How do you avoid a crime? By committing a different crime! At least, that was the rationale of a 32-year-old Brice Williams in Livingston Parish. To avoid getting charged with DWI (driving while intoxicated/driving under the influence), he stole an electric shopping cart from Walmart to drive from one bar to another. Meaning, he successfully drove over half a mile away in a cart.
Stealing an Electric Shopping Cart Instead of DWI
However, after he arrived, someone reported him to the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 12:26 a.m. on a Sunday morning. It was a strange sight, seeing a man drive into a parking lot in a shopping cart. When the deputies came to the scene, the stolen car was parked in one of the spots outside the bar, sitting conspicuously between two cars. [1]
When the officers found Williams, they accused him of stealing the electric shopping cart for a joyride. However, he admitted he stole it from Walmart to come to the bar. He didn’t want to get arrested for drunk driving. Mission accomplished, then. He was arrested and charged with felony unauthorized use of a movable. His bond was set at $2,500 [2]
Now, this hilarious incident occurred in 2019, but the United States is no stranger to strange but funny crimes. Especially crimes committed while intoxicated. These stories might be the best encouragement to stay sober.
Read: Man ‘Walking Awkwardly Through Airport’ Had Seven Gold Bars Hidden Up His Bum
Teaching a Dog to Drive
In 2020, a 51-year-old man was arrested for hit-and-run, driving under the influence, reckless driving, and felony eluding. Plus, the car was driving over 100mph at one point. But here’s the twist: his pit bull was in the driver’s seat. The man’s excuse was that he was “trying to teach his dog how to drive.”
“I wish I could make this up,” said Trooper Heather Axtman. “I’ve been a trooper for almost 12 years and wow, I’ve never heard this excuse. I’ve been in a lot of high-speed chases, I’ve stopped a lot of cars, and never have I gotten an excuse that they were teaching their dog how to drive.”
After the owner’s arrest, the dog went to an animal shelter. Hopefully, it got adopted by people who never put it in danger again. [3]
“I’m Jack Sparrow!”
At one point, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise had a major hold on pop culture. In the early 2010’s you couldn’t escape it, especially with the fourth film’s release in 2011. Pirates were what superheroes are now. Keep that in mind with this next story.
One woman, inspired by Johnny Depp’s performance as Captain Jack Sparrow, stole a ferry. No, really. Alison Whelan, hyped on alcohol and “poisonous hallucinogenic plants”, went onto a moored double-decker ferry, released it, and began free-floating. She hit multiple other boats as she embarked. Meanwhile, she screamed, “I’m Jack Sparrow!” and “I’m a pirate!”
When the police arrived, she taunted them, saying, “What are you going to do now?” and “I believe this is out of your jurisdiction.” It took an hour for them to catch her. [4]
Robbing Walmart in an Electric Shopping Cart
Believe it or not, Brice Williams is not the only one arrested for drunk driving on a Walmart shopping cart. In 2019, 53-year-old Tommy Singer in New Mexico took a drunken joyride while shoplifting and threatening store employees with a knife.
While he drove the electric shopping cart and drank, the employees confronted him about the alcohol. He responded with, “What beer?” and turned away. When the police arrived, they found he had stolen $106 worth of stolen products, including makeup, watches, and Budweiser. He was later charged with armed robbery and tampering with evidence. [5] At least he also avoided a DWI.
Keep Reading: African Rain Frogs Look Like Little Angry Avocados
Sources
- “Sheriff: Man steals electric shopping cart from Walmart, drives it to bar to avoid DWI charge.” ABC. November 7, 2019
- “A man stole an electric shopping cart from Walmart and drove it from one bar to another to avoid a DWI, police say.” CNN. Hollie Silverman. November 5, 2019
- “Man arrested after high speed chase told police he was teaching his dog to drive.” USA Today. N’dea Yancey-Bragg. March 31, 2020
- “Woman yelling ‘I’m Jack Sparrow!’ hijacks ferry.” NBC News. Gael Fashingbauer Cooper. September 20, 2012
- “‘What beer?’ Man accused of drunken joyride on electric cart, threatening Walmart worker.” WTKR. May 16, 2019