Feathered Friend Nabs Burglars
 

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

?Feathered Friend Nabs Burglars
A larcenous trio were about to pull off a hitch-free burglary ? but weren't counting on a persistent parrot.

Memphis, Tenn., police said Mark Martin, 18, Dallas Davis, 25, and Jarrin Hicks, 21, broke into a home Monday morning, making off with DVD players, radios, computers, TVs and other electronic goodies.

They'd just loaded it all into their car, reported the (Memphis) Commercial Appeal, when one of the men realized a parrot inside the home had heard him call one of the other two "J.J."

Even worse, the parrot liked the name and started saying it over and over: "J.J." "J.J." "J.J."

Cops say the three panicked and went back into the house to steal the parrot as well.

"They were afraid the bird would 'stool' on them," Memphis police Maj. Billy Garrett told the newspaper. "They actually believed he could identify them."

That delay cost the alleged burglars some time. Responding to a neighbor's call, police showed up just as the threesome sped off in their getaway car.


They didn't get far. Their car crashed into a gate a few blocks away and the three fled on foot before being caught.

Unfortunately, the parrot's cage broke during the crash. He flew off and hasn't been seen since.

Burglary victims Felicia Cobbs and her kids hope the bird ? described as being 6 years old, light green, 1 foot tall and answering to the name "Marshmallow" ? comes home soon.

? Thanks to Out There reader Kris P.

:1orglaugh :helpme

It was all a plan. The bird wanted his freedom and stalled the burglars into taking him and he got away just like he wanted. It's the perfect setup.

WG