VHS may have been obsolete for years, but it still has a way of reminding us of its existence every now and then.
While these ancient bulky tapes might invoke bittersweet nostalgia – complete with all the rewinding involved – for most of us who actually had the privilege of experiencing them, not everyone gets to be so lucky when it comes to memories of this antiquated video recording medium.
James Meyers, 37, was arrested in North Carolina for failing to return a VHS tape he took out from a now defunct video store some 14 years ago.
Initially pulled over for a broken brake light while driving his 10-year-old daughter to school, an arguably awkward surprise ensued when the officer ran Meyers' license. There is a warrant out for his arrest for not returning the comedy film "Freddy Got Fingered" he rented in 2002!
Despite the rental store, J&J's Video in Salisbury, closing down several years ago, the warrant that was issued on Feb. 28, 2002 remains active and the single dad, who of course had to take his daughter to school at the time he was apprehended, later turned himself into the local police.
"I had my daughter in the car and we were on the way to school they said that I could take my daughter to school and go to work and then find a babysitter, and then come into the police and turn myself in," said Meyers.
He was processed and booked with failure to return hired property, a misdemeanor. He was then released on a written promise and was scheduled to appear in court on April 27.
Actor Tom Green, star of the film he rented -– and apparently kept all these years – got wind of this story and tweeted, "I just saw this and I am struggling to believe it is real."
The actor also reached out to Meyers via phone call from Australia, promising to help in any way and even told Meyers to update him on the situation.
Hopefully, the laughs he got from the movie are worth the now-infamous arrest!
Photo: Kevin Dooley | Flickr
