Brazilian prisons – havens for wealthy convicts?

There have been a series of reports about Brazilian prisons, and the ability of inmates there to run their gangs and criminal enterprises almost with impunity from behind bars. To give just one example, here’s a report from early this month. With a plasma TV, a DVD player, $172,000 in cash, gym equipment, two refrigerators… Continue reading Brazilian prisons – havens for wealthy convicts?

An acrobatic crime

I’m intrigued by a report in the International Herald Tribune. Six Romanians have been arrested on allegations they stole mobile phones and laptops in a daring heist from a tractor-trailer as it roared down the German autobahn at 60 miles (100 kilometers) an hour, Dortmund police said Tuesday. “It was an extremely dangerous stunt —… Continue reading An acrobatic crime

Doofus Of The Day #42

One of Britain’s dumbest has been caught on camera, stealing from an unmarked police car – for the third time. James Milsom, 21, was filmed breaking into the vehicle, just six weeks after he was released from prison for stealing a sat nav from another unmarked police car. The pictures revealed it took him only… Continue reading Doofus Of The Day #42

Doofus Of The Day #41

Today’s doofus is from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Marcus George complied with the law when he reported to a parole officer shortly after his release from prison. Police said he erred, however, when he drove to the meeting in a stolen car. George, 20, was released on parole last week after serving time on burglary and… Continue reading Doofus Of The Day #41

Ever heard of the ‘Grail Movement’?

EDITED TO AMEND THIS ARTICLE AS FOLLOWS: The original reports cited in this article drew attention to a crime reported in June 2008 in the Daily Mail.  It cited alleged links between the criminals involved and the so-called ‘Grail Movement‘.  Subsequent information led to the Daily Mail amending its October 2008 report of the conviction… Continue reading Ever heard of the ‘Grail Movement’?

The most expensive fire you’ll ever see

Australian police have assisted Cambodian authorities in burning a cache of seized sassafras tree oil, containing a precursor chemical used to make the illegal drug ecstasy. The quantity of oil was large enough to make over seven billion dollars worth of the drug. According to a news report: It’s put a huge dent in the… Continue reading The most expensive fire you’ll ever see