Weird News of Week: ATV Chase, Rental Mess and One Rogue Peacock

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to inspiring tales of community brotherhood. But some stories are just plain weird. Here are some of the stranger headlines from the past seven days.

ATV vs. Cops in All-Terrain Chase

Police in Southold were led on a high-speed chase this week when a man driving an all-terrain vehicle refused to stop and instead took off into the woods ... that is, after he let his girlfriend get off the vehicle first.

Though the vehicle was able to shake the cops on pursuit, police responded with a K-9 unit and found the woman hiding in the woods. But then another officer patrolling the area reportedly saw the ATV being loaded into the bed of a pickup truck. The man admitted to being the one who led them on the chase and was arrested.

You Want Me to Rent This?

An employee of Hertz told police that four rental cars parked at the East Hampton Airport in Wainscott had blue cleaner/detergent, syrup, eggs, and baking flour thrown at them overnight on Aug. 9. There was no lasting damage reported to the three 2012 Chevrolets and one 2012 Nissan, but a criminal mischief affidavit was signed.

Locals in Riverhead have gotten used to a new visitor in town, one whose beautiful plumage almost makes up for the all the poop it's been leaving in the streets.

The peacock has become a welcomed guest at Duck Pond Estates, where residents have spotted the animal since it first showed up a month ago. So far, nobody knows where the animal came from.

In fact, several residents have fed the bird, which believe it or not is well suited to living in this kind of climate zone.

Not all are peacock fans, though.

"At first it was fascinating and very cool but he poops everywhere," one resident, who asked not to be identified, told Patch. "We've stepped in it, and my husband is power washing every day. It's frustrating. My 3-year-old is not a fan."