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Campus security officers nab and detain kidnapping suspect www.privateofficer.com
FULLERTON CA May 4 2011 – A man suspected of sexually assaulting a developmentally disabled woman at a Fullerton continuation school was arrested Friday, as authorities continue to search for other potential victims, police said.
Officers responded to the School for Continuing Education campus in the 300 block of East Wilshire Avenue about 2 p.m. Friday after someone reported a possible sexual assault taking place in a restroom, Fullerton Police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich said.
“A witness saw them coming out of the bathroom, and it was apparent that something was wrong,” Goodrich said.
Campus security officers spotted Raul Barrientos, 22, hiding by a tree at a bus stop adjacent to the campus, Goodrich said. The security officers detained Barrientos as he tried to board a bus and held him until police arrived.
Barrientos, an Anaheim resident, was booked into Fullerton City Jail on suspicion of sexual assault, kidnapping and other sex-related charges. He is believed to be a student at Fullerton City College, which is across the street from the continuation school.
The victim, an 18-year-old developmentally disabled woman, was treated but did not need to be hospitalized, Goodrich said.
Investigators believe there may be other victims who have yet to step forward.
“Considering the disability of the victim and the seriousness of the assault, the possibility that Barrientos may prey upon these particularly vulnerable young women is troubling,” Goodrich said.
Authorities are asking anyone who believes that they or a family member were victimized by Barrientos to call Det. J. Flores at 714-738-6754 or the Fullerton Police Department front desk at 714-738-6715.
Source:Orange County Register
Va Macy’s employee busted for theft scheme www.privateofficer.com
Fredericksburg VA May 4 2011 A Macy’s employee at the Spotsylvania Town Center found herself and a friend in hot water after she tried to shoplift from her employer.
According to Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Michael Timm, on April 30, a Macy’s security officer noticed odd activity transpiring between store employee Demetrica Wilson and her friend Felecia Byrd, both of Spotsylvania. At the register, Wilson only rang up some of the items which Byrd had picked out. After confronting Wilson and Byrd, the security officer discovered that while Wilson had purchased more than $400 worth of merchandise, her bag also contained more than $330 in merchandise which had not been paid for.
“Evidently it was family and friend’s day at Macy’s, but reportedly, the friend did not know that [Wilson] was working there that day,” said Timm in a press release. “However, during her shopping spree, [Wilson] did ask the friend to grab a shirt for her as well.”
Police initially responded to the scene for a report of an assault in progress after Wilson struggled against being put into restraints by the store security officer after being confronted over the alleged attempted larceny.
Wilson was charged with vandalism, conspiracy to commit grand larceny, embezzlement in excess of $200 and simple assault.
Byrd was charged with conspiracy to commit grand larceny and grand larceny shoplifting. Both were held under separate bonds of $3,500 each.
Man gets 50 yrs prison in security guard’s death www.privateofficer.com
A judge sentenced a Texas man to 50 years in prison today in the killing of a 69-year-old Norfolk State University security guard inside her Virginia Beach townhouse more than three years ago.
Tony Smith, 40, was acquitted of murder after a three-day trial in January, but a jury found him guilty of conspiracy and aggravated malicious wounding. Lettrelle Thornton was beaten and strangled in her upstairs bedroom early on March 1, 2008.
“You really are a vile, wicked, evil human being,” Circuit Court Judge H. Thomas Padrick Jr. told Smith before he pronounced the sentence. “I wish there was more time the court could give you.”
Prosecutors alleged at trial that Smith was hired by his sister, Pamela L. Campbell, to kill Thornton. Campbell, who was the victim’s live-in girlfriend, stood to get tens of thousands of dollars in insurance money, prosecutors said.
A 10-month-long investigation into Thornton’s death included phone records, back accounts, insurance policies and credit cards. Phone records tracked Smith’s movements from Texas to Hampton Roads and put him within several hundred yards of Thornton’s Pollypine Drive townhome at the time of her attack, prosecutors said at trial.
Campbell, the girlfriend, is not charged in Thornton’s death. A grand jury on Monday indicted Campbell on charges of making a false statement to obtain property or credit in the amount of $200 or more and two counts each of obtaining money by false pretenses and obtaining a credit card by false statements, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office announced this morning.
The indictments allege Campbell used false information to obtain credit cards and loans prior to and shortly after Thornton’s death.
Police charge men with theft of Elk antlers from NRA convention www.privateofficer.com
Pittsburgh PA May 4 2011 Two men working for an exhibition service at the National Rifle Association convention over the weekend were arrested late Sunday for stealing two sets of elk antlers.
According to Pittsburgh police, the antlers were stolen from a vendor’s booth while the operator was waiting to pack up his truck at the loading dock of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
An employee at Velvet Ranch, a hunting lodge in Rexburg, Idaho, confirmed the antlers were stolen from the company’s booth but could not elaborate on what occurred.
The owner, who did not return messages left for him, told Pittsburgh police the antlers were priceless.
The theft was reported about 8:45 p.m. Sunday. Security officers in the area spotted two men on the east side of the convention center walking with the antlers, and they were detained.
Stephen C. Lee, 44, of Cumberland, Md., and Gary C. Felts, 49, of Joppa, Md., are charged with theft and criminal conspiracy, and taken to the Allegheny County Jail.
Both men worked for Brede Exposition Services, of Beltsville, Md.
Retired Houston area police officer arrested with explosives www.privateofficer.com
Prosecutors say 64-year-old George Kelton McCullough of Cypress remains in custody and faced a federal court appearance Tuesday to secure an attorney.
The ex-Waller police officer was arrested Friday at his residence, where he allegedly operated a private security company. McCullough is accused of possession of a destructive device, having about 800 feet of detonating cord and electric blasting caps.
Investigators say McCullough does not have a license for such items.
He’s denied the allegations.
The complaint says a worker at a motorcycle shop in December told the FBI that McCullough started calling himself as a terrorist from Belfast and used a Gaelic name for McCullough.
Source:chron
Nordstrom’s security agent charged with grand theft www.privateofficer.com
WHITE PLAINS NY May 4 2011 — A Nordstrom security guard at The Westchester mall store is accused of turning off surveillance cameras and stealing more than $4,000 last month from cash registers.
Dana Sokerka, 31, of 33 Brook St., Croton-on-Hudson, has been charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony.
The store’s regional investigator told cops that an investigation into cash register shortages revealed that someone was turning off security cameras to facilitate thefts. Sokerka, who works as a security guard there, was arrested Friday after police said she was caught on tape stealing money.
Authorities said cash was stolen from registers 11 times between April 2 and 19. The thefts totaled $4,363, police said.
Bartow teacher Tasered, arrested with pot www.privateofficer.com
BARTOW FLA May 4 2011 A high school teacher was Tasered by a Bartow police officer and arrested on marijuana possession charges after a traffic stop Monday, police said.
Bradley Gummow, 33, is a teacher at Bartow High School assigned to teach International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement students, according to police.
About 10:50 a.m., an officer made a traffic stop of Gummow’s vehicle at Polk Street and Baker Avenue. Police said an officer saw a plastic object in Gummow’s mouth, and the teacher resisted by trying to pull away from the two officers.
One of the officers used a Taser to stun Gummow, police said.
At that point he spit out a plastic bag that held five individual bags containing marijuana, with a total weight of 4.7 grams, according to police.
Gummow was charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, resisting an officer without force or violence, and violation of probation stemming from a previous charge of reckless driving involving alcohol.
Kansas City cop indicted for shooting club security officer www.privateofficer.com
The bouncer survived two wounds to his abdomen.
Bryan D. Block, 45, of Kansas City, Kan., was charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a firearm by intoxication, according to court records released today. Block, who is on unpaid administrative leave, remained in the Kansas City jail today.
Source:kansascity.com
San Jose budget cuts could slash 195 police positions www.privateofficer.com
Figone’s budget would slash police and firefighter services, library and community center hours, extend or add new park fees and significantly cut back on park rangers and employees who enforce city codes.
City leaders promise it will only get worse if all 11 employee unions don’t agree to 10 percent ongoing compensation cuts. Two of the unions also must agree to give up raises they received last year.
Even if all the unions agree to the concessions, the numbers are grim. Of the 588 positions that could be cut, 370 employees could be subject to actual layoffs.
Those cuts include the loss of 195 sworn officer positions from the Police Department, 122 of whom would actually be laid off — a first in city history. Likewise, 64 sworn firefighter positions are slated to be cut, with five potentially laid off. The Library Department could lose 72 positions, while Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services could lose 182 positions. The airport also would outsource 22 officers and firefighters. The proposal also would eliminate the School Liaison Program, in which officers work in schools.
The City Council has been resolute that all unions must agree to the concessions. So far, four have signed on and a fifth is tentative. San Jose police officers on Friday offered to cut their pay by 10 percent, but only for one year. On Monday, the city countered the offer, asking the police to agree to the city’s original concessions.
Meanwhile, executive managers’ reduced compensation will be ongoing.
“We really need to have those concessions,” San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed said Monday. “Because as ugly as this budget is, it’s the best-case scenario. Without the 10 percent concessions, we’ll have many more layoffs.”
Ten percent wage concessions from all city workers and the rollback of wage increases given last year to two unions would shave $39 million off the deficit. The proposed budget from Figone on Monday assumes those wage reductions will be in place, but even so, 588 positions are expected to be cut citywide and layoffs will occur.
The council will hold budget hearings starting May 11, and the mayor will release his recommendations on Figone’s budget in early June. The final budget is expected to be approved June 21.
The city manager’s 1,100-page road map recommends how the city should fund operations and services for the coming fiscal year, which starts July 1. It combines a number of strategies, from employee concessions, to fee increases, outsourcing and department consolidation as well as service reductions and eliminations.
“Nothing in this budget is easy,” Figone said Monday. “The issues of cost controls and revenues are critical, and clearly the cost side needs more management.”
But a South Bay Labor Council spokesman, who was still reviewing the budget released early Monday night, criticized the cuts.
“We hope to see a new focus on preserving city services rather than a continuation of this administration’s pattern of unnecessary and counterproductive attacks on city workers,” said Ben Field, chief of staff for the labor council.
The budget targets 588 positions for elimination beginning in July, which would bring the total number of employees down to 5,252 — a staffing level not seen since 1986-87, when the city’s population, now nearly 1 million, was 740,000. Budget Director Jennifer Maguire called the proposed cuts “unprecedented.”
If all of the unions don’t agree to the concessions, city budget officials say, another $42 million in cuts and an additional 446 positions could be eliminated. The City Council can impose pay cuts on most workers but not on police and firefighters, who have arbitration rights.
The toll on city services is striking. For example, the Police Department patrol services would be cut by 23 supervisory positions and its investigations staffing by 24 sworn officers. The Fire Department also is facing outsourcing at the airport. Meanwhile, park rangers would be reduced by more than half to 6.3 rangers, and would work out of Alum Rock and Kelley parks. Outsourcing also is being recommended for maintenance and custodial services at small parks, as well as for graffiti removal.
San Jose is confronting its 10th straight year of red ink in large part because employee costs — by far the biggest operational expense — have risen much faster than revenues since 2000.
Roughly half of the $115 million budget deficit for next year — $58 million — is needed to pay for additional pension contribution costs.
“This budget shows that we can’t continue to cut services to pay for our retirement costs,” said Alex Gurza, the city’s employee relations director.
To that end, Figone on Monday also released a fiscal reform plan that was requested by the mayor and directed by the City Council. That five-year plan addresses ways to bring the city’s costs in line with expected revenues by reducing retirement and workers’ compensation costs, among other suggestions.
“The fiscal reforms will stop this from happening year after year,” Reed said, adding that he believes the council fully understands the crisis and is willing to take the necessary steps to fix the problem.
One of those steps, he noted, will be going to the voters with a ballot initiative that seeks to change retirement benefits for all city employees.
Source:Mercury News
Former Brink’s guard gets prison in robbery plot www.privateofficer.com
Washington DC May 4 2011 The driver of an armored car was sentenced to six years and eight months in federal prison Monday for her insider’s role in what authorities have described as a brazen midday robbery that briefly netted her and two accomplices more than $700,000.
Prosecutors said that Tyronda Ferrell, 23, of Hyattsville, was a guard and driver for Brink’s Inc. last year when she began to help plot the robbery of one of the company’s armored cars.
The heist took place on Sept. 2, 2010, when Ferrell and another guard were protecting an armored car she pulled into a restaurant parking lot in the 4000 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE, prosecutors said.
When the other guard got out of the car, prosecutors said, he was approached by David Reddix, 23, and Richard Lee, 32, both accomplices to the robbery plot.
Reddix, wearing a mask, brandished what seemed like a black pistol — it was later determined to be a pellet gun — and ordered the guard to open the door to the truck and fill a duffel bag with cash. Reddix and Lee later escaped with $721,309 and the guard’s handgun.
Ferrell, Reddix and Lee were supposed to meet up that night to split their haul, but Ferrell was arrested that same day, authorities said. Reddix and Lee were arrested soon thereafter.
Authorities have recovered $373,470of the stolen money. The guard’s gun is also still missing, prosecutors said.
Like Ferrell, Reddix and Lee both pleaded guilty to armored car robbery. They still await sentencing before U.S. District Judge Ellen S. Huvelle.
Source:Washington Post
School security officer arrested for thefts www.privateofficer.com
Police say they have charged Tyler Dickens, 25, with theft under 500 dollars.
Quincy Police say the investigation started last month after several complaints of internal thefts of money from QHS.
Police did not say if the thefts involved students or staff.
Hearing impaired men, security officer stabbed in nightclub misunderstanding www.privateofficer.com
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.May 4 2011 – Sean Shuland and Alfred Stewart, both hearing impaired, were stabbed early Saturday morning after fellow club-goer Barbara Lee mistook their sign language for gang signs, police said.
Shuland, 33, and Stewart, 31, were exchanging signs while inside a South Florida nightclub. But Lee misinterpreted the sign language as gang signs, and began “throwing” them back to the two men, police say, according to CBS station WFOR.
The men signaled for Lee to leave, but the 45-year-old woman came back to the club, this time with Marco Ibanez, 18, and another juvenile, reports the station.
Police say just before 5 a.m. a fight ensued, ending with the two hearing impaired men being rushed to the hospital with stab wounds, the station reports.
Cristiansen Matthew, the club’s security guard, was cut when Lee allegedly broke a champagne bottle and sliced his hand and head open with the sharp end, police stated in the arrest report.
Both Lee and Ibanez have been arrested and placed in the county jail.
Source:WFOR
Knife wielding man arrested for assault on nightclub security www.privateofficer.com
FORT WALTON BEACH FLA MAY 4 2011 — A man fought to allow his brother to stay in the El Rancho Alegre nightclub before he was arrested for aggravated assault and simple battery.
According to his arrest report from the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, Neptali Alexander Guerrero-Maradiaga, 26, threatened the club’s bouncer with a knife.
The incident happened on April 17 at around 1 a.m.
The club’s security guard said he and another security guard escorted an intoxicated man from the club because he was causing problems.
Guerrero-Maradiaga approached the guards and said he was the man’s brother and objected to them throwing his brother out of the club.
During the argument that followed, Guerrero-Maradiaga pulled out a one-inch silver lock blade knife and “began to move towards him holding the knife in an aggressive manner above his head,” the report said.
In self defense, the guard punched Guerrero-Maradiaga in the face and bit the guard.
When police officers arrived, Guerrero-Maradiaga still had the knife. Once again, he held the knife above his head and was ready to attack the officers.
The officers pulled their service weapons and ordered Guerrero-Maradiaga to put down the knife several times.
Source:nfdailynews
TN police captain dies from struggle with fleeing suspect www.privateofficer.com
Capt. Ralph Braden, 58, died at approximately 8 p.m. at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.
He became engaged in a struggle after the suspect, Eddie Dean Patterson, attempted to escape from a first-story window on April 22 during a domestic dispute call.
Braden suffered what were described to be “serious life-threatening injuries.”
Patterson fled on foot after the incident and was arrested about 14 hours later.
He was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer following the incident and officials plan to charge him in connection to his death.
