UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Police tracked suspect by Facebook pics

MANCHESTER, England, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Police in Britain said they were able to keep track of a jewel thief, and eventually arrest him, thanks to pictures he posted on Facebook.

Investigators in Manchester, England, said Charles Rodriguez, 31, a suspected member of the Latin Kings gang, and another man allegedly beat a jeweler who was returning from a sales trip in October 2011 and stole more than $100,000 of diamonds and pearls from the trunk of his car, ABC News reported Tuesday.

Police soon learned Rodriguez had used a false passport to travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and posted pictures of his vacation on Facebook. The suspect's Facebook page then indicated he had traveled to Colombia, which does not have an extradition treaty with Britain.

Investigators said they learned Rodriguez was back in Britain in late 2012 when he posted pictures online of himself Christmas shopping and sightseeing in London.

London police pulled Rodriguez over for driving suspiciously and his identity was confirmed.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to robbery this week and has been sentenced to five years, four months in prison.

Man gave wedgies for YouTube video

BRADENTON, Fla., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Police in Florida said they arrested a YouTube prankster accused of giving wedgies to strangers at a movie theater.

Manatee County sheriff's deputies said Charles Ross, 18, of Bradenton, and a friend went to the Royal Palm Theater Sunday night and Ross began giving wedgies to strangers while his friend took video footage, the Bradenton Herald reported Tuesday.

Deputies said most of the alleged victims were too embarrassed to press charges, but one said charges would be filed.

Investigators said Ross is known by local law enforcement for pranks he pulls for his YouTube videos.

Ross and his friend were ejected from the theater and told they would be arrested if they returned. The camera was seized as evidence.

Stolen bulldog returned to owner

TOWN 'N COUNTRY, Fla., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- A French bulldog stolen from a Florida man at gunpoint was found by a man less than a mile away from the location of the theft.

The Hillsborough Sheriff's Office said Derek McComber, 27, told deputies he was walking his dog, Bueller, Friday in Town 'N Country when a Honda Civic containing two men pulled up nearby and one of the men emerged, the Tampa Bay Times reported Tuesday.

The man asked what sort of dog Bueller is, and stole the dog at gunpoint upon learning he was a French bulldog.

Gregory Sakas said he found the dog outside his home Saturday morning. He made "found dog" signs to put up at local veterinary clinics and soon learned the animal had been stolen at gunpoint.

Sakas contacted the sheriff's office, which put him in touch with McComber.

He said the bulldog seemed pleased to be reunited with his human.

"He was all over him, man," Sakas said. "They knew each other for sure."

Principal in 'Terminator' video keeps job

EVERETT, Mass., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- School officials in Massachusetts said a principal has been suspended for two days for creating a video parody of "The Terminator" and showing it to students.

Everett Schools Superintendent Frederick Foresteire said the School Committee met with Everett High School Principal Erick Naumann and his lawyers for more than an hour Monday before hearing words of support from teachers, staff members and students, The Boston Globe reported Tuesday.

Foresteire said after the meeting Naumann will not be fired.

"I have known Mr. Naumann all of his life, including the 15 years he's been employed here," Foresteire said. "He's a strong leader, he made the wrong decision on the video ... but I certainly don't think he should be terminated."

The video depicts Naumann walking the halls of the school dressed as Arnold Schwarzenegger from the "Terminator" series of films. A teacher asks him where the students are, and he responds that they have been "Naumannated."

The video was shown during the school's morning announcements.