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The skinny

By Times Staff Writer
Published August 30, 2007

No escape

You don't have to be Houdini to break in

For his next trick, Charles Watkins of Scranton, Pa., will have to try to escape from jail. Watkins was arrested on a charge of attempted burglary after breaking into the Houdini Museum in Scranton, a museum dedicated to the famous escape artist of a century ago. He and his cohort managed to get out of the museum, but Watkins did not escape police in an ensuing chase. Museum officials said nothing was taken. Watkins' lovely and talented assistant got away.

Petty theft

Robber just needs $4, thank you

Greenburgh, N.Y., would seem to have a robber on a budget. A man with a knife confronted a teenager in front of a pizza joint and asked for his money. The teen pulls out his wallet and give him a $10 bill. But he tells the kid that he only needs $4 and that he needs to go into the pizza place and break the bill. He does, comes back, gives the guy $4 and the guy splits. Police caught James Mitchell, 48, nearby and charged him with robbery. "This really is an odd case, but it is a robbery," said police Capt. Joseph DeCarlo. There was no indication as to why the man wanted only $4.

Put your Pants up

Drooping drawers face a crack down

The councils in the Louisiana cities of Alexandria and Shreveport have passed ordinances against the fashion statement of saggy pants. "I'm tired of looking at behinds," Shreveport council member Joyce Bowman said after that city passed the measure 4-3. Alexandria's vote was unanimous, but it allows a sag of up to 3 inches, though we're not sure 3 inches from what. If the mayors sign on, it will brings the total of Louisiana cities with such ordinances to six. Violators would face fines, but not arrests.

That stinks

Pot hiding, instead of potty training

A man driving through southeastern Australia thought he had an excellent way to transport his stash of marijuana without getting caught: According to the Australian Associated Press, police found three bags of pot totalling about 2.5 ounces wrapped in dirty diapers. Police found the stash after finding beer and alcohol in the car, which also cannot be smuggled into the Aboriginal community.

Enviro-mental

Beautiful trees, just not right there

Organizers in Hawaii are busy planning the Blue Planet Festival, which they say will be a four-day event promoting clean and alternative energy in Honolulu. And they want officials on Magic Island to uproot 15 trees that they think will be in the way, according to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Another environmental group, Outdoor Circle, is none too keen on the idea and is asking the city to deny the request.

Compiled from Times wire services and other sources by staff writer Jim Webster, who can be reached at jwebster@sptimes.com.

[Last modified August 30, 2007, 00:28:33]