Security spooks off a scrapper from the Presbyterian Church at 29th and Serentity.
I'm three blocks away
The plate is buried in my box.
I punch it in and launch to the church.
When the air is clear, I snag the mike,
Hey L-C, truck belongs to Sly Mike.
L-C has PC on Sly Mike. He's been looking for him since late November.
The lot is empty when I arrive.
Dispatch chimes in, "The truck was last seen east on Serenity, and then, North into the blocks and 32nd.
Straight Pipe, take 39th and the Breakers.
L-C is rolling in from 39th. Double S is close enough to play.
L-C says, "He'll run. Last time, he pulled into a driveway and darked out. Security says he's carrying a butcher knife between the seats."
We box in the area and scour the side streets.
He's driving a rattle can black Ford. It's hard to hide.
Twenty minutes roll by. He has to be gone.
I pull out of a parking lot and onto 28th just south of Serenity. There's the truck with Sly Mike inside.
I've got the the truck. Southbound from Serenity heading to Whimsy. I am going to follow him until I have a couple cars with me. Permission to pre-emptive P.I.T.
The Sergeant chimes in, "What's he wanted for?"
L-C answers, "Burg and he'll run."
"P.I.T. authorized."
Sly Mike is driving like a saint.
At 28th and Whimsy, Straight Pipe and L-C are waiting for me.
He turns onto Whimsy.
L-C boxes him from the front. I close on his rear bumper. Straight Pipe takes my left flank.
We light him up, flood his windows with take-down and spot lights.
I pop out of the car, Glock drawn and point it at his head.
Mikey. Put those hands out the window where I can see 'em.
He complies.
I stalk up, grab his left hand, reverse the wrist, and bar the arm against the close side of the window.
Keep those hands up there. We know you have a butcher knife.
L-C comes up on my hip.
I want L-C to take his right hand.
L-C closes.
Sly Mike smiles. His eyes twinkle. He drops his right hand and reaches down between the door and the seat.
I twist his arm harder, pulling back toward the door jamb.
I will shoot you if you don't put that hand back out the window.
He blinks, lowers the arm, and brings it back out the window empty handed.
"It's just my scrapping knife."
L-C grabs Mike's right hand and we take him into custody.
Nice snatch. I hope you get the employee of the month parking place for that.
The scrappers here have taken everything not nailed down. One crew did get a surprise when they tried to renovate an Environmental Protection Agency priority clean-up site though. It took multiple washings to get the glow out of their clothing.
Posted by: slamdunk | February 16, 2014 at 08:18 PM
Very glad all ended well and that his hand came up empty. My heart would be jumping out of my chest if I had to do that.
Thanks for sharing. Your style of writing really brings it home. Well done to you and the rest of your crew.
Posted by: jay | February 17, 2014 at 02:01 PM
@Jay,
The stop was moments away from a shooting. I think he was going for the knife, but decided against it at the last second.
@ SD,
This is another one for your series of shoot, don't shoot.
Cheers,
RD
Posted by: RD | February 17, 2014 at 02:34 PM
Heart in the throat moment. Relieved everyone made it out physically unscathed.
Posted by: PPG/K2 | February 18, 2014 at 10:06 AM