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News Writing and Reporting for Today's Media, 7/e
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Review Questions
Exercise 21.1
Exercise 21.2
Exercise 21.3
Exercise 21.4
Exercise 21.5
Exercise 21.6

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Police and Fire

Exercise 21.3

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Exercise 21.3 (21.0K)

Information from a Tempe Police Department activity log follows. Only the names and some addresses have been changed. Write a story based on all the information available.
Incident: Burglary—nonresidence
Location: 106 E. University
Date: Monday
Time: 0315
Amount of loss/recovery: $741.10/$741.10
Arrest made: Yes
Suspect(s): John Q. Smyth
Age: 20
Address: 1501 S. Elm, Tempe
Details: Suspect was observed in the 1100 block of S. Ash Ave. looking into cars which were parked along the street. A mobile surveillance was established both in cars and on foot. The suspect was lost from view in the area of Myrtle/University. A perimeter was established in that area, and a few minutes later the suspect was observed walking southbound across University at Myrtle. The suspect was followed from that location to 10th/Maple while a marked patrol unit was responding to make contact. Prior to the arrival of the marked unit, the suspect was observed to be dropping something every few steps. On contact with the suspect, it was found that his pockets were stuffed with both paper money in various denominations plus several rolls of coins and loose change. The suspect was asked where he got the money,
and he stated that he collects it. Officer Howard DeMasi began a search of the area where the suspect was last seen at Myrtle/ University and found an unlocked bathroom door at the rear of Panhandler's Pizza, 106 E. University. DeMasi looked inside the bathroom and found that an inside wall that led to the interior of the business had been kicked in and entry had been made. The suspect was arrested and on his person was a key that unlocked the bathroom door that DeMasi had found unlocked. The suspect stated that he is a former employee of Panhandler's Pizza. An excellent job by Officer Ray Russell who first saw the suspect and established the surveillance. It was also discovered that the items he had been dropping on the ground were various denominations of money falling out of his pockets. A search of the route he followed from University/Myrtle was conducted and the money lost was recovered.
Additional information: Smyth was charged with third-degree burglary and felony theft and transferred to Maricopa County Jail in lieu of $6,850 bond.