Doofus Of The Day #173

Today's Doofus is from Chula Vista, California.

[Romeo Montillano] was suspected of shoplifting, brawling with security personnel and threatening them at the Kmart on East H Street on Dec. 5. He also had a misdemeanor arrest warrant after a November shoplifting arrest, police spokesman Bernard Gonzales said.

Detective Ruth Hinzman identified Montillano as the suspect in the December case and reached him by phone. Montillano reportedly told her he was in Las Vegas, but would be in Chula Vista in three weeks to take the police recruitment exam.

“Sure enough, Montillano had submitted an application,” Gonzales said.

Martin, a background investigator for officer applicants, called Montillano to ask if he would attend the Feb. 18 recruit orientation. Gonzales said Montillano told Martin he would. But he missed the event and later called Martin to apologize, saying his car had been impounded.

“Detectives assumed that Montillano had realized that Chula Vista police would arrest him if he showed up,” Gonzales said. “It was further assumed that he would not be heard from again.”

But he was heard from again. He e-mailed the city to say he would take a bus to arrive for the exam, set for earlier this week. Hinzman and Martin were waiting.

They watched Montillano sign in and go into the testing room. Martin called him out and escorted him to an office. Hinzman, with other officers standing by, told Montillano he was being arrested.

Gonzales said Montillano asked if he could still take the test. When Martin said no, Montillano asked if he could reapply for the job and take the test later.

Gonzales did not record Martin's final answer. But Montillano was booked into jail, with bail set at $145,000.

What was the famous saying from 'Forrest Gump' - "Stupid is as stupid does"?

*Sigh*

Peter