Crime Dog McGruff, the Early Years  Sept. 1. A 23-year-old Costa
Mesa dog owner discovered his wallet and two cell phones (Two
cell phones? Relax, dude!) missing from his 1989 Volvo. With no
suspects and only his Labrador/German shepherd mix Rudy on hand,
the victim endeavored to sniff out the thief. Rudy picked up a
scent around the car and trailed it to a Costa Mesa 7-Eleven.
From there, the dog tracked the curious odor to a group of male
subjects in their late teens hanging out nearby. Rudy zeroed in
on one teen in particular and really gave him a good nose-
probing. Seeing a possible break in the case, the victim asked
the besniffed suspect where he lived. The teen gave a vague
answer and then disappeared into the night. The victim summoned
police, but they were unable to apprehend the suspect. Despite
this failure, rumor has it that Rudy has put in for a promotion
to sergeant.  TEMPUS FUGIT Sept. 2. A 51-year-old Irvine
resident retrieved a pair of watches from the Traditional
Jewelers repair shop in Newp