The more things change . . .

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I heard this on the radio this morning and it reminded me of  another incident of ignorant and ill-fated criminals. Long-time readers of the Diner and the duck will recognize the second article.

Real Oakland officer arrests fake officer who tries to pull him over

By Associated Press
1:27 PM PDT, July 25, 2009

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Oakland police say a man impersonating a police officer tried to pull over a real undercover officer and was arrested.

Police say 21-year-old Antonio Fernandez Martinez of Oakland was arrested Wednesday in the Fruitvale district after trying to pull over an unmarked police vehicle. Martinez was driving a Ford Crown Victoria outfitted with flashing lights, a microphone and speakers.

Martinez, a convicted car thief, will have his felony probation revoked and could face a prison term.

In 1973, another criminal had a similar idea – just wait patiently and rob the next idiot that lets his guard down.

The caller was my dad and, as the legend goes, he was on the phone to my mother letting her know he was on his way home.  I have that article on my fridge. It, like the tiny gold shield wih my dad’s badge number, were lifted from my mother’s jewelry box.

It’s incidents like these that actually make me feel safer.  The Law of Averages balances the books, and at least gets the cocky idiots off the streets.