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NJ mother decapitated 2-year-old boy -commits suicide www.privateofficer.com
CAMDEN NJ Aug 23 2012 — Police in New Jersey’s most impoverished city say a 2-year-old boy was decapitated — apparently by his mother — and his head left in the freezer of their home before the woman fatally stabbed herself.
Chevonne Thomas, 33, called 911 just after midnight to say something had happened to her child and it “sounded like she had done it,” Camden County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Jason Laughlin said.
Officers found Zahree Thomas’ body on the first floor of the home on Kaighn Avenue and the boy’s head in the freezer.
The child’s mother was upstairs still talking to the 911 operator when officers backed out of the home because they didn’t know if she was armed, Laughlin said.
The mother stabbed herself in the neck with a kitchen knife and died, Laughlin said.
Neighbor Melanie Troutman says she saw Thomas sitting topless with her boyfriend in front of their home about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. Troutman tells The Associated Press that the woman was “clearly upset.”
She says the boyfriend led Thomas back into the home a short time later.
Other neighbors around the home on Kaighn Avenue were understandably shocked at the gruesome nature of the killing.
“This is not heard of,” said Kevin Holmes. “You only see that on horror movies. It still has my mind boggled.”
Other neighbors reported seeing the mother and her boyfriend sitting out on the front stoop of their row home earlier in the evening.
“It’s non believable,” said one neighbor, who asked not to be named.
There was no immediate word on how long Thomas and the boy had lived at the address. Police don’t believe anyone else was in the house.
Court records show Thomas was arrested by Camden police on Nov. 28, 2010 for endangering the welfare of a child.
The charge was administratively dismissed in October 2011.
Camden police have referred all questions about the arrest to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.
A woman who knew Thomas from when she lived in Centerville described the mother as being “in a world all to herself.”
Thelma Moore said Thomas has dealt with mental health issues for years and sought help at different times.
“She just walked around and cursed to herself,” Moore said of Thomas.
Source:courierpostonline.com
Violent “Mob” assaults reported on VCU campus www.privateofficer.com
RICHMOND, Va. -Aug 23 2012
Police are searching today for a group of about 15 young people believed to have punched one passerby and robbed and beaten another in rapid succession on Virginia Commonwealth University’s main downtown Richmond campus.
Neither victim was seriously injured in the two attacks, which happened along Shafer Street on the Monroe Park campus about 2:55 a.m.
VCU and Richmond police described the assailants as a group of 15 black males between the ages of 17 and 22.
“Last night there was a tremendous amount of activity in this area between the hours of 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.,” VCU Police Chief John Venuti said at a morning news conference.
The first victim, who is not a VCU student, reported being punched without provocation by a member of the group while getting out of a vehicle at Shafer and West Grace streets.
Moments later, the group encountered the second victim, a VCU student, at Shafer and West Franklin streets. The student told police one member of the group made a comment about his boots before he was punched in the back of the head and knocked to the ground.
Once on the ground, the student was allegedly was told by one of the assailants, “Give me everything you’ve got.” The student was punched again, this time in the neck, and a pack of cigarettes was stolen from his pants pocket, police said.
The assailants were last seen heading south through Shafer Court.
The attacks came just days after students had returned to campus for the start of the fall semester and at a time when VCU Police Chief John Venuti is undertaking several measures to increase security. Classes start today, a university spokesman said.
“This is not the start of the semester that we were looking for,” Venuti said. “We’re constantly in the process of deploying a lot of resources to this area, in conjunction with the Richmond Police Department, to minimize the victimization of our students.”
Venuti added that the department provides “a lot of information” to students, faculty and staff on reducing the chances of becoming a victim of a crime.
Several students walking through campus near the sites of the attacks late Wednesday morning said they were unaware of what had happened.
However, senior Briana Russell, a 23-year-old English major from Chantilly, said she wasn’t surprised.
“They are obligated to report crimes and we get them almost every day,” she said. “A lot of my friends have gotten mugged or held up.”
Freshmen roommates Justin Clary, 17-year-old from Colonial Heights, and John Navis, 18, from New Kent, also said they hadn’t seen the alert from campus officials. However, both said they had been given plenty of instruction about safety on campus, including avoiding walking around in unlit areas late at night by themselves.
“I feel like if you’re smart around here, you don’t have to worry about anything,” said Clary, who plans to major in biology.
The department is hiring 10 new officers, which would expand the force to 92, including some who will patrol on bicycles, and has hired G4S, a private security firm, to patrol at night in sport utility vehicles with flashing yellow lights. Venuti also is overseeing upgrades in VCU’s video surveillance capabilities on campus.
Venuti wouldn’t say how many officers were working in the area when the attacks happened. He said staffing levels were adequate and had been increased for the campus move-in period.
He encouraged students to avoid traveling alone, to use VCU’s security escort service and to be aware of their surroundings.
“It’s our responsibility to protect our students regardless of what choices they make, regardless of what actions they take,” he said.
Police are reviewing video footage that shows the suspected attackers and are asking anyone who might know them to call police.
“Someone is going to know some of these individuals,” he said.
Anyone with information can call VCU police at (804) 828-1234 or text VCUTIP to 274637 followed by their tip. Both methods are anonymous.
Information leading to an arrest may result in a cash award.
Police were searching today for a group of about 15 young men and women believed to have committed an assault and a violent robbery in rapid succession on Virginia Commonwealth University’s main academic campus in downtown Richmond.
Neither victim was seriously injured in the two attacks, which occurred along Shafer Street on the Monroe Park campus about 2:55 a.m.
VCU and Richmond police described the assailants as a group of 15 black males between the ages of 17 and 22.
The first victim, who is not a VCU student, reported being punched without provocation by a member of the group while getting out of a vehicle at Shafer and West Grace streets.
Moments later, the group encountered the second victim, a VCU student, at Shafer and West Franklin streets. The student told police one member of the group made a comment about his boots before the victim was punched in the back of the head and knocked to the ground.
Once on the ground, the victim was told by one of the assailants, “Give me everything you’ve got.” The victim was punched again in the neck and a pack of cigarettes was stolen from his pants pocket, police said.
The assailants were last seen heading south through Shafer Court.
The crimes come just days after students returned to campus over the weekend for the start of the fall semester and at a time when VCU Police Chief John Venuti is undertaking several measures to increase security.
The department is hiring 10 new officers, which would expand the force to 92, including some who will patrol on bicycles, and has hired G4S, a private security firm, to patrol at night in sport utility vehicles with flashing yellow lights. Venuti also is overseeing upgrades in VCU’s video surveillance capabilities on campus.
Anyone with information can call VCU police at (804) 828-1234 or text VCUTIP to 274637 followed by their tip. Both methods are anonymous.
Warsaw Community School teacher arrested for sex crimes www.privateofficer.com
Waraw IN Aug 23 2012 A Warsaw Community School teacher is behind bars following an investigation surrounding an inappropriate relationship between him and a former student.
Warsaw Police say the teacher, 26-year-old Tyler J. Baatz of Warsaw, was arrested after admitting to inappropriate sexual contact with a 14-year-old female, former student.
Baatz said sexual acts occured at his North Parker Street apartment in Warsaw.
A school administrator tells us Baatz is a middle school english teacher at Edgewood Middle School. He is also a coach on the girl’s basketball team.
Warsaw School staff and police received information of the possible inappropriate relationship and launched an investigation earlier this month.
An investigation revealed that Baatz and the 14-year-old student had a relationship since Spring of 2012, continuing into August, which is when police say it turned sexual.
The student was an 8th grader at the time of the relationship, she is now a freshman at Warsaw High School.
Police say initial contact occured because of the student-teacher relationship, but the sexual charges were related to activity at his Warsaw apartment and a second location in Winona Lake, Ind.
Police say the student was a student of Baatz in the past year.
Baatz was arrested for sexual misconduct with a minor and child seduction, both felonies.
Police say the teacher did come to the Warsaw Police Department to discuss the matter and then admitted the relationship. He was consequently booked into the Kosciusko County Jail immediately.
An investigation is ongoing, but at this time, police do not believe any other children were involved in a relationship with Baatz.
Baatz is on paid leave at this time, according to Indiana law
Source:wsbt.com
Fred Meyer customer arrested after shooting at store www.privateofficer.com
PORTLAND OR Aug 23 2012 – A man accused of shooting another customer Tuesday during an altercation inside a Clackamas Fred Meyer was booked into jail and his concealed handgun permit revoked, according to sheriff’s deputies.
A verbal argument started just after 3:30 p.m. and quickly turned into a physical fight at the checkout counter of the store, located near Interstate 205 and Highway 212, according to Sgt. Adam Phillips of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
A witness told KGW his family was in line when a man behind them tried to look at their PIN number as it was being entered. The fight quickly escalated and the suspect shot the victim, 59-year-old William Young of Milwaukie, in the leg.
Fred Meyer officials said other store customers helped to take down and disarm the shooting suspect, later identified as 66-year-old Jerry T. Harryman of Milwaukie.
“Harryman is believed to have pulled a handgun, which he had a valid concealed handgun license (CHL) for in Clackamas County, and shot Mr. Young in the leg,” Phillips confirmed. “Multiple people were in the immediate area when the shooting occurred.”
The victim’s wife, Dorothy Young, said after the suspect pulled the gun, her husband pushed it down and was subsequently shot in the left thigh. They continued to struggle and customers and security eventually wrestle the gun away and subdue him.
“I heard a big gunshot. It was loud,” said customer Phyllis Rowley. “I looked up and the cashiers were dropping us to the floor and rushing us to the back of the store.”
Both men were taken to local hospitals with non life-threatening injuries. Harryman was treated and released. He was jailed for first-degree assault and his CHL was revoked.
“It’s crazy,” said customer Lorri Hoogs. “What’s the world coming to?”
The store was closed while police investigated, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. It reopened around 8 p.m. Volunteers were also called in to counsel witnesses and employees.
Young is a Vietnam Vet who avoiding being shot during his tour and “never expected to be shot at the grocery store,” his wife said.
Source:kgw.com
Police-casino security track down Horseshoe Casino robbery suspect www.privateofficer.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio Aug 23 2012 – Police and Horseshoe Casino security used video surveillance to track a robbery suspect to a point earlier Sunday when he entered the casino and showed his identification.
Police said they arrested Ronald “Dank” Wells, 27, Tuesday near his home on Loop Drive for the robbery. They had a warrant for his arrest. Casino Control Commission officials said it was the first robbery since the casino opened on May 14.
Police said they believe Wells robbed a man who was walking to his car after winning $1,800 at the Horseshoe Casino craps table.
Police worked with casino and Tower City security officers to go through hours of surveillance footage to identify the man accused of the robbery.
Police said Christian Black, 28, and a friend, Steven Williams, 25, both of Warren, were gambling at the casino around 5 p.m. Sunday when Black won $1,800. The men decided to take their winnings and leave.
As they left the casino and went into Tower City, they noticed they were being followed by a man who had been sitting near them at the craps table when Black won the money. They told police the suspect walked past them into the Tower City parking lot.
The victims continued into the lot on West Huron Road, and police said the suspect walked up to them and started to make conversation. They tried to walk away when the man pulled out a handgun and said, “You know what this is.”
Black turned over the $1,800, and the suspect ran away.
Police did not initially locate the suspected robber, but inspected the surveillance video from the casino, the mall and the parking to identify him, then issued the arrest warrant. The casino has more than 1,000 cameras in place that record all activity in the casino and parking lots.
Wells has had several convictions for crimes such as drug trafficking and receiving stolen property dating back to 2003, police said.
The casino offers patrons free security escorts to cars and has a policy barring weapons in the casino.
Source:cleveland.com
Charleston man charged with impersonating a police officer www.privateofficer.com
NORTH CHARLESTON, SCAug 23 2012 - Police in North Charleston have arrested a man and accused him of impersonating a police officer while being intoxicated.
Luke Joseph Westbury, 20, is charged with impersonating a police officer and being a minor in possession of alcohol.
Early Saturday morning, officers responded to the Appian Way Apartments in reference to a suspicious person knocking on doors. Police say Westbury was knocking on doors, calling himself a detective and investigating drug activity, while he was intoxicated.
An apartment resident told officers last weekend that a man in shorts knocked on her door and asked her if she had seen anything suspicious. She said the man called himself a detective, though he provided no identification.
The woman said Westbury was unable to produce police credentials, was unsteady on his feet, appeared intoxicated and his eyes appeared blood shot and glassy.
While walking in the area, a police officer said he saw a man matching the description of the suspect drinking a beer and sitting on a third floor balcony. Westbury told the officer that there was a lot of suspicious activity in the area and that several drug dealers live in the area.
The suspect told the police officer that he had knocked on the doors of several homes in an attempt to contact the “suspicious persons.” When the officer asked Westbury what he said to people that answered the door, Westbury told the officer that he told people that he was a Dorchester County deputy.
According to police, when the officer asked for Westbury’s credentials, Wesbury said he did not have any and said he was not a police officer. He was then arrested for impersonating a police officer.
Source: AP/WCSC
Oakland Raiders fan shot by Arizona Cardinals fan www.privateofficer.com
The 30-year-old Raiders fan was wearing silver face paint when he was shot, Glendale police said Tuesday, but it’s unclear why the 57-year-old Cardinals fan, at the game with his wife, shot him.
“There has been absolutely no information obtained by investigators that would point to a specific conflict” between the two men over their team allegiances, Glendale police said in a statement. The shooting happened during the middle of the third quarter of the game.
The shooter had called 911 and told police the shooting was accidental. He has not been arrested, and officers continue to investigate, police said. A verbal skirmish preceded the shooting in the nearly empty parking lot, police said.
“What we can tell you is that there was not enough compelling evidence gathered on scene, through statements or physical evidence, to make the investigators comfortable with an arrest on the 57-year-old male,” police said.
The Cardinals couple had been watching the game and left before it ended, police said. It was unclear whether the Raiders fan, who is in stable condition, had been in the stadium at any point.
Both the shooter and victim are Arizona residents, police said.
During the game, Glendale police arrested 14 people, ejected 11 and tallied 20 medical calls, with five people transported to hospitals.
In the police department’s summary of its game activities, it said “a large number of fights occurred” inside University of Phoenix Stadium. The only outside incident noted was the shooting.
Boiling Spring Lakes police chief-son indicted on felony charges www.privateofficer.com
BOILING SPRING LAKES, NC Aug 23 2012 – The police chief in Boiling Spring Lakes and his son were in court Wednesday morning after being indicted by a grand jury earlier this week.
Chief Emmett Ballree, 52, and his 27-year-old son, Michael Ballree, turned themselves into authorities Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
In court Wednesday, they both asked for court appointed attorneys in their cases.
The NC Department of Justice said Emmett Ballree faces one felony count of aiding and abetting and his son faces one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon. Both currently reside in Southport.
The police chief was suspended by the city in July for allegations of potential abuse of powers. The SBI is investigating Ballree as well, but BSL’s city manager said the two investigations are unrelated.
According to a spokeswoman for the SBI, the investigation began at the request of a superior court judge and District Attorney Jon David. David’s request for an investigation stemmed from a complaint he received regarding Ballree.
Source:WECT
National Guard member arrested with AR-15-other weapons near W. Virginia schools www.privateofficer.com
Stephen Alemar tells The Hagerstown Herald-Mail (http://bit.ly/NX9xRG) that he believes his 23-year-old son, William Alemar, was just trying to stay in shape for his next military assignment when he was arrested near two Martinsburg schools on Monday.
William Alemar was charged with committing a terrorist act after police found him carrying two knives and ammunition clips, and wearing a bulletproof vest.
Alemar remained in the Eastern Regional Jail on Tuesday on $50,000 bond.
Defense attorney Kevin Mills said his team is currently evaluating whether Alemar may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and it’s requested records from his service overseas.
Alemar’s father, meanwhile, said his son didn’t mean any harm.
“He’s not a terrorist,” he said. “He’s not a bad kid.”
Stephen Alemar said his son graduated from Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Va., and joined the National Guard after he failed to get into the U.S. Naval Academy.
Army spokesman Ray Gall said records confirm that Alemar enlisted in January 2007.
William Alemar is assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s Company B, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Woodstock, Va., according to West Virginia National Guard spokesman Lt. Col. David Lester.
Alemar deployed to Iraq from July 1 to Dec. 6, 2011, Lester said, and was assigned to Task Force 183 for convoy security duty.
Martinsburg police discovered after they arrested Alemar that the gun he was carrying fires pellets, not live rounds.
A search of Alemar’s home found additional military equipment, which police seized as evidence.
Police search for school buses stolen in Tampa www.privateofficer.com
TAMPA, Fla. Aug 23 2012– The search is on for two school buses stolen from a Tampa elementary school.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s detectives on Tuesday said one bus is believed to be in Pasco County and the other may be in Marion County. The buses were reported stolen from the school on Sunday.
They say the buses may still be on the road and have issued a statewide alert. They’re asking the public to report any buses parked or abandoned in any unusual locations or being used in a suspicious manner.
As a precaution, officials notified the Department of Homeland Security.
Sheriff’s officials say they don’t believe the thefts are related to the upcoming Republican National Convention in Tampa. But they say they’ve been in contact with convention security to keep them informed.
CT shoplifter pulls gun on Walmart loss prevention agent www.privateofficer.com
Police were called to 3164 Berlin Turnpike just after 11:30 a.m. after receiving a report of shoplifting. When police arrived, they found that Tracy Kane, 39, had threatened the security officer at the store with an undisclosed type of handgun after trying to steal a 32-inch Samsung television, T-shirt and ball cap. He fled the store in a green Chevy Blazer, police added.
The Chevy Blazer was found by police in the Lowe’s parking lot farther down the turnpike with Kane inside. The handgun was found in a patch of grass near the car, police said.
According to court records, Kane has five previous convictions and a pending case in Derby Superiour Court, where he was charged with five counts of motor vehicle crimes.
Kane was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery, fifth-degree larceny, criminal possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm without a permit, as well as several motor vehicle charges. He is being held on $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court later today.
Man dress as security guard shoots two people in Houston www.privateofficer.com
The shooting occurred around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday on Beggs Street at Cavalcade Street.
Houston police said they were told a man in a security guard uniform started banging on the front door. When the homeowner refused to open up, the suspect opened fire, shooting through the door.
The woman, 24-year-old Amanda Barajas, was shot several times and critically wounded.
The homeowner, 31-year-old Carlos Soto, was shot once but managed to pull out his own weapon and fire back. Police don’t think he wounded the suspect.
Both victims were rushed to Memorial Hermann Hospital.
Police said they did not know the motive for the shooting. The suspect, believed to be in his mid-to-late 20s, is about 5-10 with a medium build.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
Bluffton SC taps private security manager to be police chief www.privateofficer.com
Blufton SC Aug 23 2012 Joey Reynolds, a manager at a private security firm and a retired police chief from North Carolina, will lead the Bluffton Police Department starting next month.
The town hired Reynolds to be the new police chief Tuesday, less than a week after interviewing him and two other finalists.
Reynolds, a security manager for G4S Company Police/Secure Solutions Inc., said he is eager to return to police work after a stint in the private sector. He was the police chief in Lenoir, N.C., for more than eight years before stepping down in December to join the security firm.
“I missed being responsible to a community after being a public servant for so long,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds replaces Chief David McAllister, who announced in May he was retiring from the force to work for a private security firm in the Atlanta area. McAllister’s last day was Aug. 1, and Capt. Angel Tubbs came out of retirement to serve as interim chief.
Reynolds was picked from about 140 applicants. The other finalists were Hassan Aden, deputy chief of the Alexandria, Va., police department; and Mark Brooks, chief of police in Marion, N.C.
Reynolds also has held several jobs within the N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement Division and has worked as a narcotics investigator, a detective and a deputy sheriff at law enforcement agencies in North Carolina and South Carolina.
He has a master’s degree in public administration from Appalachian State University. He is a member of the FBI National Academy Association, was elected to its national executive board in 2009, and is a certified public manager through the National Consortium of Public Managers.
Reynolds, 54, said his family — wife Jackie and four grown sons — have vacationed in the Lowcountry for years. Now “empty-nesters,” he and his wife hoped to relocate to Bluffton even before the police chief job opened, Reynolds said. Allen Ward, a town resident appointed to a citizen panel to meet the top three candidates, said Reynolds stood out for two reasons: his compassion and an ability to relate to others. Ward said Reynolds will fit right in with Blufftonians.
Town manager Anthony Barrett and Mayor Lisa Sulka agree, saying in a joint statement that his 18 years of supervisory experience combined with his personality made him the top choice.
Reynolds said he plans to start in mid-September and will spend his first weeks on the job meeting people and deciding what type of policing Bluffton will need. Although the towns of Bluffton and Lenoir are similar in size, he said he doesn’t think the same police tactics will work for both towns.
“I think the Bluffton department is policing a greater population than they get credit for,” he said.
He’ll take the helm of the department of 33 full-time officers with a $3.8 million budget by Sept. 24. He’ll earn a starting salary of $98,900
Source:www.islandpacket.com
Fairfield police charge man with “Upskirting” at Target store www.privateofficer.com
FAIRFIELD NJ Aug 23 2012- A Succasunna man has been arrested for peeking.
The Fairfield Police Department announced the arrest of Stephen Andrew Kozubal (37) of Succasunna, N.J. for invasion of privacy. The arrest took place on August 21, 2012 at approximately 1:00 P.M. at the Target store, located on Route 46 East.
The Fairfield Police Department was contacted by Target security concerning a male who was allegedly walking throughout the store and appearing to be following female customers.
Sergeant Paul Bowden and Officer Frank Tracey responded to the store and, with the assistance of Target security, were able to observe the suspect, later identified as Kozubal, via the store security camera system.
The officers watched Kozubal for almost an hour as he allegedly walked aimlessly throughout the store. At one point the officers allegedly observed Kozubal approach a female customer from behind and then allegedly crouched down and surreptitiously recorded under the victim’s skirt without her knowledge.
The officers approached Kozubal and he was taken into custody. While the investigation is still ongoing, the police were able to confirm that Kozubal’s cell phone allegedly had inappropriate video footage of the victim.
This incident marks the second time in two months that an individual was charged with a similar offense occurring at the Target store. In June, Fairfield police arrested an individual who was allegedly filming women in the store’s dressing room. “Target security has been outstanding in their diligence in keeping their customers safe. Without their astute observations, individuals engaged in such activity might get away with it. But it seems not to be the case in Fairfield,” said Deputy Chief Anthony Manna.
Police are warning women that this activity is an Internet sensation known as “upskirting” and caution them to always be mindful of their surroundings and to immediately report suspicious activity to store employees. “In this case, the victim was not even aware the alleged activity took place until after Fairfield police officers informed her,” said the deputy chief.
At press time, Kozubal was still being held at Fairfield police headquarters pending bail being set. He is scheduled to have a first appearance in the Superior Court in Newark, N.J. on August 29, 2012.
Waikiki security guard burglarized condos www.privateofficer.com
An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment today charging Lane J. Phongphila with unauthorized possession of confidential personal information, identity theft, forgery, burglary, theft and use of a computer to commit a crime.
State Circuit Judge Richard Perkins set bail at $25,000.
Kickland said Phongphila stole the bank account number of one resident, then went online to withdraw more than $52,000 to pay his bills including his mortgage.
She said he also stole at least eight checks from other units, forged them and deposited more than $19,000 into his credit union account.
Kickland said Phongphila admitted entering 16 units to steal from them.
Source:star advertiser
Dollar General store manager caught recording female employee in restroom www.privateofficer.com
TULSA OK Aug 23 2012 - A manager at a local Dollar General store has been arrested on four counts of peeping tom.
Tulsa police arrested Gary Weiser Monday night near Charles Page Boulevard and South 49th West Avenue after he was caught recording a female employee in the restroom.
Police say the camera phone was placed on a shelf directly across from the toilet. It was stashed between some roles of toilet paper, said TPD officer Jason Willingham.
“[The employee] left the restroom and made contact with security for Dollar General. The security officer went back inside and tried to find the phone, but it had already been taken,” he said. “Officers made contact with the manager of the store who the phone belonged to. After reviewing the phone, he was arrested.”
Police arrested Gary Wayne Weiser on four counts of ‘peeping tom with photographic – electronic equipment’ after inspecting the phone.
“It’s certainly alarming,” Willingham said. “The guys that do these types of things are individuals we want to watch out for.”
Customers who frequent the store instantly recognized Weiser from his mug shot.
“I’m surprised it happened so close,” said James Watson. “But as far as it actually happening? No. People have been doing things like this for years now. So it’s nothing surprising that somebody is going to go peeping in on the ladies room.”
Authorities say additional charges could be added.
Weiser’s bond is set at $2,000. He expected to appear in court Aug. 28.
Source:www.kjrh.com
Former Richmond police officers get home detention for gun crimes www.privateofficer.com
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken agreed with defense attorneys that both Danny Harris, 34, and Raymond Thomas, 32, were already punished for their actions by losing their police officer jobs and the respect of co-workers and the community.
While agreeing that the crimes committed by the two former officers were egregious, Wilken said that the pair was not providing guns to gang members or drug dealers but instead were trying to help teenagers who were simply preparing for a career in law enforcement as members of the Police Explorers Scouting organization.
“Had this been a case where there was a danger to society, I would not even begin to consider (a more lenient) punishment,” Wilken said.
The judge’s sentence went against a recommendation by federal prosecutor Susan Badger who asked that Harris, as the ringleader and purchaser of the guns, be sentenced to 12 months in federal prison and that Thomas be given a four-month prison stint.
The pair’s illegal actions came to light in 2010, when some of the Explorers in the program complained to Richmond Police Department administration that Harris and Thomas stiffed them for pay after hiring them as security guards for a side business the pair began.
The department had ordered the pair not to start the business when they asked for permission earlier, but they did so anyway. They recruited at least some of their staff from the Explorer program to work as guards.
Harris went to a San Jose gun dealer in June 2009 and November 2009 and bought semi-automatic handguns for two of his employees, both younger than 21, who paid him in advance for them — a violation of federal law.
State law prohibits the purchase of handguns by anyone younger than 21.
A police department internal affairs investigation into the security business quickly turned into a federal criminal case. At that point, Harris and Thomas began a cover-up in which they tried to recover the guns they sold to their teenage employees.
That cover-up included hiring a Concord private investigator that was known for setting up people for arrests.
Badger, the federal prosecutor, argued that the court needed to set higher standards for Harris and Thomas because both were given the trust of the community as police officers and vowed an oath to uphold the law.
“It completely undermines the trust the community has in police officers,” Badger said as she argued that the officers should be sent to prison. “It’s egregious and it needs to be addressed.”
But Harris’ attorney, Paul Wolf, said that his client has already suffered by losing his job. In addition, Wolf said, his client would face significant danger by being a former police officer in prison.
Wilken agreed as she sentenced Harris to six months in a halfway house and six months of home detention. Harris will also be placed on five years of federal probation and can never serve as a police officer again.
Thomas was sentenced to six months of home detention and three years of federal probation.
Houston police searching for security officer murder suspects www.privateofficer.com
Houston TX Aug 23 2012 Authorities are searching for two men wanted in the shooting death of a security guard during a robbery at a game room in east Harris County in early August.
Rafael Gomez Soliz, 26, and Santiago Jaimes Gonzalez, 28, are charged with capital murder in the shooting, which occurred at the game room in the 7300 block of the East Freeway about 7:45 a.m. Aug. 5, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies identified the victim as Juan Pardo-Gonzalez,
Deputies said Pardo-Gonzalez was working as a guard at the game when three men who were inside playing machines pulled out guns and confronted him.
During a fight, Pardo-Gonzalez was fatally shot. The gunmen took cash from the office and left in a dark-colored vehicle similar to a sports utility vehicle.
Anyone with information about the suspects’ whereabouts is urged to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at 713 967-5810 or Crime Stoppers at 713 222-TIPS (8477).
Former TN police officer files lawsuit over unpaid wages
R. Bryan Johnson, former DICE officer and Burns police chief, is suing the county and Dickson County Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe for unpaid wages while Johnson cared for the DICE canine officer.
Bledsoe deferred comment about the lawsuit to the county’s attorney. The Herald contacted the attorney’s office several times, but had not heard back by press time.
Andrew C. Clarke filed the suit Aug. 7 in the U.S. District Court of Middle Tennessee on behalf of Johnson.
On numerous, occasions Johnson requested payment for the “necessary activities” to maintain the dog’s health and law enforcement skills, Clarke stated in the filing. The defendants “willfully refused to pay the Plaintiff for this time,” he continued.
Johnson, now living in Alabama, began working for the sheriff’s office around 2001. In August 2008, he was assigned to the DICE Interdiction Team for Dickson County, under the sheriff’s office.
On or about Oct. 2009, he was assigned a police canine and became the department’s canine officer.
The dog cost $5,000 to commission, and “therefore, it was in the Defendants’ best interest that the Plaintiff (Johnson) maintain the dog’s health and perform other activities necessary to insure that the dog was a reliable and safe drug detection tool,” penned Clarke.
During his employment and after, Johnson “continuously maintained he was entitled to be paid wages for his canine related work.”
At one point, the defendants agreed to pay Johnson for additional activities related to caring for the dog, the suit stated. Johnson received payment for the services from Aug. 28-Oct. 23, 2010 pursuant to the written agreement signed by Johnson and former Sheriff Tom Wall.
Johnson discussed receiving payment for his unpaid wages from October 2009-Aug. 28, 2010 and “was assured that Defendants would resolve this situation.”
After Bledsoe became sheriff, Johnson’s pay for work-related upkeep of the dog was cut from approximately 32 hours per month to 16 hours per month on or about Oct. 23, 2010 “in breach of the agreement to pay these wages entered into by Plaintiff and Sheriff Wall,” the suit read.
On or about Nov. 6, 2010, the defendants completely stopped paying Johnson any wages for canine related services. Instead, the defendants required Johnson to receive compensation time in lieu of wages from Nov. 6, 2010-July 2011, Clarke stated.
After Johnson quit working for the sheriff’s office July 9, 2011, he requested the sheriff’s office pick up the dog. They didn’t retrieve the canine till July 15, 2011. The suit claimed Johnson also is entitled to payment of wages for this period, since he continued to maintain the dog’s health.
Citing the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, the suit stated, “As a result of the Defendants’ breach of the agreement to pay Plaintiff wages for maintaining the canine officer, Plaintiff suffered a loss of wages and is entitled to his lost wages plus pre-judgment interest.”
Source:Tennessean
Police stand-off after man locks himself inside American Eagle cockpit www.privateofficer.com
Baton Rouge LA Aug 23 2012 An man who locked himself inside an American Eagle plane cockpit in Baton Rouge, La., surrendered to authorities and was in police custody, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
The man was identified as Andrew Alessi by the Baton Rouge police. He will likely be charged with interfering with a flight crew, according to a federal law enforcement source.
American Eagle Airlines is a regional partner of American Airlines.
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport Chief of Airport Security Anthony Williams said that the aircraft was in the process of a turnaround, having just flown in from Dallas, when the man got on the plane.
“It had been cleared of passengers,” Williams said at a news briefing. “No passengers were ever in danger and they were in the process of clearing the plane and doing their final security walk-through. And what apparently happened, the gentleman in question pushed past the gate agent who was at the gate and ran down the jet bridge.”
Another American Airlines employee “challenged” Alessi at the entrance of the plane, but Alessi got past him and locked himself in the cockpit. Williams said the cockpit is “virtually impregnable” once it is locked from the inside.
The plane was immobilized and Alessi did not know how to fly a plane, according to a spokesman for the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport.
The plane was quickly disabled by disconnecting the external power so that there would have been no way to start the plane. The aircraft also remained attached to the push-back vehicle, the spokesman said.
Alessi was reportedly upset about a personal situation.
American Airlines personnel immediately notified airport police, and a SWAT team from the Baton Rouge Police Department negotiated with the man and got him out of the cockpit and off the plane. The negotiation lasted between two to three hours, according to Baton Rouge Airport spokesman Jim Caldwell.
The FBI and ATF were on-scene to assist.
Alessi was a ticketed passenger and had cleared security. He had no weapons.
Source:ABC NEWS
Police investigate suicide of El Camino College police officer www.privateofficer.com
Redondo Beach CA Aug 23 2012 Investigators with the Redondo Beach Police Department are looking into the apparent suicide of an El Camino College police officer, according to a news release Redondo police Lt. Joe Hoffman.
Anthony Albert Tanori, 30, was pronounced dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound in his South Redondo Beach home, Hoffman said. A coworker found him shortly before 9 a.m. after Tanori failed to go to work.
There is “no indication at all of any sort of foul play,” Hoffman told Patch.
“The Redondo Beach Police Department extends our condolences to Officer Tanori’s family and friends as well as all of the members of the El Camino College Police Department,” Hoffman wrote in the news release.
Records from El Camino College indicate that Tanori began working the community college’s police department in 2009. He was previously a member of the Hawthorne Police Department.
Fake gun causes stir at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital www.privateofficer.com
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital spokesman Chris Walz said the incident began unfolding around 9:30 a.m., when security cameras captured a patient entering the hospital with what appeared to be a shotgun.
Hospital security personnel located the patient and quickly determined that the weapon posed no threat.
“The dummy rifle was to be used as a physical therapy tool because its shape and weight closely resembled that of an actual rifle, which the patient handles frequently while performing his duties. All patients and staff that were in the immediate vicinity of the patient were not alarmed since it was easy to distinguish that the dummy rifle was not real,” said Walz.
“The message is: The system did work the way it should work,” said Don Carr, Fort Belvoir’s Director of Public Affairs. “They responded as they should have because they believed there was possible danger, but it turned out there was no danger to Belvoir staff or patients.”
Suspects punch hole in roof at Greenspoint Mall to steal sneakers www.privateofficer.com
HOUSTON TX Aug 23 2012 — Police say several suspects broke into a shoe store through the roof at Greenspoint Mall early this morning, grabbing dozens of sneakers.
They say at least four suspects broke into a Foot Action through the roof around 5am.
Officers and a mall security guard located three of the four after searching the roof for nearly an hour. Two adults and one juvenile were taken into custody without incident.
The fourth fled the mall property and remains on the loose.
According to authorities, the suspects were trying to steal 17 pairs of Air Jordan shoes valued at a total of between $3,000 and $4,000.
Source: KTRK
Fort Wayne man facing numerous charges in shoplifting spree www.privateofficer.com
A security worker at the mall saw Benjamin Bonds put multiple items from different stores inside bags and then use pliers to remove a security tag, a probable cause affidavit said.
When Bonds left Macy’s without paying for the merchandise, the security guard attempted to stop Bonds, but he took off running, court records said.
The security guard caught Bonds and recovered jackets, a sweatshirt, sunglasses, a watch, cellphones and eyeglass frames.
The merchandise was valued at $1,428.73 and was from Macy’s and LensCrafters, court papers said.
Bonds, of the 300 block of East Suttenfield Street, was charged with two counts of theft.
source:journal gazette
California Department of Corrections inmate firefighter dies in duty www.privateofficer.com
An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death of Jimmy Randolph, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a news release.
Randolph, a Los Angeles County resident, was sentenced in July 2005 to an eight-year term for petty theft with prior convictions. His family was at his bedside when he died, the news release said.
Statewide, almost 2,300 inmates are on fire crews that assist with fire-suppression and fire-prevention efforts. Those inmates provide about 3 million hours’ worth of firefighting and other emergency efforts per year, according to a Department of Corrections factsheet.
Participants in the program, who must be minimum-security inmates, are medically cleared before starting, and go through a “vigorous” two-week physical fitness training program and a two-week course in fire safety and suppression techniques, the factsheet says.
Randolph was part of an inmate fire crew that was stationed at Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp, located in Valyermo, in the Mojave Desert. Fenner Canyon houses fewer than 150 prisoners and is designed to provide inmate fire crews to Los Angeles, Kern and San Bernardino counties, the release said.
Besides Randolph, there were five other injuries, including one man who had to be airlifted from the scene.
The Buck Fire was sparked by lightning Aug. 14 in the rural Sage area southeast of Hemet. It claimed four structures and burned nearly 2,700 acres. Cal Fire/Riverside County fire officials declared the fire completely under control at 8 a.m. Monday.
The fire also led to one man being arrested and booked on charges of interfering with a firefighter and assault with a deadly weapon.
Gregory Lance Good, 59, of Sage, drove his vehicle at a fire captain, running over his foot with the front tire, John Hall, a spokesman with the Riverside County district attorney’s office, said Monday. The fire captain did not have to be taken to the hospital, Hall said.
Good was arrested Aug. 14 and is being held on $30,000 bond. He was arraigned Friday and pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Scoutmaster -substitute teacher tried enticing 12 year old to perform sex acts www.privateofficer.com
Andrew J. Myers — arrested yesterday at his home — is being held until Thursday, when he’s due in Worcester court for a detention hearing on child porn and child enticement charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
The 34-year-old lawyer, who Northbridge school officials said subbed in their school system for nearly two years until last November and also served on the school committee from 2005 to 2008, ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for the 9th Worcester District seat in 2004, touting his focus on the state’s youth as a “major goal of my candidacy,” according to his campaign website
We must make sure that we save every single child we can,” Myers wrote
A spokesman for the Boy Scouts’ Mohegan Council said Myers’ membership was “immediately revoked” yesterday, but said that the charges “do not appear to have anything to do with Scouting.”
The case stems from an investigation by Colorado authorities, who tracked Myers after the mother of a 12-year-old boy he allegedly tried coaxing into exposing himself on Skype contacted police late last month, according to an affidavit filed in the case.
Myers, who went by the name Jonathan Andrews online, is also accused of emailing three underage boys and trying to solicit them into sex.
As authorities began digging into Myers’ computer and email accounts, they also found child porn and evidence he logged onto a Russian website, where he posted photos of clothed boys “personally known to Myers,” including one identified as a Northbridge student, according to the affidavit
source:boston herald
