The Larely Beagle – The Community Newspaper of Larely, California

Larely, CA – The world of rock and roll collided with the city of Larely today when rock icon Jon Bon Jovi received a citation from the Larely Police Department for carrying a loaded six string, which was turned up following a search off his tour bus.

Bon Jovi, the band fronted by Jon, is currently touring to promote “When We Were Beautiful”, a documentary filmed in 2008, and were in town to play UC-Larely’s Clint Howard Auditorium. They were on their way to sound check when their tour bus was stopped by Larely Police officer Sean McKay for going 55 in a 54.

After sensing what he called “erratic behavior” from the bus driver, Officer McKay demanded everyone get off the bus so it could be searched. As McKay recounts, “I walked on to the bus and the first thing I saw was part of a black case sticking out from under a blanket. I walked over to investigate further and when I moved the blanket, my worst fears were realized…it was a loaded six string. I had never seen one in person before, but they warned us about these in the academy. I immediately ran off the bus and called the bomb squad to come and disarm it.”

The Larely bomb squad, however, had to call in a specialist from the Los Angeles Police Department, as none of them were certified to disarm loaded six strings. After waiting thirty minutes, the proper help arrived and the six string was quickly disarmed.

After the item was disarmed, Officer McKay issued Jon the citation, which will cost him in the neighborhood of $10,000, gave him a stern lecture, and sent him on his way. When asked what the lecture consisted of, McKay told reporters, “I told him he might be able to get away with these shenanigans in other cities, but definitely not in a family community like Larely.” He then added, “A man with his sort of influence over young people should learn to act better and maybe he won’t give love such a bad name. He can’t just come riding into town on a steel horse with a loaded six string on his back and expect to get away with it. I promise the fine citizens of Larely, should this happen again, I will draw first and draw first blood.”

Bon Jovi vowed to fight the citation in court. However, Larely mayor Vern Bixler didn’t know if that would be necessary, saying he was sure an agreement could be reached, provided he receive an autographed copy of “Slippery When Wet”.