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Teenager charged in Deleware bank robbery www.privateofficer.com
KYW’s Pat Loeb reports the suspect is now under arrest at a juvenile correction center.
It was a pretty typical bank robbery — the suspect handed a note to the teller at the WSFS bank inside a Claymont grocery store — but the age of the suspect was anything but:
“It’s obviously not typical. In my 20 years I cannot remember one this young.”
Trooper Walter Newton says the suspect is just 15. He says another trooper recognized him in pictures from the bank’s security camera because he’d arrested him before for shoplifting:
“In one respect, we’re kind of like taken aback by his age but then, just looking at the brief time that he’s been around and the type of criminal activity he’s been involved in I guess it’s just a progression but it’s just very unfortunate and it’s sad too.”
Newton said he couldn’t identify the suspect because of his age
Source:KYW Radio
Police Officer Othoniel Hatchett wins SC SRO award www.privateofficer.com
Officer Hatchett who just completed his tenure at Beaufort High School, has also served at Ladys Island Middle School. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Hatchett is a seven year veteran of the Beaufort Police Department and served in law enforcement in the state of Ohio prior to coming to Beaufort.
When asked what interested him in becoming an SRO, Hatchett explained that he had prior experience with a cadet program in Ohio that assisted with search and rescue operations. During that time he enjoyed training and working with the young men and women on that team. When he was going through the field training program with the Beaufort Police department he observed how the SROs worked in the schools and felt that he could make a positive contribution in that area. After serving on patrol for several years the opportunity to go to a school presented itself and he dedicated himself to the job.
Lt. Doug Kadas who supervises the SRO program said that there are many things that impress him about Officer Hatchett but most of all his attitude. Speaking of Hatchett he says, “He is the kind of person who gladly goes above and beyond what he is asked to do.” Chief Clancy agreed and mentioned the impressive work ethic that Hatchett exhibits. “He is one of the hardest working individuals I have ever met.” Chief Clancy said.
To illustrate what he was talking about, Clancy related an incident where Officer Hatchett was washing his patrol car at the station and just kept on washing every car that he could get the hose to reach. “He didn’t do it for accolades or attention, it is just the type of person he is.” explained Clancy. Officer Hatchett worked on many programs to make the schools he was in better and safer. He set a great example for the students and enjoyed interacting with and getting to know them He feels that seeing cooperation between the students, parents, and school staff was the most rewarding part of being an SRO.
English is Officer Hatchett’s second language and his Spanish language skills have been an asset to the department as well. Now that he is back on uniformed patrol he is using the knowledge he gained to train other officers and will make himself available if the other SROs need his help.
Bank robbers leave child alone during heist www.privateofficer.com
Jason Jackson, 36, and Ronya Boyd, 24, — both reportedly homeless but whose last known address was 1015 Causeway Blvd. in Jefferson Parish — each are facing one count of child desertion in addition to armed robbery and other charges in connection to a bank robbery reported around 12:30 p.m. at the Union Bank at 1701 Metro Drive, city police said.
The desertion charge came after the discovery that Boyd’s 3-year-old special-needs daughter had been left alone at the Red River Inn at 3801 Halsey St. during the robbery and chase, authorities reported.
Jackson also faces three counts of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, aggravated flight from an officer and aggravated obstruction of a highway after leading police on a high-speed car chase following the robbery, officials said.
After receiving an alarm call from the bank, officers pulled over a silver late-model Cadillac driven by Boyd with Jackson in the passenger’s seat, police said. Jackson had been seen acting suspiciously in the area of the bank by an officer.
Boyd — who told police she was pregnant with Jackson’s baby — surrendered herself into custody, but Jackson slid into the driver’s seat and drove from the scene, police said.
Police chased him south of MacArthur Drive and onto Interstate 49 as Jackson collided with police cars, reached speeds of more than 100 mph and drove against the flow of traffic on the interstate.
Police laid down spike strips to pop tires on the Cadillac, forcing the vehicle to stop and allowing them to arrest Jackson.
Based on the investigation so far, the Cadillac is not believed to have been stolen.
Jackson also has a previous address in the state of Georgia, and the getaway car’s license plate was registered in Georgia, police spokesman Sgt. Ronald Besson said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking into unsolved robberies in Georgia and Jefferson Parish to see if there are any connections to Jackson or Boyd, Besson said.
If there are any links found between those crimes and the two suspects, more charges could be filed against them.
When the Office of Child Services is called, an investigation is conducted to locate any nearby relatives who might be eligible to take custody of the child for the time being, said Trey Williams with the Department of Children and Family Services.
Williams said he could not release specific information about the status of the 3-year-old child found at the hotel.
Background checks and home studies of eligible relatives are conducted if any are found nearby, but if there are not any who meet the criteria, the child is placed into a foster home, Williams said.
All foster families must take required classes to earn that status, and the classes include information about taking in a special-needs child.
The child is matched with a home equipped to meet his or her needs, and the Department of Children and Family Services — formerly the Department of Social Services — works closely with families who have taken in a special-needs child, Williams said.
Information about the needs of the little girl found in the hotel was not available.
The department will search and screen more-distant relatives who might be suited to take custody of the child, Williams said.
If none can be found, the child becomes eligible for adoption.
“Our No. 1 priority … is making sure the child is safe and taken care of,” Williams said. “Every situation is unique … no (child’s) experience is alike.”
Source:thetowntalk.com
Tn. man arrested in food court fight www.privateofficer.com
MEMPHIS, TN Aug 8 2010–A fight in the food court of a Memphis mall landed an Arlington, TN man in jail.
Officers were called to the Wolfchase Mall Thursday night after security reported a disturbance in the food court. Police say 30-year-old Edwin Alston was arguing and attempting to fight two women in line at the food court. Mall security told Alston to leave the mall, but he refused. When they tried to escort Alston outside, he assaulted several of the officers.
Security officers were able to detain Alston until police arrived on the scene. He was arrested and charged with Assault and Disorderly Conduct.
Source”eyewitnessnews
Huntsville mayor wants to create national cyber security center www.privateofficer.com
HUNTSVILLE, AL Aug 8 2010 — Mayor Tommy Battle wants to create a national center for cyber security research, development, testing and engineering in Huntsville at the sprawling Redstone Gateway complex planned for the Gate 9/Research Park Boulevard entrance to Redstone Arsenal.
Battle and a number of local leaders are to discuss the need and plans for the “Cyber Systems Innovation & Security Center” as part of a Technology Program at 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, at the Von Braun Center during a session of the 2010 Space and Missile Defense Conference and Exhibition.
Battle said today that he began having conversations with military and other officials who spoke about growing cyber warfare and security efforts during last year’s SMDC conference and at other occasions.
He pointed out that retired Marine Gen. Peter Pace, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, talked about cyber warfare during a fundraiser here earlier this week, comparing the impact of computer systems and attacks to the power of nuclear weapons.
“So we started about eight months ago looking at what Huntsville’s role needed to be in the cyber security side, not only with the Department of Defense but with Homeland Security efforts,” Battle said.
It’s also a workforce development issue, leveraging the expertise of the traditional Huntsville worker, he said.
“We have computer sciences, engineering, mathematics, technology all tied together here,” Battle said. “This effort is to explore what our role needs to be in a field that is going to be very important for the nation’s defense.”
This is only an initiative at this point, he said, and the event at the SMDC conference is designed to start a conversation about a cyber security center and how it might be organized and funded. The CSISC could include government agencies and private domestic and international companies, universities and other groups engaged in public and private cyber security research, development, testing, and engineering projects.
Seating is limited for the Technology Program, which begins at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 17, so interested parties should arrive early. To receive a badge to attend the CSISC event please visit the registration area at the VBC’s South Hall entrance and bring a government identification card, such as a driver’s license, passport or military ID.
Organizers emphasize that admittance will be for the CSISC discussion only, not other areas of the Space and Missile Defense Conference.
Source:AL.com
Police chief investigated for attack on political candidate www.privateofficer.com
Democrat Scott Pollak, a candidate for the House District 61 seat, says James Foerster had to be restrained by Antioch Mayor Larry Hanson and a police officer during a July 27 meeting.
According to Pollak, the meeting resulted from a confrontation between police and Pollak’s son and two friends over campaigning in a subdivision. There was a dispute over whether a permit was needed to campaign.
Hanson would only say the incident is under internal review. Village Attorney Robert Long says Foerster was placed on paid administrative leave a day after the incident.
Foerster could not be reached for comment.
Pollak is running against incumbent Republican JoAnn Osmond.
Charlotte police-armed man exchange 90 shots during gun battle www.privateofficer.com
Charlotte NC Aug 8 2010 A 25-year-old Charlotte man faces 10 counts of attempted murder after he and officers traded 90 shots in less than an hour overnight, police say.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have charged Cody Richmond with attempted murder, 10 counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and 10 counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer.
The charges are in connection with a standoff which took place late Thursday and early Friday at a residence in the 4200 block of Somerdale Lane.
Police say a woman called 911 shortly after 11:30 p.m. and said her son was walking around the house, intoxicated and carrying a rifle. When officers arrived, they were able to get the mother out of the house.
Police then asked the man to come out, but they say he responded with gunfire.
“Shots were fired in the direction of our officers,” Deputy Chief Harold Medlock said.
Police say a preliminary investigation shows the man fired a 12-gauge shotgun 30 times during a 40-minute period. They say eight of the 17 officers at the scene returned fire, with about 60 police rounds being fired.
Eventually, Richmond surrendered. He suffered a minor wound in the hip from a bullet fragment, police said, and was treated at Carolinas Medical Center before being jailed. No police officers were hurt.
Source:Charlotte Observer
Cobb County sheriff arrests workers at new courthouse www.privateofficer.com
COBB COUNTY, Ga. Aug8 2010 — Two men helping to construct a new Cobb County courthouse were arrested Thursday, the second time this week the sheriff’s office jailed workers at the site.
The sheriff’s office said it started background checks on more than 700 workers at the construction site after a watchdog group contacted them about possible undocumented workers hired for the job.
Deputies arrested Lambert Williams, 31, for failure to pay child support, and Ray Lee Roberts, 29, for violating probation.
The group “Jobs For Georgians” said concern about illegal immigrants at the work site prompted their complaint. “We got a ton of calls through Jobs for Georgians saying this project is going on, we want to know why we can’t get on it,” said John Ciancia.
Sheriff Neil Warren told Channel 2 Action News he has a responsibility to make sure the site is safe and secure, and his office had completed more than half of the 717 background checks.
Ciancia told Channel 2’s Sean Callebs his group has talked to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and checks at the Cobb site could become a statewide model for taking on illegal immigration, and to find people running from the law.
“I am satisfied with the sheriff taking on, and doing the checks. I know they are at the gates now, and they are doing a second round of checks. I think its paying off,” said Ciancia
“It’s not just undocumented, it’s checking everybody. I think it needs to be done all over the state of Georgia. I think we need more of this,” Ciancia told Callebs.
The sheriff said it made sense to run the background checks before construction of a new catwalk that connects the new construction to the existing judicial center.
WBSTV.com
Man enters Atlanta courthouse with pocketful of pot www.privateofficer.com
ATLANTA GA Aug 8 2010 – An Atlanta man was taken into custody at the Fulton County Courthouse after deputies said they discovered 19 small plastic baggies stuffed with marijuana in the man’s pocket.
Ricky Hefflin, 26, of Atlanta, told authorities “I don’t have anything” when they asked him to empty his pockets and walk through the security scanner at the courthouse entrance, authorities said.
Deputies said Hefflin became nervous and refused to comply with their commands.
Hefflin was arrested Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Officials said he also had two active warrants against him for battery.
He is currently at the Fulton County Jail.
Source: WSBTV.com
Off-duty security officer killed during robbery attempt www.privateofficer.com
Justin Stanton, 25, was pronounced dead Thursday night.
Police say he was shot in the head during a robbery attempt Thursday morning in the 300-block of Calhoun.
Stanton was off duty at the time, sitting with his girlfriend in his car in a quiet residential area when three suspects approached them. Police are looking for those three suspects.
“It appears it may have been a robbery attempt. He struggled with one of the offenders and one of the offenders on the opposite side of the car evidently pulled a gun and fired at the wounded person and struck him in the back of the neck,” said Chief Edward Gilmore, Calumet City police.
Police say the robbery attempt began when one of the suspects asked the couple for a cigarette and then demanded their personal items. Investigators say the suspect on the driver’s side began to strike Stanton, and he fought back. Then the suspect on the passenger’s side window fired his gun, police said. The suspects then fled on foot.
The woman in the car was unharmed. Police say they recovered a weapon believed to have belonged to the victim. No one is in custody.
“We have never had that over here, never. This has been a quiet street since I have been here,” said Elizabeth Berry, neighbor
We’re not safe to come outside of our house or in our yards or in the block. We have to look back because we don’t think nothing like that would happen but now it’s like maybe we need to watch our backs because we never know what may happen now. This changes everything,” said Elaine Lane, neighbor.
Source:(WLS)
DC metro train ride turns into brawl www.privateofficer.com
Washington DC Aug 8 2010 
Billy Fettweis of Capitol Hill was planning to catch Metro home after a late dinner at Gallery Place on Friday when he got caught up in a massive brawl that officials say involved as many as 70 people, led to three arrests and put four people in the hospital.
Metro Transit Police have charged three District teenagers in the fight that began at the Gallery Place Station about 11 p.m., continued on the train and spilled onto the platform for the Green and Yellow lines at L’Enfant Plaza Station. It is unclear how many people in the crowd were fighting.
The Gallery Place neighborhood in Northwest Washington has become a popular hangout for teenagers, and the D.C. police department has enhanced its presence in the area.
D.C. Council member Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) said he thinks the answer is an earlier curfew. District residents 17 and younger have to be off the streets by midnight in the summer. Wells proposed an 11 p.m. curfew for people 15 and younger, but most of the council members opposed the move, with some saying that it could lead to profiling.
“Curfews do have an impact, especially in that area. I wish I had been able to get enough of my colleagues to vote for it,” Wells said Saturday. “It gives the police one more tool to help ensure that young people are not out doing bad things.”
A Metro representative said Angelo Nicholas, 18, of the District was charged with disorderly conduct. Two 16-year-old males were also charged, one with simple assault and the other with disorderly conduct.
Transit police were investigating what sparked the incident and reviewing videotape. No weapons were recovered at the scene, said Metro spokeswoman Cathy Asato. Of the four people who were taken to the hospital Friday, three remained under observation Saturday, Asato said.
On Friday, Fettweis said he and his dinner companion were riding on the train about 11 p.m. when they heard yelling and taunts and saw what looked like a schoolyard brawl involving teenagers at the other end of the car. As the train approached L’Enfant Plaza, Fettweis said, “people started running past us, away from the fight.”
Teenagers were yelling and pushing as they got off the train, Fettweis said. As he and his friend walked toward the platform for the Blue and Orange lines, they got caught up in a stampede heading out of the station.
A group of about a dozen teenagers stayed behind, he said, pounding on one male teenager with what Fettweis said looked like a belt.
Within two or three minutes, Fettweis said, a Metro officer arrived and started waving people out of the station.
“We didn’t know what was happening,” he said. “There was hysteria.”
