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Line of Duty Death Trooper Aaron Beesley
Trooper Aaron Beesley
Utah Highway Patrol, Utah
End of Watch: Saturday, June 30, 2012
Bio & Incident Details
Age: 34
Tour: 13 years
Badge # Not available
Cause: Fall
Incident Date: 6/30/2012
Weapon: Not available
Suspect: Not available
Trooper Aaron Beesley died after falling from a cliff while performing a search and rescue mission in Salt Lake County.
Trooper Beesley, a tactical flight officer for the agency, had been assisting in the search for two missing teenage hikers along the Mount Olympus Trail. The helicopter located the two and Trooper Beesley was placed on the ground to assist them. As the the two were airlifted to safety Trooper Beesley was left at the scene.
When the helicopter returned to retrieve Trooper Beesley he could not be located. He was located at the bottom of a 90-foot cliff a short time later. Ground based rescue crews reached his location approximately 45 minutes later. It is believed he was attempting to retrieve a backpack when he fell from the trail.
Trooper Beesley had served with the Utah Highway Patrol for 13 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements:
Colonel Daniel Fuhr
Utah Highway Patrol
4501 South 2700 West
PO Box 141775
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Phone: (801) 887-3800
Man Arrested for Impersonating City Cop and Robbery www.privateofficer.com
Baltimore MD July 1 2012 Baltimore City Police said they’ve arrested and charged a man with impersonating a police officer and robbery after they said he robbed a man earlier this week.
It happened in the 1700-block of Bank Street.
Police said June 26, they got a call for a report of a robbery. When they got there, they found a 26-year-old man who said he was walking down the street when he was approached by a man in a dark colored SUV who told him he was an officer and to put his hands up.
The victim told police he was robbed of his cash and cell phone.
Later that day, police found the SUV and arrested Joshua Brake, 27. Police said in the SUV, they found a fake badge and bullet proof vest.
“He also had an application on his phone that allowed him to ride around and listen to a live feed of police communications,” said Detective Jeremy Silbert, Baltimore City Police Department spokesman.
Police don’t think there are any other victims.
Source:wbal.com
Maxwell Air Force Base police patrol river to keep base safe www.privateofficer.com
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala.July 1 2012 – The Alabama River meanders along the western boundary of Maxwell Air Force Base and is as much a part of the base’s history as the base’s rich architecture and educational heritage.
Beyond the miles that stretch the base’s borders, the river varies in width from 50 to 200 yards (46 to 180 m) and in depth from 3 to 40 feet (1 to 12 m). The river’s total length as measured by the United States Geological Survey is 318.5 miles (512.6 km) and by steamboat measurement, 420 miles (680 km).
Most who live, work or study on base rarely consider the base’s river border, but for some security forces members, the river is a boundary to be secured in an unconventional manner. Members of the 42nd Security Forces Squadron patrol the river coastline of Maxwell looking for people who might need assistance, for possible squatters or for others who may have more devious thoughts.
“No one gains unauthorized access to Maxwell using this [river] thoroughfare, we will not allow it,” said Staff Sgt. David Jones, 42nd Security Forces Squadron. “The individuals manning the boats are trained and can handle situations on the water appropriately and are as effective on water as they are on land.”
Security forces members monitor and patrol the coast along the river using two boats, enabling the capability of covering a large area in a short amount of time. It also allows them to react quickly to events or incidents if and when they occur, he said.
Jones noted that patrolling the river is an important part of base security. To perform most effectively, security forces members who patrol the river train extensively with local marine police before they are allowed to patrol.
“Having these capabilities is vital,” he said. “It is one thing for a person to attempt to gain access to Maxwell through the various gates, where there are entry control points, cameras and SFS personnel. It is another thing to attempt to gain unauthorized access using the river.”
Technical Sgt. Andrae Drisdom, police services non-commissioned officer in charge, 42nd SFS, said it is not uncommon to find a water-faring person fishing near the base, or attempting to tie their craft to Maxwell’s dock, located on River Road.
“It is apparent that not all people have bad intentions,” said Drisdom. “However, it is important to remain vigilant because you always have to be ready for the one time a person might be doing something they shouldn’t.
Drisdom said the safety and security of the entire base is everyone’s responsibility and it is important for individuals who observe suspicious activities on the river front to contact the 42nd SFS at 953-7222.
Source:Air Force PublicRelations
Eight federal air marshals for drinking on the job www.privateofficer.com
LOS ANGELES CA July 1 2012 - The Transportation Security Administration is firing eight federal air marshals for drinking on the job, and suspending six more for failing to report the incident.
The 14 marshals, who work out of the New York field office, were notified Friday and asked to turn in their weapons and credentials, TSA officials said. One probationary employee was terminated immediately. The rest can appeal.
Federal air marshals are armed, non-uniformed officers who fly on commercial flights to protect travelers. They also fan out among other law enforcement organizations during times of heightened security or special national events.
The drinking occurred at a restaurant in February and was reported to a website where employees can alert the organization of unethical and inappropriate behavior.
None of the marshals was scheduled to fly that day, but alcohol is forbidden when employees are on the clock.
Source:www.timesunion.com
Armed men rob fireworks stands-security officers www.privateofficer.com
Again the thieves didn’t care about cash, they just wanted fireworks.
Police in Goddard say they believe Thursday night’s robbery is connected to the robbery at another fireworks tent in Derby on Wednesday night.
The tent in Goddard was watched by an overnight security guard who tried to chase down the suspects.
“They have a good chance if they come in they might get shot,” says Jerry Farha, whose fireworks stands all have an overnight armed guard keeping watch.
“We had already been warned that Derby had been hit the night before so we were on alert,” says Farha.
Overnight a black Cadillac Escalade pulled up to the stand at Kellogg and Colwich Road just before midnight.
Police say the security guard approached the car and told the driver the tent was closed.
“One of em jumped out of the car and put a gun in his belly and says we’re here to get fireworks,” recalls Farha.
One man held the guard at gunpoint while another started loading fireworks into the truck.
Like Wednesday’s robbery – they left the cash behind.
“They took an item right here called King of the Block that retails for $399.”
Plus another $500.00 worth.
“They came in through the far side over there and came directly over here to the big stuff so that tells us that they had probably been in here earlier and cased it, knew where the stuff was at,” says Farha.
When the robbers took off – the security guard fought back.
“Upon exiting the parking lot the attendant fire three shots from a handgun that he had, we don’t know whether he hit the truck.”
In both robberies it’s the use of weapons that has the attention of police.
“Our concern is that the robberies will escalate and that someone’s really gonna get hurt,” says Goddard police chief Sam Houston.
Police say in last night’s robbery one of the suspects wore what looked like clown paint on his face.
They warn all fireworks stands to be on the lookout and say there’s a fine line to walk, meaning no property is worth someone’s life, however in the state of Kansas you have the right to defend yourself.
Source:KSN.com
Shreveport Police officer charged in thefts www.privateofficer.com
SHREVEPORT, LA July 1 2012 - Shreveport Police officials have charged a Shreveport officer in connection with a criminal complaint received by the department.
Shreveport Police Department Sgt. Bill Goodin says investigators received information in mid-March that a police officer was possibly involved in the theft of some prescription medication. The offense allegedly occurred while the officer was working an off-duty job at Broadmoor Middle Laboratory School. Detective supervisors were immediately notified and commenced an investigation into the allegations.
Based on evidence gathered during the course of their inquiry, investigators obtained arrest warrants Friday afternoon charging 44-year-old Kevin Perry with misdemeanor theft and abuse of office in office. Perry surrendered himself to authorities at the Caddo Correctional Center and was booked in on those charges.
Perry joined the Shreveport Police Department in November of 1990. He has been on paid administrative leave since March 22nd and will remain as such for seven days following his arrest, as required by the rules and regulations of the Shreveport Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board.
Source:KSLA
Man suspected of shooting nightclub security guard in Pico Rivera www.privateofficer.com
Los Angeles County CA July 1 2012 Sheriff’s and Los Angeles police officials jailed a North Hollywood man Thursday on suspicion of shooting a security guard at a Pico Rivera night club with a shotgun.
Jack Lopez, 20, ultimately surrendered to officials without incident Thursday morning, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Robert Smith said.
He was booked on suspicion of attempted murder.
The shooting took place about 4 a.m. at the El Rodeo Night Club on Washington Boulevard, just west of Rosemead Boulevard, Smith said.
Lopez had been kicked out of the night club several hours before and returned with a shotgun, Smith said.
He opened fire on a security guard, who was struck in the hand and hip with shotgun pellets, the lieutenant said.
With the help of Los Angeles police, officials tracked the suspect to his home in the 7700 block of Beck Avenue in North Hollywood Thursday morning, Smith said.
Authorities surrounded the home before Lopez surrendered peacefully, he said.
According to county booking records, Lopez was being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending a scheduled arraignment in Whittier Superior Court.
Source:Whittier Daily News
Virginia man given 60 years in prison for child porn www.privateofficer.com
Abimael Cardenales, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen. Cardenales pleaded guilty to the charges on Feb. 29.
According to court documents, the Virginia Beach Police Department began an investigation of Cardenales in October after being contacted by Child Protective Services.
Investigators say that Cardenales produced child pornography involving two special-needs minors, ages 13 and 15. Cardenales had also been sexually abusing the minors over a period of years.
This case was investigated by Virginia Beach police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth M. Yusi prosecuted the case.
Vestavia Hills police arrest gang wanted in mass credit card-check fraud www.privateofficer.com
VESTAVIA HILLS, Alabama July 1 2012 – Vestavia Hills police have arrested four people thought to be members of a notorious countrywide network of white collar criminals known as the Felony Lane Gang.
Three Florida men and a woman were taken into custody this week after they tried to pass a forged check at Regions Bank in Vestavia Hills. A subsequent search warrant of their motel room in Birmingham turned up dozens of forms of stolen identifications and more than 70 debit and credit cards.
The known victims, police say, are from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, North Carolina and Tennessee.
“These folks are well-traveled,” Gilham said.
The Felony Lane Gang has been in operation throughout the United States dating back until about 2004.
The bands of roaming thieves — which are believed to number in the hundreds nationwide — break into cars and steal checks and photo IDs to use in passing bad checks at banks for cash, authorities said.
The typical method of operation is to work in small groups — anywhere from four to nine people. Usually, the men break into cars, often targeting daycare centers, swimming pools, gyms and apartment complexes — places where victims are likely to leave their purses and other valuable items in the car.
Often they recruit women who look like the people on the stolen photo identifications, or disguise themselves to try to match the identification.
The gang got their name, according to published reports, from using forged checks from the thefts at bank drive-thru lanes, usually the farthest lane away to keep from being noticed.
That’s exactly how it happened Tuesday in Vestavia Hills. A look-out bulletin had been issued through inter-office mail in regard to the suspects. The teller recognized them from their pictures, and alerted police.
Vestavia Hills police arrested as suspected members of the Felony Lane gang: Amy Luongo, 31, of Pembrook Pines, Fla.; Azell Canty, 28, of Opa Locka, Fla.; Temorris Campbell, 29, of Miami; and Joel Jones, 25, of Miami. (Special/Vestavia Hills Police Department)
Vestavia detectives, working with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Hoover and Mountain Brook police, and U.S. Postal Inspectors, then got a search warrant for their motel room in the 5200 block of Messer-Airport Highway. Inside they found 27 forms of identification, 74 debit, credit or gift cards, 10 checkbooks, cash, drugs and a large amount of other stolen property.
Gilham said group hed checked into the motel room on Sunday. He said they typically steal the items from one city, and then go to another to try to sell the stolen property or pass the forged checks.
Hoover police Capt. Jim Coker said they do have some cases believed to involve the Felony Lane Gang, and are in the process of sorting out people and places.
“We’re building cases and notifying victims,” Gilham said. “There’s a domino effect in how many jurisdictions are involved.”
Those charged in Tuesday’s incident are Amy Luongo, 31, of Pembrook Pines, Fla.; Joel Jones, 25, of Miami; Temorris Campbell, 29, of Miami; and Azell Canty, 28, of Opa Locka, Fla.
Luongo is charged with unlawful possession of a forged instrument and fraudulent use of a credit card. She is being held in the Jefferson County Jail with bond set at $345,000.
Jones, Campbell and Canty are charged with unlawful possession of a forged instrument. They are also in the county jail with bond set at $300,000.
Gilham said the investigation is ongoing, and more charges are expected.
Source:AL.com
Federal prison employee charged with sex crimes against children www.privateofficer.com
Greene County prosecutors charged 56-year old Antonio D Alburquerque June 15, 2012 with 19 felonies for sex crimes with two boys dating back to 1991.
U.S. Marshals arrested Alburquerque four days later. Judge Fitzsimmons set his bond at $50,000, which he quickly posted.
UPDATE: U.S. Marshals say Homeland Security officers arrested Antonio Alburquerque at an Atlanta airport just after 6:00 p.m. Eastern. Marshals say Alburquerque’s family members talked him into surrendering, after he was in several countries including Chile, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Panama.
Alburquerque failed to show up at a bond hearing June 22, 2012 and the new warrant was issued.
Alburquerque worked for the Federal Center for Medical Prisoners in Springfield as a physician assistant since 1992.
Shoplifters keep Summit Mall security, Fairlawn police busy this week www.privateofficer.com
Fairlawn OH July 1 2012 Nearly every known shoplifter at the Summit Mall was caught on Monday.
Macy’s, Dillard’s and Hollister Co. reported $1,934.35 total in stolen merchandise.
Four of the six alleged shoplifters were arrested by the Fairlawn Police Department.
An alarm alerted a Hollister Co. employee around 12:35 p.m., according to a police report. The employee observed two black males fleeing the store with large plastic bags stuffed with clothes.
The report states that when the employee attempted to follow them, another woman distracted her by holding up a bag and saying that she had accidentally tripped the alarm. The employee ignored the woman, who later left the scene, and followed one of the men into P.F. Chang’s. The man entered Dillard’s and disappeared into the parking lot.
The report states that the men escaped with 20 polo shirts valued at $1,135.
One man was described as 25 to 30 years old, about 6-foot tall with short, curly hair and wearing a gray T-shirt with a Fed Ex logo and khaki shorts.
About five minutes earlier on the other side of the mall, two police officers apprehended Cameron Johnson, 44, of Akron. The police report states that the officers found seven articles of clothing worth $392.85. A Macy’s employee told police that Johnson had carried the items out of the store, through the mall concourse and out the north entrance.
The merchandise was returned to Macy’s, and Johnson was charged with theft and released on a court summons.
Two hours later, a Dillard’s security camera caught Shaquille Anderson, 18, entering a fitting room with clothes and a black cloth bag, a police report states. Upon exiting the fitting room, Anderson had “less clothes than he came in with.”
Anderson was last seen at the Firestone store, Dillard’s personnel told police, who apprehended Anderson at a nearby bus stop. The report states that Anderson was wearing a $58 pair of jeans under the jeans he had on. They also found a $24.50 shirt in the black cloth bag.
Anderson, who lives in Akron, was charged with theft and released on a summons.
About three hours passed before police received the last call from the Summit Mall that day. At 6:30 p.m., a Macy’s loss prevention employee told police that she had two women in custody.
When the police arrived, the employee told them that Tonimisa Cooley, 27, and Shatela Johnson, 26, both from Akron, had entered the store’s fitting rooms with more clothing than they left with, according to a police report.
Johnson was charged with the theft of $206 in merchandise. Cooley was also charged with the theft of $118 worth of clothing. Both were arrested and released pending a court summons.
Source:Ohio.com
Wake Village, Texas police officer dies of self inflicted gunshot www.privateofficer.com
Wake Village TX July 1 2012 An on-duty police officer was found dead in a nearby park Friday afternoon in Wake Village, Texas.
The body was found behind the ball fields at King Park. Texarkana Police, Wake Village Police and Texas Rangers are investigating this incident as a suicide.
Police investigator Chad Tye was found dead in his squad car Friday afternoon with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Police are still investigating.
TN man given prison sentence in death of security officer www.privateofficer.com
Madison County TN July 1 2012 A Murfreesboro man who was convicted of killing a convenience store security guard was sentenced Friday in Madison County Circuit Court.
Roger McPherson, 21, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter after a three-day trial in May.
On Friday morning, he appeared in court to be sentenced for his conviction in the 2010 slaying of Michael Bell of Jackson, who was a security guard at the Lane Express Mart at 369 Lane Ave.
Judge David Hayes sentenced McPherson to five years in prison. He must serve 30 percent of his sentence before he will be eligible for parole. McPherson already served 18 months in prison while the trial was under way, and Hayes said credit for time served can apply to his sentence. Voluntary manslaughter is a class C felony. McPherson was facing a sentencing range of three to six years.
According to police, shortly after 8 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2010, McPherson, who was a student at Lane College, approached Bell on the parking lot of Lane Express Mart.
After a confrontation, police said McPherson shot at Bell four times, striking him twice. Bell was pronounced dead at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital shortly before 10 p.m.
McPherson was arrested on Nov. 5, 2010.
According to the pre-sentencing report, which was read aloud in court Friday morning, Bell previously had robbed McPherson, which motivated the college student to get a handgun. The state argued that since McPherson has a prior history of criminal behavior, that he lied to police and got rid of the gun after the shooting and illegally purchased and carried a firearm, he should be given the maximum sentence of six years. The state also pointed out that when McPherson shot Bell in the back, other people were in the convenience store and could have been injured.
McPherson’s attorney, Daniel Taylor, said his client was never convicted of any major crimes, he was 19 at the time of the shooting and he was never charged with filing a false police report or illegal possession and carrying of a firearm. Taylor said his client only fired the gun in self defense and didn’t hurt anyone else.
“He has most of his life ahead of him,” Taylor told the judge. “He’s had no prior major problems. He’s been in jail 18 months thinking about this. We believe he has a good chance at rehabilitation. He has been punished; he’s served 18 months.”
Some of McPherson’s friends and family were in court Friday morning to testify to the student’s character if needed. Also, several people wrote letters of character on behalf of McPherson, including Lane College President Wesley McClure, Taylor said.
After being sentenced, McPherson was taken into custody. He will be transferred to the Tennessee Department of Corrections.
Source:JacksonSun.com
New Eagle man accused of impersonating constable www.privateofficer.com
Harold R. Brown of 402 Sycamore Street, New Eagle, was arraigned Friday on charges of impersonating a public servant and unlawful restraint.
Brown is accused of pulling over an Allegheny County man driving on Route 51 near the intersection with Route 201 in Rostraver about 4:30 p.m. Monday.
Officer Richard Taylor drove by scene. He turned around, but when he got back to the site, Brown and the victim were already gone, according to police reports.
Taylor reported in an affidavit of probable cause filed before West Newton District Judge Charles Christner that officers later caught up to Brown, who told police he is a state constable and that the man he pulled over was driving erratically.
Taylor said Brown told police that the man was traveling 85 mph and almost struck him.
“I was just giving him a warning, I wasn’t going to give him a ticket,” Brown said, according to Taylor.
The victim came forward to police after media reports about the incident, police said.
Taylor said the victim told police he was “very nervous and scared” when he saw Brown was not in a police uniform.
Police discovered that Brown, who is not a constable, had a red strobe light attached to his windshield and a constable sign on the dashboard of his black SUV.
Brown was jailed after failing to post $10,000 bond set by Christner. A hearing is scheduled July 16
Woman jumps 35 floors to death at Las Vegas hotel sought for fraud www.privateofficer.com
LAS VEGAS NV July 1 2012— A woman wanted on fraud and theft charges jumped 35 floors to her death at a Las Vegas hotel just as two criminal investigators entered her room to arrest her, according to law enforcement documents.
A search warrant released Friday shows investigators from the Secretary of State Office’s Securities Division forced their way into Elizabeth DeMaria’s room at the MGM Grand on Tuesday and saw her throw a laptop computer off the balcony before jumping herself.
DeMaria, 46, was charged in 2010 with 11 counts of fraud and 11 counts of theft. She was accused of conning nine victims out of $200,000 by telling them they were investing in a media company called The Vegas Channel. Authorities say she allegedly bought luxury items for herself instead.
After tracking her to the resort, the investigators knocked and announced their intent to serve a bench warrant for her failure to show at a court-mandated May 10 status check when she was out of jail on bail. A female voice could be heard in the room, but requests to open the door were ignored.
After she jumped, police were called to the scene, and a white stone ring and a brooch were found in the room.
The remains of the computer were recovered, and will be examined for evidence of fraudulent materials and activity.
Documents found on the bed referred to Secretary of State Ross Miller and Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported (http://bit.ly/MxG7LH ). Also found was a U.S. passport under the name Lisa Victoria, the name she used to check into the MGM Grand.
“The passport could be used for international travel, thereby implicating consciousness of guilt,” investigators said in their search warrant. “The passport is evidence of a violation of federal law and contraband.”
Investigators said DeMaria had been renting the room since the day she failed to appear in court. While staying at the MGM Grand, she posted “disparaging blogs about witnesses related to her criminal prosecution,” according to the warrant.
While DeMaria insisted investor funds were only used to develop the media company, authorities say her bank records show the money was deposited into an account under the name Luxury Lifestyles Las Vegas. She withdrew about $125,000 in cash from the account, according to records.
Source:AP
Misdialed phone number sends 4 NC people to jail for drugs www.privateofficer.com
SALISBURY NC July 1 2012 — One digit sent four people to jail Monday morning.That, and repeated phone calls to a Rowan County deputy’s cell phone.
Ten minutes later, he realized he wasn’t going to get any sleep.
The phone rang a fifth time, and despite the deputy’s earlier warning, the caller said she couldn’t meet at the parking lot because “police were everywhere,” the report said.
She asked if they could meet in a business parking lot on U.S. 801.
Naves said when he spoke to them, he immediately recognized the driver’s voice from the messages left on his phone that morning.
The pair told officers they were waiting to meet two people in a white, four-door sedan.
Naves met that caller and another person near Bear Poplar at U.S. 801. They were waiting in a white 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass.
As Naves dealt with Walker — who officers said was banging loudly against the glass in the patrol car — Pamela Henderson, who was driving the Cutlass, grabbed the plastic bag.
Deputies brought in a K-9 unit to help search the roadside and vehicle. They found a small plastic bag containing three crack cocaine rocks.
Davis and Cloer were each charged with felony possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Source:Salisbury Post
Power company security guard charged in credit card theft www.privateofficer.com
Michael Perry, 46, of Clinton, used the company credit card to put gas in his own personal vehicle, charging thousands of dollars to the Clark Energy Center since 2008, according to the state Inspector General’s Office. The CEC has a fleet of Power Authority vehicles available for the security staff while on duty, and each vehicle has its own fuel credit card to be use solely for that vehicle.
But authorities said Perry took the fuel card out of one of the vehicles and filled up his personal vehicle’s tank at a nearby gas station on numerous occasions. Authorities said Perry also entered false information during the transaction in order to cover up what he was doing.
“Rigorous investigation and prosecution of cases such as this are necessary to not only punish wrongdoing, but also to preserve the faith of the public that taxpayer dollars are being safeguarded through deterrence of future thefts,” said District Attorney Scott D. McNamara in a release.
Authorities said Perry is charged with felony first-degree falsifying business records and misdemeanor petty larceny. He is scheduled for arraignment in Utica City Court on July 24, and faces four years in state prison if he is convicted.
State officials said Perry worked as a security sergeant for the Power Authority since November 2007, and has an annual salary of $60,410. Perry was responsible for supervising and overseeing the night shift security at CEC. He has since been suspended without pay, and the Power Authority has started disciplinary proceedings against him.
Source:RomeSentinel.com
