BREAKING: Rabid Raccoon Found in Prospect Park

And, the hits just keep on coming.

"On December 2, 2010 a dead raccoon, collected from Prospect Park tested positive for rabies a the Public Health Laboratory."

So says the NY Dept of Health & Mental Hygiene in an alert they put out yesterday.

Apparently this is only the second rabid racoon ever found in Prospect Park since raccoon rabies hit the scene in 1992 (the first one was found this Feb in Boerum Hill).

They're going to continue to monitor the situation and suggest that now might be a good time to make sure that your pets have their up-to-date rabies vaccinnations.

My best advice: if you see a raccoon, RUN LIKE FORREST GUMP in the opposite direction.

Attack of The iPhone Bike Thieves?

Apparently it's no longer safe to talk on your own motherfucking iPhone, on your own motherfucking street.

That's right folks: welcome to the world of Bike riding iPhone bandits! Apparently, these pedal to the metal thieves will snatch your iPhone right out of your hand, and then ride off into the sunset like E.T. or some shit.

"At least three women and a man were targeted by a two-wheeling terror in Park Slope, Prospect Heights and Boerum Hill last month; three other women were robbed of their tricked-out smart phones in Park Slope in October, a police source said."

Jesus fucking christ. Where the hell does a bitch gotta go now to be left alone in peace with her Apple products?! Cleveland!?

 (via The NY Post)

'Oh, You're Getting Fucking Arrested'

I have no clue where this woman actually lives, but fuck it: I'm nominating her for FIPS woman of the year anyway! We salute you, justifiably pissed off subway lady!

Apparently this chick was ridin the subz, mindin her own beezwax, when low and behold, she notices some dude WITH HIS JUNK OUTSIDE OF HIS PANTS tryin to press up against her. She wasn't quick enough with her Blackberry camera, but thankfully some bystander with an iPhone documented her rant in its entirety. Cause basically she went ape shit on the perp's ass...and it was totally fucking epic:

"Oh, you're getting fucking arrested. I'm not leaving your side. My plans are done for the night. I'm escorting you to the police station. Oh, yes. Oh, fucking yes."

You go girl.

(via URLesque)

Rogue Midnight Arsonists Taking Over Park Slope?

This just in at FIPS HQ from reader Kristin:

So this was posted on Brooklynian an few hours ago:"Last night, around 4am, I heard two car alarms go off and then felt heat on my back. A car was completely on fire on 14th street between 6th and 7th avenues. Within minutes a fire truck came and put it out and then left. Then the car caught fire again and a fire truck came back and put it out. This afternoon I saw another car completely burnt out just down the block. My neighbors told me that five fires were set last night between 6th and 7th on 14th street. Does anyone have any information?"

The post as no responses yet. I live on 14th and this was the first I heard about it, but seeing as I live a block away from where these car fires were supposedly set (and my car is parked not far!) I have a selfish reason for wanting to know the scoop, but I'm sure other residents of South Slope would be very interested to know too."

Anyone have scoop? Do we have a rogue arsonist on the loose or all thse burning cars just a verrrry big coinkydink?

UPDATE: Just rec'd the following tip from FIPS reader Katie (as well as these kickass pics): I also live on 14th between 6th and 7th.  When we walked out yesterday morning there were two cars that were completely burned out as well as a bunch of other spots along the sidewalks...from burned trash cans. I called the police precint to see what happened since I couldnt' find anything online and apparently it was arson--some assholes just setting fire to trashcans (and apparently cars). Shitheads. 

Shitheads, indeed. Check this shizzy out:

BREAKING: Fire On 5th Ave and 17th Street

FIPS reader Corey just emailed us with some crazy ass pics of a fire that's goin down on the corner of 5th Ave and 17th street.

HOLY SHITBALLS! Anyone else have scoop?

UPDATE: Gothamist has scoop (a boiler exploded in the Associated supermarket).

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: [Fr the Red Cross] "Hi Erica please let your readers know that if they or someone they know has suffered damage due to the fire, the Red Cross may be able to provide assistance and information. Please have them call our 24-hour number at 1-877-REDCROSS (733-2767). For more details on our response to the fire as it happens, please follow us on twitter at twitter.com/redcrossny. Thank you."