So I'm walking along yesterday, minding my own business...

...on my way home from Spoiled Brats (my main pet supply place), when a police car pulls up on the street next to me. Normally I wouldn't pay any attention to this since, as a NYer, this happens on a frequent enough basis that I find it unremarkable. This time, however, there was a loud popping noise (later identified as an usually loud car door unlocking) which caused me to swivel my head towards the sound...taking in subconsciously at the same time the fact that someone was approaching me and ducking between two parked cars. Again, this was hardly unusual. SuperMilkChan herself has frequently been known to slink between cars parked on her block to illegally cross the street. It only became relevant when the two cops got out of the car and one started calling after "Mr. Ruiz" and the other questioned aloud, "Where'd he go?"

Mr. Ruiz had apparently made plans that didn't include going peacefully with the nice officers, and made an attempt to ditch them. Unfortunately for Mr. Ruiz, he was one of those stupid criminals you see on TV. I looked back where I had seen the shadowy figure, and instead of seeing a person, I saw a pair of white sneakers sticking out from under a parked car.

Now this is one of those things that make you stop and think...do I laugh (as I so desperately want to) or do I tell the po-po where Mr. Ruiz has secreted himself? While part of my brain was pondering this deep philosophical question, another part of my brain was making my face bunch up with confusion at the illogical, comedic, pathetic attempt to disappear, and my right index finger point incriminatingly at the sneakers and mouth, "He's right there," to the Boys in Blue.

They weren't the brightest cops I've ever met...I had to motion to them three times before they got the picture.

Fortunately for them I don't Good Samaritan for praise or glory, cause I didn't get so much as a wave or a quiet word of thanks. If it hadn't been for me, they probably wouldn't have found him.

And if he hadn't been so stupid, Mr. Ruiz may well have gotten away.

And had I been a German tourist, I would have photos to go along with this tale...