Story Archive

He Didn’t Blow It for Once

Security officers at a department store in Farmington, Conn., called police after observing a man and two accomplices shoplifting designer handbags. When the ringleader saw police approaching, he ran and tried to steal a car to make a getaway. The good news for the felon was that he found a car sitting idling. The bad news was, he couldn’t get it to move — not because he couldn’t drive a manual transmission, but the car’s owner had an “interlock” device installed that requires the driver to blow into a tube to prove he isn’t drunk before the car will go. He jumped out and ran, but the delay meant officers were able to catch up with him. When they did, the man fought back and had to be Tasered into submission. “What are the odds of that?” said an amused police Lt. Colin Ryan about the interlock-equipped car. “Otherwise, he would have been long gone.” Levar Fulgham, 45, was charged with theft, conspiracy, and interfering with police. One accomplice was also arrested, but the other got away. (RC/Hartford Courant) ...Because he knew how to blow into a tube.