Fast thinking: a security guard learns that brains, not brawn, is sometimes the best way to catch late-night trespassers.(LESSONS LEARNED)

Brian worked as the aquatics director at a funky Northern California university with a nice natatorium. Maybe a little too nice. Because Brian had a problem. His pool was the subject of frequent late-night break-ins that caused minor damage to the facility and major annoyance to his staff who had to clean up the mess student revelers often left behind: clothes, cans, bottles and the like.

The school had a regular security guard named Bubba who was supposed to look after the pool But Bubba was an older man who waddled more than he walked, and the students had little or no respect for him ... Until the night he became a legend to Brian and his staff--and made students think twice about pool break-ins.

It started like all the other break-ins. Some students arrived at the natatorium for an after-hours swim, using a crowbar to open the door. They were frolicking away, unaware they had set off the silent alarm--and the ever-intrepid Bubba.

Wasting no time, Bubba headed over to the pool in full security guard gear: boots, utility belt with about 75 keys, a Maglite and a radio. As he approached, the swimmers heard his rattling, quickly grabbed their clothing and ran out the other end of the building. They knew Bubba couldn't catch them on foot. But on this night, it was speed of mind, not feet, that would rule the hour.

Bubba spotted the wet tracks, which gave away the direction of the trespassers. With the help of his industrial-strength flashlight, he watched four full moons running toward the dorms.

Maybe it was the way they fairly trotted away. Maybe he'd just had enough of the break-ins. Whatever it was, Bubba decided to take drastic action.

He carefully locked up the pool and headed over to the dorms. As he arrived he radioed the fire department and told them he would be setting off the fire alarm. There was no fire. ...