By Javier Navarro, P1 Editorial Assistant
When it comes to working in law enforcement, there is never a “routine” day. But every once in a while, officers have an encounter where you had to be there to believe it. Luckily for these officers, they can back up their strange stories with the help of video.
We gathered five of the most bizarre police moments that were captured on camera. From a woman driving with a large tree embedded in her front grille to a half-naked man’s banjo serenade, these moments are some of the strangest of all time.
Have a weird encounter on the beat you’d like to share with us? Tell us yours in the comments section.
1. Video: Ink-faced man running in traffic tells cops ‘I am the law’
In February 2017, police in Denton, Texas were called about a suspicious person running in and out of traffic. Officers then encountered 25-year-old Joseph Augustini, whose face and body were covered with dark ink. During the encounter, a clearly intoxicated Augustini told the officers “I know the law. I am the law.” Police said Augustini continued to give “rambling answers” before being taken into custody. Police found a clear pipe in his hand and residue that tested positive for amphetamines.
2. Video: Ill. police stop driver ‘for driving with large tree embedded in front grille’
https://www.facebook.com/RosellePoliceDepartment/videos/1115297631827166/
All LEOs know there’s no such thing as a routine traffic stop. For one officer in Roselle, Illinois, that couldn’t be more true. In 2016, the officer stopped a woman for driving with a large tree embedded in the front grille of her car. Police said the tree was about 15 feet tall. The driver told police she struck the tree somewhere in her hometown, but didn’t remember where. She was later cited for DUI after failing sobriety tests.
3. Video: 83-year-old man ends police standoff by pushing suspect off roof
Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands. Last year, police were called about a suspected burglar jumping from rooftop to rooftop in a California neighborhood. The suspect stopped on the roof of an 83-year-old man’s home, prompting crisis negotiators to intervene. After about five hours of negotiating, the elderly man said he “got tired” of the man’s antics, climbed to the rooftop himself and pushed the man off.
“The grandpa did what we couldn’t,” Capt. Tim Murakami tweeted after the incident.
4. Video: Goose attacks cop outside police station
An officer apparently ruffled some feathers as he was walking to a police station. Sgt. Detective Ray Hall was walking to the door of the station when a large goose flew at him and attacked. Hall tried to defend himself with his bag, but he ended up falling into a bush. The detective managed to get away, and the goose fled as well.
“Final score: Geese 1, Detective 0,” Lt. Shane Bassett said.
5. Video: Half-nude banjo player serenades Wash. cops during standoff
SWAT officers in Washington were treated to an unusual song and dance performance during a standoff in 2015. Police were called to a home after neighbors saw a naked knife-wielding man, identified as Andrew Helmsworth. The man had gotten into an argument with his father and locked himself in the home. During the ensuing standoff, a half-naked Helmsworth came out of the home playing a banjo and serenaded the officers. After two hours, police shot Helmsworth with less-lethal rounds and took him into custody.