Archive
Gulf Shores AL police arrest 12 people for counterfeiting www.privateofficer.com
- 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.
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
Physical Therapy Owner and Employees Charged with Fraud www.privateofficer.com
BOSTON MA May 17 2013—A Brockton woman and three of her employees were charged with defrauding insurance companies in connection with physical therapy services.
Walkyria Massie, a/k/a Vicky Lopes, 37, of Brockton; Edward Rossi, 53, of Rochester; Deidre Chouinard, 36, of North Attleboro; and Manuela Andrade, 24, of Brockton, were charged in an indictment unsealed yesterday with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and three separate instances of mail fraud.
The indictment alleges that Massie was the owner and operator of Westgate Physical Therapy in Brockton. Patients would seek treatment at Westgate for minor injuries, generally sustained in car accidents. Massie employed Chouinard, a physical therapist; Rossi, a physical therapy assistant; and Andrade, an office manager. The indictment alleges that Massie, Rossi, Chouinard, and Andrade conspired together to falsify patient treatment charts to reflect therapy that was either never given, or was performed by unlicensed personnel, including Massie herself. Massie caused these fraudulent physical therapy claims to be submitted by mail to private insurance companies for payment. Various insurance companies paid more than $400,000 in bodily injury claims to Westgate and its patients during a two-year period, based on these fraudulent submissions.
On the charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud, the defendants face a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Anthony DiPaolo, Vice President/Chief of Investigations of the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelbey Wright of Ortiz’s Health Care Fraud Unit.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
UISD substitute teacher arrested in Laredo police raid www.privateofficer.com
Laredo TX May 13 2013
A UISD high school special education substitute teacher and a man were arrested after a raid Friday at a home in South Laredo yielded narcotics and firearms, police said.
Police said they seized 1,096 pounds of marijuana and 596 grams of heroin from a home at 3414 Queretaro Loop in the Las Americas neighborhood, south of Pine Street. The marijuana had an estimated street value of $383,600.
Officers also confiscated two AK-47 assault-type rifles, one shotgun and two handguns.
Gilardo Alonzo Lopez, 36, and Maria Concepcion Morales, 33, were arrested and charged with second-degree felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.
Source: LMTonline.com
Organized retail theft ring leader sentenced to prison www.privateofficer.com
Damian Alexander Gasdaska, 36, of Phillipsburg, N.J., was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 15 months to four years in a state correctional facility after he pleaded guilty to charges of organized retail theft and conspiracy to commit retail theft in connection with the fraud ring that used fake UPC labels and operated between February and July 2011.
“This was indeed a sophisticated operation and he was at the center of it, was the brains behind it,” said Judge Thomas C. Branca, adding a state prison sentence was warranted. “Unfortunately, he’s used his education and his smarts in the wrong way. He’s had the ability to be successful and a law-abiding citizen and he’s not done that.”
The judge ordered Gasdaska to pay $21,260 restitution to Target. Gasdaska, testimony revealed, has forfeited a 2005 Mercedes sedan to help pay restitution. Target stores that were victims of the thieves included those in Pottstown, Plymouth Meeting and Cheltenham in Montgomery County; Exeter, Muhlenberg and Wyomissing in Berks County; Malvern in Chester County; and Springfield in Delaware County.
Two others linked to the fraud ring, including Eugene Joseph Romano, 34, of Center Valley, Lehigh County, are still awaiting court action on similar charges.
With the charges, authorities allege the thieves used fake UPC, or Universal Product Code, labels to purchase items at well below their actual cost, and then sold the items for profit on eBay.
At the time of the arrests, authorities estimated that since 2008, the operation collected more than $172,000 in revenue by selling the stolen items on eBay. Prosecutors said the thieves were not living extravagant lifestyles but were using the money to support their daily lives.
Deputy District Attorney Steven Latzer sought state prison time against Gasdaska, arguing he had not learned a lesson from previous run-ins with the law and jail and probationary stints for crimes such as retail theft.
“This case is all about greed, the defendant’s greed,” said Latzer. “This was an ongoing, intentional, sophisticated ring. It’s time to put this one-man crime spree out of business for good
Defense lawyer Michael Quinn sought a county jail sentence with work release for Gasdaska, arguing his client is remorseful, has a newborn child and wants to turn his life around. Gasdaska, Quinn said, was able to thrive academically and graduate from college despite a “horrendous upbringing,” and was one of “the most capable, young men” he’s ever represented.
“He’s a very bright guy. I think all of the men in America will agree or submit that part of our personality is wrapped up in our ability to provide for our family,” Quinn said. “And when his prior contacts with the law precluded him from doing that he took an alternative path and he used this to supplement his income because he wanted to give his family things that he could not otherwise give under his salary.”
Gasdaska pleaded with the judge not to warehouse him in prison.
“My actions were bad and were done in poor judgment. I made some very poor decisions to try to supplement my income. I don’t want to see my future destroyed,” Gasdaska said.
Quinn said Gasdaska is “disappointed” with the outcome and Quinn is considering filing papers asking the judge to reconsider the sentence.
“Don’t worry,” Gasdaska said to his weeping wife as he was handcuffed by sheriff’s deputies and escorted from the courtroom to begin his prison stint.
Cheltenham detectives began the investigation after Target loss prevention officials reported their suspicions about the scheme after observing Gasdaska in the Cheltenham store on Shoppers Lane, court papers indicate.
Authorities uncovered 46 individual retail thefts from Target stores in the 11 counties between February and July 2012, according to the arrest affidavit filed by Cheltenham Detective Daniel M. Schaefer. Stores in Lehigh, Bucks, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Luzerne, Northampton and Philadelphia counties were also hit by the scheme, according to court papers.
The men allegedly created UPC labels that identified certain merchandise for sale at Target stores. Gasdaska and his conspirators visited the stores and secretly affixed those UPC labels to much higher-priced Target merchandise from the same brands, causing the cashier and cash register to unknowingly “under-ring” each item, allowing them to purchase the merchandise at a small fraction of the actual retail price, authorities said.
At the Exeter, Wyomissing, Cheltenham and Plymouth Meeting stores, the thieves purchased a $549 Dyson vacuum cleaner for $109 by using fake UPC labels, according to court papers. At stores in Pottstown, Malvern and Springfield, the thieves purchased Medela breast pumps, which normally sold for about $280, for about $35, according to the criminal complaint.
After purchasing the items, the men then created fraudulent eBay accounts to sell the items online to the unsuspecting public at a lower than retail price but much higher than the price that they paid, authorities alleged.
Gasdaska and his alleged accomplices used false and stolen identities to carry out their scheme while hiding their true identities, authorities alleged. Gasdaska was able to transfer the sales revenues to an online account and then to a personal bank account which also were opened using fraudulent information, authorities said.
During the investigation, authorities obtained video surveillance that depicted Gasdaska and his alleged accomplices carrying out the scheme.
Source- Daily Times
Delaware teacher arrested for sexting www.privateofficer.com
Georgetown DE Feb 22 2013 A Delaware teacher is under arrest after another school employee caught him sexting a student.
Stanley Zakrociemski, 36, works at Sussex Technical High School on County Seat Highway in Georgetown, Delaware.
Detectives with the Delaware State Police were contacted yesterday after a school employee found Zakrociemski was allegedly sending texts of a sexual nature to a 17-year-old female student. The messages began as far back as March of 2012 and continued until this week, according to police.
Police say the relationship between Zakrociemski and the 17-year-old, who turned 18 in December, never became physical.
Zakrociemski, who is from Millsboro, turned himself into detectives Wednesday and was arrested on five counts of sexual solicitation of a child under 18.
He is in the Sussex Correctional Institution on 100 thousand dollars bond.
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
Rochester teacher charged in student sexual assault www.privateofficer.com
Rochester NY Jan 17 2013
Because of a News10NBC investigation, the Rochester City School District is taking action, notifying parents about a physical education teacher accused of molesting one of his students. News10NBC is getting some answers from the school district about its policy.
Matthew Lomaglio, 36, of Irondequoit entered a not guilty plea Tuesday. He’s charged with sexually abusing a boy under the age of 11. Investigators say the abuse happened at School No. 19 during the 2006-2007 school year.
News10NBC learned the Rochester City School District has no policy that requires them to notify parents if a teacher is arrested and accused of sexually abusing a student while at school. A spokesman for the district says they evaluate each case individually and its up to the school’s principal whether to notify parents. In this case, they chose not to until News10NBC brought attention to the arrest.
News10NBC reached out to the Rochester City School District to find out what goes into the decision to not let parents know a former teacher at School No. 19 had been arrested and accused of sexually abusing a boy at school. After our calls, the district released a statement about why they decided to not notify parents about Matthew Lomaglio’s arrest.
Rochester City School District statement, said, “In this case, the police have told us that the charges against Mr. Lomaglio involve activity that allegedly took place during the 2006-2007 school year, and there is no reason to suspect that more than one child was involved. The students currently at school 19 were not there at the time of the alleged activity.”
With the school district not able to provide anyone to talk to on camera. News10NBC went to the school board, and had an appointment with the vice president at 1:30 p.m., but he never showed up. News10NBC then went to School 19 to hear what parents had to say.”
Marshea Washington, parent, said, “They have slipped through the cracks, and it just keeps happening, and it’s awful. What are we suppose to tell our children to be aware of, and what to look out for.”
After News10NBC’s story Tuesday, the school district decided to send home a letter with students Wednesday, notifying parents of Lomaglio’s arrest.
Washington said, “Yeah, it is too little too late, because I had to hear about it on the news and in the newspaper and the school hadn’t notified us this. It’s ridiculous. I think they should be more on top of what they are doing.”
Denise Wingate said, “As a parent it should be everyone’s concern especially these kids. We’ve got little babies that gohere. If there is anything like that especially in the city school district, or any school district, parents should be notified.”
The district also explained in the statement that because students at School No. 19 were not there at the time of the alleged incidents they didn’t want to create unnecessary alarm, but parents were calling concerned after the news reports and that’s why they changed their minds.
source:WHEC
Myrtle Beach Wal-mart security nabs 10 shoplifters in 24 hours www.privateofficer.com
Myrtle Beach SC Dec 18 2012 Police arrested 10 people in less than 24 hours on Saturday on charges of shoplifting from a Myrtle Beach Wal-Mart.
According to online police records, officers arrested 10 people between 1:20 a.m. and 10:05 p.m. Saturday and charged them with shoplifting from the Wal-Mart located at 541 Seaboard St.
The following people were charged with shoplifting a value of $2,000 or less:
• Mary Ellen Schultz, 41, Joshua David Beal, 37, and Allan Sandoval Coen, 38 – who all share a Myrtle Beach address – are accused of leaving the store without paying for merchandise, according to a police report
• Dennis Matthew Marden, 51, of no address was seen by police removing concealed items hidden on his body while in the parking lot, according to the report
• Timothy Young, 52, and Cynthia Denise Jones, 42, both of Myrtle Beach are accused of concealing more than $500 in merchandise and trying to leave the store
• Kimberly Fay Shular, 47, of Myrtle Beach is accused of leaving the store without paying for merchandise
• Scott Paul Spehar, 46, of Pawleys Island is accused of leaving the store without paying for merchandise, which police listed as being a soda and a few protein bars
The following people were charged with shoplifting-third or subsequent offense:
• Dawn Michelle Galloway, 36, of Conway is accused of attempting to leave the store without paying for merchandise
• Robert Scott Schwedes, 40, of Myrtle Beach – details not available
Source:MyrtleBeachonline.com
Multi-state drug ring busted in Nashville-29 people arrested www.privateofficer.com
Fed indicts 17 in $75 million Charlotte mortgage fraud scheme www.privateofficer.com
Lancaster high school teacher arrested for sexual relationship with student www.privateofficer.com
Chip Hale Center program director guilty of shoplifting www.privateofficer.com
ROGERSVILLE TN Sept 5 2012 — Two Hawkins County women including a supervisor employed with the Chip Hale Center in Rogersville pleaded guilty to theft Monday in Hawkins County Sessions Court in connection to their Aug. 10 shoplifting arrest at Walmart.
Chip Hale Center program director Jennifer Elizabeth Marvin, 36, 714 Tuggle Hill Road, Rogersville, was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days on probation, 12 days of community service, and was fined $100 in exchange for a guilty plea to theft under $500.
Sessions Court Judge Chris Raines also tentatively approved Marvin for a Title 40 Judicial Diversion pending confirmation of her previous clean record. The Judicial Diversion will enable Marvin to expunge her record when her probation is completed.
Marvin’s co-defendent, Elisha Michelle Sexton, 36, also of 714 Tuggle Hill Road, also pleaded guilty to theft under $500 and was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days on probation, 12 days community service, $100 fine and 48 hours in jail which she will begin serving Friday evening. Sexton was no eligible for a Judicial Diversion.
Rogersville police were dispatched to the Walmart store on Rt. 66 on Aug. 10 shortly after 1:30 p.m. after a store loss prevention officer stated he observed two women in the self checkout aisle place several items in bags without paying for them.
The women, later identified as Marvin and Sexton, were also using U.P.C codes torn from other items to change the price of the items they actually paid for.
The loss prevention officer approached Marvin and Sexton as they were exiting the store and detained them both until Rogersville police arrived.
The value of stolen items was $239.63 and included miscellaneous items, food items such as hamburger, noodles, crackers and chips; and a $99 luggage roller bag.
A non-profit organization, the Chip Hale Center located on Hasson Street in Rogersville provides home care and other services to disabled persons.
Director Nancy Davis told the Times-News Marvin remained employed as of Tuesday and Davis hadn’t made a decision regarding Marvin’s future with the organization.
WalMart meth bust nets three arrests www.privateofficer.com
City police were called to the Volunteer Parkway store when a man was accused of stealing a siphon pump and tubing after he had just bought Coleman fuel, items often associated with the making of meth, according to a news release from the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspicions of arriving police grew because the man already was the subject of a drug investigation by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, and so county deputies were called.
Arriving county investigators report immediately arresting him on meth-related charges because they said he had previously bought pseudoephedrine, also used to make meth, on several occasions, the release states.
Travis Fulton, 36, of Blountville, was charged with promotion of methamphetamine, police report.
Arriving officers also were suspicious of his girlfriend, Heather Callahan, 28, also at the store, because she had been released from jail last week. Officers, after asking to search her purse, reported finding a syringe, needle and other drug paraphernalia. She was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, police report.
Once arrested at the scene, the girlfriend told officers that a group of friends were heading to the store to pick them up. One of the friends seemed to be nervous so was patted down and physically restrained when he resisted, the news release states. In the attempt to restrain him, police say two spoons, a plastic baggie containing a yellow substance thought to be meth, and other drug paraphernalia fell to the ground.
George Finocchiaro, 48, of Bristol, Tenn., was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of Schedule II drugs, resisting arrest and violation of probation, police report.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected to be placed in this case.
Source:tri-cities.com
Women Arrested for Stealing Thousands in Clothes www.privateofficer.com
Johnson City, NY July 29 2012 Four women are sent to jail without bail after police say they stole nearly $2,700 worth of stuff from the Oakdale Mall.
On July 25, Johnson City Police arrested a group of females for shoplifting. Police say they acted as a group and stole a large amount of clothing from the GAP store and The Children’s Place in the Oakdale Mall
Arrested:
Isophine Butts, 36, Syracuse
Anotya Dixon, 26, Syracuse
Maria Clark-Ensley, 27, Syracuse
Tamika Ensley, 25, Sayre, PA
The women are facing multiple charges including felony grand larceny.
Investigators say the women had foil-lined bags to deflect store security alarms on clothing security tags and say the group had special tools to take off those tags.
The females were charged with stealing more than $1,100 from the GAP and more than $1,600 from The Children’s Place.
Butts is also charged with assault and resisting arrest. Police say she caused minor injury to a police officer. The officer had a sprained hand and had to be treated at Lourdes Hospital.
All of the women were arraigned in Village Court and sent to the Broome County Jail without bail.
Binghamton Police Department, Broome County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police assisted.
Source:WBNG
Four NC Air National Guard airmen killed in plane crash identified www.privateofficer.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C.July 4 2012 – Four Airmen died and two others were seriously injured when a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) equipped C-130 belonging to the 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard, based here, crashed Sunday evening while fighting a woodland fire in Southwestern South Dakota.
Dead are Lt. Col. Paul K. Mikeal (pronounced like michael), 42, of Mooresville, N.C.; Maj. Joseph M. McCormick, 36, of Belmont, N.C.; Maj. Ryan S. David (pronounced da-veed), 35, of Boone, N.C.; Senior Master Sgt. Robert S. Cannon, 50, of Charlotte.
“Words can’t express how much we feel the loss of these Airmen,” said Brig. Gen. Tony McMillan, 145th AW Commander. “Our prayers are with their families, as well as our injured brothers as they recover.”
Mikeal was assigned to the 156th Airlift Squadron as an evaluator pilot and had more than 20 years of service. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
McCormick was an instructor pilot and chief of training for the 156th Airlift Squadron. He was married with four children.
David was an experienced navigator and was also assigned to the 156th. He joined the North Carolina Air National Guard in 2011 after prior service in the active-duty U.S. Air Force. He is survived by his wife and one child.
Cannon had more than 29 years with the Charlotte unit and was a flight engineer with the 145th Operations Support Flight. He was married with two children.
The names of the injured will not be released. Both of the injured Airmen remain hospitalized.
The crew and its aircraft along with two other 145th C-130s and three dozen Airmen flew from Charlotte to Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., Saturday to assist with fighting forest fires in the Rocky Mountain region. They were due to move to a base in Cheyenne, Wyo., on Monday. The crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. mountain time near Edgemont, S.D., as the crew assisted with battling what is being called the White Draw fire. The cause of the crash is unknown and is under investigation.
North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue declared that flags be flown at half staff today and President Barack Obama expressed condolences honoring the dead Airmen.
“The support of civil authorities during natural disasters is a key and unique mission of the National Guard,” said Army Maj. Gen. Gregory Lusk, the adjutant general of the North Carolina National Guard “The MAFFS mission is probably one of the seminal missions of the Air National Guard, representing interagency coordination between the Guard and the U.S. Forest Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense organizations to suppress the fires.”
MAFFS is a joint Department of Defense and U.S. Forest Service program designed to provide additional aerial firefighting resources when commercial and private air tankers are no longer able to meet the needs of the forest service.
MAFFS is a self-contained aerial firefighting system owned by the U.S. Forest Service that can discharge 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in less than 5 seconds, covering an area one-quarter of a mile long by 100 feet wide. Retardant is discharged along the leading edge of a fire while water can be dropped directly on the flames. Once the load is discharged, it can be refilled in less than 12 minutes.
According to Forest Service records, the agency has been working with the North Carolina Air National Guard on fire suppression missions since the early 1970s.
Federal grand jury indicts two Sacramento men for armored car robbery www.privateofficer.com
Raymell Lamar Eason, 42, and Keith Lamont Smith, 36, were indicted for interference with commerce by robbery, according to a federal Department of Justice news release.
According to court documents, on April 17, Eason and Smith, armed with an activated Taser gun, parked in a Walmart parking lot on Florin Road. The two men allegedly were waiting for a Garda Logistics Services armored car, which they planned to rob when the guard left the store with its currency deposits.
Eason is alleged to have shot the guard with the Taser while Smith waited in their getaway vehicle. The robbery was unsuccessful, and the Garda armored car guard reportedly shot Eason as he tried to flee.
Eason and Smith were arrested shortly after the botched robbery.
Both men are scheduled to appear Tuesday in Sacramento before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kendall J. Newman.
Source:sacbee.com
Police -security make dozens of arrests at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center www.privateofficer.com
Jon A. Naumowicz, 36, of Meadowbrook Parkway, Cheektowaga, is charged with two counts of harassment, 2nd, public lewdness and criminal impersonation. Naumowicz allegedly urinated on a female and then got into a physical altercation with the female and a male acquaintance. When security officers intervened in the physical disturbance, Naumowicz displayed a gold badge and identified himself as a Cheektowaga Police Officer. Investigation revealed that Naumowicz had displayed a gold badge that identified Naumowicz is a volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician.
Elizabeth M. Czerniak, 22, of Fairview Drive, Alden, is charged with harassment, 2nd, trespass and criminal trespass, 3rd, for allegedly being in an area that she was restricted from being. When Czerniak was approached by security officers she allegedly fought with security guards.
Jamie D. Doelman, 20, of Fox Trace, Lancaster, is charged with two counts of harassment, 2nd, for allegedly striking two individuals in the face.
Daniel J. Jankowiak, 23, of North Star Road, East Aurora, is charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Jankowiak allegedly interfered and caused a disturbance in the parking lot while deputies were conducting an investigation. When the deputies attempted to place Jankowiak into custody, he attempted to flee from the officers. Jankowiak was caught after a brief foot chase.
Alicia M. Kessel, 22, of Tiverton Court, Derby, is charged with trespass. Kessel allegedly entered the concert venue after having been previously evicted from the concert.
David J. Vattes, 35, was arrested on a violation of probation warrant from Cattaraugus County. Vattes was turned over to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office.
Joseph E. Amadori, 19, of Tillen Road, Boston, is charged with DWI, Driving with BAC of .08 or greater and following too closely after an alleged accident in the parking lot.
The following citations were issued for alleged underage possession and/or consumption of alcohol.
Thomas J. Coleman, 17, of East Avenue, Gasport. Coleman was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, for allegedly possessing a quantity of marijuana.
Ashley E. Avino, 19, of Woodsfield Drive, Lakeview
Dylan J. Scinta, 17, of Huntingwood Drive, East Amherst
Alexander T. Miller, 18, of Golden Pheasant Drive, Getzville
Evan A. Lang, 18, of Forestbrook Court, Getzville
Rickard K. Woodrow, 18, of Garlow Road, Lewiston
Bridget N. Gromley, 17, of Danbury Lane, Kenmore
Sydney D. Phillips, 20, of Lovers Lane, Batavia
Patricia L. Larkin, 19, of Countryside Lane, Williamsville
Timothy D. Myers, 18, of Oakfield Lane, Williamsville
Stephanie A. Plair, 17, of Westminster Road, West Seneca
Taylor C. Petroff, 17, of Lake Avenue, Orchard Park
Paul W. Kucinski, 17, of Millcreek Drive, East Amherst
Kayla M. Bennion, 17, of Liberty Street, Arcade
Karolyn M. Frangos, 16, of North French Road, Amherst
Benedict C. Ferro, 17, of Emerald Trail, Williamsville
William M. Coyne, 16, of East Avon Road, Avon
Ashley J. Lyskawa, 17, of Pinehurst Court, East Amherst
Rebecca S. Czarniak, 19, of Fairview Drive, Alden
John Zaccarella, 16, of Slusarie Road, North Tonawanda
Daniel J. Harrington, 18, of South Transit Road, Lockport
Dina M. Giancarlo, 18, of Crescent Court, Cheektowaga
Kathryn C. Horvatits, 18, of Katherine Street, Lancaster
Chad M. Mahoney, 19, Sunset Lane, Springville
Andrew J. Baranyi, 19, of Carriagehill Court, Williamsville
Jonathan P. Brannen, 18, of Delemere Road, Williamsville
Ryan J. Winkler, 17, of Deer Ridge, Getzville
Michael A. Nowicki, 18, of Tiburon Lane, East Amherst
Dylan J. Coldiero, 20, of Tucarora Road, Buffalo
JoAnna M. Dunn, 19, of Twilight Lane, Hamburg
Source:The Batavian
CT women charged in felony retail theft in Concord NH www.privateofficer.com
CONCORD NH May 15 2012- Two Connecticut woman are under arrest after police recovered merchandise stolen from local stores as well as from businesses across New England – in the back seat and trunk of their car.
Jennifer Collins, 36, and Rebecca Gargiulo, 35, both of West Haven, Conn. were arrested after police received a call Thursday afternoon from employees at Jo Anne Fabrics on Storrs Street about two women stealing goods from the store.
The employees watched as the women left the store and got into a car with a Connecticut license plate. Police pulled them over on Loudon Road at Exit 14.
A large amount of stolen merchandise was found piled up in the back seat, along with several black trash bags filled with stolen goods, according to a press release. Police said the trunk also was filled with stolen merchandise.
Stolen items included numerous packages of Frontline, which is a tick and flea treatment for pets, Flexi Explore retractable dog leashes, and about a dozen pair of shears.
Investigators determined the property was stolen from several stores in Concord and many others throughout New England.
Collins and Gargiulo were both charged with organized retail crime enterprise. Collins faces additional charges of possession and transportation of a controlled drug.
Both are being held on $50,000 cash bail, pending arraignment Friday in 6th Circuit Court, Concord District.
Source:union-leader
Mother-two daughters charged in Kohl’s shoplifting incident www.privateofficer.com
Easton PA April 16 2012 An Easton woman and her two daughters were cited for retail theft after they allegedly concealed about $200 in merchandise from Kohl’s Department Store in their purses, according to Colonial Regional Police.
On April 3 around 5:39 p.m., police were called to the Kohl’s in Lower Nazareth Township for three women being held for retail theft.
According to police:
•Patricia Newton, 36, of S. 6th Street — the girls’ mother — allegedly concealed two bottles of perfume, a tank top and a pair of sweat pants in her purse. The merchandise totaled $138.93.
•Lashonna Newton, 18, same address, allegedly concealed a pair of Levi’s jeans in her purse. The jeans totaled $39.99.
•Ariana Hinds, 21, same address, allegedly concealed three tank tops in her purse. The merchandise totaled $20.97.
All three were cited for retail theft and released. The citations were filed through District Judge Joseph Barner’s office
TSA baggage inspector at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport indicted for thefts www.privateofficer.com
Fort Worth TX April 15 2012 A Transportation Security Administration baggage inspector at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport has been indicted in the theft of Apple iPads from luggage over eight months.
Clayton Keith Dovel, 36, of Bedford was arrested Feb. 1 and has been suspended indefinitely, officials said.
The investigation led to the recovery of eight stolen iPads, including one that was among Dovel’s possessions at Terminal E when he was arrested, airport police said.
His attorney, Greg Westfall, declined to comment.
The indictments that the Tarrant County grand jury issued this week charge Dovel with theft by a public servant of items valued at up to $20,000. If convicted, he could face two to 10 years in prison.
According to airport police, a traveler reported Jan. 24 that his iPad 2 had been stolen and that he had traced it electronically to a home in Bedford owned by Dovel.
While arresting Dovel in that case, airport police discovered another iPad in Dovel’s leather satchel. Dovel told authorities that the iPad was his but that he couldn’t remember where he bought it, according to police reports.
Using that iPad’s serial number, police traced it to a Grand Prairie man who had reported that it was stolen as he traveled through Terminal E in May.
In the indictment, Dovel is also accused of stealing iPads in November and early January.
The TSA issued a statement calling the arrest part of a “zero-tolerance policy for allegations of misconduct or theft” at the airport.
“The unacceptable behavior of this individual in no way reflects the dedication of our nearly 50,000 Transportation Security officers who work tirelessly to keep our skies safe,” the agency said.
Dovel is free on $5,000 bail.
Source:www.star-telegram.com
Tennessee man faces charges after striking deputy sheriff at MS. welcome center www.privateofficer.com
HANCOCK COUNTY, MS April 11 2012
Former Austin police officer admits to tax evasion www.privateofficer.com
High Point NC Police arrest several people in organized retail crimes www.privateofficer.com
HIGH POINT, N.C. March 26 2012— Several people face charges after High Point Police said they found about $40,000 in stolen merchandise that included many common household items.
Jodie Garrard, 55, of High Point, Ramona Welch, 36, of Trinity, and Paula Kindley, 39, of High Point, are charged with organized retail theft. They were each placed under $20,000 bonds.
Arrest warrants are out for at least four more people. One of those was identified as Brittany Marie Allen, 25. Detective Chris Weisner said they know there were many other players involved, and their investigation is ongoing.
Police said in a news release they searched 3603 Boles Ave. on Tuesday, as well as a storage unit at Community Storage on Julian Avenue in Thomasville.
About $40,000 worth of stolen merchandise was seized in a shed owned by Garrard, Weisner said. Items seized included large amounts of laundry detergent, razor blades, shampoo and small power tools, police said.
Weisner did an interview with FOX8′s Kristin Nelson Wednesday in a room with merchandise stacked all over tables and the floor. Weisner said that room contained only about a third of all the merchandise seized.
Police said the items were stolen from various stores, including Walmart, Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods.
Weisner said the ring involved shoplifting products and selling them on the black market.
“We call them boosters–basically professional shoplifters, for lack of a better term,” Weisner said. “They will go out every day and steal product, and then they will take that product to the ‘fence.’”
Weisner alleged Garrard was the ‘fence.’
“She did a business out of her storage shed in the back of her trailer, and in this trailer was a surveillance system so she could see who was pulling up in her driveway,” Weisner said.
Police had been investigating Garrard on an unrelated charge, but they said they quickly learned she was taking stolen merchandise from shoplifters.
Police believe Garrard was selling the stolen merchandise to someone else. That person, in turn, would take it to a flea market, where it could be sold for less than what it costs in a typical store, police said.
Weisner explained how the products were taken to the ‘fence.’
“We arrested people earlier who were bringing things in mesh bags. Other people have gone in and will take a pocketbook, line it with tin foil and duct tape it to the inside of their purse so that the metal detectors don’t go off at the door,” Weisner said.
Anyone with information about the ring is asked to call Crimestoppers at (336) 889-4000.
Source:myfox8.com
Bayside State Prison officer arrested for smuggling drugs into facility www.privateofficer.com
MAURICE RIVER NJ March 18 2012 — A corrections officer was charged Friday with bringing drugs into Bayside State Prison, ending a seven-month investigation involving several law enforcement organizations.
Nazair Bey, 36, of Pittsgrove was placed on unpaid leave after the arrest, according to the state Department of Corrections. He was being held on bail late Friday in Cumberland County Jail.
Bey was bringing controlled dangerous substances into the Leesburg prison for distribution among inmates, according to a news release from the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities did not disclose the type of drugs or how the alleged smuggling was discovered.
The charges against Bey are drug possession, distribution, conspiracy to distribute and official misconduct. Official misconduct is a second-degree offense, while the drug-related charges are third-degree offenses.
State Superior Court Judge Robert P. Becker Jr. initially set bail at $150,000 cash, then lowered it to 10 percent of $50,000, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
Corrections Department spokeswoman Deirdre Fedkenheuer said Bey was hired in January 2001 and assigned to South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton, until he was transferred to Bayside in 2006.
He was earning $74,940 a year as a senior corrections officer, public records show.
Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime Bureau and members of the Corrections department’s Special Investigation Division arrested Bey. The county Sheriff’s Department, New Jersey State Police, Bridgeton police and Millville police took part in the investigation.
Source:the daily journal
Postal Service worker -four others charged in thefts of checks www.privateofficer.com
Atlanta GA Jan 30 2012 A U.S. Postal Service worker is among five people indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of stealing U.S. Treasury checks from an Atlanta-area mail distribution center.
Deborah Fambro-Echols, 49, of Hapeville, who worked as a mail handler at the Atlanta Processing and Distribution Center, is accused of stealing more than a half-million dollars’ worth of checks during a two-week period in April 2011, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta announced Thursday.
Also named in the indictment are Wendy B. Frasier, 34, of Atlanta; Daralyn M. Weaver, 30, of Atlanta; Jabril O. McKee, 24, of Fairburn, and Ohmar D. Braden, 36, of Lithonia.
Fambro-Echols allegedly passed hundreds of stolen checks to Weaver, McKee and Braden, who cashed the checks at banks and other businesses and split the proceeds with her, said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.
Yates said that Frasier acted as a broker who recruited the check cashers. Weaver, McKee and Braden allegedly used forged endorsements and fake IDs to cash the checks, which included tax refunds, veterans benefits and Social Security payments.
Law enforcement authorities conducted a search that found more than 660 checks totaling more than $590,000 in Frambro-Echols’ possession and in her home, the indictment said.
The seven-count indictment alleges conspiracy, theft of government money, possession of stolen Treasury checks, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The charges carry maximum sentences of five to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million. The aggravated identity theft charge requires a minimum of two years in prison in addition to any other sentences imposed.
The investigation was carried out by the Stolen Treasury Check Task Force, an informal group of 14 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Yates noted that Georgia is third in the nation in the number of Treasury checks reported stolen from the mail.
Source:AJC.com
Cullman AL first grade teacher arrested for sexual abuse www.privateofficer.com
CULLMAN AL Jan 14 2012 — A first grade teacher at Good Hope Primary School has been arrested and charged with three counts of sexual abuse, stemming from decade-old allegations involving two young girls.
Chad Gambrill, 36, of Welti, has been indicted on two charges of sexual abuse in the first degree, and one charge of sexual abuse in the second degree. He was arrested by the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday afternoon. When contacted Thursday afternoon, Gambrill declined to comment, referring questions to his attorney Champ Crocker.
“These decade-old accusations are just that — accusations — and Mr. Gambrill flatly denies them,” Crocker said in a statement e-mailed to The Times. “Mr. Gambrill is shocked and dismayed to be accused of hurting a child, particularly since he serves this community as a teacher. Having served this nation as a soldier, Mr. Gambrill respects the legal system and the rights guaranteed to us all under the Constitution. He looks forward to clearing his name.”
Once charges were filed, Gambrill was placed on indefinite paid administrative leave by the Cullman County Board of Education. He has taught first grade at Good Hope Primary since 2005, and has worked in different capacities at Good Hope schools since 2000.
Authorities say the current charges are not related to Gambrill’s position as a teacher, but stem from an investigation into allegations dating from approximately 11 years ago.
The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office has been looking into the case for almost five months, involving allegations Gambrill abused two girls under the age of 12. Authorities say Gambrill was familiar with the children at the time of the alleged abuse.
Cullman County Board of Education Superintendent Billy Coleman declined to comment specifically on the charges, but reiterated they have no connection to Gambrill’s position as a teacher.
“They have absolutely nothing to do with school, in any way,” he said. “That’s important for everyone to understand, because of the concern we all have for the welfare of our students. But, of course, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in this situation.”
Coleman also noted Gambrill had no previous complaints on file in his school personnel record.
“Our policy on things such as this is to place the employee on leave until the legal process can take place,” Coleman said. “We believe it is in the best interest of the employee, students and school system to give that legal process time to take place.”
Good Hope Primary School Principal Janet Maddox referred a request for comment to the superintendent.
A background check was performed on Gambrill at the time of his hiring, as required by state law, though nothing was found.
Before starting work at the primary school, Gambrill reportedly served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Iraq. In 2008 he sued the school system after being passed over for a promotion, claiming he was discriminated against because of the time he spent in the military. A judge eventually ruled against Gambrill and in favor of the school system. That decision was later affirmed following an appeal in 2010.
Gambrill was held at the Cullman County Detention Center on a $90,000 bond Wednesday afternoon. He was released on bond late Wednesday night.
Source:Cullman Times
Navy couple were found shot dead after three-hour stand-off www.privateofficer.com
San Diego CA Dec 24 2011 A Navy couple were found shot dead after a three-hour stand-off with police.
Military instructor Sekai Southern, 36, killed his wife Portia, 26, before turning the gun on himself at their off-military base home in Serra Mesa,
San Diego yesterday.
Police found the couple’s 18-month-old toddler unharmed in a playpen on the same floor as the bodies in the two-storey property.
Their five-year-old daughter was at school as the tragic scene unfolded.
‘We’re looking at this as a domestic-violence incident,’ police homicide Lt. Ernie Herbert told The San Diego Union-Tribune.
‘What prompted this, we don’t know yet.’
Police were called to the home at about 12.40pm after a neighbour reported a domestic disturbance.
An officer arrived to see Portia trying to leave the property and a man, believed to be Sekai pulling her back in, reports the Union-Tribune.
The man barricaded himself inside the residence as SWAT officers were called and a two-block area around the home was evacuated.
During the incident, Sekai had called the police and a family member to day that he had shot his wife, police Lt. Andra Brown said.
After three hours, efforts to negotiate with Sekai were unsuccessful, and SWAT officers entered the house and made the grim discovery.
Both Sekai and Portia served in the Navy and Agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and private security for the military housing also responded to the scene, reports the Union-Tribune.
The children are expected to be handed into the care of a relative.
‘It’s always sad. It’s the holiday season,’ Herbert told the Union-Tribune. ‘It’s tough for everybody.’
Portia’s father Michael Frazier of Houston, told 10News that his daughter, was a wonderful mother to her two children.
‘I loved my baby’ Frazier said, adding that he was not aware of any problems with her husband, Sekai Southern.
“I thought he was a pretty good dude,” Frazier told 10News.
Frazier said that although his daughter loved being in the Navy, she found it difficult to be away from her family during overseas deployment.
The police have previously been called to the couple’s home responding to a report of domestic violence, reports the Union-Tribune.
In July, 2010, a woman called police to say that her husband had choked and punched her.
Officers who responded arrested the man on suspicion of spousal battery, and he was booked into jail, Lt Brown told the Union-Tribune.
Boston Housing Authority employees charged with copper theft www.privateofficer.com
Lucius Graham, 36, of Roslindale, and John Bernburg, 49, of Lakeville, were arrested Friday night after officers found them in the basement of one of the buildings in the Archdale Village public housing development, Boston police said. They were charged with breaking and entering a residence in the night, larceny, and malicious destruction of property, according to police.
Officers responded to reports of voices in the basement of 100 Brookway Road and found a door to the area wedged shut with what appeared to be a broom handle. After building management officials opened the door, police found copper and water pipes all over the ground, as well as copper pipes pulled from the wall, police said in a statement.
Police also found Graham and Bernburg hiding behind a trash barrel and ordered them to come out, police said. The suspects allegedly told police they were collecting leftover copper so that they could sell it.
Officers found a barrel full of copper pipes in the basement, and, during booking, found a saw in Graham’s pocket, which the suspects admitted they used to cut the pipes, police said.
When the saw was taken from him, Graham allegedly asked, “Can I get my saw back?”
One of the employees was fired immediately, said Lydia Agrow, spokeswoman for the BHA. Because the other employee has more than five consecutive years of service, civil service law requires that he have a hearing, Agrow said. The hearing is scheduled for Friday.
The two were arraigned today in West Roxbury Municipal Court, and both pleaded not guilty. They were released without monetary bail, and both will have to retain their own attorneys. They are slated to return to court Dec. 30 for pre-trial hearings.
Source:boston.com
