The Rooster And The Rat: Rochester's Cold Case Archives (Part 1)

A little over a year ago, starting on August 11, 2010, one of the great unsolved cold cases in Rochester history occurred.  This is the first of three newspaper articles chronicling these events.  The case is still open and unsolved.

(Ed.note:  I inherited the fake rooster from the office where I worked in PA.  When my job and I relocated to NY, the rooster came with me.  A peer in another department owns the fake rat, and one week the rat made it's way around the floor...)
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Local Rat Kidnapped:

Police Begin City-Wide Search

ROCHESTER, NY (8/11/10)– Authorities have reported that a local Rat was reported missing yesterday, in what appears to be a kidnapping for ransom. 

The ransom note, which did not specify an amount at this point in time, was delivered to a Xerox employee on the same floor where the Rat was last seen.  The Rooster, who is also a Xerox subcontractor, signed the ransom note.  The Rooster left a note on his desk stating he was “out of the office indefinitely,” according to police.  He left behind a picture at the scene, which the police have released.

(Picture left at The Rooster’s desk)

At a press conference today, Police Sergeant Beaver stated, “We do not have many leads at this point.  We believe the kidnapping took place in the morning hours of Wednesday, August 11.  We have reviewed the crime scene and are currently analyzing potential clues to determine where to narrow the search.”

It appears that as of right now, there is not a motive for the kidnapping.  “He was here this morning, just minding his own business, and I left to go to a quick meeting.  When I came back, I saw the feathers on the ground and feared for the worst,” said Michelle Defendis, a fellow Xerox employee.  Another Xerox employee, Kristi Carlton, said, “I just hope he is found safe and sound.  I can’t imagine who would do such a horrible thing!”

(picture released by Police)

According to Police Sergeant Beaver, police have distributed flyers with pictures of both the Rat, and his assailant, the Rooster.  “We have all available personnel searching the city, and we have approved overtime in order to solve this quickly and safely for the Rat and his family. We are also releasing pictures that were anonymously faxed to Police Headquarters.  Unfortunately, the fax number could not be traced.”

In addition, Sergeant Beaver issued a stern warning, “We consider The Rooster to be very unstable and we advise all citizens that if they do see the Rooster, to not take the law into their own hands.  Sightings or other information can be reported through our 9-1-1-1 call center.  We want to ensure that the Rooster doesn’t go off half-cocked and turn this into a bigger tragedy than it already is.”

(picture released by Police)

The police have also mentioned that they are working with the Department of Homeland Security, who in a press release issued yesterday afternoon, stated “We are deeply concerned that this type of activity is now occurring in the animal community.  This is a potential new wave of terrorism that we, quite frankly, were not expecting.  As a result, we may raise the current terror alert from Yellow to Orange.”

As updates become available, please visit our webpage for all the latest developments of this bizarre kidnapping case. 

WANTED AND MISSING POSTERS: