BUCKTIN: 'Boastful teen who smashed 17 cars caught after AI chatbot gave him away'
In this week's round-up of bonkers news from across the Pond, one teenager is regretting confessing to ChatGPT after bragging he'd "got away with" smashing a number of cars
Christopher Bucktin is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience. A former Press Gazette Reporter of the Year, he has held senior roles including Head of Content, before relocating to the United States in 2013 to become US Editor. With a track record for breaking agenda-setting exclusives, he has reported from the front lines of America’s biggest news stories, led investigations into the Trump administration and the Jeffrey Epstein case. He holds weekly columns in the Daily Mirror, Daily Star and Reach's regional titles.
In a bizarre bit of leadership cosplay, America’s indefensible Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth blamed “fat generals”, “beardos” and diversity for decades of US military decline.
Speaking to a hastily assembled group of commanders, he urged them to resign if they didn’t back his vision - because nothing says “readiness” like ideological loyalty tests.
But the moment was not lost on the hundreds of generals gathered, none of whom applauded once for their Führer.
His rant was, however, capped off when, after railing against overweight brass, Hegseth brought out none other than the morbidly obese Commander-in-Chief himself, Donald Trump, wrapping up a spectacle that felt less like a briefing and more like The Apprentice: Pentagon Edition.
READ MORE: Call of Duty inspired bionic arm makes veteran 'feel whole again' after horror explosion***
A Jersey City man attempted to evade £13,600 in tolls by covering his licence plate with socks.
Port Authority cops spotted the 51-year-old’s black sock “plate” on his white Mercedes at the Holland Tunnel.
No tunnel pass, just hosiery and 272 unpaid violations racking up $18,358.31 (£13,617).
He was arrested, his car impounded, and now faces charges that include theft of services, tampering with a government document, driving on a suspended licence, and improper display of licence plates.
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A Missouri student smashed 17 cars at 3am, then immediately poured his heart out to ChatGPT.
Ryan Schaefer, 19, was arrested after surveillance and phone data placed him at the scene.
But prosecutors also flagged a rambling AI chat in which he asked, in essence, “How screwed am I?” and wondered if anyone could link the carnage to him.
The exchange reportedly veered from bluster to threats before he calmed down and boasted he’d “got away with it last year”. Now he’s facing felony charges and the timeless lesson - don’t confess to a chatbot.
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Tragically, 17-year-old Carson Ryan died after being shot by a fellow hunter who reportedly mistook him for a squirrel.
The mishap happened outside Iowa City when gunfire from someone in his hunting party struck Ryan in the back of the head.
He later died at the University of Iowa Health Care.
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Lisa Catalano, 42, isn’t swiping right - she’s swiping cash. The San Mateo vintage clothes retailer is renting a dozen digital billboards along California’s Highway 101, advertising her hand in marriage to any commuter ready to commit.
“I’m putting myself out there,” Catalano said. “People would be shocked if they knew how much this is costing me.”
She launched the campaign on September 2 but kept the price tag under wraps. Still, Catalano insists this is serious business. “This is not a joke. It’s not a gimmick. I just want to find my husband.”
Drivers, beware: love may be coming at you at 65 miles per hour.
