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Man keyed Hummer and fled. (http://www.txcn.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/tv/stories/wfaa080916_wz_scratcher.827ce78d.html)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/keyed.jpgTXCN- Sept 16, 2008

There is no such thing as good vandalism...Is this a JOTD? The article link has the video of him in the act. Hummer may have been parked in a handicaped parking space. -- Ed.

Southlake (Fort Worth), Texas — An apparent act of vandalism was caught on a Hummer's surveillance system.

The video, released by Southlake police, shows a man with white hair using a key to scratch the SUV on September 5.

Police said the man — wearing dark sunglasses, a striped shirt , tan shorts and sandals — engraved a large 'X' on both sides of the 2008 model at around 11:40 a.m... http://www.txcn.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/tv/stories/wfaa080916_wz_scratcher.827ce78d.html

http://www.youtube.com/v/A7R320pfAz4&hl=en&fs=1

If he was part of the staff of that school - he's toast.

And now his stupid act will cause a host of unfriendly chemicals to be used to repair his selfish act.

Only a coward would mess with a person's vehicle. I absolutely despise people like this. I don't care if its a hummer or a 1971 LTD. I hope he is caught quickly.

Not a joke when it costs that much money to fix.

I'm not suggesting he is JOTD as a laugh, but to express contempt for his actions.

I understand. Anyone know what kind of camera system that hummer had? aftermarket i assume?

The odds highly favor him getting nailed, then he will be a hot local story...this is going to haunt him.

Don't know if the video was aftermarket or not.

Strangely, I'm considering putting one on my Insight then removing my side mirrors, like Billy.

i thought JOTD because i didn't think it was real........how many cameras could the vehicle actually have to get both sides and a shot from the top? maybe i'm wrong....

Forgive me, but JOTD means....?

Forgive me, but JOTD means....Jerk of the Day....where every Jerk thinks they are - special!!! :p

It is a recent feature for those that want to vent at rude drivers.

JOTD = Jerk of the Day

To quote a special piece of film:

Lance: Still got your Malibu?
Vincent: Aw, man. You know what some ****er did the other day?
Lance: What?
Vincent: ****ing keyed it.
Lance: Oh, man, that's ****ed up.
Vincent: Tell me about it. I had it in storage for three years, it was out for five days and some dickless piece of **** ****ed with it.
Lance: They should be ****ing killed. No trial, no jury, straight to execution.
Vincent: Boy, I wish I could've caught him doing it. I'd have given anything to catch that ******* doing it. It'd been worth him doing it just so I could've caught him doing it.
Lance: What a ****er!
Vincent: What's more chicken**** than ****ing with a man's automobile? I mean, don't **** with another man's vehicle.
Lance: You don't do it.
Vincent: It's just against the rules.

Oh yea I forgot. :)

They're getting quite a few tips...They're going through them one at a time and checking them out.

UPDATE: Southlake cops chase tips on man caught on video vandalizing Hummer at Carroll Senior High School (http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/man-caught-on-video-vandalizin.html)

Plenty of trollish comments follow demonstrating why "statement vandalism" does not help :rolleyes:

I thought it meant Joke of the day...darn acronyms.

I was impressed by the really clear video. They will be able to find this guy if they want. I know in Nashville it takes about 5K worth of theft for the police to even come out and take a look. Not sure about vandalism.

You would think the Po-Lice would have more important things to do...

Like enforcing the speed limited.

Oh well:flag:

I bet all the clerks in D/FW are going to really look at older grey headed guys buying Just for Men. :D

You would think the Po-Lice would have more important things to do...

Like enforcing the speed limit.? Or another meth related triple homicide?

Oh well:flag:

I have been door dinged by more idiots in the local grocery store...
But if you are driving this FSP, and using the same amount of gasoline as 3 Corollas, while we are at WAR! You derive what’s coming to you. People are dying every day because of these failed foreign policies and unregulated monopolistic capitalism. And FSP like these are not helping. Be intelligent consumers.
Hey, down in Texas, how does it go? Vigilante man? Have you ever seen a vigilant man? Does he have a club in his hand? That’s a vigilante man.

I'm NOT sympathizing for the student and his parents, but this is NOT the way to react.

Po-Lice? You need to to edit that out man.

Only someone that would say Po-lice would actually connect this to politics.

Po-Lice? You need to to edit that out man.

Only someone that would say Po-lice would actually connect this to politics.

Hi Ryan--

Po-lice? Maybe I'm showing my age (or lack thereof) but how does that have anything to do with politics?

I've used "po-lice" on numerous occasions, usually because the cops around here have nothing better to do than harass people.

Does anyone know what kind of camera(s) was/were used in the Hummer to get the video?

Honestly, I would probably have looked the other way if I saw it happening.

As old as he is he ought to know better.

Forgive me, but JOTD means....?

Good I am not the only one with that question.

ok read more and found it.

I'd much sooner leave a sarcastic note than to risk being caught doing something so stupid.

I'd have to agree, I was surprised that the vandal appeared to be that old.

Ok how damned spoiled is a high school kid that drives a hummer to school with video surveillance???????? And don't even try to tell me that he works a part-time job to pay for it.

Isn't the $2000 damage figure more than what a Hummer's worth nowadays? I would think they would be nearly disposable....

I don't like Pontiac Aztec but I'm not going to scratch up or damage the thing. People have a freedom to choose which vehicle to purchase and drive as long as it meets state's standards. You don't like it then get over it. The alternative is to have the federal government dictating what type of vehicle we're allowed to drive. Single person, tiny two seat car with moped engine. Couple, one or each having a tiny two seat car depending on location and number of jobs. Couple with children, one two seat car and one four seat car. Need larger, file a requestion form. You don't vandalize someone's vehicle just because you don't like it no matter what your politics. Not too long ago there was a lawyer who vandalized someone's car because that person had veteran plates on his car. Did that veteran deserve it as well? It's highly likely that the man who did this vandalizing was a liberal enviromentalist nut. I don't like baggy pants so I'm going to vandalize kids that wear them. I don't like Jaguar so I'm going to vandalize the next one I see. I don't like pickles so I'm going to destroy all the jars of pickles I see. That car has a bumpersticker I disagree with so I'm going to vandalize the car. What an idiot. You want your feelings about the vehicle known then write them a note and leave it on the windshield. Nothing illegal about that and it doesn't damage the car. You don't mess with the vehicle. So now this vehicle is going to have to go to the body shop and more chemical pollution emitted because they guy doesn't like the polluting hummer.

The lawyer's name is Jay R. Grodner of Chicago, IL. He was not only found guilty, he was raked over the coals by the judge before a courtroom filled with military veterans who showed up in support of the Marine who's car was keyed.

http://www.clr.org/Grodner-Jay-Robert-police_report.pdf
http://www.clr.org/Grodner-Jay-Robert-Tribune-article.htm

The first link has a copy of the police report and the second link has a copy of the Chicago Tribune article on the story.

Who's to say it was keyed because it was a hummer? Its just as likely that the spoiled kid who drives it was driving like a moron behind this old man [maybe on multiple occassions] and he finally had enogh and decided this was his only recourse.
Besides, this petty crime really doesn't compare to the crime against humanity of driving such a wasteful vehicle.

You don't like what he drives then deal with it. Perhaps you'd prefer everyone drive a vehicle YOU declare they're allowed to drive. Perhaps you'd like the EPA and Federal Government do dictate what type and size vehicle everyone in the country can drive. Perhaps you'd like the federal government to take over all auto companies and factories and let them decide what type and size vehicle to make and give to the public regardless of their taste and needs. Your statement seems to justify the old man's actions just because you hate hummers. Did you privately cheer when you heard ELF went to a hummer dealership and burned several hummers on the lot? This old man's actions cannot be justified even for enviromental reasons since he now has to go to a paint and body shop to get the damage repaired. Ever been to a paint and body shop? They use massive amounts of electricity and chemicals to get the job done. Good job Old Man! You damaged a vehicle, caused more energy to be used unnecessarily, and the Hummer is still on the road. That make you feel good old man? What's next? Gonna torch a Viper? Gonna smash a Ford F-250? Is that going to change the world or enviroment?

There is no justification for what the old man did no matter what your feelings are towards Hummers. What did his actions accomplish for the statement he wished to make? Absolutely nothing. His actions are criminal and, depending on the laws in Texas, his crime may even be a felony because of the dollar value of the damage. Even if the kid cut him off in traffic, that still does excuse his actions. At his age he should be mature and responsible enough to know better and to know how to handle the situation within the law.

Would you do this to an old model Cadilac from the 70s or older? Would you do this to a classic 57 Chevy in mint condition? Would you do this to an old Mercedes? Would you do this to any old classic car? Many of those old classic cars use as much or more gas than a Hummer and they emit more polution than even the original Hummer. I thought the people here were all about trying to improve your current vehicle's MPG above the EPA rating. The goal was to get as much MPG out of your existing vehicle as you possible can. It appears some here are out to do that as well as bashing large vehicles that have low MPG numbers. You don't like those vehicles then don't buy them. That's your choice. Those that did buy them did so of their own free will and with their own money. Maybe some of them are visiting this site in the hopes of improving their MPG especially since if they sold their vehicle right now they won't get anywhere near the value before gas rose in price. I don't like it when people purchase such large vehicles either. I might joke with them about their choice but I'm not going to attack their vehicle or them for their personal choice.

Below is a link to an update on the story and some quotes directly from the same story. Based on the article I'd say there is a slim to none chance this wasn't about enviromental hatred of the student's Hummer since so many in the same area were vandalized in the same way.

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/man-caught-on-video-vandalizin.html
Detective Keith Fulgium said he has received several calls from other Hummer owners who have fallen victim to similar acts of vandalism in recent months. Some of the incidents were previously reported to police, while others were not, he said.
"This isn't an isolated incident," Detective Fulgium said. "This has happened to numerous Hummers in the Southlake area usually at Carroll football games going back to last year."
Area Hummer dealerships have also apparently been seeing a steady flow of keyed vehicles for the past few years. At Classic Hummer in Grapevine, staff members said the number of damaged Hummers has dropped off recently, though it is still a consistent problem. "I still probably see upwards of five a week that are keyed," said James Pickle, service advisor. "I'd say 75 percent of them will be "X's," not just keyed down the side, it'd actually be "X's" on door panels."
Video of the incident seems to show blue paint on the ground where the Hummer is parked and some asked whether the driver may have parked illegally in a handicapped spot, perhaps angering the man seen vandalizing the sport utility vehicle. The high school student was parked legally, said Cpl. Mike Bedrich, a Southlake police spokesman.
"At the senior high school, they have to purchase parking spots," Cpl. Bedrich said. "So it is a common practice for the students to go in and paint their own designs and everything ... He's parked legally."

Here in TX, when a person (man or woman) parks their polished F-550 dually in 4 places at wal-mart, I tend to get a tad upset.

But, they have the right to buy the thing for show (if it was for work it wouldn't be polished). They need to follow parking rules, but they have the right to pay for what they want to drive.

What i would do is stick a note under the wiper that would let 'em know what a stupid choice they are making. I'm not gonna tear up someone else's property. I don't think that is the best way for me to communicate the idea that they need to learn to make better decision for their family than paying 45 grand for a truck (to use as a family car) and another 45grand a year in gas.

You don't like what he drives then deal with it.....It's easy to overlook some good points after this "Oh Shut Up!" remark. :rolleyes:

First of all, we don't know all the facts...for instance, it turns out the Hummer was not in a handicaped parking lot.

When this man is finally apprehended, the motive will be clearer...may have been directed against an individual, bad driver, Hummers in general...that 70+ Hummers have been vandalized makes that theory the most likely.

We alledgedly live in a civilized society, but news like this gives pause to wonder...older guy commits vandalism (may be serial), high school is driving an imitation military assult vehicle - poor commentaries on our society on both counts.

Say at one of those shelters in the Houston area that someone is getting twice the helpings as the others....would that upset you? That's very hard to dispute even to Americans with extreme short-term memory, but you have plenty of numskulls responding to the crime blog (http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/man-caught-on-video-vandalizin.html) in the Dallas Morning News about the right to get a Hummer when Lehmann is bankrupt, Detroit is headed there, Merrill Lynch and AIG were saved from it....vehicles like the Hummer are not sustainable on a number of levels, starting with economically for most - check this year's sales.

At one time, 8,500-pound vehicles were not sold as private individuals - was that socialist? Also, peer pressure was a deterrant, and looks like it will again. :) Just because you have the right to do something does not make it right...for example, I could go to the Women's Restroom becuase there is not a law against it.

The crime he committed is a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in state jail and up to a $10,000 fine, police said.


Rest of article (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/091808dnmethummervandal.1426751.html)

Here in TX, when a person (man or woman) parks their polished F-550 dually in 4 places at wal-mart, I tend to get a tad upset.

But, they have the right to buy the thing for show (if it was for work it wouldn't be polished). They need to follow parking rules, but they have the right to pay for what they want to drive.

What i would do is stick a note under the wiper that would let 'em know what a stupid choice they are making.


The only proper way to deal with a parking like that would be to place 3 cars around it in a way that it could not get anywhere.

On a lighter side, I think after he is found, we should arrest some birds. Got my car serviced on Saturday and they threw in a free car wash, went to work on Monday, came to a car covered in 3 splotches of bird droppings.

Just yesterday, I heard a "tink" on my windshield. I figured it was a rock thrown up by a car; nope. Nice green bird poop.

Days like these you wish you just stayed in bed...(okay, not really).

The only proper way to deal with a parking like that would be to place 3 cars around it in a way that it could not get anywhere.

I love it. When I go to the supermarket strip mall it always seems there is someone parked, or waiting along the store fronts blocking one lane of traffic. I'm always tempted to stop in the other lane, get out and head into the store. Then no one can get by.

One co-worker suggested maybe he keyed them to get more business at the body shops.

Police say they don't yet know the identity of the man videotaped using his key to gouge "X" marks into the side of a Hummer.

But the Classic Hummer dealership in Grapevine knows that mark well. Their body shop has seen dozens of similar vandalisms in recent months.

"This guy, he's an eco-terrorist, and he ought to pay for his crime," said dealership spokesman Steve Hurley. "I mean, it's a criminal act."

In each case, three "X"-marks are scratched into the vehicle — one on each side and another on the tailgate.

Danny Hill's H2 Hummer was struck. "The guy looked like in the video that he knew what he was doing," Hill said.

No one knows yet if the cluster of vandalism can be linked to a single man, or if it is the work of a group of tree-hugging Hummer-haters.

The vandalism alone is a serious crime that carries a hefty fine of up to $20,000 and possible jail time.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/mugshot.jpg
James Jeppe - 72 of Southlake, turned himself in to local police. He was released on bond for $1,000, while being investigated for similar Hummers keyed with an X.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/Hummer_Vandal_Surrender.jpg

Conviction for malicious michief could get him 180 to two years in a state prison and up to $10,000 in fines.

Motive may not be eco-terrorism, but vagely stated as "stressed out about money", although a commenter stated his home is valued at $375,000. :confused:

Channel 8 story and video (http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa080919_wz_hummerfolo.916fef72.html) (plenty of trollish comments and over the top political motives)

Channel 5 story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26799008)

that video system on the hummer paid for itself by getting this loser to turn himself in.

The short of the story is the motive may have nothing to do with eco-terrorism

Dallas Morning News (http://www.txcn.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/tv/stories/DN-hummer_20met.ART.State.Edition1.26ca5e9.html) - redundant except for quote that follows...



Mr. Jeppe could not be reached for comment late Friday, but some who serve with him on a Southlake City Council neighborhood advisory board said they were surprised by the arrest.

"Nothing stands out in my mind that I would have thought would have been a clue," said Mike Terry, vice chairman of the Southlake Program for the Involvement of Neighborhoods.

The organization's members are volunteers appointed by the City Council to facilitate "communication between residents and the city staff," according to the city Web site.

Mr. Terry, who said he has served with Mr. Jeppe for several years, described him as "soft-spoken, polite, not particularly vocal on any issue."

"People that are on SPIN are going to be caring about development issues to make sure they do fit into the city," Mr. Terry said.

His temperment is disputed in a different article

Jeppe lives in an upscale neighborhood where he serves on the board of his homeowners association. Neighbors describe him in that role as short fused and heavy handed.

"He's been strange since he moved in seven years ago. We've always had problems with him," said a neighbor who did not want to be identified. "He would call the cops on our dog."

The man thinks Jeppe keyed his truck last year after a disagreement over HOA rules. "I thought it was one of the kids in the neighborhood, but obviously with this event… I'm a hundred percent certain I know who it is now."
Rest of article (http://cbs4denver.com/watercooler/southlake.hummer.keying.2.821928.html)

complete Warrant (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/09-08/0922jeppe.pdf)

Among the highlights in the warrant:

Mr. Jeppe is a Southlake Carroll football fan and was at the school on Sept. 5 to purchase tickets to that evening's game.
When police showed Mr. Jeppe photos of the man seen vandalizing a Hummer, he told them he must have a twin.
Later during questioning, he confessed, explaining "I've been frustrated lately -- I did -- I went in there and I did that truck," Mr. Jeppe told police, explaining that family troubles and financial stressors led him to scratch the Hummer with his car keys.
Mr. Jeppe initially told police this was the first and only Hummer he had vandalized. But he soon admitted to keying four other Hummers at four other locations in recent months. Asked to explain his motive, he said "They have a big carbon foot print and they use four times as much gas as the rest of us do and I don't think it's fair."
Mr. Jeppe told police he is a member of the Sierra Club (http://www.sierraclub.org/) and Green Peace (http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/) and that he donates money to both. He said he isn't tied to any other organizations and that he acted alone.

Idiotic comments to the warrant in the Dallas Morning News here (http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/warrant-southlake-hummer-vanda.html)

Hummer owner says he was 'unjustly targeted' by vandal...."The reason I bought the Hummer was 8,000 pounds of steel to protect my boy"

Like this? (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16095)

{sigh}

Read more (http://www.txcn.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/tv/stories/wfaa080924_lj_hummer.a9d08024.html)

I know the wheels of justice can move slow, but this happened 22 months ago.

A trial date should be set by now for James Andrew Jeppe (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=James%20Jeppe%20hummer&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u&tbs=nws:1&source=og&sa=N&tab=wn&fp=67ea730cb4879c8c). (so it can be Googled)

I'm sure any defense attorney would be afraid of me on a jury if they knew I am active here and drive a Honda Insight, but vandalism is vandalism: Unless the YouTube (that's been removed) is disputable, I'd have to convict him.

Must have been settled out of court 3.5 years later.

Bet the damages paid were considerable and painful for him.