Archive
Florida woman disappears after walking children to school www.privateofficer.com
Orange County Fla Feb 8 2012 Family members, friends and law-enforcement officials are resuming their search this morning for Lois Garcia Wilmeth, a Lake Nona mother who went missing Tuesday after walking her children to school.
Wilmeth’s family told investigators it is unusual for the 40-year-old woman to not return home.
Garcia Wilmeth, who recently moved to the area from Venezuela, was last seen walking her three children to Lake Nona Middle and High schools on Narcoossee Road, according to mother-in-law Sharon Wilmeth.
Wilmeth said her daughter-in-law suffers from bipolar disorder and may have become disoriented on the way back home.
Wilmeth added that the missing mother speaks little English but made a 911 call to authorities about 9 a.m. saying she was lost.
Someone found her driver’s license at the gate of the Eagle Creek subdivision, Wilmeth said.
“We just hope someone sees her,” Wilmeth said. “She is a good wife and a good mother.”
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies launched a search using helicopters and bloodhounds to canvas the area last night. Mounted horse patrols will make another sweep of the neighborhood this morning.
Garcia Wilmeth’s father-in-law Charles Wilmeth said the family will set up a search and rescue effort at the Country Club at Eagle Creek, handing out fliers and searching near Lake Nona High School.
Relatives said the she has long dark hair and was wearing a gray sweat shirt, blue jeans and white sneakers when she was last seen about 9 a.m. near Lake Nona Middle School on Narcoossee Road.
The woman’s husband reported her disappearance to authorities about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Source:Sun Sentinel
Police arrest naked man covered in peanut butter and chocolate www.privateofficer.com
LETCHER COUNTY, KY Feb 8 2012 – A naked man was arrested inside an eastern Kentucky supermarket after police found him covered in peanut butter and chocolate.
It happened January 31 at a Food World IGA in Letcher County, KY, which borders Virginia.
According to a court citation, 22-year-old Andrew Toothman was wearing only a pair of black boots.
Troopers said the store’s front door was broken and that several fire extinguishers had been discharged.
Toothman appeared to be contrite. Investigators said he spelled the word “sorry” on the floor with Nyquil.
Toothman admitted breaking into the store. He was charged with burglary, criminal mischief and indecent exposure.
Source:WAVE
Colorado bus rider assaults security officer www.privateofficer.com
BASALT CO Feb 8 2012 — A midvalley man was charged with third-degree assault Saturday after he allegedly slugged a security guard in the groin during an early-morning bus ride, according to a Basalt police report.
Brandon Content, 25, was arrested after he was subdued with pepper spray by a second security guard riding on the bus, according to Basalt Sgt. Stu Curry.
The adventure began Saturday morning when Content and two buddies caught the last downvalley-bound bus out of Aspen, according to Curry. The two security guards were on the bus as part of the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority’s efforts to try to keep drunken passengers from getting disorderly on the late-night buses.
Content’s two companions exited the bus at Sagewood in the midvalley without incident, Curry said. As Content departed, he allegedly sprang into action as he passed security guard Ben Dalessandri.
“He grabs him on the arm and punches him on the groin,” Curry said.
It was unclear if there had been tensions between Content and the security guards earlier on the bus ride, he said. The alleged assault occurred at 2:50 a.m.
Content exited the bus with the other security guard in pursuit, according to Curry. The security guard ended up spraying the man in the face with pepper spray, according to Curry. Content was subdued until Basalt officers arrived. They cited him for misdemeanor assault.
Content has a California driver’s license, Curry said. It was unclear whether he is living in the Roaring Fork Valley or was visiting.
Source:aspen times
DART police officer and two other people shot www.privateofficer.com
RICHARDSON TX Feb 8 2012 — A DART police officer and two other people were shot at the Arapaho Center DART station in Richardson on Tuesday afternoon.
One of the civilians died later at a hospital, making it the third fatal incident at a DART light rail station since November.
Tuesday’s shooting happened around 3:30 p.m. at the station near Greenville Avenue and Arapaho Road. DART spokesman Mark Ball said a man reported to be acting in a disorderly manner stepped from a DART bus, then crossed over to the train platform.
“Apparently, he pulled his hands out from inside of his pockets and he had a gun in his hand, and that’s when he started shooting at the DART officer,” said Richardson police spokesman Sgt. Kevin Perlich.
The officer was wounded in the shoulder, the first DART officer to be shot in the line of duty. Another bullet struck her protective vest.
“We do know that she’s in stable condition at Medical Center of Plano,” Ball said.
The officer fired back at the gunman. As the bullets flew, two men who were waiting for a train on the platform were also wounded.
Two DART passengers also were wounded.
Richardson Fire Chief Alan Palomba said of the two civilian victims, one required cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene. That person, identified as 42-year-old Eric Thomas Johnson, later died, Richardson police confirmed.
Injuries to the other passenger were not life-threatening and he was released after being treated at a hospital.
“It’s unclear whether or not it was the suspect himself who intentionally shot those individuals or if it was some type of cross-fire that they were involved in,” Perlich said.
DART surveillance cameras were rolling when the shots were fired. That recording has been turned over to Richardson police.
The assailant ran across Greenville Avenue and into Vent-A-Hood, a nearby business.
Richardson police said the suspect then shot himself. Ball said he was dead. No identities have been released.
The Vent-A-Hood business was evacuated. Employee Sinclair Williams heard gunfire inside the building.
“My first thought was to get out of there, but I kind of crept closer to see what was going on, and that’s when I saw a motorcycle police officer with his motorcycle uniform on — helmet and all — with his 9mm gun drawn, pointed at the suspect,” Williams said. “That’s when I heard four gunshots … I saw shots, the muzzle flash and everything, fire.”
Video obtained by News 8 shows workers running for their lives inside the plant.
Sgt. Perlich said the suspected gunman died of a gunshot wound to the head. It was not immediately clear if officers shot him or if he took his own life. Earlier, Perlich told News 8 their officers fired no shots during the incident.
The plant supervisor took Williams and the other employees to the back part of the shop.
“The next thing I know, a swarm of officers came in the building with M-4s, fully loaded… came and patted all of us down, herded us outside.”
Employees were gathered in small groups outside for questioning.
Late Monday night, investigators were still scouring the crime scene along the DART tracks to reconstruct what happened.
Greenville Avenue was closed to traffic between Arapaho Road and North Collins Boulevard in the hours following the incident.
DART light rail service was halted on the Red and Orange lines north of the Spring Valley station. DART established a “bus bridge” between the Spring Valley and Galatyn Park stations until service was restored at 6:20 p.m.
DART has recently pledged to boost security following two other fatal incidents at rail stations: A young man was pushed into the path of a train at MLK Station in November and another man was shot and killed at the downtown Pearl Station last month.
Ball, the transit agency’s spokesman, defended the actions of its security personnel on Tuesday.
“There’s not a whole lot we can do when someone just starts shooting without answering questions,” he said. “We’re saddened that customers were hurt, and obviously we’re upset that our officer was hurt, but she did provide as much aid as she possibly could during the circumstances.”
Ball added that the wounded officer provided aid to the two others who were injured, while also providing a crucial description of the suspect to DART and Richardson police.
Minneapolis club security shot by man who is kicked out www.privateofficer.com
MINNEAPOLIS MN Feb 8 2012 – A 27-year-old man has been accused of shooting the bouncer of a Minneapolis club after he was kicked out for disruptive behavior.
James David Wren of Minneapolis was charged with second-degree attempted murder and prohibited person in possession of a firearm, which are both felonies.
According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 1, 2012, Wren was kicked out of the Sound Bar by a bouncer. Wren then allegedly made threatening gestures to the security.
Later, at 3:30 a.m., the bouncer left work in his vehicle. While driving, a large SUV pulled up alongside him. Inside, the bouncer told police there were at least four people looking at him.
Then, the SUV backed up and the bouncer realized he was shot. He then fled the scene and was able to stop police officers.
It was later determined that a bullet entered his body through his right shoulder and travelled through his chest cavity, where it lodged itself in his lower left chest cavity. The bullet was removed in surgery.
A police investigation was able to identify the owner of the SUV. In an interview, the owner said Wren told him to follow the bouncer’s vehicle and that Wren fired one shot at the vehicle, the complaint said.
If convicted, Wren could face up to 20 years in prison.
Source:WCCO
Delaware State Police arrest school teacher for sex abuse of child www.privateofficer.com
NEWARK, Del.Feb 8 2012- Delaware State Police have arrested a Glasgow High School teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student.
Detectives said that on Jan. 28 they were contacted by Glasgow High School administrators who reported that a male teacher was involved in a sexual relationship with a female student. Police said an investigation determined that the student and the teacher, identified as 30-year-old Matthew F. Pleasanton of Middletown, has been in an apparent sexual relationship since September 2011.
On Monday, Feb. 6, Pleasanton was taken into custody and charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child, 10 counts of first-degreee sexual abuse of a child by a person of trust, and 10 counts of second-degree unlawful sexual contact.
He was released after posting $112,500 secured bond.
Source:WBOC.com
Los Angeles school staff removed after several teachers arrested for rape www.privateofficer.com
LOS ANGELES CA Feb 8 2012 – The entire staff at a U.S. school where two teachers were arrested on suspicion of lewd conduct will be removed while the school district investigates, the Los Angeles school superintendent said Monday night.
Superintendent John Deasy told parents and media that 88 teachers and 40 support staff at Miramonte Elementary School are being replaced because a full investigation of allegations is disruptive. They will be paid. Officials didn’t know how long the investigation will take.
FILE: This undated police booking photo released by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department shows former Los Angeles teacher Mark Berndt, 61, who was arrested for felony molestation of 23 kids.
An entire staff has been trained to come into Miramonte’s classrooms to take over teaching, and there will be a psychiatric social worker in every classroom.
“The last thing I’m worried about is a budget issue,” Deasy said. “The No. 1 thing I’m worried about is the students.”
The move follows the arrest of two Miramonte teachers. Mark Berndt was charged last week with committing lewd acts on 23 children, and Martin Springer was arrested Friday on suspicion of fondling two girls in his classroom.
More than a quarter of the students at Miramonte were absent from school Monday while parents demanded more protection at the school, with attendance reaching just 72 percent, according to figures from the Los Angeles Unified School District.
About three dozen parents and supporters protested in front of the main doors of the school earlier Monday, some carrying a banner that read, “We the parents demand our children be protected from lewd teacher acts.”
The protest was an unusual event in the poor, overwhelmingly Latino neighborhood, where many parents and students struggle with the English language.
Berndt, who worked at the school for 32 years, was charged with committing lewd acts on 23 children, ages 6 to 10, between 2005 and 2010. The acts cited by authorities include blindfolding children and feeding them his own semen in his classroom in what children were allegedly told was a tasting game.
Berndt, 61, remains jailed on $23 million bail and could face life in prison if convicted.
Springer, 49, was being held on $2 million bail. The school board is scheduled to discuss firing him in a closed-door meeting Tuesday.
Investigators said they know of no connection between the Miramonte cases. Berndt and Springer know each other and took their classes on at least two joint field trips in the past decade, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Source:www.foxnews.com
Carl Sandburg High School substitute teacher charged with sexual assault www.privateofficer.com
Hinsdale IL Feb 8 2012 A Carl Sandburg High School substitute teacher and freshman basketball coach who lives in unincorporated Hinsdale has been arrested for criminal sexual abuse of a female juvenile student.
Steven E. Reynolds, of the 600 block of 55th Street, was taken into custody Monday night and charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a 17-year-old female Carl Sandburg student, according to a release from DuPage Sherriff John E. Zaruba.
Reynolds, 26, allegedly committed the abuse at his home, DuPage County State’s Attorney spokesman Paul Darrah said.
The sherriff’s office received a tip over the phone late Monday afternoon that reported there had been inappropriate contact made between Reynolds and the student.
Darrah did not say what the nature of the abuse was.
“The charges are that she’s underage and that’s all I can address at this point,” the state’s attorney spokesman said.
The Orland Park Police Department, DuPage County Children’s Center, and DuPage County State’s Attorney Office all assisted with Reynolds’ arrest.
Reynolds’ bond was set at $250,000. Darrah said as far as he knows, Reynolds is still at DuPage County Jail. Reynolds’ arraignment hearing is set for March 5 in front of Judge George Bakalis.
District 230 Superintendant of Schools Dr. James M. Gay said in an emailed statement, “I would like to commend the individuals who brought this information to the school’s attention and the swift manner in which the school administration and local authorities addressed this very sensitive situation.”
A Class 2 felony carries a sentence of three to seven years in prison, Darrah said.
Remains of missing Indiana man who committed suicide found in cave www.privateofficer.com
LOUISVILE, KY Feb 8 2012 – A positive identification has been made of a body found inside a southern Indiana Sunday as a Georgetown, IN man missing for four months.
In a statement, Crawford County Coroner Chris Brown said the remains are those of 25-year-old Kevin Eve. Brown said an autopsy determined that Eve died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Eve was last seen alive on October 1, 2011 when he went caving in the Harrison/Crawford State Forest. His car was found three days later abandoned near the forest.
Eve’s body was found Sunday by a group that had been exploring the Breathing Hole cave, which has a 154 foot drop at the entrance. Authorities say evidence found near the body matched items purchased by Eve the day he went missing.
After his disappearance an extensive search was launched for Eve. Cave rescue teams searched many of the caves in the forest while volunteers mounted a search of the surrounding areas
Source:WAVE3.com
Texas first-grader suspended because mohawk haircut was distraction www.privateofficer.com
DICKINSON, Texas Feb 8 2012— A Hughes Road Elementary School first-grader faced in-school suspension because school officials deemed his blond mohawk as a distraction. But after his parents took their complaints to the Dickinson school board, a reprieve was granted.
His parents said school officials didn’t have a problem with the hairstyle a month ago and accused the district of punishing their son because of complaints they have about his education.
Monday morning, Unique Grosenhelder got a call from the vice principal at Hughes Road Elementary telling her that her son Caiden, 6, was in trouble because his platinum blond mohawk was a distraction at school.
“I told her I wasn’t coming down there to cut his hair unless she could show me where in the (dress code) policy it’s against the rules,” Grosenhelder said.
While the Dickinson school district’s policy does not specifically ban mohawks, it does give discretion to school administrators to take action if clothing or hairstyles are deemed distracting, district spokeswoman Tammy Dowdy said.
Source:khou.com
Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent admits helping drug traffickers www.privateofficer.com
Phoenix AZ Feb 8 2012 A former Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent has admitted in federal court that she illegally leaked classified documents and other sensitive information to relatives involved with drug trafficking organizations in Mexico.
Jovana Deas, 33, of Rio Rico, a former special agent with ICE investigations in Nogales, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a 21-count indictment accusing her of illegally obtaining and disseminating government documents classified for official use only, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona said Monday in a news release.
Deas admitted that she illegally accessed, stole and transferred sensitive U.S. documents to unauthorized people, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Law enforcement officials in Brazil discovered some of the information Deas unlawfully accessed on a laptop computer belonging to her former brother in-law, prosecutors said.
Deas’s brother-in-law, who was not named in the news release, is associated with a drug-trafficking organization in Mexico, prosecutors said. The Mexican drug trafficking organization has ties to drug traffickers in Brazil, prosecutors said.
The indictment also accuses Deas’ sister, Dana Maria Samaniego Montes, 40, of Agua Prieta, Sonora, of being involved in the scheme. Samaniego Montes, a former Mexican law enforcement official, is a fugitive whom U.S. authorities believe is hiding in Mexico, prosecutors said.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Samaniego Montes allegedly has ties to drug trafficking organizations in Mexico.
Deas pleaded guilty to a total of seven felonies and 14 misdemeanors, the office said. She is scheduled to be sentenced on April 11. She faces up to five years in prison for each felony and up to one year for each misdemeanor, prosecutors said.
Source:www.azcentral.com
Walmart security agent pleads guilty in child pornography case www.privateofficer.com
Grove City CA Feb 8 2012 A former undercover security officer at Walmart pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to possessing child pornography after he was caught videotaping a 9-year-old boy in a restroom.
Okey Belcher, 28, waived his right to a trial by making the plea, which came less than two months after he was charged. He did not make a statement during the proceedings.
None of Belcher’s family or any victims attended the hearing.
Grove City police arrested Belcher, of Hibernia Drive on the East Side, on Dec. 5 after a 9-year-old told his father that someone had videotaped him with a cellphone in a Walmart store.
He was initially charged in Franklin County Municipal Court with pandering, but that charge was dismissed after investigators found child pornography on Belcher’s phone.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began an investigation and found more than 600 images and 100 videos of child pornography on Belcher’s laptop computer and 100 images on his iPod Touch. Some of the pornography included prepubescent boys and girls and sadistic, masochistic or violent conduct.
Investigators also uncovered a computer chat in which Belcher had discussed his desire to have sex with young boys.
Belcher also was found to have engaged in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor.
As part of the plea agreement, Belcher will have to register as a sex offender.
The child-pornography charge against Belcher carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.
No date has been set for his sentencing.
Clarksville TN police charge man with shooting at security officers www.privateofficer.com
Clarksville TN Feb 8 2012 Police made an arrest in a shooting incident that occurred at a Fort Campbell Blvd business early this morning. A Clarksville man is in custody charged with firing rounds toward a Ft. Campbell Boulevard business and two of its security employees.
On February 6, around 3 a.m., officers were called to the 2200 block of Ft. Campbell Blvd. after several shots were fired at a business and two of its security personnel. The security officers told two men they had to leave the business’ parking lot after a verbal altercation occurred with patrons inside of the business.
As the Chevy Tahoe left the parking lot, several shots were fired into the air and toward the security officers. The Tahoe was spotted on Ft. Campbell Boulevard. The driver initially pulled over when officers activated their emergency equipment to stop the vehicle . However, as the officers approached the vehicle, it sped off.
Officers pursued the vehicle for a short period of time before the vehicle spun out on Eva Drive and the vehicle occupants bailed out. Christopher M. Wilson is believed to have fired the rounds from the vehicle and was found a short time later and taken into custody.
Christopher Michael Wilson, 29, of 183 Pine Mountain Road, was booked into Montgomery County Jail and charged with two counts of aggravated assault. His bond was set at $30,000.
Teen sues Chicago Transit security allegeding sexual assault www.privateofficer.com
Chicago IL Feb 8 2012 - A teen allegedly sexually abused by a CTA security guard at an Orange Line stop in February 2011 has filed a lawsuit against the guard, the CTA and the security companies.
Prosecutors said at the time that guard Christopher Buchanan stopped the 17-year-old early Feb. 5, 2011 when the boy tried to sneak onto the train after his card wouldn’t register at the L station at 4900 S. Kedzie Ave.
The teen explained that his card wasn’t working and Buchanan, then 22, said he could head back to his workplace to get some money.
But as the boy started walking away, Buchanan asked him to come back with him to the CTA station, prosecutors said. Buchanan then directed the teenager into a restroom on the CTA property, prosecutors said. There, he allegedly searched the boy before handcuffing him and ordering him to lie on his stomach. Buchanan then removed the boy’s shoes and socks and rubbed his genitals against the boy’s foot, McGuire said. He then let the teenager go.
Buchanan was charged with criminal sexual abuse and unlawful restraint and held on $25,000 bond. Further court information was not immediately available.
The 16-count lawsuit filed Monday in the Circuit Court of Cook County claims that the CTA, Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., and Star Detectives & Security Agency Incorporated were negligent in hiring Buchanan and not realizing he could be a threat to a minor. The suit also seeks damages against the firms for negligient supervision, emotional distress, third-party contract beneficiary and wrongful imprisonment.
Only one count, wrongful imprisonment, names Buchanan personally.
The suit seeks court costs and damages of more than $50,000.
A CTA spokeswoman said she could not comment Monday evening. Spokespersons for Securitas and Star could not immediately be reached.
Source:myfoxchicago.com
Union County Sheriff’s Office charges volunteer coach with showing pornography to minors www.privateofficer.com
UNION COUNTY, NCFeb 8 2012 – A volunteer coach at a middle school in Union County has been arrested after he is accused of showing pornography to minors.
According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office website, Joshua Merrill Macdonald was arrested on Friday and charged with Disseminating obscene material to a minor under 16.
Macdonald is a volunteer coach with Marvin Ridge Middle School’s wrestling team, says Luan Ingram, Chief Communications Officer with Union County Public Schools.
Ingram told WBTV the incident happened when the wrestling team was traveling to a competition. That’s when some of the students were traveling with MacDonald and said he showed them the indecent materials.
The students reported the incident to their coach, who then reported it to his boss and Union County Sheriff’s deputies were called, Ingram said.
“We called law enforcement and it became their investigation immediately after that,” Ingram said.
Macdonald is not an employee of Union County Public Schools, Ingram says, because UCPS does not sponsor wrestling on the middle school level.
The wrestling team is sponsored by the Booster’s Club.
Source: WBTV
Denver Bronco player Knowshon Moreno gets police attention with license plate www.privateofficer.com
Denver CO Feb 8 2012 Knowshon Moreno was all but forgotten in Denver this year. He was first ineffective, then benched in favor of Willis McGahee, then, like everything else, eclipsed by the miracle of Tebow. His season ended in Week 10 with a knee injury.
He knows how to get noticed on the highway, though. His strategy there is to drive 70 mph through a construction zone in a Bentley convertible with a license plate that reads “SAUCED.” Works every time.
Via Lindsay H. Jones of the Denver Post:
Moreno, 24, was pulled over Feb. 1 while driving a Bentley at about 70 mph on Interstate 25 near Quincy Avenue and Union Avenue, according to a report by Denver television station KDVR-31. The posted speed limit in the area usually is 65 mph but is currently posted at 45 mph because it’s a construction zone.
Police gave Moreno a breath test and a field sobriety test and took the former Georgia star to a detox facility. He was charged with DUI, failing to have insurance and careless driving. He is scheduled to be arraigned March 2, court records state.
The personalized license plate on the car Moreno was driving read “SAUCED,” according to KDVR-31.
No danger of being forgotten here. Driving drunk with a “SAUCED” license plate puts Knowshon Moreno in the sports criminal Hall of Fame.
As far as I know, to be “sauced” means to be drunk. If the young, hippity-hopping whippersnappers of America have another definition for it, I don’t know what it is. I hope it’s not something filthy. Perhaps it even means that Knowshon Moreno, every time he leaves the house, likes to slather himself in a nice Bolognese sauce.
Until I’m told otherwise, though, I’m clinging to “drunk” as the proper definition, which would make it the second-least police-friendly license plate in history, behind only “PULMEOVR.”
The Broncos released a statement saying that they’re aware of the incident and will continue to gather information. Just as soon as they’ve stopped laughing at his license plate.
Moreno was drafted 12th overall in 2009.
Stauton Virginia man accused of shoplifter dies after struck by car www.privateofficer.com
As police pursued the man, he was hit by a vehicle on Rosser Avenue.
Two Des Moines women charged with robbery in attack on store employees www.privateofficer.com
Des Moines IA Feb 8 2012 Two Des Moines women are being held in the Polk County Jail this morning on first-degree robbery charges for allegedly attacking Dahl’s Foods employees in a shoplifting incident.
Three employees were taken to local hospitals by ambulance following the attacks, police said.
Taken into custody on Saturday evening were Karolann Benitress Marie Harris and Ariana Jessieka Harris, both 20.
In addition to the robbery charges, both women were charged with willful injury, criminal mischief and assault. Ariana Harris also was charged with assaulting a police officer.
Dahl’s employees injured in the incident and their injuries, include: Benjamin Bates, bite mark right forearm, pain to abdomen; Ryan Halverson, pain to rib area; Aldijana Omerasevic, pain to legs and face.
The three employees were released from the hospital. Two have returned to work and one is now on vacation.
“By the time the store director called me they knew they were all going to be OK,” said Tim Davis, vice-president of operations at Dahl’s Foods. “They are going to be fine, but it involved, I think, some cracked ribs and other injuries.”
Property allegedly shoplifted in the incident, according to a police report, includes four cans of beer and two boxes of medicine. The total value of the items was less than $30. There was no damage estimate on the report.
Items broken or damaged in the loss prevention office included a computer monitor, a television, desk phone, printer, numerous bottles, light bulbs and file cabinets. A window frame was dislodge in a squad car and a window was pushed out of its track.
Officers were called to the Dahl’s store at 3425 Ingersoll Ave., shortly before 4:30 p.m., Saturday. When they arrived they were informed that store employees were physically fighting with two women. Two employees had Karolann Harris on the floor and she was under control. Ariana Harris was screaming to be released and was kicking her feet in an attempt to get away, police said.
The women were placed in handcuffs. Officials said Ariana Harris was screaming profanities. When an officer approached her to tell her to calm down she allegedly put a foot between the officers legs and kicked. The officer put his legs together and the kick reportedly hit him in the knees.
Ariana Harris also is accused of damaging the squad car.
Employees told police they saw Ariana Harris concealing items in a purse. She allegedly tried to leave the store without paying for the items. She was approached by store employees, police said, and used physical force in an attempt to get away. Police said Karolann Harris took a swing at an employee in an attempt to free Ariana. The punch did not make contact.
Officers said Ariana Harris grabbed a glass bottle at one point, broke it and attempted to use the broken glass as a weapon. She reportedly dropped the bottle during the struggle.
Crime scene technicians were called to the store to document employee injuries and property damage.
Both women are being held on bonds of more than $40,000 each.
Three ambulances were called to the scene. Employees were taken to Mercy Medical Center and Iowa Methodist Medical Center so their injuries could be evaluated.
First-degree robbery is a class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison.
Dahl’s policy regarding shoplifting suspects
Tim Davis, vice president of operations with Dahl’s Foods, said, “We are very proud and grateful to the employees who detained and held the perpetrators for police.”
He said employees are not required to mix it up with shoplifters when shoplifters become physical.
“We are fortunate to have dedicated employees,” said Davis. “I can’t thank them enough, along with anyone else who gave us assistance at the time. We always appreciate how employees and customers come together in time of need.”
Davis said when an employee catches a shoplifter they often take that individual to a room and call the police. Often those suspected of shoplifting cooperate.
When a suspected shoplifter becomes aggressive, Davis said, “We don’t have to, nor do we expect them to put themselves in danger. But often it just amounts to people helping people.”
He added, “We appreciate the police and ambulance response time. They were there very quickly.”
Source:desmoinesregister.com
Hermosa Beach Police charge trio in shoplifting spree www.privateofficer.com
Hermosa Beach CA Feb 8 2012 A trio of people suspected in several cases of shoplifting across the Beach Cities has been arrested, the Hermosa Beach Police Department announced Monday.
Latoya Keys, 29, of Inglewood; Brandy Valentine, 25, of Los Angeles; and Gerard Clayton, 29, of Los Angeles would “act together while entering multiple stores to steal cosmetics, clothing, and merchandise,” according to a press release from authorities.
Hermosa detectives spotted Keys, Valentine, and Clayton as they left a retail store in Manhattan Beach on Thursday, the release said.
The group was connected to a crime in Hermosa Beach about two days prior, according to authorities, who followed as the suspects left the Manhattan Beach store in a green Jaguar that witnesses have seen previously.
In Hermosa Beach, the suspects were arrested and detectives searched the Jaguar, finding “several thousand dollars worth of stolen merchandise,” the release said.
The suspects had snatched items from a beachwear shop in Manhattan Beach, police said, and the store manager showed up where the suspects were arrested to identify them.
Stolen merchandise now has been returned to stores in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and even Los Angeles.
Police are urging anyone with further information about the suspects to contact Hermosa Beach Detective Mick Gaglia at 310-318-0348 or mgaglia@hermosapolice.org.
Police look for shooter at Charlotte Northlake Mall www.privateofficer.com
CHARLOTTE, NC Feb 8 2012 - The man who was shot in front of a sporting goods store at Northlake Mall Monday afternoon has been released from the hospital.
Police say 23-year-old Gregory Tillery was hit while getting into his car outside of the Dick’s Sporting Goods.
According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, officers were called to 601 Northlake Mall around 4:30 p.m. to the report of a shooting
Officers told WBTV that a man had been shot in the leg and was transported to the hospital and is expected to be okay. Earlier reports from emergency crews said that Tillery suffered potentially life-threatening injuries.
“This is the first time that I’m aware of an act like this has happened since the mall has been opened,” Lt. Brian Foley said.
A witness told WBTV that at least 5 shots were fired during the shooting.
The incident happened when Tillery was coming out of mall and was getting into car just as another car drove up and shots were fired at the 23-year-old man.
Emergency crews say the victim was transported to Carolinas Medical Center-Main. A nurse later told WBTV Tillery had been released from the hospital.
Officers told WBTV that shots were fired at a second man, who was with the victim, and that a bullet went through his pants leg.
The second man was not injured in the shooting. A woman with the men was not injured in the shooting.
Three cars were hit by the shots, police said.
“There were no persons in those vehicles ..there were no bystanders in the area when the shooting happened,” Foley said.
But it’s the “what ifs” that make some folks uneasy. “They could have hit anybody else..it couldn’t been somebody’s kid..it’s scary,” Jenifer Plautz said. Plautz says she comes to the mall at least once a week with her children. She says she wishes people would think before they act. “What if it was your family..what if it was your kid or someone you knew.”
The shooting took place in the parking lot near Dick’s Sporting Goods and Dillard’s.
Police say they’re working with mall security to see if the act was caught on tape.
They’re also interviewing the two people who were with the man who was shot to figure out the why in this case.
Police say the shooter is a black man with dreads, driving a white Ford Excursion or Expedition with gold or tan trim around the bottom. It was last seen on I-485 headed toward the Mt Holly, Steele Creek area. If you know anything you’re asked to call Crimestoppers.
Source:WBTV
