Jury acquits man accused of killing Warren bouncer www.privateofficer.com

 

Detroit MI June 9 2013 The brother of a Warren man whose accused killer was acquitted Friday is disappointed but not devastated by the verdict.

Mark Ferrin pointed out that a guilty verdict against Trevon Dumas, 21, of Detroit, would not have reversed the death of his brother, Lou Ferrin, 40, who was stabbed to death in September in a Detroit nightclub where he worked as a bouncer.

“I look at it this way, regardless of the verdict, it’s over,” Mark Ferrin said Friday after a Wayne County jury found Dumas not guilty of any crime. “No matter what happened it was not going to bring him back. At least the trial is over and at this point we can put some closure on it. No one can take away the memories and pictures we have of Lou.

“He probably didn’t get convicted because there was reasonable doubt. Our Christian belief is that if the jury says he didn’t do it, he shouldn’t go to prison for life.”

But Ferrin, a Warren resident, expressed concern that Dumas had agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder with the promise of a 10- or 12-year sentence. Ferrin’s family, including his mother, Pam, 65, of Hazel Park, along with assistant Wayne County prosecutor Thomas Beadle rejected that deal. They wanted Dumas to serve at least 15 years.

“Why would you want a plea if you didn’t do anything wrong?” Ferrin said. “That’s the only thing that’s a thorn in my side.”

The jury issued the verdict Friday after deliberating several hours Thursday afternoon and Friday morning and following a four-day trial in front of circuit court Judge Mark Slavens in Detroit. The jury had the option to convict him of the lesser offenses, second-degree murder or manslaughter.

Gulf Shores AL police arrest 12 people for counterfeiting www.privateofficer.com

 

GULF SHORES, Alabama May 22 2013– Police revealed Tuesday that a dozen people were involved in the counterfeiting and drug bust Thursday that started with three people trying to use about $900 in fake $20 bills to purchase tickets to the Hangout Music Festival. After arresting Jack Russell Morgan, 20, and Lauren Nicole Strick, 18, both of Gulf Shores, and Sydney Brenner Alexander, 21, of Orange Beach, on first-degree possession of a forged instrument charges authorities were led to an apartment on the north side of town. At the residence about $4,000 in fake $20 bills were found along with a printer and scanner, laptops, paper, hash oil, marijuana, and synthetic drugs, according to Gulf Shores police spokesman Sgt. Jason Woodruff. At the apartment, eight more people were arrested on charges of first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. The suspects arrested at the Gulf Shores residence include the following:

• Leena Angel Haidar, 18, of Picayune, Miss.
• Andrea Joselyn Alvarez, 19, of Norcross, Ga.
• Gage Skyler McElroy, 19, of West Beach, Fla.
• Charles Daniel Paryag, 20, of Duluth, Ga.
• Ronald Jay Metzger, 20, of Duluth, Ga.
• Griffin Joseph Goralnik, 19, of Berkley Lake, Ga.
• Cody Dewitt Bartley, 36, of Huntsville, Texas.
• Christopher Scott Boudreaux Jr., 20, of Duson, La.

Rolls of fake $20 bills were confiscated as part of a counterfeiting bust on Thursday, May 16, 2013, in Gulf Shores, Ala. (Gulf Shores Police Department)

The owner of the apartment, Devin Bonald Boutwell, 24, of Burris, La., was not home when the other arrests occurred but a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to Gulf Shores police. Woodruff said Boutwell was arrested Monday on charges of first-degree forgery and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. All of the individuals were booked into the Baldwin County Corrections Center in Bay Minette. Morgan, Strick, and Alexander were each released on $10,000 bail. And all of the other suspects except Bartley, Boudreaux Jr., McElroy and Boutwell were released as well, according to jail records. Woodruff said no more arrests are expected in the case that is also being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. Under Alabama state law, first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and first-degree forgery are a Class B felony that can result in up to a 20-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $30,000. Unlawful possession of a controlled substance is a Class C felony that carries a prison sentence of 1-10 years and a fine of up to $15,000.
Source :AL.com

Police arrest Georgia men cooking meth in mobile home www.privateofficer.com

 

BRUNSWICK, GA. May 18 2013 | In what appeared to be an episode of the hit show “Breaking Bad,’’ Glynn County-Brunswick narcotics officers found a methamphetamine lab in a motor home.
Brunswick police answering a call to a fight at a Player Street residence about 7 p.m. Thursday learned that two men had been fighting in beside a motor home in the driveway, the Glynn/Brunswick Narcotics Enforcement Team said in a prepared release.
The owner of the house and motor home asked police to check out the camper because he had seen suspicious activity in and around it, the release said.
When officers entered the motor home, they found what appeared to be an active methamphetamine lab, the release said.
The narcotics enforcement team, the Brunswick and Glynn County fire departments and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation responded and investigated, the release said.
Because of the possibility of dangerous chemicals, the Brunswick Fire Department decontaminated the first three city officers who entered the motor home without protective clothing and six other individuals who had been inside it.
Officers arrested Shawn Gailey, 28, and Dara Holder, 21, both of Brunswick, on a charge of manufacturing methamphetamine. They are being held without bail in the Glynn County jail.
In the AMC series “Breaking Bad,’’ main character Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher, produced methamphetamine in an old motor home.

source- jacksonville.com

East Hampton Man Admits Placing Fake Bomb in Front of East Hampton Middle School www.privateofficer.com

 

U.S. Attorney’s Office
Press Release

New Haven CT April 24 2013

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, announced that Sean Doran, 21, of East Hampton, pleaded guilty today before Chief United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to one count of intentionally conveying false or misleading information and a hoax by leaving a fake bomb device at the front doors of East Hampton Middle School on January 12, 2013.

“This type of crime threatens the sense of security that children and teachers are entitled to enjoy at their schools,” stated U.S. Attorney Fein. “Hoax crimes and threats to schools will be thoroughly investigated by our law enforcement partners and prosecuted by this office to the fullest extent permitted by law.”

“Public safety is critical in any civilized society,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Mertz. “To that end, the FBI will investigate and bring to justice those who threaten the sanctity of public life. The FBI wants to assure the citizens of the state of Connecticut and the nation that, together with our federal, state, and local partners, we are truly committed to identifying threats to public safety, as that is our first obligation.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 8:00 a.m. on January 12, 2013, custodians at the East Hampton Middle School arrived to find a device leaning against the front doors of the school. The device was a rectangular box, approximately 12 inches by eight inches by four inches in size, taped together with orange and red duct tape, with a white egg timer on top. School employees contacted the East Hampton Police Department, which subsequently notified the Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad. The bomb squad arrived on the scene and determined that the device did not contain any explosives.

A review of the East Hampton Middle School’s surveillance video revealed that Doran placed the fake bomb at the doors of the school at approximately 1:47 a.m. that day.

Chief Judge Thompson has scheduled sentencing for August 1, 2013, at which time Doran faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s JTTF, the East Hampton Police Department, the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Anjna R. Kapoor.

Bandits fan bites finger of security guard www.privateofficer.com

 

Buffalo NY April 23 2013 A West Side man was arrested Saturday night after police say he became unruly at a Buffalo Bandits game and later bit the finger of a security guard at First Niagara Center.
Central District officers say Kyle Isaacs, 19, of Pennsylvania Street, and a companion, Danny Vyse, 21, of Oshweken, Ont., were asked to leave the arena during the Bandits game because of their disruptive behavior.
The two men are accused of refusing to leave and struggling with security guards, and arena officials say Isaacs bit the right middle finger of one guard and caused a cut that may require stitches.
Isaacs is charged with third-degree assault and both men are charged with trespass and harassment.

Source-buffalo news

JCPenney security nab shoplifters after being pepper sprayed www.privateofficer.com

Pleasanton CA April 16 2013 After purportedly swiping $120 of goods Friday evening from JCPenney, two Richmond women allegedly pepper-sprayed a store security guard and then fled on foot — with the guard right behind them — all the way to a Dublin Safeway, where they barricaded themselves in an employee restroom.
Kinasha Brown, 18 and Corrin Ray, 21, were arrested for suspicion of felony robbery at 7:22 p.m. at Safeway, on the 7400 block of Dublin Boulevard, by the Pleasanton Police Department.
Brown also faces an additional count of illegal use of tear gas — for reportedly spraying the security guard in the face — twice — with pepper spray.
The JCPenney theft-prevention employee was doused once after attempting to detain the pair as they exited the store, and again during the foot chase to Dublin, according to police reports.
The security worker said he followed the suspects as they left the Stoneridge Shopping Center, heading toward the nearby BART station — and stayed on their tail as they kept running to Dublin. The duo reportedly ducked into Safeway through an employee entrance, and proceeded to the employee restroom, where they locked the door, police said.
The mall guard waited outside the restroom until police arrived and arrested Brown and Ray.
Ray was also charged with probation violations, records state.
Both women listed themselves as transients in booking files.
The stolen merchandise — $120 of socks, belts, jeans and a jacket — was recovered by police.
This incident was the second crime logged in two days at the Pleasanton retailer. Burglars broke into the store at 2 a.m. Thursday, making off with an undetermined amount of jewelry.

Torrance shoplifting spree nets 4 reputed SoCal gang members www.privateofficer.com

Torrance CA March 13 2013 Four reputed gang members are suspected of committing more than 50 shoplifting crimes at stores in Torrance and across the county, stealing women’s clothing, leaving without paying, then selling the merchandise for profit, police said Monday.

The men’s arrests follow a three-month Torrance police investigation that linked the crimes to a Compton-based gang, Torrance police Sgt. Robert Watt said. The District Attorney’s Office filed charges against them last week.

“They were stealing from Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, and Ross in our city and they were fencing the property for cash,” Watt said. Charged with multiple counts of commercial burglary, conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of stolen property are: Javon Jerry Zachery, 21, of Compton; Dean Hampton, 26, of Lynwood; Reginald Wilson, 20, of Compton; and Avion Speed, 21, of Bellflower.

Zachery was arrested Feb. 28, and Hampton on Feb. 21. Warrants were issued for Wilson’s and Speed’s arrest. Torrance investigators pinned them to 16 commercial burglaries in Torrance and at least 34 crimes throughout Los Angeles County, Watt said.

“It all started with a routine traffic stop by patrol which uncovered the initial theft at Marshalls and, through their investigation with work from our gang detail, they were able to uncover the bigger picture,” Watt said. The men, police said, entered department stores, selected large amounts of women’s clothing – especially dress shoes and purses – hid it under their clothing, and left without paying. They then sold it. Thousands of dollars worth of property was taken, Watt said.

“It was a pretty organized plot,” Watt said. Detectives served warrants in Compton and Bellflower recently, discovering stolen property that linked them to the crimes, Watt said. The investigators tied the men to a street gang in Compton, which allowed prosecutors to add gang enhancements to all of the suspects’ charges, Watt said.

The enhancements, which allege the crimes were committed for the benefit of their gang, could result in longer jail sentences and make them ineligible to be set free from prison early under the state’s early release program for non-violent offenders.
Source: dailybreeze.com

NC police arrest 12 people in fatal crash that killed teen www.privateofficer.com

CLAYTON, N.C. March 1 2013 – Investigators with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety charged 12 people Thursday in a rollover crash that killed a Cleveland High School student in Johnston County.

William Lee Tippett, 18, of Garner died in the February 16 accident in the 2200 block of Josephine Road in the Cleveland area. Investigators said Bryan Davis Gilmore, 17, of Smithfield, was driving a red pickup that ran off the road and flipped several times.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol has charged Gilmore with felony death by vehicle, DWI, and reckless driving.

“This senseless death is an unfortunate reminder of the extremely serious problems associated with underage drinking, driving while impaired and providing alcoholic beverages to minors,” said Secretary Kieran Shanahan, Department of Public Safety. The Alcohol Law Enforcement Division has also charged the following people:

• Carl Jerome Watson, 21, of Clayton – 16 counts of aid and abet underage persons in purchasing and possessing more than 60 malt beverages.
• Joseph Cole Brewer, 16, of Clayton – 11 counts of aid and abet underage persons in possessing malt beverages, underage possession of a malt beverage, underage purchase of a malt beverage, and possession of one half ounce or less of marijuana. Brewer allegedly paid Watson for a portion of the malt beverages and hosted an underage party at his residence.
• Bryan Davis Gilmore, 17, of Smithfield – Underage possession of a malt beverage and possession of one half ounce or less of marijuana
• Jordan James Sansoucie, 16, of Clayton –  Underage possession of a malt beverage and possession of one half ounce or less of marijuana
• Matthew Edward Blehm, 17, of Clayton – Underage possession of a malt beverage, underage purchase of a malt beverage, and possession of one half ounce or less of marijuana
• Cameron Jerome Grantham, 17, of Raleigh – Underage possession of a malt beverage, underage purchase of a malt beverage, and possession of one half ounce or less of marijuana
• Raykwon Shaheed Cooley, 16, of Clayton – Underage possession of a malt beverage
• Nathan Alexander Causby, 17, of Clayton – Underage possession of a malt beverage
• Jermaine Lamont Johnson, 17, of Clayton – Underage possession of a malt beverage
• William Dontre Joyner, 18, of Clayton – Underage possession of a malt beverage and possession of one half ounce or less of marijuana
• Emir Gutierrezfiallos, 18, of Smithfield  - Underage possession of a malt beverage, underage purchase of a malt beverage, and driving a motor vehicle without a license
• Austin Drake Knight, 17, of Clayton – Underage possession of a malt beverage

Source: WTVD

Massachusetts man accused of serving poisoned wine to fellow U.S. student at Scotland university www.privateofficer.com

Scotland Feb 25 2013 A bottleful of wine helped the poison go down.
A Massachusetts college student faces possible extradition for allegedly conning a classmate at St. Andrews University in Scotland to drink red wine laced with methanol, an antifreeze chemical, during a drinking game two years ago.
Alexander Hilton, 21, from Princeton, Mass., was arrested by U.S. authorities last week under the U.S.-U.K. extradition treaty. He appeared in federal court in Boston on Thursday and his extradition hearing is scheduled for March 10.

If extradited to Scotland, he will face a charge of attempted murder for handing an already open full wine bottle with poison to fellow American student Robert Forbes on March 5, 2011, reported ABC News.
“Hilton continuously encouraged (Forbes) to drink from the bottle, but stated that no one else should,” the criminal complaint reads.
Hilton also allegedly dropped a coin in the bottle. Known as pennying, this move in British university drinking culture compels the drinker to chug the rest of the contents. The alleged victim finished the entire bottle by himself.

Over the next few days, Forbes reportedly suffered joint pain, nausea, headaches, balance problems and temporary blindness. He still has not recovered his vision completely, court documents said.
Police found notable pieces of evidence when investigating the incident: a plastic funnel and glass measuring jug Hilton purchased at a local store and Hilton’s previous computer searches for information about methanol mixed with ethanol.
Hilton left the country shortly after the alleged murder attempt and attended college in New Mexico for a year before learning about the charges against him in Scotland and returning to his parents’ house, according to Norman S. Zalkind, Hilton’s lawyer.

source: http://www.nydailynews.com

Four women charged with thefts at Columbus K-Mart www.privateofficer.com

COLUMBUS, Miss. Feb 11 2013 — Columbus police have arrested four woman they say took over $500 from a local business.

Authorities say they were notified the woman took items from K-Mart on Highway 45 North Wednesday night.

The vehicle they were traveling in was stopped a short time later.

Brenda Lee Roby, 43, Labrenda Denise Roby, 21, Sheila Shavon Roby, 36, and Shameka Letrese Roby, 34, all of Columbus, are charged with shoplifting over $250 – third offense.

Shelia Shavon Roby is also charged with speeding and two counts of contempt of court.

Bond has not been set.

Source-WTVA

Charges filed against 8 students after cheerleader falls 5 stories www.privateofficer.com

STATE COLLEGE, PA Jan 30 2013 – Eight Pennsylvania State University students have been charged after a 19-year-old cheerleader and Louisville native fell from a five-story window.
According to the State College Police Department, an investigation was initiated after Paige Raque fell five stories from an apartment window while attending a party at an apartment on October 13, 2012.
Tempest S. Hourston, 21, Megan E. Markovitz, 21, Adaire B. Robinson, 21, Alexandria M. Hipple, 20, Brooke A. Piccione, 20, Alyssa A. Duffy, 19, Julie A. Hannan, 19, and Madeline C. Miller, 19, were charged Tuesday with furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor and related offenses.
The police report indicates Hipple, Piccione, Duffy, Hannan and Miller lived in the apartment and were hosting a 20th birthday party for Piccione the night of the incident. Police say they either supplied money for alcohol, asked the three who are of age to purchase it or were aware that people underage were drinking in their apartment.
Police say Raque lives next door to the girls who threw the party and is on the cheerleading squad with Duffy and Miller. Raque lives with Markovitz who, along with Hourston, are also cheerleaders. Robinson was a cheerleader in the spring of 2012.
Guests at the party told police that Raque “was already intoxicated when she arrived at the party.” At one point Raque “felt sick” and was escorted back to her apartment, but “returned to the party awhile later and a short time after that she fell out the window.”
There were 50 or 60 people at the party. One guest said “the party was very crowded and at one point he and another friend walked into the living room and stood on a table to get above the crowd.” While they were standing on the table talking, several girls, including Raque, also got up onto the table and started dancing. It was right after that Raque fell five stories out an open screened-in window.
Surveillance video from the complex shows dozens of people running out of the apartment after Raque fell. It also shows girls carrying “what appear to be bottles of liquor and boxes of wine.” Police said they observed “empty beer cans, an empty case of beer in the hallway and several bags of wine from the wine box, but a majority of the vodka and wine boxes were already cleared out of the apartment.”
Raque’s father, Tom, didn’t want to comment on the charges, but said Paige continues to make an impressive recovery.
On January 22, Raque’s brother, Parker Raque, tweeted about his sister’s condition saying, “She still suffers from a lot of nerve pain in her feet and struggles with toe movement. I ask that you still remember her in your prayers.”
He also tweeted, “For those who are curious of Paige’s recovery, she continues to do cognitive and physical therapy daily and is honestly doing great.”

Source-wave3.com

Pair indicted in mall shoplifting case that injured Bowling Green officer www.privateofficer.com

Bowling Green KY Jan 26 2013 A court date has been set next month for one of two people accused in connection with an incident at Greenwood Mall that began as a shoplifting investigation and ended with a city police officer taken to the hospital after a car drove over his leg.
Tysheka Davis, 21, of Nashville, is scheduled to appear in Warren Circuit Court on Feb. 25 to be arraigned on a count of theft by unlawful taking of property valued at $500 or more but less than $10,000.
A Warren County grand jury Wednesday indicted both Davis and Troy Devon Tyson, 22, of Nashville.

Tyson was charged with second-degree assault, first-degree fleeing or evading police, two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, receiving stolen property valued at $500 or more but less than $10,000, theft by unlawful taking of property valued at $500 or more but less than $10,000, leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid or assistance and second-degree criminal mischief.
The pair were arrested Nov. 16 following a reported shoplifting at Hollister California at the mall.
Bowling Green Police Department officers were called to the mall around 9 p.m.
An employee at the clothing store told police that Davis and Tyson were in the store together, and that Davis went up to employees to keep them from being able to approach Tyson, continually asking employees to go to the other side of the store to help her look at jackets, according to court records.
When police saw a man and woman later identified as Tyson and Davis leave the mall near Chuck E. Cheese, officers ordered them to stop.
Tyson ran toward a white Plymouth, while Davis ran across Scottsville Road to Taco Bell, where police took her into custody, according to court records.
BGPD Officer Brad Hogue attempted to stop Tyson from leaving as he got into his vehicle, but Tyson is accused of throwing his car into reverse, striking Officer David Sterner’s patrol car, knocking Hogue off his feet and nearly striking another officer, court records show.
The indictment against Tyson states that he dragged Hogue with his vehicle, and police say the car drove over Hogue’s leg. The officer was treated and released from The Medical Center, and was found to have suffered bruises and abrasions, but no broken bones, according to police.
Tyson is also accused of striking another parked car and a sign before turning onto Scottsville Road, where police say he ran a red light and hit two other vehicles in front of Kroger, one of which was carrying a pregnant woman.
The crash reportedly disabled Tyson’s car, and police arrested him behind Shoe Carnival.
Tyson remains in Warren County Regional Jail under a $100,000 cash bond. Court records do not show a date fro his next court appearance.
Davis was released from jail Nov. 21 on a $1,000 bond, according to court records.

Source-bgdailynews.com

NY parking attendant uses card skimmer to scam customers www.privateofficer.com

New York NY Dec 7 2012 This midtown parking garage was really a ripoff. Prosecutors said parking attendant Chinoy Shaw, 27, used a skimmer device to record card information and data from the magnetic strips of at least 50 customer credit cards at Eastway Tenant Parking on W. 49th St. near Seventh Ave.

Shaw was allegedly part of a team of seven scam artists, charged Wednesday, that collected customer information between September and November 2011.

From the stolen accounts, they made forged cards that they used to buy $36,000 worth of iPads and Macbook Pros from B&H Photo on Ninth Ave, the district attorney said.

Former B&H cashier Nidia Delacruz, 21, was in on the scam and processed the fraudulent Apple purchases, prosecutors said.

“Shoppers” Stephanie Bundrick, 21, Axell Dume, 21, Edgar Estevez, 24, Jonathan Guerrero, 19 and Yomaliys Nachapele also allegedly made charges on the stolen accounts at Home Depot, Verizon and gas stations.

Five of them were arraigned on a 165-count indictment that included conspiracy, grand larceny, identity theft, criminal possession of forged instrument, possession of stolen property and scheme to defraud. Delacruz and Estevez are not yet in custody.

The scam artists “made parking a vehicle in a Manhattan garage more costly than it already is,” District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said in a statement. Shayna Jacobs
source-www.nydailynews.com/

Boston Store loss prevention attacked by shoplifter www.privateofficer.com

 

Milwaukee WI Dec 1 2012 Two security guards at a West Towne Mall store were attacked by an alleged shoplifter Wednesday night, when the guards tried to prevent the suspect from getting away with the merchandise.

The two guards were able to get the suspect down to the ground and held him until police arrived.

The suspect, Darriell Banks, 21, Madison, was tentatively charged with battery, retail theft and attempting to strangle, Madison Police said in a news release.

Banks and another suspect allegedly took over $1,500 worth of merchandise from the West Towne Mall Boston Store around 6:20 p.m. Wednesday and were leaving the store when two guards, men ages 30 and 18, chased after them out into the parking lot.

“One shoplifter dropped the merchandise he was carrying and ran off, while the loss prevention officers chased down his partner in crime,” said police spokesman Joel DeSpain.

The caught suspect retaliated by allegedly grabbing one guard by the throat and punching the other in the face.

“The one guard suffered a black and blue lip while the other found it hard to swallow and his voice was hoarse,” DeSpain said.

The at-large suspect is a 26-year-old Madison man, but no other description was given.

source-.madison.com

Two men arrested in North Dartmouth Mall burglary www.privateofficer.com

Dartmouth MA Nov 20 2012  Police responded to a burglary in progress at the North Dartmouth Mall after security officers spotted two men breaking in.

Mall Security called Dartmouth Police around 2:30 a.m. Sunday and said there were two men wearing jeans and hoodies who broke into the mall. Security officers confronted the men, but they ran away from security officers.

A nearby Dartmouth Police officer searched the area and found the two men in the parking lot near Macy’s.

The officer questioned and arrested Rafael Costa, 20, of Fall River and Joshua Camara, 21, also of Fall River.

Both men face numerous charges.

Police didn’t say if anything was stolen.

Police charge five people in nightclub melee www.privateofficer.com

WEST HARTFORD CT Nov 11 2012— Several people reported being punched in the face and police officers used a taser and pepper spray to get control of one person involved in a brawl outside of the Shish Restaurant-Lounge early Friday.

Police were called to 904 Farmington Ave. at 12:51 a.m. by the property owner who reported a disturbance that developed as customers left the lounge. Shish security personnel were actively attempting to restrain one person in the middle of a large crowd that had gathered outside the lounge, reported West Hartford officers arriving at the scene.

Officers called for backup and began trying to break up the melee. One individual was handcuffed after police used a taser and pepper spray to gain control. Several people reported being punched in the face, and one person was bruised and bled extensively from a bite to the arm, police said.

Five individuals were arrested, including: Luis Martinez, 33, of Putnam Street, Hartford, charged with breach of peace and third-degree assault; Raymond Rodriguez, 28, of Wadsworth Street, in Manchester, charged with interfering with police, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree assault and third-degree assault; Cristobal Tifa, 39, of Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford, charged with second-degree breach of peace; Victor Davila, 23, of Russ Street, Hartford, charged with second-degree breach of peace; and Carlos Lopez, 21, of Sergeant Street, Hartford, charged with interfering with an officer.

Charlotte police arrest mother and son for bank robbery www.privateofficer.com

 

Charlotte NC Oct 28 2012 Police arrested a mother and son in connection with a bank robbery in University City Friday night.

Officers responded to a robbery call at the First Citizens Bank in the 6700 block of N. Tryon Street about 6 p.m., according to a release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

En route, officers saw Carlos Lamonte Simpson, 21, and Pamela Simpson, 48, at a bus stop near the bank, the release said. One officer noticed the two had dye on their clothing, which was from an exploded dye pack.

Officers stopped them and found the note used during the robbery as well as stolen money, the release said. Police did not disclose how much money was stolen.

Armed robbery detectives, Safe Street Task Force detectives and FBI investigators also responded to the scene.

The Simpsons were arrested and charged with common law robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Anyone with additional information about the case can call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Source-www.charlotteobserver.com

Two women arrested in violent Walmart theft www.privateofficer.com

 

American Canyon CA Sept 11 2012 Two women were arrested at the American Canyon Walmart at 3 or 4 a.m. Sunday after they allegedly fought store security guards who were trying to stop them for alleged shoplifting, police said.

Police were called to the store early Sunday after a group of women was stopped for alleged shoplifting, authorities said. Upon arrival, police learned that the two suspects, Kier Griffin, 21, and Shavontee Brown, 35, were part of a group that allegedly entered the store, took a BB gun, dropped the gun somewhere in the parking lot, then returned to the store to allegedly steal more, police said.

When confronted by store security, Griffin allegedly fought and bit a Walmart security guard, police said. She was arrested on suspicion of felony robbery.

Brown was searched and allegedly found to be carrying cocaine, police said. She was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance, a felony, and a misdemeanor charge of being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Both were booked into the Napa County jail.

Source:napavalleyregister.com

Florida National Guardsman at RNC accidentially shoots another guardsman www.pirvateofficer.com

 

Tampa Fla Sept 1 2012 A member of the Florida National Guard providing security for the Republican National Convention shot another guardsman Thursday night in an apparent accident at a St. Petersburg hotel room, deputies said.

No charges were filled against Jeffrey A. Spurr, 26, of Bronson, for shooting the gun’s owner Michael Wdowiak, 21, of Weirsdale, in the upper body and left hand, said Marianne Pasha, spokeswoman for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

The guardsmen were at the La Quinta hotel, 4999 34th St. N., at 10:22 p.m. with at least three other people, Pasha said.

Spurr was looking at the grip on Wdowiak’s personal .357 revolver when it fired, hitting Wdowiak, Pasha said. No one else was hurt.

Wdowiak underwent surgery for his injury, Pasha said. His condition was not available.

Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the shooting, Pasha said.

The men are members of the National Guard contingent in Ocala. They were in the Bay area helping with security for the convention in Tampa.

Norwalk Kohl’s security say couple stole more than $900 worth of clothing www.privateofficer.com

 

 

 

Norwalk CT Aug 31 2012 Two people were arrested Tuesday after police say they stole more than $900 worth of clothing from Kohl’s department store.

Officers responded to Kohl’s, 500 Connecticut Ave., at about 7:30 p.m. on a report of a larceny.

Store security guards had detained two people at the store, who were allegedly seen entering and exiting the fitting rooms multiple times.

The suspects — identified as Weetwaher Deronville, 21, of 42 Merrell Ave., Stamford, and Gabrielle Lemmons, 20, of 13 Rippowam Ave., Greenwich — allegedly tried to exit the store without paying for 28 items of clothing, police said.

The clothing was concealed inside a black duffle bag that was placed in a shopping cart. The total value of the clothing was $910, police said.

Deronville was charged with fifth-degree larceny and conspiracy. Lemmons received identical charges, plus an additional charge of interfering with an officer

They were both held on $1,000 bond and are due in court Sept. 5.

Two Lehigh University students arrested in burglary www.privateofficer.com

 

Bethlehem PA Aug 10 2012 Two Lehigh University students broke into a Mountaintop Campus building Tuesday night to steal roughly $868 worth of supplies, according to court records.

Lehigh University police took David A. Colaneglo, 21, of Harrison, N.Y., and Peter Jones Hicks, 22, of the 600 block of Montclair Avenue in Bethlehem, into custody today following a break-in at about 11:50 p.m. Tuesday, court papers say.

Campus police were notified by security guards at Building B at 112 Research Drive near Iacocca Hall that two unknown males were spotted inside the building late at night,, according to court documents. Security was able to detain the students until campus police arrived, court papers say.

Colaneglo and Hicks allegedly took $868 worth of university-owned property from Room 67 in the building after they had climbed through a window. Police say the men took several boxes of mechanical equipment and cutting tools from the building.

Court records indicated both Colaneglo and Hicks were seniors at Lehigh University. Jordan Reese, director of communications with the university, said the students would be dealt with as per the standard disciplinary procedure for students charged with a crime. Reese did not immediately respond to an email seeking elaboration on the policy.

Both men were arraigned today before District Judge Nancy Matos Gonzalez and charged with felony criminal trespassing, theft and receiving stolen property. Bail was set for each at $50,000 with a 10 percent option. A condition of the bail for both men includes a provision that prohibits them from going onto Lehigh University property without permission from campus administration.

Court documents indicate Colaneglo was able to post bail, but that Hicks remained incarcerated as of this afternoon.

Source:leighvalleylive.com

West Des Moines JC Penney employee faces a second degree theft charge www.privateofficer.com

 

West Des Moines  IA Aug 9 2012 A JC Penney employee faces a second degree theft charge after he reportedly completed a fraudulent return for more than $1,000 at the Valley West Mall location where he worked.

Robert Akard III, 21, of Urbandale, was arrested on Aug. 5 after a loss prevention officer at the store watched on a security camera as Akard appeared to complete a return for $1,060 at his cash register when no customers were around, according to West Des Moines police reports.

A follow-up investigation by a store loss prevention officer revealed that Akard allegedly had completed at least 16 fraudulent returns valued at more than $4,650 between July 19 and Aug. 3. He has yet to be charged in any of those incidents.

Akard reportedly told an officer he was conducting the return for a customer who had been overcharged for an item. He said he would then meet the customer at a later date or time to give them their money.

Source:DesMoinesRegister.com

Two Wichita men plead guilty in Craigslist burglary scam www.privateofficer.com

 

Wichita KS July 25 2012 Two Wichita men have pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges, admitting they stole thousands of dollars worth of goods over three years and sold them on Craigslist.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom says Jordan Smith, 23, Wichita, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. Co-defendant Thomas Griffin, Jr., 21, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting wire fraud.

The men admitted Smith stole more than $115,964 worth of personal property, including building materials and supplies, machinery, appliances, electronics, jewelry and motor bikes, from 36 victims in a series of burglaries in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Smith then listed the stolen property for sale on Craigslist.

Griffin admitted he allowed Smith to use his telephone number as a point of contact for people interesting in buying the stolen property. Griffin knew that property Smith was selling was stolen.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 15. Smith faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. Griffin faces a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Source”KAKE.com

Trio of Eunice Walmart employees charged in thefts www.privateofficer.com

 

Eunice LA July 20 2012 Over the past week, police arrested a trio of Eunice Walmart employees allegedly involved in stealing merchandise from the store.

According to Eunice Police, Walmart Asset Protection officials filed a complaint in reference to employee thefts at Walmart, presenting audio and video surveillance evidence implicating three employees; Heather Thomas, 20, Ashley McGuire, 20, and Cortney Guillory, 21.

According to police, video evidence from May 29 showed McGuire working the register as Thomas checked out with over $70 worth of merchandise, but McGuire only rang up $13.10 worth.

Later on the same date, police said Thomas was working the register when Guillory checked out with over $70 worth of merchandise, but Thomas allegedly only rang her up for $1.30.

Police said that on June 24, Thomas was again working the register when McGuire checked out with over $100 worth of merchandise, but Thomas allegedly only charged her $8.

Police said that during the investigation, all three were questioned by detectives and allegedly confessed their part in the scam during questioning.

Warrants were issued for all three, and Thomas and McGuire turned themselves in last Friday. Guillory turned herself in Tuesday.

Thomas was charged with two counts of theft, and McGuire and Guillory were charged with one count each of theft.

All three bonded out after booking.

Source: EuniceToday

Decatur Walmart employee arrested for stealing cell phone from store www.privateofficer.com

 

 

DECATUR, Alabama July 12 2012 - Police arrested a Walmart employee for stealing a cell phone from the store Tuesday, Decatur police said.
Brianna Smith, 21, of Decatur was charged with second-degree theft, a news release said. She is in Decatur City Jail and will be transferred to the Morgan County Jail with bond set at $2,500, police said.

Police said that another Walmart employee found the phone missing from the box and reported it to the management. Smith was arrested after an investigation, police said.

Source:AL.com

TN man given prison sentence in death of security officer www.privateofficer.com

 

 

Madison County TN July 1 2012 A Murfreesboro man who was convicted of killing a convenience store security guard was sentenced Friday in Madison County Circuit Court.

Roger McPherson, 21, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter after a three-day trial in May.

On Friday morning, he appeared in court to be sentenced for his conviction in the 2010 slaying of Michael Bell of Jackson, who was a security guard at the Lane Express Mart at 369 Lane Ave.

Judge David Hayes sentenced McPherson to five years in prison. He must serve 30 percent of his sentence before he will be eligible for parole. McPherson already served 18 months in prison while the trial was under way, and Hayes said credit for time served can apply to his sentence. Voluntary manslaughter is a class C felony. McPherson was facing a sentencing range of three to six years.

According to police, shortly after 8 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2010, McPherson, who was a student at Lane College, approached Bell on the parking lot of Lane Express Mart.

After a confrontation, police said McPherson shot at Bell four times, striking him twice. Bell was pronounced dead at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital shortly before 10 p.m.
McPherson was arrested on Nov. 5, 2010.
According to the pre-sentencing report, which was read aloud in court Friday morning, Bell previously had robbed McPherson, which motivated the college student to get a handgun. The state argued that since McPherson has a prior history of criminal behavior, that he lied to police and got rid of the gun after the shooting and illegally purchased and carried a firearm, he should be given the maximum sentence of six years. The state also pointed out that when McPherson shot Bell in the back, other people were in the convenience store and could have been injured.

McPherson’s attorney, Daniel Taylor, said his client was never convicted of any major crimes, he was 19 at the time of the shooting and he was never charged with filing a false police report or illegal possession and carrying of a firearm. Taylor said his client only fired the gun in self defense and didn’t hurt anyone else.

“He has most of his life ahead of him,” Taylor told the judge. “He’s had no prior major problems. He’s been in jail 18 months thinking about this. We believe he has a good chance at rehabilitation. He has been punished; he’s served 18 months.”

Some of McPherson’s friends and family were in court Friday morning to testify to the student’s character if needed. Also, several people wrote letters of character on behalf of McPherson, including Lane College President Wesley McClure, Taylor said.

After being sentenced, McPherson was taken into custody. He will be transferred to the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

Source:JacksonSun.com

Niagara Falls Walmart employee charged with theft www.privateofficer.com

 

NIAGARA FALLS NY June 29 2012—A clerk at the Walmart Supercenter on Military Road was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny Saturday for allegedly stealing $1,130 from her register during the past month.
Store security personnel told police they had conducted an internal investigation and found that Latoya A. Mercado, 21, of Packard Court, had stolen money from the store once in May and on four other occasions in June, according to a city police report.

In an unrelated incident, police responded back to the store Sunday to investigate the theft of $200 from a Youngstown woman’s purse.

The victim told police she inadvertently left the purse in a store fitting room.

It was later found and turned in by a store employee but was missing money, according to a police report.

Source:Buffalonews.com

Leon County Sheriff’s Office arrest organized group of females stealing www.privateofficer.com

 

Leon County Fla June 24 2012 On May 12, 2012, loss prevention officers at the Belk department store located at 2415 North Monroe Street contacted the Leon County Sheriff’s Office after discovering what appeared to be an organized group of females stealing several items of designer clothing.

The incidents were captured on video surveillance and observed by loss prevention officers as well as detectives from the Crimes Against

On multiple occasions, the women would enter the store together carrying large shopping bags. Surveillance images show the women stuffing the bags with designer clothes and then walking out of
the store without paying for the items hidden in the bags. During one of the incidents, loss prevention officers attempted to contact the women as they exited the store with the large shopping bags.

The women left the bags outside the store and fled the area. Loss prevention officers recovered over $1,200.00 of stolen clothing. They also discovered that the large shopping bags contained an
aluminum lining which defeated the stores anti-theft sensors.

At least five different incidents have been captured on the store’s video surveillance. On each occasion the stolen clothing is valued in excess of $300.00. Detectives believe this group is part of a larger group of individuals who are targeting retail stores in the area.

On June 18, 2012, Detectives located Kimly Jones, 18, Kenia Germain, 22, Stephanie Germain, 21, Lateria Williams, 25, and Kavira Green, 25. All were arrested and taken to the Leon County Jail.

This investigation is continuing and additional arrests and charges are likely. All are charged with grand theft.

source:wctv

Two charged in south Florida shoplifting-assault www.privateofficer.com

 

STUART FLA June 16 2012

One store employee was shoved and another hit with a car after two Stuart women shoplifted from a store, according to a Stuart Police Department arrest report.

Police on Tuesday charged Brittany Smith, 21, with felony aggravated battery and misdemeanor retail theft and resisting a merchant; and her partner, Melony Bard, 21, with misdemeanors battery, retail theft and resisting a merchant for a June 4 shoplifting incident.

Smith and Bard entered a department store in the 2500 block of Southeast U.S. 1, where Smith is accused of taking a $7.95 nail clipper and Bard of taking four articles of clothing with a combined value of $100, the report states.

Bard, of the 4000 block of Southeast Lincoln Street, is accused of shoving the store’s general manager to escape, the report states.

Meanwhile, Smith, of the 1600 block of Southwest Buckskin Trail, was behind the wheel of her father’s white Cadillac, when a store employee attempted to detain her. That’s when she hit him with the car, the report states. The employee suffered an injury that would require surgery, the report states.

Later, Bard said she sold the items to another store for $12.

As of Wednesday, Smith was being held at the Martin County Jail in lieu of $11,000 bail and Bard in lieu of $1,500 bail

source-palm beach post

Boston men charged in shoplifting incident www.privateofficer.com

Fall River MA June 1 2012— Two Boston men got an energetic Fall River welcome when they came to the city to do business on Tuesday.

Since their business was crime, police allege, they were also provided overnight accommodations.

Jamaal Marcelle, 21, and Stefan Stiell, 23, both with South Boston addresses, were arraigned Wednesday in District Court, charged with shoplifting and misleading police.

Marcelle was also charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

The case began at 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday, when security at a store in the New Harbour Mall called police to report several people taking merchandise from Walmart and dumping it into the trunk of a parked Nissan Maxima.

Officers converged on the scene and surrounded the car. When they did, two men took off running — one south, toward Staples, and one north, into Kmart, also in the mall.

Marcelle was the one running into the mall, police alleged.

Stiell, they said, was at the car and was arrested there.

He was clearly part of the conspiracy to steal, prosecutor Carolyn Morrissette said at Stiell’s arraignment on Wednesday.

“He was outside with the car,” she said. “When the store manager came out to look at the car, he began texting others.”

Meanwhile, Marcelle, police alleged, ran into Kmart and stopped to replace his white T-shirt with a striped shirt before running out the other exit into the mall.

Police said they knew that because officers on the scene had asked the dispatchers to call Kmart security, who began watching Marcelle on security cameras when he entered the store.

As he ran into the mall, police said, he was met by Officer James Costa, who made the arrest.

A third man took off south, leaving the mall property and running down a power line easement toward Tiverton, according to police.

While he was doing that, Tiverton Police moved in, covering the state line.

Somewhere between the mall and the state line, the man disappeared. He was not captured.

Stiell and Marcelle were held overnight in jail and arraigned Wednesday before District Court Judge Kevin Finnerty.

Stiell was ordered held on a detainer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Defense lawyer Stephanie Volovik asked the judge to set nominal bail on the Fall River Charges. Bail was set at $100 cash.

Marcelle was released on bail.

Stiell is due back in court on June 27 for a pretrial hearing. Marcelle’s pretrial hearing is set for June 28.

Both will face the charges in District Court.

Source:www.heraldnews.com