MEMPHIS, Tenn. — "One of the times we are most vulnerable as victims of crimes is in a toilet stall with pants down. That is when the defendant chose to make John Brady a victim."

With those words, prosecutor Steve Jones convinced a jury two weeks ago to convict Oscar Reynolds, 29, of robbery.

The incident occurred on Jan. 25, 2000. Reynolds walked into a bathroom in an East Memphis office building, stuck his head under an occupied stall and said, "Give me your wallet, you old white-haired mother------."

Brady, who had his khakis around his ankles, refused, and Reynolds slid out and began banging on the door. Reynolds then reportedly reappeared under the door and grabbed hold of Brady's ankles. As Reynolds tried to tug the screaming 55-year-old out of the stall, the door kicked open. Moments later, Brady's left trouser leg came off and Reynolds ran off with his victim's pant leg and wallet.

But Brady's yelling had alerted building maintenance staff outside. As Reynolds ran out of the building, several people, including a police officer in the vicinity were waiting in the parking lot. The half-clothed Brady soon appeared as well and subsequently identified the toilet-mugger and the missing pant leg.

Authorities say Reynolds committed the crime to get money to buy crack-cocaine. Reynolds has prior convictions of aggravated robbery, theft and drug trafficking. He faces 6 to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced Feb. 15.

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — An Oakland Park man with a penchant for stealing parking meters — more than 100 of them — has finally been arrested, police said.

Herbert Raysin, 32, is charged with grand theft for allegedly sawing off and stealing 144 parking meters in four cities since November. Authorities finally caught up with Raysin on Jan. 24 after a deputy spotted a suspicious van with its lights turned off parked near several meters. Raysin was found lurking in the shadows nearby.

Raysin committed the thefts primarily at night and used a pipe cutter to remove meters from their poles, according to Hugh Graf, a spokesman for the Broward County sheriff's department. Raysin's bizarre crime spree caused about $49,000 in damage and lost revenue. Each meter is reportedly valued at approximately $300 and is capable of holding as much as $40 in change. The monies from the parking meters have yet to be recovered, Graf said.

Authorities initially believed that Raysin was part of a gang because of the large number of thefts, but after a weeklong investigation concluded that he was acting alone.

BOULDER, Colo. — Bob Rowan says he was acting in a patriotic manner when he removed a string of 21 ceramic penises from the Boulder Public Library's art museum in November.

Prosecutors, however, disagree and have charged Rowan, 49, with second-degree criminal trespassing.

Wearing a sweatshirt that said "Love Our Flag or Leave Our Country," Rowan pleaded not guilty on Jan. 28, saying he took the art because it was obscene and inappropriate for visitors, especially children. He rejected an offer from prosecutors that would have banned him from the library for a year and barred him from contacting the artist of the sculptures. Now Rowan faces up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted.

According to prosecutors, Rowan took the display on Nov. 10 and, in place of the artwork, left an American flag and a note signed "El Dildo Bandito." Rowan says he was infuriated with the library's willingness to display the "disgusting" art and also was unhappy with the library director, who allegedly refused to hang an American flag in the building's atrium a few days earlier.

Rowan allegedly took the phalluses, titled "Hanging 'Em Out to Dry," from the library's Canyon Gallery in front of several witnesses and then boxed them in his living room. Created by artist Susanne Walker, the penile carvings were displayed for the "Art Triumphs Over Domestic Violence" exhibit, as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

Police tracked down Rowan after he called a local radio station to boast about the crime. But the arrest has not flustered Rowan, who is taking his arrest to garner publicity for his new Web site, which sells "El Dildo Bandito" merchandise. All the items feature a logo of a sombrero-wearing bandit surrounded by American and Mexican flags and the slogan "Viva El Bandito." Since the filing of the charges, Rowan has appeared on at least 14 radio talk shows to promote the site. Rowan says that all the proceeds will be donated to families of military personnel who die fighting terrorism abroad.

Rowan's next court appearance is scheduled for March 7.

MESA, Ariz. — Michael Jacobs, 18, had recently lost his job and had a child to support. So, authorities say, he went on a hapless crime spree that led him from one disaster to another.

Police said the follies began in early January when, during one heist attempt, Jacobs dropped and broke his fake gun at a Walgreens drugstore. He quickly picked up the pieces and fled the scene.

The following day, Jacobs and an accomplice went to a local supermarket, grabbed three candy bars, and handed the cashier a $20 bill to pay for the snacks. When the cashier opened the resister, Jacobs sprayed her with pepper spray, according to Mesa police detective Tim Gaffney.

The cashier, however, had slammed the register shut and Jacobs was unable to grab the cash. To make matters worse, Jacobs, who is asthmatic, had an asthma attack moments later. His accomplice ran off and Jacobs was forced to pull out his inhaler as he stumbled to his rented getaway car.

But the bad luck continued.

Jacobs arrived at his car, only to realize he had locked the keys inside. So, authorities say, he smashed the window with a rock and drove off. In his haste and perplexed state, Jacobs forgot to turn on his headlights. Minutes later, he drove by a police cruiser and was pulled over and arrested.

After his arrest, Jacobs described himself as a "nice, cool guy" and admitted he is not cut out for a life of crime. He faces charges of armed robbery and aggravated robbery.