An extraordinary event took place in front of Oak Harbor Wal-Mart early Wednesday evening. A two legged “thief”, by most accounts, grabbed the Salvation Army donation kettle and ran like a gazelle to his, her or its freedom no doubt to finish their Christmas shopping.

The kettle was estimated to be valued at about $40.00. There was one witness to the incident but the description of the “thief” was “vague”. This as reported by the Whidbey News Times.

I filed for a report from the Oak Harbor Police Department and was given a redacted report that disclosed the Red Bucket was valued at $40.00, the lock on the bucket was valued at $16.00 and that an estimated $200.00 in cash was in the red bucket.

I asked the Oak Harbor Police for the name of the eyewitness and was denied that information. I asked was the “thief” man, woman, tall, short, fat, thin, white, black, red, yellow, young, middle aged or old. I was told the crime is under investigation and that they could not comment on the crime.

I contacted Wal-Mart (some would call it China-Mart) and I was told they knew nothing and had given all their surveillance tapes to the OHPD.

I contacted the Salvation Army and was told they could not comment on the event. I am puzzled by all this. How do you solve a crime in this manner?

The three main ways in which every crime is solved is by: 1) Community involvement, 2) Criminals rating each other out and 3) Old fashioned flat footed hard nosed police work.

More to follow on this event…

A nice warm Rat Bed

My wife like many wives I suppose is terrified of rats. Whidbey Island could well be named Rat Island for it is infested with rats. In the cold months it should be noted that our rats love the warmth of a cars engine and will quickly build a nest on it.

Rat Whidbey will quickly chew your wires bare, remove insulation, rip up your car seats and dash right up your pants leg if startled by feet stepping on the gas or break pedal.

Rat Attack Technology

My wife insisted on a solution pointing out that this is a husband’s duty. So with marching orders in hand I put in motion male linear thinking and the pictures you see is the result.

Rat Attack Technology

Laugh if you want but several attacks have been repelled. The traps are not big enough to kill the rat but a sharp rap on the nose sends rat to pick on weaker wimpier cars who won’t defend themselves.

The only thing I am concerned about is if my car needs a rat trap carry permit and what the fine is if caught without one.