Archive

Archive for October, 2008

SPOTLIGHT ON A SECURITY OFFICER www.privateofficer.com

SPOTLIGHT ON A SECURITY OFFICER http://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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Police use Taser to subdue fleeing shoplifter www.privateofficer.com

Police use Taser to subdue fleeing shoplifter http://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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Filene’s shoplifter charged with felony www.privateofficer.com

Filene’s shoplifter charged with felony http://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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Hospital security officers detain armed man www.privateofficer.com

Hospital security officers detain armed man http://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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Atlanta radio personality wrongly accused of shoplifting www.privateofficer.com

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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Norridge shoplifting arrests www.privateofficer.com

Norridge shoplifting arrests http://www.privateofficer.com

NORRIDGE ILL OCT 31 2008
By: Bryan Hill
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
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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Police recruit arrested on drug charges www.privateofficer.com

Police recruit arrested on drug charges http://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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Man sets self ablaze at University of Washington www.privateofficer.com

Man sets self ablaze at University of Washington http://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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Three arrested in Chicago bank robbery www.privateofficer.com

Three arrested in Chicago bank robbery http://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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Shoplifter assaults his way to jail www.privateofficer.com

Shoplifter assaults his way to jail http://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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Cop steals pastries to go with free coffee www.privateofficer.com

Cop steals pastries to go with free coffee http://www.privateofficer.com

Morrisville NY OCT 31 2008
BY: Rick McCann
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
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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Security officer’s tip leads to arrest of rapist www.privateofficer.com

Security officer’s tip leads to arrest of rapist http://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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Security agents bag shoplifters using “booster bags” www.privateofficer.com

Security agents bag shoplifters using “booster bags” http://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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Tis The Season Of Retail Crimes www.privateofficer.com

Tis The Season Of Retail Crimes http://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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Securitas security officer robbed at work www.privateofficer.com

Securitas security officer robbed at work http://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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SECURITY OFFICER SPOTLIGHT www.privateofficer.com

SECURITY OFFICER SPOTLIGHT http://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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Four shot, unarmed security officer caught in melee www.privateofficer.com

Four shot, unarmed security officer caught in melee http://www.privateofficer.com

Cleveland OH OCT 30 2008
BY: Rick McCann
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
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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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Mervyn’s employees, friends charged in theft www.privateofficer.com

Mervyn’s employees, friends charged in theft http://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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Police Chief indicted for forgery, theft in scam www.privateofficer.com

Police Chief indicted for forgery, theft in scam http://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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Teens pull knife on store security agent during theft www.privateofficer.com

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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Store clerk charged with selling marijuana to kids www.privateofficer.com

Store clerk charged with selling marijuana to kids http://www.privateofficer.com

MIAMI FLA OCT 30 2008 Police have busted a North Miami Beach store clerk for selling drugs to local teenagers. She was caught selling marijuana to a high school student after police say they received a tip from a student, reports CBS station WFOR-TV in Miami.
Police arrested 24-year-old Sheena Malvoisin Monday.
Though they were told she was selling various drugs, a sweep of the store only found marijuana. After the tip, police staked out the store, where they watched Malvoisin sell marijuana to a 15-year-old boy. Both were arrested.
“The sad part here is you have an adult who’s obviously corrupting the youth who’s in the area and know hey, this is a spot where we can go,” said North Miami Beach Police Detective Armando Sotero.WFOR spoke with some area teenagers who say they come to the store every day, and are surprised by the news. “
She seemed like a nice lady. I mean, like, she’ll play video games, “Angel Guerrero said. “She seemed suspicious about stuff but I would never think she was doing that.”Elizabeth Sanchez goes to high school in the area and lives across the street from the store.
She never suspected her friendly corner store clerk was dealing drugs. “It came as a surprise to me, like when I found out, I was in shock,” Sanchez admitted.
“I’m glad they caught her because it’s something that can be prevented for the future.”Zea also spoke with Malvoisin, who admitted she sold drugs from the store.
Malvoisin claimed the police are exaggerating, saying she never meant to sell to a minor, and that the student she was caught selling to looked much older.
Malvoisin told police she had free rein at the store; apparently the owner abandoned the place a while back and allowed her to work and make money as she saw fit.
“I come here a lot and usually around this time it’s always open, but it’s closed now,” said customer Shiva Sundal.
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Retired police officer charged with shoplifting www.privateofficer.com

Retired police officer charged with shoplifting http://www.privateofficer.com

Lexington KY OCT 30 2008
By: Bryan Hill
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
A retired Lexington police officer is accused of loading up her shopping cart at a local store and heading for the doors without paying for the merchandise.
Police say the woman now faces felony theft charges. Wednesday at around 1:30p.m. police were called to the K-Mart on Nicholasville Road after store loss prevntion agent observed the theft and stopped the woman as she exited the store.
Police say 52-year-old Yolanda Davis, a former police officer who retired from the force in good standings is now charged with the felony after she left the store with over $500 of unpaid items.
Davis was booked in the Fayette County jail on a charge of felony theft.
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Shoplifting call leads to child abuse, drug charges www.privateofficer.com

Shoplifting call leads to child abuse, drug charges http://www.privateofficer.com

Maryville TN OCT 30 2008
A shoplifting call on Saturday led deputies to a house where an infant was found, along with drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Jama Lynn Lequire, 28, Guadal Canal Drive, Maryville, was arrested Sunday by Blount County Sheriff’s deputies on charges of child abuse and neglect, possession of a Schedule II substance, theft of property, possession of drug paraphernalia and evading arrest.
She was also served warrants charging her with identity theft, forgery and two attachments for contempt of court.
The incident began on Saturday night when Deputies Brian Smith and Hal Weeden responded to Ian’s Market, 3108 Ralph Phelps Road, on the report of a shoplifter, according to a Blount County Sheriff’s Office report.
Upon deputies’ arrival, the manager said a female had concealed a package of Bugler tobacco and two cans of Sparks Plus beer in her purse, and then left the store without paying. He said the suspect left in a truck driven by a man whose name he knew.
Deputies reviewed the video of the incident.Deputies went to Drinnen Lane, where the man who was driving the truck was known to live, the report said.
They made contact with the man outside of the residence, who said he thought the shoplifting suspect was inside.Saw infant sleeping “We could observe an infant sleeping in a playpen through an open window,” deputies reported.
“Three loud announcements were made to come to the door or we would make entry to the house. The suspect then jumped out of the back door of the residence and attempted to flee.”Deputies were able to capture the suspect, identified as Lequire, and took her into custody. They then went in the house to check on the child.
Deputies discovered a purse, similar to one seen in the market video, sitting on the kitchen counter with a Sparks Plus beer inside it. Another beer can was found in the top of the kitchen trash can, the report said.They also reported that they found “white powder” on the kitchen counter and an open “pill capsule” on the sink “near the baby.” While looking for the baby’s clothing, they reported finding a spoon with white powder on it and two blue and green capsules marked “Kadian 100 MG” in a dresser drawer with the baby’s shoes and socks.
Three more spoons with white powder on them were found in a makeup case and another spoon covered in residue was found in another purse.Deputies reported that they contacted the Department of Children’s Services, which took custody of the child. According to the report, Lequire told deputies that she took two beers and a bag of tobacco from the store.
The tobacco was found under the couch. Lequire was being held without bond on the attachment for contempt charges.
She was being held in lieu of bonds totaling $28,000 on the rest of the charges, pending hearings at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and Monday.
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Police officer recovers his stolen truck at concert www.privateofficer.com

Police officer recovers his stolen truck at concert http://www.privateofficer.com

FRISCO, Texas OCT 30 2008

Kyle T. Greene
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com— A police officer directing traffic outside of a concert in suburban Dallas noticed a familiar-looking truck driving by — his own.
The startling sight led to the arrest of James Matthew Herring, 22, who is charged with theft and evading arrest, police said.
Frisco police Officer Jerry Varner said he parked his maroon pickup about 100 yards from where he was directing traffic Saturday night. He said he didn’t notice anyone breaking in but recognized his truck coming toward him.
Varner ordered the driver to pull over. Instead, the man put the truck in reverse and attempted to flee, striking several vehicles, police said.
Police cars eventually surrounded the truck. The driver tried to run but was soon caught, police said.
Herring’s court-appointed attorney said he hadn’t met with his client and declined to comment.
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Economy playing role in workplace security www.privateofficer.com

Economy playing role in workplace security http://www.privateofficer.com

Atlanta GA. OCT 29 2008
BY: Rick McCann
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
At 4:20 on a Monday afternoon Randy checks in with the gate sergeant of a large gated community just outside of Orlando Florida.
The plush green grass, 18 hole golf course, million dollar homes and miles of private roads make it hard to patrol on foot or bike, so the security department use to patrol in a 2006 Crown Victoria with light bar, spotlights and a very nice stereo system. But that was before the economy and gas crises and before money was an issue for the management of this wealthy community.
Now, Randy makes a walk around his new patrol vehicle, and makes sure that the golf cart is charged and ready to go.
The patrol car that he had enjoyed driving for the past year sits at the gatehouse and is now only used for medical emergencies or other priority calls, off property mail or errand runs and the occasional trip to pick someone up or drop them off at the airport.
It gets us around Randy says but it’s not very fast or official looking and it hesitates a little going up and down some of our off road areas but it’s cheap and that’s what the bosses are looking at right now.
When Chris Turner turns onto Broadway Street in downtown Nashville Tennessee at around 6 a.m., he can’t help but feel a bit proud. Aside from the occasional office light flipped on by someone who has come in even earlier, his employer’s at Draper Centennial Tower is dark. Only the LifeWay Publishing Company sign atop the building glows as a beacon in the night.
“That time of the morning you can kind of see who’s interested in trying to save power and money,” said Turner, who works for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
But the Draper building isn’t the only one that’s gone dark in Nashville in an attempt to save costs and energy and some in the security and law enforcement community is concerned. Officer Robert Franklin said with the darkness comes the increases of burglaries and other safety concerns.
High rise office buildings, shopping centers, and office complexes have cut back lighting or set their timers to shut off all exterior lighting earlier in the evening when no employee or other authorized person should be on the property.
While it may save them money on their utility bill Franklin said, it’s probably going to cost them in the long run as they see an increase in thefts, vandalism, and break-ins.
Jimmy Johnson patrols a number of these sprawling office and business complexes in metro Atlanta and he has seen the same thing. Exterior lights being cut off and dim lit exteriors that cause him great concern for his personal safety and the safety of others. People do work at some of these places late or come in very early in the morning before the sun is up and now with the properties being as dark as they are it makes these workers an easy target for people to rob them. Just as he was saying that, two men walked out from between two buildings almost undetected. They were office workers who had stayed late but they could have been muggers and we barely saw their darken figures.
Securitas Security, one of the largest security companies in the world is contracted to provide a mobile patrol of the Windsor Square shopping center covering several city blocks of Independence Blvd. in southeast Charlotte. The security officers use a small compact patrol car with the Securitas logo which helps to defray the costs of fuel but now instead of constant patrol, they have been told to sit for fifteen minutes each hour with their engines off and monitor store parking areas.
Many law enforcement agencies are feeling the economic hit also and have scaled back services, patrol areas, and even laid off personnel.
In Sacramento California this week, a huge cut in police services and staffing was announced and a loud outcry from the community was heard.
Police say that they will still provide quality services but that response times will be slower and some services such as responding to minor calls of vandalism, private property accidents, and dogs barking will be eliminated.
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Shoplifters use crowbar to beat store security agent www.privateofficer.com

Shoplifters use crowbar to beat store security agent http://www.privateofficer.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. OCT 28 2008

BY: Rick McCann
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com- A shoplifting apprehension attempt turned violent when a store security agent was attacked by three people and later beaten with a crowbar.
Police said the incident happened Monday night at the Meijer store on Preston Highway.
Police said the loss prevention agent watched as a trio stole shoes and when he tried to stop the three people from stealing the shoes, he was attacked and seriously injured.
“The security officer had one of the gentlemen in a hold, and the female came up behind him and tried to scratch his eyes out and left scratches and stuff across his cheek,” said Metro Police Officer Kori Thurman. “The person that was in the hold also bit the security officer on the arm and hand several times.”
Police said the suspects got away, but came back to the store, found the store security officer and went after him again with a baseball bat and a crowbar.
Christopher Miller, Kent Thompson and Jennifer Powell fled the store a second time, but were later taken into custody in Bullitt County, where police said Powell is wanted on for allegedly conning an elderly man out of thousands of dollars and giving him a pill that almost killed him.The store security agent, who police did not identify was treated for numerous non-life threatening injuries and released from a local hospital.
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Security officer prevents armed robbery www.privateofficer.com

Security officer prevents armed robbery http://www.privateofficer.com

GREENSBORO NC OCT 29 2008
BY: Rick McCann
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com Police say that a security officer hired to protect a local convenience store who had been robbed several times put his life on the line Tuesday when he stopped another armed robbery.
Police said that it would have been the third time in 10 days that the store had been robbed.
Police say that an armed security officer foiled the robbery attempt at the C&C Market at 2820 Lawndale Drive after a man pulled a gun on the store’s clerk.
Greensboro police said the armed man entered the store at 10:04 p.m. Tuesday and demanded money. But the suspect was immediately challenged by the armed security guard hired who pulled his own weapon. The suspect fled without taking any cash, and no one was injured officers at the store said..
Police described the suspect as a black man who stands 5-foot-11 and wore a black winter jacket, blue jeans, a dark blue shirt and a bandana over his face.
The C&C Market has been a frequent robbery target. On Oct. 19, store owner Gab “Sam” Lib was shot in the neck during a robbery attempt. The store was robbed again Thursday, and he was pistol-whipped on one side of his head.
Anyone with information about any of these incidents can call Crime Stoppers at 373-1000.
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Citizen Patrol presents new bile to injured mall officer www.privateofficer.com

Citizen Patrol group presents new bike to injured mall security officer http://www.privateofficer.com

Colerain Township OH OCT 29 2008
By: Bryan Hill
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
The Colerain Township Citizens on Patrol has bought a new bike for the security officer to use at Northgate Mall.
Valor Security officer Michael Chappell was run over by a robbery suspect on August 8th.
He will be presented the bike at the Colerain Township Trustees meeting on October 28th according to CTCP officials.
Talechia Willis the suspect in the robbery case, is expected to go to trial, next month. Court documents say the Lincoln Heights woman ran over Chappell when he tried to stop her from shoplifting from Macy’s.
Police say Willis put her truck into reverse in the mall parking lot and and struck Chappell five times.
Security officer Chapell was injured but is doing fine at this time.
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Shoplifter “fills orders” around TN. area www.privateofficer.com

Shoplifter “fills orders” around TN. area http://www.privateofficer.com

COOKEVILLE TN OCT 29 2008

By: Bryan Hill
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com A man arrested at the Cookeville Mall Saturday afternoon had a carload of stolen goods and a shopping list detailing what his “customers” had ordered, police said.
Derrick Joe Choate, 46, of Old Qualls Road, Cookeville, is charged with five counts of theft in the case, says a report by Cookeville Police Officer Jeremy Lintz.
It was around 3 p.m. Saturday when a security officer in the JC Penney store followed Choate after seeing him allegedly stealing some children’s clothing and taking it out to his car, the report says.
When Sgt. Ken Clement and Lintz arrived, they confronted Choate in the store parking lot and after seeing “the stolen merchandise” inside his car, asked permission to search the vehicle, the report says.
Choate’s wife was in the car and allegedly she began talking to Lintz, saying she was “unaware that her husband was stealing from JC Penney’s,” but she also allegedly told the officers that “her husband steals merchandise for people and then sells it to them at a reduced cost,” the report says.
“She stated that Mr. Choate has a list of merchandise of what to steal for certain individuals. While I was searching the vehicle, I observed a leather wallet that contained an appointment calendar inside it.
While searching the wallet, I found four hypodermic needles, an arm tie-off, and a Q-tip, all items associated with the use of intravenous drugs.
“The officer also alleges that the calendar book contained several sheets of paper with people’s names and “various merchandise listed underneath.”
“Most of the items listed on the sheet of paper were found in the vehicle. The JC Penney employee stated that before he confronted Mr. Choate, he was attempting to steal UFC brand T-shirts.
There were several requests on the list for UFC T-shirts, and another sheet of paper that stated ‘check JC Penney’s for UFC shirts.’”Allegedly, Mrs. Choate’s purse also contained several hypodermic needles and she told the officers she used the needles to inject Dilaudid tablets.
A check of police computers showed she was wanted on a warrant out of Wilson County, and she was arrested for that and was also cited for drug paraphernalia.Derrick Choate was arrested for theft and also cited for drug paraphernalia.
The two were taken to the Putnam jail.
Allegedly, the Choate car contained, in addition to the merchandise stolen from Penney’s, numerous hooded sweatshirts from Rugged Wearhouse, numerous decorative items believed to have been taken from the Hobby Lobby store, items stolen from Walmart, and merchandise stolen from the Dollar General store.
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Shooting at hospital leaves employees, neighbors scared www.privateofficer.com

Shooting at hospital leaves employees, neighbors scared http://www.privateofficer.com

Omaha NE OCT 29 2008

BY: Rick McCann
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com
There are still very few clues concerning a shooting that took place in broad daylight. Omaha Police say it appears the victim was chosen at random. Shot in the middle of a busy hospital parking lot.
Half of the parking lot at Immanuel Medical Center was wrapped in crime scene tape and dozens of officers and hospital security officers did crowd control and searched for clues.
Omaha Police confirmed Tuesday morning that a shooting of the victim was shot in the chest around 1:30 p.m. Monday. It’s an unlikely scene and one never thought possible to unfold at a hospital.
Hospital workers and residents of the normally quiet neighborhood said the broad daylight shooting is disturbing and scares many hospital employees who go there every day.
What about people who bought homes within walking distance of the hospital, thinking it was the safest place to be in the city?
“I thought I moved away from all the trouble for the most part,” said Carlina Thompson.
“Actually buying this house, I was thinking that the hospital’s right there so if something comes up we can always have somewhere to run,” Thompson said.
Adrienne Grundy and her family have lived in the same neighborhood about two years. The shooting also has Grundy coming to grips with what at one time seemed unthinkable.
However, it proves that anything can happen just about anywhere.
Right now police are not sure if it was a robbery attempt or exactly what caused the shooting to take place at the hospital and are being tight lipped about details.
Police have still not released the victim’s age, name, whether or not she was an employee of Immanuel, a patient or just there visiting someone.
Although the victim was shot at Immanuel Medical Center, she was rushed to Creighton University Medical Center for treatment.
The hospital is a trauma center with staff trained specifically to treat patients with extreme injuries.
The gunman is still at large. Anyone with information, should call police at 444-7867.
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