Archive
JUNE SECURITY OFFICER AWARDS www.privateofficer.com
Charlotte NC June 30 2012
Private Officer International announces the June Awards!
The following private officers were presented awards in June 2012
Kevin Smallwood- Meritorious Award
Becky Sue Armerman-Excellence in Action
Pat Fulkner-Meritorious Award
Brian Holstegge-Officer of the Month Excellence in Action
Kate Lehman-Director Award
Philip Newman-Medal of Valor
Stanley Holliman-Medal of Valor
Ken Kingman-Excellence in Action
Mary Kingman-Excellence in Action
Dale Martin-Meritorious Award
Bruce Miller-Medal of Valor
Congratulations all!
Sheriff special officers lose arrest powers in state tussle www.privateofficer.com
Orange County CA June 30 2012 Hundreds of special officers for the Orange County Sheriff’s Departmenthave lost their ability to make arrests after state regulators questioned whether they were adequately trained.
The state commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training notified Sheriff Sandra Hutchens in May that the department’s 200 special officers may not meet minimum requirements for training. The officers have limited police powers and provide security at John Wayne Airport, county courthouses and county buildings. They undergo four months of academy training, while full deputies undergo six months.
POST also requires that the department notify the agency whenever a deputy or special officer is hired or terminated, which the department has not done with the special officer classification.
In response to the commission’s concerns, Hutchens on Wednesday took away, for the time being, the special officers’ ability to make arrests. Under previous guidelines, the officers were allowed to make misdemeanor arrests if a deputy wasn’t available. Hutchens also sidelined the officers’ ability to write misdemeanor tickets. And Hutchens took away their ability to carry weapons while off duty, suggesting they apply for a concealed weapon permit from the department.
The changes will remain in effect while Hutchens, the commission and the Orange County Employees Association work out a plan to handle the training concerns, said Assistant Sheriff Timothy Board.
Meanwhile, Board said the officers’ pay would remain the same and the public would not likely see any change in service.
“It really doesn’t affect their jobs. It’s only been the last two years that they’ve been able to make arrests,” Board said “Really, we’re just going back to two years ago.”
In a statement to employees, Hutchens wrote, “Our Sheriff Special Officers’ contributions to the department and the community have been immeasurable. They have been and continue to be crucial to the effective and efficient operation of the department.”
Nick Berardino, head of the employees union, said his agency is looking at the situation and whether Hutchens was legally correct in taking away the officers’ ability to carry a concealed weapon off-duty.
source-ocregister.com
Man commits suicide in front of Pennsylvania State Police barracks www.privateofficer.com
Jefferson County PA June 30 2012 Pennsylvania State Police in Jefferson County are investigating the apparent suicide of a man in front of their DuBois barracks in Falls Creek.
This afternoon state police said the victim has been identified as 57-year-old William Bell of Reynoldsville.
Police said Bell drove a Buick sedan to the barracks around 7:30 a.m., parked it a few spaces from the front door and shot himself.
6 News does not typically report suicides, and state police said they normally do not investigate suicides to this degree. But because the man shot and killed himself right outside of the barracks’ front door, the parking lot is now considered a crime scene.
“Because of its location, the investigation is taking on a little bit of a different meaning than it normally would,” said Trooper Jamie Levier of the Pennsylvania State Police.
Levier said investigators do not know why Bell took his own life or why he chose the DuBois barracks’ parking lot.
“At this time, we’re still conducting the investigation. I’m sure that there are a lot of questions that we’ll need to have answered but I don’t have any of that at this time,” Levier said.
DuBois state police were assisted by troopers from state police in Punxsutawney, Clearfield and a state police forensics unit.
source-wjactv.com
Federal grand jury indicts two Sacramento men for armored car robbery www.privateofficer.com
Raymell Lamar Eason, 42, and Keith Lamont Smith, 36, were indicted for interference with commerce by robbery, according to a federal Department of Justice news release.
According to court documents, on April 17, Eason and Smith, armed with an activated Taser gun, parked in a Walmart parking lot on Florin Road. The two men allegedly were waiting for a Garda Logistics Services armored car, which they planned to rob when the guard left the store with its currency deposits.
Eason is alleged to have shot the guard with the Taser while Smith waited in their getaway vehicle. The robbery was unsuccessful, and the Garda armored car guard reportedly shot Eason as he tried to flee.
Eason and Smith were arrested shortly after the botched robbery.
Both men are scheduled to appear Tuesday in Sacramento before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kendall J. Newman.
Source:sacbee.com
Drugs and gun lands Sands Casino patron in jail www.privateofficer.com
Bethlehem PA June 30 2012 A dropped cigarette pack led police inside the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem early Wednesday to arrest a man carrying a loaded .380 semi-automatic handgun without a license. He had it in his right rear pants pocket, court records say.
The man also was allegedly carrying a quantity of methamphetamine.
Carl Raymond Heckman, 44, of Northampton informed police he was carrying the gun when they took him into custody for the suspected drug possession, the records say. Police did not know beforehand that he was carrying the gun.
Heckman told police he thought he had a permit to carry the gun, but then admitted it may have expired “sometime ago.” He said he had become accustomed to carrying around the gun without a valid permit, the records say.
Police later found out that Heckman bought the gun from a man he identified as a “close friend.” Police called the man and verified Heckman’s explanation, the records say.
According to a criminal complaint filed by state police Trooper Michael Hodgskin:
•Police knew nothing about the gun when they were dispatched to the SouthSide casino around 1:38am for a report of found drugs. Hodgskin met with the Sands’ security supervisor, who gave the trooper a Camel cigarette pack that contained five pieces of “tin foil,” each containing a small amount of an off-white crystallized substance – what Hodgskin recognized as methamphetamine.
•The security supervisor said the man who dropped the cigarette pack was still in the casino and was being monitored by security guards.
•A security guard told Hodgskin he saw the man drop the pack on the floor. The guard said he retrieved it and intended to return it to the man. The guard said he opened the pack and saw a clear sandwich bag that he believed contained “narcotics.” He immediately notified his supervisor — the security chief.
•The guard then directed Hodgskin’s attention to a set of slot machines and identified the man. Another state police trooper approached the man, and as he took him into custody, the man – by now identified as Heckman – told the trooper he was carrying a “concealed firearm.”
•Hodgskin recovered the black Ruger .380 semi-automatic handgun “loaded with live rounds.” It had been in Heckman’s right rear pants pocket. Heckman also had a film canister containing additional off-white crystallized substances later confirmed to be methamphetamine.
Heckman, of 1514 Cedar St., was arraigned Wednesday by on-duty District Judge Joseph Barner of Lower Nazareth Township on charges of firearms not to be carried without a license and violations of the controlled substance, drug, device and cosmetic act. He was committed to Northampton County Prison after failing to post $10,000 bail.
Newark police officer accused of falsely reporting stolen car, collecting $10K in insurance money www.privateofficer.com
TRENTON NJ June 30 2012— A Newark police officer has been charged with falsely reporting that his sports utility vehicle was stolen and fraudulently collecting $10,791 in insurance reimbursement, the state Attorney General’s Office said today.
Suliaman Kamara, 30, of Newark, allegedly filed the report with his own department in 2009 stating his GMC Yukon had been stolen when, in fact, he knew it had not been, the office said in a news release.
He then filed a fraudulent insurance claim with his insurer, Liberty Mutual Insurance, the office said. Nearly three years later, a representative of the company spotted the SUV parked outside Kamara’s house, the office said.
Kamara surrendered to detectives from the State Police Official Corruption Bureau today for processing, the office said. He was charged yesterday with theft by deception and tampering with public records or information.
Kamara was released after being processed on the charges. An attorney for Kamara, Anthony Iacullo, said his client was innocent and will be exonerated.
“Officer Kamara did nothing that was wrong or inappropriate and he is looking forward to his day in court to establish his innocence,” Iacullo said.
The Newark Police Department could not immediately be reached for comment.
Kamara was hired by the Newark Police Department in July 2008, but was laid off in November 2010. He was rehired in March 2012, but has since been suspended, the office said.
If convicted, Kamara faces a maximum five years in prison. State Police Sgt. Sgt. Lisa King led the investigation for the State Police Official Corruption North Unit , the office said.
Source:nj.com
Shoplifter stabs herself several times when police are called www.privateofficer.com
WACO TX June 30 2012 - When the Waco Police Department approached the car of a suspected shoplifter Friday afternoon the woman pulled out a knife and stabbed herself.
According to police around 12:00 p.m. they received a call of a possible shoplifter at Academy Sporting Goods on New Rd.
Eventually police were able to find the woman involved in the shoplifting at the Shell Gas Station, caddie corner to Academy, in her Ford Mustang.
When police approached the car to confront the woman she pulled out a knife and started stabbing and cutting herself.
After she stabbed herself multiple times police were able to get the knife away from the woman and call for an ambulance while they subdued her.
The woman was taken to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
“A person may fight us or not want to go to jail, but typically they don’t start cutting their selves or trying to hurt their selves,” said Sgt. Patrick Swanton, Waco Police. “Fortunately the officer was able to get the knife away from her and keep her from hurting herself anymore.
Police currently are not releasing the woman’s name, but they say she was a patient at the Waco Veterans Affairs Hospital who they have dealt with before. Police also say the woman has some history that leads them to believe she may require mental assistance.
Sgt. Swanton added that the woman currently is not being charged with theft, but it is a possibility in the future.
Australia surge in private security use raises concerns www.privateofficer.com
Australia June 30 2012 Canberra’s security industry has expanded ”massively” in recent years, raising concerns that private guards are fighting crime without any extra legal powers or protections.
ACT security guard licence-holders now outnumber police officers by three to one, according to government figures.
The number of licences issued or held in the ACT has soared by almost 70 per cent in eight years, from 1393 in 2003-04 to 2337 in 2011-12.
By comparison, ACT Policing had 740 sworn officers in July last year.
The growth of private security is a national phenomenon, with a 2009 study by the Australian Institute of Criminology study showing security guards outnumbered police two-to-one across the nation.
That is a dramatic turnaround from a decade earlier, when police outnumbered security guards.
The growth of the industry has put private security guards increasingly on the frontline for many crime types, responding to reports of vandalism, break and enters, theft and trespass.
Leader Security, an emerging, small but technologically savvy ACT security company, says its guards and technology have directly resulted in police arresting 400 individuals in the past 18 months.
Canine handler Brad Paul, for example, has alone helped detain and hold 65 alleged criminals until police arrest since January.
The company now uses a DNA spray to ”mark” alleged offenders involved in aggravated robberies, employs thermal imaging cameras to catch potential criminals, and has four rapid response canine teams to respond to security breaches across Canberra.
Security guards can be licensed to carry guns and expandable batons, although it is illegal for them to use capsicum spray.
But as the private security industry grows and takes over increasing responsibility for some minor crime types, there are concerns that guards are being left to deal with criminals without any proper legal power.
University of South Australia Professor Rick Sarre, who has studied the Australian security industry extensively, said guards currently have no more right to use force, question or detain an individual than the average citizen.
”There are no laws, there’s basically no legislation,” Professor Sarre said.
”All the law is based around citizen’s arrest … the private security officer has no more responsibilities or powers than a private citizen protecting their property,” he said.
That lack of legal basis makes working in the industry extremely ”hazardous”, and leaves guards open to being sued in the course of their duties, Leader Security general manager Troy Cassell said.
Mr Cassell said the surging growth of the industry better allowed police to focus on more serious crimes. ”Police resources are stretched as it is, and their time is better utilised in protecting the public in other ways,” he said.
”It’s more cost-effective for us to be doing the groundwork, and then calling on their services when we have confirmed activity or a confirmed incident.”
Mr Cassell believes the expansion of the private security industry has largely been driven by the public’s increased exposure to crime and security threats through the media.
”I think a lot of it has to do with, we’re entering the digital age … and nowadays the news follows everybody,” Mr Cassell said.
”People don’t feel as safe as they used to.”
The security industry is regulated by the Office of Regulatory Services, and Professor Sarre said the ”dark side” of rogue operators and unlicensed security guards had largely disappeared.
Professor Sarre said governments need to tackle the difficult and unappealing task of reforming legal powers for the security industry.
”They’re not only taking over [police] roles, but in some instances sharing the roles,” he said.
”In West Australia, for example, the remote police stations are now manned by private security guards.”
”Doing the same sorts of things and having different powers and immunities just doesn’t make sense.”
Source:Wyndam Weekly
Dover teacher charged with 40 sexual offenses www.privateofficer.com
Dover DE June 30 2012 An investigation by police has led to the arrest of a local teacher for numerous sexual offenses.
Police say that a teacher at Caesar Rodney high school faces 40 counts of sexual abuse of a child by a person in authority.
Police have identified the man as 29-year-old Andrew Chrzanowski of Dover and he was arrested Thursday afternoon after their investigation revealed an ongoing sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student.
He also faces a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child. Bail information has not been released.
$10,000 reward offered after Presbyterian Hospital attacks www.privateofficer.com
Kelli Hannum doesn’t have physical injuries but says she’s still emotionally shook up after being attacked Wednesday night in the stairwell of the Presbyterian Hospital parking deck on her way into work.
“My kids were in my head the whole time,” said Hannum. “I was grabbed by the back of my head and shoved not a whole flight of stairs but maybe three or four stairs.”
Hannum says she fell on her purse so the attacker couldn’t get it from her, and that’s when her survival instincts kicked in.
“Whatever I had to do—kick, bite, scream—whatever it was, everything just came into place, and my thing was ‘OK, if I can hurt him, or hit him in any way possible,” added Hannum.
Her plan worked.
“When I did fight him off I ended up being able to kick him off of me and when I kicked him off me, he fell back into the wall and that gave me time to get up and run down to the second floor and stop cars for help.”
Hannum was luckier than the first victim, who was stabbed three times and robbed by her attacker Wednesday morning in a hospital lot. Hospital officials say they have stepped up all patrols.
“We have all our officers on foot patrols, on every level of parking deck and stair wells, employee and visitor parking lots as well. We have actual patrols at every entrance to each facility,” said Amy Vance, Chief Operating Officer at Presbyterian Hospital.
CMPD says they’re going through video surveillance and have also stepped up patrols around the hospital.
Hannum says that’s reassuring for when she has to come back to work.
“I do know that when I come into work I will make sure somebody is close by,” said Hannum.
Police have not confirmed they are looking for the same suspect in both attacks, though the descriptions are very similar. They are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers.
Source: wcnc
Retired Henrico VA deputy sentenced for viewing child pornography www.privateofficer.com
Richmond VA June 30 2012 A retired Henrico County sheriff’s deputy will serve 95 months in prison, a month short of eight years, for viewing child pornography on the Internet.
U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson imposed the punishment this morning in Richmond against John Harlan Mullins, 53, agreeing to a downward departure from sentencing guidelines because Mullins had not dispersed the images elsewhere and because only a fraction of the images — seven of 1,561 — depicted bestiality or sadomasochism, which elevate sentencing.
Mullins retired last June as a deputy of 22 years in Henrico, a month after federal agents executed a search warrant at his apartment in the 9000 block of Patterson Avenue.
Christopher Collins, Mullins’ lawyer, argued this morning that Mullins had never forwarded the images to other users and said that Mullins never actually viewed the images involving the more egregious acts. Mullins told the court that he had first viewed pornogrpahy as a 14 year-old and became addicted some eight years ago.
Henrico authorities realized in 2004 that Mullins was viewing pornographic images and referred him to counseling but allowed him to remain on the job, accoridng to information presented in court today. Many of the children in the images have been identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Mullins, who faced up to 20 years under the original guidelines, apologized in court and asked for leniency, saying he would be unable to care for his aging parents.
Source:Richmond Times Dispatch
Pepperjack cheese theft lands man in jail www.privateofficer.com
Jake H. Rohdemann of the 2800 block of Bluebird Court was arrested at the store around 7 p.m.
Rohdemann was allegedly caught on video hiding a $5.99 block of cheese in his backpack. He then walked past the cash registers without paying for the cheese, a police report indicated.
A store manager and a security guard confronted Rohdemann, and he began to argue. Rohdemann then shoved one of the men and wrestled with them, police said.
The two held Rohdemann him until police arrived.
A 30-year-old Springfield man was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly stole a block of pepperjack cheese from the County Market at 2777 S. Sixth St. and then fought with a security guard.
Jake H. Rohdemann of the 2800 block of Bluebird Court was arrested at the store around 7 p.m. Rohdemann was allegedly caught on video hiding a $5.99 block of cheese in his backpack. He then walked past the cash registers without paying for the cheese, a police report indicated. A store manager and a security guard confronted Rohdemann, and he began to argue. Rohdemann then shoved one of the men and wrestled with them, police said. The two held Rohdemann him until police arrived.
source-sj-r.com
Six people — two teens and four young adults charged in Orlando murder www.privateofficer.com
Orlando Fla June 30 2012 Six people — two teens and four young adults — have been arrested in the slaying of a 24-year-old Orlando man found dead in his apartment near Kirkman Road earlier this month.
Damien Glover, 22, and Chaquida Roosevelt, 18, are in Orange County Jail facing first-degree murder charges.
Jamal Jackson and Manuel Ray, both 18, were arrested in Pennsylvania.
Yasmine McIntyre and Cheyanne Woods, both 17, were booked into the Juvenile Assessment Center.
The police think all six broke into Berson Michel’s Studio Parc Apartment unit and killed him June 15.
Details about the alleged attack, including how Michel was killed and a motive, were not immediately available.
Michel was arrested a handful of times on various charges between 2005 and 2012. He was booked into the jail in January on a drug-possession charge.
Glover has a similar record.
He was booked into jail in December on marijuana possession and gun charges.
Roosevelt, however, had no prior arrests.
Witnesses called police after hearing gunfire near the apartment complex.
source-orlando sentinel
Police -security make dozens of arrests at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center www.privateofficer.com
Jon A. Naumowicz, 36, of Meadowbrook Parkway, Cheektowaga, is charged with two counts of harassment, 2nd, public lewdness and criminal impersonation. Naumowicz allegedly urinated on a female and then got into a physical altercation with the female and a male acquaintance. When security officers intervened in the physical disturbance, Naumowicz displayed a gold badge and identified himself as a Cheektowaga Police Officer. Investigation revealed that Naumowicz had displayed a gold badge that identified Naumowicz is a volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician.
Elizabeth M. Czerniak, 22, of Fairview Drive, Alden, is charged with harassment, 2nd, trespass and criminal trespass, 3rd, for allegedly being in an area that she was restricted from being. When Czerniak was approached by security officers she allegedly fought with security guards.
Jamie D. Doelman, 20, of Fox Trace, Lancaster, is charged with two counts of harassment, 2nd, for allegedly striking two individuals in the face.
Daniel J. Jankowiak, 23, of North Star Road, East Aurora, is charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Jankowiak allegedly interfered and caused a disturbance in the parking lot while deputies were conducting an investigation. When the deputies attempted to place Jankowiak into custody, he attempted to flee from the officers. Jankowiak was caught after a brief foot chase.
Alicia M. Kessel, 22, of Tiverton Court, Derby, is charged with trespass. Kessel allegedly entered the concert venue after having been previously evicted from the concert.
David J. Vattes, 35, was arrested on a violation of probation warrant from Cattaraugus County. Vattes was turned over to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office.
Joseph E. Amadori, 19, of Tillen Road, Boston, is charged with DWI, Driving with BAC of .08 or greater and following too closely after an alleged accident in the parking lot.
The following citations were issued for alleged underage possession and/or consumption of alcohol.
Thomas J. Coleman, 17, of East Avenue, Gasport. Coleman was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, for allegedly possessing a quantity of marijuana.
Ashley E. Avino, 19, of Woodsfield Drive, Lakeview
Dylan J. Scinta, 17, of Huntingwood Drive, East Amherst
Alexander T. Miller, 18, of Golden Pheasant Drive, Getzville
Evan A. Lang, 18, of Forestbrook Court, Getzville
Rickard K. Woodrow, 18, of Garlow Road, Lewiston
Bridget N. Gromley, 17, of Danbury Lane, Kenmore
Sydney D. Phillips, 20, of Lovers Lane, Batavia
Patricia L. Larkin, 19, of Countryside Lane, Williamsville
Timothy D. Myers, 18, of Oakfield Lane, Williamsville
Stephanie A. Plair, 17, of Westminster Road, West Seneca
Taylor C. Petroff, 17, of Lake Avenue, Orchard Park
Paul W. Kucinski, 17, of Millcreek Drive, East Amherst
Kayla M. Bennion, 17, of Liberty Street, Arcade
Karolyn M. Frangos, 16, of North French Road, Amherst
Benedict C. Ferro, 17, of Emerald Trail, Williamsville
William M. Coyne, 16, of East Avon Road, Avon
Ashley J. Lyskawa, 17, of Pinehurst Court, East Amherst
Rebecca S. Czarniak, 19, of Fairview Drive, Alden
John Zaccarella, 16, of Slusarie Road, North Tonawanda
Daniel J. Harrington, 18, of South Transit Road, Lockport
Dina M. Giancarlo, 18, of Crescent Court, Cheektowaga
Kathryn C. Horvatits, 18, of Katherine Street, Lancaster
Chad M. Mahoney, 19, Sunset Lane, Springville
Andrew J. Baranyi, 19, of Carriagehill Court, Williamsville
Jonathan P. Brannen, 18, of Delemere Road, Williamsville
Ryan J. Winkler, 17, of Deer Ridge, Getzville
Michael A. Nowicki, 18, of Tiburon Lane, East Amherst
Dylan J. Coldiero, 20, of Tucarora Road, Buffalo
JoAnna M. Dunn, 19, of Twilight Lane, Hamburg
Source:The Batavian
Security officer dies of heart attack at Mitchell International Airport www.privateofficer.com
Deputies responded to a 911 call there just before 5 a.m. Friday, said Fran McLaughlin, sheriff’s office spokeswoman.
Deputies deployed an automated external defibrillator and administered CPR until the Milwaukee County Fire Department Rescue arrived to take over resuscitation efforts.
The 60-year-old man was pronounced dead by a Froedtert Hospital doctor at 5:36 a.m., McLaughlin said in a news release.
Detectives are conducting a death investigation and notified the man’s wife of his death.
Ambler man commits suicide after shooting at police officer www.privateofficer.com
Ambler AK June 30 2012 An Ambler man jailed for firing a rifle at a village police officer apparently committed suicide Thursday while in the jail in the Northwest Alaska village, Alaska State Troopers said.
Troopers based in Kotzebue got a report at 3:30 a.m. Thursday that William Greist Jr. had fired a high-powered rifle at the Ambler police officer, troopers said. Greist, 27, was taken to the Ambler jail.
At some point while Greist was at the Ambler jail, someone checked on him and found the man dead, according to a trooper dispatch posted online late Thursday.
Greist had been in the cell for about six hours and appeared to have hung himself, though a medical examiner would make the final determination on the cause of his death, a troopers spokeswoman said.
Greist was facing charges of attempted murder of a police officer, weapons misconduct and several counts of assault, troopers said.
His body will be flown to Anchorage for an autopsy, and troopers continue to investigate the incident, according to the dispatch
Source:www.adn.com
Louisa VA firefighter-EMT killed in crash www.privateofficer.com
21 year-old Charles Wilson was a firefighter and EMT in Louisa County for the last four years.
There aren’t a lot of details on what led up to this crash. Firefighters say Wilson was the department’s “gentle giant” who always wore a smile regardless of the situation.
The former Eagle Scout volunteered for Mineral Volunteer Fire, Louisa Volunteer Rescue and Crozier Volunteer Fire.
Wilson’s visitation will be held at the Mineral Baptist Church Family Life Center on Sunday. The visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
His funeral will be also be at Mineral Baptist on Monday at 2:00 p.m. The Louisa County fire chief says Wilson’s sudden death is a somber reminder of the dangers firefighters and medical personnel face every day.
Source:wwbt
Former Texas A&M police officer charged with burglarizing campus buildings www.privateofficer.com
College Station TX June 30 2012 A former Texas A&M University Police officer has been charged with burglarizing campus buildings.
Surveillance video shows 54-year-old John Calvin Phillips making three separate trips into the English department around 4:45 a.m. in January 2011 through a locked door by using a key, then stealing two cameras, a projector, and three camcorders, according to a police report.
Police said another burglary occurred June 11 in the Liberal Arts Department at the Blocker Building where a digital camera, sewing machine, multi-meter and a theatrical prop gun pistol were stolen.
Phillips worked for the University Police Department from January 1978 until February 2007.
Several of the stolen items were later found at EZ Pawn in Bryan and at the Cash American pawn shop in College Station, authorities said. The pawn shop transactions of the property showed that all items were pawned by Phillips.
Phillips pawned more than 40 items over the past year, authorities said.
Police said that since Phillips was employed by the university for several years, he would have had opportunities to come across building keys that might have been unattended.
He was charged with two counts of burglary of a building, each a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Phillips remained in the Brazos County Jail on Friday in lieu of $10,000 bail.
The College Station Police Department is assisting in the investigation because Phillips is a former UPD officer.
Source:theeagle.com
Former Southport police officer arrested in beating death of his girlfriend www.privateofficer.com
GREENWOOD, Ind. June 30 2012 – A former Southport police officer has been arrested in connection in the beating death of his girlfriend.
Michael V. Richards, 44, was arrested Thursday on preliminary charges of aggravated battery and involuntary manslaughter.
Richard’s live-in girlfriend, Michelle R. Andrews, 44, was found dead in her apartment June 2.
Autopsy results later confirmed that Andrews had died of blunt force trauma and that her death was a homicide, police said.
Richards was taken into custody without incident at Wheeler Mission in Indianapolis, where he was staying. He is being held at the Johnson County Jail on $28,000 bond.
Source:theindychannel.com
Former Missouri police officer convicted of second-degree murder www.privateofficer.com
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports (http://bit.ly/OIutP3 ) Friday’s verdict marked the second time 43-year-old Robert Brooks was convicted of the charge in Jefferson County Circuit Court. The Missouri Supreme Court threw out the earlier conviction, citing improper comments by prosecutors.
Brooks was a Calverton Park police officer when he shot 26-year-old Amanda Cates, a school resource officer at Normandy Middle School, in August 2006.
Brooks claimed he fired in self-defense after struggling with Cates at the home they shared in Crystal City. He testified Friday that Cates had threatened him with a loaded gun after he came home from a night of drinking with another woman.
Oklahoma police officer dies during training www.privateofficer.com
OKLAHOMA CITY OK June 29 2012 - A Jenks police officer died Wednesday morning in an Oklahoma City hospital after falling ill the day before at Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics training, authorities said.
Juan Legarreta, 27, had been with the Jenks Police Department about a year, Police Chief Cameron Arthur said.
The state Medical Examiner’s Office will determine a cause of death, spokeswoman Amy Elliott said.
“Great officer, fabulous officer,” said Arthur, adding that Legarreta was fluent in English and Spanish. “He could shift gears really well, deal with the public. He was kind of a natural, a real people person. It’s just a shocking and devastating loss.”
Applying for a job with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, Legarretta was part of a small group of applicants taking a physical fitness Tuesday, said Mark Woodward, spokesman with the OBNDD.
Legarretta told an instructor he wasn’t feeling well and was taken indoors, never improving after being transported to the hospital, Woodward said.
“It’s just very, very sad,” he said.
Source:www.tulsaworld.com
Former cheerleading coach accused of sexual abuse found guilty www.privateofficer.com
HENRICO, Va. June 29 2012 A former Henrico cheerleading coach accused of sexually abusing five girls over the span of a decade has been found guilty on 11 counts of indecent liberties with a minor.
Maurice “Moe” Jerralds, also a former gymnastic coach at USA Gym from 1999-2010,was charged with 12 counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor, and one charge was dropped yesterday.
Jerralds waived his right to a jury trial, so a judge decided the verdict and will handle the sentencing.
Jerralds has been taken into custody. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 12.
Source: WTVR
In South Carolina, you can get arrested for what? www.privateofficer.com
SOUTH CAROLINA June 29 2012 - Imagine finding yourself behind bars for something you didn’t even know was illegal. It may not require as much imagination as you think.
One man in the Pee Dee found himself behind bars last week for having a few beers and knocking over a few items in his own home, not a crime by most perspectives, by nevertheless, he was facing charges.
The police report says the man was sitting inside his home watching a basketball game when his wife got home. The report claims he got mad at her, and he was visibly drunk, but he never touched her. The man did admit to yelling and moving several objects out of the way.
The man was eventually handcuffed and booked on disorderly house charges, which are still pending.
A disorderly house charge, according to online legal records, applies when the conduct of its inhabitants is such as to become a public nuisance, or the suspect is accused of maintaining a brothel. The police report in this arrest did not indicate either of those conditions would apply.
If that’s not the most outrageous thing you’ve ever heard, wait until you hear about these other laws still on the books in South Carolina.
SECTION 16-15-50: Seduction under promise of marriage.
This law states that any male living in the state of South Carolina that promises to marry an unwed woman must follow through on that promise. Failure to fulfill that promise makes him guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable if convicted with a fine or up to one year in prison.
SECTION 53-1-40: Unlawful to work on Sunday.
This law plainly states that on the first day of the week, you must refrain from work unless your work is for charity or necessity. That law contains a clause for those in Charleston County that consider their Sabbath to be on the seventh day of the week, Saturday.
Horses may not be kept in bathtubs.
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
SECTION 20-7-8915: Playing pinball machines.
It is unlawful for a minor under the age of eighteen to play a pinball machine. Really, that’s what it says.
Myrtle Beach has its own set of laws that some may find questionable.
SECTION 5-13: Persons may not change clothes in a gas station without permission of the owner.
This law says you cannot, without the express permission of the owner or proprietor, use a public restroom to change from your bathing suit into an outfit or vice versa.
Another Myrtle Beach law: It is illegal to urinate in the waters of any park.
This law mentions specifically Chapin Memorial Park, saying it is unlawful to pollute the waters by either willfully of negligently discharging liquid or solids pollutants into the park waters. The punishment for such actions in unspecified.
Myrtle Beach isn’t the only South Carolina city with some questionable city ordinances. Greenville is also on the list.
The drinking age on Furman University campus is 60 years old. The private, liberal arts college was originally a “dry campus,” but recently, condos were built on the property for senior citizens, so drinking was allowed, but only for the senior citizens.
Also joining the list is Lancaster County. It is illegal to dance in public in Lancaster.
This law comes from the peninsula of Charleston, and bears no explanation for its origin: The Fire Department may blow up your house.
And Fountain Inn rounds out the list with this doozy…Horses are to wear pants at all times
Source: WMBF
Baltimore Co. Officer Charged With Manslaughter In Teen’s Death www.privateofficer.com
TOWSON, Md. June 29 2012 A Baltimore County officer makes his first court appearance after he’s indicted on manslaughter charges in the death of 17-year-old Christopher Brown.
In court, Officer James Laboard held his head down as he asked to be released. The judge ordered his release on his own recognizance. There was no bail set or any other conditions because the judge did not believe Laboard was a danger. A number of fellow officers also came to testify on his behalf.
But moments before that, both the police chief and state’s attorney held a press conference about the charges at the Baltimore County Circuit Court.
After increasing pressure from the victim’s family, police made the announcement Wednesday afternoon.
Officer Laboard will face charges in connection with Brown’s death. They include manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter. Both are felonies and can land him in jail for 10 years.
“The job of police officers as we all know is one of the most difficult there is. Every day we as officers have to make split-second decisions, life and death decisions–including the decision whether or not to use force,” said Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson.
Police say exactly two weeks ago, Brown was walking with other young people in his neighborhood in Randallstown. Someone threw a rock at Laboard’s door. He then chased down the group, cornering the teenager in a bush. The teen refused to come out, so police say Laboard pulled him out. And in the altercation that followed, Brown died.
The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide by asphyxiation.
The police chief says evidence from a sweeping investigation reveal Laboard stepped outside the scope of his employment, saying officer’s are not above the law they are empowered to enforce.
“The fact that Laboard was an off-duty police officer had no bearing on the time it took to evaluate the evidence and to move this case forward to the grand jury,” said Scott Shellenberger, Baltimore County state’s attorney.
One of the key questions of this case is whether Laboard was acting in the capacity as a police officer. He was off duty when the incident happened.
Brown’s family say the motive was rage and anger.
“I’ve extended my sorrow, the agency’s sorrow over the death of her son. I’ve assured her a complete and thorough investigation, which has been conducted,” Johnson said.
Laboard’s attorney told us he could not comment, but the law firm sent out a statement, saying they wish the people of Baltimore County would not judge the officer and they look forward to presenting his side of the story.
For the victim’s family there is disappointment and anger that more serious charges weren’t brought against Officer Laboard.
Brown’s mother had a public response to the closed grand jury proceedings. The off-duty police officer behind her son’s death was charged with manslaughter instead of murder.
“This was definitely what I thought they were goina do, to rush something along, to quiet up everybody and to say ‘well, you know what? Let’s give him something,’” she said.
If we separate the fact that he is an officer and we look at purely just the actions, this is murder no matter how you slice it,” said Russell Neverdon, family’s lawyer.
Brown’s family wants to see the evidence presented to the grand jury.
“That’s what I don’t like. This whole setup I don’t like,” said Brown’s mother.
The fact more serious charges weren’t brought has left the family with little trust that justice will be found in Baltimore County.
“You found him. You grabbed him. You assaulted him. And at this point if they’re trying to suggest that this is an involuntary manslaughter, then Christopher justifiably resisted an unlawful arrest, and you killed him,” Neverdon said.
The family wants to see this case moved up to the federal level and plans to petition the U.S. Justice Department.
Source: WJZ
11 Year old girl electrocuted at Florida time share resort www.privateofficer.com
Orange County Fla June 29 2012 An 11-year-old girl who died while playing mini golf at a southwest Orange County time share was electrocuted, the Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner ruled this morning.
The autopsy conducted this morning determined 11-year-old Ashton Jojo, of Latham, N.Y. died of an accidental electrocution died while playing miniature golf.
Ashton Jojo died at Florida Hospital Celebration Health Wednesday afternoon after she was rushed there from the Orange Lake Resort on Irlo Bronson Highway.
The child was vacationing with her family. She celebrated her birthday Friday.
Ashton was playing miniature golf at the resort about 2 p.m. when her golf ball went into a small pond about 2 feet deep. She cried out in distress as she retrieved the ball, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Another resort guest at the resort, Christopher Burges of Alabama, heard Ashton’s screams and tried to rescue her. Burges was also injured and unable to save the girl. Detectives were looking into a number of possible causes, including electrocution.
Ashton was with her mother, father, and at least one brother, who also was checked out at the hospital but apparently was not injured, said Deputy Ginette Rodriguez, a sheriff’s spokeswoman.
A spokeswoman for Orange Lake Resort, Vice President of Corporate Communications Stacey Sutherland, would not comment.
The resort is at 8505 W. U.S. Highway 192, west of the Central Florida Beltway.
Source:tribune.com
Deluth police lieutenant tapped to be new campus police chief www.privateofficer.com
Deluth MN June 29 2012 A likeable leader and lieutenant in the Duluth Police Department is taking his law enforcement skills to the University of Minnesota Duluth to serve as director of police on the 12,000-student campus.
Scott Drewlo, a 17-year Duluth police officer who was working as administrative affairs commander after serving as major crimes bureau commander, was hired over 15 other applicants. He will assume leadership of the 11-officer university department on July 9, holding the title of captain at an annual salary of $105,000.
“While I’m saddened at the prospect of leaving my city of Duluth friends and colleagues, I am excited to face the challenges and opportunities afforded by such a professional police agency,” Drewlo said. “I am also looking forward to maintaining the strong partnerships that I enjoyed at DPD with our community agency partners. It will be an honor to serve the university and surrounding Duluth communities.”
Drewlo, 49, lives in Barnum. He is a native of the Chisago Lakes area and a Marine Corps veteran. He’s held several important positions within the Duluth department. He worked as a field training officer, patrol sergeant, as a member of the tactical response team, where he was a counter-sniper, and as supervisor of the crime scenes investigation unit before assuming his two most recent supervisory posts.
“Scott is a leader,” Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said. “He was a Marine and he lives a lot of Marine values such as putting people first. People who work for Scott really like working for him. He’s a good guy. He has well-rounded experience running our major crimes (division) and as an administrative lieutenant. He’s been our right-hand guy on many of our technological advances and other projects.”
Drewlo replaces Anne Peterson, who retired as director of campus police after a 25-year career last June. Sgt. Sean Huls has been serving as interim director. Huls has been promoted to lieutenant for “his remarkably strong performance in handling the interim director duties,’’ said John King, UMD interim vice chancellor for finance and operations.
Drewlo has a bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University with a double major in sociology and social work. He spent the first four years of his law enforcement career working for the Minnesota Department of Corrections in St. Cloud and Moose Lake.
The new law enforcement leader was asked to describe his management style. “I guess I would say cooperative,” he said. “I like team building. I like trying to get different officers and crews and partners in the community to kind of pitch in and see what their part of the team is. I like to foster working partnerships with the community. My plan would be to engage the community around the campus in keeping with Chancellor (Lendley) Black’s strategic plan to engage the community and have responsible students.”
Judith Karon, director of UMD’s Department of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity, said Drewlo’s hiring is a “perfect fit between his talents and insights and our campus needs.”
Drewlo is an instructor at the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College law enforcement program. He serves on the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association Board of Directors.
“His teaching experience at Fond du Lac College gives him a recognition and understanding of critical campus issues related to student health and safety,” Karon said. “Scott was able to articulate the importance of providing a welcoming environment on our campus and supporting our campus diversity initiatives.”
Source:Deluth News Tribune
Woman arrested for speed trap sign www.privateofficer.com
HOUSTON TX June 29 2012 - A college student said a police officer was unfairly stopping cars on a roadway for speeding.
She took matters into her own hands and made a sign to warn drivers of a speed trap. Instead of saving people from tickets, she was sent to jail.
When riding her bike home from the grocery store last week, Natalie Plummer was arrested, she said, for holding up a sign and trying to warn drivers about what she saw as a speed trap.
“I went to jail and I had to get bailed out,” Plummer said.
She shot video of police pulling cars over.
Plummer said she was on the sidewalk the entire time, although the Houston Police Department said she was in the street.
She tells us the officer sped over to her, not expecting what happened next.
“Jumped out of the car and started pulling on my back pack and started pulling me around and said ‘give me that, give me that.’ And I was like what are you doing?” Plummer said.
She said the officer told her she was obstructing justice and that she could serve up to five years in prison for doing so.
He then took her to jail.
She said her bike and phones fell out of the trunk of his vehicle on the way, damaging both.
But she wasn’t booked on obstruction, rather for walking in the roadway where sidewalks are provided, something a legal analyst, Joel Androphy, said is fancy police work.
“If she was in the middle of the street, then they can’t get her for putting the sign up. They can’t get her for warning anybody, but they could get her for obstructing traffic,” Androphy said.
An HPD spokesperson insists it’s a good arrest, claiming “it is an arrestable offense. It was the officer’s decision to arrest her.”
Plummer is meeting with an attorney.
She said this whole thing is really about police trying to keep her from letting people know officers were giving out tickets ahead.
“I feel like a lot of times our First Amendment rights get violated,” Plummer said.
Source:KTRK/CNN
Man eats dog while on synthetic drugs www.privateofficer.com
WACO, TX June 29 2012 (CNN) – Police arrested a man charged with eating his family’s dog while the canine was still alive.
Michael Daniel, 22 of Waco, TX, was arrested after family members called police to their home on June 14. They claimed Daniel assaulted people at home, chased a neighbor and started barking and growling.
Witnesses said Daniel then grabbed his family’s dog, beat and strangled it, and started to eat it.
The dog died at home.
Daniel is believed to have ingested “K-2,” a synthetic drug, before the attack.
He was taken to the hospital and now faces a felony charge for animal cruelty.
Albany Co. Sheriff stops attack on security guard www.privateofficer.com
ALBANY NY June 29 2012 – The Albany County Sheriff’s Office arrested 29-year-old Jason Neiles of Watervliet on Wednesday for an assault on a parking lot security guard.
The Sheriff’s Office said that Neiles, who appeared intoxicated, was walking on Pine Street near the Albany County Court of Appeals. Neiles then reportedly yelled obscenities at a passing motorcyclist and began to assault a 65-year-old parking lot attendant. Sheriff Craig Apple was nearby and quickly intervened to take Neiles into custody.
Neiles was charged with 2nd Degree Assault, a Class D Felony, and Resisting Arrest.
The victim was transported to Albany Memorial Hospital to be treated for multiple abrasions and contusions to his face and head.Albany Co. Sheriff stops attack on security guard.
Craigslist scammer caught trying to rent out South Portland Housing Authority units www.privateofficer.com
SOUTH PORTLAND ME June 29 2012– A homeless woman from Portland is in jail, accused of trying to rent apartments belonging to the South Portland Housing Authority by listing them on Craigslist and collecting deposits from prospective tenants.
According to Lt. Frank Clark of the South Portland Police Department, Lisa Hinerman, 26, was arrested at about 9:45 a.m. Thursday following a sting operation at a hotel on Riverside Street in Portland. Hinerman had agreed to meet a person whom she had scammed the previous day, but instead found police laying in wait.
South Portland Police received two complaints Wednesday from people who said they gave Hinerman cash deposits for an apartment in a multi-unit building on Grandview Avenue, but later, “believed that they had been duped.” Hinerman had passed herself off as the person responsible for renting the units, which actually are owned by the South Portland Housing Authority.
“The ad in this case has since been removed,” wrote Clark in a press release. “This is a good reminder of the potential illegitimate uses and pitfalls of sites such as Craigslist. As beneficial as these sites can be, unfortunately there are always some people who will use any means to pray on others.”
The two victims game Hinerman a combined $1,800.
“It is also believed that other potential victims may have visited the property,” said Clark, asking that anyone with information on additional losses contact the South Portland Police Department at 799-5511 ext. 7254.
Hinerman, who has a “lengthy criminal history,” has been charged with two felony counts of theft by deception. She also had an outstanding warrant for her arrest due to probation revocation related to other, prior theft charges.
The case will be referred to the District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution. “Additional charges are likely,” said Clark.
Source:keepmecurrent.com
