Richland Not Experiencing Shovel-Related Crime Wave

Chivalry may not be dead, but is returning to Pennsylvania to face reckless endangerment charges still alive?

On Sept. 20, two men — Jay A. Watson of Knoxville, Tenn., and Justin D. Emerson of Paris, Texas — allegedly chased down a man and hit his car with shovels after they say they saw him cut off a car filled with women and children. The two men defended themselves, saying they were just being southern gentlemen and, in their home states, they’d probably get some medal for what they did.

Police didn’t have all the info when they first nabbed Watson and Emerson, but now they’ve finally charged the two with reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, conspiracy and mischief. (As well as chivalry, which is illegal up here in the land of the Yankees.)

The police chief of Richland, where the alleged chivalrous actions took place, is making sure that — lest anyone think otherwise — this isn’t an every day thing.

[Police Chief Lawrence] Cerami said road rage incidents in Richland don’t typically escalate to this point.

Well, good to know next time I’m in Richland I can cut people off without fear of being hit by shovels.

Police try to round up suspects in road rage incident [Doylestown Intelligencer]
Sept. 28: Southern Gentlemen Attack Car With Shovels

Southern Gentlemen Attack Car With Shovels

While driving down a highway last week, two men say they saw a man cut off a car filled with small children. But instead of chastising the driver while praising their own driving skills like normal people, these two men chased down the pickup truck and started hitting it with shovels.

But wait, there’s more! Jay Watson (of Knoxville, Tenn.) and Justin Emerson (of Paris, Texas) said what they did was justified because they’re southern gentlemen, and in their home states attacking people’s cars who may have cut off a car filled with children is chivalrous!

A witness said he didn’t see the Sierra cut off anyone, and the truck’s driver reported being unaware of having done so. Nonetheless, Watson and Emerson “felt the need to intervene,” the complaint said.

Intervene they did. (Editor’s Note: Best line in the article. HIlarious.)

The complaint said Watson, the driver, drove his utility truck over the median, sped against traffic and ran two red lights to keep up with the Sierra. The men reportedly claimed they were attempting to get the Sierra’s license plate number.

They caught up with the truck in the parking lot of National Auto. The victim said Emerson hopped out of the utility truck and began yelling obscenities, “kicking in” the Sierra’s driver’s side door and “banging” on his window. The frightened driver sped away.

But Watson and Emerson pursued him east on West Pumping Station Road, then onto California Road. The Sierra’s driver, who had no passengers, was trying to drive to the Richland Police Station, but a wrong turn led him onto American Drive, where Watson and Emerson cornered him on a cul-de-sac.

The pursued driver, at this point, “feared for his life,” said the complaint.

The complaint said Watson positioned his truck so as to block a clear path of escape for the Sierra. He and Emerson grabbed a pair of shovels and attacked the truck, smashing windows and “hitting the hood, bumper, driver’s door and driver’s side window,” the victim reported.

For their chivalrous actions, the two have been charged with reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, conspiracy and mischief.

Still, who knew the penalty for messing with Texas (or Tennessee) was getting attacked with shovels. TMYK.

Southern chivalry or road rage? [Doylestown Intelligencer]

Super size road rage

In more Bucks County crime news — I know, you’re on the edge of your seat here — a 34-year-old man was arrested due to events stemming from a traffic accident on Dec. 6. Right: Nothing too interesting. Traffic accidents happen all the time, and sometimes people get road rage.

This one is kind of special, however. After beeping and honking and crashing into a car at a red light, William Patterson sat in his car as the other driver took down his license plate number. He then backed into the guy, knocking him over. He then fled.

But then Patterson, who was drunk (natch), returned to give the guy the finger. And then he went into a drive through to order a burger and fries, which is where cops found him.

And they say comedy’s tough to do.

Cops: Hungry driver hits, runs, then eats [BCCT]