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Boston Medical Center security officer hopes patent-pending dog collar sells big www.privateofficer.com
Taunton MA April 17 2012 — Jillian Downing says she’s not necessarily trying to become a millionaire with her patent-pending dog collar. But if it were to happen, she wouldn’t complain.
The 28-year-old Taunton native, a part-time Mansfield cop and full-time security officer who works an overnight shift at Boston Medical Center, said she’s hoping her business will grow to the extent that it becomes her main means of support.
Downing recently got some good news. Her Rustic Hound rubber “charm collar” will be one of the items included in gift bags handed out to the 800 expected guests at this year’s 33rd annual Sports Emmy Awards.
The media-related awards show will be held April 30 in New York City.
“It’s great exposure — this could be our one big chance,” she said.
It’s been less than a year since Downing and her live-in boyfriend, 33-year-old ironworker Jerry Wilkins, began their online sales campaign for the waterproof and odorless rubber dog collar.
Downing says the more than $10,000 she and Wilkins have invested has begun to pay off.
Customers from Hawaii to Canada and Australia have been singing the praises of the unique collar, she said. Some of them have even submitted photos of their pets wearing the product posted on a page of Rustic Hound’s website called Friends of the Hounds.
The collar’s design is meant to be the perfect marriage of practicality and creative vanity. Not only is it rugged and pliable, it also has holes designed to be filled with decorative pop-in rubber attachments called Jibbitz.
The result is a charm collar that affords a canine his or her own sense of bling while at the same time being chafe-free and resistant to the elements; the Rustic Hound website’s “We don’t do dainty” logo underscores that unique combination.
Downing credits her boyfriend with coming up with the idea for the collar after the two of them, just over a year ago, stopped by the local Petco with one their two Great Danes, named Harbor.
“Someone said ‘He (Harbor) looks so handsome,’” Downing said.
Harbor, however, is a female.
After some trial and error, Wilkins devised a model for inserting interchangeable rubber charms into holes bored into colorfast, rubber collars. The charms would come in a variety of characters and styles designed not only to highlight a dog’s personality, but also to hopefully help human admirers avoid any gender confusion.
Downing said they wanted to enlist the services of an American company to manufacture the rubberized collars, but unfortunately it wasn’t economically feasible, particularly since the two-person venture to date has no outside investment.
“You can’t even touch it,” she said of the price offered by the overseas manufacturer compared to that of its U.S. counterparts.
Dealing with a Chinese company initially was a somewhat trying experience, as she and Wilkins spent the better part of four months on the phone between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. trying to explain what they wanted.
“They would tell us, ‘You don’t need holes,’” she said with a smile.
At the same time, Downing said, they were trying to not reveal the exact nature of their product, out of fear that it would be hijacked.
Eventually, after some hits and misses, the product arrived with the precise specifications.
Wilkins and Downing also struck a deal with Crocs, Inc., the Colorado-based shoe manufacturer that in 2006 paid $20 million for Jibbitz, a company whose same-name rubber “charms” are now used to adorn Crocs shoes.
Downing said she initially was wary that a major company like Crocs might try to grab the Rustic Hound concept for themselves.
“That was our biggest concern,” she said.
But Downing said those fears have been allayed, and she says working with Crocs “has been great.”
She said the wholesale agreement with Crocs has led to her buying 200 to 300 Jibbitz charms “every few weeks.” The charms are nearly innumerable in terms of variety and style. Choices range from animal and cartoon characters to sports logos.
Collars sell for between $18 and $22, depending on size; the Jibbitz charms start at a buck apiece.
The Sports Emmy break, Downing said, resulted from a satisfied customer who contacted Off The Wall Gifts, a New Hampshire-based, husband-and-wife advertising business that specializes in “decorating” television audiences and celebrities with products and sponsor logos.
Off The Wall happens to be the company that organizes and provides gift bags to the Sports Emmy gala.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Downing said, “when I got the email” at the end of March from a company representative.
Downing said she doesn’t know the identity of the person who tipped off Off The Wall, but she’s grateful: “I’d love to know — I might send them some dog collars.”
The business so far has been a kitchen-table operation run out of Downing’s Bayberry Lane house, which happens to sit in a rustic setting. Product shipment, she said, is done by means of trips to the local post office.
Downing said she expects to have her patent by this summer and envisions marketing her product line to chain and independent pet stores, as well as specialty gift shops in tourist areas such as Newport.
Looking back on the past year, she said it hasn’t been easy for her and her boyfriend, the two of whom have forfeited vacations so as not to fall behind. But she’s not complaining either.
“We work like maniacs, but we’ve come a long way,” Downing said.
Source:www.tauntongazette.com
Threats on security guard prompt charges in Carnegie www.privateofficer.com
“We absolutely will not tolerate witness intimidation,” said police Chief Jeff Harbin. “People should feel like they can come forward and give us information without the fear of retaliation. It’s unacceptable.”
Police said that on Sunday, Tashae Griffin, 18, who lives at Carnegie Towers, pushed a baby stroller up to the guard at the building and said: “You just sit in your booth and do your job, and don’t worry about what happened outside. You said the shooter came out of my dad’s car, and you got him arrested. You’re going to get yours,” according to an arrest affidavit.
Griffin, who police questioned after the Saturday afternoon shooting, and James Edmonds Jr., 20, of Hazelwood, who was accused of conspiracy in connection with the shooting and arrested, have a child together, police said. Police charged Griffin with retaliation against a witness or victim and were searching for her.
Police also arrested Byron Hall, 21, of Hazelwood, and issued a warrant for suspected gunman Rashad Watson, 19.
Investigators said someone stood in the portico of the Carnegie housing complex and fired into a car, hitting 2-week-old Trinity Colbert in the torso and wounding two men. The child, born April 1, initially was taken to St. Clair Hospital, then was sent by helicopter to Children’s Hospital in Lawrenceville, where she was in stable condition last night, Allegheny County Police Lt. Andrew Schurman said.
“In my 36-year career, I’ve never seen a victim as young as 2 weeks,” Harbin said. “It’s heartbreaking.”
Trinity’s father, William Bosley, 19, was in critical condition with two bullet wounds in Allegheny General Hospital in the North Side. Tyler Dorsey, 24, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was in stable condition at Allegheny General, Schurman said.
County police Assistant Superintendent James Morton said detectives have not established a motive.
Harbin said his officers have worked to clean up the property in the past several years, and he credits better property management and increased security. In 2009, 17 thefts were reported at the Towers; that number fell to 12 in 2010 and to four in 2011. There were 33 arrest warrants served there in 2009, 13 in 2010 and none in 2011, Harbin’s statistics show.
In 2011, there were four drug offenses reported at Carnegie Towers, down from 14 in 2010 and 21 in 2009.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Carnegie police at 412-276-4245 or 911.
Source:www.pittsburghlive.com
Denver Health security officers risk their lives to rescue unconscious man trapped in creek www.privateofficer.com
DENVER CO April 17 2012 – The man knocked unconscious when his SUV plunged into Cherry Creek over the weekend said Monday he owes his life to a couple of security guards.
The guards were on duty at Denver Health when they ran across the street, jumped into the icy water and cut Gary Lozow, 68, out of his seat belt.
The guards said they were just doing what came naturally to them. They claim anyone would have done it, but that’s a humble statement considering the embankment they had to scale just to get to the vehicle.
“As I was walking out of the hospital, I could hear (people) yelling that there was a car in the ditch,” said security guard Brandon Skalak.
Skalak and his colleague, Omar Salgado, have witnessed a lot of life-saving moments as hospital security guards. On Sunday, they found themselves racing to save a life.
“I saw the car down in the ditch and I didn’t even break stride,” said Skalak.
“I saw the car, and my reaction was to think about my own family, friends and people that I know,” said Salgado. “And I’m like, ‘I’m just going to take a chance,’ and I jumped.”
Skalak and Salgado had to jump down a 14-foot vertical embankment just to get to the creek.
“I didn’t really think about it,” said Skalak. “I just kind of looked for a soft spot to land and dropped down. After not being able to pull him out the first time, Omar requested a knife.”
“We saw a male in the car. I asked for a knife,” said Salgado. “An officer gave me a knife, I cut the seat belt.”
“It was a big deal. We got the guy out alive,” said Skalak.
Lozow’s SUV ended up in the creek after it was side-swiped by a car police say ran a red light.
Skalak and Salgado said they didn’t even notice the cold water in the creek.
“Not until we got back up in the office and then our feet were a little chilly,” said Skalak, laughing.
“I remember when I was a kid I used to jump down the street, from the tree,” said Salgado. “I’m like, ‘Hey, let’s just do it.’ He was a big guy. But, you keep yourself in good shape, you can handle any situation.”
Lozow spoke to 7NEWS reporter Russell Haythorn from his hospital bed. He said he wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for Skalak and Salgado.
Lozow’s wife, Joyce, called the guards heroes.
“I don’t really see myself as a hero. I just did what I think anybody would do,” said Skalak. “I would like to meet (Mr. Lozow). Just to see that he’s OK.”
“It’s not about being a hero. It’s about being a human being,” said Salgado. “I’m really glad he’s alright.”
The driver of the car that hit Lozow was cited for running a red light. Denver Public Works has studied the intersection at 8th Avenue and Speer Boulevard before, even installing a red light camera to decrease accidents.
It is now looking at the possibility of installing a guard rail, but a spokeswoman said she isn’t sure if that’s the solution.
Source:the DenverNewsChannel.com
Former Walmart security agent charged with grand theft www.privateofficer.com
TWIN FALLS ID April 17 2012 Police say a former Walmart employee who provided security for the store shoplifted more than $1,400 in electronic items last week.
Twin Falls Police responded Wednesday to the Twin Falls Walmart at 252 Cheney Drive West for a call about an employee theft.
A loss prevention employee told police he had seen security video of Emma Kathleen Richins, 19, in the store the night before.
At about 11:40 p.m. on April 10, Richins was allegedly spotted on the video with a computer missing its security device. Another security employee told officers that Richins was also seen going into the bath-rooms at the front of the store and could be heard opening packaging in a stall, a police report states.
The report says Richins then left the store followed by security employees. She then allegedly told other employees that she knew they couldn’t detain her when they asked for her receipt for the items.
According to the report, when she was told police were on the way, Richins left the cart with the merchandise and drove away.
Officers met with Richins at her home in the 100 block of Meadowview Lane in Twin Falls on April 12 and arrested her for Grand Theft.
According to police, Richins had called and reported threats because of a drug debt and may have stolen the items to repay her debts.
The items left in the shopping cart totaled $1,217.28, but police say another $212.59 worth of merchandise has not been recovered.
Richins was arraigned in Twin Falls County 5th District Court on grand theft and burglary charges. A $1,000 bond was set and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 20.
Source:magicvalley.com
ALLENTOWN, Pa.hailed a hero after following murder suspect www.privateofficer.com
ALLENTOWN, Pa. April 17 2012
Some are hailing him as a hero — a nightclub bouncer who sprung into action and helped police nab a murder suspect. 69 News spoke to him and his boss Monday night. After a deadly shooting outside Club Horizon on Airport Road, the bouncer jumped in his own car and followed the suspects until State Police caught up to them. The security man, who asked to remain anonymous, said he only did what he hoped anyone else would do after a crime.
“He’s my hero,” said Club Horizons owner Anthony DeLeon.
As a boss, DeLeon wasn’t too happy that one of his security guys followed a fleeing homicide suspect. But as a person, he couldn’t be prouder.
“I believe that’s the only reason they were caught, at that time,” he said.
The shooting happened in the parking lot outside the club early Sunday morning, right at closing time. DeLeon said the victim, Teddy Bell, was there celebrating his birthday when a minor fight broke out.
“At best a small scuffle, pushing and shoving,” said DeLeon.
Security video DeLeon showed 69 News shows everyone leaving the club peacefully. A security person escorted Bell to his car, but wirtnesses told police, when Bell saw the man he’d fought with earlier, he ran toward the man’s car, shouting, “This is the (expletive) here!”
That’s when police say Amos Muir, 37, of Wilkes-Barre, opened fire. After the car Muir was in peeled out of the parking lot, DeLeon’s bouncer jumped into his own vehcile and followed the suspects onto Route 22.
“He followed behind at a safe distance and coordinated along with 911 operator, which also coordinated with State Police,” said DeLeon.
State troopers caught up with Muir and two others in the car just a few miles away.
According to an arrest warrant, they found a stolen Glock handgun and several spent shell casings inside.
Security is typically tight at Club Horizo, with at least 12 security members on site and 16 cameras. DeLeon believes that club is safe.
69 News asked, “Are you worried at all about retalliation?”
“No, not all,” he responded. “It’s not the normal street thing where, ‘Oh you snitched,’ or whatever.”
DeLeon added that while one bouncer was following the suspects, another administered CPR on Bell, keeping him alive for at least a few minutes. He later died at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fountain Hill. A second man was also shot in the shoulder, but was treated and released.
Both Bell and Muir have criminal histories, but it does not appear they knew each other. Muir now faces homicide and related charges. He’s in the Lehigh County Prison with no bond. Two alleged accomplices are also in jail under $1 million bond.
Source:wfmz.com
Tip from store security lands man in jail for drugs www.privateofficer.com
A loss prevention supervisor at Kohl’s, 260 Old Solomons Island Road, called police to report that a man was seen crushing a pill in a bill at 1:39 p.m. Saturday.
A police officer spotted the man in the store and whistled to get his attention. The man handed something to his female companion, ducked behind clothing racks and had glazed eyes when he met up with the officer, city police said.
The man’s companion handed over a pill bottle to police and said he didn’t have a prescription for it. The bottle contained Xanax pills and another pill, police said.
The man, James Ryan Stover, 28, of 109 Remital Road, was charged with drug possession, police said.
Source:hometownannapolis.com
Redding CT firefighter dies responding to fire www.privateofficer.com
The 50-year veteran firefighter collapsed and died of an as-yet-undetermined “medical issue” as he was hauling equipment up to the scene of the fire, officials said.
Sanford was the vice president of the Redding Volunteer Fire & EMS Company No. 1.
The volunteer company covers District 1, which stretches from Redding Ridge to Redding Center.
“Our condolences and prayers go out to First Lieutenant Sanford’s family in their hour of sorrow. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be forwarded,” Fire Chief Ron Van Oostendorp said in a statement released by the department shortly after Sanford’s death.
Sanford followed in his father’s footsteps as the town’s fire chief and later served as national president of the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America, and received the organization’s most distinguished award, the William L. Robinson Award.
Earle Sanford — himself a 35-year firefighting veteran — was a charter member and former chairman of the Zoning Commission, of which Marshall Sanford was a member for over 30 years, until the time of his death.
His mother, Violet, had been a volunteer driver for the fire department during World War II, when many women were pressed into service with many men off fighting in the European and Pacific theaters. Sanford’s brother, Hank, was a fire commissioner.
After joining the company, Sanford doggedly worked his way up the ranks and was appointed the fire chief in 1982.
According to Lt. Wade Roese, a department spokesman, the call for the brush fire came in at about 6:30 p.m.
It was unclear whether Sanford died at the scene or later at a hospital. He was 67.
Governor P. Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman released the following statement on the death of 1st Lieutenant George Marshall Sanford of Redding Ridge Fire Company No. 1, who died while responding to a fire on Sunday evening.
On Monday, Gov. Dannel Malloy’s press office released a statement commending Sanford for serving “with extraordinary (sic) dedication and commitment.”
The statement read, “We deeply respect his work protecting the community, and we stand with the many residents and firefighters who are grieving his loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to 1st Lieutenant Sanford’s family and friends at this terrible time.”
The statement also announced that flags at the State Capitol in Hartford would be flown at half-staff for Sanford’s funeral, which has not been set.
Fort Bragg Army officer charged with sex crimes www.privateofficer.com
Investigators said 23-year-old Lt. Alexander Pace allegedly possessed, received, and distributed visual images of minors engage in sexual activities.
They said the images were found on Pace’s home computer.
Pace was charged with 19 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and 19 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
University of Florida journalism student apparently jumped to his death www.privateofficer.com
Michael Richard Edmonds Jr., 26, of Clay County, fell from the stadium’s northwest corner about 7 p.m. and died despite witnesses’ efforts to revive him, said campus police spokesman Maj. Brad Barber.
The stadium was open at the time. More than 30 students and nearby residents gathered where the student fell near Gale Lemerand Drive between University Avenue and Stadium Road. Police did not know Sunday whether Edmonds was a graduate or undergraduate student.
The death remains under investigation, Barber said.
Court records indicate Edmonds was arrested Saturday on a DUI charge.
“If (suicide) is in fact what it turns out to be, these certainly are tragedies,” said Barber.
He said it has been several years since anything similar had occurred at the stadium, although he couldn’t pinpoint exactly how long.
Barber also said that he hopes students struggling with any sort of problem would contact campus counseling services.
Burglar arrested at gunpoint after eating meal, drinking champagne-taking shower www.privateofficer.com
San Bernardino County sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Wilson says 25-year-old Michael Calvert was arrested at gunpoint by deputies while he lathered up in the shower Thursday night.
KCDZ radio says that after helping himself to a bottle of champagne and a meal, Calvert decided to take a shower in the Joshua Tree home. The Mojave Desert community is 130 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
The homeowners called 911 after returning home at 8:10 p.m. and hearing someone in the shower.
Calvert was booked for investigation of residential burglary. He’s in jail with bail set at $25,000 and was not available for comment.
Naked -high-combative Wesleyan University student Tased twice www.privateofficer.com
Middletown CT April 17 2012 A naked 20-year-old Wesleyan University student, so high and combative on psychedelic mushrooms that he had to be Tased twice, led officers on a chase near campus after terrifying a 10-year-old girl at her home, Middletown Police report.
On April 14 at 5:45 p.m., police were called to a home in the 200 block of Cross Street on the report that a man, later identified as M. Shafer-Landau, 20, of Church Street, had tried to get into the house through the back door, according to the arrest report.
On the scene, police saw a naked man running up the hill of Jukonski’s Auto on Thomas Street toward Butternut Street and past several people enjoying Butternut Hollow Park, the report says.
Officers ordered Shafer-Landau to put his hands in the air and to stop, however, he ran about 20 feet before police tackled him, the report says, as he struggled and pulled one officer’s hair.
The report says a Taser was used, which allowed officers to get one of Shafer-Landau’s hands in handcuffs but he pulled away and needed to be Tased a second time. Still, he flailed his feet, so officers put shackles on his ankles and carried him to the car as Shafer-Landau “contorted” his body and struggled.
Back at the home, a 10-year-old female victim said in the report she was in her kitchen looking out the window when a man ran from the woods in the back yard toward the house, opened the outside door and came inside the porch.
It’s unclear when exactly the man became unclothed.
She was scared and crying as he turned the door handle but it was locked, the report says. She then saw him run back toward the woods, the report details.
At headquarters, Shafer-Landau told officers he was “under the influence of mushrooms” and the last thing he remembers is eating a brownie with mushrooms in it. In his cell, the report says, “he began to exhibit unusual behavior, including masturbation.”
Police soon identified him as a Wesleyan University student with a Wisconsin photo identification card that was found in his dorm room.
He was charged with second-degree criminal trespass, interfering with an officer, assault of a public safety officer, and second-degree breach of peace.
K-Mart baseball cards thief charged with robbery www.privateofficer.com
Racine County WI April 17 2012 A 33-year-old St. Francis man was charged with armed robbery by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office for allegedly stealing $400 baseball cards from a Kmart store located at 5141 Douglas Avenue at 5:40 p.m. on Friday.
Joseph A. Marciniak was charged with armed robbery today with a felony today. If he’s convicted of the charge, Marciniak faces up to 40 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000.
Marciniak took 25 packages of baseball cards and threatened a security officer with a box cutter, according to a report by the Caledonia Police Department.
An officer confronted Marciniak and told him to come back in the store, but Marciniak didn’t comply and the security officer followed him out to the parking lot. After telling Marciniak to come back to the store a third time, Marciniak turned around and had a box cutter with a razor blade. The security officer backed off and let Marciniak leave.
When police responded to the scene, Sgt. Brian Wall, of the Caledonia Police Department, told one of the officers that there was a similar case to theirs in St. Francis. The officers were able to identify Marciniak’s address and they were able to find Marciniak at his parents’ home.
At the home, police found the box cutter in the front seat of Marciniak’s car and the jacket he was wearing. They also found the baseball cards and narcotics.
Caledonia Police transported Marciniak to jail. Marciniak told the officer he had done the same thing three times and had only gotten tickets and “If I was going to do armed robbery at the Kmart, I would have stolen money. All I took were baseball cards.”
WKU’s football team players shot at nightclub www.privateofficer.com
Bowling Green KY April 17 2012 Police say an officer happened to be driving by the Lava Lounge, a bar located near campus, when he heard gun shots at around 12:30 Sunday morning.
“There were so many people and of course, everyone was running,” says Ronnie Ward, the PIO for the Bowling Green Police Department.
When police arrived, 21-year-old Tevin Holliman and 20-year-old Ricardo Singh were found with gunshot wounds.
Holliman is a defensive lineman while Singh is a defensive back for WKU’s football team.
Both were taken to the hospital, but University Officials say their injuries are not life threatening.
Some students at the University are shaken up by the shooting and say, it makes them feel unsafe.
“It’s pretty nuts, like when you hear about someone getting shot, you know, you’re kind of afraid, you don’t want to get shot yourself” says Michael Hall, a student at WKU.
“I just heard about it this morning when I got the message that WKU sent out, I didn’t know them personally but it’s definitely sad that we had students get hurt last night,” says Duall Schutte, a student at WKU.
But another student says he’s not surprised it happened at the lounge.
“I think I’ve heard about stuff happening over there for a while now so I don’t really mess with it and I’m not really that surprised because I think that’s the second shooting to happen there this year,” says Trey Huddleston, a student at WKU.
Police are still trying to figure out what lead up to the shooting.
“We’re not sure if there was a disturbance going on in the parking lot, that if it was a fight that ended up turning into something else, we just really don’t know that exactly right now,” says Ward.
Police say no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Bowling Green Police at 270-393-4000
Gambling Memphis School teacher arrested for leaving baby alone in car www.privateofficer.com
West Memphis, AR April 17 2012 A is off the job after being arrested in West Memphis, Arkansas over the weekend for leaving her baby alone in her car.
The Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office says 42-year old Monetta Davis was Gambling at Southland Park Gaming and Racing when she left her 9-month-old in the back seat of her car.
Deputies say the parking lot was crowded early Saturday morning when a customer noticed the baby.
That person notified a pair of off-duty deputies who were working security in the lot.
The doors of the car were locked, but a window was open enough for deputies to reach inside, unlock the door and get the baby out.
Southland Park had to page the owner of the car, Monetta Davis.
Deputies say it took her nearly 30 minutes for her to come outside.
They say once she got to her car she explained why left her child in the car alone.
“Officer’s questioned her and she said something to the effect well she had $20 free play coupon and she just want to go and play it right quick,” said Chief Mike Callender.
Patrons at Southland Park today were shocked to learn what deputies found there.
“God almighty! Why would she do that? You don’t leave a child by themselves no where,” said Angus Crump.
The baby was fine, but placed in the custody of DHS.
Memphis City Schools say Davis has been a teacher at South Park Elementary since August of 2010.
She has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
Jones High School basketball coach accused of raping student www.privateofficer.com
Herbert Thomas, 38, is accused of starting a sexual relationship with one of his players, a minor. He was arrested and charged with two counts of sexual battery Friday.
Thomas was the girls’ assistant basketball coach at Jones and is also affiliated with the Florida Girls Basketball League, according to theOrange County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were informed of the allegations recently and executed a search warrant at his home. It’s unclear what, if anything, was recovered.
Thomas was a volunteer coach for about two years and was not paid, said Orange County Public Schools spokeswoman Kathy Marsh.
School officials learned of Thomas’ arrest today and informed him his role as a volunteer coach was revoked and he was “no longer welcome back at the district,” Marsh said.
Investigators fear Thomas may have other victims and urge anyone with information to contact the Sheriff’s Office.
Source: Orlando Sentinel
Fire that killed TN fire chief ruled arson www.privateofficer.com
Chief Kenny Fox died April 7 while responding with his volunteer firefighting unit to the Oak Hill Café Bar and Grill. Brothers Jeremy and Randy Inman were hurt, but not seriously.
Chief Fox, 39, was also a sergeant in the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department. He left behind a wife and three sons.
The Tennessee Fire Marshal’s Office’s Bomb and Arson Section and other agencies were called in to investigate the cause of the fire. Officials said that while a suspect has not been determined, they person responsible for the fire would be charged with felony first-degree murder and aggravated arson.
“Agents have spoken to a great number of witnesses and recovered pieces of evidence, because of the nature of this homicide investigation we cannot comment on or reveal any other detail about the fire,” said Hansel McAdams with the 25th Judicial District.
FDNY firefighter killed, five others injured in three alarm warehouse blaze www.privateofficer.com
Brooklyn NY April 17 2012 An FDNY firefighters was killed and five others were hospitalized while battling a three-alarm blaze at a warehouse in Brooklyn Monday afternoon, according to WCBS-TV.
Lt. Rich Nappi from Engine 237 was inside the warehouse and went into cardiac distress minutes after exiting the building and was transported to Woodhull Hospital where he died, the news station reported.
Another firefighter was listed in critical condition and the other four were listed in serious condition at Woodhull.
Crews responded to the reported fire on the second story of the building at 930 Flushing Avenue in the Bushwick section of the borough around 1 p.m., according to WNYW-TV.
It took about three hours for the close to 170 firefighters who responded to get the blaze under control.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation
Huntley Fire Protection District Captain killed in crash www.privateofficer.com
Huntley IL April 17 2012 A firefighter with the Huntley Fire Protection District was killed in a motorcycle crash on April 12 while returning home from a meeting.
Capt. John C. Winkelman was on assignment as the District’s Communication Officer and was leaving the meeting at the dispatch center when the collision occurred, according to a news release from the fire district.
The district compensates members for travel to and from assigned meetings and the Illinois State Fire Marshal and USFA have both reported Winkelman’s death as occurring on duty.
The 24-year veteran of the fire district and the former chief of the Marengo Rescue Squad was thrown off his 2007 Harley-Davidson after it collided with a 2000 Chrysler Concorde on Route 176 in Crystal Lake around 3 p.m., according to The Northwest Herald.
Winkelman was transported to Centegra Hospital where he died.
The driver of the Concorde — Kimberly Randall — was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
“He just absolutely loved his career. It was his passion; he absolutely loved being a fireman,” Deputy Chief Ken Caudle told the newspaper. “John was just a huge part of our family here, and he will truly be missed. John is irreplaceable, the type of person he was and what he stood for is to be commended.”
Winkelman made captain back in 2000 and recently completed his Fire Officer II training.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn — a dispatcher for the Harvard Police Department — and three daughters and two stepsons.
Funeral Arrangements
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 17 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Cosman Center, 12015 Mill Street, Huntley, Ill.
A fire department walk through will take place at 7 p.m. and line up will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the southwest parking lot.
Visitation will continue on Wednesday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 6812 Main Street, Union, Ill.
Line up will be at 10:30 a.m.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 18 at 11 a.m. at the church.
Procession to Marengo City cemetery will follow immediately after the funeral service.
Dallas security officers aid in capture of murder suspect at Greyhound bus station www.privateofficer.com
Huntsville AL April 17 2012 The man who spotted a fugitive teen accused of killing his middle school classmate talked exclusively with WHNT News 19 Sunday, giving an eyewitness account of the moments leading up to Hammad Memon’s capture and arrest.
The security guard who was working outside the Dallas Greyhound Bus Terminal last Friday said he would only talk about what happened if we did not reveal his identity.
The security guard said he and his partner had just received a photo bulletin from law enforcement indicating that a teenage fugitive charged with murder in Alabama was likely nearby. The guard told us that just minutes later, Memon and his mother, Safia Memon, walked right past him and into the Greyhound bus terminal. The man said he instantly recognized the accused killer despite a ballcap Memon was wearing.
The eyewitness then said his partner confirmed the identities by checking a bus ticket belonging to Safia Memon. When they saw her name, they let the family continue into the terminal and immediately called the police.
“No sooner did he walk past and I looked and said ‘That’s him”, said the security guard. “We were standing there looking at his picture, and he actually literally walked right past us along with his mother…We made the positive ID, and we kept visual identification until the police arrived. The security guard I was with actually escorted the police in and showed them where he was standing, and where the mother was sitting on the benches.”
Authorities said Memon attempted to run away once police closed in, but he didn’t get far. Detectives revealed that the teen was captured in a restroom roughly four blocks away from the bus station. They also said they were able to pinpoint the Memon family’s location by tracking a cellphone Safia Memon had been using. The security guard said he did not notice the final destination on the bus ticket.
Early Friday a Madison County judge revoked Memon’s bond and issued an arrest warrant for the 16-year-old. A mail carrier told authorities Memon’s family received a package that appeared to contain a Pakistani passport. The Memon family has dual citizenship in the United States and Pakistan.
Memon is charged with killing classmate Todd Brown at Discovery Middle School in February of 2010.
Source:whnt.com
Parents of wanted Alabama murder suspect Hammad Memon arrested www.privateofficer.com
Huntsville AL April 17 2012 The parents of Hammad Memon were both arrested Friday, following their son’s apparent efforts to flee a murder trial for the shooting of a classmate at Discovery Middle School in Madison.
Hammad Memon’s father, Dr. Iqbal Memon was arrested by the Madison Police Department late Friday and charged with hindering prosecution after police found his son had left Alabama ahead of the June 18 murder trial.
Dr. Memon, a pediatrician in Athens, was booked into the Madison County Jail late Friday night. His bond was set at $15,000.
Hammad Memon had been allowed to live at home in Madison pending the murder trial. But police found that Hammad Memon, his mother and six-year-old sister had left Alabama sometime between Wednesday and Thursday.
They were captured by police in Dallas on Friday. Their departure came after Memon, who holds citizenship in Pakistan, received a package authorities suspect contained a passport from the Pakistan Embassy.
His mother, Safia Memon, remained in the Dallas County jail as of late Saturday, according to jail records. She also faces charges of hindering prosecution and a $15,000 bond.
Bruce Gardner, Memon’s attorney, said he hasn’t seen the evidence concerning any details of the alleged flight, but he can understand how a parent might react.
“It’s extremely rare, but I certainly have to say that I understand the motivation behind it, particularly on the part of the mother,” Gardner said. “I mean we’re looking at a very tough prison sentence for Hammad. I’m sure the prospect of seeing her son go into an Alabama state prison and realizing it’s quite likely the last time he ever sees the light of day, generates something like this.
“It was a bad, bad situation, now it’s awful.”
Memon is charged with shooting 14-year-old classmate Todd Brown in the back of the head during a class change at Discovery Middle School in Madison. The shooting happened two years ago.
Memon was 14 at the time of the shooting, but prosecutors asked and a judge agreed that Memon stand trial as an adult.
The national search began Friday after a delivery driver, who had dropped a package at Memon’s house on Wednesday, tipped Madison police about a possible passport delivery, according to court records.
Police in Dallas, with help from the FBI, tracked the family through Louisiana and into Texas by pinging the mother’s cell phone.
Madison County Assistant District Attorney Tim Gann said that Memon ran four blocks to avoid arrest and was caught hiding in a bathroom. Gann said Memon and his mother had in their possession Pakistani passports and a large amount of cash.
Gann said he is convinced the Memons were attempting to flee the United States and possibly return to Pakistan.
Gann also said that Dr. Memon was arrested because Madison Police Department investigators suspect he was not telling them the truth about his family’s whereabouts.
“I think they discovered he was misleading the police,” Gann said. “I think he was trying to mislead the investigators so they could get away.”
Gardner, Memon’s attorney, said on Saturday that he was “extremely surprised” by the turn of events. He said Dr. Memon is established in the community and he and his wife have been respectful of U.S. laws and customs and never indicated to him they thought Hammad was being treated unfairly.
“Obviously it appears Hammad tried to run, I don’t know what the plans were or anything of that nature, and I don’t know how they got to Dallas or anything,” Gardner said. “It certainly compounds an already difficult case.
“I don’t know now, because of this misadventure, but it has probably already generated a whole bunch more negative publicity for my client. I’ll have to contemplate now things like venue changes (for the trial).”
The Memons have four children and Hammad is the oldest. Memon’s 6-year-old sister, who was with the mother and her brother in Dallas, was apparently turned over to relatives in Texas after her mother’s arrest.
A hindering prosecution charge in Alabama is a Class C felony and carries a possible sentence of one to 10 years in prison.
Towanda Moore, the mother of Todd Brown, on Saturday released the following statement through attorney Mark McDaniel:
“Our family wish to thank the Madison County District Attorney’s Office for their outstanding work on Todd’s case. They have been diligent in their efforts to get justice for Todd. Most recently we know that but for their efforts Hammad Memon may have escaped justice.”
“We want to thank everyone that was instrumental in preventing Mr. Memon’s escape to Pakistan and his return to Madison County to stand trial.”
Gardner has argued that Memon was suffering from serious depression at the time of the shooting and should be hospitalized rather than placed in an adult jail. But state courts have twice rejected appeals and have ruled that Memon may stand trial as an adult.
When Madison police could not find Memon, Gann on Friday petitioned Madison County Circuit Court Judge Karen Hall to revoke Memon’s bond. Hall ordered the bond revoked around lunchtime and issued an arrest order.
Gann said he will now ask the court to deny bond for Hammad Memon in order to keep him in jail until his trial date.
Gann said the Madison County Sheriff’s Department will file the required paperwork Monday to begin the process of returning the Memons to Madison County.
Former TSA officer pleads guilty to accepting cash in exchange for facilitating the transport of illegal narcotics www.privateofficer.com
Christoper Allen, 46 of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., pleaded guilty to one count of extortion under color of right and one count of receipt of a bribe by a public official in federal court in New Haven Monday, according to U.S. Department of Justice spokesman Tom Carson.
Allen’s arrest came as a result of a five-month long investigation called “Operation Blue Coast,” which stemmed from an arrest in Stamford last spring, according to federal officials.
“This defendant received cash payments to violate his oath of public office and look the other way as large quantities of oxycodone pills passed unlawfully through airport security,” David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, said about Allen in a statement issued Monday. “For obvious reasons, we cannot tolerate corruption within the ranks of those who are entrusted with the responsibility for screening air travelers and their baggage. I commend the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) Task Force for shutting down a pipeline of highly addictive prescription pills from Florida to Connecticut, and for bringing to justice this federal employee and others who participated in this illegal scheme.”
“Operation Blue Coast” began last April, according to federal authorities, after the DEA task force learned of an individual in possession of a large quantity of oxycodone was traveling from Palm Beach, Fla., to Stamford to sell thousands of oxycodone pills. On April 8, 2011, the DEA arrested that individual, who was in possession of approximately 6,000 oxycodone pills, in a hotel in Stamford, according to authorities.
The arrested individual revealed that he had regulary purchased oxycodone from suppliers in Florida, transported the oxycodone to Connecticut by commercial airline or automobile, and sold the pills to various narcotic traffickers in Waterbury, law enforcement officials said. The individual made approximately 65 trips from Florida to Connecticut by automobile or airplane, carrying 8,000 pills each trip, they said. It is believed the transportation of oxycodone pills began in November 2010.
According to federal authorities, law enforcement agencies were able to investigate the narcotics distribution with the help of the arrested individual and another individual who was subsequently arrested, and through the use of consensually recorded conversations, controlled deliveries of oxycodone, physical surveillance, and examination of rental car and airline records.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Allen, while employed as a TSA officer at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., accepted cash payments from the narcotics trafficker to ensure that the trafficker would not be stopped by TSA officers as he carried oxycodone pills through airport security on his way to Connecticut. On four occasions between May and August 2011, the narcotics trafficker, who by this time was cooperating with law enforcement, paid Allen $500 in cash to allow the trafficker to travel safely through airport security, according to Carson. On two of these trips, the narcotics trafficker traveled with an undercover law enforcement officer, Carson said.
The evidence in this case includes recorded conversations among Allen, the cooperating narcotics trafficker and the undercover law enforcement officer, according to Carson. Allen was arrested on Sept. 13, 2011.
Among Allen’s charges, one count of extortion under color of right carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of receipt of a bribe by a public official carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 5.
Twenty individuals have been charged as a result of Operation Blue Coast, according to Carson. prisonment of life and a fine up to $250,000, Carson said.
Security officer kills armed pharmacy robber www.privateofficer.com
Houston TX April 17 2012 A security guard fatally shot a robbery suspect in north Harris County Monday afternoon, investigators said.
Harris County sheriff’s deputies said an armed, masked man walked into QVL Pharmacy in the 800 block of F.M. 1960 West about 2:15 p.m.
The suspect put the gun to the back of a security’s guard’s head and forced him to the back of the store, investigators said.
Deputies said the suspect forced the pharmacy’s manager to open the safe filled with narcotics.
Two other security guards were inside the store. One of them is a retired Department of Public Safety trooper, deputies said.
“While the pharmacist was opening the safe, the second security personnel, that was unknown to the robber, was able to get the drop on him, told him to drop his gun,” Sgt. Ben Beall said. “(The robbery suspect) pointed his gun at the security officer.”
The guard then shot the suspect at least three times, investigators said.
The suspect died at the scene. His name has not been released.
No one else was hurt.
