Bridgeton High School enforcement officer suspended, security guard arrested www.privateofficer.com

 

BRIDGETON NJ May 16 2013 — Police were called at 9:30 a.m. on May 6 to Bridgeton High School for an incident.
At that time, education enforcement officer Leo Marquez told them he was assaulted by both a juvenile and a school security staff member.
Marquez told them he was in the area of the school gym when he saw the juvenile with other juveniles.
He said the juvenile assaulted him and he defended himself. He added that the security guard, Alexis Rodriquez, also assaulted him and he arrested him.
The altercation was broken up and the juvenile was arrested and taken to the nurse’s office and later to Inspira Health Center, in Bridgeton, where he was treated.
The extent of his injuries is not in the report, although a cousin said he received five stitches.
The police report stated he suffered some physical injury to his face.
The police report said Rodriquez was placed under arrest for assaulting Marquez while apparently trying stop further altercation.
Marquez faces no charges at this time.
Both the juvenile and Rodriquez were released on summonses, one to juvenile court and the other to municipal court.
At Tuesday night’s board of education meeting, Marquez asked to speak before the board in open session.
Marquez admitted he had been suspended and cited his nine-year record as a security officer, saying he “had only a couple of blemishes.
“I had an altercation with a student on May 6 here in the school and I have been suspended,’’ he said.
“I have been an officer here for the past nine years.
“I was aggravated by two different people.
“I don’t know what my current status is, and I don’t know if I’m going to get reinstated and want to make sure everything is clear.
“Maybe I should have handled the incident differently, but when you’re a police officer, you respond right away.
“I think I should be OK.’’
Board President Angie Edwards told him the entire board had not been apprised of the incident, so it would not be discussed at the meeting.
In response to a question, Edwards asked a reporter before the meeting if he had seen a videotape of the incident.
She indicated she had.
When contacted by the South Jersey Times after the incident, Director of Security Bob Stevens said it was a personnel matter and would be handled in-house.
He gave no further information.
A phone call to Stevens Wednesday morning asking if Marquez was suspended with pay was not immediately returned.

Source- nj.com

Two Florence SC nightclub bouncers charged with assault www.privateofficer.com

 

FLORENCE, S.C.May 5 2013 — Two security guards have been arrested following an April 21 assault at a Florence night club.

Christopher Mack, 40, of 1302 Waverly Ave., Florence, is charged with one count of third-degree assault and battery by mob and one count of common law robbery.

Rickardo S. Sinkler, 40, of 1032 Hudderfield Drive in Sumter, is charged with one count of assault and battery by mob, one count of second-degree assault and battery and one count of common law robbery.
Investigators allege Mack and Sinkler, both security guards at Club Nirvana at 2729 E. Palmetto St., assaulted a victim, necessitating medical treatment at a local hospital. The assault was captured on videotape, which was posted on the Internet.
In addition to the assault on the victim, the victim’s wallet with an unknown amount of money was also taken.
Sinkler was released from the Florence County Detention Center on a $25,000 surety bond. Bond for Mack was set at $5,000 surety, but he remains at the
Florence County Detention Center on a family court bench warrant.

source-scnow.com

Security Guard Arrested after Allegedly Firing Weapon in Business www.privateofficer.com

 

York County VA May 3 2013 A Newport News man was arrested in York County on April 16 after he allegedly discharged a firearm and then filed a false report with police.

Lt. Dennis Ivey of the York Poquoson Sheriff’s Department said 29-year-old Hakeen Galbreth, a guard at Sims Metal Management in Tabb, fired a shot at a window at that business. He then called police and filed a report that an unknown suspect had fired the shot, which an investigation determined to be false.

Galbreth was charged with reckless handling of a firearm and was taken to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.

Security guard steals iPhones, iPads, and laptop at Port Authority facilities www.privateofficer.com

 

Jersey City NJ May 2 2013 A former employee of a private security firm employed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was arrested yesterday and charged with stealing electronic devices and cash from two Port Authority facilities in Jersey City, officials said.
Omar Hassan, 23, whose address was not available, has been charged by the Port Authority’s Inspector General Office with the theft of five Port Authority iPhones, three iPads, one MacBook Pro, and $220, Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman said.
Coleman said the electronics items were allegedly taken while Hassan worked as a security guard at a Port Authority facility on Montgomery Street near Exchange Place.
The cash was allegedly taken while Hassan worked as a security guard at a Port Authority facility near the mouth of the Holland Tunnel, Coleman said.
Hassan is charged with 10 counts of theft of moveable property, Coleman said.

Source- NJ.com

Longmont United Hospital security guard fired, arrested after incident with screaming patient www.privateofficer.com

LONGMONT CO April 30 2013 — A contract security guard at Longmont United Hospital was fired and arrested last week after he lost his temper with a screaming mental health patient, according to police.
Police reported that Brian Burcar cursed at the screaming patient, picked up a pillow and placed it on her face for “just a brief second.”
A social worker saw the incident and reported it. Security footage from the hospital showed that Burcar was in patient’s room for about one minute, according to police reports.
Burcar was arrested at the Longmont Police Department on suspicion of misdemeanor harassment and misdemeanor menacing.
Longmont United Hospital spokeswoman Karen Logan said hospital staff quickly intervened.
“The security officer will not be working at Longmont United Hospital again. He was suspended immediately,” Logan said. “We did speak to the head security officer and he is not to return to Longmont United Hospital.”
Burcar did not return a message on Monday.
Police were called to the hospital just after midnight Friday. Officers interviewed a social worker who said she heard the guard yelling obscenities at a woman who was in the mental health area and was screaming.
She went into the woman’s room, she told police, and saw the guard standing over the patient near the head of the bed with a pillow in his hand. She recalled he said, “If you want to f—ing scream, f—king scream into this.”
The social worker told officers she saw Burcar place the pillow over the woman’s face with one of his hands placed on either side of her head.
The woman told police he did not appear to apply much pressure, held it down for a “brief second” and got a look on his face that implied he knew he shouldn’t have done it. He left the room when she told him to do so.
Burcar told his supervisor and police that he took the pillow from under the woman’s head and threw it at her, but did not put it over her face.
Burcar’s supervisor told officers he suspended Burcar and sent him home after the incident.
Burcar spoke with police later in the evening and said the woman was abusive to staff throughout the evening and would not be quiet. He said he took the pillow from her bed and dropped it on her face while telling her to scream into the pillow if she insisted on screaming. He denied that he held the pillow over her face.
He was booked on the misdemeanor charges and immediately released, police reported.

source -timescall

Columbia Regional Airport TSA employee arrested in thefts www.privateofficer.com

COLUMBIA MO April 29 2013 – Columbia Police confirmed Friday afternoon that Department of Homeland Security officials arrested a TSA employee in the Columbia Regional Airport parking lot around 7 a.m. Thursday.
Columbia police identified the employee as 32-year-old Eric Richard Dunlap of Jefferson City, Dunlap is suspected of felony stealing.
Columbia Police Sergeant Joe Bernhard said the arrest took place after what he called a Department of Homeland Security honesty check. As part of the honesty check, a DHS official posed as a traveler gave Dunlap a bag with $500 inside, claiming he found it at the airport.
Bernhard said officials then saw Dunlap leave the airport Thursday morning with the bag and arrested him.
Columbia Public Works Public Information Specialist Steven Sapp said the arrest came after reports from passengers at Columbia Regional had notified TSA and Department of Homeland Security officials that they believed items were missing from their bags. Officials then identified Dunlap, the employee suspected of removing the items from their bags, after reviewing video surveillance footage.
Dunlap was brought to Boone County Jail after his arrest on a $4,500 bond for felony stealing.
Dunlap posted that bond and is out of jail.
As of Friday afternoon, the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney’s office had not filed any charges in the case.
Bernhard said Dunlap has worked for the TSA for several years.

source- kmou

Oakland Mall security guard arrested for burglarizing stores www.privateofficer.com

 

Troy MI April 24 2013 An Oakland Mall security officer is expected to be arraigned today or Wednesday on charges he was breaking into stores he was paid to protect.
Troy Police Sgt. Andy Breidenich said the suspect was arrested on Monday after the latest break-in was reported at the mall at 14 Mile and I-75. Another breaking-and-entering theft was reported last week, along with others during the past month.
“We’re investigating a bunch of B-and-Es at Oakland Mall,” Breidenich said today. “That’s all we’ve got at this point until we get the guy arraigned.”
Breidenich said the break-ins were occurring overnight, with someone entering stores through doors inadvertently left unlocked. Police were not releasing which stores were hit or the value of items taken.
The suspect is expected to be arraigned in 52-4 District Court in Troy today or Wednesday. The suspect is employed by the security company contracted with Oakland Mall, Breidenich said.

source-dtroit free press

North Star Mall security guard charged with burglary www.priateofficer.com

SAN ANTONIO TX April 18 2013

North Star Mall security guard Arthur Manzanedo, 38, is accused of stealing from one of the stores he was hired to protect.

Manzanedo was still in uniform when he was allegedly caught on camera last Friday morning, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

San Antonio police detectives were conducting undercover surveillance at the mall when they saw four people enter the Aeropostale store around 2:40 a.m., the affidavit stated.

They said the suspected thieves were caught on camera, loading items from the store into a trash bin.

One of the men in the video, seen taking items from the shelves and holding the door open for the others, is wearing a security guard uniform, the affidavit stated.

Police showed the video to the mall’s chief of security who identified the man in uniform as Manzanedo, the affidavit stated.

Manzanedo was arrested Tuesday on a burglary charge. The affidavit did not mention whether police have identified or arrested any of the other people in the video.

Source-ksat.com

Five security officers arrested protesting wage issues www.privateofficer.com

 

Philadelphia PA April 17 2013
At least five security officers were arrested last week for protesting against a security company who
they alleged had not paid them or cheated them out of their hourly wage.
The demonstration orchestrated with the assistance of a local union blocked traffic and caused a response by local police.
Neither the the names of the security officers nor the name of the company was released.

Houston security guard accused of fondling female students during fake drug searches www.privateofficer.com

HOUSTON TX April 16 2013 – Countless complaints were made through the years against an HISD security guard now accused of groping female students at several campuses while conducting bogus drug searches.
Devin Jay Delarosa, 28, is charged with five counts of indecency with a child.
Delarosa worked at Burbank Elementary School and Burbank Middle School from November 15, 2010 through June 1, 2012.
A student said Delarosa began fondling her when she was a 5th grader at Burbank Elementary School. She was only 11 years old at the time. She told investigators the inappropriate touching continued when she was a 6th grader at Burbank Middle School.
She said Delarosa would order her to “get over here.” He would then take her to a private location saying he needed to search her body for drugs, the girl said.
The accuser said he would take her to his office when she attended the elementary school and to a closet at the middle school campus.
The victim said Delarosa would grope and fondle her breasts each time he “searched” her, and once tried to feel between her legs, but she would not let him.
The student said she once asked Delarosa why he was searching her instead of a having a woman do it. Delarosa replied that he could do “whatever he wanted,” according to the girl.
She was not the only student to speak out against Delarosa. Records show that numerous complaints were made against the security guard.
Delarosa was reprimanded multiple times when middle school parents accused him of inappropriate contact with young girls, giving girls rides on his golf cart and befriending students online.
Police also found several complaints from young female students at Austin High School saying he was touching them in an inappropriate manner. Delarosa, who worked there between the 2010-2011 school year, was warned by school officials not to fraternize with female students.
Delarosa denied all of the allegations. He was jailed and given a $30,000 bond.
After his court appearance Monday, defense attorney Baldemar Zuniga said Delarosa was only doing his job.
“Perhaps there was a lapse in judgment with regard to the performance of his duties, but we certainly believe that once the investigation is completed and once the evidence is reviewed, that there is not going to be any indication that he was indecent with any of these children,” said Zuniga.
Investigators are looking into why he was allowed to continue working on the school campuses when multiple reports were made about him.
“As we go along, obviously we will investigate and learn more and learn more about his past history and whether or not that should have been a signal to anyone,” prosecutor Lisa Collins said.
In regards to the allegations made at Austin High School, HISD said the alleged behavior was documented by the school principal, who is no longer employed by the district. There is no indication the former principal shared this information with HISD Police, HISD Professional Standards, or any other appropriate authorities. Records documenting concerns about Delarosa’s actions were maintained at Austin High School, but do not appear to have been submitted for inclusion in his HISD personnel file. Delarosa was not charged with a crime related to the allegations at Austin High School.
According to HISD, Delarosa resigned from HISD in December when district police confronted him about the allegations of inappropriate behavior.
Delarosa was hired as a security guard at time when campus principals were responsible for screening and managing them. The Houston ISD Police Department has since assumed responsibility for overseeing security guard management.

Source-khou

Former security guard gets 90-day sentence for stealing from client www.privateofficer.com

 

Marin CA April 15 2013 A former security guard assigned to watch a home in Tiburon was sentenced to 90 days in jail for stealing property from the house.
Erik Tyler Epting, 23, of Windsor also agreed to obtain drug treatment and pay restitution, said Deputy District Attorney Nicole Pantaleo.
Epting was arrested Oct. 1 on suspicion of stealing jewelry and other items from a Little Reeds Height home he was assigned to check on. The house was vacant because the resident had died, and the family hired the security company to keep watch on the house.
When dispatchers were unable to reach Epting for an extended period during his rounds, they sent a supervisor to the home. The supervisor discovered the crime and called Tiburon police.
Epting was stopped on northbound Highway 101 in San Rafael, and property from the home was found in the car, police said.
In February, Epting pleaded guilty to theft and the prosecution agreed to dismiss a burglary charge. He was sentenced Wednesday.
Epting, who posted bail shortly after his arrest, might be able to satisfy the jail sentence through credits in a drug rehabilitation program.
His lawyer, Jonathan Steele of Santa Rosa, did not respond to a request for comment.
Epting was fired by the security company after the incident.
source-marinij.com

California security guard faked shooting www.privateofficer.com

Santee, Calif. April 15 2013 – A security guard who said someone shot at him and he fired back while patrolling near Gillespie Field made up the story and may be charged with lying to police, a sheriff’s official said Thursday.

Lance Wright, 22, of Lakeside, admitted Wednesday during questioning that he lied and shot his own car, Sgt. Scott Enyeart said.

He said he wanted to get out of the security business and believed the phony shooting would provide him with an excuse to quit, he said.

A similar report that Wright filed about coming under gunfire in the same general area in February was bogus as well, the sergeant said.

Earlier, Wright claimed someone in a red Chevrolet Suburban shot at him shortly before 4 a.m. Friday as he drove east on Woodside Avenue, near state Route 67, in Santee.

Wright told detectives he stopped, got out of his car and returned fire.

Detectives were skeptical about the story from the outset.

“It’s strange, very strange; we don’t get this type of case at all, and security guards aren’t normally the target of this type of incident,” Enyeart told 10News. “The evidence did not reflect … his version of the incident.”

Residents who lived in the area told investigators what they saw and heard that night.

“They heard the shots, looked outside and were able to disprove his statement to us that the red Suburban was not present. Through our investigation, we determined that this was staged and that Wright shot his own weapon at his own car,” said Enyeart.

When confronted with the discrepancies, Wright, who worked for Bravo 3 Security, eventually confessed to his deception, Enyeart said.

Wright appeared embarrassed when he admitted the truth, Enyeart said. He was released pending the outcome of an investigation.

Sheriff’s investigators plan to seek charges against Wright, likely including filing a false police report, negligent discharge of a firearm, felony vandalism and planting false evidence.

Fresno security guard arrested after shooting at girlfriend www.privateofficer.com

 

FRESNO, Calif. April 9 2013– Fresno police say an armed security guard spent his morning break shooting up a car his ex-girlfriend was sitting in with a friend.

But investigators say, after he fired a handful of shots, that missed the two targets, he simply returned to work. Four undercover officers took a dangerous place in line at the Social Security Administration office posing as customers to take down an armed guard.

 Tim Tietjen with the Fresno Police Department said, “Our fear was if a uniformed officer would have went into the business, there would have been some type of confrontation because he knew he was wanted and he knew the crime he had committed today.”

Police say moments earlier Juan Salmeron shot into a car occupied by his former girlfriend and her male friend. He calmly returned to his job, and a packed office full of customers. Officers say they had little time to make an arrest to protect the public.

“We walked in, we waited for him to be distracted,” said Tietjen.

“Once he was distracted we took him into incident without incident.”  Officers say a car pulled up to the Southeast Fresno Police Substation just after 10:00 a.m. pierced with bullet holes. The victims told police they were talking near Romain playground when the woman’s ex-boyfriend showed up.

Andy Mercado with the Fresno Police Department said, “She is currently going through a separation with this individual and as they drove off, the boyfriend with whom she is breaking up with fired shots.”

The bullets were from a 40 caliber handgun, that’s also the type of gun Salmeron had on his waist when he was arrested.

Forensic tests are now underway to find out if the same gun was used in the crime.    No one was injured during the risky arrest, but customers inside the social security office were seemed shocked when police moved in, Salmeron was too.     “He was real surprised to see us,” said Tietjen.  “He didn’t expect us to be cops. We were able to identify ourselves and disarm him without any problems.”
Source:KFSN

Illinois security company owner and school board candidate says arrest for impersonating a police officer is bogus www.privateofficer.com

Rockford IL April 7 2013 A Rockford school board candidate says his arrest for impersonating a police officer Thursday was not only a  poorly thought out plan to trump up charges against him, but politically motivated.

Juan Reyes, owner of Security Professionals of Illinois, is campaigning for the Subdistrict F seat on the Rockford Board of Education. Thursday morning, April 4, Reyes was arrested at his home by the Illinois Secretary of State Police.

The arrest stems from an incident Reyes says he has thought little about until this week. Nov. 28, Reyes, 41, was stopped by a Cherry Valley police officer for speeding. In complying with the request to produce his driver’s license, Reyes reached for his wallet, which holds a law enforcement badge. Reyes carries the badge because he’s a member of the Illinois Police Bureau, a non-profit auxiliary law enforcement agency that assists police departments across the state. “He asked me, ‘Do you work for an agency?’” Reyes said. “I told him, ‘I’m with the Illinois Police Bureau out of Chicago.’”

The officer issued Reyes a warning, advising  him to obey the speed limit. “That was the end of it,” Reyes said. “I drove off.” Reyes said the stop surfaced briefly a month later when he applied for a position with the Secretary of State Police. “I applied to be an investigator,” he said. “It was perfect–a job that would have allowed me to keep working my security business.”

Close to what Reyes felt was a job offer, a hiring officer inquired about the Cherry Valley traffic stop. “He asked me if I told the police officer that I was a Chicago cop,” Reyes said of the interview. Reyes later received written notice from the Secretary of State that he was no longer being considered for employment. “I got the letter Jan. 10,” he said. “It thanked me for applying and that ‘due to the circumstances’ I was permanently ineligible for a job.”

The answer to why he was being accused of a crime almost five months after the alleged offense, Reyes said was nothing short of puzzling. An official in Springfield, while reviewing his employment application, initiated a complaint against him for allegedly impersonating an officer during the November traffic stop. “It makes no sense,”  Reyes said. “They already had my paperwork long before Jan. 10. And now, day before the election, someone says I need to be arrested?” Had he committed a crime, Reyes said, he would have expected to be arrested by the Cherry Valley Police Department.

“Being a law enforcement practitioner, I know that if I impersonated an officer, the agency that I impersonated to would need to arrest me, not the Secretary of State.” While the Secretary of State Police does possess arresting power, its role is largely behind the scenes, regulating licenses issued to pawn shops, automobile dealers, auto parts stores and taxi companies. It also assists in tracking down stolen vehicles.

Lending to Reyes’ confusion was the identity of the arresting officer. According to court documents, the arrest warrant was served by Investigator Seth Beard. “It’s the same investigator who interviewed me for the job with the Secretary of State,” Reyes said. “Again, he was already informed of the (traffic) incident long before Thursday. During my interview, he even took a picture of my bureau ID and badge. I was told there was no problem.”

Reyes was charged under Illinois Statutes 720 5/17-2(b)(3), False Impersonation of a Police Officer, and 720 5/17-2(d)(1), Producing a False Law Enforcement Badge. According to the statute, it is a felony to misrepresent an individual or public police agency using the words: “‘Police Department’, ‘Patrolman’, ‘Sergeant’, ‘Lieutenant’, ‘Peace Officer’, ‘Sheriff’s Police’, ‘Sheriff’, ‘Officer’, ‘Law Enforcement,’ ‘Trooper’, ‘Deputy’,’Deputy Sheriff’ and ‘State Police.’” It is also a crime to, ” knowingly produce, sell, or distribute a law enforcement badge without the express written consent of the law enforcement agency represented on the badge or, in case of a reorganized or defunct law enforcement agency, its successor law enforcement agency.”

Reyes says he did nothing to violate either law. “There was nothing false about it,” Reyes said. “I didn’t tell him, ‘I’m a police officer.’ I told him I was the deputy chief of the bureau. That’s where it ended. Reyes was also charged with using a false name, two charges he says are also not valid. “When the officer ran my plates, he saw that my car is registered to me and the Illinois Police Bureau, he said.

“I listed the title that way because I use red and blue police lights when I do work for the bureau. In order for a car to use red and blues, the vehicle must be associated with an agency permitted to use them.” According to Chief Richard Buroff of the Illinois Police Bureau, Reyes has been with the more than 20-year-old agency for three years and serves as the deputy chief in charge of training. Buroff said Juan’s time with the organization has included nothing but exemplary service. “I don’t believe Juan is guilty of anything,” Buroff said. “To me, someone delighted in starting something up they knew would appear in all of the newspapers.”

As for his campaign, Reyes, a former U.S. Marine and Desert Storm veteran, said he is running for school board because he believes in public education and aims to continue making a difference in Rockford. “I have four kids in the district,” he said. “I am vested. I’ve been a coach. I am involved

. If people want change in District 205, they can vote for me. I don’t hide behind anything. I will be that one guy with a true voice. “These charges are bogus and they are trumped up.” Reyes faces Michael Connor and Jeffery A. Holt in the April 9 election. He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, April 11, in courtroom B, inside the Winnebago County Justice Center. An attempt to reach Investigator Seth Beard was unsuccessful.
Source: rockfordrecord.com

Security guard found guilty in Allentown club fatal shooting www.privateofficer.com

Allentown PA April 5 2013 A jury took about three hours to find a security guard guilty in the shooting death of an unarmed, aspiring rapper at an Allentown after-hours club.
Andrew Gesslein II, 43, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Maurice “O Head” Randolph on April 29 at the North End Republican Club. Gesslein, who was working for the Whitehall Township-based Eye in the Sky security firm, maintained he acted in self-defense when he shot Randolph, 23, three times after a brief struggle at the door. Gesslein faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing scheduled June 11, said Lehigh County Judge Robert Steinberg, who ruled the Berks County resident could remain free on bail until that time. Gesslein didn’t make any statement when asked by the judge.

A large contingent of Randolph’s family and friends, including his mother, Michelle Randolph, were in attendance. After the verdict, Michelle Randolph said she wished Gesslein had apologized. “He’s never shown remorse,” Michelle Randolph said. “That just shows how heartless he was.”

Courtroom reactions After the verdict was read, a brief cheer erupted on the Randolph family’s side of the gallery, only to be quickly silenced by Steinberg. On the other side of the room, two women sobbed. Outside the courtroom the women were ushered away by sheriff’s deputies. The trial lasted four days.

The prosecution and defense finished their closing arguments this morning.

Both sides concur there was an escalating war of words between Gesslein and Randolph for about 20 minutes, as Gesslein repeatedly rebuffed attempts by Randolph and his companions to enter the club. Defense attorney James Connell said Gesslein feared for his life when Randolph and his companions made a “bum rush” at Gesslein to get into the club. Gesslein has maintained Randolph appeared to be reaching for a gun, although no weapon was found on Randolph. Connell said whether or not Randolph actually had a gun was not important, but rather that Gesslein felt legitimately threatened.

“He wants to go home to his wife and daughter,” Connell said. “The only way to do that in his mind is to shoot first.”

Surveillance key First Assistant District Attorney Steve Luksa said Randolph was running away from Gesslein at the time of the shooting. According to Luksa, Gesslein became angry and shot Randolph without justification.  A central piece of evidence was the surveillance video taken from outside of the club that night. Randolph and three companions are shown about 3 a.m. being stopped by Gesslein several times at the door.

Finally an agitated Randolph and his companions enter and the club door closes. Moments later, the group rushes out the door and Randolph falls to the ground outside the entrance. Gesslein immediately follows him outside holding his pistol, before going back in the club and closing the door. Gesslein is not seen shooting the weapon on the video, and that sequence of events was at the center of the trial.

The jury had asked to review the video during its deliberations, according to a court official.

Defense disputed Connell argued Randolph was inside the club for more than 30 seconds, plenty of time for the events Gesslein described to happen. Gesslein testified Randolph and a companion grabbed his jacket and arm once inside.

“Michael Randolph was the aggressor,” Connell said. “He created this situation.” Luksa argued Randolph is seen on the surveillance video diving out of the door in a “Superman” position, and that is when Gesslein is shooting him. Luksa argued Gesslein invented his self-defense story to justify his actions.

“He knows he’s angry and he shot Michael three times in the back,” Luksa said. “He knows he can’t do that.” The incident was controversial from the start, as a five-week lag in filing criminal charges after the shooting prompted city residents to hold protests calling for an arrest and questioning the police department’s transparency. Michelle Randolph was also displeased the charge was manslaughter rather than murder.

Sheriff’s deputies increased security outside the fourth-floor courtroom, including installing a metal detector.
Source: lehighvalleylive.com

Salinas security company owner charged with tax evasion and fraud www.privateofficer.com

 

SALINAS, Calif. April 5 2013  —The owner of a private security company hired to patrol Oldtown Salinas and help clean up the homeless problem is now facing prison time for tax evasion and insurance fraud.

Monterey County prosecutors charged Anthony Vincent with four felony and two misdemeanor counts of not providing workers comp insurance to employees, and failing to pay employee taxes.

Vincent is the owner of ESA International, a Salinas-based private security company. They were hired by the Salinas Oldtown Association 18 months ago to patrol downtown.

The director of the association, Amit Pandya, was surprised by the allegations against Vincent. Pandya said Vincent’s company has been a good partner and helped cracked down on crime.

The company is paid $200 a month to patrol the area, but the director says the partnership will be reconsidered when the association has it’s next regular meeting Thursday. One possibility is to terminate the contract with ESA International. The current contract is set to expire at the end of June.

Vincent’s attorney says his client was advised by his accountant to hire his security guards as independent contractors to avoid paying worker’s comp. But that’s against the law.

Vincent will be arraigned April 30. A conviction on all counts could mean 12 years in prison.

source-www.ksbw.com

Ex-Wilkinsburg High School security guard sentenced after text messages with girl, 14 www.privateofficer.com

Wilkinsburg PA April 4 2013 A former Wilkinsburg High School security guard was sentenced today to three years’ probation and a lifetime of registering as a sex offender after pleading guilty to the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.

Michael Tolbert, 27, of Garfield, pleaded guilty to institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and indecent assault before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jill E. Rangos. According to police, Tolbert and the girl exchanged more than 1,000 text messages, some which included graphic sexual images. The girl told investigators Tolbert kissed her in the school during school hours.

Her mother contacted police on Nov. 21 after she found a number in her daughter’s phone she didn’t recognize. Defense attorney Robert Mielnicki said his client had never been in trouble before and that the man never had sex with the girl.

“The relationship started with Facebook banter back and forth,” Mr. Mielnicki said. “There was never intercourse. Their clothes never came off.” Still, the defense continued: “There’s no excuse for it.” Judge Rangos ordered the probation, registering under Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law and no contact with the victim. Because of the felony conviction, Tolbert will not be able to work around children, deputy district attorney Laura Ditka said.
Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/

Novato man accused of attacking security guard during alcohol theft www.privateofficer.com

Marin County CA April 3 2013 A Novato man was arrested after assaulting a security guard who tried to stop him from stealing alcohol, police said.

Erich Augustus Flertzheim, 52, was booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of robbery.

His bail was set at $50,000. The alleged crime occurred Monday night at the Rite Aid Pharmacy at 910 Diablo Ave.

The security officer confronted Flertzheim after seeing him try to shoplift a bottle of alcohol, said Novato police Lt. Jennifer Welch.

Flertzheim attacked the guard and ran from the store, Welch said. He was arrested a short time later. The guard reported no significant injuries.
source-marinij.com

Vermont security guards arrested for thefts against State of Vermont www.privateofficer.com

Montpelier VT March 31 2013 AP Two former security guards are facing charges of stealing from the state of Vermont.

The Vermont State Police say Kevin Stevens of Marshfield and Scott Whitaker of Waterbury Center misused a state fuel card and stole electronic and other items from several state office buildings in Montpelier and Waterbury.

The amount stolen was more than $2,000.

The loss was reported to have occurred between October 2012 and January 2013. Stevens and Whitaker have been cited to appear in court on May 9 on felony charges of grand larceny.

Vancouver mall security officer charged with assault of handicapped man www.privateofficer.com

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 30 2013 (UPI) — A Vancouver, British Columbia, shopping mall security guard faces an assault charge after being caught on video knocking a man in a wheelchair to the floor.

Ali Rahnumah, 30, was one of three undercover security guards who surrounded the one-legged man they suspected of shoplifting at the Pacific Centre Mall in October. A shaky cellphone video obtained by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. shows a guard swearing before knocking the man out of his wheelchair with a blow to the head. “I’ll [expletive] throw you on the ground and [expletive] you up!” the guard is heard saying. “

Don’t [expletive] with me … On the ground! On the ground! On the ground! You’re so stupid — on your chest!” Rahnumah, who was honored as the “loss prevention officer of the year” in 2011 by Downtown Vancouver’s Business Improvement Association, was fired by his employer, Genesis Security, shortly after the CBC aired the video.

“He had done well and I was surprised,” Ashley Meehan, vice president at Genesis Security Group, said.

“It’s not in line with what we expect of our employees. So why it came to that I can’t explain.” Rahnumah — who is expected to make his first court appearance in May — is suing Genesis Security for $25,000 for wrongful dismissal, alleging it was “malicious, reprehensible” and meant “to minimize the negative publicity” arising from the video.

Rahnumah contends his actions during the arrest were “wholly consistent with the manner in which employees [of Genesis] … acted in the performance of their duties.”

Boston bouncer charged with beating customers at nightclub www.privateofficer.com

BOSTON MA March 2013 – A 31-year-old club bouncer is facing a charge of Assault & Battery by means of a dangerous weapon after a fight outside The Grand Canal, a popular club on Canal Street in Boston. There is video posted online of the incident early Sunday morning and it’s now gotten the attention of the city.

The video shows pushing and shoving that then turns to kicking and stomping. We showed the video to people walking by the area. “Your immediate reaction is it seems excessive,” said Tom Smith. “You don’t kick a man when he’s down,” his friend Stan Gusinski reacted.

Police identified the man in the video asBoston bouncer charged with beating customers at nightclub www.privateofficer.com, a bouncer at the club. According to the police report filed in the incident, it all began with an argument inside that led to Phillips and others bouncers leading two groups outside with what was described as great physical force. “I think it’s too far. I think he took it way too far,” said Lauren Butkiewicz. “I got to say it’s just not civilized,” added Bob McCarthy who’d just eaten at The Grand Canal.

When police responded around 1:30 in the morning Sunday, their report says the owner and manager were not very cooperative and that the bouncer was down in the basement trying to avoid officers. We tried to give Phillips a chance to give his side of the story, but no one answered at his Avon home. The Grand Canal released this statement staying, “We do not have all the facts. We are doing our own investigation. We have no further comment at this time”

The owner, David Murray, though, will go before the city’s licensing board Tuesday morning over three past complaints including another case late last year where an employee allegedly assaulted a patron and police were not called. WBZ also confirmed tonight the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing, separate from the liquor board, just this past Friday, gave

The Grand Canal an upcoming five-day suspension for a similar incident involving the same employee. That board will hold a hearing on this latest case April 17th. Four people were taken to Massachusetts General Hospital Sunday morning with what officers described as visible injuries to their faces and heads. Sidney Phillips will be arraigned Tuesday Boston Municipal Court.
Source:CBS News

Port Chester Store Security Guard Accused of Shoplifting at Neighboring Store www.privateofficer.com

Port Chester NY March 27 2013 A security guard at a Port Chester department store is accused of stealing $530 worth of merchandise from another nearby store, according to Port Chester Police.

Latoya Amoy Campbell, 23, of 30 Poplar St., Bridgeport, CT, was arrested Saturday after security officers at the Port Chester Kohl’s store accused her of taking the merchandise without paying for it. Police said Campbell, at the time, was employed as a security guard at the AI Friedman store, just a few doors over in the same shopping center on Boston Post Road.

Police said security officers at Kohl’s saw Campbell go into a fitting room at the store with mulitple items, but the items were not visible when she came out of the room. Police said the security officers checked the room and discovered the items were not left there, leading to the disovery of the items in a plastic bag carried by Campbell.

She is accused of taking nearly 30 shirts, pants, shoes and wallets.

Campbell was charged with petty larceny and faces a hearing in Port Chester Village Court.

Fourteen security officers face serious charges in use of force www.privateofficer.com

CHARLOTTE NC MARCH 27 2013

During the month of March, fourteen security officers have been arrested in connection to the excessive use of force.

Charges including murder, aggravated assault and manslaughter have been levied against licensed private security officers, nightclub bouncers and proprietary security agents alike.

In the past week alone, five security persons have been charged in separate incidents involving a shooting death of a guest at a South Carolina hotel, the beating death of a nightclub patron in New York, the shooting death of an apartment resident in Missouri, a relentless beating of a bar customer at a Boston establishment and a confrontation between a security officer and a trespasser.

In the latest incidents, Greenville SC authorities say that a security officer working at a hotel, shot a man inside a vehicle, using deadly force in a manner not warranted for the type of disturbance that had transpired. Boston police say that the nightclub security agent arrested there, kicked, punched and stomped a man on a public street after a confrontation inside the bar and in all of the other non-related incidents law enforcement investigators stated in their reports that the private security personnel used deadly or excessive force when there was no imminent threat to them. While the dangers to private security officers continue to rise, so do the excessive force complaints, lawsuits and the arrests of men and women just trying to do their job. In a large number of the use of force incidents, a direct line can be drawn to the lack of training, poor supervision and the lack of licensing and certification of both contract and proprietary security companies and officers.

In the three dozen states that require contract security officers to be licensed and receive minimal training, none currently require any skill based or scenario driven practical exercises or qualifications.

This type of training is imperative in an era when security officers are on the frontline assigned to various levels of threat, hostilities, diversity and challenging environments.

By placing security officers who are assigned to high risk assignments, schools or other areas where they will face high interaction with the public or the criminal element into an impact situational training environment, the officer will learn correct responses, techniques and use of force options creating a better trained officer and lowering liability for their employer.

Private Officer Skill Based Training

Private Officer International has developed eight skill based-hands on and scenario based training exercises that are available in a one and two seminar schedule.

The eight exercises encompass the most frequent areas where the unwarranted use of force has been used by private security during the past ten years.

The training exercises use the latest technology, training methodology and tools and can be scheduled at your business, school, church or at any location in your area.

For more information or to schedule a Skill Seminar  please email-helpdesk@privateofficer.com.

Greenville South Carolina security officer charged with murder www.privateofficer.com

Greenville SC March 26 2013 Authorities have arrested and charged the 50-year-old security officer who fatally shot a man after allegedly reacting to what he described as a “disturbance” at the Savannah Suites hotel with murder, a deputy said Monday.

Investigators said the altercation occurred on March 13 at the hotel, located on 2015 Wade Hampton Blvd. in Greenville.

The suspect, security guard Stephen A. Harry of 157 Highland Ridge Trail in Boiling Springs, is charged with murder, according to warrants When the investigation began, Lt. Mike Hildebrand, a spokesman for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, said detectives were interviewing witnesses and examining forensic evidence to see if it matched Harry’s description of the manner in which the events unfolded.

“The investigation revealed that deadly force was not an appropriate response to the circumstances of this incident,” said Deputy Jonathan Smith, a sheriff’s spokesman.

At the time, Harry was employed with Savannah Suites, Smith said.

He is charged in the death of Lakedrekius F. Sloan, 28, of 17 Piney Woods Lane. Investigators said the victim was shot at least once.

Sloan was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 11 p.m. Investigators said that they found a silver-colored Dodge containing the body “against the fence” at the Savannah Suites.

No one else at the hotel was shot or injured.

Harry was being held at the Greenville County Detention Center, Smith said.

George Washington Bridge guard arrested smoking pot on duty www.privateofficer.com

New Jersey March 21 2013 A security guard stationed on the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge was arrested Wednesday for smoking pot on the job, authorities said. The unarmed guard, a 26-year-old from North Bergen, worked for FJC Security, a firm hired by the Port Authority to keep watch over the bridge, the region’s airports and the World Trade Center.

FJC has had a long list of high-profile problems, including the arrest of a Newark Airport security guard who had maintained the identity of another man for  two decades. In the latest incident, a Port Authority police officer performing a security personnel check smelled a strong odor of marijuana as he approached the FJC security booth at the base of a tower on the bridge’s New Jersey side, police said.

When security guard Sami Omar opened the door, the officer told the guard that the booth “reeked of weed,” police said. But Omar denied he had been smoking, telling an officer that it must have been a passing skunk, police said. Police found a “half-smoked blunt” in Omar’s left boot and a bag of marijuana in his possession, authorities said.

He faces charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, police said.

The president of the Port Authority police union said it was just one of a long list of security concerns for the Port Authority’s newly-hired top security official. Paul Nunziato said in a statement that the union has recommended that the Port Authority hire disabled war veterans to help secure prime terrorist targets.

“Their military training and expertise cannot be matched by a contract security guard,” he said. In May, after the arrest of the airport security guard, Port Authority officials met with FJC officials to discuss security lapses and said they would seek proposals from other companies.

Source-northjersey.com

San Francisco security guard wanted for posing as an FBI agent www.privateofficer.com

San Francisco CA March 20 2013 A security guard who was allegedly posing as an FBI agent last month while driving recklessly through the Mission district told police he was rushing to pay his phone bill.
Angel Wilfredo Castro, 47, was slapped with three misdemeanor charges and four infractions related to the February incident in which police said he was driving a Ford Crown Victoria that was illegally fitted with a light bar and siren.
The incident unfolded at the peak of rush hour about 5 p.m. Feb. 11, according to court documents, when a police officer in a marked car at 24th and Capp streets heard sirens.
The cop was suspicious, police said, because he hadn’t heard of any emergency in the area. Then he saw the Ford run a red light at the intersection with flashing lights and a blaring siren.
The officer said he followed the car at speeds of 40 mph in a 25 mph zone until the vehicle parked in the 2600 block of Mission Street.
The officer pulled up and asked what was going on. Castro reportedly claimed the emergency he had been responding to was over.
The cop said Castro did not respond like an FBI agent. He sort of looked like one, however, as he was reportedly wearing a blue baseball cap, blue polo shirt with an FBI emblem and black boots, and he had a gun with a holster and a silver star on his belt.
Still, the officer investigated further and reportedly discovered Castro was a fraud.
On Monday, a bench warrant was issued for the San Francisco resident after he failed to show up to his arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Alex Bastian said.
Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/

Former Tacoma school security guard sentenced to prison for sexual assaults www.privateofficer.com

Tacoma WA March 16 2013 A former school security guard who had sexual relationships with three Stadium High School students has been sentenced to 48 months in prison.
Donte Dwayne Lipscomb, 32, has pleaded guilty to three counts of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor in the First Degree for the affairs between April 2009 to June 2011. “Our schools should be safe zones,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “The legislature has made this conduct illegal and our Special Assault Unit vigorously prosecutes these cases.” According to Lindquist, Lipscomb met a 17-year-old girl in 2009 while employed as a security guard at Stadium High and had sex with her multiple times. He asked her to keep it secret or he would lose his job. She agreed. He also had relationships with a 16-year-old girl in 2010, calling her out of class to report to the security office at least once a week. Lindquist said they had sex one time in the office. Lipscomb also had sex with a 17-year-old student in December of 2011, and then pulled her and a friend out of class to urge them to deny it. Along with the 48-month prison sentence, Lipscomb will remain on probation for one year after his release, be required to register as a sex offender, and complete psycho-sexual treatment.

Muskego Wisconsin security guard arrested with marijuana www.privateofficer.com

Muskego WI March 15 2013 A man who is a security guard is now charged with possession of THC and drug paraphernalia, despite his claims that he had taken it from another suspect during a shift at work. According to the Muskego Police report:

An officer pulled the man over around 1 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24 after he noticed the license plate was inappropriately displayed on the vehicle’s grill. The 20-year-old man from West Milwaukee explained that it was his grandmother’s vehicle and that police there had OKed the plate’s placement on the vehicle during a previous traffic stop, according to the report.

As police determined the man was also under an active warrant for a traffic incident in Milwaukee, they conducted a search of the man and were told they would find a bag of marijuana, pipe and scale, which they did.

However, the man told police that he had come from his shift as a security guard at the Waukesha County Expo Center, and that the items were not his. According to the defendant, he had observed a suspicious man leave and attempt to re-enter the center, and he had smelled marijuana on him. He conducted a search of the man and found the drugs and paraphernalia on him, and had intended to turn them over to a police officer.

However, he told police that none were on duty, and he planned on giving them to the property manager the next day. The man was charged in Muskego Municipal Court for the offenses

Former Virginia Beach school security assistant facing new indecent liberties charges in Norfolk www.privateofficer.com

Virginia Beach VA March 14 2013 Update: A former Virginia Beach school security assistant who was charged with indecent liberties with a student last week now faces new charges in Norfolk.

Patience J. Perez has been charged by Norfolk police for an offense that occurred in connection with a minor/juvenile on February 1st. Perez was arrested March 12 and charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a child by a custodian; one count of conspiracy to commit a felony; and one count of solicitation to commit a felony. Perez remains in the Norfolk City Jail, without no bond. Virginia Beach, Va. – A Norfolk woman is now facing charges after police say she was engaged in a “consensual, sexual relationship” with a student. On March 4, 2013, Virginia Beach Police Special Victims Unit and Child Protective Services were notified by the administration of Renaissance Academy that a woman, employed as a school security assistant, was having inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old student. Police tell NewsChannel 3 that the student and security assistant were engaged in a consensual, sexual relationship away from school. They say the incidents took place sometime between February 2013 and March 2013. The suspect has been identified as 22-year-old Patience Justine Perez, of the 8100 block of O’Connor Crescent in Norfolk. Perez has been arrested. Police say that since Perez was in a custodial role over the student, she was charged with Felony Custodial Indecent Liberties with a Child. Perez is currently out on bond. According to school officials, she has been terminated. Investigators are attempting to identify any other victims who may have had any involvement with the suspect. They are asked to call the Virginia Beach Detective Bureau at (757) 385-4101. This case remains under investigation.
Source:NewsChannel3

Police Charge Charlottesville Security Guard With Impersonating Officer www.privateofficer.com

Charlottesville VA March 12 2013

A security guard has been charged with impersonating a police officer.    City Police say 28-year-old Vasco Degaman Wright is accused of pulling up next to a man in the Barracks Road Shopping Center and threatening to arrest him.  

Police say Wright works for a private security firm.  

The alleged victim told police that Wright identified himself as a police officer, unholstered a gun, and claimed the man had broken the law.  

The alleged victim says he ran into a store because he thought the uniformed man was a fake cop. 

  Police say the incident happened at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.  

Wright was taken into custody later on University Avenue.   

In addition to being charged with impersonating a police officer, Wright was also charged with brandishing a firearm.