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Name: Vade Arrun Bradley
Alleged crime: Arson.
Fatal mistake: Choosing the worst possible moment to head to Flavor Country.
The circumstances: August began inauspiciously for Hayward, Calif., man Vade Arrun Bradley. According to the Contra Costa Times, he had recently received an eviction notice, and would probably have to vacate his pad at the Valienzi Manor Apartments. To make matters worse, he apparently didn’t have enough money to fuel up his car so he could pack up his stuff and move out. Bradley appraised the situation and allegedly chose what, at the time, must have seemed like the best course of action: He would siphon the gasoline he needed from his neighbors’ cars.
Siphoning gas is a pretty desperate move, but it isn’t inherently stupid. No, the stupidity came into play when, in the middle of siphoning, Bradley allegedly decided to take a smoke break. What’s more flammable than cigarettes? That’s right: fuel vapors! When the fire department showed up minutes later, the entire carport was on fire, and approximately $200,000 worth of damage had been done to Bradley’s neighbors’ now-incinerated cars. Though the fire was an accident, he was nevertheless arrested for arson, and the Contra Costa Times reports that, when he was arrested, he had a black eye because one of his enraged neighbors had punched him in the face. After reading about his stupidity, I want to punch him in the face.
How he could have been a lot smarter: Don’t smoke around gasoline. There are plenty of other non-flammable products if you absolutely have to get your fix: dip, snuff, nicotine gum. You could even use one of those electronic cigarettes, if you’re so inclined.
How he could have been a little smarter: Four out of five gas-siphoning experts agree: Never siphon your own gas. You should always pay a hobo or a local child to do it for you. That way you avoid the risk of fire and you make a new friend!
How he could have been a little dumber: I guess he could have tried to siphon gas from a moving car.
How he could have been a lot dumber: He could have siphoned propane.
Ultimate Dumbness Ranking (UDR): Smoking a cigarette while you’re siphoning gasoline might not be as stupid as robbing a gun shop with a baseball bat, but it’s close. Actually, it is as dumb as robbing a gun shop with a baseball bat. Maybe even dumber. We’re on a hell of a roll with these last few entries! 10 out of 10 for Vade Arrun Bradley.
Previous Dumb Criminals:
The Guy Who Allegedly Tried to Rob a Gun Shop with a Baseball Bat
The Three Guys Who Accidentally Butt-Dialed 911 Mid-Crime
The Alleged Burglar Who Fell Asleep on a Bear Skin Mid-Burglary
The Alleged Disability Insurance Scammers Whose Frauds Got Caught on Camera
The Pimply Guy Who Stole a Bunch of Bus Transfers
The Guy Who Tried to Outrun the Cops on a Very, Very Slow-Moving Moped
The Drunk Driver Who Boasted About It on Facebook
The Guy Who Gave the Cops an Absolutely Terrible Fake Name
The Job Candidate Who Told the FBI about His Child Porn Stash
