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OFFICER DOWN Trooper Jeffrey Werda
Antique pistols at Boston airport lands man in jail www.privateofficer.com
Boston MA April 7 2011 A 44-year-old man is facing charges this morning after trying to pass through a security checkpoint at Logan International Airport with two antique pistols, State Police said.
State Police said Brent Cameron of New London, N.H., was arrested at about 7:43 a.m. at Terminal E by State Police after being stopped by Transportation Security Administration officers while heading toward a Southwest Airlines gate.
The pistols were detected by TSA workers using an X-ray machine. No ammunition was found with the guns.
Cameron told troopers he had bought the guns, which were .22-caliber Derringers, at an auction last week and said he didn’t know they were in the bag, State Police said. He also said he didn’t have a license for them; one was not needed in the state of New Hampshire.
Cameron faces two counts of possession of a firearm without a license. He was transported by State Police to the Troop F barracks for booking, and is expected to be arraigned this afternoon in East Boston Municipal Court, State Police said in a statement.
Source:Boston.com
Police charge man with having gun at Orlando airport www.privateofficer.com
Orlando Fla April 7 2011 A South Florida man now has a permanent reminder that will prevent him from taking a gun through airport security: an arrest record.
Security personnel at Orlando International Airport saw a gun in a duffel bag going through an X-ray machine at the airport on Monday about 10:30 a.m., according to an arrest report. A spare magazine containing ammunition was in a shoe in the bag.
An Orlando police officer checked the gun and found that it was loaded with five rounds in the magazine of the gun, five in the spare magazine and a round in the chamber.
The owner of the gun, Walter Phillip Thomas, 54, of Miramar, said he carries the 9 mm semiautomatic Rohrbaugh R9 pistol because he travels throughout the state for his job as a construction supervisor. He also told police that he keeps the gun securely enclosed in his duffel bag with his clothes.
He has worked in the nonpublic area of the airport and is familiar with security there. He told police that he was headed to a site off airport property when he came back to check on repairs to a runway at the airport.
Just before Thomas got to the security gate, there was a sign announcing that weapons are prohibited, according to the arrest report.
He said he didn’t think about the gun in his bag as he headed toward the gate, according to the report.
Source:Orlando Sentinel
NJ Catholic High teacher, administrator arrested for having sex with students www.privateofficer.com
PARAMUS NJ April 7 2011 — Two chaperones are accused of having sex with students from New Jersey during a school trip to Germany.
Paramus Catholic High School vice president of operations Artur Sopel and teacher Michael Sumulikoski are charged with sexual assault, child endangerment and hindering apprehension.
They were arrested on Tuesday after a month-long investigation.
Sumulikoski is accused of having sex with one female student on the trip, which took place from Feb. 17 to Feb. 27.
Sopel is accused of engaging in sexual activities with two female students in Germany and having sex with another female student during the 2010 school year.
Sopel is held in the Bergen County Jail on $225,000 bail. Sumulikoski is held on $50,000 bail.
It’s not clear whether either man has retained a lawyer.
Source:NJ.com
Nebraska Sunday school teacher accused of sexual assault of child www.privateofficer.com
The Lincoln County sheriff’s office on Tuesday says 43-year-old Daniel R. Fisher, of rural Hershey, was arrested last Friday. Officials say in a news release that all known victims are female between the ages of 7 and 15. Authorities say they expect more victims before the investigation is complete.
Authorities say Fisher is farmer and a Sunday school teacher for a Sutherland church. He was released from jail on Monday after posting $500,000 bond.
A telephone call to the sheriff’s office Tuesday was not immediately returned. There is no phone listing for Fisher in the Hershey area and no listing for his case on the online court system.
Family of man shot to death at factory sues for lax security www.privateofficer.com
ST. LOUIS, MO.April 7 2011 The daughters of a man killed during last year’s ABB Inc. shooting rampage say lax security and the failure by the company to recognize an unstable employee are to blame for their father’s death.Like 11 other lawsuits already filed, the Carters are also suing Securitas Security Services and two of its guards Cordin T. Hudson and Janisha Johnson.
The suit claims that against company policy, Hendron requested and was given security clearance and entrance to drive through ABB’s delivery gate, even though employees were prohibited from entering through the delivery gate. The suit states that Johnson let Hendron use the gate and Hudson was patroling in and around the plant and both failed to press Hendron about his use of the security gate or inspect his vehicle.
Hendron had four weapons include a shotgun and AK-47 along with magazines and ammunition in his vehicle.
The Carters are suing the guards and Securitas in excess of $25,000 each and Hendron’s estate for a total in excess of $50,000.
Source:KMOX
Lone wolf guard stands watch of old Sears building www.privateofficer.com
Memphis TN April 7 2011 The 72-year-old man shined a small flashlight down a hall so murky that it barely pierced the darkness.
Frank Johnson, with eyes like a hawk (except for reading) and a soft-footed, cat-like creep, has tended Sears Crosstown for eight years.
The 14-story art deco landmark, whose ivory buff-colored bricks tower over Midtown, masks more than 1 million square feet and nearly two decades of neglect that Johnson tramps weekly.
Built in 1927, Crosstown once housed a retail store and catalog distribution center for seven states. The building was shuttered in 1993 and emptied of the last of its 2,000 employees.
Now there’s one.
Johnson can’t fix the 18 years of deterioration, but he tries to keep Crosstown safe. He wears soft-sole black shoes zipped shut by Velcro. They cushion the climb up and down the 243 steps to the top he makes each week. The rubber soles leave no footfall as he walks the building listening for “visitors.”
It’s hard to stay quiet with the crunch of paint chips like fall leaves sprinkled on the floors, but Johnson manages.
He has discovered homeless men nestled in former executive offices on the fourth floor. They leave food wrappers, cigarette butts, old clothes.
“They don’t mean any harm, they just want to get out of the cold, but they can’t stay here,” says Johnson.
Not that the building is warm. Johnson wears a winter coat and directs visitors to bring one. He has walked potential investors through several times, dreamers who want to save the building.
The latest proposal announced in February is for an arts-centric urban village with an artists’ residency program, studios, exhibition and performance space.
The remainder of the building would be redeveloped as offices, stores, schools, apartments, condos, hotels and nonprofit organizations.
Johnson doesn’t mind the company. He leads groups through the store like a tour guide. He carries a bit of a Northern accent as he tries to help them imagine a bustling business.
For the first few years on the job, Johnson dealt with greedy rats who tore holes in the fence and crawled inside. Thieves stripped every inch of copper from the pipes and the walls.
“Almost every day I’d find a new hole in the fence or a broken window,” he said.
When he heard intruders in the building, he tippy-toed to another floor and called police.
“I probably caught about 40 of them in my time,” he said.
Once the copper ran out, thieving stopped.
No one wanted the headless, armless mannequin or the rusty mop bucket. Still, Johnson drives around the building daily looking for holes in the fence or signs of forced entry.
The 5-foot-8, 173-pound man doesn’t huff or puff up the towering building. He has jogged most of his life. His near-sighted vision is 20/20 but he wears “cheaters” to read. He has short gray hair and a face and energy that don’t reflect 72 years.
He lives alone in the Balmoral neighborhood. He’s divorced with two grown children and two grandchildren.
“If a guy needed a friend, Frank is the kind of guy you hope to have in your circle of friends,” said Lee Wheeler, who has known Johnson for about 20 years. “He’s generous to a fault.”
Johnson came to Memphis after growing up in the North. He has owned several local restaurants including Ray Gammons on Summer Avenue and the Pinnacle, atop the 100 North Main building. He left the restaurant business in 1996. He did odd jobs in demolition and construction.
A friend told him about the job at Sears.
“It took me a little bit to get acquainted with the building to keep from getting lost,” Johnson said.
He hopes that someone with deep pockets renovates the landmark. As the sole employee, it’s one job he wouldn’t mind getting fired from.
Source:Commercial Appeal
Apple Stores being targeted by burglars nationwide www.privateofficer.com
Atlanta GA April 7 2011 Apple Stores, renowned for innovative design and upscale appeal, have become the Tiffany of electronics — loved by shoppers and burglars alike.
The FBI is assisting several law enforcement agencies in an ongoing investigation of more than a dozen Apple Store robberies in states from Connecticut to Virginia, said Special Agent J.J. Klaver in Philadelphia. And a security guard shot and killed an armed burglary suspect in Chula Vista, Calif., on Monday in the most recent of a nationwide string of robberies at Apple Stores.
The crimes highlight the growing value of iPhones, iPads and MacBook computers that are tantalizingly displayed like jewelry just inside glass walls. “Apple Stores move more merchandise than anything except Tiffany’s per square foot,” says technology consultant Richard Doherty of The Envisioneering Group. “We’ve already seen (their products) command 30% to 80% premiums on eBay and double that abroad.”
While the Chula Vista incident was the only incident to involve a fatality, an Apple Store employee was shot during an attempted robbery in Arlington, Va., in August 2009. Such escalated incidents “are few and far between,” says Seth Weintraub, editor of the website 9to5 Mac. But, “The publicity surely has Apple on guard.”
Apple declined to comment but is working with law enforcement on the Northeast robberies. “They do try to increase their security as best they can with alarm systems, security guards and the thickness of the glass,” says Lt. Walt Miller of the Evesham Township (N.J.) Police Department.
The glass and stainless steel design of the Apple Store was trademarked just last year. But the neatly organized layout can make hitting Apple easier than a bank or jewelry store. “I used to do store openings with Apple, and they never used to have security guards,” analyst Rob Enderle says.
Doherty says Apple has the power to track and make stolen devices unusable. “They have electronic serial numbers in the mobile phones and the Wi-Fi iPads so whenever and wherever they are turned on in the world, they will know where they are. The thieves may not be aware of that.”
Woman falls to her death in Panama City www.privateofficer.com
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla.April 7 2011 — A 44-year-old Marietta woman fell to her death from the 14th floor balcony of a Panama City Beach condominium.
Investigators say Michelle Haley was headed to dinner about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday when she fell and landed on a parking garage below.
Panama City Beach Police Chief Robert Harding says investigators don’t believe foul play was involved. He said officers are trying to “piece together what went wrong.”
Haley was staying at the Laketown Wharf condominium with her husband and 17-year-old son.
Teacher-security agent arrested on sex charges involving student www.privateofficer.com
GERMANTOWN, Md. April 7 2011 — Montgomery County Police have arrested a 52-year-old teacher on sex charges involving a child.
What makes this case unusual is the suspect has a long history of employment with Montgomery County Public Schools and also worked with autistic adults and children. Detectives believe there may be more victims.
Fifty-two-year-old Michel Rosenzweig of Germantown is charged with five counts of third-degree sex offense against a 10-year-old boy.
“I’m shocked. Huh? I have to process this for a minute, because he’s worked with kids for as long as I’ve known him,” said Julie Swain, a neighbor of the suspect.
“That’s crazy. I’ve known him for years. He’s worked in the Montgomery County Public Schools for years,” said Bridget Anders, another neighbor.
The alleged crimes took place at a community swimming pool in Germantown and date back to 2003. The now 18-year-old victim told detectives Rosenzweig befriended him and other boys, and often visited the changing room when he was showering. The victim alleges it was there that Rosenzweig touched him inappropriately on five occasions.
“I can’t believe. I can’t believe,” said Mary Bonilla, who lives next door to Rosenzweig.
There was no answer at the suspect’s door, but neighbors are stunned.
“Disbelief. That’s impossible. He’s lived here for many, many years,” said Anders.
One neighbor said Rosenzweig would bring autistic adults into his home.
“There may also be a victim out there who’s not been able to report a situation, didn’t properly understand what occurred,” said Lucille Baur of the Montgomery County Police Department.
“I know he works with autistic kids. He’s done that, oh my gosh, for many years,” said Swain.
The school system confirms: Rosenzweig was a security assistant at Lakelands Park Middle School in Gaithersburg from 2006 to 2007. He was a security assistant at Neelsville Middle School in Germantown from 2002 to 2006. Prior to that, he worked as a para-educator for special needs children at Stedwick Elementary School in Gaithersburg from 1999-2002.
Police say Rosenzweig has been with Maxim Health Care in Silver Spring since November of 2010, working with children. He was also employed at the Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children in Montgomery Village, and as a police officer at American University in the 1990s. Finally, as a physical education teacher at Saint John Evangelist School in Silver Spring, he was accused of inappropriately touching several girls there, but police did not have enough evidence to charge him.
So, if the victim was allegedly molested eight years ago, why did he just come forward now? It’s an incredible story. The suspect recently walked into the workplace of the 18-year-old victim with a group of autistic kids. The victim recognized him, got his license plate number and called police. In Montgomery County there is no statute of limitations, so victims of abuse can come forward years after the alleged crimes occur.
Anyone who has concern about inappropriate contact between Michel Rosenzweig and a juvenile should contact Detective John Reinikka the Family Crimes Division at 240-773-5400.
Rosenzweig was released Tuesday after payment of a $30,000 bond.
Source:WUSA
Coma victim wakes-says wife shot him www.privateofficer.com
Mandy Romero, 35, 1559 Nix Road, Phil Campbell, is charged with attempted murder in the March 12 shooting involving her husband, Randy Don Yocum, 38, based on courthouse records.
Charges were filed against Romero on Monday, one day after Yocum awoke from the 22-day coma and told hospital nurses that he was shot by his wife, according to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver.
Deputies were originally told by Romero that her husband accidentally shot himself while cleaning a gun. The shooting occurred at the couple’s residence on Nix Road, authorities said.
Investigators said Yocum was shot by a 9 mm pistol in his left temple. The shot traveled to his right temple.
“We received a call on March 12, and the caller stated that the husband accidentally shot himself cleaning the gun,” Oliver said.
Oliver said the shooting occurred at 10:45 p.m.. He added the sheriff’s office had not previously responded to domestic calls from the couple’s residence.
Yocum was taken to Huntsville Hospital, where he was in a coma until Sunday, Oliver said.
Authorities said Romero’s story unraveled after Sunday when Yocum came out of his coma and told nurses about his wife’s involvement in the shooting. Oliver added investigators discovered information that supports Yocum’s claim that he was shot by his wife. He did not elaborate.
Attempted murder is a Class A felony punishable by a prison sentence of 10 years to life.
Source:Times Daily
Colorado police officers pinned down by sinper fire www.privateofficer.com
EDGEWATER, CO April 7 2011– Two police officers from Edgewater were pinned down behind a brick wall for about 30 minutes early this morning, bullets whizzing past them from an unknown location. A SWAT team intervened and 11 people are in custody.
“We believe we have the shooter,” Edgewater police spokesman Steve Davis said.
Davis said it all started around the 12:30 p.m. as a call of shots fired near West 20th Avenue and Marshall Street in Edgewater.
Davis said an Edgewater officer in the area reported the shots at the same time the 911 call came in to Jefferson County Sheriff’s dispatchers.
The officer got out to investigate and was fired upon, Davis said. A second officer arrived and was also fired upon, and the two took cover behind a brick wall about a half block from where they believed the shots were being fired.
Davis said the shots were coming in volleys of one to eleven bullets at a time.
“The officers were scared,” Davis said, adding the officers could not pinpoint where the gunfire was originating and therefore couldn’t return fire.
A reverse emergency notification call went out to residents within a quarter-mile of the situation and a SWAT unit from Jefferson County was called in, Davis said.
The officers narrowed down the location of the shots to either 2010 Marshall Street or 2000 Marshall Street, according to Davis.
Connor Kelleher, who lives in the 1900 block of Newland Street, said he heard nine consecutive gunshots and he stepped outside his home to try and determine what was going on.
“Did I really just hear that?” Kelleher recalled thinking after the first series of shots.
It didn’t take long for an answer, he said, when the first series of shots was quickly followed by another round.
“I’m getting back in the house,” Kelleher said.
Kelleher said about 250 shots were fired – he kept track along with a couple of neigbors – over the course of about 45 minutes.
The shots kept coming until police had the power in the area turned off, that’s when the gunfire ceased, Kelleher said.
Joyce Marquez huddled with her 12-year-old son, Guillermo Calderon, in the boy’s bedroom.
The pair live in a brick home just across the alley from where the shots were being fired.
“It was a very scary night,” Marquez said this morning as she was hustling Guillermo off to school. “It was really close.”
Guillermo, who attends North Arvada Middle School, looked tired as he climbed into his mother’s car. The student didn’t get to sleep until after 3 a.m., he said.
They relaxed a bit after a police officer knocked on their door and talked with them about the situation.
“I felt much better,” Marquez said.
A SWAT team came in and shut power to a two to three block area. Officers entered both addresses and were able to take 11 people into custody. They were being questioned this morning. Their names were not released.
Police said they also recovered a handgun from one of the homes, which have been used in the shooting.
“There may be a possible second shooter in that group,” Davis said, adding that police believe they have everybody in custody who was a threat during the situation.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
The two officers who were pinned down in the shooting were with the department for nine and 10 years respectively, Edgewater police said.
Law enforcement from Denver, Lakewood, Jefferson County, Wheat Ridge, Golden and the Colorado State Patrol assisted securing the perimeter.
Davis said three infants were inside the home at the time of the gunfire, but all three were taken into protective custody.
A man police suspect of being the shooter laughed when he was taken into custody, witnesses and Davis said.
“He was laughing like he was under the influence of something,” Kelleher said. “He was laughing like he was on dope. He was laughing like it was a joke.”
