How to get yourself arrested -- YouTube-style

“How to Scam Del Taco” was a minor hit on YouTube but, unfortunately for the filmmaker, some Rialto police officers were among the 20,000-plus viewers.

They arrested him for scamming a Del Taco out of about $15 worth of food by making bogus complaints, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reported.

Robert Echeverria, 32, was sentenced to 30 days in county jail and three years of misdemeanor probation, and was banned for life from the Rialto Del Taco.

“It’s Taco Bell from now on,” Echeverria said in the courtroom, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Doug Schaller.

Echeverria’s seven-minute how-to opus shows him phoning the restaurant, identifying himself as a CEO and asserting that he had called Del Taco’s corporate offices to complain that a recent order of his had been messed up. Unwanted sour cream, etc.

Del Taco gives him a new order, and the film ends with Echeverria and two associates happily dining. His companions are awaiting trial.

After police were tipped off, they had no trouble tracking Echeverria down. In the film, he gives a Del Taco worker two phone numbers.

“We thank him,” said Rialto Police Lt. Joe Cirilo.

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Nothing’s simple anymore

Joe Devinny of Long Beach noticed that students at one school have to pre-enroll for their spring break (see photo). I’m betting there’s a rush of applications from the kids.

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Christmas in March?

On Sports Illustrated’s website, David Chan of L.A. noticed that Old Saint Nick has a school -- and it’s in Santa Barbara (see accompanying). It’s a wonder his undersized basketball team ever wins any games, what with all the elves on the roster.

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Unclear on the concept

Patt Richards of Arcadia filled out one store’s questionnaire regarding her holiday shopping experience and suggested that “they did not have enough sales help and that the aisles were too narrow and crowded with merchandise.”

Then, Richards continued, “to our surprise we received an apology for having a satisfactory shopping experience. What does one have to do to have an unsatisfactory experience?” (see accompanying)

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No need to employ threats!

Was a church bulletin hinting that parishioners better bring prizes or else (see accompanying)? That was the question from one Long Beach reader who asked to remain anonymous because “I bruise easily.”

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Stupid Criminal Tricks

Bob S. sent me a clip of an Ohio newspaper story about a 43-year-old Santa Monica man who stole a cash register from a bar and fled on foot, only to be tripped up by his pants, which dropped below his knees. Also, his false teeth fell out.

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miscelLAny

Would you stop your car for a giant Easter Bunny in a crosswalk?

Sixty drivers in San Pedro did not during a five-hour stretch, the Daily Breeze reported, and all received tickets because inside the giant Easter bunny costume was a standard-sized L.A. police officer.

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Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LATIMES, Ext. 77083; by fax at (213) 237-4712; by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012; and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.