Watercooler Stories

Police: Woman took pictures of flasher

DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Police in Des Moines, Iowa, said a quick-thinking woman took pictures with her cell phone when a man allegedly exposed himself to her.

Investigators said the victim was offered a ride home while a remote starter was being installed in her car Jan. 5 at Elite Styling and Sound, the Des Moines Register reported.

The woman told police Kyle Matthew Thompson, 20, showed up at her home to drive her back to the business later in the day when the work on her car was completed. She said when she entered the vehicle, Thompson's pants were unzipped and he began driving in the wrong direction.

Police said the woman pretended not to notice and used her cell phone to take pictures of Thompson with his pants unzipped. They said Thompson "jerked the wheel across all lanes of traffic" on the freeway to head back in the direction of the store after a friend phoned the woman and she casually gave her location.

Thompson was charged with indecent exposure and taken to the Polk County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bond.

Man allegedly spread videos after breakup

BOLZANO, Italy, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- An Italian man who had an affair with a married woman allegedly e-mailed videos of their encounters to her husband and other relatives after he was dumped.

Police said the 40-year-old woman, from Bolzano, told police her former lover had e-mailed 150 of her friends and relatives, including her husband, with videos, photos and typed descriptions of their sexual encounters, ANSA reported.

Investigators said the suspect allegedly tried to hide his identity when sending the e-mails, but officers believe they can make a case against him in court.

Judicial sources said the man is likely to face criminal charges and the woman may seek monetary damages.

Submariner may lose command for interview

CANBERRA, Australia, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- An Australian submarine commander sailed into rough water when he gave an interview to a men's magazine suggesting female sailors should wear bikinis.

Cmdr. Tom Phillips made some other provocative remarks in an interview with Ralph, an Australian magazine, The Daily Telegraph of Sydney reported. He said wearing a naval uniform helps men "either pull a chick or get in a fight" and that the "going-down club" is the equivalent for submariners of the "mile-high club."

Phillips became the commander of HMAS Farncomb late last year. Now, there are calls to strip him of his command and Defense Minister Warren Snowden said that he does not represent "the new generation Navy."

When the magazine asked if recruitment might pick up "if female sailors all had to be hot and had to wear bikinis," Phillips answered: "It would certainly get the right demographic of young men in. I'm not sure how feasible it is, however."

Zoo statues not Buddha

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 16 (UPI) -- A Buddhist leader said two statues at Missouri's Kansas City Zoo that sparked a complaint from a patron are not images of Buddha, but of a pot-bellied Ho Tai.

Lama Chuck Stanford, executive and spiritual director of the Rime Buddhist Center, spoke after an Overland Park, Kan., man complained to a zoo employee that the statues, which he identified as depictions of Buddha, offended him as a Christian, the Kansas City Star reported.

"I have seen them," Stanford said of the statues. "They are statues of Ho Tai, the patron saint of children in China and Japan. He is closer to Santa Claus."