Should I Contact the FBI? (Suspicious Activity Observed)

Vanity | 11-5-01

[dogbyte12]

Sorry for the vanity folks. But something happened today to me that spooked me, and I don't spook that easily.

I was driving to work today going south bound in San Gabriel California on a major street when a van turned in front of me. Large custom white van with a huge bubble top on it.

As we are going, liquid suddenly drips from underneath the van. Hmmm, I thought, bad exhaust or something. It stops. Then about 30 seconds later, another 4 oz of so of liquid drips out. Again, it doesn't appear to be from the exhaust pipe, but I figure it must be.

Then it happened. Out of nowhere, from the right passenger window a large... I mean 3 by 3 foot cloud of either white smoke or white powder flies out the right window. It dissipates and is invisible in about 2 to 3 seconds. I know anthrax is brown, but it freaks me out that I see this substance in such quantities. This was no cigarette smoke, it was just an instantaneous dicharge of something in such volume that it was probably about the size I think. around 3 by 3 feet.

I then wanted to get a look at the driver. It was a "olive skinned" man approximately 25-35, with short wavy hair, who appeared pakistani, indian in appearance. The van took a quick turn, I headed to work, related the incident to co-workers, who convinced me to call the local police.

Talked to the desk officer who basically humored me. I had written down the liscence plate number told him what I saw and he basically told me that he didn't hear any other complaints yet about this van, and the white smoke or powder was probably an engine discharge or something.

My question is, should I take this further. This very likely can just be a weird congruence, and the local police might have investigated it, but I am wondering if I should call the feds to be sure. I have been hearing stories of them blowing off people with similar tips as well. Any imput would be appreciated.

[The Turbanator]

Stop chatting and get on the phone!!!!

[yooper]

It was probably Cheech and Chong. Seriously, ya done good getting the plate number. I would report this desk officer to the police chief. The guy should've at least run the plate thru the computer (maybe he did?).

One possibility for the liquid; crack in the engine block....?

[dogbyte12]

If it was an "olive-skinned" man in a bio-suit complete with respirator I would call the Federales. Was he in a bio-suit? You didn't say

No bio suit that I could see. I just got a look at the side of his left face and his hair in profile. He didn't appear to be wearing a mask. The poor guy could have just had car trouble that created these things for all I know

[MeekOneGOP]

Then it happened. Out of nowhere, from the right passenger window a large... I mean 3 by 3 foot cloud of either white smoke or white powder flies out the right window. It dissipates and is invisible in about 2 to 3 seconds. I know anthrax is brown, but it freaks me out that I see this substance in such quantities. This was no cigarette smoke, it was just an instantaneous dicharge of something in such volume that it was probably about the size I think. around 3 by 3 feet.

---

Don't sweat it! California? Hmm? Hell, it's just "Cheech & Chong!" LOL!

Just kidding! Now hear this!:

Federal Bureau of Investigation Website: Click HERE, GOOD FReeper!

Go to the above website and enter you report there. Leave this in the hands of the experts. I did this on September 13th when I learned of "Marwan's" homesite on the Internet and reported it to the FBI. It only takes 2 minutes, and you will sleep well tonight, good friend! ! Believe me!. . .

[Texas Yellow Rose]

	"My question is, should I take this further. " Ahhh, Dogbyte...I think you just did!  Wouldn't FR be a likely place to monitor???
Visit: Freeper Tips and Helps for posting photos, links and other HTML goodies. You can also bookmark the thread at:  http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/562247/posts

[The Turbanator]

This poor guy, thats what I thought about reporting the guy I had in question. Called the FBI, he was pulled from his store and has not been back since.

[TheLooseThread]

I see this sort of thing all the time. I always just assumed it was illegal dumping of toxic waste. I wouldn't worry.

[MeekOneGOP]

PS: Please let us all know your decision/outcome, etc., ok? Thanks, buddy!

[Mind-numbed Robot]

The liquid underneath was probably condensation from the airconditioning. Those large vans have coils in the front and back so there would be a lot of condensation. The smoke could have been cigar or cigarette smoke but why role down the window to blow it out only once, or maybe you were around long enough to only see it once. Regardless, follow the good advice here and contact the FBI. That is what we were asked to do.

[null and void]

It almost looked like a medical van.

Could be delivering liquid oxygen. Condensation dripping on the road. Overpressure relief blowing off a puff of cold gas. Did it have a diamond shaped hazmat sticker?

Do YOU want to take the chance that it's innocent? I wouldn't.

[dogbyte12]

The smoke could have been cigar or cigarette smoke but why role down the window to blow it out only once, or maybe you were around long enough to only see it once. Regardless, follow the good advice here and contact the FBI.

I just wrote an email to the FBI field office. It was not cigar or cigarette smoke. It was the type of cloud you get when you toss flour on the floor. I do know the difference, and it came out of the passenger side, not the driver's side so, again... I hope it's nothing, I do feel better having contacted the FBI. I wish I could better describe it. It would be like 6 people exhaling cigar smoke at once. It was like throwing 8 oz of flour in the air on a windy day. Twas not a cigarette. Hopefully, it was just car problems.

[Born to Conserve]

Chances are 99.999% that there is nothing insidious going on here.

If they were overheating, there would be liquid and smoke emmanating much as you have described. Do you remember any smell? Coolant has a very distinctive smell. The steam that comes from an overheating radiator will quickly dissipate like the cloud you described, and if it came up from under the hood, it could look like it was coming from the window. Could the liquid you saw be coming from the front where the radiator overflow is?

Since you do have the tag numbers, it would be easy for the feds to track down and confirm/deny. Call them if you like. They won't hurt you.

[Revolting cat!]

Have you ever seen morbier cheese discharge?

[Miss Marple]

I called the FBI about a local airport auctioning off work uniforms. (Not a good idea, and the lady at the FBI agreed with me.) You MUST call and report this. If it is nothing...so what? Call and report it and you will have done your part.

[evaporation-plus]

I hate to say it but more than likely
there were one or more passengers in
the rear of the van and one of them
couldn't wait till he got to the nearest
gas station with a men's room. The smoke
was most likely just that......

[vannrox]

Forget the "crap responses". What you described sounds extremely suspicious. At the least, they were not displaying full MSDS precautions and the necessary licenses to transport chemicals. CALL THE FBI NOW!


I don't want to frighten anyone, but there is a reason why our government is rushing to get our smallpox defenses on line. Remember, there is no cure for smallpox. You can only innoculate yourself from it. It is a truly horrible way to die.


It lies dormant for up to 30 days. Then, when it breaks out. If forms pimples that are filled with what feels like small BB's under the skin. Ones body becomes completely covered with this. They appear everywhere. In the nose, the mouth the ears, and right on the eye. They grow and tear at the flesh. It causes extreme pain and agony.


Zero tolerance should be given for any suspicious activity. Take no chances. Contrary to what you have heard on the Media, the US Government DOES KNOW the kind of attack that is planned. And it is frightening.


Death counts in the millions are possible. Anyone who has been innoculated within the klast ten years by the smallpox vaccine is immune. So that means most ex-military. Everyone else is very vunerable.>


I am sure that I said too much , but I have to impress upon you the seriousness of this situation. There was a reason why the VP looked so shaken during the announcement of a second major attack. --- We must be on the look out for all kinds of chemicals, becuse they are trying use create an explosive mechanism that would distribute the Smallpox without destroying it. I (personally) believe that they have a mechanism to do this. Be Advised and take action immediately!!!!

[dogbyte12]

Could be delivering liquid oxygen. Condensation dripping on the road. Overpressure relief blowing off a puff of cold gas. Did it have a diamond shaped hazmat sticker?

That was the weird thing. It looked like a medical van but no stickers on it anywhere. It was really new. As in 1 or two years old, was custom made, I have never seen a van exactly like it before. No Company slogan on the side, no hazmat stickers in the back. If the FBI wants to investigate it can. I did my part.

I guess I am profiling. But what are the odds that the van driven with the white cloud would have had a afghani or indian driver? But sometimes coincidences happen.

[bearsgirl90]

Blown raghead gasket!

How politically incorrect of you! LOL ;-)

[Texas Gal]

If it was an "olive-skinned" man in a bio-suit complete with respirator I would call the Federales. Was he in a bio-suit? You didn't say.
Why would he be in a bio-suit? What if he's one of those guys thinking if he dies for the cause he's got a fast ticket to his harem of virgins.