Crime is an unfortunate part of our world. We hear about common offenses daily, but sometimes, criminal acts venture into the truly weird. People can dream up the most peculiar ways to break the law, leaving us scratching our heads. The year 2022 was no exception, delivering a lineup of truly unusual and almost unbelievable crimes. Get ready to dive into ten of the most bizarre criminal incidents that had us asking, “Did that really happen?”
10. Woman Unleashes Bees on Police During Eviction
On October 12, 2022, in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, things took a stinging turn. Rorie Wood, a 55-year-old woman, was protesting an eviction. When Hampden County Sheriff’s officers arrived to serve the notice, Wood, dressed in a beekeeper’s suit, allegedly agitated hives she brought in her van. She then reportedly unleashed angry bees on the officers. “Never in all my years…have I seen something like this,” remarked Robert Hoffman, Chief Deputy of the Civil Process Office. Wood faced multiple assault and battery charges. When informed that some officers were allergic to bees, she reportedly replied, “Oh yeah? Good!”
9. Bride and Caterer Accused of Lacing Wedding Food with Marijuana
What was meant to be a funny prank at a Florida wedding in April 2022 turned into a criminal matter. Bride Danya Svoboda and her caterer, Joycelyn Bryant, allegedly decided to lace the wedding feast with marijuana without informing the guests. The situation escalated as guests began feeling unwell. Some experienced vomiting, while another thought they were having heart problems. Others reported hallucinations and disturbing thoughts. Though Svoboda and Bryant might have seen it as a joke, recreational marijuana is illegal in Florida. Both faced felony charges for food tampering and misdemeanor charges for culpable negligence.
8. Tyson Foods CFO Found Asleep in a Stranger’s Home
In a truly head-scratching incident on November 6, 2022, John R. Tyson, the Chief Financial Officer for Tyson Foods and great-grandson of its founder, found himself in an embarrassing situation. Tyson allegedly wandered into a random woman’s home in Arkansas while intoxicated, undressed, and fell asleep in her bed. The homeowner, understandably shocked, called the police. Authorities found the door was unlocked. Tyson wasn’t charged with breaking and entering but faced charges of public intoxication and criminal trespassing. This event raised concerns among investors, especially since he had only recently assumed the CFO position.
7. Car Thief Discovered Hiding Inside a Giant Teddy Bear
Police in Manchester, UK, had a rather fluffy encounter in July 2022. They were searching for Joshua Dobson, suspected of car theft, driving without a license, and skipping out on a gas bill. When officers arrived at his residence, Dobson was nowhere in sight. However, during their search, they noticed an oversized teddy bear that appeared to be breathing. Upon closer inspection, they found Dobson hiding inside the stuffed animal. While his crimes were relatively minor, his hiding spot was certainly creative. Dobson was sentenced to nine months in prison. The local police quipped, “Hopefully, he has a bearable time inside.”
6. Man Allegedly Vandalizes Disney Property to Showcase Security Flaws
In May 2022, David Proudfoot, a Florida man, reportedly took a misguided approach to job hunting. Dressed as a Disney World employee, he allegedly removed several expensive items, including an R2-D2 replica, from The Swan Reserve hotel on Disney property. He supposedly moved the statue and an arcade game over several incidents. Proudfoot had applied for a security guard position and claimed he was trying to reveal security weaknesses. An actual security guard noticed him pushing a cart with the statue. When confronted, he initially gave a false name but eventually admitted to taking the items, claiming he didn’t intend to remove them from the property. Proudfoot faced charges including grand theft and scheming to defraud.
5. Man Chased into Manhattan Traffic by Attacker Demanding Food
A bizarre confrontation occurred in Manhattan on September 18, 2022. A 23-year-old man was on his phone when a much larger man exited a black Nissan Rogue, approached him, and aggressively asked where his food was. Confused, the victim tried to walk away. The attacker then allegedly punched him in the head. As the victim fled, the assailant pursued him down the sidewalk. The chase ended when the victim tripped and fell into the path of an oncoming SUV. Thankfully, the driver stopped in time, and the victim suffered only minor injuries. The attacker took the victim’s dropped bag and phone but the victim managed to get his bag back before the mugger fled. Police are still searching for the suspect.
4. Tourist Destroys Ancient Roman Sculptures After Being Denied a Meeting with the Pope
In early October 2022, a visit to The Vatican took a destructive turn. An American tourist reportedly demanded to see the Pope. When told his request couldn’t be granted, he allegedly became enraged. He is said to have rushed to the Chiaramonte Museum, grabbed an ancient Roman bust, and thrown it to the floor. He then damaged a second artifact while trying to flee from museum staff. Fellow tourists watched in disbelief as security apprehended him. Though described as minor pieces, the artifacts were over 2,000 years old. Museum staff began restoration, but the damage was significant. This incident may lead to increased security measures.
3. Vegetarian Food Company COO Accused of Biting Man’s Nose
Doug Ramsey, then COO of plant-based meat company Beyond Meat, was involved in a shocking incident on September 17, 2022. After a University of Arkansas football game, Ramsey was reportedly attempting to leave the parking lot when another driver hit his car. Ramsey allegedly lost his temper, punched through the back windshield of the other car, and then, when the driver got out, punched him in the face. The altercation escalated to Ramsey allegedly biting off the tip of the man’s nose and threatening to kill him. Both men were bloodied when police arrived. Ramsey was arrested for terroristic threatening and third-degree battery. He later resigned from Beyond Meat.
2. Man Kills Friend, Claiming It Was to Prevent Being Fed to Bigfoot
In one of the year’s strangest homicide defenses, Larry Doil Sanders, a 53-year-old Oklahoma man, was accused of killing his friend, Jimmy Knighten, during a noodling (barehand fishing) trip in the summer of 2022. The two reportedly got into an argument, which ended with Sanders strangling Knighten. Sanders later told his daughter what happened, and she contacted the police. Knighten’s body was found near the South Canadian River. Sanders told authorities he killed Knighten in self-defense because Knighten planned to feed him to Bigfoot. He claimed Knighten summoned the creature, and he had to kill his friend so Bigfoot would focus on the easier prey. Sanders faces murder charges.
1. Woman Allegedly Tries to Buy a Baby at Walmart for $500,000
Walmart stores sometimes see unusual behavior, but an incident in January 2022 in Texas was particularly alarming. Rebecca Lanette Taylor allegedly approached a mother at a self-checkout, admired her baby, and then asked if she could purchase the child. Initially, the mother thought it was a joke. However, Taylor persisted, reportedly offering $250,000 and assuring the mother she had the money. When the mother refused, Taylor didn’t give up. She allegedly followed the mother into the parking lot, continuing to harass her about buying the baby and eventually doubling her offer to $500,000. The frightened mother locked her baby in the car for safety. Taylor was later arrested on felony charges of attempted sale or purchase of a child, though she denied the allegations.
These incidents from 2022 certainly stretch the limits of what we consider typical criminal behavior. From bizarre motives to outlandish actions, these stories prove that sometimes, truth really is stranger than fiction. They remind us that the world of crime can be as weird as it is concerning.
What’s the most bizarre crime you’ve ever heard of? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
