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Prank Call Blamed for $50,000 in Damage to Conway (Arkansas) Hotel (Set down your drink alert)
KARK 4 News ^ | June 9, 2009 | Lauren Lea

Posted on 06/10/2009 11:15:03 AM PDT by Zakeet

It happened at about 6:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Express on Sanders Street.

Police say a person called the front desk and said they were an employee at a fire sprinkler service. Officer Sharen Carter says the caller told the clerk there was a problem with the sprinklers and the clerk needed to reset them by pulling the fire alarm. She complied, which caused the alarm go off.

Police say the caller then told her to pull the lever on the fire alarm down, but she was unable to do so. Carter says the caller then instructed the clerk that she needed to break the windows to keep the sprinklers from activating. The clerk and a hotel guest then started breaking the windows with a fire extinguisher.

His instructions didn't end there. The caller then told the clerk she needed to remove a portion of a sprinkler head to keep it from going off. Carter says the clerk broke off the sprinkler head, but that caused the hotel to start flooding. The caller instructed them that they needed to reset the control panel for the system. The hotel guest said they were unable to do so because of the water from the sprinkler and the caller said they must shut off the power to the hotel.

The two complied and when law enforcement finally arrived, about 150 guests were waiting outside in the parking lot.

KARK 4 contacted the hotel guest who assisted the clerk. He said he had no comment but he called this a "domestic act of terrorism." Hotel managers declined to comment.

(Excerpt) Read more at arkansasmatters.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; US: Arkansas
KEYWORDS: arkansas; crime; vandalism

Two centuries of inbreeding have developed a native son that is, to put it mildly, none too bright.

1 posted on 06/10/2009 11:15:03 AM PDT by Zakeet
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To: Zakeet

Is your refrigerator running?


2 posted on 06/10/2009 11:16:56 AM PDT by Always Right (Obama: more arrogant than Bill Clinton, more naive than Jimmy Carter, and more liberal than LBJ.)
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To: Zakeet

I can positively confirm one thing from the facts given in this story:

The hotel clerk and the guest were Obama supporters.


3 posted on 06/10/2009 11:18:18 AM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: Zakeet

Has this hotel been in the news recently? has it made someone angry?


4 posted on 06/10/2009 11:18:28 AM PDT by GeronL (http://libertyfic.proboards.com <----go there now,----> tyrannysentinel.blogspot.com)
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To: Always Right

Do you have Prince Albert in a can?


5 posted on 06/10/2009 11:19:31 AM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: PBRSTREETGANG

is your back tire going forward?


6 posted on 06/10/2009 11:21:50 AM PDT by bikerman (Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.)
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To: Zakeet
They walk among us.........
7 posted on 06/10/2009 11:22:13 AM PDT by OB1kNOb (I asked my broker what he's buying today. He replied: "Canned food and ammunition.")
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To: PBRSTREETGANG

Somewhere, there is a radio host sweating...because he decided this would be a good prank to pull while on the air...


8 posted on 06/10/2009 11:24:14 AM PDT by stylin_geek (Greed and envy is used by our political class to exploit the rich and poor.)
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To: GeronL
My mother tells the story about a neighbor in her small home town, back when telephones first became available. The trickster called and said they were from the phone company and would she take time to place a paper bag or bread bag over the phone because the company was going to use compressed air that afternoon to "blow the dust out of the phone lines."
A half hour later, another call was placed and the victim let it ring over and over, not wanting to release the dust.
Finally, the woman answered the phone and screamed, "They're blowing out the lines...don't you call again, you idiot."
9 posted on 06/10/2009 11:24:24 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

haha


10 posted on 06/10/2009 11:25:58 AM PDT by GeronL (http://libertyfic.proboards.com <----go there now,----> tyrannysentinel.blogspot.com)
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To: Zakeet

The bank I worked at back in the 80s had a network to the mainframe that was a token ring network. One day on of the loan officers unplugged her computer from the network thus killing the whole network. Not being able to resist a chance for what was even then a classic I made her look for the token for almost an hour.


11 posted on 06/10/2009 11:29:13 AM PDT by CougarGA7 (I knew that Whopper was angry, but I didn't think it would try to kill me!)
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To: Zakeet

I’d call it a “domestic act of stupidity.”

I wonder what kind of letter of recommendation that clerk will get from the hotel? “A compliant employee who follows directions well”?


12 posted on 06/10/2009 11:29:27 AM PDT by Swordmaker (Remember, the proper pronunciation of IE is "AAAAIIIIIEEEEEEE!)
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To: Zakeet

I’m surprised that nobody had to take their clothes off.


13 posted on 06/10/2009 11:30:07 AM PDT by MarineBrat (The New York Times is a Communist Kamikaze.)
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To: Zakeet

They should put a dog at the front counter.


14 posted on 06/10/2009 11:30:25 AM PDT by Red in Blue PA (If guns cause crime, then all of mine are defective!)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

Back when I was a kid, the trick was to call someone and tell them you were from the phone company and due to them being a good customer, the phone company was going to give you a longer line. You tell them that you would be letting it out on your end and they just needed to give it a good solid pull.


15 posted on 06/10/2009 11:31:37 AM PDT by Anitius Severinus Boethius
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To: stylin_geek

I wondered the same thing ...funny morning radio folks. Not so funny when you get someone so gullible.

I think the shear ignorance/stupidity of the clerk and the ambition of the prankster let it get out of control.

I can see where the clerk after absurdedly pulling the fire alarm comming back on the phone and saying, “The fire alarm is going off. What do I do?” to which the parnkster was likely surprised to be asked and started thinking on his feet with more directions. I expect the prankster was shocked that the ruse went so far and is now sweating bullets. Phone records should pretty quickly reveal the culprit.


16 posted on 06/10/2009 11:35:42 AM PDT by Tenacious 1 (Government For the People - an obviously concealed oxymoron)
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To: CougarGA7

Many years ago, as a teenager, I worked at a “service station.” They don’t have those anymore. I did simple reapairs... flat tires, headlights, oil changes, turn signal bulbs, brake lights, etc.

An all knowing 30 something woman comes in with an older car car. Her turn signals were not working. She asked me to check the “turn signal fluid.” She had obviously been coached to ask about this and I didn’t have the heart to tell her she;d been had. I changed the fuse and told here the fluid level was fine. $8 and she was on her way.

I had another lady come in and ask about rotating her tires. I gave her the price $25 or something. She said ok and I got started. I got the car on the lift and started to remove the tires. She asked why I had to take the tires off. I explained what rotating the tires meant and asked if she also needed them balanced. The conversation got interesting from there.

I have more. The stories from working there go on forever. How to clean pee from a radiator? Where is the flush thingy for the radiator? Garden hose for a radiator fix?


17 posted on 06/10/2009 11:46:00 AM PDT by Tenacious 1 (Government For the People - an obviously concealed oxymoron)
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To: Tenacious 1

Sounds like you have a treasure trove of stories from that service station. :) I was a victim of my own ignorance back while a scout. Spent 20 minutes going from campsite to campsite looking for left handed smoke shifter only to be directed to the next campsite. Happens to the best of us I guess!


18 posted on 06/10/2009 11:55:47 AM PDT by Crolis (Kill your television!)
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To: Tenacious 1

Speaking of radio pranks, there’s one going around the internet that’s a classic. Even better, I was listening to the station when it happened.

Radio station would call up a boyfriend or girlfriend, pretending to offer free roses sent to a loved one, meanwhile, significant other would be listening in to the call.

One gal was sure she’d receive the roses, knew her boyfriend loved her, etc.

Yeah, turned out the guy was married...call ended badly, to say the least.


19 posted on 06/10/2009 12:01:09 PM PDT by stylin_geek (Greed and envy is used by our political class to exploit the rich and poor.)
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To: Anitius Severinus Boethius
We returned from overseas in 1961 and always had first class phones, courtesy the US Army Signal Corps. In a small Iowa town, we had party line "ringer' phones. Our ring was two shorts and one long.
I mentioned to my mother than the people with one long ring sure got a lot of calls...
20 posted on 06/10/2009 12:02:49 PM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: CougarGA7

Well, even now, you can pull that one off. I’m constantly amazed at how computer illiterate people are, even the youngsters who grew up with them.


21 posted on 06/10/2009 12:05:17 PM PDT by stylin_geek (Greed and envy is used by our political class to exploit the rich and poor.)
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To: Zakeet

I doubt that clerk will be trusted to work alone again!


22 posted on 06/10/2009 12:06:51 PM PDT by Teflonic
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To: Zakeet
To a sporting goods store:

"Do you have tennis balls?"

"Yes."

"Oh, man....I have tennis elbow. That must hurt like hell."

23 posted on 06/10/2009 12:11:12 PM PDT by Allegra ( Never argue with an idiot. They bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.)
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To: Crolis
The Army had some great standard practical jokes...

Give a Private a hammer and tell them to find the soft spots in the side of the APC. Send a recruit to the commo shop for a "can of squelch". And of course each new Private would need to be sent to the POL point (petroleum/oil/lubricants) to get a can of ID10T.

A few weeks before redeploying back to Germany from Kuwait in '91, I overheard a lowly 2nd Lieutenant asking the S3 office (a Major) for his company's plane tickets. The Major didn't miss a beat and asked the 2LT if he'd like a window or aisle seat. I almost fell on the floor over that one.

24 posted on 06/10/2009 12:15:37 PM PDT by DesertSapper (God, Family, Country . . . . . . . . . . and dead terrorists!!!)
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To: Zakeet

Blame it on hillbillies if you want to like a northern liberal would, but I am blaming it on foreigners who are Obama voters.


25 posted on 06/10/2009 12:16:34 PM PDT by CodeToad (If it weren't for physics and law enforcement I'd be unstoppable!)
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To: Crolis
Smoke Shifter...LOL

I am in construction now and the pranks go on forever.

I had an intern (Virat) tell me he called two equipment vendors looking for a stud stretcher. He wanted to know who else he should call. I told him to stop calling vendors and tell Winston (the Superintendent) to use his hog puller instead. We can't afford a stud stretcher.

Apparently both vendors he called played along too.

26 posted on 06/10/2009 12:17:05 PM PDT by Tenacious 1 (Government For the People - an obviously concealed oxymoron)
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To: OB1kNOb

They walk among us.........

and they vote, too......


27 posted on 06/10/2009 12:17:50 PM PDT by Magnolia
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To: Tenacious 1

We’re getting ready to trim an F-16 in the Hush House. I tell our new, young airman (Larry Edwards), that we need the keys for the aircraft - they must be down at the AMU.

Larry jumps in the truck, drives down to the 428th, and asks about aircraft keys. He’s directed to a flight chief, then a captain, and finally the squadron commander who goes through his desk drawer, cussing out the pilot who kept the key and didn’t leave a spare. Larry comes back to find us running the jet - and I have to explain to him that we had to hotwire it to get it running.


28 posted on 06/10/2009 12:19:00 PM PDT by Tennessee_Bob (Save the Hispaniolan Solenodon!)
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To: Tenacious 1
I had an intern (Virat) tell me he called two equipment vendors looking for a stud stretcher

Board streacher's on the sky lift right now. You'll have to get it later.

29 posted on 06/10/2009 12:24:14 PM PDT by Dosa26
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To: DesertSapper

Standard jokes when I was in the Navy:

Send the new seaman to Engineering to get a BT punch.

Send the new seaman to the Paint Locker to get a boatswain punch.

Send the new seaman to the bridge to get some relative bearing grease.

Send the new seaman to the mess decks to get 100 feet of chow line.

And when the Navy was mostly male, send the new seaman to sick bay to get a pap smear.


30 posted on 06/10/2009 12:29:17 PM PDT by aomagrat (Gun owners who vote for democrats are too stupid to own guns.)
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To: stylin_geek
I’m constantly amazed at how computer illiterate people are, even the youngsters who grew up with them.

Where is the "any" key?

I recently called AT&T when they hooked up my U-verse package. I was having trouble with thier "box". The first question they asked, "Can you check to see if it is plugged in and the switch is on."

31 posted on 06/10/2009 12:30:48 PM PDT by Tenacious 1 (Government For the People - an obviously concealed oxymoron)
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To: Tenacious 1
"Can you check to see if it is plugged in and the switch is on."

I had a room-mate that worked at a call center. That was actually the problem 25% of the time. Scary that those people vote.

32 posted on 06/10/2009 12:35:24 PM PDT by Dosa26
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To: Zakeet
It happened at about 6:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Express on Sanders Street.

Apparently staying at a Holiday Inn Express and working at a Holiday Inn Express imparts different levels of intellect.

33 posted on 06/10/2009 12:38:21 PM PDT by DouglasKC
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To: Tenacious 1

I’m not sure which is worse, that they asked a question that is obviously stupid, or, they’ve found it’s actually necessary to ask such a stupid question.

Boggles the mind.


34 posted on 06/10/2009 12:40:17 PM PDT by stylin_geek (Greed and envy is used by our political class to exploit the rich and poor.)
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To: Zakeet

My favorites:

Moe (Simpsons Tavern Owner): Amanda Hugginkiss? I’m looking for Amanda Hugginkiss!

FreeRepublic: Are you logged in?


35 posted on 06/10/2009 12:44:00 PM PDT by Cletus.D.Yokel (FreepMail me if you want on the Bourbon ping list!)
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To: Tenacious 1
"stud stretcher"

When I was a kid and started working in a shoe store it was a "shelf stretcher". I didn't fall for it (and woudn't admit it if I had) but everybody at the four or five shoe stores on the square were in on it and they'd say oh, sorry, just loaned it to the store down the street.

36 posted on 06/10/2009 12:46:26 PM PDT by Proud_texan (Scare people enough and they'll do anything.)
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To: Tenacious 1
I worked for a mechanic who ordered two pints of air brake fluid on his way out the door of an auto parts dealer.

The poor clerk called the up the chain to the home office -- who called the factory -- before they figured it out.

---------------------------------

Another friend tells a pretty good story about the time when he was in the Army and his buddies convinced a Sad Sack he needed his masturbation papers in order to ship out with his friends.

Sack apparently went to the infirmary, saw a female doctor of all people, and began to pound the table demanding his documentation.

According to my friend, his comrades had a hard time convincing the Army not to toss Sack on a Section 8.

37 posted on 06/10/2009 12:46:40 PM PDT by Zakeet (Obama: Always wrong, never in doubt.)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks
"They're blowing out the lines...don't you call again, you idiot."

The variation on this that was popular in my town was to call someone and tell them that some work was being done on the phone lines and not to pick up the phone if it rings because it could give the linemen a dangerous electric shock.

As in your account, after a short pause the phone would then be rung off the hook and when someone finally picked it up and said 'Hello' they would just hear loud screaming.

38 posted on 06/10/2009 1:28:10 PM PDT by wideminded
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To: Zakeet

Prank call he**! It sounds to me as if the clerk and guest were both blessed with and IQ of about 40, and that would be the total between the two of them!


39 posted on 06/10/2009 1:46:09 PM PDT by calex59
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To: aomagrat

Send the new seaman to the bridge to get some relative bearing grease.

Or, some red running light oil.


40 posted on 06/10/2009 3:32:59 PM PDT by JimRed ("Hey, hey, Teddy K., how many girls did you drown today?" TERM LIMITS, NOW AND FOREVER!)
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To: Proud_texan

“Go get a bucket of steam to clean the Grade-All!”


41 posted on 06/10/2009 3:43:02 PM PDT by Doomonyou (Proud member of the Homeland Security Department watch list.)
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To: Tenacious 1

“I had an intern (Virat) tell me he called two equipment vendors looking for a stud stretcher.”

We used to send a new apprentice lather up and down the flors of a high rise looking for the stud streacher and everyone played along and wore the poor kid out running from floor to floor.


42 posted on 06/10/2009 3:50:04 PM PDT by dalereed
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To: Tenacious 1
I have more. The stories from working there go on forever. How to clean pee from a radiator? Where is the flush thingy for the radiator? Garden hose for a radiator fix?

I had a guy with his family on board pull up to the pumps with smoke drifting from under the front passenger's seat. I could tell from the unmistakable noise that his muffler had rusted out. We got some water on the rug under the seat which put out the smoldering embers and then put the car up on the rack to see what could be dome.

The muffler was completely shot with a big hole rusted in the side nearest the floor pan. It was Sunday and we of course did not have that particular muffler on hand and the family had ninety more miles to drive to get home.

I took an air chisel and made a three cornered cut through the bottom of the muffler and then pounded the tab up into the can so as to vent the hot exhaust downward instead of up against the floor. I told the driver that was the best we could do and to keep his windows down. I also said "no charge" for the quick fix. He pulled out his wallet and gave me a five dollar tip, that when I saw his badge. It turns out I had just axed a hole in the muffler of a car belonging to a DePere police Sargent.

I often wondered if they made it home without getting a ticked.

Regards,
GtG

PS I once had a customer who "boiled out" his radiator with BoLene toilet bowl cleaner. You really should never do that!

43 posted on 06/10/2009 4:28:12 PM PDT by Gandalf_The_Gray (I live in my own little world, I like it 'cuz they know me here.)
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