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

[Allegra]

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.

Well, the old ones are blue, but now they have white ones with black on them also.

So, if my car should turn up missing, who do I call? If the HPD can't find their OWN cars, how are they going to find anyone else's?

I'm still laughing at the "Dude, Where's My Car?" comment!

[MistyCA]

OMG....is this stupid or what?

[MeekOneGOP]

This happened in Houston, actually. I certainly wouldn't consider
running from the Police. They kinda frown on that here in Texas, lol !

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL! Yep......

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL! Maybe this is just a promo Gig by the Police to pump up the sales
on rentals of that video........hehehehe

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL! Like another poster commented.....Car 54 Where Are You?

[Thumper1960]

Mobile computers....but no LOMAX?

[MistyCA]

Well, duh! LOLOL! I suppose I could go through the litany of reasons why this should have never happened, and why it is so absurd that it took so long to discover (or report) but it rather goes without saying! Add this to the other things I know about Houston, and I can simply say that the best line on this thread is, "Houston! We have a problem!" :)

[CDHart]

"They could be in Mexico."

That's the most likely scenario, IMO.

Carolyn

[MeekOneGOP]

The last time I heard that was last weekend......watching Apollo 13.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

It's already gone, remember

I didn't, for any reason, want to suggest a REAL target. It seemed funny at the time.........

[TheGrimReaper]

This is going to be bad news for the driving public....
Now, Lee P. Brown will demand that an additional 70,000 traffic tickets be issued to pay for the "misplaced" vehicles!

[Flyer]

I didn't, for any reason, want to suggest a REAL target

Ah ha! A little misinformation. When the ME men are driving all around Baytown (in a Houston police car) asking which way to the tunnel - BINGO! - we have our suspects (and obvious FR lurkers).

[bobbyd]

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

ZZZZZZZZ

[bobbyd]

Are you my high school Biology teacher?

[KevinDavis]

Maybe Barney was in charge of those two cars.

[humblegunner]

I for one consider any lessening of interaction between
Baytown and Houston.. or Anywhere, to be a good thing.

[CDHart]

Sorry -- the closest I came to biology was high school -- we had to dissect a frog -- that was the end of my interest in science.

Carolyn

[Redbob]

Probably related to the NAALCP Convention...

[RikaStrom]

Now, Lee P. Brown will demand that an additional 70,000 traffic tickets be issued to pay for the "misplaced" vehicles!

Heck, his (dis)Honor probably misplaced the cars himself.