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May Is Mental Health Awareness Month www.privateofficer.com
May 12, 2009
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Atlanta GA. May 12 2009
By: Rick McCann
Private Officer News Network
http://www.privateofficer.com/
By: Rick McCann
Private Officer News Network
http://www.privateofficer.com/
May is the month that mental health providers use for Mental Health Awareness and to broaden their reach within the community.
Grayce Crockett, a mental health specialist in Charlotte said that workers hold seminars, speak to area employees, and make their services known around the area.
This year according to Crockett, suicides and suicide attempts are way up.
In the Charlotte area there is almost a 55% increase over last year.
Crockett attributes some of that to the down turn in the economy and higher unemployment. Many people are having a hard time coping with the loss of their jobs, losing their homes and not being able to pay their bills Crockett said.
Emergency workers in Nashville TN. have also seen an increase in reported suicide attempts and threats though there was no numbers available.
Dr. Harry Crowe, a mental health provider in the Atlanta metro area said that there is also an increase in substance abuse which is leading to some of the increased suicide attempts.
Teens and middle aged people are once again drinking alcohol to the extreme and the use of illegal narcotics including prescription drugs have increased substantially in the past few years Crowe said.
For every successful suicide, twenty five others have attempted it and more than double that number has thought about it according to Dr. Crowe.
Crockett attributes some of that to the down turn in the economy and higher unemployment. Many people are having a hard time coping with the loss of their jobs, losing their homes and not being able to pay their bills Crockett said.
Emergency workers in Nashville TN. have also seen an increase in reported suicide attempts and threats though there was no numbers available.
Dr. Harry Crowe, a mental health provider in the Atlanta metro area said that there is also an increase in substance abuse which is leading to some of the increased suicide attempts.
Teens and middle aged people are once again drinking alcohol to the extreme and the use of illegal narcotics including prescription drugs have increased substantially in the past few years Crowe said.
For every successful suicide, twenty five others have attempted it and more than double that number has thought about it according to Dr. Crowe.
Some signs of a suicidal person are:
Mood swings
Isolation
Talk of suicide or harming themselves
Depression
Emergency mental health providers in your area can be found in your local telephone directory or by calling 911 in an emergency.
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Macy shoplifters clobber security but get nabbed www.privateofficer.com
May 12, 2009
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Sugar Land TX May 12 2009
Two Houston men were arrested Saturday after allegedly shoplifting items from a Macy’s store at First Colony Mall.
Arrested were Lance Bobby Dike, 19, who was charged with robbery, and Chinedu Drexler Arimonyeotu, 20, who was charged with theft.
According to a Sugar Land Police Department spokesman, patrol officers responded to a call from the store, at 16511 Southwest Freeway, abt 9:12 p.m.
Store security officers already had detained Dike and Arimonyeotu when Sugar Land officers arrived.
One security officer said the two men were attempting to leave the store without paying for merchandise, and were approached by two security officers. One of the men, believed to be Dike, pushed one of the security officers, who fell to the ground.
However, the security guard still were able to detain the two.
Two Houston men were arrested Saturday after allegedly shoplifting items from a Macy’s store at First Colony Mall.
Arrested were Lance Bobby Dike, 19, who was charged with robbery, and Chinedu Drexler Arimonyeotu, 20, who was charged with theft.
According to a Sugar Land Police Department spokesman, patrol officers responded to a call from the store, at 16511 Southwest Freeway, abt 9:12 p.m.
Store security officers already had detained Dike and Arimonyeotu when Sugar Land officers arrived.
One security officer said the two men were attempting to leave the store without paying for merchandise, and were approached by two security officers. One of the men, believed to be Dike, pushed one of the security officers, who fell to the ground.
However, the security guard still were able to detain the two.
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Former NYPD officer gets 10 year prison term www.privateofficer.com
May 12, 2009
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PHILADELPHIA PA May 12 2009 (AP) — A former New York City police officer who pulled a gun on three bank tellers during a bank robbery in Reading, Pa., last year, was sentenced on Monday to 10 years in prison.
The former officer, Christian A. Torres, 22, still faces charges in New York in connection with two 2007 bank robberies there. All three robberies were at Sovereign Bank branches, and an accomplice in the New York robberies has admitted providing inside knowledge of the bank’s security information.
Mr. Torres, of Queens, told Judge Thomas Golden in Federal District Court that he regretted disappointing his fiancée and his family, said a defense lawyer, Angelo MacDonald.
In his youth, Mr. Torres had a scholarship to Rye Country Day School and attended the John Jay College of Criminal Justice before entering the police academy, the lawyer said.
“It is a shame,” Mr. MacDonald said. “He’s a bright kid, and he seems like a nice kid.”
Mr. Torres has reportedly provided authorities information about the New York robberies, but his lawyers said they planned to wait to see the evidence before deciding whether he will plead guilty in those cases. He also has met with Sovereign Bank officials to discuss the bank’s security measures, said his chief defense lawyer, Paul S. Missan.
Mr. Torres, who authorities have said joined the New York Police Department in July 2007 and was assigned to the Brooklyn transit bureau, admitted robbing the Reading bank in April 2008. Wearing a hat and wig, he approached an employee in the parking lot as the bank was opening in the morning, followed her inside and forced employees into a vault at gunpoint before leaving with $113,000.
The police were alerted by a silent alarm during the robbery, and Mr. Torres was arrested quickly and the money recovered.
Both New York robberies occurred in 2007 robberies at a Sovereign Bank branch at 57 Avenue A on the Lower East Side. In those cases, Mr. Torres is charged with teaming up with a teller and former girlfriend.
The teller, Christina Dasrath, admitted that she gave bank security information to Mr. Torres, helped him carry out the robberies and received some of the proceeds, which exceeded $100,000. She has been sentenced to a 30-month federal prison term.
“I think the fact that they got away with it empowered them, it sort of led to the next one, and then the next one,” Mr. MacDonald said on Monday.
Mr. Torres has been in prison since his arrest for the Reading robbery.
He used his service revolver in that holdup, the defense said.
The former officer, Christian A. Torres, 22, still faces charges in New York in connection with two 2007 bank robberies there. All three robberies were at Sovereign Bank branches, and an accomplice in the New York robberies has admitted providing inside knowledge of the bank’s security information.
Mr. Torres, of Queens, told Judge Thomas Golden in Federal District Court that he regretted disappointing his fiancée and his family, said a defense lawyer, Angelo MacDonald.
In his youth, Mr. Torres had a scholarship to Rye Country Day School and attended the John Jay College of Criminal Justice before entering the police academy, the lawyer said.
“It is a shame,” Mr. MacDonald said. “He’s a bright kid, and he seems like a nice kid.”
Mr. Torres has reportedly provided authorities information about the New York robberies, but his lawyers said they planned to wait to see the evidence before deciding whether he will plead guilty in those cases. He also has met with Sovereign Bank officials to discuss the bank’s security measures, said his chief defense lawyer, Paul S. Missan.
Mr. Torres, who authorities have said joined the New York Police Department in July 2007 and was assigned to the Brooklyn transit bureau, admitted robbing the Reading bank in April 2008. Wearing a hat and wig, he approached an employee in the parking lot as the bank was opening in the morning, followed her inside and forced employees into a vault at gunpoint before leaving with $113,000.
The police were alerted by a silent alarm during the robbery, and Mr. Torres was arrested quickly and the money recovered.
Both New York robberies occurred in 2007 robberies at a Sovereign Bank branch at 57 Avenue A on the Lower East Side. In those cases, Mr. Torres is charged with teaming up with a teller and former girlfriend.
The teller, Christina Dasrath, admitted that she gave bank security information to Mr. Torres, helped him carry out the robberies and received some of the proceeds, which exceeded $100,000. She has been sentenced to a 30-month federal prison term.
“I think the fact that they got away with it empowered them, it sort of led to the next one, and then the next one,” Mr. MacDonald said on Monday.
Mr. Torres has been in prison since his arrest for the Reading robbery.
He used his service revolver in that holdup, the defense said.
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Shoplifters cause mall evacuation www.privateofficer.com
May 12, 2009
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ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.May 12 2009 — Three shoplifters at the Florida Mall caused an evacuation during their getaway.
Eyewitnesses say a security guard and two Macy’s employees followed the trio out of the department store into the mall last night.
The guard confronted the suspects and asked to search one of the bags they were carrying.
David Atkinson was standing just feet away when one of the suspects pulled out a can of pepper spray and aimed it right at the security guard.
“He sprayed it right in his eyes, right in his face. And it just drizzled all the way down and they got away,” said Atkinson.
All three suspects got away. Eyewitnesses say Macy’s was evacuated because the pepper spray affected several other shoppers.
Eyewitnesses say a security guard and two Macy’s employees followed the trio out of the department store into the mall last night.
The guard confronted the suspects and asked to search one of the bags they were carrying.
David Atkinson was standing just feet away when one of the suspects pulled out a can of pepper spray and aimed it right at the security guard.
“He sprayed it right in his eyes, right in his face. And it just drizzled all the way down and they got away,” said Atkinson.
All three suspects got away. Eyewitnesses say Macy’s was evacuated because the pepper spray affected several other shoppers.
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Bouncer charged after assault incident www.privateofficer.com
May 12, 2009
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BOULDER, Colo. May 12 2009— A 23-year-old bouncer at Boulder’s Shooters Bar & Grill faces second-degree assault charges after being accused of putting a drunk customer in a rear chokehold and pushing him down the stairs, causing him to pass out and break his jaw.
Boulder police arrested Francisco Lucero at about 2 a.m. Sunday after officers responding to the bar at 1801 13th St., formerly the 13th Street Saloon, found Chase Snyder, 23, bleeding from the mouth. A friend told officers Snyder had been in an argument with another customer when bouncers came to break it up, according to police spokeswoman Sarah Huntley.
Snyder was trying to shake hands with the other customer to end the argument when Lucero started shouting at him to get out of the bar, the friend told police.
The friend said Lucero was following Snyder to the exit when he suddenly wrapped his arm around Snyder’s neck and squeezed, then threw him unconscious down the steps and into a table, Huntley said.
Snyder, who lost several teeth in the incident, was taken to Boulder Community Hospital, where he was treated for a broken jaw, Huntley said.
“He’ll need surgery to repair it,” she said.
A bartender said Snyder tried to hit Lucero, who was escorting Snyder down some stairs when he fell and hit his head on a table, according to Huntley.
Lucero, who bonded out of Boulder County Jail, doesn’t have a listed phone number, and calls to the bar Monday night weren’t immediately returned.
Two other witnesses, who weren’t Snyder’s friends, told police they saw the bouncer put a customer in a chokehold, Huntley said. One said the customer “was very drunk and definitely needed to leave the bar, but the bouncer went overboard,” according to Huntley.
Snyder’s friend who provided information to police was the group’s designated driver, Huntley said, and he verified that he hadn’t been drinking through a breath test.
Snyder didn’t recall much at the hospital, except that he thought the bouncer punched him, Huntley said.
Boulder police arrested Francisco Lucero at about 2 a.m. Sunday after officers responding to the bar at 1801 13th St., formerly the 13th Street Saloon, found Chase Snyder, 23, bleeding from the mouth. A friend told officers Snyder had been in an argument with another customer when bouncers came to break it up, according to police spokeswoman Sarah Huntley.
Snyder was trying to shake hands with the other customer to end the argument when Lucero started shouting at him to get out of the bar, the friend told police.
The friend said Lucero was following Snyder to the exit when he suddenly wrapped his arm around Snyder’s neck and squeezed, then threw him unconscious down the steps and into a table, Huntley said.
Snyder, who lost several teeth in the incident, was taken to Boulder Community Hospital, where he was treated for a broken jaw, Huntley said.
“He’ll need surgery to repair it,” she said.
A bartender said Snyder tried to hit Lucero, who was escorting Snyder down some stairs when he fell and hit his head on a table, according to Huntley.
Lucero, who bonded out of Boulder County Jail, doesn’t have a listed phone number, and calls to the bar Monday night weren’t immediately returned.
Two other witnesses, who weren’t Snyder’s friends, told police they saw the bouncer put a customer in a chokehold, Huntley said. One said the customer “was very drunk and definitely needed to leave the bar, but the bouncer went overboard,” according to Huntley.
Snyder’s friend who provided information to police was the group’s designated driver, Huntley said, and he verified that he hadn’t been drinking through a breath test.
Snyder didn’t recall much at the hospital, except that he thought the bouncer punched him, Huntley said.
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Man points gun at security is fatally shot www.privateofficer.com
May 12, 2009
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FORT WORTH TX May 12 2009 — A 23-year-old man who had been thrown out of an east Fort Worth club was fatally shot by one of the owners early Saturday after reportedly pointing a gun at an unarmed security guard.
Police said Monday that they will consult with the Tarrant County district attorney’s office to determine whether the 34-year-old club owner will face charges in the death of Michael Angelo Vela.
“At this time it appears that the club owner was acting to protect the unarmed security guard and himself, but the investigation is continuing and we will present all the facts to the DA’s office when we have them,” homicide Sgt. J.D. Thornton said.
The shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. outside Club Hip-Notic at 2934 E. Lancaster Ave.
According to witness statements to police, a group of four to five men, including Vela, had been escorted out of the club shortly before the shooting after they began throwing beer bottles and fighting with other patrons. Some of the men are believed to be gang members, Thornton said.
The men tried to return inside, banging on a side door, Thornton said. Employees had locked the doors and would not let them in, he said.
Thornton said a security guard later opened a door and stepped out to check the parking lot so other patrons could leave when the guard saw Vela pointing at gun at him.
Police said one of the club’s owners had also stepped out and, after seeing Vela with the gun, opened fire, striking Vela several times in the front of his body.
Vela was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3 a.m.
Police said Vela’s friends fled the scene in a car. Police were still trying to find them Monday, Thornton said.
The club owner told police that he had armed himself after the altercation to protect himself and others should the men return.
Police said Monday that they will consult with the Tarrant County district attorney’s office to determine whether the 34-year-old club owner will face charges in the death of Michael Angelo Vela.
“At this time it appears that the club owner was acting to protect the unarmed security guard and himself, but the investigation is continuing and we will present all the facts to the DA’s office when we have them,” homicide Sgt. J.D. Thornton said.
The shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. outside Club Hip-Notic at 2934 E. Lancaster Ave.
According to witness statements to police, a group of four to five men, including Vela, had been escorted out of the club shortly before the shooting after they began throwing beer bottles and fighting with other patrons. Some of the men are believed to be gang members, Thornton said.
The men tried to return inside, banging on a side door, Thornton said. Employees had locked the doors and would not let them in, he said.
Thornton said a security guard later opened a door and stepped out to check the parking lot so other patrons could leave when the guard saw Vela pointing at gun at him.
Police said one of the club’s owners had also stepped out and, after seeing Vela with the gun, opened fire, striking Vela several times in the front of his body.
Vela was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3 a.m.
Police said Vela’s friends fled the scene in a car. Police were still trying to find them Monday, Thornton said.
The club owner told police that he had armed himself after the altercation to protect himself and others should the men return.
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Security officer injured by shoplifters www.privateofficer.com
May 12, 2009
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SCRANTON PA May 12 2009 — A security officer at Redner’s Market, 550 N. Seventh Ave., was injured when he was assaulted by the brother of a juvenile shoplifting suspect, city police said.
Mark Reilly of Scranton stopped the 16-year-old boy outside the store and was escorting him back inside when the youth’s 18-year-old brother punched him in the face Sunday around 6:30 p.m., police said. Mr. Reilly was later treated for facial fractures at Mercy Hospital, Lt. Glen Thomas said.
Charges against both brothers were pending Monday, police said.
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College student arrested after failing to clean dorm room www.privateofficer.com
May 12, 2009
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Unity, ME May 12 2009 – Police say a Unity College student who failed to do a thorough cleaning of her dorm room before leaving campus faces criminal charges after security guards found several marijuana plants growing there.
The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office said 19-year-old Annica McGuirk of Cabot, Ark., has been charged with cultivation, sale and use of marijuana.
The college held its graduation ceremonies Saturday. The Morning Sentinel in Waterville said security guards were checking dorm room the following evening to make sure they were emptied when they discovered the plants in plastic containers.
Police said fewer than 10 plants were seized. McGuirk is scheduled to appear in court July 7.
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Filene’s Basement security stabbed in escape attempt www.privateofficer.com
May 12, 2009
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Watertown MA May 12 2009
Brett Davis
Private Officer News Network
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On May 8 at 3:25 p.m. police were dispatched to Filene’s Basement in the Arsenal Mall on Arsenal Street for a shoplifting report.
Security agents saw Rickie Lyoms, 42, of 58 West Durham St. 4 in Roxbury, take four bottles of cologne valued at about $175 and try to leave the store without paying for them according to the police report.
Security officers stopped him at the door and took him into custody. Once in the security officer he was told police would be coming and he became agitated. Police said he then grabbed a pair of scissors off the desk, and stabbed one of the security officers in the wrist area. Lyoms then allegedly turned toward the other security officer and struck him with the scissors in the upper right arm, causing an abrasion. He began to punch and slash at both security officers wildly.
On May 8 at 3:25 p.m. police were dispatched to Filene’s Basement in the Arsenal Mall on Arsenal Street for a shoplifting report.
Security agents saw Rickie Lyoms, 42, of 58 West Durham St. 4 in Roxbury, take four bottles of cologne valued at about $175 and try to leave the store without paying for them according to the police report.
Security officers stopped him at the door and took him into custody. Once in the security officer he was told police would be coming and he became agitated. Police said he then grabbed a pair of scissors off the desk, and stabbed one of the security officers in the wrist area. Lyoms then allegedly turned toward the other security officer and struck him with the scissors in the upper right arm, causing an abrasion. He began to punch and slash at both security officers wildly.
The security agents began to subdue Lyons and police arrived and placed him into custody.
He was charged with shoplifting over $100 worth of merchandise and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (scissors). Both security officers received minor injuries.
He was charged with shoplifting over $100 worth of merchandise and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (scissors). Both security officers received minor injuries.
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Police, school security nab stabbing suspect www.privateofficer.com
May 12, 2009
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WILLIMANTIC CT May 12 2009 — – Willimantic police are investigating a stabbing today at Windham High School. A student suffered non-life threatening injuries, police said.
Lt. Mary Beth Curtis said police were still actively investigating the incident and had no other information to release.
Windham School Superintendent Doreen Fuller said the incident occurred about 2:15 p.m. as the high school was dismissing. A student and non-student got into a fight and the student was stabbed in the back, she said.
School security staff chased the suspect, as did police, who responded quickly, Fuller said. The suspect was taken into custody.
The student who was stabbed was taken by ambulance to Windham Hospital.
Because some students saw the injured student lying on the ground and bleeding, the school activated its crisis management team and have counseling available for any student who needs it.
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