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Philadelphia police officer who just finished shift is shot and killed; robbery eyed as motive www.privateofficer.com
PHILADELPHIA PA Aug 18 2012— A police officer was shot to death blocks from his precinct house just after he finished his shift early Saturday in what authorities suspect was a street robbery. Police announced rewards totaling $30,000 to help them make an arrest.
Officer Moses Walker Jr., 40, was shot several times around 6 a.m. about four blocks from his station in north Philadelphia, police said. He wasn’t wearing a uniform. The 19-year-veteran, who was unmarried and had no children, was pronounced dead at a hospital in a city where on average nearly one person has been slain every day this year.
Commissioner Charles Ramsey said Walker’s death is a blow for a department still mourning the loss of Highway Patrol motorcycle officer Brian Lorenzo, who was killed last month in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 95.
“This department has been through an awful lot,” he said. “In just the 4½ years that I’ve been here, this would be the seventh officer we’ve lost, which is more than some departments get in 20 years.”
Lt. Raymond Evers said Walker’s service weapon was found under his body, but police don’t know whether it was fired. Investigators were also trying to determine if anything was taken from the officer’s backpack. While detectives hadn’t ruled anything out, “we’re more leaning toward a street robbery” as the reason for the slaying, Evers said.
Police were asking for information from anyone who may have seen someone running from the scene and were seeking any footage from security cameras facing the street in the area.
The city is offering a $20,000 reward and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 is offering a $10,000 reward, police said. Mayor Michael Nutter ordered all city flags flown at half-staff in the officer’s honor.
From 2006 to 2009, eight officers died in the line of duty from either gunfire or vehicular assault. Two of the four officers killed in 2008 died when stolen vehicles rammed their cruisers.
The general homicide rate in Philadelphia has risen sharply in recent years. After falling to just over 300 a year in 2009 and 2010, the City of Brotherly Love recorded a total of 324 homicides last year and is reporting just under one homicide every day so far this year.
In the hours before the officer was shot, three men were killed by gunfire and a number of other people wounded, some critically, in other shootings and stabbings around the city.
Evers said the officer slayings in recent years occurred during myriad circumstances: several vehicle crashes, a foot chase and car chase, and a number of shootings, some occurring when officers responded to or walked in on crimes.
The overwhelming factor, however, was “too many guns out there,” particularly illegal ones, he said.
“When we catch this guy, I guarantee you he’s not going to be an upstanding citizen with a license to carry,” Evers said. “He’s going to be a bad guy with a long record with an illegal gun.”
Nutter cited the three other overnight deaths in calling on residents to help crack down on the city’s firearms carnage.
“We will not make headway in dramatically reducing the scourge of gun violence and the proliferation of illegal guns until we as a community stand together and offer all information that we have on the perpetrators of violence in our city,” he said in a statement.
Police in multiple states search Carmike Cinemas after bomb threats www.privateofficer.com
COLUMBUS, Ga.Aug 19 2012 – Carmike Cinemas says a caller phoned in a bomb threat to its corporate headquarters in Georgia, prompting police to search its movie theaters in multiple states for possible explosives.
Carmike spokesman Terrell Mayton said company officials alerted the FBI after discovering the threat in a voicemail message Friday morning. He says the call was placed afterhours Thursday by someone claiming to work for a contractor that provides janitorial services to Carmike.
Mayton said the call threatened specific theaters, but he could not say how many or in what states. News outlets reported police searches in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and North Carolina.
No bombs were found. Mayton says most theaters were cleared before their first show times Friday.
The FBI in Atlanta did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Harris County deputy constable in shootout during traffic stop www.privateofficer.com
Harris County TX Aug 19 2012 A Harris County deputy constable opened fire in a shootout with a man during a traffic stop in northwest Houston Friday morning.
The gunfire erupted about 8:50 a.m. in the 4600 block of Laureldale, according to the Houston Police Department.
No injuries were reported.
The shots were fired after a deputy constable with the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office stopped a red pick up for a traffic violation, said Jodi Silva, a spokesman for the Houston Police Department.
Silva said the driver got out of the pickup, walked back to the squad car and opened fire at the deputy constable. Fearing for his safety, the deputy constable returned fire. Bullets hit the squad car. The truck also had bullet holes in it, but police said it was unclear if they came from the shootout.
The suspect got back into his truck and drove away after the shooting. The deputy constable chased him. The man and a woman who was a passenger in the truck abandoned the pickup after a brief pursuit.
The man, whose name has not been released, was taken into custody a short time later near the 2800 block of Teague.
Silva said police are looking for the woman, who is considered a witness in the case.
Interstate manhunt for coach accused of child molestation www.privateofficer.com
ROSWELL, Ga. Aug 19 2012- An interstate manhunt is underway for a boys’ wrestling coach suspected of molesting at least one member of his team last month in Roswell.
Police say that as of now, the coach could be anywhere.
The coach is John Hackney, 51, from Titusville, Florida, near Cape Canaveral.
He is accused of two counts of cruelty/molestation of a minor.
According to police, Hackney and his wrestling team were at a sports camp in Boone, North Carolina last month and, while returning to Florida, stopped at a hotel in Roswell, GA.
That’s where police say he committed two acts of child molestation.
After returning home to Florida, Hackney vanished.
Those who know Hackney say he’s a good man and a good coach.
Stephanie Kolp, a reporter with WESH-TV in Orlando, spoke with Rachel Bearden Friday night, who told Kolp that Hackney was one of her high school teachers in Titusville 20 years ago, and her son is one of Hackney’s wrestlers now.
“My son has been with him on trips for four years, and my son has gone with him for just shopping and drove around with him, and by himself. And he never had any issues with him.”
Bearden said her son was not with Hackney and the others on the most recent trip to the wrestling camp in North Carolina.
One of Hackney’s neighbors told Kolp that he hasn’t seen Hackney in a month.
“When he got back [from North Carolina] I guess he was accused of this, and went somewhere up north, that’s all I can tell you,” said the neighbor.
Friday night, no one was at Hackney’s home. Large buses he’s used to transport his teen wrestlers to and from wrestling camps across the country were parked in the yard.
Hackney himself spoke with the Gannett newspaper in Brevard County, Florida Today, four years ago.
“Basically, when I take a job, I put everything I can into it. I put my heart into it,” he said.
Anyone with any information can call Roswell Police; the tipline is 770-641-3959. Or they can call the Florida CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
Man escapes courtroom leads police on pursuit www.privateofficer.com
After fleeing the courtroom on foot, 25-year-old Brandon Lane got in his vehicle leading deputies on a high speed chase. The chase ended when Lane drove the vehicle into a wooded area off of Hwy 27/27 west and fled on foot.
On Friday, Lane was arrested and faces multiple charges, including flee to elude, reckless driving, fail to heed blue light and siren, driving left of center, resisting arrest, driving while license revoked, three counts of identity theft, and three counts of financial card theft.
Lane was given a $7,500 bond, with a first court appearance scheduled for Sept 9.
Source: WTVD
Lawrence County Alabama chief deputy indicted on fraud charges www.privateofficer.com
LAWRENCE COUNTY, AL Aug 19 2012 - A Lawrence County deputy was indicted Thursday on multiple counts of fraud after a grand jury heard evidence this week from state investigators on their findings.
In an e-mail sent late Friday night, Sheriff Gene Mitchell said Chief Deputy Harold Knighten was indicted on two counts of fraud due to illegal use of the Law Enforcement Tactical System, a felony in Alabama. He was also indicted on two counts of fraud from the illegal use of the National Crime Information Center System.
Knighten turned himself in Friday night and was booked in the Lawrence County Jail; he was later released on a $10,000 bond.
This investigation came after Sheriff Mitchell asked state investigators in July to look into his conduct after receiving several complaints
Source:WAFF
Former Texas teacher found guilty in sex crimes against students www.privateofficer.com
FORT WORTH, Texas Aug 19 2012– A former Texas high school teacher has been convicted after having sex with five 18-year-old students at her home.
A jury took less than an hour Friday to find Brittni Nicole Colleps guilty. She was charged with five counts of having an inappropriate relationship between a student and teacher. The second-degree felony is punishable by between two and 20 years in prison per count.
Authorities say the 28-year-old former Kennedale High School English teacher had sex with the students at her Arlington home over two months. Jurors heard graphic testimony from the involved students during the trial and were shown cellphone video of one encounter involving multiple students.
Prosecutors rested their case Thursday; the defense didn’t call any witnesses.
Kennedale is a suburb of Arlington, southeast of Fort Worth.
Dayton security officer shoots church burglar www.privateofficer.com
Officers responded to the Santa Clara Apostolic Temple at 60 Santa Clara Avenue around 10:20 pm.
Police say it appears that a security guard caught a burglar in the basement and shot him.
We’re told his condition is serious.
Homicide detectives were sent to the scene to investigate.
Source: WDTN
Woman sues Dallas Cowboys over burnt buttocks www.privateofficer.com
DALLAS TX Aug 19 2012 (AP) — A Texas woman is suing the Dallas Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones, saying her buttocks was severely burned when she sat on a bench outside Cowboys Stadium.
In a lawsuit filed last week in Tarrant Count, Jennelle Carrillo said the black marble bench was in direct sunlight on a hot August afternoon before a Cowboys scrimmage last year. A weather official says the high temperature on that day was 101 degrees.
Carrillo’s lawyer, Michael Wash, said his client didn’t know the extent of the burns until after receiving medical attention. The lawsuit claims she was hospitalized and underwent skin grafts.
The lawsuit claims there were no warnings about sitting on the benches in hot weather.
Pensacola police officer charged with assault for excessive force arrest www.privateofficer.com
Pensacola Fla Aug 19 2012 A Pensacola Police officer was fired Friday after a routine review of his patrol vehicle’s camera revealed he used unnecessary force in making a recent arrest.
Officer Christopher Geraci also was arrested and charged with battery.
“This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Pensacola Police Chief Simmons said, adding that the incident was found through a routine supervisory review of the videotape and was not the result of a complaint. Department supervisors review all uses of force.
The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. August 2 when Geraci responded to a hit and run crash at D and Cervantes streets. The driver – identified as Abbi Bonds, 29, of Pensacola – was found with the car in the 1100 block of North C Street. The car had heavy front end damage and was disabled.
During a verbal exchange between Geraci and Bonds, Geraci approached Bonds and grabbed her by her left arm. He then forcibly slung her into the side of the car, then grabbed the back of her head and forced it into the top of the vehicle while placing her in handcuffs.
“When I saw the video, I was shocked and disappointed,” Simmons said. “This is not how we train, it was unreasonable force and it was inconsistent with the level of resistance.”
Bonds was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, failure to yield, driving under the influence, and not having proof of insurance.
Geraci, 33, was hired by the department as a cadet on March 1, 2004, and promoted to police officer on March 14, 2005. He presently was assigned to the department’s K-9 Unit in the Uniform Patrol Division.
Upon review of the video, Geraci was placed on leave until he was fired Friday.
source-northescambia.com
Georgia woman who rescued dogs killed by multiple dog bites www.privateofficer.com
Decatur GA Aug 19 2012 A Georgia woman who spent her life rescuing dogs off the street was killed by multiple dog bites last weekend.
Rebecca Carey, 23, of Decatur, died of multiple dog bites from at least one of the six pooches she had in her home at the time. A friend who discovered the dog lover’s dead body at her home never suspected the dogs.
“There was a lot of blood,” Jackie Cira told WSB TV. “When I first got there, it looked like she had fallen and hit her head.”
The DeKalb County medical examiner ruled that she was killed by one or more of the dogs in the home at the time, reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Carey owned five dogs including two pit bulls, a boxer mix and a Presa – a large Spanish dog. She was also dog sitting another Presa as well.
Since authorities could not determine how many dogs took part in the vicious attack, all of them will be euthanized Wednesday, the paper reported.
Cira disagreed, telling the station that not all of the dogs could possibly be responsible for the attack, that some of them were gentle and should be spared.
“I don’t know who did what, but I can say with certainty who did not,” Cira said.
The plea did not change officials’ minds.
“We didn’t know which dog did which. I can’t be wrong. Not just myself, no one can be wrong in putting out a dog that possibly had to do with these type of injuries. I will not put another person at that kind of risk,” DeKalb County animal control interim director Tim Medlin told the station.
Cira told the paper that had Carey known all of the dogs were put down, it would have devastated her. She speculated that her friend died falling while she tried to break up a fight between two of the dogs.
“She was a very experienced dog handler,” Cira said, “If she found out it was a dangerous dog, they were gone. She felt strongly that dangerous dogs had no business being in society, where they could attack a child or something.”
In a statement released to local media, Carey’s family said their deceased daughter made it her life’s mission to give voice to abandoned dogs, whenever possible, after reading the book “Throw Away Pets” in second grade. She was working in a veterinary clinic and volunteering at animal shelters at the time of her death. “There she did what she loved the most: rescuing animals from untenable situations to find them safe, loving homes.”
Cira agreed, telling the station “any dog she came into contact with, she brought out the best in.”
Messages left for comment with both the DeKalb County Police and Animal Control were not returned.
Veteran Chicago police officer pleads guilty to theft www.privateofficer.com
The veteran tactical officer said Friday that he and his supervisor, Sgt. Ronald Watts, used their police muscle to extort protection payoffs from heroin and crack dealers in the Ida B. Wells public housing complex.
Mohammed, 47, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of theft of government funds. U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman set sentencing for Oct. 19. He faces up to about 31/2 years in prison.
Watts, 49, who was charged with Mohammed, has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. The officers were assigned to the Wentworth District tactical unit at the time of their arrest.
They were arrested in February after a sting in which both stole almost $5,000 in cash from an informant who was posing as a drug courier but secretly working undercover for the FBI, according to the charges.
As part of the undercover operation, the informant — a seemingly easy mark because he was a homeless ex-con with almost 100 arrests — allegedly had agreed to tip Watts off to drug deliveries when he would be flush with cash so they could split the money.
In November the informant told Watts of one delivery, authorities said. At Watts’ request, Mohammed picked up $5,200 from the informant, the charges alleged. The officers thought the cash was drug money, authorities said, but it had been supplied by the FBI as part of the sting.
A short time later, Watts gave the informant $400, his cut from the deal, authorities said.
In pleading guilty, Mohammed said he and Watts had been extorting drug dealers long before the sting operation in November. The two demanded protection payoffs from dealers at Ida B. Wells on the South Side in at least 2007 and 2008, authorities said. The officers did not know that some of the dealers who were extorted were also secretly cooperating with law enforcement and handed over $4,700 in government funds in payoffs to them, according to Mohammed’s plea agreement.
Mohammed, a 14-year veteran with the department, and Watts, who had been on the job for 18 years, were stripped of their police powers and suspended without pay after their arrest in February.
source:tribune.com
Security vehicles to start patrolling Virginia Commonwealth University campus www.privateofficer.com
The G4S security vehicles will be patrolling both campuses between 9pm and the early morning hours. The goal is to supplement the VCU Police presence. Chief John Venuti says he’s responding to the community’s needs.
A safety survey told VCU Police the majority of students feel safe in Richmond, but it also told them those students, faculty and staff want to see more police and security presence on the urban campus during the late night hours. That’s when PhD student Minh Ho is in the chemistry lab.
“You don’t really know who is going to be out there,” he said. “So usually if I work a little bit late, 9, 10 o’clock at night or something, then I’ll ride my bike at home or take my car here.”
He believes the new patrols will be very helpful.
Chief Venuti says during the 16-week pilot project, the G4S security vehicles with VCU markings and flashing lights will provide increased visibility.
“These security professionals are going to be eyes and ears for the police department,” he explained. “They’re going to be constantly in the areas that most of the people are, reducing the opportunity for students, faculty and staff to become victims of crime.”
On the campuses, larcenies, or thefts of unattended property, have come down almost 8 percent in the past year, but the number of robbery victims has increased about 7 percent.
Some have questioned why the department isn’t continually handling these beats. Chief Venuti tells NBC12 when his officers are working, they also get called to respond to incidents. The G4S units are specifically dedicated to patrol.
“We’re bringing in these security vehicles, who aren’t going to get called away out of the core campus, to be out there,” he said.
That makes Jaree Rolle feel safer as she starts her freshman year.
“I hope to see them monitoring, driving around, making sure everything is secure,” she added.
The cost of the pilot program is about $35,000. According to the university, it’s actually being paid for with budget savings from last year.
Source:nbc12
Border Patrol union leader defends himself against federal indictment for fraud www.privateofficer.com
Terence J. Bonner said the charges were a political vendetta for his long record of criticizing the federal government’s record on border security, dating back to the early days of his tenure as president of the National Border Patrol Council from 1989 until his retirement last year.
A grand jury in San Diego accused Bonner of submitting expense vouchers for meals, car rentals, luggage, books and other union-related activities when traveling for personal reasons.
Bonner, 59, sought reimbursement for visits to his mistress in Chicago, his family, hockey games and other sporting events unrelated to the union, according to Thursday’s indictment. He allegedly sought wages for time when he was downloading pornography at home.
Bonner was feisty in a lengthy statement and interview, saying the government owes him at least $100,000 for expenses that the Border Patrol refused to pay.
“(The federal government) will continue lying to the American people about the security of our borders, an honest man’s reputation will be destroyed, and millions of tax dollars will be wasted in an ineffectual wild goose chase,” he said.
Bonner, who is widely known as T.J., was ordered to make an initial court appearance Monday on 12 counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
George McCubbin, who succeeded Bonner as union president, said the alleged corruption was limited to Bonner.
“Obviously this is going to be a black eye on our organization. For years, we were always above any of this. It’s clear this is an isolated incident,” McCubbin said. “There are no other union officers involved. This is strictly on T.J.”
McCubbin said the union’s executive board learned about the investigation in April 2010, shortly before Bonner retired from the Border Patrol after 33 years with the agency. Bonner was due to leave the Border Patrol anyway because he just turned 57, the agency’s mandatory retirement age.
The union allowed him to remain as president until his two-year term expired in March 2011, at which time it tersely stated that Bonner was no longer authorized to speak for them.
“It was the longest year of my life,” Bonner said.
Bonner said he submitted six years’ worth of travel expenses for more than $100,000 at the end of 2009 and filed a grievance when the Border Patrol refused to pay.
McCubbin said the expense reports triggered Border Patrol’s suspicions and sparked the federal investigation. The union’s executive board refused to pay for Bonner’s attorney when a subpoena was served.
The indictment also accused the union’s secretary-treasurer of conspiring with Bonner, although it does not name the person. Mark Conover, an assistant U.S. attorney, said the person has not been charged and declined to say if there were other targets.
McCubbin, who has been a longtime union officer, said Bonner got special treatment from the union treasurer, who no longer holds the position.
“When we submitted expense vouchers, he never questioned anything for T.J. If we submitted something and forgot a receipt, he’d circle it and send it back to us. He didn’t do that with T.J.,” he said.
Bonner said McCubbin’s remarks as “whining.”
“(The union) definitely threw me under the wheels of the bus,” he said.
Bonner, who lives near San Diego in the small border town of Campo, was the union’s voice at a time when the agency grew to more than 20,000 agents and put up hundreds of miles of fencing and other barriers along the U.S. border with Mexico. His outspoken advocacy for better working conditions repeatedly won him re-election.
The union, which is part the American Federation of Government Employees and AFL-CIO, has 14,000 members who pay monthly dues of $56, according to the indictment.
Bonner allegedly signed off on policies that benefited him and other officers, such as clothing allowances and up to $800 a year to buy gifts for spouses and children. One policy allowed union officers to claim lost wages for Sundays, holidays, nights and overtime if they provided proof to the secretary-treasurer that they were doing union work.
The indictment listed $87,863 in false claims for lost wages from 2007 to 2010 and $48,067 in other false expense reports during that same period. It says he “obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars in union funds to which he was not entitled.”
“Siphoning hundreds of thousands of dollars from hard-working fellow Border Patrol agents, many of whom put their lives on the line every day to protect this country, is a particularly troubling form of corruption that must be addressed,” said Laura Duffy, the U.S. attorney in San Diego.
Scottsdale security officer slashed by trespasser www.privateofficer.com
Scottsdale AZ Aug 19 2012 Police were on the lookout Thursday for a man who slashed a security guard’s forearm just after midnight Saturday.
The guard, 25, was making his rounds at Allison Condominiums on the 14000 block of N. 92nd Street when he heard rustling by a trash bin on the south side of the complex, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.
The guard approached a man who appeared to be in his 40s, about 5 foot 10 inches tall and 200 pounds, possibly a transient, police said.
The man swung a pocketknife at the guard, slashing his arm, then lunged a second time but the guard pushed him back, police said.
The attacker fled toward Thompson Peak Parkway and Redfield Road, police said.
The guard was treated the scene.
Source:www.azcentral.com
Desert Vista High School honors death of security officer withCommunity 5K Race www.privateofficer.com
Phoenix AZ Aug 19 2012 His easy smile, dedication to his job and friendly interaction with staff and students made Pat Quinn, a Desert Vista High School security guard, a big man on campus.
To honor Quinn, an avid runner who died of an apparent heart attack on the high-school track the morning of May 23, the campus will host the inaugural Pat Quinn Community 5K Race on Aug. 25.
The 5K — which begins on the Desert Vista track, loops around campus and through Vista Canyon Park before returning to the school — was organized by the girls cross-country coach Doug Christofis and boys track coach Chris Hanson to replace the annual Blue and Gold Intra-squad Race.
“We wanted to create this race in his honor so no matter how many years passed, his name will live on in the community,” said Christofis, who knew Quinn for many years but became closer after Quinn answered a Christofis call for volunteers during one exceptionally busy season.
“Our relationship grew after I sent out an e-mail asking for supervising help with the 65 girls on my cross-country team,” Christofis recalled. “Within 15 minutes, Pat was at my door saying he’d help. He and his wife, Jolene, came to practices, riding bikes and going up and down the line, encouraging the girls. He was such an influence on these girls.”
Christofis is also launching the Pat Quinn Award to be given annually to the girls cross-country participant showing the most positive and encouraging attitude. “What Pat made out of his security-guard job opportunity is what made him special. At that gate, he made everyone feel welcome,” Christofis said.
TJ Snyder, assistant principal and athletics director, concurred.
“Pat was always smiling and had a very witty sense of humor,” Snyder said. “He was our parking-lot security, and every morning he’d greet the kids, who always enjoyed him, and then he’d remind them to buckle up when they left. He meant a lot to our campus and this is a great way to pay tribute.”
The no-cost race entry would have pleased Quinn, said Maryanne Henderson, an Ahwatukee resident and member in Quinn’s running club. “Pat always said he wished there were races that didn’t require entry fees, so I think he’d really be happy about this.”
Henderson and 20-plus members of the Slow Runners club will participate in the Pat Quinn 5K, many of them donning “26.2″ necklaces, honoring the tattoo Quinn had inked on his calf following his first marathon.
Registration for the 7 a.m. race opens at 5:45 a.m. and participants may walk or run. The community is encouraged to attend, and event donations, per Quinn’s family request, will benefit an animal shelter and the Desert Vista girls and boys cross-country teams.
“Pat was very proud of those cross-country girls,” Henderson recalled.
Days following his death, Desert Vista’s 2012 graduates honored him during their May ceremonies, wearing gold ribbons “in memory of Pat,” while underclassmen distributed gold ribbons to attendees. A concurrent shamrock sale honoring Quinn’s heritage raised nearly $2,000 and festooned the track fence for a week.
School principal Anna Battle said Quinn is “truly missed.”
“Each day Pat extended his warmth and love to everyone. His tender heartedness, sense of humor and dedication to his responsibilities were contagious,” she said. “We’re still able to experience what he’s instilled in others here at DVHS.”
A talented photographer, Quinn captured an iconic shot of the school campus that can be viewed at Pat Quinn Photography or http://www.500px.com.
Source:www.azcentral.com
Occupy L.A. protestor bites security officer’s ear www.privateofficer.com
Los Angeles CA Aug 19 2012 Authorities are trying to sort out an altercation in which a protester associated with Occupy L.A. allegedly bit the ear of a security guard in Pershing Square.
The protester was later arrested, and police are investigating the incident.
Los Angeles police sources said the incident began when Jose Navarro, 20, approached a private security guard Tuesday and began yelling at him. At one point, the sources said, Navarro allegedly spat on the guard and punched him, sparking a scuffle that drew additional security guards to the area.
As the guards tried to take Navarro into custody, he allegedly bit the ear of the first security guard, clamping down until he was pulled off, the sources said. Navarro was able to break free from the group and, with the help of others, run away, they said.
The guard suffered a two-inch gash to his ear that required half a dozen stitches to close, the sources said.
Navarro was spotted in the square Thursday morning and arrested after LAPD officers cornered him in a nearby parking garage, the sources said. They said he lowered his shoulder and unsuccessfully tried to run through police before he was taken into custody.
An LAPD flier identified Navarro as “an associate of Occupy L.A.” known to frequent the square. The flier said he has previous arrests for resisting police; jail records showed he was arrested in July.
Pershing Square has become a source of concern for the LAPD in recent weeks as officers have noted an increase in drinking and narcotics use, along with public defecation, police sources said. Crime is up significantly in the area, they added, and more LAPD officers and private security have been shifted to the area as a result.
But those authorities, along with firefighters, have faced increasing hostility when called to the square, sources said.
Pershing Square has been the base of Occupy L.A.’s operations since protesters were cleared off City Hall’s lawn last winter. Two people were arrested at the square a week ago: one man on an outstanding warrant, and a protester accused of assaulting a member of Occupy Oakland during a fight over the quality of the Los Angeles man’s chalking.
Pinellas County teacher’s aide arrested for child pornography www.privateofficer.com
Instead, district officials were notified this week that the 61-year-old St. Petersburg man, who worked with disabled students at the Nina Harris School in Pinellas Park, is at the center of a child pornography investigation.
Authorities arrested Chaney, a teacher’s aide, on Wednesday morning on a charge of promoting a sexual performance by a child, a second-degree felony. Detectives from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement say Chaney uploaded pictures of naked children to a social networking site.
“Obviously our whole staff is concerned that anything of this nature could be connected to our school,” said Mary Sakoff, the principal at Nina Harris. “We do anything we can to protect our students. We always have and we will continue to put students first.”
An arrest affidavit said one of the photos, posted to a Twitter account via a mobile device, was of a young naked boy who looked to be about 12 years old.
Investigators said that as of this point, they have not found any evidence Chaney had inappropriate pictures of his students.
“We do not believe they were local children,” said Chuck McMullen, a special agent supervisor for FDLE’s cyber and high tech crime squad. “We don’t have anything right now that ties him to kids at the school.”
Investigators served a warrant early Wednesday morning at Chaney’s home, 6978 46th Ave. N, Lot 237. They seized several computers, which will be examined for child pornography.
“It’s going to take us some time to get through all of it,” McMullen said. “There may be additional charges.”
The FDLE began investigating this summer after images of naked children showed up on a social networking account that they say they were able to link to Chaney. Chaney, who remained in the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail on Wednesday night, has been placed on paid administrative leave, Pinellas County Schools spokeswoman Melanie Marquez said.
Chaney was first hired by the school district as a substitute teacher in 1989, she said.
In 2003, he was assigned as a substitute teacher at Nina Harris, which serves about 240 students with various disabilities. Chaney was hired as a teacher’s aide for high school-level students there last fall. He made $10.33 an hour.
“He was assigned to a classroom for students who have severe to profound intellectual disabilities,” Marquez said.
Marquez said state authorities recently contacted the district’s police department for assistance with the case. Sakoff sent a phone message to Nina Harris parents after finding out about Chaney’s arrest on Wednesday.
source:tampabay.com
Chicago city employee charged with Midway Airport thefts www.privateofficer.com
CHICAGO IL Aug 19 2012 — A City Of Chicago worker stands accused of stealing 500 feet of copper wire from Midway Airport.
According to Cook County prosecutors, David Coates worked at Midway Airport where he pumped gas.
On Tuesday, Coates was captured on video leaving his work site in his truck to cut pieces of runway copper wire.
Chicago Police investigated the thefts and found that he had taken approximately 500 feet of wire since Aug. 12, prosecutors said.
Coates allegedly had taken the wire, valued at nearly $700, and sold it at a scrap yard.
Investigators also recovered a pair of wire cutters from the defendant when they confronted him about the thefts.
Coates, 57, of Chicago was charged with one count of theft and is facing up to five years in prison if convicted. Bond was set at $25,000.
The Department of Aviation was quick to say that none of the thefts impacted airport operations.
Department spokesperson Karen Pride said that the suspect worked for the city’s Fleet and Facilities Management department at Midway, pumping gas, and had been assigned to Midway for some time.
Pride said the wire was in storage at a Midway maintenance facility.
Bond for Coates has been set at $25,000.
Source:Chicago CBS
ABM Janitorial workers arrested in electronics thefts at St Louis airport www.privateofficer.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo.Aug 19 2012 — Airport police in St. Louis think they broke up a ring of thieves stealing iPads, iPods and eBook readers from planes.
On August 7th, The St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office indicted four female employees of ABM Janitorial for stealing electronics left behind on the SW Airlines planes they clean.
Lawanda Barnes, Tiffany Barnes, Rachel Doss and Ashley Glen all face Class C felony charges.
FOX 2’s Chris Hayes uncovered this exclusive story and tried talking to two of the women who live in an apartment that sits in the shadow of the airport. A man inside said they could not talk.
Criminal indictments say three of the women stole six iPads, two iPods, five Kindles and one Nook eBook reader. Prosecutors say the 4th woman took one of the stolen iPads to sell at a pawn shop.
Tom Bateman said it does not surprise him. In fact, he said he expects people to steal something he leaves on a plane. Bateman said, “Yes, I don’t dare (leave something on a plane).
Hayes followed up, “That’s kind of sad.”
Bateman, “It is. In this day and age it is.”
Hayes, “Why do you expect it?”
Bateman, “You know the way the economy is somebody’s hurting for stuff, if somebody sees something they’re going to pick it up.”
Others say it’s common for people to leave stuff behind and passengers should not be punished for being forgetful. Melissa Maybearry works at a restaurant. She said, “Ladies have left their purses and I automatically take them to the manager and get them back to the person. They’re local people here in the community so they’re quick to come back and get their stuff and they’re so grateful.”
ABM responded to this case with this statement. “Pursuant to ABM’s long-standing policies and procedures, the individuals involved were terminated from their positions with the Company immediately following the incident in November 2011. All individuals employed by ABM undergo background checks as a condition of their employment, including one conducted by the TSA for airport employees. Those background checks did not reveal information that would have prevented these individuals’ hiring. After the incident occurred, ABM turned the case over to local law enforcement and has and will continue to cooperate with the authorities.”
Lafayette Catholic school teacher charged with sex crimes www.privateofficer.com
LAFAYETTE, Ind. Aug 19 2012 - A Lafayette Catholic school system band teacher is facing charges for an incident with a teen in Bartholomew County, 24-Hour News 8’s news partner The Republic reports.
Darren R. Williams, 25, is in the Bartholomew County Jail on a preliminary charge of dissemination of matter harmful to minors, a Class D felony.
He was booked into jail Tuesday night and is being held on a $10,000 bond.
Indiana code describes the charge as matter that is displayed in an area in which minors have access; engages in or conducts a performance before minors; or conducts a performance in an area in which minors have access.
Columbus Police Department spokesman Lt. Matt Myers said the girl, who is under 18, is not related to Williams.
He declined to detail how they met as the investigation is ongoing.
He also declined to reveal the nature of the disseminated matter because of the ongoing investigation.
The Columbus Police Department started investigating Williams after a complaint was received on Aug. 7, Myers said.
Columbus police and the Lafayette Police Department began worked together in the investigation.
They obtained a search warrant on Tuesday which allowed them to search Williams’ property.
24-Hour News 8′s sister station WLFI reported on its website that Williams is a band teacher and has been suspended. They reported that a letter sent to parents Wednesday said Williams was arrested Tuesday night and taken to the jail. The letter also said that Williams was suspended immediately from his duties pending an investigation, WLFI reported.
Source:WISHTV.com
Body found near Walmart determined to be homicide www.privateofficer.com
After an autopsy by the El Paso County Coroner’s Office the man was determined to have been fatally stabbed. The death has been ruled the city’s 15th homicide of 2012.
Police had been called to the store at 707 S. 8th Street at about 11 a.m. Wednesday to investigate a report of an injured male lying on the Santa Fe trail that crosses under Interstate 25 west of Walmart.
Homicide detectives were called to the area to investigate the suspicious death when officers realized the man had been stabbed.
Police said they do not yet have any suspect information and are asking anybody who can help with the investigation to call 444-7000 or 634-7867.
Source:www.gazette.com
Gymboree store employee charged with retail fraud www.privateofficer.com
The Lincoln Journal Star reports (http://bit.ly/NbcOvL ) that Kaylie Wahlman was arrested last week and has left jail on bond.
Police say that from April 20 through July 25, Wahlman took merchandise from shelves of the where she was working and credited their cost to her debit card as though they were returned items.
The theft charge carries a maximum prison term of 20 years.
A public phone listing for Wahlman could not be found. Online court records don’t list the name of her attorney.
Man commits suicide at Del Amo Fashion Center www.privateofficer.com
Lt. Mike Jezulin of the Torrance Police Department said the man – whose name was not released – was spotted by a mall security guard alone in the parking structure at about 4 p.m.
No one else was on the top story, Jezulin said, and when the man saw the security guard “he turned and jumped off,” not saying anything.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, Jezulin said. No members of the public were in the vicinity of the fall, Jezulin said.
Lemoyne Borough employee charged with theft www.privateofficer.com
LEMOYNE PA Aug 19 2012 - A former borough employee has been accused of stealing more than $1,900 from borough accounts during the month of July.
Sandra Johns Hessom, 41 of Lemoyne, was charged with theft by unlawful taking after an investigation by the West Shore Regional Police Department.
On August 2, Lemoyne Borough Manager Robert Ihlein informed police about the possible thefts of borough funds.
Police said Hessom while taking money while she was employed as an accounts receivable clerk for the borough.
Hessom is free on $5,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 29.
Source:pennlive.com
Lancaster County SC paramedic accused of taking drugs www.privateofficer.com
LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. Aug 19 2012
A former long-time Lancaster County paramedic is accused of taking drugs that were meant for his patients.
Greg Robinson, 51, is charged with possession of a controlled substance. The arrest warrant alleges that from December 2011 to early January 2012, Robinson took 10 vials of morphine from a locked cabinet in a supervisor’s office at the main EMS station on Pageland Highway.
The warrant says that three of those vials were later found in Robinson’s office, empty.
Robinson turned himself in Thursday after a SLED investigation that lasted more than six months.
“An outstanding employee. You just hate to see it,” said Lancaster County administrator Steve Willis. Willis said Robinson had worked for the county since 1984, and was honored by the state of South Carolina at least three times as paramedic of the year.
“We learned of the allegations shortly after he retired,” Willis said.
Robinson left his job at the county Jan. 1 of this year. According to the warrant, it appears the incidents took place within the last few days of his employment.
On Friday afternoon, EMS employees told Channel 9 they were not allowed to comment on Robinson’s arrest.
The EMS department has had a rocky relationship with Lancaster County officials over the past few years.
There have been three different directors since 2008, and Robinson had filled in as interim director.
There was also a lawsuit filed against the county in 2010 over how paramedics were paid overtime.
Because Robinson was a county employee, SLED agents handled the investigation and made the arrest.
Robinson is out of jail on a $20,000 bond.
Source:WSOCTV.com
San Antonio nightclub security officer shoots at reckless driver www.privateofficer.com
SAN ANTONIO TX Aug 19 2012 - A security guard fired at a suspect’s car after the man nearly hit three people, then tried to leave, police say.
The incident happened at G Bar at Ingram and 410 early Saturday morning.
Police say a man backing up in the lot nearly ran the people over.
They say a security guard fired a warning shot, then a shot at the vehicle as it tried to leave the lot.
That shot hit the car’s mirror and a tire.
Investigators say the man then crashed into a wall and was arrested.
Police say they have charged 20 year-old Agyei Gore with failure of stop and identify, and with evading arrest.
Shooting at KS. National Guard Armory leaves one dead, one injured, 1 arrested www.privateofficer.com
Junction City KS Aug 19 2012 Police say they have arrested a man they say is responsible for a shooting at the National Guard Armory,500 block of Airport Road in Junction City that left one man dead and an woman critically hurt.
WIBW reports Sterling D. Hickman, 33, of Junction City, was arrested on charges of first degree murder and aggravated battery.
He is accused of shooting Antonio Maxwell and Jamaica Chism during a party Saturday morning at the armory.
Chism, 30, also of Junction City, was flown to a Topeka hospital, where she underwent surgery for a gunshot wound to the stomach area. She remains in critical condition.
Officials say Maxwell. 25, died from his injuries and Chism remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Hickman is scheduled to make his first appearance on Monday. No bond has been set.
The shooting is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Junction City police at 785-762-TIPS. The investigation is ongoing.
