Houston: 2 police vehicles missing

Associated Press ^ | July 7, 2002 | Associated Press Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

Houston: 2 police vehicles missing

07/07/2002

Associated Press

HOUSTON - Two Houston Police Department marked cars have either been stolen or misplaced for more than two weeks.

The department's Internal Affairs and Criminal Intelligence divisions are investigating.

"They could be in the salvage yard," police spokesman John Cannon said Saturday. "We don't know if they were stolen or they just got misplaced somewhere administratively."

The Houston Chronicle reported that the cars were discovered missing June 21 from the department's central parking garage.

"I think it has caught all of us by surprise," said Hans Marticiuc, president of the Houston Police Officers Union. "It's a concern, if they are actually missing, that someone could get into the garage and have such easy access that they could not only take the cars but possibly do things to other vehicles that officers are driving."

The cars, both Ford Crown Victorias, had mobile data computer terminals on board. Neither computer has been activated, police said.

Police spokesman Robert Hurst said the department cannot rule out that the cars, a 1999 model and a 1997 model, were stolen. The department's central garage is not access screened and does not have a 24-hour guard, staff supervisor Sgt. Jim Stowe said.

If the cars were stolen, they could be used to impersonate police officers, Mr. Marticiuc said.

"That kind of stuff comes back on all of us," he said. "The uniforms a similar type of uniform, is very easy to get."

Officials said there is no evidence that the possible thefts are related to terrorism.

The cars, last fueled by officers on April 2 and 3 according to records, had received extended maintenance service and were to be returned to the garage two weeks before they were discovered missing, Sgt. Stowe said.

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/tsw/stories/070702dntextswfiller.41e3d.html

[anymouse]

Thins might just be another L.P. Brown Administration foulup, but in case it is some al Queda perps up to no good we might want to alert Houston FReepers to be on the look out for suspicious types driving HPD patrol cars.

[anymouse]

Thins=This

[He Rides A White Horse]

The Suspect

[bluefish]

Sheesh, haven't they heard of Lojacks (sp?)? My guess is that they actually have the tracking device itself for tracking down stolen cars that have them installed.

[LadyX]

oMmi - those are for use by Scuttlebutt when in port for distributing all the Temperance Tracts.
Fred Mertz had too much trouble getting them ashore on his water skis, requiring several trips.

Cobby magnanimously scrounged procured a barge with the two cars so they can be delivered rapidly all over the towns they visit.

The crew is getting restless, by the way.
Any suggestions for morale improvement?

[Seeking to remain informed]

What an ULTIMATE joke - we are to contact our local police department should we see anything suspicious - these are the ones that 'lost' 2 police cars? Gee, if I lived in the Dallas area and was being puilled over by a cop, I would SERIOUSLY consider not stopping.

[ofMagog]

Perhaps Snow Bunny could whup up a banquet (sans Spam) to rouse the crew. We are going to be here in New Zealand until around September 1st. There is much to see and do here on South Island.

[COB1]

Well, the paint smell wouldn't be so strong, but I had to paint the inside, too, to cover up all the sticky doughnut frosting.
Patience, Fred!!

[HiTech RedNeck]

KEYSTONE KOPS!!!!!

[Fred Mertz]

I just luv that fresh paint smell. I can hardly inhale the fumes quickly enuff.

[strela]

And in other, completely coincidental news, the video game Grand Theft Auto 3 was just released for rent at Houston-area Blockbusters.

[GOPcapitalist]

Thins might just be another L.P. Brown Administration foulup, but in case it is some al Queda perps up to no good we might want to alert Houston FReepers to be on the look out for suspicious types driving HPD patrol cars.

In other words, look for somebody who looks like he should be working for Metro instead of HPD.

The democrat run proprieters of those red white and blue death busses will hire any crackhead who crawls in their front door.

[razorback-bert]

Okay, the glue sniffers win.

[Don Myers]

Car 54. Where are you?

[anymouse]

Well apparently the HPD parking garage seems to have pretty low standards (and security) too.

[anymouse]

Gee, if I lived in the Dallas area and was being puilled over by a cop, I would SERIOUSLY consider not stopping.

Well that's between you an your defense attorney, but these cars were lost by the HOUSTON cops.

One thing that probably keeps them from being taken elsewhere and used for nafarious means, is that Houston squad cars are pale blue, rather than the typical black and white used elsewhere. I bet not a few tourists visiting Houston have kept driving when they see some strange blue car flashing lights behind them.

[Flyer]

Maybe it was some officer out to do a kidnapping.

. . . oh, wait, that one was caught.

Maybe it was some officer throwing a drunk.

. . . nope, he was caught, too

Ah! Lee. P. sold them for revenue enhancement!

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Flyer,

Don't ping me this late, go to bed!

How many posts before someone starts saying they bet OBL has them and will soon use them to attack the Baytown Tunnel!

[Flyer]

attack the Baytown Tunnel!

Do I need to point out the obvious here?

[ru4liberty]

"...attack the Baytown Tunnel"

It's already gone, remember?