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Archive for August 22, 2008
OFFICER DOWN..Kathy Ann Cox www.privateofficer.com
August 22, 2008
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OFFICER DOWN..OFF. KATHY ANN COX www.privateofficer.com
OFFICER DOWN
Ordinance Officer Kathy Ann Cox
Gordon County Sheriff’s Office Georgia
End of Watch: Thursday, August 21, 2008
Biographical Info Age: 50
Tour of Duty: 30
Incident Details Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: Thursday, August 21,
Ordinance Officer Cathy Cox was killed when her department truck was struck head-on by an armored car on Highway 136. The armored car swerved into her lane while attempting to avoid striking a car that had stopped in front of it.Officer Cox’s truck and the armored car were both engulfed in flames as a result of the crash.
Officer Cox had served in law enforcement for 30 years and was a volunteer member of the Nicklesville Department of the Gordon County Fire Department. She is survived by her husband, two daughters, son, mother, brother, and two grandchildren.
Agency Contact Information
Gordon County Sheriff’s Office
101 Piedmont Avenue
Calhoun, GA 30701
Phone: (706) 629-1245
Please contact the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office for funeral arrangements or for survivor benefit fund information
Officer Down..Off. Thomas Raji New Jersey www.privateofficer.com
August 22, 2008
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OFFICER DOWN..OFF. THOMAS RAJI…NEW JERSEY http://www.privateofficer.com
OFFICER DOWN
THOMAS RAJI
Police Officer Thomas Raji Perth Amboy Police Department New Jersey
End of Watch: Friday, August 22, 2008
Biographical Info Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: Friday, August 22, 2008
Officer Thomas Raji was killed in an automobile accident on Route 1, in Woodbridge, while transporting a prisoner to the Middlesex County Jail. His patrol car collided with another vehicle at the intersection with Green Street.
Officer Raji had served with the agency for 10 years.
He is survived by his expectant wife, who also serves as an officer with the Perth Amboy Police Department.
Agency Contact InformationPerth Amboy Police Department351 Rector StreetPerth Amboy, NJ 08861Phone: (732) 442-4400
Please contact the Perth Amboy Police Department for funeral arrangements or for survivor benefit fund information.
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School teacher arrested for growing pot at home www.privateofficer.com
August 22, 2008
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School teacher arrested for growing pot at home http://www.privateofficer.com
MADISON COUNTY, Ga. Aug 22 2008 — Madison County officials said a Clarke County high school teacher was growing marijuana plants in his back yard and officers seized plants estimated in value at $18,000 from his home.
Officials arrested Joseph Linwood Prescott-Reynard, 51, of Comer, Ga. Tuesday night. Madison County authorities said agents with the Georgia Governor’s Task Force Drug Suppression Unit saw marijuana plants during a fly-over and notified local authorities.
A search inside of the home yielded even more marijuana and cocaine, authorities said. They said several weapons were also seized from the home.
Officials arrested Joseph Linwood Prescott-Reynard, 51, of Comer, Ga. Tuesday night. Madison County authorities said agents with the Georgia Governor’s Task Force Drug Suppression Unit saw marijuana plants during a fly-over and notified local authorities.
A search inside of the home yielded even more marijuana and cocaine, authorities said. They said several weapons were also seized from the home.
Prescott-Reynard is a teacher at Clarke Central High School in Clarke County.
According to the school’s Web site, Prescott-Reynard is a teacher in the school’s career and technical department, which includes classes in horticulture, accounting and nutrition. One Clarke Central High School student said that Prescott-Reynard taught a Health Occupations class.
Prescott-Reynard was charged with manufacturing marijuana and possession of cocaine. He was released on $11,050 bond Wednesday.
Prescott-Reynard was charged with manufacturing marijuana and possession of cocaine. He was released on $11,050 bond Wednesday.
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Three arrested for shoplifting spree www.privateofficer.com
August 22, 2008
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Three arrested for shoplifting spree http://www.privateofficer.com
NATICK MA Aug 22 2008
Two women and a teenage girl went on a shoplifting spree at the Natick Collection on Friday, successfully stealing from seven stores before being caught at the eighth, police said.
Gillian Margaret Simons, 22, of Northborough, and Shauna Gibbs, 24, of Marlborough, and the 15-year-old Marlborough girl, were arrested at 6:25 p.m. after they were caught stealing jewelry at J.C. Penny, police Lt. Nick Mabardy said.
When police spoke to the trio, they emptied their bags and found items from seven other stores, none with receipts.
Police said the suspects stole shirts from Limited Too, American Eagle, Hollister’s and SHI. They also stole leggings from Rave and Abercrombie & Fitch, as well as perfume from Spencer’s Gifts.
The total value of the stolen items was $451, Mabardy said.
One of the women, Gibbs, became violent when confronted by police. Mabardy said she dug her nails into Officer Elizabeth Heffler’s arms, making her bleed.
At the station, after being released on bail, Gibbs told the officers, “Have fun cleaning the cell,” before she left. Mabardy said officers found Gibbs had urinated on the cell floor.
“She was really belligerent,” Mabardy said. “She was yelling and kicking at the cell door.”
Simons, of 35 West Brook Road, Gibbs, of 460 Boston Post Road, and the 15-year-old girl were all charged with larceny of property worth more than $250, conspiracy to commit a crime and receiving stolen property worth less than $250.
Gibbs was also charged with assault and battery on a police officer and malicious and wanton destruction of property.
“She urinated at least twice on purpose that was the malicious destruction,” Mabardy said.
Gibbs and Simons are scheduled to be arraigned today in Natick District Court.
Two women and a teenage girl went on a shoplifting spree at the Natick Collection on Friday, successfully stealing from seven stores before being caught at the eighth, police said.
Gillian Margaret Simons, 22, of Northborough, and Shauna Gibbs, 24, of Marlborough, and the 15-year-old Marlborough girl, were arrested at 6:25 p.m. after they were caught stealing jewelry at J.C. Penny, police Lt. Nick Mabardy said.
When police spoke to the trio, they emptied their bags and found items from seven other stores, none with receipts.
Police said the suspects stole shirts from Limited Too, American Eagle, Hollister’s and SHI. They also stole leggings from Rave and Abercrombie & Fitch, as well as perfume from Spencer’s Gifts.
The total value of the stolen items was $451, Mabardy said.
One of the women, Gibbs, became violent when confronted by police. Mabardy said she dug her nails into Officer Elizabeth Heffler’s arms, making her bleed.
At the station, after being released on bail, Gibbs told the officers, “Have fun cleaning the cell,” before she left. Mabardy said officers found Gibbs had urinated on the cell floor.
“She was really belligerent,” Mabardy said. “She was yelling and kicking at the cell door.”
Simons, of 35 West Brook Road, Gibbs, of 460 Boston Post Road, and the 15-year-old girl were all charged with larceny of property worth more than $250, conspiracy to commit a crime and receiving stolen property worth less than $250.
Gibbs was also charged with assault and battery on a police officer and malicious and wanton destruction of property.
“She urinated at least twice on purpose that was the malicious destruction,” Mabardy said.
Gibbs and Simons are scheduled to be arraigned today in Natick District Court.
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Categories: loss prevention, police
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Security guard arrested for theft of money www.privateofficer.com
August 22, 2008
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Security guard arrested for theft of money http://www.privateofficer.com
Wilmington DE Aug 22 2008
By: Rick McCann
Ntl. Assoc. Private officers
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Police say that they have arrested a Gettier Security guard who works at the City/County Building in downtown Wilmington after an investigation into some missing money from an office there.
The guard has been charged with stealing money from the city solicitor’s office, police said today.
Antonio Mc Knight, 29, was arrested Wednesday after he was captured on video surveillance stealing the money, police said.
He was charged with theft under $1,000 and released on his own recognizance.
Wilmington police spokesman Master Sgt. Steven Barnes said police had gotten repeated complaints of thefts in the solicitors office.
Detectives investigating the case of the missing cash decided to set up surveillance Tuesday and set up bait to capture the thief.
Police say that it didn’t take long to snare the thief in their trap, in fact the next day, the money detectives had hidden in a desk drawer inside one of the offices was gone.
Detectives reviewed the surveillance tape to find McKnight entered the office and removed the money, Barnes said.Barnes said McKnight is the security guard for the building.
Police didn’t release the amount of money that was taken but said that the guard will get his day in court to explain his actions and hopefully get a lesson in ethics and honesty.
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Christian school teacher arrested for child molestation www.privateofficer.com
August 22, 2008
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Christian School Teacher Arrested For Child Molestation http://www.privateofficer.com
PAULDING COUNTY, (Metro Atlanta)Ga. Aug 22 2008
By: Rick McCann
Ntl. Assoc. Private Officers
www.privateofficer.com — Authorities with the sheriff’s office say that a former Christian school teacher has been arrested and charged with child molestation after police investigators said she had “inappropriate sexual encounters” with a 14-year-old boy.
Paulding County officials arrested Holly Michelle Barnes Tuesday. She has been charged with two counts of statutory rape and two counts of child molestation.
Officials said Barnes was a teacher at the Grace Baptist Church and Christian School in Powder Springs.
“The victim was affiliated with Grace Baptist Church and Christian School,” said Cpl. Brandon Gorley with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said they did not know if the teenager was a student or if he was a church member. Police are still investigating the case and sorting information. Officers said they do not believe the alleged rape and molestation took place on church or school grounds.
“We ask for any parents or children with information about this case to contact the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children unit,” said Sgt. Brent Miller with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. “We are specifically reaching out to other children that may have been involved in inappropriate sexual encounters with Holly Barnes. We will handle each allegation in a thorough manner to ensure that the appropriate action is taken.”
Authorities said they are continuing their investigatigation.
Paulding County officials arrested Holly Michelle Barnes Tuesday. She has been charged with two counts of statutory rape and two counts of child molestation.
Officials said Barnes was a teacher at the Grace Baptist Church and Christian School in Powder Springs.
“The victim was affiliated with Grace Baptist Church and Christian School,” said Cpl. Brandon Gorley with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said they did not know if the teenager was a student or if he was a church member. Police are still investigating the case and sorting information. Officers said they do not believe the alleged rape and molestation took place on church or school grounds.
“We ask for any parents or children with information about this case to contact the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children unit,” said Sgt. Brent Miller with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. “We are specifically reaching out to other children that may have been involved in inappropriate sexual encounters with Holly Barnes. We will handle each allegation in a thorough manner to ensure that the appropriate action is taken.”
Authorities said they are continuing their investigatigation.
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Widow of slain security guard sues sheriff www.privateofficer.com
August 22, 2008
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Widow of slain security guard sues sheriff http://www.privateofficer.com
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. Aug 22 2008 – The widow of a hospital security guard killed by a jail inmate as he escaped has filed a $9.8 million lawsuit claiming the Montgomery County sheriff and three deputies could have prevented the death.
Cindy McFarland contends in the circuit court lawsuit that the defendants should have considered William Morva’s violent history when he was taken to a hospital for treatment in August, 2006.
Morva knocked out a deputy and took his gun, which he used to kill 32-year-old Derrick McFarland.
Morva was convicted of capital murder in March in the deaths of McFarland and Sheriff’s Corporal Eric Sutphin and sentenced to death.
An attorney for the defendants, Elizabeth Dillon, says a jury has already determined that Morva was responsible for the deaths.
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Teens arrested in emergency room theft incident www.privateofficer.com
August 22, 2008
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Teens arrested in emergency room theft incident http://www.privateofficer.com
West Brighton NY AUG 22 2008
Kyle T. Greene
Kyle T. Greene
Ntl. Assoc. Private Officers
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Two Staten Island teens went to the emergency room claiming they were seeking help, but police say they were seeking something else — drugs, needles and medical supplies.
Now the suspects face criminal charges after they went on a late-night stealing spree at Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton yesterday.
Authorities identified the teens as Diana Ryzhik, 18, of the 100 block of Surf Side Plaza in Tottenville, and Roy Criscione, 19, of the 500 block of Genesee Avenue in Great Kills.
They walked into the hospital at about 10:30 p.m., “complaining of pain,” according to a law enforcement source.
But once they got there, they found a sealed box in a cabinet in the emergency room, opened the box and started pocketing whatever they could find inside, police allege.
A witness notified a hospital security guard, who called the police.
Between the two of them, they grabbed 11 vials — mainly heart, asthma and blood pressure medication, as well as antihistamines, an anticoagulant — seven hypodermic needles, 23 alcohol pads, a urine cup kit, a roll of surgical tape and an intravenous needle, court papers allege.
“I don’t think there was anything that was really targeted,” the source said.
One of the substances that allegedly ended up in Ms. Ryzhik’s hands, naloxone hydrochloride, is considered a controlled substance. It’s typically used to reverse the effect of a heroin overdose.
Jennifer Sammartino, the hospital’s spokeswoman, said the duo cracked into what’s called a “crash box” — a locked box containing vital medications in case a patient’s condition drastically and suddenly worsens.
“Obviously, it’s a terrible thing to think that somebody might take life-saving medications away from people who might need it, but because of the vigilance of the people in the area, it didn’t go any further.”
Criscione later admitted to police that he “likes to steal things” and has a drug problem, the source said.
Both teens face charges of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument. Ms. Ryzhik also faces a charge of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
The charges against them are misdemeanors, meaning they could face up to a year in jail if convicted at trial.
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Casino security officers spot dead body in river www.privateofficer.com
August 22, 2008
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Casino security officers spot dead body in river http://www.privateofficer.com
AURORA IL. Aug 21 2008
By: Bryan Hill
Ntl. Assoc. Private Officers
http://www.privateofficer.com/ –Police and emergency personnel responded to a 911 call from security officers about a body floating in the river.
Authorities said that a man’s body was recovered today from the Fox River near the Hollywood Casino.
About 2 p.m., a 911 call was placed by security personnel at the casino, indicating that they had spotted what appeared to be a human body along a maintenance gangway running between the casino pavilion and a floating barge, police said.
A police dive team responded and recovered what police described as a “partially decomposed body.”Identification found on the body indicated that the man is a 50-year-old Aurora resident, police said.
An autopsy on the man’s body is pending at the Kane County Coroner’s Office.
Police have not released his name.
No further information about this case is currently available according to police.
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Mother of infant who died in car under investigation www.privateofficer.com
August 22, 2008
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Mother of infant who dies in car under investigation http://www.privateofficer.com
Cincinnati OH Aug 22 2008
Cincinnati police are investigating the death of an 11-month-old baby girl found inside a minivan in Price Hill around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.
Police say the baby’s mother, Dr. Jodie Edwards, left the infant girl inside the van in a parking lot on the campus of Cincinnati Christian University.
Police say the baby was discovered by her mother as she was leaving work this afternoon.
Earlier investigators had said they believed the girl had been left inside the van for several hours.
Police now say the child was still in her car seat when her mother reported for work at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Are news reporters from 9News was told by a school official that Edwards had a recent change in her daycare routine and had not realized her daughter was still in the van when she parked it.
Edwards is a faculty member at Cincinnati Christian University where she teaches counseling.
9News was told the first day back for the school’s faculty members was last Friday.
This Saturday marks the first anniversary of a tragedy reminiscent of what happened this afternoon at Cincinnati Christian University.
Former assistant principal Brenda Nesselroad-Slaby’s two-year old daughter, Cecilia Slaby, died after being trapped for eight-hours inside a hot SUV outside Glen Este Middle School.
The temperature that day was up to 100 degrees Farenheit.
Clermont County prosecutors decided not to prosecute Nesselroad-Slaby.
The West Clermont school board agreed to allowing her to retire on disability, or pay her salary into next year if that failed.
A prayer vigil is being planned following Wednesday’s tragedy.
If Wednesday’s death is ruled hyperthermia it will be the first child death of its kind in Ohio this year.
But it would also be the 29th in the United States this year.
According to a researcher at San Francisco State University, with an afternoon temperature of 90 degrees, the inside air temperature of the vehicle could have exceeded 135 degrees Farenheit.
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Categories: police
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Round Rock TX pastor pleads guilty in $500,000 theft www.privateofficer.com
August 22, 2008
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Round Rock TX pastor pleads guilty to $500,000 theft http://www.privateofficer.com
Round Rock TX Aug 22 2008
A Round Rock pastor who admitted to stealing more than $500,000 from his church pleaded guilty today in District Judge Ken Anderson’s court.
Donald Clyde, 49, turned himself in last August after he told officials he took money from the Forest Creek Church in Round Rock to buy vacations, property, horses and boats. He told police that he used the church’s bank accounts and credit cards for the purchases.
A church accountant noticed some strange charges on the accounts, and when a leadership group began looking into the case, Clyde stepped down. He had been with the church, which has a membership of about 1,500, since 1992.
Clyde pleaded guilty to two counts of felony theft, both of which carry a penalty of up to life in prison. But prosecutors and Clyde’s defense attorney, Marc Ranc, asked that Clyde receive five years in prison for the first charge and 10 years probation for the second charge, and that the sentences run concurrently.
Anderson accepted Clyde’s guilty pleas, but ordered a pre-sentencing interview to consider the facts of the case, including that he has paid $343,000 in restitution.
Marc Ranc, Clyde’s attorney, said his client stole about $700,000 from the church.
“From the beginning, Mr. Clyde took responsibility and cooperated with the district attorney’s office,” Ranc said. “The church is the most important thing to him.”
Clyde’s sentencing is set for Oct. 2.
A Round Rock pastor who admitted to stealing more than $500,000 from his church pleaded guilty today in District Judge Ken Anderson’s court.
Donald Clyde, 49, turned himself in last August after he told officials he took money from the Forest Creek Church in Round Rock to buy vacations, property, horses and boats. He told police that he used the church’s bank accounts and credit cards for the purchases.
A church accountant noticed some strange charges on the accounts, and when a leadership group began looking into the case, Clyde stepped down. He had been with the church, which has a membership of about 1,500, since 1992.
Clyde pleaded guilty to two counts of felony theft, both of which carry a penalty of up to life in prison. But prosecutors and Clyde’s defense attorney, Marc Ranc, asked that Clyde receive five years in prison for the first charge and 10 years probation for the second charge, and that the sentences run concurrently.
Anderson accepted Clyde’s guilty pleas, but ordered a pre-sentencing interview to consider the facts of the case, including that he has paid $343,000 in restitution.
Marc Ranc, Clyde’s attorney, said his client stole about $700,000 from the church.
“From the beginning, Mr. Clyde took responsibility and cooperated with the district attorney’s office,” Ranc said. “The church is the most important thing to him.”
Clyde’s sentencing is set for Oct. 2.
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Categories: courts, police
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Mall security guards arrested for burglary, thefts www.privateofficer.com
August 22, 2008
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Mall security guards arrested for burglary and thefts http://www.privateofficer.com
WALLKILL NY Aug 22 2008
By: Rick McCann
Ntl. Assoc. Private Officers
www.privateofficer.com – Three men who were employed to protect their client from theft and robberies and from the loss of property, forgot that and decided to take advantage of their positions.
Police say that the three were employed as security guards by Pyramid Security officers to protect the Galleria at Crystal Run in the Town of Wallkill have been arrested and charged with committing a series of commercial burglaries and larcenies at the mail. State Police say more arrests are pending.
State Police at Middletown charged Jorge Irizzary, 36, of Westwood, NJ and Ruben Ramos, 21, of Middletown, both security guards at the mall, and Daniel Loeb, 21, of Sparrowbush, formerly a security guard there, were each charged one count of burglary.
Shortall fell short of calling the burglaries part of a ring, although he said the alleged perpetrators knew each other. Somewhere along the way the trio began planning and scheming and decided to start stealing from the mall businesses.Some of the three may have committed the crimes while others knew about them, but did nothing about them, he said.
Lt. Brian Shortall also said that other arrests,at least two – will take place over the next couple of days.
Approximately $7,000 worth of property has been recovered.
The investigation began with a report of a burglary last Sunday at the Blue Ribbon Sports store at the Galleria. The investigation led to the discovery of larcenies at other stories and of GPS devices from vehicles in the parking lot and cash removed from purses turned over to them during the course of their duty as security officers.
All three face a number of felony charges and will be held pending bail release.
Police say that the three were employed as security guards by Pyramid Security officers to protect the Galleria at Crystal Run in the Town of Wallkill have been arrested and charged with committing a series of commercial burglaries and larcenies at the mail. State Police say more arrests are pending.
State Police at Middletown charged Jorge Irizzary, 36, of Westwood, NJ and Ruben Ramos, 21, of Middletown, both security guards at the mall, and Daniel Loeb, 21, of Sparrowbush, formerly a security guard there, were each charged one count of burglary.
Shortall fell short of calling the burglaries part of a ring, although he said the alleged perpetrators knew each other. Somewhere along the way the trio began planning and scheming and decided to start stealing from the mall businesses.Some of the three may have committed the crimes while others knew about them, but did nothing about them, he said.
Lt. Brian Shortall also said that other arrests,at least two – will take place over the next couple of days.
Approximately $7,000 worth of property has been recovered.
The investigation began with a report of a burglary last Sunday at the Blue Ribbon Sports store at the Galleria. The investigation led to the discovery of larcenies at other stories and of GPS devices from vehicles in the parking lot and cash removed from purses turned over to them during the course of their duty as security officers.
All three face a number of felony charges and will be held pending bail release.
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Houston enforces bulletproof glass laws for stores law www.privateofficer.com
August 22, 2008
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Houston police enforce bulletproof glass for stores law http://www.privateofficer.com
Houston Tx. Aug 22 2008
Kyle T. Greene
Ntl. Assoc. Private officers
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At a Chevron convenience store in north Houston, a customer knocks curiously on thick new panes of bulletproof glass running along the countertop.
“Safety for customers,” jokes store clerk Zafar Said Rizwi.
“It’s that bad?” The man asks, laughing.
“That bad,” Rizwi says, nodding.
The 37-year-old immigrant from Pakistan has worked the graveyard shift at the Chevron on the corner of Collingsworth and Elysian for two years. He’s been robbed at gunpoint. He’s witnessed a stabbing. He’s broken up drunken brawls. And then there’s the time a woman high on crack cocaine came inside the store and started taking her clothes off.
These are typical scenes in the sometimes dangerous world of convenience stores. Houston averages about 1,000 robberies and 10 homicides at such stores annually.
“A convenience store is a convenient target for the bad guys,” says officer Muzaffar Siddiqi of the Houston Police Department. “There’s cash handy. It’s open late. It’s easy to get in and out. So we have to make it difficult.”
To that end, Houston police has begun enforcing new regulations this summer that require stores to register with police, provide employees with safety training and install equipment like drop safes, panic buttons and cameras.
If stores do not comply, police can fine them up to $500.
It’s the first time a major metropolitan area has started such a comprehensive program targeting crime at convenience stores, says Assistant Chief John Trevino of the Houston Police Department.
“The ultimate goal of this ordinance is to make the convenience stores safe for the employees that work there and safe for the communities that shop there,” he says.
HPD is still trying to spread the word to store owners, however. As of last Friday, 158 stores had registered out of an estimated 2,000.
The Chevron store on Collingsworth has yet to register with Houston police, so the new requirements are news to Rizwi and his fellow clerk, Luis Cera.
The store already has two panic alarms, surveillance cameras and new $7,000 bulletproof glass — an expensive feature the ordinance does not require. What the clerks would really prefer, though, is increased police patrols in their neighborhood.
The store where they work sits on a corner that draws transients, homeless and its share of crime. Across the street is a run-down carwash where drug dealers lurk.
“Everybody thinks outside this country that America is a very rich place,” Rizwi says. “My one cousin came here, very new from Pakistan, and one day I brought him here. He said, ‘Man, what is this?’ I said, ‘Man, this is America.’ He was like, ‘I want to go back home!’ “
Drunks and addicts sometimes fight in the street or in the store, Cera says, as he makes change for a customer one recent night.
As if on cue, a wiry man with a bedraggled beard stumbles inside the store. He trips in the doorway, losing his hat.
At a Chevron convenience store in north Houston, a customer knocks curiously on thick new panes of bulletproof glass running along the countertop.
“Safety for customers,” jokes store clerk Zafar Said Rizwi.
“It’s that bad?” The man asks, laughing.
“That bad,” Rizwi says, nodding.
The 37-year-old immigrant from Pakistan has worked the graveyard shift at the Chevron on the corner of Collingsworth and Elysian for two years. He’s been robbed at gunpoint. He’s witnessed a stabbing. He’s broken up drunken brawls. And then there’s the time a woman high on crack cocaine came inside the store and started taking her clothes off.
These are typical scenes in the sometimes dangerous world of convenience stores. Houston averages about 1,000 robberies and 10 homicides at such stores annually.
“A convenience store is a convenient target for the bad guys,” says officer Muzaffar Siddiqi of the Houston Police Department. “There’s cash handy. It’s open late. It’s easy to get in and out. So we have to make it difficult.”
To that end, Houston police has begun enforcing new regulations this summer that require stores to register with police, provide employees with safety training and install equipment like drop safes, panic buttons and cameras.
If stores do not comply, police can fine them up to $500.
It’s the first time a major metropolitan area has started such a comprehensive program targeting crime at convenience stores, says Assistant Chief John Trevino of the Houston Police Department.
“The ultimate goal of this ordinance is to make the convenience stores safe for the employees that work there and safe for the communities that shop there,” he says.
HPD is still trying to spread the word to store owners, however. As of last Friday, 158 stores had registered out of an estimated 2,000.
The Chevron store on Collingsworth has yet to register with Houston police, so the new requirements are news to Rizwi and his fellow clerk, Luis Cera.
The store already has two panic alarms, surveillance cameras and new $7,000 bulletproof glass — an expensive feature the ordinance does not require. What the clerks would really prefer, though, is increased police patrols in their neighborhood.
The store where they work sits on a corner that draws transients, homeless and its share of crime. Across the street is a run-down carwash where drug dealers lurk.
“Everybody thinks outside this country that America is a very rich place,” Rizwi says. “My one cousin came here, very new from Pakistan, and one day I brought him here. He said, ‘Man, what is this?’ I said, ‘Man, this is America.’ He was like, ‘I want to go back home!’ “
Drunks and addicts sometimes fight in the street or in the store, Cera says, as he makes change for a customer one recent night.
As if on cue, a wiry man with a bedraggled beard stumbles inside the store. He trips in the doorway, losing his hat.
Police officers and store clerks talked about a robbery gone bad and a store clerk that lost his life.
That afternoon, two robbers fired several shots through the store’s window, striking clerk Arshad Rasheed, 46, in the chest and killing him.
The two then fired through the locked front door and forced their way inside, police said. They took the cash register and headed for a nearby apartment complex.
Police charged Teddy Bernard Walker, 22, with capital murder. The other suspect, a 15-year-old male, is being referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities on a charge of capital murder.
“It’s getting bad everywhere now,” Handi Stop clerk Ali Khan said last week as he rings up cans of Olde English 800 malt liquor. “They have to push the owners to do safety.”
The Handi Stop now closes by midnight instead of staying open around the clock. A bulletproof barrier has been installed around the counter.
“You feel secure behind the glass, but then you wonder why do you need all this?” Khan said. “It’s the land of opportunity and the first thing, you have to be in a cage.”
Like Khan, who came to Houston from Pakistan nine years ago, many of the clerks who work in convenience stores are immigrants. Some work at night because they’re studying or working another job during the day. Often, they represent the best hope for relatives who depend on the money they send home every month. That’s why their deaths are so devastating, said HPD’s Siddiqi.
“If the robber kills this one guy then it’s like killing the whole family,” he said.
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