Archive for October, 2008
Posted by privateofficernews on October 31, 2008
SPOTLIGHT ON A SECURITY OFFICER www.privateofficer.com
Rochester NY OCT 31 2008
South Dakota was easy. A store right across the street from Bob McGinty’s hotel had a variety of souvenirs including a baseball cap with “SOUTH DAKOTA” across the front, accompanied by an outline of Mount Rushmore.
North Dakota was another matter. After being directed to a Fargo sporting goods store, McGinty was unable to find a cap that would fit in with his collection.
He headed for the store’s embroidery section so he could custom-order a hat to his liking, but an employee told him she didn’t know if they could embroider on a hat.
But she took his name, address, and order just in case, and after McGinty returned home to Rochester a few weeks later, a North Dakota cap arrived in the mail.
For every cap, there’s a story. Since 2004, McGinty has been collecting hats from every state in the union with the help of family, friends, and co-workers. He recently completed his 51-hat collection — there’s one from Washington D.C., too — after a cross-country, 18-state trip with his wife.
His caps are now on display in a closet in his house in Rochester, his hometown for all of his 66 years, save for a stint in the U.S. Air Force.But they don’t just gather dust. McGinty, who works as a security guard at the Rochester School of the Deaf, wears a different hat to work every day.
“I don’t think there’s a day that goes by when I’m at school where somebody asks me ‘What state you got on today?’ ” says McGinty.The project, which has spanned five years, was sometimes made difficult by the rules McGinty laid out for himself. City names weren’t allowed; neither were sports teams or college logos.
This meant some work for McGinty’s wife Chun, who used her sewing kit to remove “Badgers” from McGinty’s Wisconsin hat and “Razorbacks” from his Arkansas hat.
Most important of all, however, is that each cap had to come from the state that bears its name.”Illinois was one of the hardest hats to find,” said McGinty. “The people who go through the Chicago airport, all they find are hats that say Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears. Nothing that just says Illinois.”
As for color, he prefers blues, greens, beiges, and blacks — nothing too flashy — which McGinty’s friends say fits his personality. Among the caps he purchased for himself, McGinty’s favorite is New Hampshire, because it features the state’s logo “Live Free or Die” across the back. He also likes Washington, D.C., and Connecticut.
“The Connecticut one is a beauty, and I never realized it’s called The Nutmeg State,” said McGinty. “So you learn things, too.”Bill Wegman, a fellow security guard at RSD, has watched McGinty’s collection grow over the past few years.
“Just the sheer difficulty in trying to complete such an endeavor … I never thought he’d actually see it through,” said Wegman.Though McGinty has visited all but a handful of states in his life, more than half of the hats in his collection came from friends and co-workers. When Wegman’s sister came to visit from Virginia, Wegman asked her to bring along a hat, making sure that it fit all of McGinty’s specifications.
“It shows he has a lot of friends,” said Wegman. “Some people, when they go on vacation, they want to do their own thing, but we all say ‘I’m going to get Bob this hat he really wants.’ “
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Posted in security | Tagged: Bob McGinty, loss prevention agent, loss prevention association, national association of private officers, security association, security guard, security guard association, security guard training, security officer, security officer assaociation, security police association, security training, www.privateofficer.com | Leave a Comment »
Posted by privateofficernews on October 31, 2008
Police use Taser to subdue fleeing shoplifter www.privateofficer.com
Bellevue, Neb. OCT 31 2008
By: Bryan Hill
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com– A Bellevue police officer fired a Taser weapon at a woman suspected of shoplifting after she resisted arrest and fled police said.
According to police, the incident started when they were called to Wal-Mart after security employees in Bellevue stopped two women in the store Thursday morning.
The women became combative and began assaulting store security agents and police were called for assistance. As police arrived, the women took off running from the store and the officer gave chase.
One woman stopped quickly, and was taken into custody police said, while the other kept running.
Police said an officer chased the second shoplifter and warned her to stop two times and that he would fire on the third time. The woman kept running and the officer fired.
Shawna Wishecoby-Lewis, 22, was taken into custody after being hit with the Taser. She was treated on scene and transported to the Sarpy County jail. She was booked for third degree assault, shoplifting, and obstructing a police officer.
Police did not release the other woman’s name.
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Posted by privateofficernews on October 31, 2008
Filene’s shoplifter charged with felony www.privateofficer.com
New York City NY OCT 31 2008
BY: Rick McCann
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
An undercover security officer working at Filenes’s Basement, 40 E. 14th St., saw a woman walking through the store and stuffing clothing into a black suitcase just before 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Police said that the security agent maintained survelliance on the female and watched as she left the store without attempting to mak epayment for any of the merchandise.
The store security agent stopped the woman later identified as Toquana Baker, 28 of the city and found that she had concealed $1896.00 in stolen property in the suitcase.
NYPD officers were called and Baker was charged with grand larceny.
Baker was taken into custody and transported to central booking and was being held pending a bond release police said.
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Posted by privateofficernews on October 31, 2008
Hospital security officers detain armed man www.privateofficer.com
Visalia CA OCT 31 2008
By: Bryan Hill
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
Security officers at an area hospital responded to a report of an armed male on campus. Security had been notified by a hospital employee who had seen a teen with a handgun in their waistband.
Mario Oregon, 19, was spotted and detained by security at the hospital at 869 North Cherry St., Tulare police reported.
Police said the weapon turned out to be a BB pistol and they are not sure why Oregon was in the hospital or why they believe he had a weapon.
In a seperate incident on October 20th, a 17-year-old Tulare boy was arrested after security officers found him with a loaded weapon in the hospital’s Emergency Room lobby.
Police do not think that the two incidents are linked and no one was hurt in either incident.
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Posted by privateofficernews on October 31, 2008
Atlanta radio personality wrongly accused of shoplifting www.privateofficer.com
ATLANTA GA OCT 31 2008(wsb-tv) — Hot 107.9 radio personality Shyneka Richardson, also known as Mizz Shyneka, is red hot over a recent shopping experience at a Douglas County mall.
Richardson, who is considering filing suit, said she and her boyfriend, David Smith, were held for hours by security officers at Arbor Place Mall after Smith was accused of stealing a shirt.
Richardson said the couple was approached in the food court by mall security.
“I just really don’t understand why they chose us out of everybody else that was in the mall,” said Richardson.
Richardson said the couple traveled to Douglas from Atlanta to shop somewhere different.
Smith, a rapper also known as “Montana Da Mac,” said he tried on several Polo brand shirts and bought two of them. Smith said security accused him of stealing the Polo shirt he walked into the store wearing.
The couple said they felt accused for one reason.
“Young and black …there’s no other reason,” said Smith.
Smith said he was first told surveillance video caught him, but after two hours, he said the mall told him the tape was inconclusive.
“It’s not a mistake when you detain someone for almost two hours without any evidence, without any probable cause, without a warrant…that’s false imprisonment,” said attorney Phaedra Parks.
The couple said while they were being held, the officers called them thieves.
When the couple asked for an incident report, they said they were told no.
When contacted by WSB-TV channel 2, the mall said it had no comment.
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Posted by privateofficernews on October 31, 2008
Norridge shoplifting arrests www.privateofficer.com
NORRIDGE ILL OCT 31 2008
Norridge police and area loss prevention personnel remail vigilant and busy as they continue to rack up shoplifting arrests before even the Christmas season really kicks off.
The following are recent arrests:
• Kwabena Jones, 35, of 5508 W. North Ave., Chicago, was arrested Oct. 15 at Best Buy, 4100A N. Harlem Ave., and charged with felony retail theft, criminal damage to property and possession of a theft shielding device. A customer told security officers Jones was using a screwdriver to open two cases containing hard drives.
Security guards told police they saw Jones conceal one hard drive behind some merchandise and head for the exits. Police said Jones was stopped with one hard drive in her bag, which was lined with aluminum foil. According to police reports, Jones damaged security equipment when she tried to run away. The foil-lined bag and the hard drive were placed into evidence. A felony charge was approved based on the dollar amount of the theft and on Jones’s history. At an Oct. 16 hearing in Rolling Meadows, bond for Jones was set at $40,000. She is scheduled to appear at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 14 in Room 108 of the Rolling Meadows Court House.
• Edward Rivera, 33, of 4106 N. Neenah Ave., Chicago, was arrested Oct. 13 at Kmart, 4201 N. Harlem Ave., and charged with retail theft. Store agents told police they saw Rivera conceal DVDs valued at $187.91 in his pocket and leave the store, making no attempt to pay for the merchandise. He was escorted to the loss-prevention office, where the DVDs were recovered, police said. Bond for Rivera was set at $1,000. He is slated for a Dec. 8 court appearance.
• Shivon Wyatt, 25, of 5428 W. Division St., Chicago, was arrested Oct. 13 at Foot Locker, 4184 N. Harlem Ave., and charged with attempted theft. A store clerk told police Wyatt tried to purchase a $150 gift card using an All Access Visa debit gift card with $25 embossed on it. Police said, when the clerk attempted to swipe the card, the last four digits on it did not match the last four digits on the screen. Earlier, Wyatt had bought a $150 gift card at Kids Foot Locker at the Brickyard using the card, police learned. A Visa representative told police the card had no value attached to it. Bond for Wyatt was set at $1,000. She is scheduled for a Nov. 25 court appearance.
FORGERY
• Shantisa Miller, 35, of 398 Ogden Falls, Oswego, was arrested Oct. 14 and charged with felony forgery. Police said Miller tried on Aug. 23 to cash a check for $792.73 from an Oak Brook firm at Midwest Bank, 8301 W. Lawrence Ave. A teller, who knew the check was flagged, obtained Miller’s identification and thumb print before Miller became nervous and fled. A warrant for her arrest was issued on Sept. 9. On Oct. 14, police learned Miller was being held at the DuPage County Jail on Norridge’s charges. At an Oct. 15 hearing in Rolling Meadows, bond for Miller was set at $20,000. She is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. Nov. 5 in Room 108 of the Rolling Meadows Court House.
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Posted in loss prevention, police, security made app/arrest | Tagged: Edward Rivera, Kwabena Jones, loss prevention agent, loss prevention association, national association of private officers, NORRIDGE ILL, security association, security guard, security guard association, security guard training, security officer, security officer assaociation, security police association, security training, Shantisa Miller, Shivon Wyatt, www.privateofficer.com | Leave a Comment »
Posted by privateofficernews on October 31, 2008
Police recruit arrested on drug charges www.privateofficer.com
GRIFFIN, Ga.OCT 31 2008
Kyle T. Greene
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com– A Griffin police department recruit, in his third week of police academy training, was arrested on prescription drug charges.
Authorities said John “B.J.” Covalsen was taken into custody Wednesday after undercover narcotics agents witnessed an exchange between Covalsen and another suspect to buy Loritab pills.
Acting on a tip, authorities said they monitored the transaction at a Home Depot in Griffin. After taking Covalsen into custody, investigators said they found other prescription drugs in his possession.
“I was hoping that the suspect that would arrive would not be Covalsen, but as soon as I saw him walking across the parking lot; I knew it was him,” stated Agent Mark Barry. “We had decided earlier that if it was him, we would take him down as we would any potential narcotics suspect.”
Covalsen is currently in the Spalding County Jail. He is charged with two felony charges, which include possession of a schedule II controlled substance and possession of a schedule III controlled substance.
Authorities said Covalsen’s law enforcement career ended before it started.
“As difficult as it is for any police department to have charges brought against one of their own, the Griffin PD aggressively pursues any allegations of misconduct because nothing is more important than the integrity of the department and confidence that the community has in the organization and the people that serve them,” Cpl. Bryan Clanton, internal affairs detective, said.
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Posted in police | Tagged: abc news, area news, casino security, casinos, cbs news, cnn, cops, crime news, crime news blogs, fox news, Ga, GRIFFIN, hotel security, John “B.J.” Covalsen, k-mart, Kohl’s, local news, loss prevention, loss prevention agent, loss prevention association, Macy’s, mall security, metro news, national association of private officers, news blogs, news report, police, police news, police recruit arrested for drugs, regional news, resorts, retail security, security association, security guard, security guard association, security guard magazine, security guard news, security guard training, security industry, security magazine, security news, security officer, security officer assaociation, security officer magazine, security officer news, security police association, security police news, security training, shoplifting, target, walmart, www.privateofficer.com | Leave a Comment »
Posted by privateofficernews on October 31, 2008
Man sets self ablaze at University of Washington www.privateofficer.com
SEATTLE WA OCT 31 2008
By: Bryan Hill
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com — Police say a 61-year-old man who stood out in the center of a university and set himself on fire has died.
Police said the man, who police have yet to release his name, set himself on fire in a crowded plaza at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Authorities said the man who set himself ablaze Thursday was a former staff member but don’t know what his job was, when he left, or why.
Several bystanders quickly moved in and tried to douse the flames and some tried to smother the flames with jackets and other clothing.
The man was taken to an area hospital with severe burns and succumbed to his injuries.
The King County medical examiner’s office has not identified the man.
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Posted by privateofficernews on October 31, 2008
Three arrested in Chicago bank robbery www.privateofficer.com
Chicago IL OCT 31 2008
Three people were in custody Wednesday afternoon on charges they took more than $35,000 during a holdup at a Far South Side bank Tuesday, according to federal court records.
The men, David Newton Jr., Sean Smith and Charles Smith, was arrested in connection with the heist at a Charter One Bank branch in the 1300 block of West 103rd Street in the East Beverly Park neighborhood, according to a federal court records.
About 9:10 a.m. Tuesday, Newton and Sean Smith entered the bank and one of them pointed a gun at a teller, according to the records.
Newton is alleged to have approached a security guard, asked whether he was armed, searched him and ordered him to the floor.Newton then fired a shot into the air, the records say.
No one was hurt.
Smith then jumped over the teller counter and ordered tellers to open their drawers, according to the records.
Smith took with about $35,721 and a red dye pack, and he and Newton left the bank, officials say.
Bank employees said the two got in a white Chevrolet Blazer driven by Charles Smith, and fled, the records say.A teller then turned on a silent alarm, notifying Chicago police, who found the vehicle abandoned several blocks away, according to the records.
Newton and Sean Smith were found nearby hiding under a porch with a black book bag that had red dye stains, the records say, adding that the money also was stained.
The two were taken back to the bank and identified by employees, according to records.
Charles Smith was arrested shortly thereafter and told FBI agents he was the driver, the records say.
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Posted in police, security | Tagged: bank robberies, bank security, chicago illinois, loss prevention agent, loss prevention association, national association of private officers, security association, security guard, security guard association, security guard training, security officer, security officer assaociation, security police association, security training, www.privateofficer.com | Leave a Comment »
Posted by privateofficernews on October 31, 2008
Shoplifter assaults his way to jail www.privateofficer.com
Williamsburg KY OCT 31 2008
Kyle T. Greene
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
The Williamsburg Wal-Mart was the scene of what police are calling a short “scuffle” Tuesday afternoon, after one man tried to knock over a store loss prevention officer following a shoplifting incident.
Paul D. Kellogg, of Jellico, Tenn., was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after Williamsburg Police Department Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson says Kellogg charged at a loss prevention officer and a few other Wal-Mart employees and got in a physical altercation in the parking lot.
“The guy just tried to basically run through the employees, there was a scuffle and they all stumbled through the door. He had to be physically restrained,” Jackson said.
Jackson said Kellogg was charged with first-degree robbery, which is a felony, rather than theft by unlawful taking because Kellogg used “force” while committing the crime. Jackson said situations like Tuesday’s are becoming all too common.
In southeast Kentucky, Jackson said, there has been a trend of “rehearsed robberies” at Wal-Mart Supercenters. Thieves, Jackson said, plan their robberies, and often turn violent when their plans go awry.
“Some of these people really feel like they have a pattern down pat and when the Wal-Mart employees get onto them and end up interrupting their little heist these thieves have their confidence up feel like nothing is going to stop them,” Jackson said, “But in fact they do get stopped and they get charged with robbery because they get physical, which is a much more serious crime.”
The Williamsburg Wal-Mart’s central location, also seems to make it target, according to Jackson. Many of the people arrested for shoplifting and robbery at the Wal-Mart have been out-of-towners.
“Jellico doesn’t have a Super Wal-Mart, Bell County doesn’t — it’s seems all roads lead to Williamsburg. Unfortunately, we get a lot of out of town shoplifting traffic in this area,” Jackson said.
The Williamsburg Police Department also arrested Larry Hicks on misdemeanor shoplifting charges. According to Jackson, Hicks was working with Kellogg, but was in a separate part of the store and did not resist arrest.
Despite the repeat nature of the crimes, Jackson says the Williamsburg Police Department and Wal-Mart have a good working relationship.
“We, the police department and Wal-Mart, are both working to deter this type of crime,” Jackson said.
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Posted by privateofficernews on October 31, 2008
Cop steals pastries to go with free coffee www.privateofficer.com
Morrisville NY OCT 31 2008
BY: Rick McCann
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
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Valero Nice N Easy store is always willing to comp the coffee for uniformed cops.
But everything else, the officers are expected to pay for it including pastries that they say one officer reportedly took without paying.
According to the store manager, he tried to be diplomatic about the situation but when that didn’t work he installed a surveillance camera near the Tastykakes display that filmed Sgt. Steve Brody of Morrisville State College hiding food in his shirt and a newspaper.
The manager filed charges and Brody was charged with petit larceny.
“The 21 stolen pastries, priced at $1.29, were valued at more than $29, including tax,” the paper says.
Brody and his attorney wouldn’t comment on the allegations, according to the Post-Standard.
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Posted by privateofficernews on October 31, 2008
Security officer’s tip leads to arrest of rapist www.privateofficer.com
Everett WA OCT 31 2008
When a man accused of entering a North Seattle home and sexually assaulting a woman last week walked into an Everett Wal-Mart store on Wednesday night, he already was on the mind of one store security officer.
The female officer was scrolling through week-old surveillance videotape that showed a man identified by police as the suspect in the attack.
When the officer looked away from the video and focused on a live feed of goings-on inside the South Everett store, she saw the same man.
“It was one of those freaky coincidences,” Seattle police spokesman Mark Jamieson said.
The Wal-Mart employee immediately called Everett police and stayed on the phone while officers were dispatched. She tracked his every move and relayed details about his whereabouts to police, said Everett police spokesman Robert Goetz. Officers were waiting for the man when he walked outside.
Goetz declined to say whether the man had any of the victim’s belongings with him when he was arrested.
Goetz said the security officer has long been a source of information for Everett police; he said what she did Wednesday night “is not unusual for her.”
A spokeswoman for Wal-Mart said officials were pleased with the security officer’s work.
“We, of course, are grateful that our associate was able to help the community in this way and the safety and security of our customers is always our top priority,” Anna Taylor said.
According to Seattle police, the man entered the woman’s house in the 1600 block of North 52nd Street in the Wallingford neighborhood Oct. 20 after her husband had left to run an errand. The woman was attacked while her two children and nanny were in their rooms, police said.
After sexually assaulting the woman at knife point, the man stole several items before fleeing, police said.
Jamieson said detectives are unsure why the man attacked the Wallingford woman.
Seattle police said the man tried to use the victim’s credit card at a Lynnwood Wal-Mart shortly after the attack. Police obtained a copy of the store’s surveillance photos, identified the man and released copies of the photo to the media.
The suspect, who is being held without bail at the King County Jail, has a criminal history that stretches into Idaho and Florida. He has convictions in Idaho for escape and burglary, and convictions in Florida for vehicle theft, larceny, drug possession and the possession of drug paraphernalia.
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Posted by privateofficernews on October 31, 2008
Security agents bag shoplifters using “booster bags” www.privateofficer.com
BRAINTREE MA OCT 31 2008
Kyle T. Greene
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
A New York man has been charged with stealing merchandise from the Gap store at South Shore Plaza.
Police said Richard A. Arango, 21, was arrested Wednesday afternoon after store security personnel at Abercrombie & Fitch spotted him and another man run out of the Gap with bags full of merchandise.
The security officer and another from the Hollister & Co. store chased the two men into the parking garage, where they caught Arango, police said.
The other man escaped.
While trying to flee, one of the men threw a bag of clothes at the security officers.
Police said Arango had two bags lined with duct tape, commonly referred to as “booster bags” because they are used by professional shoplifters to compromise security sensors.
The bags were stuffed with clothes valued at more than $1,000, police said.
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Posted by privateofficernews on October 30, 2008
Tis The Season Of Retail Crimes www.privateofficer.com
Atlanta GA. OCT 30 2008
BY: Rick McCann
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
Oh it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go……A bit early you say? Oh contraire my friend. The season was kicked off long before the pumpkins had frost upon them and long before we’ve given the slightest of thought to who’s coming to Thanksgiving this year.
With the economy on a downward spiral and the Christmas shopping season looking to be all but doomed, retailers have stocked their shelves, trimmed their trees and are pumping Jingle Bells through the sound system hoping that the few of us who might have a few dollars will leave them behind and shop early.
But with the weaker economy and retailers trying to perform CPR on their holiday sales, shoplifters too are streaming through the doors looking for bargains of another kind. They know that this year the season will be shorter, the stores less packed and the shelves not as full as in years past so they too have made their list for earlier than usual shoplifting.
One indication recently came from the largest retailer in North America, Wal-Mart. Many items are being pilfered and many more empty blister packages are being found stuffed in out of way locations in the store as well as in the aisles where the item was hanging. Apprehensions are already up in most areas of the country and while some security departments are reporting average recovery amounts as compared to last year’s holiday season, others say that those amounts have risen drastically. More people are hitting the bigger ticket items and the pros are definitely hitting harder as they have an even bigger chance to sell their stolen wares on the Internet to those who have no choice but seek out the best bargains, the cheapest gifts even if they are from questionable sellers.
While many of us have not begun to make our gift lists or thought about where the finances for those gifts will come from, others have already filled their lists, houses and websites with stolen gifts of every type.
This year will be most active for shoplifting and employee dishonesty, bad check writers, ticket switchers and retail crime and loss prevention agents, store employees, and management personnel will need to stay vigilant and observant while providing customer service.
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Posted by privateofficernews on October 30, 2008
Securitas security officer robbed at work www.privateofficer.com
LONGVIEW, Wash. OCT 30 2008
Kyle T. Greene
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com– A security guard was robbed from behind at gunpoint outside an industrial plant in Longview early Sunday morning, police said.
Police said the robber surprised the security guard outside of Northwest Hardwoods in Longview along Industrial Way at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday.
Investigators said the robber came from behind and told the security guard he had a gun.
Because the robber came from behind, employees said no one got a good look at the man.
Northwest Hardwoods is part of Weyerhauser Corporation.
A company spokesperson said the guard is a contract employee through an agency known as Securitas.
Police said the gunman stole about $25 from the guard and then took off on foot.
K-9 units searched the area but were unable to find the robber.
Workers down the road said they are often out at that time of the morning and never have any problems.
Brian Fudge owns a logging company and said the robbery is a concern and that he is now planning to beef up his own security.
“Well that’s what we’re working on right now — making our shop more secure.
We don’t want to be stupid either but since we’ve been here no one’s bothered anything, Fudge said.
Anyone with information about the robbery should call Longview police.
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Posted in police, security, security officer injured | Tagged: longview washington, loss prevention agent, loss prevention association, national association of private officers, northeast hardwoods, securitas security, securitas security guard robbed, security association, security guard, security guard association, security guard training, security officer, security officer assaociation, security police association, security training, www.privateofficer.com | Leave a Comment »
Posted by privateofficernews on October 30, 2008
SECURITY OFFICER SPOTLIGHT www.privateofficer.com
Iowa City IA. OCT 30 2008
Officials at City High and West High said they wanted an extra set of eyes to help watch over their buildings and students and help lower the number of fights in both places.
In October, they got what they wanted when each school hired a new security officer.
The new security officers come after a yearlong debate on whether to bring in guards and whether to arm them. Ultimately, the school board decided against providing the guards with weapons.
That led to each school going a different route with their new monitor.
Brian Shimon started as West High’s security officer Oct. 14.
A 1980 graduate of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, he was the chief of the University Heights Police Department for three years until leaving in 2004. He now splits his time between his new job at West High and his part-time position as a police officer at the Meskwaki Nation in Tama.
He said his main job at first is introducing himself to students and staff.
“My deal now is being out in the open,” said Shimon, who added that students already have asked to go on ride-alongs. “It makes a difference at night. The halls are a lot quieter.”
Principal Jerry Arganbright said Shimon’s background and ability to help plan the security at West High helped him land the job. He also said Shimon, who will make $12 per hour, or $13,440 for the rest of the school year, is able to adjust his hours, which normally are 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., for football games, concerts and other events.
“The feedback has been positive,” Arganbright said. “The kids are supportive of anything that enhances safety.”
City High Principal Mark Hanson went a different route, opting to hire veteran teacher Jerry Hora as his school’s campus monitor. Hora is a City High graduate who retired in 2007 after 34 years in teaching, including 12 years as head of the Linn-Mar School District’s alternative school and establishing the at-risk program at North Central Junior High. Hanson said City High already has three hall monitors as well as court liaison Henri Harper, so he wanted someone who could relate quickly to students.
“The education background meant more to me than the legal background,” said Hanson, who originally had favored an armed guard.
Hora, who will make $11.50 an hour, or $12,328 for the rest of the school year, said his job is to secure the building, parking lots and the physical education area. Even though he only has been on the job since Oct. 21, he said he has seen an effect already.
“I’ve been told by several P.E. teachers this is the first time they haven’t had any thefts,” he said. “I just walk around and make sure students are where they’re supposed to be.”
Students were split on whether the extra security was needed.
“It’s not like he’s in uniform and stands out,” Will Hirsch, 17, a West High junior, said about Shimon. “The fact that he’s unarmed helps him be on an even basis. He’s just another administrator.”
City High junior Alex Sullivan, 16, disagreed with having a guard, saying fights are down from last year’s levels because the overall enrollment was down. He also said most fights occurred during the lunch hour because of crowding. He said that problem has been solved by the school moving to three lunch periods from two.
“It’s kind of like they’re making a big deal out of nothing,” he said.
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Posted by privateofficernews on October 30, 2008
Four shot, unarmed security officer caught in melee www.privateofficer.com
Cleveland OH OCT 30 2008
BY: Rick McCann
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
Police dispatched numerous patrol officers to a report of people shot and by the time officers arrived on the scene, four were wounded by gunfire.
Cleveland police responded to a call from a security officer that dozens of people were involved in an argument Wednesday morning, four people had been shot and there was a huge disturbance.
The unarmed security officer at the Carter Manor on Prospect Street called 911 around 3:30am saying there were about 30 people inside and outside the building being threatening and disorderly. The argument started earlier at a nearby bar, and moved to the apartment building police said. Two of the people shot are in serious condition with multiple wounds.
Police Lieutenant Thomas Stacho said there was only one shooter who was responsible for the shootings.
The victims are 23-year-old Bernard Melton, Jr., 26-year-old Andre Conner, 46-year-old Margaretta Ogletree and 26-year-old Joshua Hunt.
Each of the victims was taken to Metro Hospital.
Police were still searching for the shooter and are following up some leads.
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Posted in police, security | Tagged: cater manor, cleveland ohio, loss prevention agent, loss prevention association, national association of private officers, security association, security guard, security guard association, security guard training, security officer, security officer assaociation, security police association, security training, shooting, www.privateofficer.com | Leave a Comment »
Posted by privateofficernews on October 30, 2008
Mervyn’s employees, friends charged in theft www.privateofficer.com
Mesa AZ OCT 30 2008
By: Bryan Hill
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
Mesa police responded to a local department store after store security personnel caught six people Sunday stealing and some of them were store employees.
Police arrested several of them at the store but also said that they are looking for two others suspected of stealing merchandise from a retail store on multiple occasions.
According to reports, a 16-year-old Mervyn’s store employee assisted the suspects in the thefts by a scheme known in the retail industry as “slide-thru” or “under-ringing”.
Police say the subjects would bring numerous items to the register, some very high ticket items and the clerk would take between $15 and $25 for each transaction, and in one case, took no money at all.
Three adults and three juveniles were charged and more than $5,000 worth of merchandise was recovered, according to police.
Two suspects are reportedly still outstanding along with approximately $2,300 in merchandise.
Police did not release the names of those involved.
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Posted in loss prevention, security made app/arrest | Tagged: abc news, area news, casino security, casinos, cbs news, cnn, cops, crime news, crime news blogs, employee theft, fox news, hotel security, internal theft, k-mart, Kohl’s, local news, loss prevention, loss prevention agent, loss prevention association, Macy’s, mall security, mervyn's, mesa arizona, metro news, national association of private officers, news blogs, news report, police, police news, regional news, resorts, retail security, security association, security guard, security guard association, security guard magazine, security guard news, security guard training, security industry, security magazine, security news, security officer, security officer assaociation, security officer magazine, security officer news, security police association, security police news, security training, shoplifting, target, under-ringing merchandise, walmart, www.privateofficer.com | Leave a Comment »
Posted by privateofficernews on October 30, 2008
Police Chief indicted for forgery, theft in scam www.privateofficer.com
CHESTER TWP., Pa. – October 30, 2008 (WPVI) — A Chester Township Police Chief was arrested today by agents from the Attorney General’s Office. He is accused of using a State Workers Insurance Fund payment as a down payment on a new car.
The defendant is identified 47-year-old Booker T. Wilson of 18 E. 17th Street in Chester.
The arrest comes after evidence and testimony regarding the case was presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended that criminal charges be filed.
The investigation began in January 2008 after the Department of Treasury was notified that several SWIF checks, which had been issued from June 2007 through December 2007, were never received by the intended recipient.
The grand jury found that the checks were mailed to a minimum security corrections facility, located at 201 East 12th Street in Chester and intended for one of the facility’s former inmates, Vaughn Moore.
Corbett said that Wilson was a part-time weekend security guard at the facility and allegedly had access to any mail left at the security desk during those weekends.
The charges state that three SWIF checks were sent to Moore at the location, despite him not residing at the facility since 2006. During the time that Wilson worked at the facility, at least three checks were allegedly forged and cashed, including a check in Moore’s name, dated June 1, 2007 for more than $6,600.
According to the grand jury, this check was used by Wilson in July 2007 as a down payment on a 2007 Cadillac Escalade, purchased by Wilson.
Corbett said that the check did not include Wilson’s signature but did have Moore’s forged endorsement on the back.
Wilson is charged with one count of forgery, one count of theft by unlawful taking or disposition, one count of theft by deception, one count of theft of property lost, mislaid or delivered by mistake, one count of receiving stolen property and one count of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received.
Wilson faces a maximum penalty of 51 years in prison and a $120,000 fine.
Wilson is scheduled to surrender and be arraigned at noon today before Thorndale Magisterial Judge Charley, 47 N. Bailey Road, who will set bail and schedule a preliminary hearing date.
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Posted in police | Tagged: Booker T.Wilson, CHESTER TWP., loss prevention agent, loss prevention association, national association of private officers, Pa., police chief arrested for theft, security association, security guard, security guard association, security guard training, security officer, security officer assaociation, security police association, security training, workers insurance check, www.privateofficer.com | Leave a Comment »
Posted by privateofficernews on October 30, 2008
Teens pull knife on store security agent during theft www.privateofficer.com
Edmonton CA. OCT 30 2008
Kyle T. Greene
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
Two teens were charged after one allegedly pulled a knife on mall security and the other tried to steal some jeans.
About 3 p.m. yesterday, security spotted a male teen trying to steal some jeans from a store in West Edmonton Mall.
A security officer tried to arrest the teen inside the store, but the teen fought the officer off and fled into the mall.
The officer followed and was met by a group of teens in the mall. A male allegedly charged the officer with a knife and the group fled the mall.
Police and mall security searched nearby neighbourhoods and found six of the teens, ages 15-18.
A 16-year-old male was charged with theft, escaping lawful custody, and assault with intent to resist arrest.
Steven Pratt, 18, was charged with assault with a weapon.
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