Weird News: What's Less Popular Than Congress, Who is Mowing the Lincoln Memorial Lawn and Why is This Dog a Star?

 By Patch Staff

Editor's Note: Patch has 31 sites in Virginia and D.C., and not a day goes by that something weird isn't happening somewhere in the area. Here's a look back at some weird goings-on over the past week.

What are some things more popular than Congress right now?  

Hemorrhoids, toenail fungus and dog poop among other items, according to Public Policy Polling released Tuesday. The North Carolina-based polling institute surveyed 502 registered voters between October 4-6 on their opinions on how Congress is doing. The survey found that of the registered voters polled, 85 percent disapprove of Congress.

Phone Jacking Suspecting Asked Victim to Call His Brother Before Stealing Phone

A woman who had her phone stolen was asked by the thief to make a phone call for him before he took off with the phone, Manassas City Police said.

It happened Oct. 2 at a bus stop on the 9200 block of Lee Avenue in Manassas. where the suspect approached the victim and asked her to call his brother.

The victim agreed and when the call reached voicemail, handed the phone to the suspect to leave a message, police said.

That's when the suspect took off with the phone.

Random Man Mows Lincoln Memorial Lawn

While the federal shutdown has U.S. National Park Service grounds maintenance teams chilling at home instead of trimming, it probably isn't a good idea to take the government's landscaping into your own hands.

That's what happened on Wednesday when a random man decided to unload his lawnmower and cut the grass at the Lincoln Memorial while carrying the South Carolina state flag.

But  don't be inclined to mow any of the 5,000 acres of Manassas National Battlefield Park that span Prince William and Fairfax counties-you will very likely be asked to leave.  Like other national parks, Manassas National Battlefield is closed to visitors because of the federal shutdown.

Crime Report: Beer Reported Stolen from Business

Beer was reported stolen from a business on October 7 on the 2900 block of Cedar Lane in Vienna.

Jack the Canine Artist: Dog Chews Designer Shoes, Owner Posts to eBay

Rose Hill resident Terrence Nowlin was surprised — and quite impressed — when he realized his dog Jack had chewed through approximately a third of one of his shoes.

Jack is known for being a chewer, Nowlin said, but this particular incident was a little different, and he was too surprised to be upset about losing a left foot to a $200 pair of Cole Haan wingtips. In fact, Nowlin calls Jack's work an accomplishment.

UPDATE: Police Believe Suspect in Bank Robbery is the 'Beacon Hill Bandit'

According to an FCPD news release, police have reason to believe the suspect in Friday's robbery at TD Bank is the Beacon Hill Bandit — the suspect in five previous robberies at the same location.

The suspect entered the bank around 12:30 p.m. Oct. 4 and demanded money. The teller complied and the suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. No injuries were reported during the incident.

Police: 18-Year-Old Wakes to Find Strange Man in Kitchen

An 18-year-old Arlington woman awoke this weekend to find a strange man in her kitchen, according to information the police released Monday.

Investigators believe the man entered the residence, in the 6100 block of North Wilson Boulevard, through a window.

The woman awoke at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday when she heard the individual and went to investigate, police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck told Patch.

New Ghostly Stories on Haunted Occoquan Tour

Local ghost tour guide andparanormal investigator Kay Pietrewicz has collected even more ghostly tales this year, just in time to guide visitors through the haunted streets of Occoquan during Halloween season.