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US Marshal’s Falcon program arrest 35,000 felons in June www.privateofficer.com
Willie Conway, a convicted sexual predator and member of an Illinois street gang, is no longer on the street. The same is true of Joseph Christian Fontana. He was wanted in Santa Rosa County, Florida, for rape of a minor, child pornography, and 25 counts of sexual molestation.
They are just two of 433 people wanted for murder, 900 gang members and more than 2,300 sex offenders who were arrested this June as part of Operation FALCON (Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally).
ABC 7 Talkback:
Across the country, federal marshals joined forces again with state and local law enforcement to target career criminals, to reduce crime by taking the so-called worst of the worst off the street. On Thursday they officially announced the results of the crackdown.
The Marshals have been conducting Operation FALCON annually since 2005, but this is the biggest operation to date: more than 35,000 fugitives were rounded up in the month of June alone.
Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made 91,086 arrests and cleared 117,874 warrants.
“I believe it could be called the largest law enforcement operation ever conducted in our history,” said John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. “In fact, those arrested in this operation had a combined criminal history of more than 138,000 prior arrests.”
Locally, the operation netted 446 felony arrests in the D.C. metropolitan area.
Operation FALCON in the D.C. area consisted of approximately 300 federal, state and local law enforcement officers, making up 35 separate arrest teams working throughout the period. Each participating local officer was sworn in as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal immediately prior to the start of this operation. This special authority empowers them to cross traditional lines of jurisdiction to track down and arrest targeted fugitives throughout the operation.
One of the suspects taken off the street locally was Chris Ray, who was wanted in Prince George’s County for six counts of attempted murder. Chris Ray allegedly opened fire on a nightclub security guard and five of the club’s patrons. At the time of that offense, Ray was wanted on two felony warrants from Montgomery County (web news) for probation violation and aggravated assault. Ray was arrested in Washington after attempting to flee from FALCON investigators.
Another local suspect apprehended by FALCON was Frank Harris, who was wanted out of the District of Columbia for armed robbery. When investigators arrested Frank Harris, who was also wanted in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties on outstanding felony warrants, they recovered a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition from within his reach.
Glenn Wade was accused of shooting two people at a Prince William County (web news) bus terminal. Tyree Harvey was wanted for murder and two carjackings. Both are now behind bars.
As the recession continues, police say there are indications that the violence could spike. The people they are targeting are almost always repeat offenders and increasingly ruthless.
“The goal of Operation FALCON is simple – to make communities safer,” said Clark. “Each time we wrap up a FALCON operation in any location, there are less dangerous individuals – and fewer threats to the community – than before we arrived there. That is very gratifying.”
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Two arrested in Taj Mahal casino theft www.privateofficer.com
Two arrested in Taj Mahal casino theft http://www.privateofficer.com
pressofatlanticcity.com
Two people who allegedly stole nearly $15,000 from soda vending machines on hotel guest floors in the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort were arrested Friday night, police said.
Ray Klaus, district manager for Coca Cola beverages, came to police Jan. 20 to report dozens of thefts from the vending machines his company placed on the guest floors of the Taj Mahal, police said. The suspects stole from about 60 machines, probably using a master key to remove cash totaling nearly $15,000.
Detective Thomas Holton has contacted State Police and Vineland and Millville police, who have been investigating a possible theft ring in their areas, police said
Taj Mahal security retrieved the security surveillance videos, and a couple was seen in the hotel hallways. Philip Silvers, 28, and Crystal Studstill, 26, both of Millville, were identified, and State Police arrested them Friday night at Studstill’s home, department spokeswoman Sgt. Monica McMenamin said.
Both were charged with theft of more than $500, vandalism and conspiracy, and would be taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility on $75,000 bail, McMenamin said.
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School security assaulted, 4 arrested www.privateofficer.com
School security assaulted, 4 arrested http://www.privateofficer.com
buffalo news
A suspended Riverside High School student fought with two security guards and the school principal Thursday morning, an incident that escalated when two of the student’s friends joined the fracas, Buffalo police said.
Fearing the violent behavior might spread, about a dozen police cars from around the city responded to the incident that began shortly before 8 a. m.
A third friend of the suspended student punched and kicked out two third-floor windows in an apparent protest, authorities said.
The school is temporarily located in School 51 at Hertel Avenue and Guernsey Street.
The quick response by police ended in four arrests and no reported injuries, according to police spokesman Michael J. De- George. A district official said the police presence helped keep the situation from getting out of control.
“A 14-year-old student suspended Wednesday for fighting outside the school and told not to come to school [Thursday] started fighting with two security guards and the principal who were waiting,” school district spokesman Stefan Mychajliw said.
Mychajliw said the three other students will be suspended and additional disciplinary charges will be brought against the previously suspended student for violating the district’s code of conduct.
Police charged two of the students, one male and one female, as juvenile offenders, and two others, both 16-year-old males, with criminal charges. One was charged with assault, criminal trespass, harassment, obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct.
The other was charged with criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and harassment.
Suspended students, Mychajliw explained, will sometimes try to get back into school for various reasons, including the fact that guardians may not know of the suspension.
Mychajliw said security guards and Principal Michael Mogavero handled the situation properly and, as a result, classes were not interrupted. The school serves ninth-and 10th-graders.
The district, Mychajliw said, was evaluating the situation to determine if extra security would be needed today at Riverside.
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Alert patrol officer makes major theft arrest www.privateofficer.com
Alert patrol officer makes major theft arrest http://www.privateofficer.com
westportnow.com
Sharp eyes of a Westport patrol officer today resulted in the arrest of four shoplifting suspects in Westport’s downtown area, police said.
The officer came upon a suspicious vehicle in Parker-Harding Plaza later found to contain about $7,500 in merchandise stolen from local retailers, said Lt. Gorden Hiltz.
At the same time, he saw two men in the vicinity of the car who scurried away when they spotted the police vehicle, Hiltz said.
The officer alerted other officers and at about 6:20 p.m. they were able to identify and apprehend the four suspects who allegedly been involved in shoplifting from stores in the center.
The officers found bags of clothing, scissors, pliers, and other tools used in an operation by a coordinated team to take merchandise from area stores, Hiltz said.
“This type of investigation seems to rise during the period of the holidays,” he said.
The suspects were identified as Sandra Orozco, 45, of Queens, N.Y.; Carlos Valendia, 29, of Elmhurst, N.Y.; Armando Vanegas, last known address Bogotá, Colombia, and Vanessa Munoz, 33, of Queens, N.Y. They were charged with numerous offenses, including conspiracy to commit larceny second degree, interfering with an officer, and possession of a shoplifting device, Hiltz said.
All were held on $15,000 bond and given a court date of Nov. 24.
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Shoplifter assaults his way to jail www.privateofficer.com
Shoplifter assaults his way to jail http://www.privateofficer.com
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The Williamsburg Wal-Mart was the scene of what police are calling a short “scuffle” Tuesday afternoon, after one man tried to knock over a store loss prevention officer following a shoplifting incident.
Paul D. Kellogg, of Jellico, Tenn., was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after Williamsburg Police Department Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson says Kellogg charged at a loss prevention officer and a few other Wal-Mart employees and got in a physical altercation in the parking lot.
“The guy just tried to basically run through the employees, there was a scuffle and they all stumbled through the door. He had to be physically restrained,” Jackson said.
Jackson said Kellogg was charged with first-degree robbery, which is a felony, rather than theft by unlawful taking because Kellogg used “force” while committing the crime. Jackson said situations like Tuesday’s are becoming all too common.
In southeast Kentucky, Jackson said, there has been a trend of “rehearsed robberies” at Wal-Mart Supercenters. Thieves, Jackson said, plan their robberies, and often turn violent when their plans go awry.
“Some of these people really feel like they have a pattern down pat and when the Wal-Mart employees get onto them and end up interrupting their little heist these thieves have their confidence up feel like nothing is going to stop them,” Jackson said, “But in fact they do get stopped and they get charged with robbery because they get physical, which is a much more serious crime.”
The Williamsburg Wal-Mart’s central location, also seems to make it target, according to Jackson. Many of the people arrested for shoplifting and robbery at the Wal-Mart have been out-of-towners.
“Jellico doesn’t have a Super Wal-Mart, Bell County doesn’t — it’s seems all roads lead to Williamsburg. Unfortunately, we get a lot of out of town shoplifting traffic in this area,” Jackson said.
The Williamsburg Police Department also arrested Larry Hicks on misdemeanor shoplifting charges. According to Jackson, Hicks was working with Kellogg, but was in a separate part of the store and did not resist arrest.
Despite the repeat nature of the crimes, Jackson says the Williamsburg Police Department and Wal-Mart have a good working relationship.
“We, the police department and Wal-Mart, are both working to deter this type of crime,” Jackson said.
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Hurricane Ike brings devastation, power outages and arrests in 20 states www.privateofficer.com
Hurricane Ike brings devastation, power outages and arrests in 20 states http://www.privateofficer.com
The storm continued up through the center of the country and headed north and then northeast causing massive flooding and power outages.
Police in Galveston say that they have arrested a dozen or so looters while in other cities police have also made arrests for burglary, thefts, and looting. And the devastation isn’t over yet. Neither is the pain, discomfort, or losses from the storm.
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Casino disturbance leads to arrests www.privateofficer.com
Casino disturbance leads to arrests http://www.privateofficer.com
Police were notified for assistance and upon arrival officers charged the men with criminal trespass, breach of peace and interfering with an officer.
Because neither man was able to post a $500 bond, the men were held at Corrigan Correctional Facility in Montville pending their arraignment today in Norwich Superior Court.
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Target security staff have busy week-end www.privateofficer.com
Target security staff have busy week-end http://www.privateofficer.com
Shoplifting suspects picked the wrong Target over the weekend.
Roseville police said they arrested seven people in two shoplifting incidents at the Target store at 10451 Fairway Drive.
According to loss prevention personnel, at 5:22 p.m. Saturday, security contacted police to report a group of young people taking items from the electronics department, said Dee Dee Gunther, a police spokeswoman. Agents asked for police back-up.
Police units were dispatched and intercepted the suspects in the parking lot, finding the stolen property on them, Gunther said.
Arrested on suspicion of burglary and conspiracy were Jonathan Andrew Santellano, 20, of Rocklin, Steven Matthew McDaniel, 18, of Salinas and three younger teenagers.
At 6:45 p.m. the next day, police were called to the same store and arrested a man and a woman on suspicion of cutting open packages in the electronics department and taking the items.
Booked on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy and possession of burglar’s tools were Michael Davis Scott, 43, of Sacramento and Sherry Lynn Edadiaz, 37, of Auburn.
The two also were wanted on various arrest warrants from Placer and Sacramento counties, Gunther said.
Those arrested were booked into the county jail pending a bond release.
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2 Men charged with extortion during alledged shoplifting incident www.privateofficer.com
Two men charged with extortion during alledged shoplifting incident http://www.privateofficer.com
According to a release, officers responded on July 25 at 9:30 p.m. to a shoplifting investigation of a store. When officers arrived, they were met by a juvenile and his mother along with employees of that store.
It was learned through the investigation that the juvenile was alleged to have shoplifted an item from the store.
The employees of the store were then alleged to have offered the juvenile an option of paying them, the employees, money in lieu of criminal prosecution for the shoplifting incident.
That investigation led to the two employees of the store being charged with theft by extortion.
Charged were Jody J. Levchuk, 31, and Moustafa M. Zaatout, 25.
Warrants were issued for both men by Judge Richard Russell in the amount of $10,000.
Both were arrested and released after they posted bail.
Detective Mazzuza and Patrolman Cusack conducted the investigation.
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Police arrest security guards for outstanding warrants www.privateofficer.com
Police arrest security guards for outstanding warrants http://www.privateofficer.com
Atlanta GA. Aug 8 2008
Atlanta police arrested two security guards and discovered one guard had outstanding warrants and the other was a convicted felon, according to a police report.
Jovan T. Butler, 29, and Kamara C. Johnson, 31, both employed by Executive Patrol, were arrested Sunday morning after a man accused Butler of pointing a gun at him while the guard was on duty at an apartment complex on Allison Court in southwest Atlanta, the police report said.
The man who made the allegations, Martey Robinson, 21, had been taken into custody for trespassing at the apartment complex where the guards were working, the report said.
Butler and Johnson denied having a weapon in the guards’ vehicle, but an officer found a loaded .45-caliber gun between the driver and passenger seats, the report said.
A background check revealed Johnson’s warrants in the city of Atlanta.
Johnson was arrested for her outstanding warrants on charges of aggravated assault and burglary. Butler was arrested on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, pointing a pistol at another and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to jail logs.
The report states that Butler had a felony drug conviction from 1999, but Butler said in a phone interview Wednesday that he doesn’t have a felony drug conviction, but rather a 2002 felony conviction related to a domestic violence incident and an earlier misdemeanor conviction for marijuana possession.
Butler contended that he did not know there was a gun in vehicle and denied pointing it at Robinson.
When reached by phone, the owner of the company, Willie Manson, said both guards had been with him for less than six weeks.
He said he did not run a criminal background check on Johnson and did not know she had warrants for her arrest. Manson said he knew about Butler’s criminal convictions when he hired him.
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Casino security stays busy with arrests www.privateofficer.com
Casino security officers keep busy with arrests http://www.privateofficer.com
Police in East Hanover Township say that they are called to the casino frequently but that this past week-end seemed to be a bit busier for whatever reasons.
Authorities say that these were a few of the arrests and calls for service that occurred over the past 72 hours at the casino.
PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS: John Shughart, 50, Carlisle, was charged after he was found to be intoxicated and offensive with security personnel at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course East Hanover Township at 5:45 p.m. Friday, state police said.
All of those arrested were taken into custody and transported to the jail pending a bond release.
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Teenager charged with robbery after theft www.privateofficer.com
Teenager charged with robbery after theft http://www.privateofficer.com
An 18-year-old man that police arrested on charges of aggravated robbery was arraigned Thursday by a municipal court judge, who set his bond at $50,000, officials said
Harlingen resident Leroy Cortez was arrested after police said he and his juvenile brother took merchandise from Mervyn’s without paying and threatened a Mervyn’s security officer Monday, according to a police report.
The two brothers and another man went into the store at Valle Vista Mall and a security officer saw the boy hide a T-shirt in his shorts, the report states.
Cortez saw his brother conceal the shirt and didn’t attempt to stop him, the report states.
They then walked out of the store without paying and security officers confronted the group, according to the report.
The boy pulled a knife out of his right front pants pocket and turned on the security officers, and Cortez told the security guards to leave his brother alone, the police report states.
The juvenile put the knife inside his pocket when he saw police arrive, according to the report.
Police arrested the brothers and took them to the Harlingen jail, the report states.
While the juvenile was being transported to the Darrel B. Hester Juvenile Detention Center, he was able to move his cuffed hands toward the front of his body, and police and the boy were involved in a brief struggle when they took him out of the car, the report states.
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Jersey club scene yields arrests, complaints www.privateofficer.com
Club scene yields arrest, city complaints http://www.privateofficer.com
SAYREVILLE N.J. Oct. 13, 2007 — Police from three municipalities responded to a melee at Deko Lounge early Friday morning, arresting two men for aggravated assault and a third for disorderly conduct, according to police.
Shortly after 1:30 a.m., a fight between two groups broke out in the club, located at 1979 Rt. 35 South, police said.
Officers from Sayreville, Old Bridge and South Amboy responded to the scene, where police said club security had been able to move one of the groups outside. But the group inside exited to the parking lot, where what police described as a large fight took place.
Deko Lounge and its sister club across the road, Club Abyss, have attracted police attention in the past, including a fight at Club Abyss in May during which six people were arrested. Club Abyss was the site of what police called a riot in June 2006, resulting in two stabbings and three arrests.
Friday, club security personnel chased a man they said had a knife, and a police officer intercepted him and arrested him, police said.
Police said the man, 27-year-old Carl Candelaria of Staten Island, had tried to discard a knife in the parking lot, and officers retrieved it.
Police charged Candelaria with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and resisting arrest. He was taken to Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge for treatment of injuries to his head and nose before police transported him to the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick, where he is being held on $25,000 bail with no option to pay 10 percent.
Another man, 27-year-old David Franzese of Staten Island, was arrested for allegedly hitting the club’s owner in the face with brass knuckles. Police said they spotted him in the parking lot when he attempted to flee toward Route 35, police said. Club security personnel and two police officers caught him, and he was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, police said.
Franzese was taken to the county jail with bail set at $75,000 and no option to pay 10 percent. He posted bail Friday and was released.
The club owner, 32-year-old Demetrios Rexinis of Holmdel, went to Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel where he was treated for lacerations to his forehead and a swollen nose.
Police said that when they arrived, people ran off to the wooded area near the parking lot, and one man, 31-year-old John Donadio of Staten Island, eventually came out and admitted to being involved in a fight.
Police charged Donadio for disorderly conduct and released him after processing.
Police said the incident was still under investigation and could not yet say what prompted the fight.
Mayor Kennedy O’Brien, who has been pushing a “three-strikes” method for dealing with unruly nightclubs, said he wants a detailed review before potentially taking action against Deko. That said, O’Brien said borough officials may begin researching how to eliminate nightclub licenses altogether.
“It’s my feeling that the era of nightclubs is over,” he said. “If your patrons are hitting you in the face with brass knuckles, I don’t want that business in Sayreville. I don’t have this at the dry cleaners, at the Shop-Rite.”
Council President Tom Pollando, who is running against O’Brien for the mayoral post and who calls his opponent’s “three strikes” stance too soft, said preliminary information he was given shows the melee was not the club’s fault. He said staff members acted appropriately by taking steps to move the disturbance outside.
But, he added: “If it is the club’s fault . . . then there should be some reprimand after we get all the findings, whether it’s suspensions, club closings or whatever.”
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