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Unfortunately, crime always seems to increase around the holidays... but stealing a man's Thanksgiving turkey is just cold!
Jimmy Mulligan, of Bridgeport, CT, was heading to a friend's house with the turkey and stuffing for Thanksgiving when a guy with a gun approached him.
"I was just robbed at gunpoint right there," Mulligan told the 911 dispatcher. "They took my turkey! Somebody came up behind me, pushed something in my back, told me to face the garage, give them my wallet, and to let go of the plastic bag." The thief also took Mr. Mulligan's wallet.
Jimmy's 911 call was initially mistaken for a prank call.
"At first I thought he was joking, but I could hear from his voice that he was serious," said dispatcher Denny Viera.
Shortly thereafter, Officer Daniel Mendez arrived on scene to confirm that the victim had indeed been robbed of his Thanksgiving turkey.
Dispatcher Viera immediately was inspired to try and help. She called local restaurants hunting down a cooked turkey and once she located some, she purchased two for Mr. Mulligan and his friend.
Officer Mendez picked up the dinners and delivered them to the victim.
"When he gave them the meals, Danny said they were the happiest guys on earth," Viera said.
Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch thanked Viera and the officers:
"I can't say enough about the compassion and empathy shown by the men and woman who work in the 911 center. It's is a difficult job. When they answer the phone, usually they are speaking to someone in crisis. Denny did her job well, got police to the scene and then thought, "I want to do more." She and her colleagues rallied around this man and brightened his Thanksgiving."
As for the turkey thief, the police are still investigating the crime.
*Please note Julie will not represent turkey thiefs.
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