Mounties Can’t Explain How Man Escaped Week-Long Standoff

Leo Crockwell was found 20 km from his house, which police had had surrounded for a week.

Crockwell is either the greatest escape artist since Houdini, or someone at the Newfoundland RCMP fell asleep on the job. Crockwell had been holed up in his Bay Bulls, NL home for a week after he reportedly threatened members of his family and then shot at officers who responded. By Saturday police had cut off power to the house, were barraging it with sound devices, and pumping water inside to force Crockwell out. The techniques worked: Crockwell exited the house, but amazingly nobody noticed and he managed to hitchhike 20 km down the road, where a gas station attendant recognized him after he bought cigarettes from her. He was arrested and faces 16 charges, including five for attempted murder.