J une 17th, 2004 A16
Martial Arts Turtles: Fact or Fiction?
by ANDREW WILGUS, Staff Reporter
For the last decade, a popular urban legend in the New York area is the apperance of 'karate' or 'ninja' turtle-men who move swiftly through the night, occasionally fighting crime and fighting for citizens in need. In recent times, however, increased reportings in both the New York City and Springfield, MA area have caused many people to look once more into the rumors.
"They had ruined me!" says Hadji Takama, 50, a former Japanese businessman. "I do not deny I was doing criminal activities, but they foiled me! Four of them!" Hadji had apparently been caught by the turtle-men in 1996 during Halloween night, but has failed to give adequate details of his plot. The policeman who arrested Hadji, however, replied he saw the turtles as well, thinking them teenagers in costume.
One man, Ise Harouki, claims to have been in battle with the turtles during the Asian gang wars of 1998-1999, stating he fought one who used nunchaku (nunchucks) expertly. He too says he saw four in total.
The turtle-men have since seemingly moved to Massachusetts, at least for a little while. Sid Bernid spoke for a group of young men when he was taken out eight years ago by at least two turtles when investigating odd noises at his grandfather's farmhouse. "They kept moving about real quietly....knocked us all out one by one. Wore red headbands. Maybe orange."
The first tales had simply been dismissed as insanity, but increasing numbers of people, as well as a semi-degree of consistency for the turtles' looks (when one would have enough light to see them, for many it was too dark to see all but an outline), and their stealth and apparent fighting skills had locals dub them 'Ninja' turtles. A large number of reports are also positive-some claim to have been saved by the turtle-men, while others witnessed criminals being caught by them.
Are they real? In this reporter's opinion-
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'What are you reading, sensei?" asked Leonardo. Splinter looked up at his star pupil and smiled as he folded up the paper.
"Nothing, my son. Nothing."