Best Ghostriding Experience Ever

And let’s get the wacky crime news out of the way now!

A Reading man whose minivan crashed after he climbed on its roof while driving about 55 miles per hour is in fair condition this weekend.

Police in West Reading say the 38-year-old man later stripped naked and led them on a chase along the highway.

Authorities are not identifying the man, who is not charged.

They didn’t even get him on a seat belt violation? Man, this is one lucky naked dude.

Driver crashes, starts naked chase [6 ABC]

Keystone Cops: Billions And Billions Served

Keystone Cops is a look at police, crime and public safety news. It’s rather, uh, easy to do — yesterday, I didn’t even write any jokes! — so it looks like it’s going to happen every day. Smaller logo coming soon, though I love this photo.

• Cops in Bordentown arrested a man selling crack out of the drive-thru at McDonald’s on Route 130. Customers interviewed said it was the Happiest Meal they’ve ever head. [Camden Courier-Post]

• A former school board president in Reading has been arrested for robbing a bank, apparently unaware this is not the 1890s. A current school board member: “He had a lot of good works in the city. That’s got to count for something.” [AP/NBC 10]

• To be honest, I just want to know the backstory of this incident in Richland: “Don Woodward, 68, of Kintnersville, was charged with harassing an employee at the Dollar Tree on North West End Boulevard on Monday, police said. Barbara Woodward, 63, of Kintnersville, faces disorderly conduct charges stemming from the same incident, police said.” [Doylestown Intelligencer]

• And, in Northeast Philly, a car drove into a building, proving that no place is safe from traffic accidents up there. [6 ABC]

Camden Only Nation’s Fifth Most Dangerous

Citizens of Camden, rejoice! Last year’s second straight top spot in the Nation’s Most Dangerous Cities poll was apparently a wake-up call, because Camden has dropped to fifth on the list.

But that’s not all. Philly is 5th most dangerous among cities with a population of 500k or more, while Reading nabbed sixth in the 75k-100k category. On the safe side, Brick Township, N.J., was named safest city overall. State College was named the second safest metro area in the country, which proves that underage drinking really is a victimless crime.

But back to Camden. In lieu of a joke, I present to you Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison’s reaction, as quoted by the Camden Courier-Post: “You made my day! There’s a new hope and a new spirit.

Huzzah, Camden. Huzzah.

Top 25 Dangerous/Safest Cities [Morgan Quitno]
Camden gives up crime title [Camden Courier-Post]
Nov. 18, 2005: Camden: We’re #1! We’re #1!

There’s always a secret motive

A kid from Reading was acquitted yesterday of disorderly conduct and trespassing. On Feb. 15, he put on a gorilla mask and climbed to the top of his high school. He was suspended for 10 days, and ended up graduating and is now in college.

His lawyer claimed his client was just trying to amuse his friends. Maybe. But wouldn’t it be more nefarious (and smart, since he could have gotten paid) if he was doing an early promotion for the new King Kong movie? Peter Jackson will stop at nothing to promote his films!

Teenager acquitted of disorderly conduct in school prank [AP via Metro]