The Weird Week in Review

GPS Lands Belgian Woman in Croatia

Sabine Moreau left her home in Solre-sur-Sambre, Belgium, for trip to Brussels, about 38 miles away. But the 67-year-old ended up in Zagreb, Croatia -900 miles away!

Despite crossing five borders and seeing multiple-language traffic signs, she did not stop to question her sat-nav until two days later when she realised that she may not be in Belgium any more.

Although she stopped to refuel her car several times, Ms Moreau did not think her TomTom could be leading her down the wrong path.

Moreau's son had already reported her missing by the time she called home to say she was in Zagreb.

Motorist Arrests Policeman for Driving Drunk

Russell George was driving in Prestbury, South Africa, when he noticed a police van swerving. The officer would come to a stop and start off again, leading George to believe the driver was drunk. The van came to a stop and George called police, but when they did not arrive within a few minutes, he approached the officer, smelled alcohol, pulled the policeman out of the car and locked him up in the back of the van! The inebriated police officer was arrested and his firearm was taken away. There had been a report earlier that same evening of the cop pulling a gun on his girlfriend at a nightclub, and a motor vehicle collision in which witnesses reported a police van that had left the scene. The unnamed  officer did not deny being drunk.     

Smurfs Arrested for Assault

First it was Oomps-Loompas, then came Smurfs. Four men painted blue and dressed as Smurfs entered a store in Pascoe Vale, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia.

A 37-year-old Pascoe Vale man was buying cigarettes at a convenience store when he was approached by a man painted blue and dressed as a character from the 1980s cartoon show, police say.

The Smurf asked for a cigarette and was offered one, but he demanded the man light the cigarette before handing it over.

The man refused and was later assaulted.

Police appealed to the public and asked the four men to come forward. Three unidentified 19-year-men and one 18-year-old turned themselves in, and will be charged with "assault-related offences."

Fire Breaks Out During Surgery

A fire started in an upstairs dishwasher at Medivet veterinary clinic in Southend, Essex, England. When the Essex Fire and Rescue Service arrived, they found a vet performing surgery on a dog. The crew determined that the surgery could continue, with a little help. Firefighters battled the blaze and evacuated other animals, and also protected the operating room until the surgery could be completed. They used a high pressure fan to ventilate the operating area. The fire was brought under control in a half hour, and the animals were taken to another clinic.

$4,000 Golden Vibrator Stolen

An armed man entered a luxury sex shop in Brazil, tied up the clerk, and took only one item: an 18-carat gold-plated vibrator with a retail price of $4,000. He neglected to take the charger. The store owner said the thief would have a difficult time removing the gold plating, as the vibrator has a stainless steel core. Besides, the value of the item as stolen goods is questionable. If it was meant to be a gift, the lack of a charger might raise suspicions.

Cat Survives 1,700 Miles Under Train

Polly the cat was found after riding 1,700 miles around England and Wales in the undercarriage of a train. It is thought that she stayed in the undercarriage for at least two days in fear after badly mangling her front limb. Train manager Emily Mahoney-Smith found her when she heard meows on a stop on the way to Cornwall. Taken to a veterinary clinic, the cat was almost put down until the vet scanned for a microchip and found one from a cattery in Plymouth, where Polly's owners had adopted her a couple of years before. Arthur and Louisa Westington hadn't seen Polly in three weeks, and didn't even know she had been microchipped. They gave permission for the cat's limb to be amputated. Polly is now recovering nicely, and will be taken home soon.