Funny how things do jog your memory and I sincerely appreciate when someone sends a message.....remember when this happened, or do you remember this person, whatever happened to them. Those type comments always allow my memory a chance to re-boot, whatever spews forth is written about. Well maybe there are some stories needing to remain suspended in anonymity, only to protect the innocent. Then there are those who cry innocent but many know differently.
Many years ago, but during our Fred's News years, a series of burglaries as well as vandalism incidences were on the rise is Sprague. Our resident trooper, worked diligently to find and arrest the culprits. Early one morning as we readied Fred's News for its usual early morning opening, a State Police cruiser pulled up to front door entrance of the restaurant. Although not a first time event, it was odd that he asked to come in early. After apologizing for the inconvenience he said questions were necessary, a robbery had occurred at St. Joseph's School, just a few hundred feet north of the restaurant. He confided, the office had been broken into, the safe had been stolen, a few other objects taken, along with minor vandalism. Not being sure of the exact time the crime had been committed, he'd hoped we might of seen or heard something...anything. Did we hear anyone talking, did we have a possible suspect in mind....all his questions geared along those lines. No, we did not hear voices, but if it were young people, past experiences told us......they'd like to brag. We assured him, if they'd managed to get the safe open, extra money might show up at Fred's News. He thanked us, left his contact numbers and drove away.
As we opened that morning, numerous early morning patrons remarked as well as questioned, "Hey, there are State Police cars at St. Joe's School.........any idea what's going on?" Of course, the story told and re-told many times over. Yet, no one in particular or out of the ordinary stopped in to spend money....money they didn't normally have. Troopers returned, more questions, more ideas thrown around, a few suspects beginning to emerge. The Egg-Nazi and I had comprised a "short-list" of our own suspects, smooth talkers that might perhaps fit the bill. With-in a few hours the troopers again returned, this time we told him we had a list of who we thought might be capable of the crime. Since no clear cut clues stood out....they listened. Although our list had three people, one of the suspects also appeared on their list. Finding that odd, they questioned our reasoning. We told them, the mutual suspect, a young teen, lived very close by, was a very well mannered young man, but had been in trouble many times. They agreed, their reason for putting him on their list as well. One of the troopers mentioned he had questioned the youth's mother, she said he had been home all evening.......Mom had been known to cover for her troubled child before. As new clues emerged, the police almost certain this was "their man", yet the youngster, a tough nut to crack. By some stroke of genius, the trooper mentioned whoever had broken into the school, smoked, having left their crushed cigarette butts all over the office and hallway floors. Knowing this young suspect smoked, his older brother providing him with cigarettes, I knew the kind he preferred, they were purchased at Fred's News. "If they are Marlboro, then you've got your man!" I laughed. Not saying a word, the troopers left. Within a couple of hours, word trickled down to Fred's News our"short-list" suspect had been arrested for the crime. He did admit to the crime, only after they revealed he had left behind cigarette butts........Yes, smoking IS very bad for your health and future!
Many years ago, but during our Fred's News years, a series of burglaries as well as vandalism incidences were on the rise is Sprague. Our resident trooper, worked diligently to find and arrest the culprits. Early one morning as we readied Fred's News for its usual early morning opening, a State Police cruiser pulled up to front door entrance of the restaurant. Although not a first time event, it was odd that he asked to come in early. After apologizing for the inconvenience he said questions were necessary, a robbery had occurred at St. Joseph's School, just a few hundred feet north of the restaurant. He confided, the office had been broken into, the safe had been stolen, a few other objects taken, along with minor vandalism. Not being sure of the exact time the crime had been committed, he'd hoped we might of seen or heard something...anything. Did we hear anyone talking, did we have a possible suspect in mind....all his questions geared along those lines. No, we did not hear voices, but if it were young people, past experiences told us......they'd like to brag. We assured him, if they'd managed to get the safe open, extra money might show up at Fred's News. He thanked us, left his contact numbers and drove away.
As we opened that morning, numerous early morning patrons remarked as well as questioned, "Hey, there are State Police cars at St. Joe's School.........any idea what's going on?" Of course, the story told and re-told many times over. Yet, no one in particular or out of the ordinary stopped in to spend money....money they didn't normally have. Troopers returned, more questions, more ideas thrown around, a few suspects beginning to emerge. The Egg-Nazi and I had comprised a "short-list" of our own suspects, smooth talkers that might perhaps fit the bill. With-in a few hours the troopers again returned, this time we told him we had a list of who we thought might be capable of the crime. Since no clear cut clues stood out....they listened. Although our list had three people, one of the suspects also appeared on their list. Finding that odd, they questioned our reasoning. We told them, the mutual suspect, a young teen, lived very close by, was a very well mannered young man, but had been in trouble many times. They agreed, their reason for putting him on their list as well. One of the troopers mentioned he had questioned the youth's mother, she said he had been home all evening.......Mom had been known to cover for her troubled child before. As new clues emerged, the police almost certain this was "their man", yet the youngster, a tough nut to crack. By some stroke of genius, the trooper mentioned whoever had broken into the school, smoked, having left their crushed cigarette butts all over the office and hallway floors. Knowing this young suspect smoked, his older brother providing him with cigarettes, I knew the kind he preferred, they were purchased at Fred's News. "If they are Marlboro, then you've got your man!" I laughed. Not saying a word, the troopers left. Within a couple of hours, word trickled down to Fred's News our"short-list" suspect had been arrested for the crime. He did admit to the crime, only after they revealed he had left behind cigarette butts........Yes, smoking IS very bad for your health and future!
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