Sometimes a Sweet Tooth May Hold You Back as a Robber

This sounds like a modern-day version of a Grimms’ fairy tale -- a grim, true tale. The Thin Blue Line, a publication of the Los Angeles Police Department, reported that two armed robbers emptied the cash register of a liquor store and couldn’t resist also grabbing a couple of boxes of Jolly Rancher candies.

Apparently, they tried to get at the sweets while on the run. Which was good news for the cops who followed a trail of spilled candy to a nearby apartment complex, where they arrested the suspects.

“More Jolly Ranchers were recovered inside the apartment,” the newspaper said.

Unreal estate: Today’s showings (see accompanying) include:

* A three-bath, no-bedroom exhibit (Tony O’Doherty of Bermuda Dunes).

* An estate whose lights are not for X-rated shows (Donna Marx of Glendora).

* A wine bar rack apparently intended for nondrinkers (Doug Stokes of Duarte).

Mystery of the day: Can you identify that mysterious device in the backyard of Pat and Bob Burns of Canoga Park (see photo)?

Answer: Of course, all you old-timers (such as myself) knew what it was: a backyard incinerator of the type that was used to burn trash in the real smoggy old days of L.A.

“We bought our new home 50 years ago,” wrote Pat Burns. “Its features included the incinerator, which still sits behind the garage, where it was in 1955. It was outlawed shortly after we moved in. I figured we made payments on it for 30 years -- why not keep it?” No, it hasn’t been used since it became verboten.

Pointed out Burns: “It has low miles on it if anyone would care to adopt it.”

Backyard drama: Growing up, I still recall, my cat Buttercup would accompany my parents to the incinerator when it came time to shovel out the ashes. Buttercup could be ferocious, perhaps out of embarrassment over being a male with that name. Often as not, a mouse would leap out during the shoveling, and Buttercup would pick it off with one paw, the way a first basemen takes in a throw from the infield.

Hot topic: USA Today carried a touching article about a subject you probably haven’t given much thought to (and shame on you): dehydration problems suffered by the costumed mascots of athletic teams.

But don’t feel sorry for San Diego’s most famous sports figure -- Ted Giannoulas, the San Diego Chicken.

Said Giannoulas: “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the chicken.”

miscelLAny: A Taste of Adventure event, sponsored by Redwood Creek Wines at the Museum of the American West on March 2, will afford guests the opportunity to munch on such delicacies as scorpions on endive with herb cheese, sauteed rosemary rattlesnake and orchids dipped in champagne batter. The San Diego Chicken won’t be anywhere in the vicinity.

*

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.