd job repairs around and in peoples homes.

He makes a killing and just bought himself a Chevy Suburban. Ever see the price tag on one of those?

[dawn53]

I just did a search and came up with this company's website. Boy, these guys can get you any type of emergency vehicle you need. We should be glad there were on their toes and willing to alert the FBI, even if this doesn't pan out.

Here's a link to their website:

LINK

[Phantom Lord]

I would think they would be outfitted in and out to look real. I suppose they probably have 2 models. One for exterior filming which is empty on the inside and one for exterior and interior filming which is all decked out on the inside to look real. Or they just have the later to keep their inventory and expense to a minimum.

But thats just my guess.

[johnny7]

You're right. I'm sure the fake vehicle musta' went for over $20,000.

That's a lot of cash to be stuffed in your pockets... 200 $100 bills!

[GovernmentShrinker]

Suspicion over someone trying to pay for a $10-20,000 vehicle with a stack of greenbacks has little to do with credit. I have purchased every car I've ever owned with "cash" -- meaning a cashier's check or check from my money market fund -- i.e. a traceable instrument. People who have the means to make such purchases also have themeans to maintain a checking account. If they choose not to maintain one, or choose not to use it, when purchasing an item which is legally required to be registered, that is suspicious.

Middle Eastern men who think no one will bat an eye if they walk into specialized vehicle dealer (one which normally only does rentals, BTW), ask to buy an ambulance, and pull out a wad of cash, need to start reading the newspapers and getting a clue. These guys may not be terrorists, but they sure are dense -- so dense that they may well be being used by terrorists without their knowledge. Where'd they get the idea to buy an ambulance for their tools anyway? From sone guy they know from the mosque?