LUBBOCK, TX May 6 2013

Three City of Lubbock Water Utility employees and two others were arrested and charged with theft on Wednesday.

After a two-month investigation, police believe the three employees stole more than $100,000 worth of brass fittings from the water department over several years and used two others to sell the brass for profit.

The three employees: Romauldo Guerrero, 36; Juan Carlos Sanchez, 25; and Jesus Flores, 25, are all charged with first degree felony theft, an upgraded charge because they work for the city and are considered public servants.

Nasaria Martinez, 22, and her common law husband, Fernando Marin, are also charged with theft of more than $20,000 but less than $100,000.

A 20-page arrest warrant released Wednesday provides an in depth timeline describing the two month investigation that led to the five arrests.

Starting on March 6th police were investigating a copper theft case at Jarvis Metals when an employee asked investigators to look at a couple, Marin and Martinez, who had been bringing in brand new brass fittings for over a year.

Two days after the investigation started, investigators were able to trace the brass fittings to the City of Lubbock’s Water Department, who had no idea the parts were being stolen. The warrant states and employee told them the city was the “only entity within 200 miles that would use a part like that”. It goes on to state “Once parts were inventoried upon arrival they are stocked in shipping containers outside where there is no accountability process for the parts whatsoever”. In fact, employees could simply go in and out taking parts they needed for jobs.

One week into the investigation, detectives received a warrant to put a GPS tracker on the pickup Martinez and Marin were using to drop off the brass meter fittings at Jarvis. For about a month police watched their every move, and within that time the couple made five sales of the brass to Jarvis.

Finally on April 10th police approached Martinez and Marin about the brass they were selling. Marin told police “someone had been giving them brass for a while to sell on their behalf”.

Martinez refused to talk with investigators, and it turns out her brother is Guerrero, a city employee.

After several interviews, all three employees denied they were taking the new brass fittings to sell. However, Marin told police that for years Guerrero, Flores and Sanchez would give him and Martinez buckets of brass fittings to sell to Jarvis. They would then give the profits to the men and keep $20 for each drop off.

Once the city was made aware of the theft they began an internal investigation, and determined that from 2010 to 2012 the city’s loss was estimated at more than $108,600.

Just days after the investigation began, city of Lubbock employees informed police that they are now using ultraviolet stamps on all their brass parts. The city also released this statement: “The City of Lubbock is conducting an internal investigation into the charges and will take any appropriate action regarding these employees when the investigation is complete.”

The City terminated two of the three employees on Friday.

Source- KCBD

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.

Seven Charged in Health Care Fraud Scheme www.privateofficer.com

PHILADELPHIA PA April 11 2013—An indictment was unsealed today charging Penn Choice Ambulance Inc., operating from Philadelphia, Huntington Valley, and Camp Hill, Pennsylvania; its owner Anna Mudrova; and operators Yury Gerasyuk, Mikhail Vasserman, Irina Vasserman, Aleksandr Vasserman, Valeriy Davydchik, and Khusen Akhmedov with conspiracy to commit health care fraud. The alleged scheme involved more than $3.6 million in fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare. The defendants were also charged with related crimes including making false statements in connection with health care matters, aggravated identity theft, paying kickbacks to patients, and money laundering, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

Valeriy Davydchik, 58, and Khusen Akhmedov, 22, Mikhail and Irina Vasserman, both 50, and Aleksandr Vasserman, 29, all of Philadelphia, were arrested this morning. Mudrova, 40, Gerasyuk, 41, also of Philadelphia, will make a court appearance tomorrow. According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to defraud Medicare by recruiting patients who were able to walk and could travel safely by means other than ambulance and who therefore were not eligible for ambulance transportation under Medicare requirements. It is alleged that the defendants, and others acting on their behalf, falsified reports to make it appear that the patients needed to be transported by ambulance when the defendants knew that the patients could be transported safely by other means and that many of them walked to the ambulance for transport. It is further alleged that the defendants themselves, or through others, paid illegal kickbacks to the patients as part of scheme. The defendants allegedly billed Medicare for these ambulance services as if those services were medically necessary and, as a result of the allegedly fraudulent billing, the Medicare program sustained losses of more than $1.5 million for this medically unnecessary method of transportation.

If convicted, the defendants face substantial terms of imprisonment and fines. If convicted, Penn Choice Ambulance Inc. faces significant financial penalties, including substantial criminal fines, restitution, and forfeiture obligations. All defendants could also be excluded from participating in federal health care programs.

Bank accounts and other assets were seized which are subject to criminal forfeiture proceedings.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney M. Beth Leahy.

Traffic stop ends in jewlery robbery arrests www.privateofficer.com

 

Kansas City MO April 10 2013 Two men in a car pulled over for speeding in Pleasant Valley had some explaining to do when another motorist stopped to say they had just robbed him.
Russell A. Gordon, 32, of Jefferson City, and Jermaine M. Burnett, 22, of Columbia, are accused of stealing a 2.73-carat diamond ring during a Craigslist sale, authorities said Sunday.
The incident started over the weekend when a man went to meet someone he thought wanted to buy the ring for $3,500.
When the seller showed up at a Wal-Mart parking lot where the sale was supposed to occur, he found two men, one brandishing a pistol, according to court documents. The men allegedly snatched the ring and the seller’s cellphone and fled in a Pontiac.
The seller, who was not identified in the court record, pursued the two in his own vehicle.
The Pontiac was traveling 72 mph in a 35-mph zone when a Pleasant Valley police officer stopped the car. The alleged victim then pulled behind the officer and said the men in the Pontiac had just taken his diamond ring and phone.
A canine unit searched the route. Authorities said they found a gun along the road but no ring or phone.
Gordon and Burnett were charged with robbery and armed criminal action.

Source: Kansas City Star

Deland shoplifter flees from police and pays hide and seek with son ww.privateofficer.com

Deland Fla  April 7 2013 A woman caught shoplifting at a DeLand Walmart ran from an off-duty deputy while carrying her 2-year-old daughter and was later found hiding under metal sheets in the yard of a business, DeLand police said.

Shaylynn Suckel, 22, South Daytona, was found with the toddler, who had several minor cuts, police said. Suckel is charged with an act that could result in the physical or mental injury of a child, obstructing an officer without violence and petty theft, a DeLand police arrest report shows.

Police investigations determined Suckel walked into the Walmart at 1699 N. Woodland Blvd. in north DeLand shortly before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

She was seen selecting baby merchandise valued at $72.07, police said. Suckel hid the goods in her purse and walked out of the Walmart, police said. As a Walmart employee tried to stop her, Suckel ran to the parking lot. The store employee saw an off-duty deputy and asked for help in stopping Suckel, according to the report.

Suckel ran with her 2-year-old in hand and disappeared behind a neighboring business at 1607 N. Woodland Blvd. DeLand officers arrived on scene and searched 30 minutes for Suckel and eventually found her with her child lying under some metal sheets, police said.
Police also discovered the area where Suckel hid had many sharp industrial-type objects and other hazardous materials, the report said.
Suckel was released Wednesday from the Volusia County Branch Jail after posing $2,000 bail. She could not be reached. The child was turned over to the Department of Children & Families, police said.

Virginia Beach school security officer arrested for improper relationship with student www.privateofficer.com

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. March 9 2013 - A Virginia Beach security worker was arrested for allegedly having inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old student.

Patience Perez, 22, of Norfolk, worked as a school security assistant at Renaissance Academy.

According to police spokesperson MPO Grazia Moyers, school administrators contacted police to investigate after learning about the accusations.

The investigation revealed the student and Perez were engaged in a consensual, sexual relationship off school grounds, beginning in February. Moyers said.

Perez was in a custodial role over the student, and was thus charged with felony custodial indecent liberties with a child.

Moyers confirmed that Perez has been fired from her job.

She is currently out on bond. Investigators are attempting to identify any other potential victims.

If you have any information that could help police with this investigation, call the Virginia Beach Detective Bureau at 757-385-4101. Source: WAVY

Mahoning Walmart shoplifters stopped with cartloads www.privateofficer.com

Mahoning Township PA March 4 2013 Shoplifters twice this week walked out of the Lehighton area Walmart with shopping carts loaded with around $1,000 worth of merchandise, Mahoning Township police said.

A man and a woman at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday pushed out a cart carrying $849 worth of video game accessories, DVDs and other stolen items at the Walmart on Blakeslee Boulevard Drive East in the township, police said.

Ashley Groff, 22, and Charlie McNeil, 25, both of Lehighton were charged with retail theft and conspiracy. At 2:55 p.m. Wednesday, two Palmerton boys, 16 and 17 years old, wheeled out a cart carring a generator, welding machine and other unpaid-for merchandise worth a total $1,017, police said. The boys also were charged with retail theft and conspiracy. Source: Morning Call

University of Maryland student stabbed to death on campus www.privateofficer.com

Somerset County MD Feb 18 2013 Maryland State Police are investigating the apparent murder of a student at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, who died Sunday night of injuries sustained when he was assaulted during an altercation on the Somerset County campus.
The incident was the third death of a University of Maryland student in less than a week, following the shooting death of Stephen Alex Rane, 22, a student at the University of Maryland, College Park, at a residence near campus; and the reported suicide of his alleged assailant, fellow student Dayvon Maurice Green, 23.
At UMES, police said that shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday, a campus police officer was parked in her patrol car when a male, later identified as the victim’s brother, came running to her and reported his brother had been stabbed.
The officer found a male lying on the roadside next to a Honda with injuries to his upper torso. He was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 9:30 p.m.
The victim is identified as Edmond A. St. Clair, 21, of Severn. He was a student at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, police said.
Police believe he was a passenger in the Honda, being driven by his brother. Another male passenger was in the rear of the vehicle.
Neither the victim’s brother nor the other male are students at the university, but both were visiting for the weekend, police said. Saturday was the culmination of the university’s annual homecoming festivities, which had run throughout the week.
Police said that according to witnesses, the three were driving through campus when they encountered three or four people in the street. Some type of altercation ensued and the victim was stabbed with an as yet unidentified weapon, police said.
Three suspects are being sought by police at this time. Police identified them only as African American males in their late teens or early 20s.
Police said that university students were warned of the incident through a campus security alert system. Students were also provided a number to call, 410-651-8484, if they have questions or concerns.
On Sunday morning, the university posted a message on its website from University President Dr. Juliette B. Bell that told of the incident, and said, “We had the difficult task overnight of telling the parents of Edmond A. St. Clair their son’s injuries resulted in his death. Edmond, 21, was a junior from Anne Arundel County.
“There is no more heart-wrenching duty for a college administrator than conveying this kind of tragic news to not only parents and loved ones, but everyone in the UMES community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Edmond’s family and friends,” said Bell in the statement.
“Edmond’s family has our assurance that campus police officers are working closely with the Maryland State Police, which is the primary investigative agency, to apprehend the perpetrator of this tragic crime,” the statement said. “Our campus emergency notification system was activated as soon as law enforcement officers were able to determine the severity of the incident.”
Police said the motive appears to be an argument or ongoing dispute. Police are continuing to conduct interviews and serve search warrants. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information may call Maryland State Police at the Princess Anne Barrack at 443-260-3700. Callers may remain anonymous.
The incident came on the same day as a memorial service in Malvern, Pa., for Rane, 22, who police say was killed Feb. 12 by a housemate at the College Park residence. Rane was a senior, and a 2009 graduate of Centennial High School in Ellicott City.
About 1 a.m. Tuesday, according to Prince George’s County police, 23-year-old engineering graduate student Green set fires in the basement and back yard of the residence on 36th Avenue, in order to draw his housemates into the open, then fired on them. Rane suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died in the front yard. Neal Oa, a 22-year-old junior economics major from Urbana, was shot in the leg but was able to flee.
Police found Green dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the backyard, and said the 9 mm handgun he used to shoot his housemates was with him.

Source:baltimore sun

Indianapolis EMT’s killed in ambulance wreck www.privateofficer.com

INDIANAPOLIS IN Feb 18 2013 (AP) — A second medic died early Sunday from injuries sustained when a car collided with an ambulance that was not on an emergency run and had the right of way in downtown Indianapolis, authorities said.
Paramedic Cody Medley, 22, of Indianapolis, died about 3 a.m. Sunday at Wishard Hospital, said Dr. Charles Miramonti, Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services chief. The driver of the ambulance, 24-year-old Tim McCormick from the Indianapolis suburb of Greenwood, died Saturday.
“These first responders were devoted to helping others and risked their own lives to do so every day on the job,” Mayor Greg Ballard said. “We stand by our IEMS family to give them strength in this time of grief.”
The accident happened near the Statehouse shortly after 3:30 a.m. Saturday, when traffic lights downtown were flashing. The ambulance had the right of way, police said, because it had a flashing yellow traffic signal. The traffic signal for the car was flashing red.
Both medics were wearing seatbelts, police said.
The car’s 21-year-old driver was released following a routine blood-alcohol test, police said.
A police officer who was the first to arrive at the scene said the woman was crying and said: “Oh my God. I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe I was in this accident.”
Medley, who was originally from Scranton, Pa., had been with the Indianapolis EMS since June 2010 and had previously been a member of the Sunman Fire Department in Sunman, Ind.
Miramonti said Medley was a skilled paramedic.
“His friends and colleagues described him as a fun and outgoing man who enjoyed his job greatly,” Miramonti said at a news conference Sunday.
McCormick, 24, was originally from New York and attended St. Lawrence University and IUPUI.
Public Safety Director Troy Riggs said Saturday that the deaths were the first known line-of-duty death of an emergency services worker in Indianapolis’ history.
Ballard called the deaths uncharted territory for the city.
“These folks, people like Cody, take care of all of us in our most difficult situations. We never really expect anything like this to occur to them,” he said. “They’re just on duty and a tragic accident, an unexplainable accident, takes their lives.”
Ballard asked that flags at all City-County facilities be lower to half-staff to honor the paramedics.

Security guard arrested after loaded pistol, pot found www.privateofficer.com

OKLAHOMA CITY OK Feb 16 2013—A man dressed as a security guard was arrested after marijuana and a loaded pistol were found in his vehicle on Thursday night, police said.
Benjamin Gutierrez, 22, was in his Elite security uniform when he was pulled over at about 10 p.m. on a traffic violation in the 2500 block of West Reno Avenue.
Police said when Gutierrez was pulled over, he smelled like marijuana and lied about being armed. According to the police report, officers found a loaded, chambered, .40-caliber Taurus handgun and a loaded magazine.
Officers also found a small amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a can of pepper spray in Gutierrez’ pockets, police said.
He was arrested on suspicion of marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession, transporting a loaded pistol, driving under suspension and making an improper right turn.
Source-www.koco.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

Former Statesville NC bouncer charged with theft www.privateofficer.com

Statesville NC Jan 25 2013 The former bouncer at a local nightspot was charged with breaking into the establishment, taking televisions, cash, various liquors and soft drinks.
Matthew Lee Massey, 22, of Statesville was arrested at his former place of employment, Club Blu on Turnersburg Highway, on Jan. 16 by Statesville Police Officer Aaron Herman.
Another man, Charlie Andrew Weaver, 22, of Statesville, was arrested in connection with the case Tuesday during a traffic stop by the SPD’s Special Operations Team.
Massey’s bond was set at $8,000 and Weaver’s was set at $15,000.
The two are charged with breaking into the club on Jan. 15.
Statesville Police Department Capt. D.B. Johnson said that the owner of the business reported the break-in. He told police that three 50-inch flat screen television sets, cash. 10 bottles of various liquors, soft drinks, a DVD player and a drill were taken in the break-in.
Investigator Al Pettit followed up on the case and reviewed the business’ surveillance video.
The video, Johnson said, showed two men. The owner, upon viewing the video, identified one of the suspects as Massey, the club’s bouncer.
Pettit was able to learn the identity of the second suspect, and warrants were issued for both men, Johnson said. The two were charged with breaking and entering and larceny.

Source-Statesville Record & Landmark

13 charged with shoplifting in Kennett www.privateofficer.com

KENNETT, MO Jan 14 2013

Kennett Police Department say thirteen people have been charged with shoplifting from stores between January 3-10.

Below is a list of those who police say were charged with shoplifting:

• Diana Duke, 25, of Kennett
• Adrianne Helton, 22, of Wardell
• Cordarell Lewis of Kennett
• Latoya Burton, 28, of Kennett
• Shawn Cornman, 24, of Campbell
• Latasha Dettrie 31, of Campbell
• Pamela Cole, 42, of Campbell
• Lisa Smith, 33, of Holcomb
• Laquita Williams, 23, of Kennett
• Victoria Atkinson, 24, of Kennett
• Ebony Bowles, 23, of Kennett
• Nikita Wallace, 23, of Springfield
• Jessica Pickard, 28, of Kennett

Police say you can contact them at (573)-888-4622 if you have information about these or other crimes.

Source: KFVS

SWAT team arrests murder suspects at Biloxi casino hotel www.privateofficer.com

BILOXI, MS Dec 15 2012
A couple wanted in connection with a Louisiana murder got an early wake up call from police at the IP Casino Resort Friday morning.
Dwight Travis Ambo, 22, of Pearl River, Louisiana, and Precious Jolisa Thompson, 23, of Slidell checked into the Biloxi hotel Thursday night. Both are suspects in the Sunday shooting death of a Slidell man.
Investigators from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Department and Biloxi Police tracked the pair to the fourth floor of the IP.
They called all the other guests staying on the floor and asked them to quietly leave their rooms. When the guests and employees were gone, the SWAT team moved in and arrested the two suspects without incident.
Ambo is charged with second degree murder. Thompson is charged with accessory after the fact of second degree murder. Both are being held at the Harrison County Adult Detention Center awaiting extradition to Louisiana.

Source:WLOX

Police Searching For Suspect In Dollar General Double Homicide www.privateofficer.com

Wichita KS Dec 3 2012 Wichita police have issued an arrest warrant in connection to a fatal double shooting at a northeast Wichita Dollar General store.

The shooting happened shortly after 8 p.m. Friday at the Dollar General near East 13th Street North and Oliver.

A warrant was issued for Marquis Marshall, 19, on two counts of murder.

Wichita police have identified the victims as Henry Harvey, 79, a customer, and employee Zachary Hunt, 22.

Police say they have not found a connection between Marshall and the victims.

They say they do not know the motive behind the shooting. Police “aren’t ruling anything out,” including robbery.

Marshall is described as a slender black male, 5 feet 7 inches, 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911.

County records show Marshall has two previous outstanding felony arrest warrants. One is for $50,000 bond and the other for $10,000.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Wichita Police have few details about the death of two people inside a northeast Wichita store. It happened shortly after 8 p.m. Friday at the Dollar General near East 13th Street North and Oliver.

Deputy Police Chief Nelson Mosley said officers responded to the business on the report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found two dead inside.

Mosley said he could not release any details about the victims until their families had been notified.

Several witnesses were taken to city hall to be interviewed by detectives. Police are also reviewing security video that may have captured what happened.

source-kake.com

Orland Square Mall and Orland Park Place theft ring busted www.privateofficer.com

 

 

Orland  Park IL Nov 30 2012 Retail theft rings targeting Orland Square Mall and Orland Park Place were uncovered earlier this month during a coordinated law enforcement effort, officials said.

Orland Park Police report the covert operation resulted in 12 felony and 10 misdemeanor charges, and recovered stolen property valued at $18,970. Several law enforcement agencies participated in the investigation and arrests on Nov. 7 through Nov. 9.

Arrested and charged were:

* Eona Adams, 23, Chicago - theft from Carson Pirie Scott & Co. on Nov. 9,

* Monique Carter, 22, Chicago - theft from H&M Clothing and Gilly Hicks on Nov. 9,

* Jasmine Dabbs, 19, Orland Hills – theft from Buy Baby Buy on Nov. 8,

* Fantasha Evans, 27, Chicago - theft from Nordstrom Rack, fleeing and eluding on Nov. 9,

* Omosunuaola Femidada, 20, Country Club Hills – forgery at Old Navy and driving with a suspended license on Nov. 8,

* Tasia Ford, 23, Chicago - theft from the Children’s Place and obstruction on Nov. 9,

* Debra Horner, 57, Orland Park - theft from H&M clothing store on Nov. 9,

* Ebonee Johnson, 27, Chicago - theft from H&M Clothing and Gilly Hicks on Nov. 9,

* Patrick Lane, 33, Chicago - identity theft at Sears, the Apple Store and Helzberg Diamonds on Nov. 7,

* Ebony McClain, 26, Chicago - theft from Nordstrom Rack on Nov. 9,

* Tiffany McEwen, 23, Chicago - retail theft at H&M on Nov. 8,

* Andrew Mendez, 23, Chicago - theft from JC Crew and Banana Republic on Nov. 8,

* Leannett Scott, 37, Sauk Village - theft from Macy’s on Nov. 9,

* Ingrid Shoat, 45, Park Forest - theft from Macy’s on Nov. 9,

* Jacqueline Vaughn, 19, St. Anne – theft from Abercrombie & Fitch on Nov. 9 and

* two juvenile offenders – theft from JC Penney’s on Nov. 9.

Participating in the Orland Park effort were the Cook County States Attorney’s Regional Organized Crime Unit, 12 local law enforcement agencies and an unspecified number of retail store loss-prevention agents.

Orland Park Police credit two other arrests to the interagency effort:

* Richard Ivnik, 26, of Lockport was taken into custody Nov. 8 on a possession of drug paraphernalia charge during a traffic stop in Orland Park near 151st Street and 94th Avenue.

* Adam Sonne, 23, of Tinley Park was charged with retail theft on Nov. 8 by Tinley Park Police in connection with an alleged incident at a Jewel-Osco store in Tinley Park.

4 arrested as security guard battered in Wisconsin www.privateofficer.com

Madison WI Nov 28 2012

A security guard was battered in a shoplifting case in which a baby in a stroller was used as a cover for stolen merchandise on Black Friday at an East Towne Mall store, Madison police reported.

The incident took place in front of a large crowd of shoppers at about 8 p.m. Friday at J.C. Penney, police said in a news release.

Lesley Williams, 22, of Sun Prairie, was tentatively charged with battery and retail theft. Ashley Williams, 24, of Reedsburg, was tentatively charged with disorderly conduct and bail jumping. A 14-year-old Madison female was tentatively charged with battery and released to a family member. And Alicia Lembeke, 23, of Sun Prairie, was cited and released for retail theft.

Police said those four were stopped by a security guard as they tried to leave J.C. Penney and re-enter the mall.

“The thieves had been placing stolen items in a stroller, beneath a baby,” said police spokesman Joel DeSpain in the release.

When the guard asked the women to stop, Lesley Williams and the 14-year-old allegedly punched and kicked him, while Ashley Williams allegedly yelled that she was going to kill him.

“The youngest suspect later admitted to an officer that she had anger problems,” DeSpain said.

Stolen clothes and other items taken from J.C. Penney were found beneath the infant in the stroller. The baby was not injured.

“The guard wasn’t seriously hurt but he was bleeding from a cut near his ear,” DeSpain said.

source-host.madison.com

Rutland man charged with impersonating security officer www.privateofficer.com

 

Rutland VT Nov 21 2012 A Sheldon Place man, who is already facing multiple charges of impersonating a police officer, is now facing charges that he interceded in a street fight on Merchants Row on Saturday, pointed a BB gun at a man and claimed to be from “security.”

Eric W. Turco, 22, of Rutland, was arraigned in Rutland criminal court on Monday on a felony count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. He pleaded innocent to the charges and was ordered held on $10,000 bail.

In an affidavit, Officer Kenneth Mosher of the Rutland Police Department said police were dispatched to the area of Center Street at Merchants Row around 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

While there, police took Turco into custody and recovered the pistol, later identified as a .177 caliber BB gun, according to Mosher.

An employee of Clem’s, Nicholaus J. Waldron, told police he and another employee, Adam J. Rathbun, were outside Clem’s and Company when they saw two young men, later identified in the affidavit as Samuel Ritchie, 17, and Dana Roones, 18, knock over a trashcan.

The employees yelled to the teenagers to pick up the trashcan but instead a fight ensued, Waldron told police.

Waldron said he and Rathbun were attempting to hold the teenagers for police when Turco pointed a gun at the back of his head and claimed he was “security.” Waldron added, “Which to me, made no sense.”

Waldron said Rathbun was able to force the gun away from Turco and “tossed it away.”

After Turco was taken into custody, he told police he was walking around the Rutland ShoppingPlaza, looking for discarded cigarette butts to smoke, when he came across the men fighting.

Mosher said Turco told him he tried to break up the fight “because I don’t like confrontation as much as the next person.”

Turco said he had the BB gun which he wears while working at a local consignment shop and said the gun is “mostly for show.”

In July, charges were filed against Turco after he was accused of posing as both a Vermont State Police trooper and a U.S. marshal at local businesses. At that time, police said there was also a warrant for Turco based on an allegation that he impersonated a Bellows Falls police officer.

According to police, Turco carried handcuffs and a toy star-shaped badge as proof he was a law-enforcement officer.

Mosher said he believed Turco had violated a condition of his release from his arrest over the summer that he not carry any items, like badges, that would identify him as a law-enforcement officer but that was not one of the charges for which Turco was arraigned on Monday.

Mosher said Ritchie and Roones were later arrested and are expected to be arraigned Dec. 24.

source-rutland.com

Police arrest three people in Denver bar fire and murder of five patrons www.privateofficer.com

DENVER CO Oct 20 2012 (AP) — Three people have been arrested in connection with the killing of five people at a bar that was then set on fire, apparently to hide the crime, and the motive was robbery,Denver police said Thursday.

Police Commander Ronald Saunier said the suspects went to Fero’s Bar & Grill bar to rob it before closing time Wednesday, but he didn’t go into details about how it turned into a murder case.

An officer on routine patrol around 2 a.m. Wednesday noticed a fire inside the bar. Inside, firefighters found the bodies of one man and four women, including 63-year-old Young Fero, the bar owner.

The suspects are Joseph Hill, 27, and his brother, Lynell Hill, 24, and Dexter Lewis, 22. They were all arrested in Denver.

The Denver medical examiner identified the other victims as Daria M. Pohl, 22; Kellene Fallon, 45; Ross Richter, 29; and Tereasa Beesley, 45. Pohl, Fallon and Beesley were from Denver. Richter’s hometown wasn’t released.

The medical examiner didn’t release the cause of death.

The bar is in a strip mall about five miles south of downtown Denver, just beyond the upscale Cherry Creek North shopping district. It is wedged among a check-cashing store, a tennis shop, a nail salon and a car repair business on busy Colorado Boulevard.

Police said the fire did extensive damage, but little of that was visible from the outside.

The bar attracted both regulars and people staying in nearby hotels, but neighbors said it didn’t seem busy most days.

Frequent patron Chris Brady said the bar’s customers ranged from “semi-homeless-looking people” to patrons in suits and ties.

He was at the bar for a regular poker game held Tuesdays and left at about 11 p.m.

“There was nobody random or crazy in there,” Brady said.

Brady said Fero was known for cooking up beef dishes for customers at a moment’s notice and usually would close the bar herself.

She bid him goodnight Tuesday as he paid his tab.

“She said, “Thank you, sweetie. Have a good night,’” Brady said. “I said, ‘You too.’”

Mike Spinale, one of Fero’s neighbors in Aurora, described her as “really nice.”

“She didn’t speak much, but I know she owned a bar and she worked all the time,” Spinale said. “She told me she did everything herself.”

Danny Fero, who said he was Young Fero’s ex-husband, said he talked with Young Fero about a month ago regarding a visit with their daughter, but she made no mention of any threats. He said he was shocked by the events at the bar he once co-owned with her.

He told The Denver Post the two had met when he was working as a spokesman and photographer for the U.S. Army in Seoul, South Korea, and she was a clerk at the Korean Ministry of Agriculture. The two later married and had a daughter.

Jerry Richardson, who maintained an ATM at the bar, described Young Fero as “feisty.”

“When she wanted that machine fixed, she would tell you about it,” Richardson said.

Few details were immediately known about the other victims.

At an address listed for Pohl, a man who answered the door declined to comment. But neighbors Bert and Suzanne Kasben expressed disbelief that the studious 22-year-old was killed.

“She was always working,” Bert said, adding he knew she held several waitressing jobs.

The Kasbens said Pohl was one of three sisters in a tight-knit family who often were seen walking their dog in a quiet cul-de-sac.

Meanwhile, Beesley was listed in state records as the owner of Maxim Lounge, another Denverbar.

Frank Peluso, who works in an office building half a block from Fero’s Bar & Grill, said he used to eat lunch at the establishment but hasn’t been there in three years. It seemed to be declining and the owners have tried various things to attract more business, including offering karaoke, he said.

“It’s one of those places that you wonder how it stays in business,” Peluso said.

Resident Matthew Neam said you can’t see into the bar because the front windows are frosted. He said he and his friend used to joke about what might be inside.

“I’ve never gone in there,” Neam said. “It always looked kind of sketchy to me.”

Men jailed after Walmart reports shoplifters take $1,100 in items www.privateofficer.com

 

Topeka KS Sept 14 2012 Two Topekans were arrested Tuesday afternoon after shoplifting more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from a business on S.W. Wanamaker.

Topeka police responded about 11:55 a.m. to Walmart, 1501 S.W. Wanamaker, on a report of shoplifters.

Lt. Ron Gish said Walmart employees saw two men pushing a cart with several items past all of the checkout lanes, making no attempt to pay. The men wheeled the items out of the store, and authorities were notified of the crime.

A car linked to the thieves later was stopped by police in the 4800 block of S.W. 17th, Gish said, which is where police made contact with Timothy Earl Collins, 43, and Phillip Gene McClellan, 22. That location is near S.W. 17th and Fairlawn.

Police discovered items stolen from Walmart— two Blu-ray DVD players and a desktop PC — in the trunk of the maroon Chrysler the two men had been in. Collins and McClellan then were arrested for felony theft. Collins also had Topeka bench warrants. The PC was valued at $800 and the Blu-ray players at $310.

Both remained in the Shawnee County Jail on Tuesday afternoon awaiting their first court appearances.

Source:capitol-journal

Liberty Village security help police nab shoplifter www.privateofficer.com

EMINGTON NJ Sept 4 2012 — Three men in their early 20s from Paterson were charged with shoplifting and other offenses after a security guard helped police catch the suspects who allegedly took items from several stores at Liberty Village.

Flemington Police gave the following account:

On Aug. 27, at about 2:30 p.m. Patrolman Louis Hribik received a call to respond to the Bass shoe outlet store in Liberty Village for a shoplifting complaint.

The manager of Bass told the patrolman that three Hispanic males, one wearing a white T-shirt with two large gold rings on his right hand, one in a red shirt and another in a white shirt, removed several pairs of shoes from the store.

The patrolman then checked the area and with the help of a Liberty Village security guard they were able to catch and detain two subjects, later identified as Robinson Cabrera-Camilo, 22, of Paterson and Fausto Peguero-Nunez, 24, also of Paterson.

The security guard told the patrolman that the third suspect ran though some houses towards Brown Street.

While other police officers were checking the area for the third suspect, Detective William Svard saw a male matching the description running near 179 Main St. carrying a bag of items.

The male was then detained without incident and identified as Benito Vinas-Castillo, 22, of Paterson.

All three subjects were placed under arrest and charged with shoplifting, theft and hindering. Bail was set at $25,000 full for all three subjects. They were lodged in the Hunterdon County Jail in lieu of bail.

Items from Bass, Nike, Jockey and Polo were recovered from the subjects.

Ogden Walmart loss prevention nab 3 women in shoplifting spree www.privateofficer.com

 

OGDEN Utah Aug 31 2012 — Police arrested several women Tuesday, in separate incidents, for stealing from the Walmart store at 1945 Wall Ave.

Ogden Police Lt. Chad Ledford said security officers witnessed Marshaye Lynn Jones, 22, and Dee Dee Marie Dayton, 24, wandering through the store and putting random items into their separate purses.

“They were going through Walmart taking different items from throughout the store, no rhyme or reason as to why they were taking them,” Ledford said. “They were concealing them in their purses.”

After taking various items, Ledford said, the women took a razor knife from the hardware section and began to open the packages.

Police arrested the suspects as they attempted to leave the store.

In addition to the razor knife, the women are accused of taking numerous items, including a screwdriver, bra inserts, a power converter, key locks, a battery charger and a pair of earphones.

In another incident, during random surveillance, Amanda Elisabeth Saucedo, 27, was caught stealing CDs from the store’s electronics section.

Saucedo had a large number of CDs, with a total value of about $161, Ledford said.

The suspect said she stole the CDs in order to sell them, then use the money to buy food.

The police department does not think the incidents are related. The women happened to be arrested by the same officer that is tasked with patrolling the area.

“I don’t think it’s a ring by any means,” Ledford said.

Police took the women to Weber County Jail.

Jones is charged with retail theft, possession of marijuana and two counts of failure to appear. Dayton is charge with retail theft. Saucedo is charged with retail theft and two counts of failure to appear.

Source:stanard.net

Three charged with retail burglary at Kohl’s store www.privateofficer.com

 

Vallejo CA Aug 27 2012 Three people were arrested Thursday on suspicion of burglary at Kohl’s, Vallejo police said Friday.

A 19-year-old Vallejo woman was arrested for allegedly taking three pairs of shoes, police said. The store’s security guard detained her on scene until police arrived. She was identified as Abigail Messano, and was also found to have an outstanding arrest for theft.

Two men also were arrested about five hours later at about 10:30 p.m. after a security guard spotted them taking clothing items, police said.

Upon police arrival, they were seen fleeing the store but were soon arrested. They were identified as Karl Mitschan, 33, of Oroville and Kamani Trotter, 22, of Vallejo.

All stolen items were recovered and the suspects were all booked.

Georgia Tech student indicted on 25 counts of online sex crimes www.privateofficer.com

 

Dougherty County GA Aug 20 2012 A fifth year mechanical engineering student at Georgia Tech has been indicted on 25 counts of online sex in Dougherty County.

Atlanta police arrested Adam Morse, 22, in early June after investigators say the Meldrim, Ga., native sent two dozen pornographic pictures of himself and lots of sexually explicit conversation messages to whom he thought was a 13-year-old girl, but was in fact a member of the Dougherty County Police Internet Crimes Against Children team.

He was later transported to the Dougherty County jail. On Thursday according to Albany’s WALB News, prosecutors brought charges against Morse including obscene internet contact with a child and distribution of material depicting sexual conduct or nudity.

He is free on bond, but if convicted could face 20 years in prison.

According to the news report, Morse did not try to arrange a visit with the minor, but police say that he “could have possibly moved in that direction in the future.”

A graduate of South Effingham High School, Morse was an ROTC member at Georgia Tech. According to his Twitter account, he has plans to be an officer in the Army after graduation.

Two teenagers charged with triple murder in Rhode Island www.privateofficer.com

 

PROVIDENCE, R.I.Aug 11 2012 – The attorney general’s office intends to prosecute the teenage boys accused in last week’s triple murder as adults, according to Special Assistant Attorney General James Baum.

The teenagers are charged with the murders of Shemeeka Barros, 22, Michael Martin, 23, and Damien Colon, 22. The Family Court judge has closed off the hallway outside the courtroom where they will be arraigned, out of security concerns.

Gemelya Barros, Shemeeka’s mother, said she knows the grandmother of one of the boys. The grandmother told her in the court hallway that her grandson wasn’t involved. Barros pointed to her daughter’s photo pinned to her shirt and said, “This is my daughter.”

Barros had asked for calm within her large extended family and community in the wake of the homicides. She commended them for listening to her.

“I thought they were brave. I thought the whole community was brave, to go against what they felt inside,” Barros said Friday morning. “They wanted to rip this city apart — the Barros, the Perrys, the Silvas — but they trusted enough that it would get solved.”

Barros said that Police Chief Hugh Clements called her Thursday and then visited her personally to tell her about the arrests.

Kansas highway worker killed on Interstate 470 www.privateofficer.com

 

Topeka KS Aug 6 2012 The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatality accident between a car and a man who was working road construction.

The accident happened just after 6 a.m. Sunday morning in Topeka on Interstate 470. Investigators say the 41-year-old driver struck a worker who was standing on the side of the road.

The victim died at the scene. He has been identified as Curtis Harlan, 22, of Arma. Officials say he was a contract worker with KNAPP Construction. The driver and two passengers in the car suffered minor injuries.

It took emergency crews more than five hours to clear the scene. The highway has been reopened to traffic but one lane remains closed for pavement repairs.

Kimberly Qualls of Kansas Department of Transportation reminds drivers to be extra cautious in construction zones for the safety of those working on the roads.

“Drivers, the heat is on and our crews are out working hard to improve our highways. Please give our workers plenty of room, be patient, focus on the road and take it slow through the construction work zones,” said Qualls.

Source:KAKE.com

Kansas couple charged with lewd behavior in a Walmart pleads not guilty www.privateofficer.com

 

Hutchinson KS Aug 6 2012 A couple accused of stealing personal lubricant and fondling each other in front of shoppers at a Hutchinson Walmart have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including lewd and lascivious behavior.

Julian R. Call, 22, and Tina F. Gianakon, 35, are accused of getting a little hot and bothered in front of customers Sunday, witnesses told the police, after allegedly shoplifting more than $100 in merchandise, including a tube of K-Y Jelly personal lubricant, Hutchinson police Capt. Troy Hoover said. A Walmart security guard apparently had been watching the pair open product packages and stash items in Gianakon’s purse when Call suddenly put his hand down the woman’s pants, police said.

The pair appeared in Hutchinson municipal court Friday morning to answer charges of lewd and lascivious behavior, theft and criminal damage to property. Both pleaded not guilty, according to a municipal court clerk.

The alleged theft and sexual behavior occurred shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday as customers browsed store shelves at Walmart, 1905 E. 17th St. Call and Gianakon were “not being secretive at all about this as other shoppers were doing their thing,” Hoover said, referring to the sex act.

In addition to the lubricant, police say the pair stole DVDs, styling gel, batteries, slippers, eyeliner, Midol-brand pain reliever and men’s socks.

Both were arrested on site. They were booked into Reno County Jail, each on $1,000 bail. Gianakon bonded out of jail Sunday, Hoover said. Call posted bail the next day.

Both are scheduled to appear for pretrial at 7:45 a.m. Aug. 29 in Hutchinson municipal court. Neither had an attorney as of Friday morning, the clerk said.

Call and Gianakon live at the same Hutchinson address, Hoover said.

Source:www.kansascity.com

Convicted murderer sues police for “physical, emotional and mental injuries” www.privateofficer.com

 

ALBANY NY Aug 3 2012 — The gunman who murdered State University at Albany student Richard Bailey during a botched street robbery in 2008 is suing six Albany police officers for $160,000 on allegations they beat, pistol-whipped and Taser-shocked him into unconsciousness during a prior arrest.

De Von Callicutt, 22, wants compensatory and punitive damages in U.S. District Court in Albany for the “physical, emotional and mental injuries” he contends he suffered following his arrest on Orange Street in Albany on Nov. 30, 2008. The arrest was unrelated to the murder of Bailey, a 22-year-old Nassau County man whom Callicutt shot in the head at South Lake Avenue and Yates Street about 11:20 p.m. on Oct. 20, 2008.

Callicutt was already serving a five-year stretch in prison for the Orange Street incident when police charged him with Bailey’s murder. Callicutt had pleaded guilty to attempted weapon possession for firing a gun while resisting arrest on Orange Street.

He is now serving life without parole at the ultra-maximum-security Southport Correctional Facility in Chemung County.

The killer is representing himself in the excessive force suit, which he filed against “Albany County Police,” a reference to city police officers.

Callicutt contends he was beaten after he admittedly tried to climb over an 8-foot fence to evade police on Orange Street.

In a handwritten federal complaint, Callicutt alleged an officer pushed him, which caused him to fall into a back yard and accidentally fire his gun. Callicutt contends he threw his gun away and surrendered, but that another officer continued to mistreat him after making the arrest.

“He acts as if (he) was going to walk (me) out of the yard,” Callicutt stated, “then threw (me) to the ground.”

Callicutt contends that while he was on the ground, police officers held his legs, pistol-whipped him, punched him and Taser-shocked him to make him lose consciousness. He claims one officer finally said, “That’s enough. Before he dies.”

Callicutt stated he awoke in an ambulance and hospital bed, where, according to him, he had Taser burn marks on his back and staples in his head from an officer “striking him in the head with his gun repeatedly.”

He seeks $100,000 for compensatory damages from the six police officers he alleges beat him and another $10,000 from each officer in punitive damages. Callicutt also has asked for “other relief as it may appear that plaintiff is entitled.”

Callicutt identified five of the officers; the sixth was listed as “John Doe.”

In court papers filed June 20, Assistant Corporation Counsel Eric Sugar noted that when Callicutt initially filed the lawsuit on Oct. 26, he identified all six police officers as “John Doe” defendants. Magistrate Judge Randolph Treece did not allow the suit to go forward as drafted, but allowed Callicutt time to add named defendants in an amended complaint he filed May 26.

The city is asking Treece to dismiss the lawsuit because Callicutt did not file it within the proper three-year statute of limitations, Deputy Corporation Counsel Tara Wells said Wednesday.

She said Treece could dismiss the lawsuit as soon as Friday when it is next on the judge’s schedule.

On June 20, Assistant Corporation Counsel Eric Sugar wrote Treece: “Although the court does have the discretion to grant plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint, the court does not have the discretion to extend the statute of limitations.”

Sugar also argued that Callicutt did not identify any of the officers in his initial complaint because he did not know their names. As such, he “failed to provide any notice to potential defendants of his intent to sue, and said potential defendants would be prejudiced in maintaining a defense,” the lawyer stated.

Bailey, who sought to follow his father’s footsteps as a New York City police officer, was shot in the head and killed after leaving a friend’s house where he had been watching Monday Night Football. Two former codefendants of Callicutt — Ricardo “Rico” Caldwell and King “Cokilla” Modest — cut plea deals to testify against him.

In December 2010, Callicutt was convicted of first-degree murder, robbery and weapons charges in the death of Bailey. Jurors also convicted Callicutt of robbing 23-year-old Desmond Knauth at State and Ontario Streets — just seven minutes after the shooting. Callicutt was convicted on evidence that included jailhouse letters to a girlfriend in which he confessed to killing Bailey.

Source:www.timesunion.com

Three Arrested for $9,000 Victoria’s Secret Theft www.privateofficer.com

 

Boca Raton Fla Aug 2 2012 Authorities said they arrested three people in connection with a Boca Raton Victoria’s Secret theft in which $9,000 in merchandise was stolen.

Michelle Feliciano, 42, Danny Torreira, 22, and Leonidas Herrera, 24, were arrested Saturday and charged with grand theft, according to online records. The three remain in jail in Palm Beach County.

Osmany Benitez, a security officer at the store located at 6000 West Glades Road, called Boca Raton Police to report the theft. Benitez told officers two men and one woman fled in a Nissan Sentra and Cadillac Escalade. The vehicles were located at a nearby gas station, police said.

Miami Man Arrested For Boat Engine Thefts In Southwest Ranches: BSO

Authorities said Herrera, whose aunt is Feliciano, admitted that the three would steal merchandise together and that he and Feliciano committed two previous thefts. Torreira refused to speak with officers and Feliciano denied any involvement, according to authorities.

More than $9,000 in merchandise was recovered in the Sentra, which was rented by Feliciano. She and Herrera were also charged with previous retail theft crimes, police said.

Source:NBC6

Mother-sister shoplifters abandon 1-year-old son during escape www.privateofficer.com

 

Ocala Fla July 31 2012

A 19-year-old mother is wanted not only for what police say she and her sister tried to take from a Walmart store, but also for what she left behind — her 1-year-old son.

According to the Ocala Police Department, Allison Nicole Niemeyer and her sister Laura Niemeyer, 22, are wanted for felony child neglect and retail petit theft. Laura Niemeyer is also wanted for resisting a merchant.

Ocala police provided the following account of the case:

At 1:45 p.m. Friday, Officer Melissa Buetti went to the Walmart at 4980 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in response to a call about a retail theft and an abandoned child.

A Walmart loss prevention officer told Buetti that Allison Niemeyer and her sister had put clothes in the baby’s diaper bag. As they left the store, the loss prevention officer stopped them and asked them to come back inside.

The child’s mother immediately ran, leaving the boy behind with his aunt, who soon broke free from the employee and also ran away. The two sisters were picked up in the parking lot by a blue Ford Aerostar van, which headed west, police said.

Aside from the baby, officials recovered $57.12 worth of merchandise — four women’s shirts, a bathing suit and men’s white undershirts.

Police contacted the Department of Children and Families, which has taken custody of the child.

Authorities say Allison Niemeyer is on house arrest until 2021 in connection with a home invasion robbery with a firearm. She was pregnant when that crime occurred, authorities said.

In the October 2010 robbery, five teenagers were accused of committing a home invasion on Northeast 37th Place Road in which a 61-year-old man was pistol-whipped by one of the robbers. Authorities said Allison Niemeyer, whose boyfriend was in the group, was the getaway driver.

Her sister, Laura Niemeyer, has three previous convictions for retail theft, as well as convictions for grand theft and uttering a forged instrument, according to court records.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the sisters can call the Ocala Police Department at 369-7000, Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit http://www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can also text the word “ocalapd” and the tip to TIP411.

Source:Ocala.com