6 State shoplifting ring busted www.privateofficer.com

from; Press Release

Jefferson County, Colorado – On Monday, April 25 2008

Jefferson County deputies responded to the Target store located at 9390 W. Cross Dr. regarding a theft. Store security had one male in custody and was looking for two additional suspects who left the store.

During a search of the area, deputies located and arrested the two remaining suspects after receiving a physical description of them and details about the vehicle they were associated with. The suspects were identified as Amy M. May (dob 082582), Jordon A. Debow and Corey K. Cornwell (dob 050184).

It appears that all three suspects are part of a larger theft ring that originated in Iowa.

In previous days, Target’s Corporate Office sent national internal communications to its Loss Prevention Offices warning about the theft ring and their specific activities.

This particular group may be responsible for as many as 40 separate shoplifting incidents at Target stores across six states. (Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska) On April 21st, members from this group entered two different Target stores in Arvada where they selected a variety of DVD box sets, valued between $160 to $190, and cut the plastic wrap from the product in order to remove the security stickers.

The items were then left in a specific location for another suspect to retrieve and place into a target bag. The suspect then exited the store without purchasing the merchandise and without setting off the security alarm. The suspects committed a similar theft on April 22nd at the Target in Jefferson County where they were arrested.

This is the same type of behavior the suspects engaged in at numerous Target stores across the country. The suspects are currently in custody for theft series, theft by receiving and aggravated motor vehicle theft, $25,000 bond each.

Because of the enormity of the criminal investigation, many aspects and details about this case are still being investigated.

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Man gets 50 year prison term in child rape www.privateofficer.com

Man gets 50 year prison term for child rape www.privateofficer.com

from the Mobile Press
BAY MINETTE Al. April 25 2008 — An illegal Mexican immigrant was sentenced to 50 years in prison Wednesday for repeated sexual attacks on a 5-year-old boy in Orange Beach.
In handing down the sentence for Inigo Felix Vaigoes, Baldwin County Circuit Court Judge Charles C. Partin said, “It is the intention of the court that you be an old man when you are released from the penitentiary.”
Vaigoes pleaded guilty in December to three counts of sodomy and two counts of sexual abuse. He will not be eligible for parole, according to Alabama law.
Prosecutors said Vaigoes had repeated sexual encounters with the boy from Janu ary 2006 until he was arrested in October of that year.
Vaigoes had been dating the boy’s aunt, and the attacks occurred when he was watching the child, prosecutors said.
Vaigoes was living in Orange Beach at the time and working construction jobs in the south Baldwin area. He said he was intoxicated during the assault incidents and had no recollection of what happened.
He told the judge through an interpreter Wednesday that he had been sexually abused as a child. He said he believed that the abuse had “influenced him.”
“He’s sorry for what he did,” the interpreter said.
Before sentencing, the boy’s mother told Partin that her son was once carefree and outgoing but has become “reserved” since the attacks.
“This just changed his whole outlook,” the mother said. “He doesn’t believe he can trust an adult anymore. He lost his innocence.”
Defense attorney Tanya Hallford asked whether Vaigoes wanted to apologize to the child and his family. “Yes,” the interpreter said.
Partin sentenced Vaigoes to 20 years in prison for each of the three counts of sodomy. Two of those sentences will run consecutively. The judge also sentenced Vaigoes to 10 years for each of the two counts of sexual abuse. One of those 10-year sentences will run consecutive to the 40 years on the sodomy counts.

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Off-duty officer killed during confrontation with police www.privateofficer.com

Off-duty police officer killed by officer during confrontation www.privateofficer.com

Baltimore MD. April 25 2008

An off-duty officer was shot and killed by another officer early Thursday after he drew a handgun when police tried to quell a brawl at a strip club, police said.
Officer Norman Stamp, 65, was fatally shot after he failed to follow an order to halt and instead drew his weapon, Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III said at a news conference.
The uniformed officer, John Torres, had first used a Taser in an unsuccessful attempt to subdue him, Bealefeld said. Torres did not recognize Stamp, and there was no indication Stamp identified himself as an officer, he said.
Torres, 26, “did what he was taught to do in these types of situations,” Bealefeld said.
Officers responded shortly after midnight to reports of a fight outside the Haven Place club. Torres stationed himself by a door to prevent anyone else from joining the melee, and confronted Stamp when he emerged wearing brass knuckles, Bealefeld said.
The jolt from the stun gun caused Stamp to fall to the ground, Bealefeld said, at which point Stamp drew his handgun. After he was shot, Stamp was rushed to a hospital, where he died around 1:30 a.m.
Stamp had been with the department 44 years, making him one of its longest-serving officers.
“Officer Stamp was a mentor to some and a friend to many,” Bealefeld said. “This is an incredibly difficult time.”
The brawl began after several women came to the bar looking for work and “some people made comments about them,” Bealefeld said. Stamp’s role had not been determined.
Police spokesman Sterling Clifford said Torres, who joined the department in 2002, would not have recognized Stamp because the older officer had spent several years in the unit that patrols the Inner Harbor.
“He just wouldn’t have ever run into him,” Clifford said. Torres was placed on administrative duty after the shooting.
Stamp became the seventh person shot and killed by Baltimore police this year, Clifford said

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Security agents injured detaining shoplifters www.privateofficer.com

EDISON NJ April 25 2008

Kyle T. Greene

Ntl. Assoc. Private Officers

www.privateofficer.com Several men attempted to steal from an area store and police say they got into a confrontation with the store’s security agents.
One of three men who allegedly tried to shoplift goods from the Nordstrom’s at Menlo Park Mall was arrested Saturday. Two others fled and are being sought by police.
The three were observed by a security officer at the store placing men’s clothing into a shopping bag. A second security officer stood outside the door of the mall, and confronted the three when they left the store.
The three dropped the bags, and fled in three directions.

Police were summoned and arrested one of the alleged shoplifters, Gregory Caruso, 18, of South Plainfield, inside a nearby Target store.
He was arrested and charged with theft, with bail set at $25,000.
A second man fought with one of the security guards at the mall’s parking deck before fleeing. The two security guards were treated for minor injuries.

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Teens arrested for plotting student’s death www.privateofficer.com

Teens arrested for plotting student’s murder www.privateofficer.com

LOUISVILLE KY April 25 2008

By: Rick McCann

Ntl. Assoc. Private Officers

www.privateofficer.com –Metro Louisville police say that they have been investigating three Louisville teens who they say plotted to kill another teenager. The three have been arrested and charged with plotting the death of a middle school student.
Louisville police spokesman Phil Russell says detectives began investigating after a call from authorities at a middle school in eastern Jefferson County, who reported that there was word of a plot by some students to kill a fellow student.
Russell says that they uncovered the plans by three people who have been working since March to plan the murder of a 13-year-old girl.
Police arrested two girls, ages 13 and 14, on Tuesday and charged them with conspiracy to commit murder. Investigators say they are surprised but not totally shocked in this day and age.
Right now, police are not releasing the names of the suspects or their planned target because of their age.
Seth Ryan Woods, 19, of Louisville, also was arrested on the same murder conspiracy charge.
Russell said the teens had planned to execute their plan by this weekend.
Authorities are not releasing the motive or details of the alledged plot as the investigation is still continuing.

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Teacher charged with having sex with student www.privateofficer.com

GALLATIN, Tenn. April 25 2008 (metro Nashville)

By: Bryan Hill

Security News Magazine

www.privateofficer.com          OnThursday morning, a former high school teacher who is accused of having sex with a student was expected in a Sumner County courtroom but it did not turn out that way.
Holly Hatcher was supposed to be arraigned on three counts of statutory rape by an authority, but her case was continued.
Police said the former history teacher and coach at Gallatin High School had an ongoing relationship with a 17-year-old male student.
Investigators said the two had sex at a boat ramp in Gallatin, as well as at Hatcher’s Donelson home.
Investigators believe that there was only one student involved and no other charges are expected.

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Woman dies while caretaker on liquor run www.privateofficer.com

Caretaker goes on liquor run, woman dies www.privateofficer.com

MARIETTA, Ga April 25 2008

By:Bryan Hill

Security News Magazine

www.privateofficer.com –Police say that a caretaker who was suppose to be watching an 82-year-old Alzheimer’s patient who died after the woman went on a liquor run, has now been arrested..
Vicky Simpson, 52, has been charged with elderly abuse following the death of Vivian Howell over the weekend.
Authorities say that they have determined that Simpson left the elderly woman alone while she went to a liquor store, according to the arrest warrant.
Investigators said Simpson brought the alcohol back to Howell’s house and started drinking

The warrant states “As a result of the accused negligent actions the victim was later discovered in bed with injuries that required hospitalization and ultimately resulted in her death.”
Simpson has a lengthy criminal record, and served time in jail in 2003 for beating her mother, but Howell’s family failed to run a background check on Simpson.
“She came across as a very loving and caring person,” said Howell’s daughter Charlotte Gilham. “Us being Christians we had no reason to question that.”
Family members want Simpson charged with murder, but police said given Vivian Howell’s condition they would be hard pressed to prove that.

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Reward offered in security officer’s death www.privateofficer.com

LOS ANGELES CA. April 25 2008 Rewards totaling $55,000 are now being offered since Wednesday for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the gunmen who killed a security officer at an auto parts store in Arlington Heights.

Hernan Cardona, 60, of South Gate, was shot and killed about 10 p.m. Friday at the AutoZone at 1905 S. Western Ave.

Police believe two young men wearing dark hooded sweatshirts approached Cardona and gunfire was exchanged. Authorities still do not know the motive of the shooting or if the shooters were targeting Cardona. Cardona, who had seven children and six grandchildren, had worked as a security guard for four years.

“This is a tragic situation,” said City Councilman Herb Wesson said.

The City Council has offered a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.

St. Moritz Security Sevices Inc., Cardona’s employer, has offered a $5,000 reward.

Anyone with information about the shooting was urged to call LAPD Wilshire Homicide Detectives Kurt Wong and Javier Hernandez at (213) 473-0446, or the toll-free number (877) LAWFULL.

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Security company sued after man is shot www.privateofficer.com

from the Tribune Chronicle
WARREN OH. April 25 2008 — Along with the scar on the right side of his head from a bullet that grazed him, Eddie Robertson Jr. told a jury Wednesday that he remains scarred for life from the trauma he suffered outside a grocery store on Labor Day 2004.

Robertson, then 17, said he was buying picnic supplies at the Sparkle Market in Austin Village Plaza when a security guard ordered him out of the store.

The guard, Michael Harris, followed Robertson outside and then ordered him to get out of his car in the parking lot.That’s when two shots were fired at him, including the bullet from Harris’ .38 caliber Taurus revolver that grazed him.

A jury of seven women and one man is hearing the civil case against REMCO Security which supplied guards for the market and the company that hired Harris despite his felony conviction in New Jersey 18 years earlier.Robertson originally sued Sparkle and Harris’ estate since Harris died of natural causes in 2005.

All defendants except REMCO had their cases dismissed or settled before the trial in the courtroom of Common Pleas Judge John M. Stuard.Harris had claimed self defense to the charge of felonious assault. He said he thought Robertson had a 4-inch knife.Sgt. Jeff Cole, a Warren police detective, said a knife never was found. But a ‘‘brass knuckle’’ blade was found on Harris, as well as the gun and two spent cartridges.Cole told the jury that Harris even re-loaded after shooting twice at the teen.

The detective also testified that Harris’ self-defense claim never held up, leading to his indictment. He said Harris never gave any verbal commands in the parking lot.A REMCO spokesman testified that the blame rests with the state of Ohio since Harris never should have been issued a certificate to bear firearms.

But he had one when he was hired and when he worked for other security companies.Robertson and his attorney, Rhonda Baker Debevec, claim REMCO still failed to perform an adequate background check before hiring Harris, who was of the belief that Robertson had been banned from the store for stealing wine.

Robertson claimed he wasn’t banned from the store and never really took any products outside the business. He was unclear in his testimony whether he was allowed inside that day.

The plaintiff told jurors that the emotional distress has caused him to drink heavily and that he never finished high school.

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Police bust major shoplifting gang www.privateofficer.com

Temecula Ca. April 25 2008

By SARAH BURGE The Press Enterprise
A slip-up by people suspected of shoplifting in Temecula earlier this month led to the unraveling of a well-organized ring that had been operating across Southern California, authorities announced Wednesday.
After a weeklong surveillance operation, eight people were arrested Saturday and as much as $200,000 in stolen clothing was recovered.
Riverside County sheriff’s Lt. Scot Collins said Macy’s security at The Promenade mall in Temecula spotted four people who appeared to be shoplifting cosmetics on April 12, and notified the Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies detained the four as they left the store. In the suspects’ vehicle, deputies found about $14,000 in merchandise that had apparently been stolen earlier in the day from the mall in Temecula and Abercrombie & Fitch in Escondido, Collins said.
Investigators decided to cite the four for shoplifting and release them, with the intention of secretly monitoring their activities, Collins said. Investigators determined that the four were part of a larger group.
The group led sheriff’s investigators to Jose “Ben” Perez, 47, of South Gate, described as the ringleader by authorities.
A few days after the Temecula incident, investigators followed group members to malls around Southern California, including Ontario Mills and The Shops at Mission Viejo, watching them steal thousands of dollars in goods, Collins said.
The group worked four days a week, stealing about $15,000 to $20,000 in merchandise per day, Collins said. It appears the group has been in operation for at least a year.
Collins said it was uncharacteristic for the group members to target a department store — and it was their undoing. Mall department stores often have plainclothes security guards watching for shoplifters.
Collins speculated that the group members might have been “freelancing” on their visit to Macy’s. Typically, Collins said, they targeted smaller chain clothing stores. Perez would tell the group what to steal, Collins said, sometimes even going to the store ahead of time to point it out.
The thefts were carefully planned and everyone knew their role, Collins said.
Investigators learned that the group was fencing the stolen clothing to a husband-and-wife team in Downey, Collins said. A search of the couple’s home turned up a large amount of stolen goods. A large box truck on the property was also full of stolen garments, Collins said.
Perez, and Carolyn Arnold, 21, Geneva Collins, 23, Tabitha Lowe, 25, Justin McRoberts, 23, and Aaron Pryor, all residents of Yucaipa, were arrested on suspicion of 16 counts of commercial burglary, possession of stolen property and conspiracy, a sheriff’s news release said.
Rene Denis, 54, and Maria Denis, 48, of Downey, were arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen property and conspiracy.

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Security officer shoots, kills armed man www.privateofficer.com

Houston Texas April 25 2008

By: Rick McCann

Ntl. Assoc. Private Officers

www.privateofficer.com
A man was shot to death early today after pulling a gun during a confrontation with a security officer in northwest Houston, police said.
The shooting occurred outside a game room next door to the Casanova Men’s Club in the 2000 block of Antoine at Cyr. The businesses are in a small strip shopping center according to the police report.
The man, whose name has not yet been released, was with his son at the nightclub when the son went outside about 1 a.m., said Sgt. J.C. Padilla of the homicide division.
The security officer, who works at the game room, said he saw the younger man urinating and the security guard refused to let the two men who appeared to have been drinking in. At that point according to witnesses, the son tried to fight him and the security officer sprayed them with pepper spray.
The father came over to the guard and started to threaten him, witnesses said. Then the father left, but returned moments later with a gun..
The witness said the security officer pulled out his gun and ordered the man to drop his gun, and when he didn’t, the security officer fired two shots. Witnesses said he was forced to shoot to protect himself.
The father died at the scene Padilla said. At this point it looks like a clear case of self defense but the district attorney’s office will take a look at the evidence and make the final decision, the officer said.
At this time, police are not releasing the name of the security officer.

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Adults arrested after using kifs to steal www.privateofficer.com

Adults arrested after using kids to steal www.privateofficer.com

Wayne County NY. April 25 2008

Kyle T. Greene

Ntl. Assoc. Private Officers

www.privateofficer.com

Two adults have been charged with using two children to help them steal merchandise from a local department store.
State police have charged Elaine Scott, 55, and Todd J. Forjone, 25, both of the Wayne County village of Clyde, with petit larceny and endangering the welfare of child for allegedly using two children to orchestrate the theft of clothing, jewelry, tools and other items from Sears at the Fingerlakes Mall in Aurelius Saturday, April 12.

State police investigator Kristin Fleming said Scott and Forjone offered the juveniles money to help them with the theft.

Loss prevention officers at Sears contacted police after observing the group on security cameras and then stopping them as they left the store with $333 worth of goods, Fleming said.

Scott and Forjone were arraigned in Aurelius Town Court and both were sent to Cayuga County Jail, Scott on $1,500 cash bail or $3,000 bond and Forjone on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond. Both are scheduled to reappear in court at 7 p.m. April 23.The two juveniles were charged with petit larceny and issued appearance tickets.

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Shoplifters also charged with robbery www.privateofficer.com

Kennewick WA. April 25 2008

Kyle T. Greene

Ntl. Assoc. Private Officers

www.privateofficer.com
Two suspects arrested Tuesday night for allegedly stealing small electronics from Target in Kennewick have been connected to a Monday morning robbery at the Safeway gas station on Kennewick Avenue, police said.
Justin Hoyt, 32, of Pasco, and an unnamed female were booked into Benton County jail on suspicion of felony theft and first-degree robbery, according to Kennewick police.
The female’s name was not available Tuesday night, police said.

A third female whose name also was not available was booked on suspicion of felony theft but was not connected to the Safeway robbery, police say.

Kennewick police said Hoyt reportedly was taking MP3 players, PDAs and other small electronics out of their packaging and hiding them in his clothes at Target. He apparently was communicating by radio with one of the female suspects, who was allegedly watching out for authorities.
Kennewick police said they received a call about the theft at Target about 7:45 p.m. and once they arrested Hoyt and the women, they were able to connect two of them to the Safeway robbery using evidence and descriptions of the suspects.
Around 5:30 a.m. Monday, a male suspect threatened a Safeway gas station clerk with a knife and took money from the cash register.
The robbery occurred as the clerk arrived to open the gas pumps at 2923 W. Kennewick Ave.
The employee entered the cashier’s booth, but the suspect grabbed the door before it closed. The clerk tried to push the door closed, thinking it was a customer trying to get in, but then saw the man had a knife and was demanding money.
The clerk, who was not hurt, stepped out of the way as the suspect stole an undisclosed amount from the register and then ran away.

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ATTENTION: ALL SECURITY OFFICERS www.privateofficer.com

SECURITY OFFICERS, WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!
ATLANTA GA. APRIL 25 2008

By: Stephanie Kay
Operations/Media Supervisor

If you are a private security officer, patrol officer, loss prevention agent, special events staff, college public safety or police officer or someone who supports law and order……welcome to Private Officer!
PrivateOfficer.com and The National Association of Private Officers are here for you!
Recently I was given the huge responsibility of supporting the services of our website and with this job comes media relations. So here I am….getting the word out!
We have put together some great benefits and I sure hope that you’ll take advantage of everything that we offer.

Recently we have added additional courses to our training division. Now, you can, from the comfort of your home, be certified as a private security officer, public safety officer or loss prevention agent.
The training is done by certified, highly qualified security and law enforcement professionals with years and years of experience!
And all of our training meets or exceeds all required state statutory requirements!

We have revised our radio talk show and after resolving legal questions, are almost ready to go live..on air! We will also soon kick off our new WebTV channel!

PrivateOfficer.com also now offers our own social network! If you haven’t already signed up…please go to http://www.privateofficer/.com and do it today! This site will be a great place to network with other security professionals! The site includes photo and video upload options, individual pages, message boards and comment pages, blogs and sooooo much more!

At our website, you’ll soon be able to shop at our new updated, redesigned mall with security and police equipment, privateofficer logo items, a mall of more than 1500 on line stores including Target, Home Depot, Marshall’s and so many others! When you shop at this online mall you’ll be helping the PrivateOfficer Foundation which helps security officers who are injured or killed in the line of duty.

The National Association of Private Officers, a professional association of security and police officers offers great membership benefits! discounts on training, seminars, equipment, insurance, car repairs, privateofficer logo gear and much more!

The N.A.P.O. also offers an officer award program for officers who are involved in helping others, going above the call of duty, lifesaving, officer of the month and officer of the year awards. Just submit your information, a copy of a newspaper article or incident report, recommendation from your supervisor or email us! you can submit your own name for an award!

We have put a lot of great stuff together for you, the security officer! Please take advantage of all of these and let your co-workers know about us too!

Whewww…I’m just getting started! We have so much going on and I hope that you’ll take part of it all!

Email me if you have any questions about anything or if you’d like to make a suggestion or comment…stephaniek@privateofficer.com! Tell your friends and coworkers about us too! Thanks and let’s talk soon!

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