Small Bits of News

Liquor store owner told to stop taking shoplifters' shoes
Police are telling a Durango liquor store owner to give shoplifters the boot — literally.
Tired of losing what he says was about $1,000 worth of merchandise a month in thefts, Gabe Fidanque started telling shoplifters he caught that they had two choices: Give him one of their shoes or he'd call the police.
A handful gave up a shoe. But Durango police told Fidanque on Friday to stop the practice or risk facing charges of felony robbery.
Shoplifting, in contrast, is a misdemeanor.
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Tobacco store in unfair squeeze
Rick Arora is caught in a situation you would only expect to find in a dark comedy about bureaucracy run amok. If he covers up the historic signs on Old Morris Tobacconists, the City of Victoria is threatening big fines.
If he doesn't, the Vancouver Island Health Authority plans to charge him under provincial laws banning tobacco ads and displays where people under 19 can see them.
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Robbery suspect who pretended to be clerk arrested
A suspect in a bizarre robbery has been caught. Mesa police allege Marc Antoine Stovall called a 7-11 store April 27, falsely said he was a new employee, arranged for training and then went to the store and was shown how to use the cash register.
Later that day, police said the 21-year-old returned, purchased several items, including a roll of duct tape, but then had said he didn't want the tape.
An hour later, Stovall came back to buy beer. When the clerk commented about his first name after he provided her with photo ID, he allegedly pulled a gun, forced the woman into a bathroom and bound her with duct tape.
Stovall then went back out front, pretended to be the clerk and was helping customers when the real clerk broke free, emerged with a gun and Stovall fled with some money.
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Crash Landing
First time skydiver Natalie Gabriel, 27, was brought down from a 60ft tree after becoming wedged in its branches.
The Liverpool University student's dream jump fast became a nightmare when she mistook the direction of the gusting wind and became wedged between branches 60ft off the ground.
Police, fire crews and paramedics rushed to the scene as Natalie dangled dangerously in the upper branches.
She found herself sitting on the branches, but began slipping down the tree as they gave way.
Pictures