A New Mexico inmate was successful in escaping from iron restraints using cocoa butter and several pairs of socks, but her idea to use baby powder to blind the officer didn't work well. Anita Rachel Thomas, 20, was able to make only two feet past the officer she threw baby powder on when he grabbed her. According to new release by Dona Ana County sheriff's office, Thomas freed herself from the leg irons and handcuffs when officers were transporting her to court by a van. When the van stopped and the detention officer opened the door, Thomas allegedly threw baby powder at him, hit him in the face and tried to run.

An 81-year-old man has taken up a tough mission for his age to be able to help an aid organization for homeless people. Bill Anderson of Yuma will be bicycling around Arizona's perimeter; a 2,000-mile trek that he expects will take two weeks to cover. According to Anderson his biking tour is dedicated to raise awareness about hunger and homelessness, while collecting donations from volunteers on the way.

City officials in Roswell, New Mexico want to build a UFO-themed amusement park. Called Alien Apex Resort, the park would feature an indoor roller coaster that would take passengers on their very own alien abduction. At 60 to 80 acres, the park would also have rides and attractions, including an exhibit hall with information on exploring the universe.

Police have arrested a 31-year-old man from Farmington, New Mexico for stealing his employer's silver - bit by bit over several years. Jadyn Earl John Sessing, an assistant day manager at Cooperative Plating blames his gambling habit for why he has been stealing silver since 2004. He now stands charged with seven counts of felony theft in Ramsey County District Court.

Officials from Miami Beach, Florida are exploring ways to outsource new sand from foreign beaches after the usual methods of replenishing the beaches has dried up. New beaches from where sand could be exported include the shores of Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos Islands and Mexico, the Christian Science Monitor reported Wednesday.