Pranksters persuade man to pitch out TV, fridge
A couple of Whitehorse pranksters had a smash hit at the Edgewater Hotel last weekend when they convinced a guest to pitch his television set out the window.
A couple of Whitehorse pranksters had a smash hit at the Edgewater Hotel last weekend when they convinced a guest to pitch his television set out the window.
Perhaps inspired by the old, "Is your refrigerator running?" crank call, the pranksters called up one of the Edgewater's guests Sunday night to warn him of the dangers posed by the television and mini-fridge in his room.
According to an eyewitness account given to CBC news, the B.C. man was told there was a gas leak in the building and told to pitch his appliances overboard.
It took some convincing, but the man ultimately obliged.
"It was quite serious because it led someone to do something that could have led to injury," Whitehorse RCMP Sgt. Mark Groves said of the incident.
"We really don't want to sensationalize this," he added. "... We are investigating it as criminal mischief."
No one from the Edgewater Hotel, which was recently sold, returned calls from the Star by press time this afternoon.
Groves said the incident has been reported to PhoneBusters.com, North America's central investigator of phone- and internet-based scams.
PhoneLosers.com is probably more up these pranksters' alley, though. The website dedicated to prank calls on hotel guests doesn't boast anything quite as spectacular as this, but it does have at least one Whitehorse fan.
"Go do it some more," writes Reeto from Whitehorse on the site's comments section.
Police will not press charges against the man who tossed his TV out the window, Groves said.
"We are considering him the victim here."
They will consider mischief charges if the pranksters are caught, he said.
But the question remains: Did the pranksters videotape their stunt?
And if so, will it enjoy as much YouTube success as the last Yukon-made prank; Jimmy Gattie's Community Service and Everything That's Right in the World?
Comments (13)
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Arn Anderson on Apr 1, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Now you have reached the height of your ego. Grammar Nazi now eh? Seems a few spelling mistakes gets you up on your high horse, but STICK TO THE TOPIC.
Again, I dont have to repeat myself, MEXICO has nothing to do with it. Move and live there and compare, oh wait and look up now, THE FLAG IS DIFFERENT, wow must be a different nation. Lets all refer to the globe, but I dont think your American or Mexican Idol displays a globe on TV.
Are you sure he did not look out, we can beat around the bush on this all day, but it seems to be your intent on using it to attack, now settle down, refer to the top for the SARCASM point. No need for big pictures just sarcastic points, dont like it, move to Mexico.
Maybe the fool here is you since you dont understand that Canadians dont vote in judges regardless of which political party gets in, maybe in magical Mexico where you seem so attached to in relating it to the Yukon. Back to Social Studies 9 for you buddy.
I give myself lots of credit, thank you very much. Maybe in your call down negative attitude you can justify it, but get a grip computer warrior, its only a comment section, wait DEFINE comment, that means anyone can leave a comment and btw you seem to argue a sarcastic point with all your ammo, yet I need none.
Please stop being a debater and refer to the first comment and enjoy with a laugh because whats funny is true.
Reality Check: I put my eggs in a carton, not a basket, so happy easter!
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sandra armature on Apr 1, 2009 at 10:51 am
Francis Pilman, will you marry me?
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Sick and Tired on Apr 1, 2009 at 9:21 am
Comparing the Canadian Justice System that you've been "objectifying your concerns" (a suger-coated way of saying COMPLAINING, since you seem to be offended with my vocabulary) with the Mexican Justice System who have a hell of a lot more problems, is not IRRELEVANT. Your grammer makes almost as much sense as your opinions.
You're pretty sure he looked out the window before throwing it? Would you be willing to put someone's life on that? Us individuals who actually have regard for other's wellbeing as well as our own, wouldn't. Not only regard for the person who could have been injured, but the property owner, the man who was being pranked and any future vitcims. As history shows, criminals get more and more confident with each successful crime. Chances are the next prank is going to be worse, which is why police are trying to put an end to it now. It's a little thing called, "looking at the big picture" and being proactive.
Hmm...democracy:a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them. Since a layperson's definition won't sufice, look it up. Where do crimes go when they are appealed? THE SUPREME COURT if they decide a mistake has been made. Who has control over the supreme court? The people WE VOTE to best represent us; our opinions, values, beliefs. Voting has everything to do with how our country is ran. Do your research before you make a fool of yourself.
Following your comments around? Don't give yourself too much credit. This is my first time reading one of your comments. But according to a couple of the above comments, it's not your first time ranting.
By the looks of it, you should be much more concerned with your eggs rather than someone else's.
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Arn Anderson on Mar 31, 2009 at 2:08 am
What does Mexico have to do with TVs flying out of windows? Do not lecture me on living in Canada compared to Mexica because that is totally unrevelant, open your eyes to that.
Im pretty sure the guy looked out the window before he chucked it, so theres your public safety.
Voting has nothing to do with the RCMP so realize that. There is no complaining here, all I see is some dedicated individual with no imagination or thought of his/her own follwing my comments around, stick to the story and dont get beaten up my SARCASM. People get offended for what floats thier boat so if you dont like it, dont read it, simple, but dont look around to get offended then complain about it, now thats courtesy.
We dont dictate nothing to the gov't. Time and time again the justice system lets people down and the RCMP have a one tracked mentality on busting people with stupid crimes. That was the point of the commment, I see drug dealers basically walking untouched but stuff like this the RCMP cares about.
Dont put all your eggs in one basket now
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Sick and Tired on Mar 30, 2009 at 9:47 am
The RCMP work for the Justice System. Like I said, they have NO authority over it. They follow rules and regulations designed by the Government. WE dictate to our Government, which is why the power rests in our hands to change it. If you're not happy, complaining with nonsense comments on a newspaper blog is not going to get you anywhere. There is much more constructive ways to voice your concerns. And you will offend a lot less people. How is that for courtesy?
The RCMP is here to serve and protect. Not everyone is going to like it, but the majority will. This is why we have the right to VOTE=expressing our public values.
The point of this newspaper arictle is PUBLIC SAFETY. A TV being thrown out a window could easily hurt someone, if not kill them.
You apparently do not realize how fortinate we are in Canada with our Justice System. Have you ever walked down a street in Mexico? Seen Police Officers riding in the back of pick-up trucks with AKA-47's on their shoulders?...waiting for someone to do something wrong. Have you seen them catching someone SHOP-LIFTING and nearly beating them to death with their guns? And I know for a fact a lot more countries in the world have it worse than Mexico. Open your eyes.
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fred norris on Mar 28, 2009 at 7:17 am
LOL! let's all take a step back, and focus on the story. As far as prank calls go, this has to be one of the best ever. Not just the TV, but the fridge, too? Crank Yankers and Baba Booey got nothing on this gem. Yukon Tourism needs to put this in the brochure
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Francias Pillman on Mar 27, 2009 at 3:06 pm
If I was the hotel, the guest would be charged for the damages.
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In agreement. on Mar 27, 2009 at 3:26 am
Anonymous, I couldn't agree further.
Any thoughts Francias Pillman?
(Hint hint)
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Arn Anderson on Mar 26, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Obviously you missed the sarcastic undertone of my previous comment. All of my other posts relating to crime have been pointing to the legal system being soft on crime.
The RCMP is part of the Justice system as they present info and evidence to the justice system. The justice system is SUPPOSED to reflect public values, yet they seem to swing in some distorted way recently.
I have been really noticing people waiting to jump the gun and quickly attack any of my comments but in my opinion the comments themselves have recieved little attack but the commentor, aka ME, has been subjected to attacks.
I can handle the little attacks, but please try to debate the comment not the commentor.
Thank you for your courtesy
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Sick and Tired on Mar 26, 2009 at 3:47 am
Arn, you need to realize that convicted criminals and alleged criminals have more rights than the innocent. This is our crazed "Justice" System. The RCMP are not the Justice System, they follow and enforce it. They have no control over changing it. Change comes from you and me, the people. When you can get your head wrapped around that concept, you'll be able to stop your obnoxious rambling.
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anonymous on Mar 25, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I'm thinking you should disable this new feature where you can leave comments. It's bringing out the crazy people. It's starting to become annoying hearing from the same strange people (with nothing worthwhile to add) every time.
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mosi on Mar 25, 2009 at 1:53 am
At least it was an object and NOT your
money or wallet like the local Christian website hiding under the common name of the Aurora Borealis asks you to do in the name of the Lord. All
who gave there threw their money out the
window like the TV, But it landed safely
in the Pastors' pockets. Enjoy.
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Arn Anderson on Mar 24, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Maybe drug dealers should do mischief as they would get investigated by the RCMP for that instead of being left alone for say; possession and trafficking.