As I write this there are two ancient clans of Gypsy‘s in a turf war in Southern California. What’s at stake? Control of the lucrative fortunetelling trade. The gypsy’s had a fragile truce until the leader of the Stevens clan died of a sudden heart attack. The rival Merino clan smelled blood and attempted a brutal power grab:

Things were calm for months until the Stevens patriarch died of a heart attack at age 53 last May. Edward “Davie” Merino showed up at the funeral, pulling up at the cemetery in a limo with what was described as a menacingly burly chauffeur.

Merino says members of the Stevens clan attacked him and screamed, “We will make your life a living hell!” But the Stevens claim that Merino flashed a gun and threatened to “come back and kill all of you.” Both sides agree that before speeding off, Merino shouted that he wanted to make sure “the motherfucker was dead.”

As you can imagine this didn’t sit well. This all goes back to when the Merino Clan tried to setup two fortunetelling shops in Orange County which everyone knows is Stevens Clan territory. The Stevens Clan immediately demanded $500,000 up front and $5,000 a week or else. Being that they’re Gypsy’s the Merino Clan refused and both of their shops were broken into and ransacked the next day. Breaking the Old World Rules of Honor the Merino Clan went to the police and tried to press charges. The Stevens Clan backed down.

Now that the leader of the Stevens Clan is gone Edward “Davie” Merino is kicking ass and taking names.

I love a good Gypsy fight.

God bless Yahoo News. Kasey G. Kazee, of Ashland, KY, has been accused of being the “Duct Tape Bandit”. What is the “Duct Tape Bandit” you ask? Well, of course it’s a man who wraps his head in Duct Tape and robs liquor stores. Why would one wrap their entire head in Duct Tape you ask? Simply put, because they reside below the mason-dixon line. Kazee was of course caught and beaten, here’s where Yahoo News runs with it:

Shamrock Liquors store manager Bill Steele had some duct tape of his own, but his was wrapped around a wooden club that sent the robber fleeing, according to a report by WSAZ-TV in Huntington, WV.

Store employee Craig Miller said he chased the man to the parking lot, tackled him and held him in a choke hold until police arrived. A customer also helped, police said.

Brilliant…  Bottle to Throttle.