Uncomfortably Nearby Crimewatch

[beamjockey]

Monday morning, about three blocks from our house, this happened:

Marilyn Bethell of the 2500 block of Quail Court was not in her car when two armed men were involved in the crash, and as of press time, Aurora police believe the certified drug and alcohol counselor might have met with foul play. [...]

Witnesses told police they saw Bethell's Honda being driven fast by a black male, southbound on White Barn Road. It was followed by a maroon or red car, possibly a Dodge Intrepid, which was occupied by a male of unknown race, police said.

According to police, when the Honda tried to turn west onto Stoney Brook Lane, it fish-tailed and the driver lost control. The Honda swerved and struck the parked car.

The driver then got out of Bethell's Honda and was struck by the second car, which at first appeared to be chasing him, according to police. But the male got up off the roadway and jumped into the car that had just hit him, police said.

Both men then sped off westbound. Witness said both men were carrying guns, according to police.

Aurora Police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said officers then found signs at Bethell's house and in her car that lead them to believe she might have met with foul play.

This morning, I saw eight Aurora Police cars and a "mobile command post" parked at the gazebo park on White Barn Road. A hundred people are searching the forest preserve adjacent to Bethell's house. TV news helicopters are scanning my neighborhood.

It's interesting that WMAQ provides on the Web not only a finished interview piece, but also raw helicopter video feed, just hours after they come in.

Comments

[shsilver.livejournal.com]

Just a lot too close for comfort. I've never been in that situation, but Elaine has been in an office emptied for a bomb threat and was kept late at work one day because an escaped convict had crashed near her office and was known to be on foot and armed in the area.

[gomeza.livejournal.com]

Yikes. I hope she turns up okay, but I fear the odds are against it.

[von-krag.livejournal.com]

People forget just how close we really do live to the edge of civil society. This makes me wonder just where in the universe anti-gun rights people live.

Guns are not good self defense.

[gypsy1969.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure what you mean by "anti-gun rights" people. Do you mean people who believe in gun control? I believe in it because I've known at least 5 people over the years who have died by their own gun. Once by their own hand and the other 4+ times from someone else. Actually now that I think about it, I know as many people who have died from gun violence as cancer. Shotguns are fine, but rifles that can be converted to automatic weapons and handguns must be in the hands of professionals (i.e. military & police) and not the average Joe or Jane.

Re: Guns are not good self defense.

[von-krag.livejournal.com]

I don't want to hi-jack this into a GC thread. If you'd like to discuss this with me, my email is vonkrag at mac dot com. I'd love to hear from you.

[gypsy1969.livejournal.com]

I hope this was a very rare occurence and usually your neighborhood is quiet and nice. I also hope they find her soon as well as the cause so people in the area can not worry.