Sideshows are a scourge across the nation and can be difficult for law enforcement to wrangle, but at least there’s some consistency on what cops should expect to deal with: car and bike enthusiasts, both as spectators and participants. Human spectators and participants.
Officers in Vallejo, California recently busted up one with what callers estimated to be 500 cars (this could be a fat-finger situation with the PD’s report – 50 sounds a lot more realistic). After a brief chase with one alleged participant, officers found a 10-foot reticulated python in an abandoned Cadillac CTS.
That’s right, in the line of duty, the police happened upon a big ol’ snake at a sideshow. Let’s step back in time a little and break down exactly how they ended up in the situation.
According to the Vallejo Police Department, callers reported a sideshow at the intersection of Mare Island Way and Harbor Way a little after 11 p.m. on August 23. The callers reported that dozens of cars were participating, so multiple agencies responded including Vallejo PD, Solano County, American Canyon PD, Cal Maritime PD, Benicia PD, and CHP along with its Air Operations division. That’s when things get really spicy, as the helo overhead reported a Cadillac shining a powerful laser (while doing donuts, no less) into the chopper.
Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the sedan but the driver decided to flee the scene, driving almost ten miles before ultimately bailing and leaving the CTS behind in Hercules, California. Three passengers were on board as well, who also ran. A fourth passenger did not run, as it was a snake.
All of that drama resulted in exactly no success for any of the occupants, as police caught up with each of them. They arrested the driver on felony evading charges and cited the three other occupants. There’s no word on if the snake is facing any sort of discipline aside from being reunited with its owner after the fact.
One photograph shows an epic officer posing with it. Few people are comfortable around snakes in general and even fewer would be okay with one this size hanging around their neck. Not only was this public servant comfortable, but she looked happy about it despite coming across this during her work day.
Notably, pythons of this sort can be dangerous, but incident rates are low. That’s especially good since their teeth are angled backward and to get out of their mouth one needs to go deeper in first. Kudos to that awesome officer and the departments that worked together to safely end the pursuit, and a special shout to Officer Cool With Snakes.
Pointing lasers at aircraft is a BIIIIIG no no and will land that moron in way more trouble than just being at a sideshow. It’s a federal offense and anyone stupid enough to do it will most likely be caught because they do not fuck when it comes to that.