Window repairman's crack business plan backfires

Times were so tough for Redlands window repairman Timothy Carl Klenke, police say, that he decided to take proactive measures. So he armed himself with a slingshot and began cruising around the city, shattering at least five windows and car windshields as he went.

“The statements he gave to officers led them to believe he was out to drum up business and was prepared to go out and do some more damage,” Redlands police spokesman Carl Baker said this morning.

Witnesses reported seeing Klenke, 50, driving around in his Honda in the areas where the vandalism occurred. When police arrived at his Redlands home, they said, they found a slingshot in his car along with projectiles that matched those used to smash the windows and windshields.

Baker said Klenke, who was arrested Monday, planned to contact the victims later and offer to repair the windows for a fee.

“I’m sure it has something to do with the economy,” Baker said. “Everybody is hurting now.”

-- David Kelly

Photo: Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Manuel]

I beleive they call it "Desperation!"

[Ron, Huntington Beach, Ca]

But isn't this the Dick Cheney style of capitalism?. Starting a war and tearing stuff up so american contactors can get government money to fix it? Keynesian economics! How is what all the oilmen do capitalism,but this guy is a conspirator? Should he have been breaking windows in government buildings? When Dick Cheney does it, he's a patriot.

[km]

Gee, isn't that what Schwartznegger used to do? Only he went around with a weight-lifting buddy after earthquakes and while one talked to the homeowner the other would be up on the roof using his muscle to break off bricks from the chimney, then the two would hit the homeowner up for a repair job.

[HC]

Hey Ron,

I guess he didn't go to your house and break a few windows. Otherwise, you would be saying something else. Moron! Get a life!

[Dave]

I would bet my next two paychecks that he registered as a Republican.

[charlotte auto glass]

It is pretty sad that people have to do things like this to get business. But the thing that I do not get, how did he think that he was going to be the one who got the work? that is what makes no sense at all. Trust me not all auto glass shops are like this. When we are slow we wash the van or spend time with out family, not go out doing evil

Larry

[domesh]

While I find this sort of thing both humorous and alarming, there is a lesson here that many Americans, particularly those in Washington, should have learned in Econ 101. I'd say, this guy should not be prosecuted at all. He was merely practicing Economic Stimulus on par with our boys and girls in Congress and the White House. Its not a novel idea of course. French economist Frederic Bastiat articulated the fallacy quite well in his Parable of the Broken Window (1848). Then again I'm only an Historian/Economist so what do I know?

[Toby]

What's wrong HC? Too close to home? Why aren't we investigating Dick Cheney's ties to contractors cashing in big time over in Iraq/Afghanistan? I thought Ron's analogy was spot on. Isn't that the same as Bush Sr. did before he left office in late 1992, funded military contractors in Somalia? Where's the "liberal media" when you need it?

[Joseph]

At least he wants work! But congress is giving ACORN $5 Billion of our tax money so they can continue their fraudulent and corrupt ways.

[NOT AS DUMB AS CALI]

ONLY DOUCHE BAGS FROM CALI WOULD IMMEDIATELY BRING UP REPUBLICANS AND POLITICS ABOUT A BROKEN GLASS STORY....CAN'T WAIT TIL YOU FINALLY DROP INTO THE PACIFIC

[Replacement Auto Glass]

Well, economy crisis also affects the attitude of some people just like Klenke. How pathetic.