Community Corner

Weird News: Designer Chewed Shoes for Sale, Loyal TD Bank Robber, Congress Saves on Landscaping and, Whoa, Boy!

Plus, what's more popular than Congress? Just about everything.

By Beth Lawton

Editor's Note: Patch has 31 sites in Virginia and D.C., and not a day goes by that something weird isn't happening somewhere in the area. Here's a look back at some weird goings-on over the past week.

Jack the Canine Artist: Dog Chews Designer Shoes, Owner Posts to eBay

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A dog in the Rose Hill area of Fairfax County seems to have expensive taste. Rose Hill resident Terrence Nowlin was surprised — and quite impressed — when his dog, Jack, chewed through approximately one-third of Nowlin’s left shoe, ruining the pair of $200 Cole Haan wingtips. Jack’s work of art is now for sale on eBay.

Police Believe Suspect in Bank Robbery is the 'Beacon Hill Bandit'

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The “Beacon Hill Bandit” is expanding his territory, but he’s still loyal to TD Bank. A man is believed to have robbed the same TD Bank location on Richmond Highway six times now — the most recent incident was Oct. 4. On Thursday, Fairfax County Police believe the same man robbed a TD Bank in Annandale.

Police: 18-Year-Old Wakes to Find Strange Man in Kitchen

An 18-year-old Arlington woman woke up last weekend at 2:30 a.m. and found a strange man in her kitchen, according to Arlington County Police.

Investigators believe the man entered the residence, in the 6100 block of North Wilson Boulevard, through a window. No word on whether the man offered to get the homeowner a midnight snack.

Occoquan: More Haunted Than Previously Believed

Local ghost tour guide and paranormal investigator Kay Pietrewicz has collected even more ghostly tales this year, just in time to guide visitors through the haunted streets of Occoquan during Halloween season.

Hemorrhoids, Fungus, Dog Poop More Popular Than Congress, Poll Reports

What are some things more popular than Congress right now? Some pretty unpleasant things, some of which require medical attention. Hemorrhoids, toenail fungus and dog poop are all more popular than Congress, according to a Public Policy Polling report released Tuesday. The survey found that of the registered voters polled, 85 percent disapprove of Congress.

Phone Jacking Suspecting Asked Victim to Call His Brother Before Stealing Phone

A thief asked a woman to make a phone call for him from her cell phone just seconds before he stole the phone, Manassas City Police said. The suspect asked the victim to call his brother for him while standing at a bus stop in Manassas. The victim agreed and when the call reached voicemail, handed the phone to the suspect to leave a message, police said. That's when the suspect took off with the phone.

Random Man Mows Lincoln Memorial Lawn

While the federal shutdown has U.S. National Park Service grounds maintenance teams sitting at home instead of moving the lawn, it probably isn't a good idea to take the government's landscaping into your own hands.  That's what happened on Wednesday when a random man decided to unload his lawnmower and cut the grass at the Lincoln Memorial while carrying the South Carolina state flag.

So a Horse Walks Into a Party…

No, it’s not a joke. An Animal Control officer saw a person walking a horse down a sidewalk in a residential area of Alexandria. The officer greeted the horse’s handler and inquired about what they were doing and where they were headed. The handler said they were on their way to give rides at a girl’s birthday party nearby. The Animal Control officer spoke with the owner of the company that sent the horse and issued a warning citation before allowing the horse and handler to carry on toward their party. In the City of Alexandria, horses are not generally allowed unless specifically permitted and licensed.


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