So, yesterday was crazy. After a nine mile breakout bikeride and some intense change in work plans, I was at home about 11:30 am when I got a call. Toshio's sister, Meki, had called because there were cops-a lot of cops- out front. I looked out the window and my heart dropped before it raced. I hung up, took photos and video and alerted one media outlet. From there, things got crazy.
With fully automatic assault weapons, rifles, a sniper and team of about ten, police aimed their weapons at the side of a small, church like building. They assumed that position for an incredibly long time, some of them farther back in the road, others right in the front walkway. My instinct was to leave as even more cops showed up, as I overheard one officer deploy the sniper to the alleyway on 924 East and the radio a buzz with orders for nearby officers to help lock traffic down and clear the neighborhood. Not without my own resources for information, I quickly learned that the activity was in response to a man, about 120 lbs with short bleached blonde hair, who had escaped custody and assaulted an officer. The man was armed and considered dangerous. My eyes scanned the crowd that was forming across the street. Some were on lookers and thrill seekers, but others were people concerned about family in their homes they couldn't get to, their pets that could be heard barking and wimpering with all the commotion and more who just needed to get to the cars now blocked by officers and heavy firepower.
The cameras started to show up, more people gathered and I felt it a community obligation to go offer harbor for anyone who wanted to just come sit or use my office while the events played olut. Although I was immediatley next door, I was likely in the safest spot because my place was most surrounded. Although I had heard them loudly complaining to officers just prior, all rejected my offer of coming inside. They were all on lookers, save for one.
John, a man from the neighborhood and an owner of a local commercial recycling company, got a call from his wife, exclaiming that she had just caught a man in the garage and that she'd spoken to him for what seemed to be about ten minutes-righ up until he bolted when cops could be heard in the background. After a tossle with an officer, the young man escaped, leaving behing an almost cliche piece of shirt on a thorny bush.
For three hours, K9 units, officers and neighbors looked for and talked about the suspect. Interesting perspectives formed and a lot of questions were asked. Where did he escape from, what is he wearing? All legitimate, none answered. One man who fit the description was frisked on the corner of the Fresh Market parking lot. When no one was found, all but a few of the cop cars and officers left. Only the K9 units and a few patrol and undercover cars were left. Feeling less than safe, I checked the locks and kept working.
Hours later, I just so happened to look outside to see the officers talking to someone in the back seat of one of the cop cars. A little embarassed, I walked downstairs to see if they did have the suspect, which the officers confirmed. I turned to walk away, but snapped one picture as I left.
With fully automatic assault weapons, rifles, a sniper and team of about ten, police aimed their weapons at the side of a small, church like building. They assumed that position for an incredibly long time, some of them farther back in the road, others right in the front walkway. My instinct was to leave as even more cops showed up, as I overheard one officer deploy the sniper to the alleyway on 924 East and the radio a buzz with orders for nearby officers to help lock traffic down and clear the neighborhood. Not without my own resources for information, I quickly learned that the activity was in response to a man, about 120 lbs with short bleached blonde hair, who had escaped custody and assaulted an officer. The man was armed and considered dangerous. My eyes scanned the crowd that was forming across the street. Some were on lookers and thrill seekers, but others were people concerned about family in their homes they couldn't get to, their pets that could be heard barking and wimpering with all the commotion and more who just needed to get to the cars now blocked by officers and heavy firepower.
The cameras started to show up, more people gathered and I felt it a community obligation to go offer harbor for anyone who wanted to just come sit or use my office while the events played olut. Although I was immediatley next door, I was likely in the safest spot because my place was most surrounded. Although I had heard them loudly complaining to officers just prior, all rejected my offer of coming inside. They were all on lookers, save for one.
John, a man from the neighborhood and an owner of a local commercial recycling company, got a call from his wife, exclaiming that she had just caught a man in the garage and that she'd spoken to him for what seemed to be about ten minutes-righ up until he bolted when cops could be heard in the background. After a tossle with an officer, the young man escaped, leaving behing an almost cliche piece of shirt on a thorny bush.
For three hours, K9 units, officers and neighbors looked for and talked about the suspect. Interesting perspectives formed and a lot of questions were asked. Where did he escape from, what is he wearing? All legitimate, none answered. One man who fit the description was frisked on the corner of the Fresh Market parking lot. When no one was found, all but a few of the cop cars and officers left. Only the K9 units and a few patrol and undercover cars were left. Feeling less than safe, I checked the locks and kept working.
Hours later, I just so happened to look outside to see the officers talking to someone in the back seat of one of the cop cars. A little embarassed, I walked downstairs to see if they did have the suspect, which the officers confirmed. I turned to walk away, but snapped one picture as I left.
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