Child left at mall on purpose
.CHICAGO RIDGE, Ill. - A suburban Chicago woman faces child endangerment charges after she punished her 6-year-old son by leaving him at a shopping mall...
Police say the 52-year-old was frustrated by her son's habit of wandering off and decided to leave the boy at the Westfield Chicago Ridge Mall after he disappeared on December 13th.
The boy found mall security, which eventually called police when they were unable to find his mother after an hour of searching.
State child welfare officials are also investigating
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Walmart employee charged with embezzlement www.privateofficer.com
Walmart employee charged with embezzlement www.privateofficer.com
ROCKLAND, Maine DEC. 21, 2007 — A Union woman has been charged with embezzling $19,000 from Wal-Mart, according to Rockland police.Becky Chavanne, 57, was charged with felony theft Wednesday after a lengthy joint investigation by the Police Department's detective bureau and Wal-Mart loss prevention agents, Deputy Police Chief Wallace Tower said Thursday.Noting that the investigation is still under way, Tower declined to say what position Chavanne held at the store or when the alleged embezzlement took place. He said that to date, Detective Russell Thompson and the store had found that at least $19,000 had been taken."It's still an open investigation," Tower said. It's possible that the amount of money that Chavanne took will actually be more and others might have been involved. Right now we are still investigating this.
ROCKLAND, Maine DEC. 21, 2007 — A Union woman has been charged with embezzling $19,000 from Wal-Mart, according to Rockland police.Becky Chavanne, 57, was charged with felony theft Wednesday after a lengthy joint investigation by the Police Department's detective bureau and Wal-Mart loss prevention agents, Deputy Police Chief Wallace Tower said Thursday.Noting that the investigation is still under way, Tower declined to say what position Chavanne held at the store or when the alleged embezzlement took place. He said that to date, Detective Russell Thompson and the store had found that at least $19,000 had been taken."It's still an open investigation," Tower said. It's possible that the amount of money that Chavanne took will actually be more and others might have been involved. Right now we are still investigating this.
Man Steals 1 Million dollars of Metal by; Rick McCann www.privateofficer.com
Man Steals 1 Million dollars of Metal by; Rick McCann www.privateofficer.com
JEFFERSONTOWN KY. DEC. 21, 2007
Jeffersontown police arrested a man Wednesday who they believe is responsible for taking more than $1 million worth of aluminum from his employer.
Police were called in when the company began to notice large amounts of metal disappearing and unaccountable.Victor B. Taveras, 35, of the 3000 Galleon Drive in Jeffersontown, has been charged with one count of theft by unlawful taking over $300.Detectives arrested Taveras after using surveillance to catch a man allegedly using a truck to try to take eight crates of products from Cardinal Shower Enclosures in the 4700 block of Shepherdsville Road, according to the arrest report.The value of the metal, which weighed about 5,600 pounds, was about $10,000, according to the report.Taveras has worked for the company for three years, said Chief Rick Sanders.During that time, the company has reported losses of about $1,048,000, Sanders said.
The investigation is ongoing and certainly other charges could be brought against Taveras police said. It seems like this one man has probably be involved in the disappearnace of this metal and we're investigating that right now.
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JEFFERSONTOWN KY. DEC. 21, 2007
Jeffersontown police arrested a man Wednesday who they believe is responsible for taking more than $1 million worth of aluminum from his employer.
Police were called in when the company began to notice large amounts of metal disappearing and unaccountable.Victor B. Taveras, 35, of the 3000 Galleon Drive in Jeffersontown, has been charged with one count of theft by unlawful taking over $300.Detectives arrested Taveras after using surveillance to catch a man allegedly using a truck to try to take eight crates of products from Cardinal Shower Enclosures in the 4700 block of Shepherdsville Road, according to the arrest report.The value of the metal, which weighed about 5,600 pounds, was about $10,000, according to the report.Taveras has worked for the company for three years, said Chief Rick Sanders.During that time, the company has reported losses of about $1,048,000, Sanders said.
The investigation is ongoing and certainly other charges could be brought against Taveras police said. It seems like this one man has probably be involved in the disappearnace of this metal and we're investigating that right now.
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Security Guard Found Guilty In Shooting of Trespasser www.privateofficer.com
Security Guard Found Guilty In Shooting of Trespasser www.privateofficer.com
MESA AZ. DEC 21, 2007
An elderly security guard on duty at a mine fired his shotgun and struck a rider on an ATV who was trespassing on the property. In his own words, yes, I shot the man and I'm not sure why he told investigators. On Thursday a jury found him guilty in that shooting but opted to reduce the crime to a lesser charge.
William Lee, of Mesa, could receive four to eight years in prison when he is sentenced next month.
Daniel Ashcroft of Johnson Ranch was riding quads with his wife and a friend when Lee shot him in the chest and he died at the Walker Butte gravel mine in the summer of 2006.Lee's attorney argued during the weeklong trial that the shooting was an accident, and was not criminal. Lee did not testify."I'm pleased with how the trial went and I'm pleased with the verdict," Deputy County Attorney Steve Fuller, who prosecuted the case, commented. "It's not perfect justice, but I'm generally pleased.
"Lee was actually on trial for manslaughter, but Judge Boyd Johnson instructed jurors that the lesser charge of negligent homicide, a Class 4 dangerous felony, was one of their options.The jury deliberated approximately three hours before returning the verdict Friday morning in Pinal County Superior Court.
The seventy year old ex-security guard will return to court after the holidays to learn his fate and start his sentence.
MESA AZ. DEC 21, 2007
An elderly security guard on duty at a mine fired his shotgun and struck a rider on an ATV who was trespassing on the property. In his own words, yes, I shot the man and I'm not sure why he told investigators. On Thursday a jury found him guilty in that shooting but opted to reduce the crime to a lesser charge.
William Lee, of Mesa, could receive four to eight years in prison when he is sentenced next month.
Daniel Ashcroft of Johnson Ranch was riding quads with his wife and a friend when Lee shot him in the chest and he died at the Walker Butte gravel mine in the summer of 2006.Lee's attorney argued during the weeklong trial that the shooting was an accident, and was not criminal. Lee did not testify."I'm pleased with how the trial went and I'm pleased with the verdict," Deputy County Attorney Steve Fuller, who prosecuted the case, commented. "It's not perfect justice, but I'm generally pleased.
"Lee was actually on trial for manslaughter, but Judge Boyd Johnson instructed jurors that the lesser charge of negligent homicide, a Class 4 dangerous felony, was one of their options.The jury deliberated approximately three hours before returning the verdict Friday morning in Pinal County Superior Court.
The seventy year old ex-security guard will return to court after the holidays to learn his fate and start his sentence.
Report of armed man in store brings massive response www.privateofficer.com
Report of armed man in store brings massive response www.privateofficer.com
PALM BEACH FLA. DEC. 22, 2007
Deputies evacuated a Wal-Mart near Lantana about 10 a.m. Tuesday after there were reports of a man inside with a gun, the Sheriff's Office said.About 40 deputies, several toting semi-automatic rifles, searched the aisles of the Wal-Mart, 4545 Hypoluxo Road. The entire plaza was shut for more than an hour. The man was not found.Several Christmas shoppers stood at the far stretches of the parking lot waiting to be let back in.A woman who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal said she was shopping for Christmas decorations but took a detour to the dining section when she saw a man wearing a cap and jacket talking loudly on his cell phone."Don't worry, I have a gun, and I'll take them out with me," he said, according to the woman.She rushed to a cosmetics worker and whispered what she had heard. That drew managers, store security and soon sheriff's deputies.The storewide announcement was, "All customers must leave the store," shopper Gail Jordan, 53, recalled.Jordan had a Nerf football in her hand and had to leave it at the cash register."I saw all the police come in with rifles," she said. "I said, 'I'll be back.'"By 11:30 a.m., the doors were reopening and a new flow of shoppers parked their cars and walked toward the Wal-Mart. Deputies did not find the suspect and a surveillance camera did not reveal a good picture of him, sheriff's spokeswoman Teri Barbera said. The woman who heard the comment did the right thing, she said."As a citizen, she became concerned for herself and everyone else in the store," Barbera said.The woman said she would have felt horrible if she just left the store, without reporting the man's comments. When many of the shoppers were lining up to go back inside, she headed to her car instead:EMAIL US! WE REALLY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
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PALM BEACH FLA. DEC. 22, 2007
Deputies evacuated a Wal-Mart near Lantana about 10 a.m. Tuesday after there were reports of a man inside with a gun, the Sheriff's Office said.About 40 deputies, several toting semi-automatic rifles, searched the aisles of the Wal-Mart, 4545 Hypoluxo Road. The entire plaza was shut for more than an hour. The man was not found.Several Christmas shoppers stood at the far stretches of the parking lot waiting to be let back in.A woman who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal said she was shopping for Christmas decorations but took a detour to the dining section when she saw a man wearing a cap and jacket talking loudly on his cell phone."Don't worry, I have a gun, and I'll take them out with me," he said, according to the woman.She rushed to a cosmetics worker and whispered what she had heard. That drew managers, store security and soon sheriff's deputies.The storewide announcement was, "All customers must leave the store," shopper Gail Jordan, 53, recalled.Jordan had a Nerf football in her hand and had to leave it at the cash register."I saw all the police come in with rifles," she said. "I said, 'I'll be back.'"By 11:30 a.m., the doors were reopening and a new flow of shoppers parked their cars and walked toward the Wal-Mart. Deputies did not find the suspect and a surveillance camera did not reveal a good picture of him, sheriff's spokeswoman Teri Barbera said. The woman who heard the comment did the right thing, she said."As a citizen, she became concerned for herself and everyone else in the store," Barbera said.The woman said she would have felt horrible if she just left the store, without reporting the man's comments. When many of the shoppers were lining up to go back inside, she headed to her car instead:EMAIL US! WE REALLY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
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Shoplifters flee with security clinging to car www.privateofficer.com
Shoplifters flee with security clinging to car www.privateofficer.com
MACEDON NY Dec. 22, 2007 — Two Monroe County men remained jailed Tuesday in connection with an alleged shoplifting incident in which they drove away while a store employee was on the hood of their car.Thomas W. Potter, 25, of Rochester, the driver of the getaway car, was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment and petit larceny, according to Macedon police. Anthony V. DeGennaro, 18, of 537 Washington St., Spencerport, a passenger in the car, was charged with petit larceny and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.Potter's address was not known, police said.Both were arraigned in Macedon Town Court and sent to the Wayne County Jail. Potter's bail was set at $5,000; DeGennaro's was set at $2,500.The men were accused of shoplifting from a Wal-Mart store on Route 31 in Macedon on Monday. When security workers tried to stop them, the men drove their car toward a Wal-Mart employee and struck him. The employee, thrown onto the hood, hung on while the men drove away.The driver of the car swerved in an attempt to dislodge the employee, who managed to keep hanging on, police said. The men, heading west, eventually stopped at a nearby gas station, where the employee was able to jump off the car.Bystanders tried to stop the men, who drove away and were caught by Wayne County sheriff's Lt. Steve Sklennar.Police later recovered stolen merchandise from the car, along with drug paraphernalia and a small amount of heroin. Potter and DeGennaro admitted being addicted to heroin, said Macedon police Sgt. John Collela.The Wal-Mart employee, whose name was not released, suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment, police said.State police assisted in the criminal investigation.
MACEDON NY Dec. 22, 2007 — Two Monroe County men remained jailed Tuesday in connection with an alleged shoplifting incident in which they drove away while a store employee was on the hood of their car.Thomas W. Potter, 25, of Rochester, the driver of the getaway car, was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment and petit larceny, according to Macedon police. Anthony V. DeGennaro, 18, of 537 Washington St., Spencerport, a passenger in the car, was charged with petit larceny and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.Potter's address was not known, police said.Both were arraigned in Macedon Town Court and sent to the Wayne County Jail. Potter's bail was set at $5,000; DeGennaro's was set at $2,500.The men were accused of shoplifting from a Wal-Mart store on Route 31 in Macedon on Monday. When security workers tried to stop them, the men drove their car toward a Wal-Mart employee and struck him. The employee, thrown onto the hood, hung on while the men drove away.The driver of the car swerved in an attempt to dislodge the employee, who managed to keep hanging on, police said. The men, heading west, eventually stopped at a nearby gas station, where the employee was able to jump off the car.Bystanders tried to stop the men, who drove away and were caught by Wayne County sheriff's Lt. Steve Sklennar.Police later recovered stolen merchandise from the car, along with drug paraphernalia and a small amount of heroin. Potter and DeGennaro admitted being addicted to heroin, said Macedon police Sgt. John Collela.The Wal-Mart employee, whose name was not released, suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment, police said.State police assisted in the criminal investigation.
Fleeing shoplifter punches elderly greeter in face www.privateofficer.com
Fleeing shoplifter punches elderly greeter in face www.privateofficer.com
BELVIDERE, Ill. Dec. 22, 2007 - Police say a teenager trying to steal $1,500 worth of merchandise from a northern Illinois Wal-Mart punched a 65-year-old store worker in the face.Authorities say a greeter tried to stop Vivian Payne after she set off an anti-theft alarm as she left the Belvidere store. As the greeter attempted to get the person to return to the storeThe 19-year-old punched the woman, and ran into the parking lot where she was stopped by other Wal-Mart workers and held until police arrived.Police say Payne had more than 180 items of clothing, jewelry, candy and other goods stashed inside two garbage cans.The store worker was treated for a facial laceration.Payne faces charges for theft, battery and drug possession. Those charges could be elevated to robbery by the district attorney's office.
BELVIDERE, Ill. Dec. 22, 2007 - Police say a teenager trying to steal $1,500 worth of merchandise from a northern Illinois Wal-Mart punched a 65-year-old store worker in the face.Authorities say a greeter tried to stop Vivian Payne after she set off an anti-theft alarm as she left the Belvidere store. As the greeter attempted to get the person to return to the storeThe 19-year-old punched the woman, and ran into the parking lot where she was stopped by other Wal-Mart workers and held until police arrived.Police say Payne had more than 180 items of clothing, jewelry, candy and other goods stashed inside two garbage cans.The store worker was treated for a facial laceration.Payne faces charges for theft, battery and drug possession. Those charges could be elevated to robbery by the district attorney's office.
Shoplifting gang busted by police www.privateofficer.com
Shoplifting gang busted by police www.privateofficer.com
PLAINVILLE MASS DEC.22, 2007 - Three Brockton women were nabbed by local police after a shoplifting spree and scam Tuesday throughout the Southeastern Massachusetts area, including South Attleboro.The suspects allegedly stole merchandise from TJ Maxx stores in South Attleboro, Plainville, Raynham and Stoughton, and possibly other locations, Plainville Police Sgt. Scott Gallerani said."They were more than shoplifters," Gallerani said. "They had been making their own checks and passing them off to stores as legitimate, than altering receipts so they could return property and get cash."Forged drivers' licenses and other phony identification were also used, he said.The three woman were finally caught Tuesday afternoon about 2 p.m. by Plainville police in the parking lot outside TJ Maxx in Plainville Commons off Taunton Street."TJ Maxx security alerted us to them," Gallerani said. "They were tracking them all day as they were wheeling and stealing TJ Maxxes."Police recovered nearly $1,000 in cash and $3,000 to $5,000 worth of merchandise in the trunk of the women's vehicle."Coats and handbags were the majority of evidence recovered," Gallerani said.Arrested were Patricia Barrett, 46, Jacqueline Trottman, 41, and Heather Shope, 29, all of Brockton.The women were charged with larceny over $250, receiving stolen property over $250, forgery of checks, uttering of checks and conspiracy. There may be other charges after Plainville police contact the other police departments, Gallerani added.The women were scheduled to have been arraigned Wednesday in Wrentham District Court.Plainville Police Sgt. Corrina Carter, and Patrolmen Todd Holbrook and Julie Barrett assisted in the arrests.
PLAINVILLE MASS DEC.22, 2007 - Three Brockton women were nabbed by local police after a shoplifting spree and scam Tuesday throughout the Southeastern Massachusetts area, including South Attleboro.The suspects allegedly stole merchandise from TJ Maxx stores in South Attleboro, Plainville, Raynham and Stoughton, and possibly other locations, Plainville Police Sgt. Scott Gallerani said."They were more than shoplifters," Gallerani said. "They had been making their own checks and passing them off to stores as legitimate, than altering receipts so they could return property and get cash."Forged drivers' licenses and other phony identification were also used, he said.The three woman were finally caught Tuesday afternoon about 2 p.m. by Plainville police in the parking lot outside TJ Maxx in Plainville Commons off Taunton Street."TJ Maxx security alerted us to them," Gallerani said. "They were tracking them all day as they were wheeling and stealing TJ Maxxes."Police recovered nearly $1,000 in cash and $3,000 to $5,000 worth of merchandise in the trunk of the women's vehicle."Coats and handbags were the majority of evidence recovered," Gallerani said.Arrested were Patricia Barrett, 46, Jacqueline Trottman, 41, and Heather Shope, 29, all of Brockton.The women were charged with larceny over $250, receiving stolen property over $250, forgery of checks, uttering of checks and conspiracy. There may be other charges after Plainville police contact the other police departments, Gallerani added.The women were scheduled to have been arraigned Wednesday in Wrentham District Court.Plainville Police Sgt. Corrina Carter, and Patrolmen Todd Holbrook and Julie Barrett assisted in the arrests.
Great-grandmother turns gun on robbers www.privateofficer.com
Great-grandmother turns gun on robbers www.privateofficer.com
Gaffney S.C. Dec. 22, 2007
Police say three high school students tried to rob the wrong woman. A great-grandmother turned the gun on the would-be robbers and then helped officers track them down.Officers say the robbers were using a weapon that belongs to a city councilman when the great-grandmother foiled their plans. The amazing story happened Tuesday night at a pet store on Floyd Baker Boulevard in Gaffney.Three Gaffney High students are charged with robbing the pet store. Police say one of the suspects is living with Gaffney city council member Bernard Smith and apparently took the gun from his home. They say Tuesday night he pointed the semi-automatic handgun at a 72-year old great-grandmother and she pointed it right back at him. Three businesses in Gaffney have been robbed this month, but police got a big break Tuesday night.Barbara Golden owns A-Pet-U-Bet pet store. Tuesday night she was there with her son-in-law and two grandchildren. She says two young men rushed in, one pointed a gun at her chest and said "give me all the money". But Barbara pulled a fast one. She told him "the man behind you has a gun," talking about her son-in-law who was only armed with a garden hose. When the robber turned his head Golden turned the tables."The gun was sort of right in front of me here. And I just reached and grabbed it with both hands, got the barrel, and I twisted it around toward him. I said, if you shoot anyone, you'll shoot yourself," said Golden.And then her son-in-law used his weapon, a garden hose. He sprayed the robbers with it and they turned and ran out the door into this neighborhood. Barbara called 911 and police arrived and caught the suspects, two 18-year-olds and a 15-year-old who police say acted as an accomplice. They are students at Gaffney High School. Police are questioning them in connection with some other business robberies in the area.LaGarrick Wilkie and Ryan Townson are both 18-years-old and are charged with armed robbery along with a 15-year-old juvenile who police say acted as an accomplice.Officials say Townson may face more charges because police say he pointed a gun at an officer as they were chasing him.
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Gaffney S.C. Dec. 22, 2007
Police say three high school students tried to rob the wrong woman. A great-grandmother turned the gun on the would-be robbers and then helped officers track them down.Officers say the robbers were using a weapon that belongs to a city councilman when the great-grandmother foiled their plans. The amazing story happened Tuesday night at a pet store on Floyd Baker Boulevard in Gaffney.Three Gaffney High students are charged with robbing the pet store. Police say one of the suspects is living with Gaffney city council member Bernard Smith and apparently took the gun from his home. They say Tuesday night he pointed the semi-automatic handgun at a 72-year old great-grandmother and she pointed it right back at him. Three businesses in Gaffney have been robbed this month, but police got a big break Tuesday night.Barbara Golden owns A-Pet-U-Bet pet store. Tuesday night she was there with her son-in-law and two grandchildren. She says two young men rushed in, one pointed a gun at her chest and said "give me all the money". But Barbara pulled a fast one. She told him "the man behind you has a gun," talking about her son-in-law who was only armed with a garden hose. When the robber turned his head Golden turned the tables."The gun was sort of right in front of me here. And I just reached and grabbed it with both hands, got the barrel, and I twisted it around toward him. I said, if you shoot anyone, you'll shoot yourself," said Golden.And then her son-in-law used his weapon, a garden hose. He sprayed the robbers with it and they turned and ran out the door into this neighborhood. Barbara called 911 and police arrived and caught the suspects, two 18-year-olds and a 15-year-old who police say acted as an accomplice. They are students at Gaffney High School. Police are questioning them in connection with some other business robberies in the area.LaGarrick Wilkie and Ryan Townson are both 18-years-old and are charged with armed robbery along with a 15-year-old juvenile who police say acted as an accomplice.Officials say Townson may face more charges because police say he pointed a gun at an officer as they were chasing him.
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Teenager appears to be full time shoplifter www.privateofficer.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio Dec. 22, 2007
-- An 18-year-old is facing numerous theft charges this morning for allegedly stealing nearly $5,000 worth of goods this year from numerous retailers in the area.Amber Ricchi has four warrants out for her arrest after reportedly being involved in nine incidences of theft at area stores, including Meijer, Target and Kohl's, reported by area news sources and police.Assistant City Prosecutor Bill Hedrick is surprised at the amount of items, such as DVD box sets and video games, that were stolen."I've never seen anything like this before — someone of this age and this amount of, volume of, stealing," Hedrick said."We're not talking about the average shoplifter stealing a candy bar from a grocery store. We're talking about criminals going into retail establishments," said Gordon Gough who is with the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants.Sources close to the investigation said Ricchi may be operating with her boyfriend during these alleged thefts.
This appears to be their full time employment and something that they have been doing for quite a while police said. Further charges are pending as the investigation continues.
Police did not say if any of the merchandise has been recovered or if the boyfriend has been charged in these thefts.
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-- An 18-year-old is facing numerous theft charges this morning for allegedly stealing nearly $5,000 worth of goods this year from numerous retailers in the area.Amber Ricchi has four warrants out for her arrest after reportedly being involved in nine incidences of theft at area stores, including Meijer, Target and Kohl's, reported by area news sources and police.Assistant City Prosecutor Bill Hedrick is surprised at the amount of items, such as DVD box sets and video games, that were stolen."I've never seen anything like this before — someone of this age and this amount of, volume of, stealing," Hedrick said."We're not talking about the average shoplifter stealing a candy bar from a grocery store. We're talking about criminals going into retail establishments," said Gordon Gough who is with the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants.Sources close to the investigation said Ricchi may be operating with her boyfriend during these alleged thefts.
This appears to be their full time employment and something that they have been doing for quite a while police said. Further charges are pending as the investigation continues.
Police did not say if any of the merchandise has been recovered or if the boyfriend has been charged in these thefts.
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Husband and wife wanted in robbery www.privateofficer.com
Husband and wife wanted for armed robbery of store www.privateofficer.com
ORANGE PARK, FL-Dec. 22, 2007 - Sheriff's deputies in Clay County are looking for suspects they say threatened to shoot a Sears loss prevention officer in November.
Deputies say Daniel and Angela Bowie were caught on tape shoplifting items from the Sears department store in Orange Park mall.Sears loss prevention officers say the couple walked out of the store with over $100 in stolen merchandise.Authorities say when officers confronted the Bowies, Daniel ran off. Moments later Daniel returned in a blue Ford truck. Sears loss prevention officers said, "I have a gun, let my wife go. I will shoot you all". Fearing for their safety, the officers released the co-defendant who entered the vehicle and fled the scene.
These officers were able to obtain the Bowie's license plate, Florida tag E783HJ.
Police were able to confirm the ownership of the vehicle and the robbery suspects are one in the same and have now secured criminal charges against both the husband and the wife.
If you have any information that can help authorities track down the Bowies, call the Clay County Sheriff's Department at 904-264-6512.You can also call First Coast Crimestoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. You will remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward.
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ORANGE PARK, FL-Dec. 22, 2007 - Sheriff's deputies in Clay County are looking for suspects they say threatened to shoot a Sears loss prevention officer in November.
Deputies say Daniel and Angela Bowie were caught on tape shoplifting items from the Sears department store in Orange Park mall.Sears loss prevention officers say the couple walked out of the store with over $100 in stolen merchandise.Authorities say when officers confronted the Bowies, Daniel ran off. Moments later Daniel returned in a blue Ford truck. Sears loss prevention officers said, "I have a gun, let my wife go. I will shoot you all". Fearing for their safety, the officers released the co-defendant who entered the vehicle and fled the scene.
These officers were able to obtain the Bowie's license plate, Florida tag E783HJ.
Police were able to confirm the ownership of the vehicle and the robbery suspects are one in the same and have now secured criminal charges against both the husband and the wife.
If you have any information that can help authorities track down the Bowies, call the Clay County Sheriff's Department at 904-264-6512.You can also call First Coast Crimestoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. You will remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward.
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Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Major shoplifting ring arrested www.privateofficer.com
Salt Lake City Utah DEc. 18, 2007
For the second time in four months a major shoplifting ring targeting the outlet mall in Kimball Junction has been busted. This time, an alert store security guard in Sandy is being credited with busting the operation.Friday, a security officer at Old Navy, 10210 S. State, noticed three people acting suspiciously inside the store. The trio was walking around the store, collecting clothing and putting it in their shopping bags and then leaving the bags at different spots throughout the building, said Sandy police Sgt. Victor Quezada. Investigators believe once the group was done collecting clothes, they were planning to grab the bags all at once and run.The security guard confronted one of the men, which prompted the other two to dash out the door, Quezada said. A fourth person was waiting outside for the group. The band of robbers had two vans with Nevada license plates parked in front of the store. Two of the people got in one van and drove off.While authorities were trying to question the man detained inside the store, he too ran out the door, Quezada said. He and a woman who was one of the three people in the store collecting clothes ran off, Quezada said.
The security guard called police. A Sandy officer who happened to be in the area spotted the fleeing van, pulled it over and arrested the two men inside, Quezada said.Inside that van and the one still parked at Old Navy, detectives found approximately $13,000 worth of stolen clothing, mainly from the outlet store in Summit County. A 32-year-old man and a man who turned 34 on the day he was arrested were booked into the Salt Lake County Jail. Although they were from North Las Vegas, Quezada said both were believed to be illegal immigrants. The search continued Tuesday for the man and woman who ran off.In August, two people were arrested in Summit County after more than $11,000 in merchandise was stolen from the outlet stores. Investigators were looking for two others associated in those robberies.Summit County investigators said the shoplifting ring in August was the fourth high-dollar heist in four years at the shops in Kimball Junction.
The security guard called police. A Sandy officer who happened to be in the area spotted the fleeing van, pulled it over and arrested the two men inside, Quezada said.Inside that van and the one still parked at Old Navy, detectives found approximately $13,000 worth of stolen clothing, mainly from the outlet store in Summit County. A 32-year-old man and a man who turned 34 on the day he was arrested were booked into the Salt Lake County Jail. Although they were from North Las Vegas, Quezada said both were believed to be illegal immigrants. The search continued Tuesday for the man and woman who ran off.In August, two people were arrested in Summit County after more than $11,000 in merchandise was stolen from the outlet stores. Investigators were looking for two others associated in those robberies.Summit County investigators said the shoplifting ring in August was the fourth high-dollar heist in four years at the shops in Kimball Junction.
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Woman sues JC Penney security officer claiming false arrest www.privateofficer.com
Overland Park Ks. Dec. 19, 2007
A local woman has filed a multi-count lawsuit in the District Court of Johnson County, Kas., over the treatment she received on June 9, 2006, after shopping for bras at the JCPenney store at Oak Park Mall. According to the suit, Ms. Krystle Carter, 22, who will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Textile on Saturday, Dec. 15, from University of Central Mo., is suing JCPenney, City of Overland Park, Kas., Police department officer Daniel Rain and C.B.L. and Associates, John Doe and Jane Doe for several counts of false arrest and or false imprisonment and extreme and outrageous conduct. The report states that Ms. Carter was shopping for bras at the JCPenney store and found four bras that she wanted to try on. Ms. Carter did not like any of the bras she tried on, so she returned them to the rack and walked out of the store. A few moments later, she was asked by loss prevention officers, who worked for JCPenney, to return to “come with them”. A uniform officer with the Overland Park police department who, “just happened to be in the vicinity”, came over and followed Ms. Carter back to the JCPenney store. “I felt embarrassed because it was a Friday and the mall was very crowded. It looked like I was another black person who had been caught stealing,” Ms. Carter told THE CALL. “I feel like black people are being treated like fish in a fish bowl. They feel like they can reach in and pick black people out of the bowl and say they stole something and if they find out you didn’t just throw us back in the bowl. It is stereotyping us and that is not right,” she said. Ms. Carter also said that during her ordeal a black loss prevention supervisor came in and apologized to her for their mistake. “I was offended by them doing that because the black man had nothing to do with what had happened in the security room. He didn’t do anything they did,” Ms. Carter said. “It painted the picture that they could not be against black people because the loss prevention manager is a black man. I felt they were trying to manipulate me and the situation,” she said. The report also states that once Ms. Carter re-entered the store she was taken to a security room which had approximately 39 television monitors and video recording machines. One of the loss prevention specialists informed her that they wanted to show her the video recording of her movements while she was in the store. She stated that was fine. At some point during the course of the viewing, Ms. Carter learned that she was being accused of stealing one bra because she had taken four bras into the dressing room but only bought three bras out. The report indicates that it was around this time that loss prevention officers started addressing her in a “progressively” hostile manner. Ms. Carter then began to cry heavily through the ordeal which lasted over one hour. The officers told Ms. Carter that the video showed her leaving the dressing room with three bras in her left hand. However, Ms. Carter told the officers that she had one bra in her right hand and the other three bras were in her left hand and if they looked clearly they could see that she placed four bras back on the rack. Officer Rain insisted that a sensor was mysteriously discovered in the fitting room and Ms. Carter, therefore, must have the bra in her possession. Ms. Carter, then offered again, to allow the officers to search her purse. Officer Rain then began to question Ms. Carter about the bra she was wearing. He stated, a “a new bra’s label would stand up because of its newness”. A humiliated and continually crying Ms. Carter stated, “so now you want me to take off my bra”? Since no one said anything, crying and trembling, Ms. Carter removed her bra. The report indicates that the male officers did not leave the room. The ladies of the loss prevention office had to direct the men to leave the office. Ms. Carter is seeking unspecified damages for her claim. All four bras were accounted for on the rack Ms. Carter had placed them on
A local woman has filed a multi-count lawsuit in the District Court of Johnson County, Kas., over the treatment she received on June 9, 2006, after shopping for bras at the JCPenney store at Oak Park Mall. According to the suit, Ms. Krystle Carter, 22, who will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Textile on Saturday, Dec. 15, from University of Central Mo., is suing JCPenney, City of Overland Park, Kas., Police department officer Daniel Rain and C.B.L. and Associates, John Doe and Jane Doe for several counts of false arrest and or false imprisonment and extreme and outrageous conduct. The report states that Ms. Carter was shopping for bras at the JCPenney store and found four bras that she wanted to try on. Ms. Carter did not like any of the bras she tried on, so she returned them to the rack and walked out of the store. A few moments later, she was asked by loss prevention officers, who worked for JCPenney, to return to “come with them”. A uniform officer with the Overland Park police department who, “just happened to be in the vicinity”, came over and followed Ms. Carter back to the JCPenney store. “I felt embarrassed because it was a Friday and the mall was very crowded. It looked like I was another black person who had been caught stealing,” Ms. Carter told THE CALL. “I feel like black people are being treated like fish in a fish bowl. They feel like they can reach in and pick black people out of the bowl and say they stole something and if they find out you didn’t just throw us back in the bowl. It is stereotyping us and that is not right,” she said. Ms. Carter also said that during her ordeal a black loss prevention supervisor came in and apologized to her for their mistake. “I was offended by them doing that because the black man had nothing to do with what had happened in the security room. He didn’t do anything they did,” Ms. Carter said. “It painted the picture that they could not be against black people because the loss prevention manager is a black man. I felt they were trying to manipulate me and the situation,” she said. The report also states that once Ms. Carter re-entered the store she was taken to a security room which had approximately 39 television monitors and video recording machines. One of the loss prevention specialists informed her that they wanted to show her the video recording of her movements while she was in the store. She stated that was fine. At some point during the course of the viewing, Ms. Carter learned that she was being accused of stealing one bra because she had taken four bras into the dressing room but only bought three bras out. The report indicates that it was around this time that loss prevention officers started addressing her in a “progressively” hostile manner. Ms. Carter then began to cry heavily through the ordeal which lasted over one hour. The officers told Ms. Carter that the video showed her leaving the dressing room with three bras in her left hand. However, Ms. Carter told the officers that she had one bra in her right hand and the other three bras were in her left hand and if they looked clearly they could see that she placed four bras back on the rack. Officer Rain insisted that a sensor was mysteriously discovered in the fitting room and Ms. Carter, therefore, must have the bra in her possession. Ms. Carter, then offered again, to allow the officers to search her purse. Officer Rain then began to question Ms. Carter about the bra she was wearing. He stated, a “a new bra’s label would stand up because of its newness”. A humiliated and continually crying Ms. Carter stated, “so now you want me to take off my bra”? Since no one said anything, crying and trembling, Ms. Carter removed her bra. The report indicates that the male officers did not leave the room. The ladies of the loss prevention office had to direct the men to leave the office. Ms. Carter is seeking unspecified damages for her claim. All four bras were accounted for on the rack Ms. Carter had placed them on
Mall security uses hi-tech license scanning on patrol www.privateofficer.com
Sacramento Ca. Dec. 19, 2007
Holiday shoppers at Arden Fair Mall in Sacramento this weekend may have noticed something besides the crowds and crowded parking.Two new high-tech security cameras are now on patrol.The cameras were paid for by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant to help keep a close watch on all the comings and goings at the busy shopping hub."We're going to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement when they can't be here," Arden Fair Mall Security Manager Steve Reed said. "We'll be able to scan plates as we go down each aisle and find stolen cars or vehicles with a felony warrant."Reed said the information from the cameras would only be shared with Sacramento police and in those cases, only plate information would be passed on to law enforcement. Other personal information about shoppers, their vehicles or their purchases is not included.If the system finds a plate match from a "hot list" of stolen cars, mall security call Sacramento police and allow officers to handle the situation.Reed said an instantaneous link between the mall and Sacramento police was expected to be fully in place by late January.Reed said the first few days since the system went online Friday went well and already proved to be a valuable tool in identifying any stolen cars among the millions who shop here.Reed said there was also another immediate benefit to shoppers: locating lost cars.Lost shoppers who can't remember where they parked can give security a few numbers or letters from their plates. Once that's keyed in, the scans and a GPS system can be used to help pinpoint the car's location among the mall's 5,500 parking spaces.After several hours of shopping Sunday, Cathy Urban of Rancho Cordova came outside to find her car lost in a virtual sea of parked vehicles."I got here at 9 (a.m.) and there weren't that many cars," Urban said. Even though Urban was able to spot her car before being forced to call for high-tech assistance, she was happy to know the system was moments away from bailing her out of the embarassing situation."I think that'd be a great thing! Very good," Urban said.Similar systems are already in use at Sacramento International Airport. Reed said anything that can be a deterrent to crime is a good thing.
Shoplifter uses wire cutters to snag item www.privateofficer.com
Stuart Fla. A 34-year-old Stuart woman used her 1-year-old daughter and a pair of wire cutters in an unsuccessful attempt to shoplift more than $600 in merchandise, including a baby stroller, from Wal-Mart, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
Dinah Victoria Williams, 34, of the 2900 block of Northwest Norman Street, Stuart, was charged Saturday with felony retail theft and possession of a countermeasure to anti-shoplifting control device, a deputy’s report said.
Also charged with felony retail theft was Ashley Brook Williams, 18, of the 14700 block of Southwest Andalucia Court, Indiantown, the report said.
Dinah Williams was accused of taking a baby stroller off a shelf, cutting off the tags, placing her 1-year-old daughter in the stroller and walking around the store, the report said.
Dinah Williams and Ashley Williams also were accused of placing clothes and other items in a diaper bag, the report said.
Dinah Williams was accused of scanning $35.56 worth of merchandise at a self-checkout station, a deputy’s report shows. The other 25 items, worth $617.87, were bagged and placed in a shopping cart, which Ashley Williams allegedly tried to wheel out an exit, the report said.Both women were arrested, and the 1-year-old was turned over to a family member, a deputy’s report shows.
Dinah Victoria Williams, 34, of the 2900 block of Northwest Norman Street, Stuart, was charged Saturday with felony retail theft and possession of a countermeasure to anti-shoplifting control device, a deputy’s report said.
Also charged with felony retail theft was Ashley Brook Williams, 18, of the 14700 block of Southwest Andalucia Court, Indiantown, the report said.
Dinah Williams was accused of taking a baby stroller off a shelf, cutting off the tags, placing her 1-year-old daughter in the stroller and walking around the store, the report said.
Dinah Williams and Ashley Williams also were accused of placing clothes and other items in a diaper bag, the report said.
Dinah Williams was accused of scanning $35.56 worth of merchandise at a self-checkout station, a deputy’s report shows. The other 25 items, worth $617.87, were bagged and placed in a shopping cart, which Ashley Williams allegedly tried to wheel out an exit, the report said.Both women were arrested, and the 1-year-old was turned over to a family member, a deputy’s report shows.
Police capture professional shoplifters www.privateofficer.com
WEST NYACK NY Dec. 19, 2007- A man and a woman from Queens were arrested Saturday afternoon after they were found with more than $3,500 worth of merchandise stolen from stores at the Palisades Center and Woodbury Common, the Clarkstown police said.
A security guard at a nearby store noticed Jesus Villarreal Ramirez, 28, and Nadia Kana, 22, both of Corona, twice filling booster bags with items and leaving Victoria's Secret at the Palisades Center without paying, said police Sgt. Harry Baumann. Booster bags are shopping bags lined with lead to prevent security sensors from detecting the tagged items inside.
After the second trip, they drove south on the Thruway in a rental car and were intercepted at the Tarrytown toll plaza by state and Clarkstown police, Baumann said.
Merchandise worth $3,569 was found in the car: $1,320 from Victoria's Secret; $1,085 from the Gap; $472 from Express Women; $305 from Tommy Hilfiger; and $387 from The Children's Place, Baumann said. Items were stolen from the Palisades Center and from Woodbury Common in Orange County, he said.
Incidents of petty shoplifting typically increase around the holiday season, but Baumann described these two suspects as professionals. He said professional shoplifters typically hit Woodbury Common, the Palisades Center and the Galleria mall in White Plains, and the suspects probably were on their way to the Galleria.
"These are professionals and they do this for a living ... year in and year out," he said. "It's usually a route that they do."
Police also found that the rental car had been borrowed with false identification, he said.
Ramirez and Kana were arrested on charges of fourth-degree grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of a vehicle, all felonies; and possession of burglar's tools and criminal possession of an anti-security device, both misdemeanors. Ramirez was also charged with second-degree possession of a forged instrument, a felony. They were being held in the Rockland jail with bail set at $20,000 each.
A security guard at a nearby store noticed Jesus Villarreal Ramirez, 28, and Nadia Kana, 22, both of Corona, twice filling booster bags with items and leaving Victoria's Secret at the Palisades Center without paying, said police Sgt. Harry Baumann. Booster bags are shopping bags lined with lead to prevent security sensors from detecting the tagged items inside.
After the second trip, they drove south on the Thruway in a rental car and were intercepted at the Tarrytown toll plaza by state and Clarkstown police, Baumann said.
Merchandise worth $3,569 was found in the car: $1,320 from Victoria's Secret; $1,085 from the Gap; $472 from Express Women; $305 from Tommy Hilfiger; and $387 from The Children's Place, Baumann said. Items were stolen from the Palisades Center and from Woodbury Common in Orange County, he said.
Incidents of petty shoplifting typically increase around the holiday season, but Baumann described these two suspects as professionals. He said professional shoplifters typically hit Woodbury Common, the Palisades Center and the Galleria mall in White Plains, and the suspects probably were on their way to the Galleria.
"These are professionals and they do this for a living ... year in and year out," he said. "It's usually a route that they do."
Police also found that the rental car had been borrowed with false identification, he said.
Ramirez and Kana were arrested on charges of fourth-degree grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of a vehicle, all felonies; and possession of burglar's tools and criminal possession of an anti-security device, both misdemeanors. Ramirez was also charged with second-degree possession of a forged instrument, a felony. They were being held in the Rockland jail with bail set at $20,000 each.
Police chase shoplifters www.privateofficer.com
FORT WALTON BEACH FLA. Dec. 19, 2007 — Two women, one of them known by 15 other names, were arrested Thursday night after a shoplifting incident turned into a police chase. Betsy Eyvonne Cole, 50, of Pensacola, and Lavette Lachawn Moore, 32, of Lafayette, La., were each charged with larceny, a felony, and resisting arrest, police said. Moore was also charged with fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement and possession of narcotic equipment. Cole has used 15 aliases at one time or another, according to the report.
Around 5:30 p.m., a woman left the J.C. Penney’s store at Santa Rosa Mall with a bag of clothing. The women fled in a car, driving recklessly on Hollywood Boulevard, the report said. They were caught after fleeing on foot around Bryn Mawr Boulevard. Merchandise from the Penney’s robbery was found in the vehicle, the report said.
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Family act of shoplifting www.privateofficer.com
MANCHESTER, N.H. Dec. 19, 2007- A store clerk, her sister and brother-in-law have been charged in a shoplifting scam in Manchester (New Hampshire).
Police say the three were arrested Sunday night at Macy's at the Mall of New Hampshire after store security reported that cashier Aysa Castro of Goffstown only pretended to scan merchandise brought to her register by her sister and brother-in-law, Mara Castro and Vincent Chaney, also of Goffstown.
Police say security watched as the employee scanned two items and pretended to scan the rest. Security said the couple paid for the two scanned items and left the store with all of the merchandise, where they were detained and the police were notified.
Police say the three were arrested Sunday night at Macy's at the Mall of New Hampshire after store security reported that cashier Aysa Castro of Goffstown only pretended to scan merchandise brought to her register by her sister and brother-in-law, Mara Castro and Vincent Chaney, also of Goffstown.
Police say security watched as the employee scanned two items and pretended to scan the rest. Security said the couple paid for the two scanned items and left the store with all of the merchandise, where they were detained and the police were notified.
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Shoplifter's story www.privateofficer.com
WHITE PLAINS - She may have thought her friend's dad would bail her out; instead, he turned her in.
A 17-year-old Stamford, Conn., girl was charged with second-degree forgery, a felony, and false impersonation, a misdemeanor, after she and a 17-year-old friend, also from Stamford, were both arrested in a store theft in White Plains.
Rhiannon Stefanick and Jena Alcan were picked up shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday after security officers at the Neiman Marcus store, 1 Paulding St., told police that $1,025 worth of clothing had been stolen. Both were arrested and taken to police headquarters, where they were charged with petty larceny, a misdemeanor.
Police said that while she was being processed, Alcan told officers that her last name was Stefanick and that she lived at the same address as Rhiannon Stefanick. She then signed the booking papers, using Stefanick as her last name, police said.
When Rhiannon Stefanick's father came to post the $500 bail for his daughter, he told police that Alcan had lied to them. Alcan later admitted that she had lied and was hit with the additional charge.
A 17-year-old Stamford, Conn., girl was charged with second-degree forgery, a felony, and false impersonation, a misdemeanor, after she and a 17-year-old friend, also from Stamford, were both arrested in a store theft in White Plains.
Rhiannon Stefanick and Jena Alcan were picked up shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday after security officers at the Neiman Marcus store, 1 Paulding St., told police that $1,025 worth of clothing had been stolen. Both were arrested and taken to police headquarters, where they were charged with petty larceny, a misdemeanor.
Police said that while she was being processed, Alcan told officers that her last name was Stefanick and that she lived at the same address as Rhiannon Stefanick. She then signed the booking papers, using Stefanick as her last name, police said.
When Rhiannon Stefanick's father came to post the $500 bail for his daughter, he told police that Alcan had lied to them. Alcan later admitted that she had lied and was hit with the additional charge.
Police, security conduct shoplifting blitz www.privateofficer.com
Police, security conduct shoplifting blitz www.privateofficer.com
Saginaw Township MI. Dec. 19, 2007
Saginaw Township police believe they have put a big dent in the annual Christmas season shoplifting spree by arresting 27 suspects and recovering more than $8,000 in stolen goods.Members of the Township Shoplifting Task Force, which includes police and local store loss prevention agents organized a retail fraud blitz Thursday and Friday.
The officers and store security spread out over the township and concentrated on retail theft for several days. The joint effort paid off with with a large number of arrests and a substantial recovery of stolen merchandise police said.They caught two more suspects Saturday, a 44-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman. The pair have a long history of retail fraud.Township Officer Chris Fredenburg said that about 1:30 p.m. Saturday security agents saw the two concealing about nine purses inside a large tote bag, but they were unable to stop them before they took off but police officers were able to track them down and took them into custody.
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Saginaw Township MI. Dec. 19, 2007
Saginaw Township police believe they have put a big dent in the annual Christmas season shoplifting spree by arresting 27 suspects and recovering more than $8,000 in stolen goods.Members of the Township Shoplifting Task Force, which includes police and local store loss prevention agents organized a retail fraud blitz Thursday and Friday.
The officers and store security spread out over the township and concentrated on retail theft for several days. The joint effort paid off with with a large number of arrests and a substantial recovery of stolen merchandise police said.They caught two more suspects Saturday, a 44-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman. The pair have a long history of retail fraud.Township Officer Chris Fredenburg said that about 1:30 p.m. Saturday security agents saw the two concealing about nine purses inside a large tote bag, but they were unable to stop them before they took off but police officers were able to track them down and took them into custody.
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Monday, December 17, 2007
Officer fires shot at shoplifter fleeing mall www.privateofficer.com
DURHAM NC DEC. 16, 2007 - A Durham officer fired a shot at a shoplifting suspect outside Northgate Mall on Thursday evening in an attempt to stop the man from running over a Durham County sheriff’s deputy with a vehicle, police said.A Sears loss prevention officer told Northgate security that a man had taken a 343-piece Craftsman tool set, valued at $700, and placed it near an exit, said Kim Walker, Durham police spokeswoman. Officers encountered the suspect, identified as Mark Howard Rook, 42, of Hillsborough, about 9 p.m. in the store’s parking lot.With the large tool set under his arm and ignoring commands by officers to stop, Rook got into his vehicle and began driving, Walker said. The Durham officer, fearing the deputy was in danger of being hit by the vehicle, fired a shot, Walker said. She said that she did not know where the bullet went but that no one was injured.The department would not release the name of the officer who fired the shot.Under Durham Police Department policy, officers are not permitted to shoot at a moving vehicle “except in those situations where the immediate probability of serious injury or death exists for the officer(s) and/or an innocent third party.” That policy also says officers must believe that using deadly force is the only way to protect themselves and others in a situation.About an hour later, officers apprehended Rook in a wooded area near where the Durham Freeway intersects with Interstate 85. Rook faces multiple charges, including larceny, driving with a revoked license and assault with a deadly weapon on a government official.Rook’s extensive criminal record includes multiple shoplifting and larceny convictions. He was released from prison last month after serving more than a year for larceny.The department’s Professional Standards Division will review the officer’s actions, which is standard every time an officer discharges a handgun.
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OFFICER DOWN.......ALABAMA
OFFICER DOWN…….ALABAMA
Huntsville Police DepartmentAlabamaEnd of Watch: Saturday, December 15, 2007Biographical InfoAge: 36Tour of Duty: 3 yearsBadge Number: Not availableIncident DetailsCause of Death: GunfireDate of Incident: Friday, December 14, 2007Weapon Used: HandgunSuspect Info: ApprehendedOfficer William Freeman was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to an automobile accident on Bailey Cove Road, near Weatherly Road, at approximately 8:45 pm. When they arrived at the scene they located one of the subjects sitting on a curb.As they approached the subject, and attempted to arrest him for DUI, the man produced a handgun and shot Officer Freeman in the face. The other officer, with the help of two bystanders, was able to subdued the suspect and taken him into custody.Officer Freemen was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following morning.Officer Freeman had served with the Huntsville Police Department for 3 years. He is survived by his wife and five children.Agency Contact InformationHuntsville Police Department815 Wheeler AvenueHuntsville, AL 35801Phone: (256) 427-7009
Your Tip for The Day-DON'T Steal From The Cops www.privateofficer.com
CINCINNATI OHIO Dec. 15, 2007 — Today's crime tip: don't steal police officers' tips. Police arrested Vincent Balough, 46, on on charges of theft and obstructing official business.Police said Balough took a $12 tip that two Cincinnati police officers left after eating at a restaurant downtown. Police were notified and they returned in time to snag the tip thief.Balough was jailed Wednesday night pending a court hearing.
We're not sure how they came up with the obstruction of official business charge unless eating is now "official business" but nonethe less they carted him off to the city jail to teach him a lesson and because stealing is against the law of course.
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Saturday, December 15, 2007
Store clerk steals shoplifters credit card www.privateofficer.com
Bulloch County Dec. 14, 2007
I've seen and heard a lot of shoplifting stories in my day, but this one is different....
A convenience store clerk who nabbed three shoplifters did a little taking herself when she stole one of the offender's credit card, said Bulloch County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Gene McDaniel. On Nov. 28, Bulloch County Sheriff's deputies were called to Time Saver #17 at the corner of Sinkhole Road and Ga. 46 regarding a shoplifting incident, he said. Two men and a woman entered the store and tried shoplifting "eight cans of beer," he said. When the clerk, Valerie Regina Hearns, 31, Cedarwood Acres, caught and confronted them, the two men fled the store and took off in a vehicle, leaving the woman behind. "The female called them on the cell phone," asking the men to return to the store, and they did, he said. Hearns called deputies, who arrived and placed the two men under arrest, he said. But when they ran, one man dropped his wallet, McDaniel said. Hearns found it and later handed it over to deputies, but not before she "took his credit or debit card," he said. The deed wasn't discovered until Dec. 5, when the shoplifting suspect came to the sheriff's department to report someone had been making unauthorized charges on his credit card. Investigation revealed Hearns had used the card twice at the store where she worked, Time saver #17, where her mother was manager, McDaniel said. The same night she caught the shoplifting suspects, Hearns charged $65 and $82 to the credit card at the convenience store. Then, over the next four days she charged "about $25 at Krystal," made two charges at other convenience stores for $30 each, and she and another unknown person were videotaped at Wal-Mart using the card, he said. There, the unknown person had possession of the card and swiped it at the register to the tune of about $230, he said. Hearns was visibly identifiable in the store video, he said. Deputies arrested Hearns, charging her with one charge of financial transaction card theft and four counts of financial transaction card fraud, he said. Hearns was taken to the Bulloch County Jail where she remains without bond, a jail spokesman said Wednesday.
Shoplifters run officer down and flee www.privateofficer.com
Sevierville TN. Dec. 15, 2007 – Three Nashville women will face various charges related to a Sevier County shoplifting incident.
It happened Wednesday evening at Tanger Five Oaks Mall.
According to officers with the Sevierville Police Department, they responded to the call around 5:15 PM at the Children’s Place store.
When an officer tried to stop the alleged shoplifters from leaving the scene, he was struck by their car but not injured.
About an hour later, Pigeon Forge police officers tried to stop the same vehicle near the south end of the Parkway.
That’s when three women inside it exited the car and tried to flee the scene.
Two of the three women were quickly arrested and the third was finally tracked down 45 minutes later by police from Pigeon Forge and Sevierville
Inside the car police found more than $3,000 worth of stolen merchandise.
Sevierville police charged Felicia T. Crowder, 22 of Nashville with theft, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, aggravated assault and resisting arrest
Michelle E. Beasley, 20 of Nashville was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of stolen property
The third person arrested is Shadricka S. Bostick, 24 of Nashville who will face charges for possession of stolen property.
All three women will face separate charges from the Pigeon Forge police.
It happened Wednesday evening at Tanger Five Oaks Mall.
According to officers with the Sevierville Police Department, they responded to the call around 5:15 PM at the Children’s Place store.
When an officer tried to stop the alleged shoplifters from leaving the scene, he was struck by their car but not injured.
About an hour later, Pigeon Forge police officers tried to stop the same vehicle near the south end of the Parkway.
That’s when three women inside it exited the car and tried to flee the scene.
Two of the three women were quickly arrested and the third was finally tracked down 45 minutes later by police from Pigeon Forge and Sevierville
Inside the car police found more than $3,000 worth of stolen merchandise.
Sevierville police charged Felicia T. Crowder, 22 of Nashville with theft, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, aggravated assault and resisting arrest
Michelle E. Beasley, 20 of Nashville was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of stolen property
The third person arrested is Shadricka S. Bostick, 24 of Nashville who will face charges for possession of stolen property.
All three women will face separate charges from the Pigeon Forge police.
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Sears Portrait employee busted for Identity Theft www.privateofficer.com
GREENVILLE N.C. DEC. 15, 2007
A woman who took people's pictures for a living had her own picture taken -- a mug shot by police after her arrest.
The employee of the Sears Portrait Studio is accused in an identity theft and fraud scheme that involved thousands of dollars in illegal credit applications and thousands more on illegal credit charges.
The employee of the Sears Portrait Studio is accused in an identity theft and fraud scheme that involved thousands of dollars in illegal credit applications and thousands more on illegal credit charges.
Greenville police say a Crime Stoppers tip led to the arrest.
Shakiema Mosley was arrested Wednesday when she reported for work. Greenville police say the scheme involved $64,750 in illegal credit applications and $29,606 in credit charges.
Police say the employee illegally used the victim's personal information to open numerous credit accounts.
Mosley is charged with ten counts of felonious identity theft, ten counts of criminal receipt of goods, eight felony counts of financial transaction card fraud, and two felony counts of attempted obtaining property by false pretense.
Mosley is in jail on a $47,500 bond.
Police say the employee illegally used the victim's personal information to open numerous credit accounts.
Mosley is charged with ten counts of felonious identity theft, ten counts of criminal receipt of goods, eight felony counts of financial transaction card fraud, and two felony counts of attempted obtaining property by false pretense.
Mosley is in jail on a $47,500 bond.
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Woman using fake gift certificates arrested www.privateofficer.com
Valley Sream NY Dec. 15, 2007 An attempt to spend fake gift checks brought an early end to the Christmas shopping season for a Queens woman who tried to pass the bogus documents to several cashiers Wednesday morning at the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, Nassau police said.Kifana J. Longdon-Lawrence, 24, of 158-08 137th Ave., Jamaica, first tried to pass a fraudulent American Express gift check at Macy's, but the store security manager called American Express to validate the gift checks because of a cashier's suspicions, police said.As the manager called American Express, Longdon-Lawrence left the store and went to an Old Navy where she succeeded in using one of the fake checks to buy merchandise, police said. She then went back to the same Macy's store -- but a different department -- to try to pass another check, police said.
There, she was arrested and charged with three counts of possession of a forged instrument.Longdon-Lawrence was scheduled for arraignment on Thursday in First District Court, Hempstead.
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There, she was arrested and charged with three counts of possession of a forged instrument.Longdon-Lawrence was scheduled for arraignment on Thursday in First District Court, Hempstead.
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Officer shoots at fleeing shoplifter www.privateofficer.com
Durham NC DEC. 14, 2007
It happened around 9 p.m. with an officer responding to a shoplifting call. Police say the suspect identified as Mark Rook tried speeding out of the parking lot. The officer felt threatened and fired a shot at the car. Police say that as the officer was approcahing the vehicle Rook put in reverse toward the officer.
Another officer got behind Rook on Interstate 85 and followed him to the Durham Freeway. That's where police say he jumped out and ran into the woods.
Officers chased Rook and took him into custody. He's been charged with larceny; resist, delay and obstruction; driving with a revoked license; and assault with a deadly weapon on a government official.
As the investigation continues Durham Police officials say the department will conduct an internal review as standard procedure when an officer discharges a gun.
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It happened around 9 p.m. with an officer responding to a shoplifting call. Police say the suspect identified as Mark Rook tried speeding out of the parking lot. The officer felt threatened and fired a shot at the car. Police say that as the officer was approcahing the vehicle Rook put in reverse toward the officer.
Another officer got behind Rook on Interstate 85 and followed him to the Durham Freeway. That's where police say he jumped out and ran into the woods.
Officers chased Rook and took him into custody. He's been charged with larceny; resist, delay and obstruction; driving with a revoked license; and assault with a deadly weapon on a government official.
As the investigation continues Durham Police officials say the department will conduct an internal review as standard procedure when an officer discharges a gun.
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Low paying guards have even bigger payroll headaches! www.privateofficer.com
Guards dont get paid
Low paying guards have even bigger payroll headaches! www.privateofficer.com
Philadelphia PA. Dec. 13, 2007
Being a security guard in the Philadelphia Housing Authority's Westpark Towers is not a good job. You sit all day in a tiny booth, in the lobby of a West Philly high rise, and flip a switch to grant entry to project residents. You're given minimal training, no gun and there's no bulletproof glass to protect you. If you witness a crime, you're expected to notify PHA police, then sit and wait. And your pay rate is paltry — just above $7 an hour, with no benefits. You'd expect, at least, to actually get paid.But for guards employed by one PHA subcontractor, collecting remuneration has become a challenge lately. The Bethlehem-based Oakley Services Inc. holds the security contract for 11 Philadelphia public housing sites; PHA pays Oakley to provide security, and Oakley hires and pays guards. In recent months, however, Oakley has struggled to keep its end of the bargain: It's been habitually late in delivering its employees' compensation; has failed to provide payment in full; has written checks that bounced; and has even, on two occasions, paid its guards in cash.
The trouble began on Friday, Aug. 24. It was supposed to be a payday, but that afternoon, instead of delivering checks, an Oakley supervisor came to Westpark and said the guards would have to wait until Tuesday for their compensation."No reason, no explanation," says a guard who, like several others, asked that her name not be used for fear of retribution.Tuesday came and went without pay. A few days later, Oakley guards from numerous sites were summoned to the community center at the Westpark development (near 46th and Market, it includes three high-rise towers). There, they saw PHA police standing over a table covered with piles of cash. The guards were handed their checks, told that, for logistical reasons, they would have to sign them back over, and then given their pay (rounded to the nearest dollar) in cash.The following Friday, Sept. 7, the guards were due to be paid again. This time they were given envelopes containing cash equal to about half of what they'd earned. One guard's envelope was labeled: "NET 457.60. Received $250.00.""They still owe us from that half," says a guard.Oakley attempted to prove to its guards that it was trying to pay them. It passed out a memo, dated Aug. 31 on Oakley letterhead, stating, "Due to financial miscommunication with our contractor Philadelphia Housing Authority our employees at Oakley security has [sic] not been paid since 8/8/07 ... we are trying to expedite this matter as quickly as possible." It also supplied a copy of an e-mail, sent Aug. 23 from Oakley's Jennifer Cunningham to PHA's Alicia Wilson, asking PHA to wire $45,000 into Oakley's account so the company could make payroll. Cunningham makes reference to "outstanding invoices" and writes, "We are really in a tough spot right now and need some assistance."Still, the problems persisted. Though Oakley resumed paying guards with checks, payment was rarely punctual. Payday was moved to Wednesday, but the guards waited until Thursday, Friday and the next week for their compensation. When the guards received their checks, another problem arose: Some were no good."A couple of times they sent me to the bank and my paycheck bounced," says former Oakley guard Artellia Fisher. Another guard cashed her check at Terminal Check Service Inc. at Broad and Olney, and was later informed that the check had been rejected."The bank said there was no money in the account," says Marvin Sabulsky, proprietor of Terminal Check Cashing. Sabulsky says he faxed proof of the problem to Oakley and when he didn't hear back, filed a claim against them for $498.29. He won't accept checks from the company anymore.Fisher says the problems got so bad that guards "had to [cash their checks] that very day, because if you go tomorrow, there might not be any money left."This," she says, "is ridiculous."Oakley Services Inc. was founded in 1992 by Robert Oakley Jr. In addition to security, the certified minority-owned business performs private investigations, forensics and construction management. It received its contract with PHA through an open-bid process, according to PHA spokesman Kirk Dorn. The agreement, which began in April 2005 and expires in April 2010, calls for Oakley to provide security at 11 sites for 700 hours a week. Oakley is paid $14.42 per position, per hour (this rate covers the guards, administrative costs and profits). It employs about 65 guards. Asked about Oakley's struggles to make payroll, Dorn says, "Oakley is very good at providing security. Unfortunately, they haven't been so good about providing paperwork." PHA requires Oakley to submit invoices, Dorn explains, which Oakley has frequently failed to do. As a result, PHA hasn't paid them on time, and Oakley hasn't had money to pay guards.PHA and Oakley have met to discuss this problem, and Oakley has committed to meet deadlines, Dorn says — though guards say their pay continues to arrive late. Should the problem persist, of course, the quality of Oakley's service could be compromised, because guards could quit or take the job less seriously."If they continue [to miss deadlines], we would have to take action at some point," Dorn says.Oakley headquarters did not return repeated calls for comment on its paperwork problems, cash payments, and whether it intends to reimburse Terminal Check Cashing or provide guards with the remaining half of a check they say they are owed. While Oakley's problems may stem from minor logistical errors, their effects have been anything but small to those who've borne the brunt of the mistakes. Many Oakley guards live paycheck to paycheck, and have struggled to pay bills."We can't keep telling the landlord we didn't get paid this week," says one. Indeed, guards have received eviction and shut-off notices; one suffered the indignity, more appropriate for a child out sick from school, of having an Oakley supervisor write a letter to PGW confirming that she hadn't received her pay.A few weeks ago, Oakley employees contacted the local Jobs with Justice chapter, which they knew was working to provide representation to security guards at Penn and Temple in the absence of a union [News, "Allied Affront," Aug. 28, 2007]. JWJ put the guards in touch with a lawyer, who may represent them in a class-action lawsuit, and is investigating whether Oakley is in violation of wage laws for government-funded jobs (PHA receives city and federal funding, and it's possible they could be required to give the guards a raise).In the meantime, numerous working Philadelphians who were barely scraping by to begin with are having an even harder time of it. One Oakley guard who spent more than half his life incarcerated for robbery, drug and parole-violation charges, says his security job is the cornerstone of his effort to get on the straight and narrow. He doesn't think his family will allow him to fall back into a life of crime. But not getting paid for his honest work has made the straight path that much harder to follow."If I can't rely on a job ... " he says, trailing off.
Low paying guards have even bigger payroll headaches! www.privateofficer.com
Philadelphia PA. Dec. 13, 2007
Being a security guard in the Philadelphia Housing Authority's Westpark Towers is not a good job. You sit all day in a tiny booth, in the lobby of a West Philly high rise, and flip a switch to grant entry to project residents. You're given minimal training, no gun and there's no bulletproof glass to protect you. If you witness a crime, you're expected to notify PHA police, then sit and wait. And your pay rate is paltry — just above $7 an hour, with no benefits. You'd expect, at least, to actually get paid.But for guards employed by one PHA subcontractor, collecting remuneration has become a challenge lately. The Bethlehem-based Oakley Services Inc. holds the security contract for 11 Philadelphia public housing sites; PHA pays Oakley to provide security, and Oakley hires and pays guards. In recent months, however, Oakley has struggled to keep its end of the bargain: It's been habitually late in delivering its employees' compensation; has failed to provide payment in full; has written checks that bounced; and has even, on two occasions, paid its guards in cash.
The trouble began on Friday, Aug. 24. It was supposed to be a payday, but that afternoon, instead of delivering checks, an Oakley supervisor came to Westpark and said the guards would have to wait until Tuesday for their compensation."No reason, no explanation," says a guard who, like several others, asked that her name not be used for fear of retribution.Tuesday came and went without pay. A few days later, Oakley guards from numerous sites were summoned to the community center at the Westpark development (near 46th and Market, it includes three high-rise towers). There, they saw PHA police standing over a table covered with piles of cash. The guards were handed their checks, told that, for logistical reasons, they would have to sign them back over, and then given their pay (rounded to the nearest dollar) in cash.The following Friday, Sept. 7, the guards were due to be paid again. This time they were given envelopes containing cash equal to about half of what they'd earned. One guard's envelope was labeled: "NET 457.60. Received $250.00.""They still owe us from that half," says a guard.Oakley attempted to prove to its guards that it was trying to pay them. It passed out a memo, dated Aug. 31 on Oakley letterhead, stating, "Due to financial miscommunication with our contractor Philadelphia Housing Authority our employees at Oakley security has [sic] not been paid since 8/8/07 ... we are trying to expedite this matter as quickly as possible." It also supplied a copy of an e-mail, sent Aug. 23 from Oakley's Jennifer Cunningham to PHA's Alicia Wilson, asking PHA to wire $45,000 into Oakley's account so the company could make payroll. Cunningham makes reference to "outstanding invoices" and writes, "We are really in a tough spot right now and need some assistance."Still, the problems persisted. Though Oakley resumed paying guards with checks, payment was rarely punctual. Payday was moved to Wednesday, but the guards waited until Thursday, Friday and the next week for their compensation. When the guards received their checks, another problem arose: Some were no good."A couple of times they sent me to the bank and my paycheck bounced," says former Oakley guard Artellia Fisher. Another guard cashed her check at Terminal Check Service Inc. at Broad and Olney, and was later informed that the check had been rejected."The bank said there was no money in the account," says Marvin Sabulsky, proprietor of Terminal Check Cashing. Sabulsky says he faxed proof of the problem to Oakley and when he didn't hear back, filed a claim against them for $498.29. He won't accept checks from the company anymore.Fisher says the problems got so bad that guards "had to [cash their checks] that very day, because if you go tomorrow, there might not be any money left."This," she says, "is ridiculous."Oakley Services Inc. was founded in 1992 by Robert Oakley Jr. In addition to security, the certified minority-owned business performs private investigations, forensics and construction management. It received its contract with PHA through an open-bid process, according to PHA spokesman Kirk Dorn. The agreement, which began in April 2005 and expires in April 2010, calls for Oakley to provide security at 11 sites for 700 hours a week. Oakley is paid $14.42 per position, per hour (this rate covers the guards, administrative costs and profits). It employs about 65 guards. Asked about Oakley's struggles to make payroll, Dorn says, "Oakley is very good at providing security. Unfortunately, they haven't been so good about providing paperwork." PHA requires Oakley to submit invoices, Dorn explains, which Oakley has frequently failed to do. As a result, PHA hasn't paid them on time, and Oakley hasn't had money to pay guards.PHA and Oakley have met to discuss this problem, and Oakley has committed to meet deadlines, Dorn says — though guards say their pay continues to arrive late. Should the problem persist, of course, the quality of Oakley's service could be compromised, because guards could quit or take the job less seriously."If they continue [to miss deadlines], we would have to take action at some point," Dorn says.Oakley headquarters did not return repeated calls for comment on its paperwork problems, cash payments, and whether it intends to reimburse Terminal Check Cashing or provide guards with the remaining half of a check they say they are owed. While Oakley's problems may stem from minor logistical errors, their effects have been anything but small to those who've borne the brunt of the mistakes. Many Oakley guards live paycheck to paycheck, and have struggled to pay bills."We can't keep telling the landlord we didn't get paid this week," says one. Indeed, guards have received eviction and shut-off notices; one suffered the indignity, more appropriate for a child out sick from school, of having an Oakley supervisor write a letter to PGW confirming that she hadn't received her pay.A few weeks ago, Oakley employees contacted the local Jobs with Justice chapter, which they knew was working to provide representation to security guards at Penn and Temple in the absence of a union [News, "Allied Affront," Aug. 28, 2007]. JWJ put the guards in touch with a lawyer, who may represent them in a class-action lawsuit, and is investigating whether Oakley is in violation of wage laws for government-funded jobs (PHA receives city and federal funding, and it's possible they could be required to give the guards a raise).In the meantime, numerous working Philadelphians who were barely scraping by to begin with are having an even harder time of it. One Oakley guard who spent more than half his life incarcerated for robbery, drug and parole-violation charges, says his security job is the cornerstone of his effort to get on the straight and narrow. He doesn't think his family will allow him to fall back into a life of crime. But not getting paid for his honest work has made the straight path that much harder to follow."If I can't rely on a job ... " he says, trailing off.
Officer attacked in store www.privateofficer.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- An Athens-Clarke County police officer working off-duty at a Kroger was viciously attacked by a man with a butcher knife, police say.
Officials say Sgt. Courtney Gale was working off-duty in uniform at a Kroger grocery store on Alps Road in Athens Tuesday night when someone told her about a suspicious man who was opening meat in one of the store's aisles.
Gale approached the man and authorities said he "wantonly and viciously" attacked her with a butcher knife they believe he stole from the store.
Officials said Gale received numerous stab wounds and hospital officials said her injuries are serious.
Other citizens in the store were able to help the officer and subdue the suspect. Athens-Clarke County officials said after a brief foot chase, they arrested Steven Anthony Eberhart, 44. He has been charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, felony obstruction and misdemeanor obstruction.
An account has been set up for the officer at SunTrust Bank. Anyone interested in making a donation to this account may do so at any SunTrust branch or mail to SunTrust Bank, Attention: Heidi Spratlin, 1022 Prince Ave, Athens, Georgia, 30606
Officials say Sgt. Courtney Gale was working off-duty in uniform at a Kroger grocery store on Alps Road in Athens Tuesday night when someone told her about a suspicious man who was opening meat in one of the store's aisles.
Gale approached the man and authorities said he "wantonly and viciously" attacked her with a butcher knife they believe he stole from the store.
Officials said Gale received numerous stab wounds and hospital officials said her injuries are serious.
Other citizens in the store were able to help the officer and subdue the suspect. Athens-Clarke County officials said after a brief foot chase, they arrested Steven Anthony Eberhart, 44. He has been charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, felony obstruction and misdemeanor obstruction.
An account has been set up for the officer at SunTrust Bank. Anyone interested in making a donation to this account may do so at any SunTrust branch or mail to SunTrust Bank, Attention: Heidi Spratlin, 1022 Prince Ave, Athens, Georgia, 30606
Two dead in malll robbery shooting www.privateofficer.com
Two dead in malll robbery shooting www.privateofficer.com
Boca Raton Fla. Dec. 13, 2007 - Police said the two bodies found in an SUV on the south side of the Sears department store at the mall were a 47-year-old woman and an 8-year-old girl killed during a robbery.The gruesome discovery came about midnight Thursday in a Chrysler Aspen sport utility vehicle and the victims were identified as Nancy Bochicchio, 47, and Joey Bochicchio-Hauser, 8, of west of Boca Raton. An undisclosed amount of money was taken.This case may be related to a previous robbery that occurred at the Boca Raton Town Center Mall in August 2007, police said.
Our Investigators are continuing to pursue all possible leads and investigative angles," a media release said. "In this regard, we ask that the public continue to be vigilant and conscious of their surroundings while shopping and report any suspicious activity to police immediately."The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the exact cause of death.Police are asking anyone with information to call detectives, 561-368-6201, or Crime Stoppers, 800-458-8477.
Boca Raton Fla. Dec. 13, 2007 - Police said the two bodies found in an SUV on the south side of the Sears department store at the mall were a 47-year-old woman and an 8-year-old girl killed during a robbery.The gruesome discovery came about midnight Thursday in a Chrysler Aspen sport utility vehicle and the victims were identified as Nancy Bochicchio, 47, and Joey Bochicchio-Hauser, 8, of west of Boca Raton. An undisclosed amount of money was taken.This case may be related to a previous robbery that occurred at the Boca Raton Town Center Mall in August 2007, police said.
Our Investigators are continuing to pursue all possible leads and investigative angles," a media release said. "In this regard, we ask that the public continue to be vigilant and conscious of their surroundings while shopping and report any suspicious activity to police immediately."The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the exact cause of death.Police are asking anyone with information to call detectives, 561-368-6201, or Crime Stoppers, 800-458-8477.
OFFICER DOWN....SOUTH CAROLINA WWW.PRIVATEOFFICER.COM
OFFICER DOWN....SOUTH CAROLINA WWW.PRIVATEOFFICER.COM
COLUMBIA S.C. DEC. 15, 2007
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A sheriff's deputy collapsed and died from a heart attack after a car chase early Friday near downtown Columbia and authorities were searching for the driver who fled.An autopsy showed that Deputy Darral Lane, 41, died from a heart attack, Sheriff Leon Lott said. Lane had wrestled the two passengers in the car to the ground and got one into handcuffs."You see him stand up and grab a hold of his thigh. He falls to his knees and then he falls to the ground," Lott said.The two passengers, who were picked up by other deputies, will not be charged in the case, Lott said. The driver, 34-year-old Matthew Denny Hooks, was still being sought by deputies Friday afternoon. He has been charged with failing to stop for a blue light.Lane was a retired Army veteran, who apparently had a heart condition that he may have been unaware of, Lott said.Lane stopped Hooks' Acura after noticing some suspicious activity at a convenience store about 5:30 a.m. near Interstate 20, sheriff's Lt. Chris Cowan said.The car sped off, stopping behind a house after about two miles.Three people jumped out of the car and the driver fled into a nearby wooded area as the deputy tried to apprehend the other two men, he said.The man initially put in handcuffs attempted to help the deputy after he collapsed, Lott said. The people who lived in the home where the car stopped called 911 after seeing the lights.Cowan said the tags on Hooks' Acura appeared to belong to a vehicle stolen from Lexington County, but Lott said there was no evidence of any crime at the convenience store before the traffic stop.Columbia police and the South Carolina Highway Patrol were assisting in the search of an area of roughly two square miles.The name of the officer who died was not immediately released. Sheriff Leon Lott planned to hold a news conference later Friday, Cowan said.Columbia police and the South Carolina Highway Patrol were assisting in the search of an area of roughly two square miles.
COLUMBIA S.C. DEC. 15, 2007
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A sheriff's deputy collapsed and died from a heart attack after a car chase early Friday near downtown Columbia and authorities were searching for the driver who fled.An autopsy showed that Deputy Darral Lane, 41, died from a heart attack, Sheriff Leon Lott said. Lane had wrestled the two passengers in the car to the ground and got one into handcuffs."You see him stand up and grab a hold of his thigh. He falls to his knees and then he falls to the ground," Lott said.The two passengers, who were picked up by other deputies, will not be charged in the case, Lott said. The driver, 34-year-old Matthew Denny Hooks, was still being sought by deputies Friday afternoon. He has been charged with failing to stop for a blue light.Lane was a retired Army veteran, who apparently had a heart condition that he may have been unaware of, Lott said.Lane stopped Hooks' Acura after noticing some suspicious activity at a convenience store about 5:30 a.m. near Interstate 20, sheriff's Lt. Chris Cowan said.The car sped off, stopping behind a house after about two miles.Three people jumped out of the car and the driver fled into a nearby wooded area as the deputy tried to apprehend the other two men, he said.The man initially put in handcuffs attempted to help the deputy after he collapsed, Lott said. The people who lived in the home where the car stopped called 911 after seeing the lights.Cowan said the tags on Hooks' Acura appeared to belong to a vehicle stolen from Lexington County, but Lott said there was no evidence of any crime at the convenience store before the traffic stop.Columbia police and the South Carolina Highway Patrol were assisting in the search of an area of roughly two square miles.The name of the officer who died was not immediately released. Sheriff Leon Lott planned to hold a news conference later Friday, Cowan said.Columbia police and the South Carolina Highway Patrol were assisting in the search of an area of roughly two square miles.
Shoplifter attempts to stab security while fleeing www.privateofficer.com
Shoplifter attempts to stab security while fleeing www.privateofficer.com
ORANGE PARK, Fla. Dec. 15, 2007-- A shoplifting incident Thursday evening at Orange Park Mall became an armed robbery when one of the suspects pulled a knife and tried to stab a security guard, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office.Deputies said a man and woman who attempted take a shopping cart with about $1,000 in merchandise out of the Sears store about 7:45 p.m. without paying. When they were confronted by a store loss-prevention officer, the man allegedly pulled a knife and attempted to stab the officer. They then ran out of the mall and sped off in a white Chevrolet pickup truck.Deputies pursued the pickup into Jacksonville, but broke off the chase for safety reasons. They later learned the vehicle was reported stolen. It was found abandoned Friday morning.
Clay County officials told Channel 4's Dan Leveton that these two are a threat to the community."He was so violent, by coming back and brandishing a knife," CCSO Sgt. Joey Jett said. "It was apparent they would do anything in attempt to get away with this merchandise."If and when caught, the pair faces charges of armed robbery, assault, grand theft and fleeing police.Detectives working the case released surveillance photos of the man and woman and hope that someone recognizes them.Anyone with any information that could help detectives is asked to call Detective Ken West at 904-213-6760.
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ORANGE PARK, Fla. Dec. 15, 2007-- A shoplifting incident Thursday evening at Orange Park Mall became an armed robbery when one of the suspects pulled a knife and tried to stab a security guard, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office.Deputies said a man and woman who attempted take a shopping cart with about $1,000 in merchandise out of the Sears store about 7:45 p.m. without paying. When they were confronted by a store loss-prevention officer, the man allegedly pulled a knife and attempted to stab the officer. They then ran out of the mall and sped off in a white Chevrolet pickup truck.Deputies pursued the pickup into Jacksonville, but broke off the chase for safety reasons. They later learned the vehicle was reported stolen. It was found abandoned Friday morning.
Clay County officials told Channel 4's Dan Leveton that these two are a threat to the community."He was so violent, by coming back and brandishing a knife," CCSO Sgt. Joey Jett said. "It was apparent they would do anything in attempt to get away with this merchandise."If and when caught, the pair faces charges of armed robbery, assault, grand theft and fleeing police.Detectives working the case released surveillance photos of the man and woman and hope that someone recognizes them.Anyone with any information that could help detectives is asked to call Detective Ken West at 904-213-6760.
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State Trooper Shot and Killed By Son www.privateofficer.com
State Trooper Shot and Killed By Son www.privateofficer.com
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — An off-duty state police officer was shot and killed in Las Cruces early Thursday. Las Cruces police arrested the woman's son and charged him with an open count of murder.Authorities didn't immediately release additional details in the death of Officer Susan Kuchma, 43, saying the investigation was continuing.Las Cruces police identified the gunman as Justin Quintana, 25.Investigators said Kuchma, a five-year state police veteran, was shot once and died at the scene about 2:30 a.m. Officers found a handgun at the scene, Las Cruces police spokesman Dan Trujillo said.Kuchma was married to another state police officer, patrolman Patrick Kuchma, state police spokesman Lt. Rick Anglada said. The Kuchmas are stationed in the state police's District 4, which has headquarters in Las Cruces.Students walked around yellow crime scene tape in the cordoned-off area Thursday morning. Residents described the neighborhood as made up largely of young families.District Attorney Susana Martinez, who had worked with Susan Kuchma on various drunken driving cases, said the officer handled herself with professionalism."She wasn't pushy, or bossy," Martinez said. "She was none of those things. She was really a good people person. She underwent her job the way she was supposed to."
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LAS CRUCES, N.M. — An off-duty state police officer was shot and killed in Las Cruces early Thursday. Las Cruces police arrested the woman's son and charged him with an open count of murder.Authorities didn't immediately release additional details in the death of Officer Susan Kuchma, 43, saying the investigation was continuing.Las Cruces police identified the gunman as Justin Quintana, 25.Investigators said Kuchma, a five-year state police veteran, was shot once and died at the scene about 2:30 a.m. Officers found a handgun at the scene, Las Cruces police spokesman Dan Trujillo said.Kuchma was married to another state police officer, patrolman Patrick Kuchma, state police spokesman Lt. Rick Anglada said. The Kuchmas are stationed in the state police's District 4, which has headquarters in Las Cruces.Students walked around yellow crime scene tape in the cordoned-off area Thursday morning. Residents described the neighborhood as made up largely of young families.District Attorney Susana Martinez, who had worked with Susan Kuchma on various drunken driving cases, said the officer handled herself with professionalism."She wasn't pushy, or bossy," Martinez said. "She was none of those things. She was really a good people person. She underwent her job the way she was supposed to."
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OFFICER DOWN.......ALABAMA www.privateofficer.com
OFFICER DOWN.......ALABAMA
Huntsville Police DepartmentAlabama
End of Watch: Saturday, December 15, 2007
Biographical InfoAge: 36Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not availableIncident DetailsCause of Death: GunfireDate of Incident: Friday, December 14, 2007Weapon Used: HandgunSuspect Info: ApprehendedOfficer William Freeman was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to an automobile accident on Bailey Cove Road, near Weatherly Road, at approximately 8:45 pm. When they arrived at the scene they located one of the subjects sitting on a curb.As they approached the subject, and attempted to arrest him for DUI, the man produced a handgun and shot Officer Freeman in the face. The other officer, with the help of two bystanders, was able to subdued the suspect and taken him into custody.Officer Freemen was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following morning.Officer Freeman had served with the Huntsville Police Department for 3 years. He is survived by his wife and five children.
Agency Contact InformationHuntsville Police Department815 Wheeler AvenueHuntsville, AL 35801Phone: (256) 427-7009
Huntsville Police DepartmentAlabama
End of Watch: Saturday, December 15, 2007
Biographical InfoAge: 36Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not availableIncident DetailsCause of Death: GunfireDate of Incident: Friday, December 14, 2007Weapon Used: HandgunSuspect Info: ApprehendedOfficer William Freeman was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to an automobile accident on Bailey Cove Road, near Weatherly Road, at approximately 8:45 pm. When they arrived at the scene they located one of the subjects sitting on a curb.As they approached the subject, and attempted to arrest him for DUI, the man produced a handgun and shot Officer Freeman in the face. The other officer, with the help of two bystanders, was able to subdued the suspect and taken him into custody.Officer Freemen was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following morning.Officer Freeman had served with the Huntsville Police Department for 3 years. He is survived by his wife and five children.
Agency Contact InformationHuntsville Police Department815 Wheeler AvenueHuntsville, AL 35801Phone: (256) 427-7009
Store hit twice for large ticket items www.privateofficer.com
Myrtle Beach S.C. Dec. 15, 2007 Police are investigating the theft of more than $3,000 worth of merchandise at a Seaboard Street store for the second time in less than a month.
An employee at Circuit City on Tuesday told police he stopped a woman from stealing nearly $3,000 of merchandise, according to a report from the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
On Nov. 24, a man successfully stole a pair of large televisions valued at $2,059.24 from the store.
In Tuesday's incident, a would-be shoplifter wasn't so lucky. A woman attempted to exit the store with a shopping cart full of video games and video equipment. The cart was covered with spider wrap, police said.
When she exited, the store's security alarm sounded.
The 56-year-old employee chased the woman to her vehicle.
The worker told police a man sitting in the vehicle yelled for the woman to get in.
"There was a male supposedly sitting there with the trunk up," said Myrtle Beach police spokesman Capt. David Knipes. "When the female came out running with the stuff, he took off running toward Home Depot."
Police said the woman then jumped into the driver's seat. As the store employee was writing down the vehicle's license plate number, the woman bumped into him.
The employee, who said he suffered an injury to his hip, told police that when he walked to the side of the vehicle, the woman pulled out of the parking space.
Knipes said the woman picked up the man nearby and they fled.
The merchandise - which consisted of 10 Playstation 2 video game consoles, 22 video games and 6 Xbox video game controllers - was returned to the store.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Knipes said the vehicle had not been located by police.
Myrtle Beach Police obtained a copy of the store's video surveillance from the most recent incident and are investigating.
Knipes said the woman, if caught, could be charged with aggravated assault with a high and aggravated nature and grand larceny.
The earlier theft remains under investigation, he said. Chuck Simonson, an operations manager for Circuit City in Myrtle Beach, deferred all questions to Circuit City's corporate office in Richmond, Va.
A public relations spokesperson there had no comment.
An employee at Circuit City on Tuesday told police he stopped a woman from stealing nearly $3,000 of merchandise, according to a report from the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
On Nov. 24, a man successfully stole a pair of large televisions valued at $2,059.24 from the store.
In Tuesday's incident, a would-be shoplifter wasn't so lucky. A woman attempted to exit the store with a shopping cart full of video games and video equipment. The cart was covered with spider wrap, police said.
When she exited, the store's security alarm sounded.
The 56-year-old employee chased the woman to her vehicle.
The worker told police a man sitting in the vehicle yelled for the woman to get in.
"There was a male supposedly sitting there with the trunk up," said Myrtle Beach police spokesman Capt. David Knipes. "When the female came out running with the stuff, he took off running toward Home Depot."
Police said the woman then jumped into the driver's seat. As the store employee was writing down the vehicle's license plate number, the woman bumped into him.
The employee, who said he suffered an injury to his hip, told police that when he walked to the side of the vehicle, the woman pulled out of the parking space.
Knipes said the woman picked up the man nearby and they fled.
The merchandise - which consisted of 10 Playstation 2 video game consoles, 22 video games and 6 Xbox video game controllers - was returned to the store.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Knipes said the vehicle had not been located by police.
Myrtle Beach Police obtained a copy of the store's video surveillance from the most recent incident and are investigating.
Knipes said the woman, if caught, could be charged with aggravated assault with a high and aggravated nature and grand larceny.
The earlier theft remains under investigation, he said. Chuck Simonson, an operations manager for Circuit City in Myrtle Beach, deferred all questions to Circuit City's corporate office in Richmond, Va.
A public relations spokesperson there had no comment.
Shoplifter escapes police custody www.privateofficer.com
Tracy CA. Dec. 15, 2007
Tracy police arrested a suspected shoplifter on the 400 block of 23rd Street near Bessie Avenue after a K-9 unit cornered him in a backyard shed. The man was taken to Sutter Tracy Community Hospital for treatment of dog bite wounds before he was booked into San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp on suspicion of theft, escape from police custody, resisting arrest and parole violation.
Mark Duxbury said the man, whose name was not available Thursday afternoon, was reportedly caught shoplifting at Target in West Valley Mall earlier in the afternoon. The arresting officer was on the way back to police headquarters to book the man shortly before 2 p.m. when the suspect apparently got one of his hands free from his restraints. Duxbury said it’s unclear whether he slipped his hand through the cuff or managed to pick the lock, but the officer noticed the man was doing something suspicious and pulled over the patrol car on the 2000 block of North Tracy Boulevard. The officer was about to cuff the man again when he bolted from the patrol car and ran east through Tracy Ball Park. Police last saw him on the 400 block of West 22nd Street. At that point, police believed he might have hopped into a car driven by another person, but officers continued to search the neighborhood. Duxbury said a neighbor saw the man jump a fence into another backyard. The person flagged down officers, who checked the house and found nobody home. They then checked the backyard, where a police dog alerted officers to someone in a shed. The man still resisted arrest. “He knocked a hole in the roof trying to get away,” Duxbury said, adding that the police dog stopped the man, and officers took him into custody.
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Professional shoplifter arrested 43 times! www.privateofficer.com
YOUNGSTOWN OH. DEC. 15, 2007 — The Ohio Reformatory for Women has a lot of activities to keep Lavette Boone's mind off thievery.
The professional shoplifter — her record dates back to 1983 — has been sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years' supervised release. The sentence was handed down Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court by Judge Maureen A. Sweeney.
Mahoning County court records show most of Boone's thieving took place at stores in Boardman. She also had a few cases in Austintown, Canfield and Youngstown.
In many cases at sentencing, judges ordered that Boone stay away from the various stores where she was caught stealing.
Boardman Lt. Don Hawkins said Boone's first arrest in the township took place in 1983. She amassed 43 arrests there over the years, the final three this year.
Hawkins said Boone stole clothes, mostly, for resale.
"She did it for a living," Hawkins said. "There's other shoplifters out here involved in the same ring."
He estimates 10 more "professionals" operate in the township. He said police will try for the same type of prosecution that befell Boone.
Although Boone, of Cambridge Avenue, pleaded guilty to three counts of felony theft in mid-October, she failed to show up at the Ohio Adult Parole Authority to participate in a presentence investigation as ordered by Judge Sweeney. The judge then issued a warrant and ordered that Boone be held in jail without bond pending sentencing. Records show she's been in jail since Dec. 7.
The professional shoplifter — her record dates back to 1983 — has been sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years' supervised release. The sentence was handed down Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court by Judge Maureen A. Sweeney.
Mahoning County court records show most of Boone's thieving took place at stores in Boardman. She also had a few cases in Austintown, Canfield and Youngstown.
In many cases at sentencing, judges ordered that Boone stay away from the various stores where she was caught stealing.
Boardman Lt. Don Hawkins said Boone's first arrest in the township took place in 1983. She amassed 43 arrests there over the years, the final three this year.
Hawkins said Boone stole clothes, mostly, for resale.
"She did it for a living," Hawkins said. "There's other shoplifters out here involved in the same ring."
He estimates 10 more "professionals" operate in the township. He said police will try for the same type of prosecution that befell Boone.
Although Boone, of Cambridge Avenue, pleaded guilty to three counts of felony theft in mid-October, she failed to show up at the Ohio Adult Parole Authority to participate in a presentence investigation as ordered by Judge Sweeney. The judge then issued a warrant and ordered that Boone be held in jail without bond pending sentencing. Records show she's been in jail since Dec. 7.
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Guard imposter robs bank www.privateofficer.com
Ellicot City MD. Dec. 15, 2007 Police arrested a Pennsylvania man today who they say posed as an armored-car driver yesterday and took what they said was a large amount of cash from an Ellicott City bank.Police in York, Pa., arrested Robert Allen Flanagan, 37, of Dallastown, Pa., at his home about 12:30 a.m. today, according to the Howard County Police Department. Flanagan is a former employee of Dunbar Armored Inc., police said.About noon yesterday a man walked into the Bank of America in the 9100 block of Route 40 dressed as a Dunbar security employee and left with bags of money, police said. Bank employees recognized Flanagan but became suspicious after he left in what appeared to be a personal car, police said. The employees then contacted Dunbar and confirmed that the pickup was not authorized.
Investigators identified Flanagan after watching surveillance video from the bank.A department spokeswoman said it is not yet known how much money was taken. Flanagan is expected to be returned to Maryland to face charges of felony theft. The incident is not considered a robbery because no force or threat of force was used.
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Walmart employee arrested www.privateofficer.com
NEW HARTFORD NY DEC. 15, 2007 - The New Hartford Police Department arrested a Wal-Mart employee following a complaint that was filed which alleged that LaToya Robinson, age 20, of Utica, stole from the store while being employed there.The complaint filed by Wal-Mart states that while employed as an associate of Wal-Mart, Robinson used her position as a cashier to void items from customers transaction yet still allowed the customer to take the voided items. Wal-Mart also alleges that during the same transaction Robinson failed to collect $160.99 in cash due from the customer.In a second incident during the month of November, which also involved Robinson, a fellow associate of Robinson’s filed paperwork claiming that Robinson stole the fellow associates Portable Play Station game system from a jacket that was hung on the employee coat rack in the store.Officer Christopher J. Burns states that while he and a second New Hartford Police Officer attempted to place Robinson into handcuffs Robinson physically struggled with the two Officers in an attempt to prevent herself from being placed into the handcuffs. Burns states that the Officers backed off and used a second means of submission and Robinson was then placed into handcuffs without incident.Robinson was arraigned in the Town of New Hartford Court on two charges of Petit Larceny, Class A Misdemeanors, one count of Falsifying Business Documents, a Class E Felony and one count of Resisting Arrest, a Class A Misdemeanor.Robinson was released after posting bail and she will return to the Town of New Hartford Court at a later date.
Capitol Hill Page Arrested www.privateofficer.com
WASHINGTON DC DEC 15, 2007 -- A Capitol Hill page who was kicked out of the program was caught stealing items from a Macy's store and had to be bailed out by the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, police sources said.
Congressional leaders are asking the inspector general for an investigation after five pages recently were kicked out of the program for fighting, shoplifting and sexual misconduct in the page dorms.
Sources said one page was caught shoplifting on the evening of Nov. 2 at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington.
Congressional leaders are asking the inspector general for an investigation after five pages recently were kicked out of the program for fighting, shoplifting and sexual misconduct in the page dorms.
Sources said one page was caught shoplifting on the evening of Nov. 2 at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington.
Sources said Macy's store security caught the page stuffing items of clothing into a backpack and a carry bag. The 16-year-old was arrested as he left the store.
The stolen items included Levi's jeans, Polo T-shirts, a dress shirt, Polo socks and designer T-shirts, sources said.
The items came to a total value of $341.50, a case of grand larceny.
The page was turned over to Arlington police and later released into the custody of Lorraine Miller, the clerk of the House.
Sources said there was another shoplifting incident involving a Capitol page at Union Station.
There are about 70 Capitol pages, who are generally about 16 years old. They go to school in the morning, and in the afternoon, they run errands for congressmen. They come from all over the United States and live in a dormitory about five blocks south of the Capitol.
According to congressional sources, five pages have been kicked out of the program: one for fighting, two for shoplifting at Pentagon City Mall and two who are accused of performing a sex act in an elevator in front of other pages.
U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Fla., said public sex acts had been going on for months. She and U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito have resigned from the page board because of the problems. They said they were not informed about these incidents in a timely fashion.
There are no Republicans left on the eight-member board.
The stolen items included Levi's jeans, Polo T-shirts, a dress shirt, Polo socks and designer T-shirts, sources said.
The items came to a total value of $341.50, a case of grand larceny.
The page was turned over to Arlington police and later released into the custody of Lorraine Miller, the clerk of the House.
Sources said there was another shoplifting incident involving a Capitol page at Union Station.
There are about 70 Capitol pages, who are generally about 16 years old. They go to school in the morning, and in the afternoon, they run errands for congressmen. They come from all over the United States and live in a dormitory about five blocks south of the Capitol.
According to congressional sources, five pages have been kicked out of the program: one for fighting, two for shoplifting at Pentagon City Mall and two who are accused of performing a sex act in an elevator in front of other pages.
U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Fla., said public sex acts had been going on for months. She and U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito have resigned from the page board because of the problems. They said they were not informed about these incidents in a timely fashion.
There are no Republicans left on the eight-member board.
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Friday, December 7, 2007
Georgia shoplifters captured; wanted for multiple robberies www.privateofficer.com
VILLA RICA, Ga. Dec. 7, 2007 -- Police in the Carroll County city of Villa Rica say they've arrested a pair who might be one of the metro area's most prolific shoplifters ever.
The two allegedly stole from Wal-Marts and Sam’s Club stores from across north Georgia for the past year-and-a-half. Authorities say their crime spree likely cost everyone who shops at those stores.
When Roderick Jefferson and Malcolm LaFrance Smith strolled into the Villa Rica Wal-Mart, store security watching on camera immediately knew who they were.
“It was to the point that they were, the Wal-Mart people, the security people there were familiar enough with them that when they walked in the door and they saw them on the surveillance camera they knew exactly who they were and their quick response got these people caught,” said Capt. Brian Camp with the Villa Rica Police Department.
Jefferson and Smith allegedly had a long-running routine going and they had been pilfering from Wal-Marts and Sam’s Clubs across North Georgia for a year and a half.
In November, they came into the 24-hour store during the night. They loaded up some flat screen TV’s then, using a screwdriver, broke into a vacant stockroom and stole printers, camcorders and laptop computers. They filled up their getaway vehicle in the shadows of the loading bay, according to investigators.
“Anything high dollar. They'd get two buggys and fill up anything they could get in it and get out as quick as they can,” said Camp.
Notified by Wal-Mart Wednesday night, Villa Rica police nabbed the pair moments after they came into the store.
Wal-Mart officials told police the pair has hit dozens of stores in nearly every metro county, stealing more than $103,000 in electronics.
And most shoppers know thievery makes holiday shopping more expensive for everyone. “A lot because it make the prices go up and it’s scary.”
Jefferson and Smith are in jail charged with felony theft by shoplifting charges. Officials said the pair are facing pending charges in many other counties as well.
Villa Rica police say they do not know where all the stolen merchandise is.
The two allegedly stole from Wal-Marts and Sam’s Club stores from across north Georgia for the past year-and-a-half. Authorities say their crime spree likely cost everyone who shops at those stores.
When Roderick Jefferson and Malcolm LaFrance Smith strolled into the Villa Rica Wal-Mart, store security watching on camera immediately knew who they were.
“It was to the point that they were, the Wal-Mart people, the security people there were familiar enough with them that when they walked in the door and they saw them on the surveillance camera they knew exactly who they were and their quick response got these people caught,” said Capt. Brian Camp with the Villa Rica Police Department.
Jefferson and Smith allegedly had a long-running routine going and they had been pilfering from Wal-Marts and Sam’s Clubs across North Georgia for a year and a half.
In November, they came into the 24-hour store during the night. They loaded up some flat screen TV’s then, using a screwdriver, broke into a vacant stockroom and stole printers, camcorders and laptop computers. They filled up their getaway vehicle in the shadows of the loading bay, according to investigators.
“Anything high dollar. They'd get two buggys and fill up anything they could get in it and get out as quick as they can,” said Camp.
Notified by Wal-Mart Wednesday night, Villa Rica police nabbed the pair moments after they came into the store.
Wal-Mart officials told police the pair has hit dozens of stores in nearly every metro county, stealing more than $103,000 in electronics.
And most shoppers know thievery makes holiday shopping more expensive for everyone. “A lot because it make the prices go up and it’s scary.”
Jefferson and Smith are in jail charged with felony theft by shoplifting charges. Officials said the pair are facing pending charges in many other counties as well.
Villa Rica police say they do not know where all the stolen merchandise is.
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Employee arrested in theft scheme www.privateofficer.com
Henderson KY. Dec. 7, 2007 Wal-mart loss prevention found that a juvenile employee was allowing subjects to go through the line without paying for items.
Through the investigation police say that two adults and five juveniles including the employee were passing merchandise through the juveniles line without the items being paid for. With video surveillance police estimate $1900 worth of merchandise passed through the employees line.
The juveniles have been charged with six Class D felonies and four Class A misdemeanors. Siobahn Nelson and Courtney Turner were both arrested on Class D felonies.
Through the investigation police say that two adults and five juveniles including the employee were passing merchandise through the juveniles line without the items being paid for. With video surveillance police estimate $1900 worth of merchandise passed through the employees line.
The juveniles have been charged with six Class D felonies and four Class A misdemeanors. Siobahn Nelson and Courtney Turner were both arrested on Class D felonies.
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Shoplifter snags jeans then he gets snagged www.privateofficer.com
Mesa AZ. Dec 7, 2007
A convicted Southeast Valley shoplifter is suspected of trying to steal 12 pairs of jeans from a Tempe Mervyn's store Monday.Tempe police arrested a man Monday after they said he shoplifted 12 pairs of jeans from a Mervyn's store.Michael Gillie, 43, entered the Mervyn's at Southern Avenue and Rural Road at around 11:50 a.m. Monday, according to Tempe police. He took 12 pairs of blue jeans worth $523, concealed them in a plastic bag and then walked out without paying for them, police said.He was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting. He has prior shoplifting convictions from Tempe, Chandler and Mesa.
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A convicted Southeast Valley shoplifter is suspected of trying to steal 12 pairs of jeans from a Tempe Mervyn's store Monday.Tempe police arrested a man Monday after they said he shoplifted 12 pairs of jeans from a Mervyn's store.Michael Gillie, 43, entered the Mervyn's at Southern Avenue and Rural Road at around 11:50 a.m. Monday, according to Tempe police. He took 12 pairs of blue jeans worth $523, concealed them in a plastic bag and then walked out without paying for them, police said.He was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting. He has prior shoplifting convictions from Tempe, Chandler and Mesa.
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Mall parking deck collapes, 1 dead, 21 injured www.privateofficer.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. DEc. 6, 2007 — A portion of parking deck at a busy shopping mall collapsed Thursday, and a motorist who may have triggered the accident by crashing into the structure died, police said.The woman's car crashed into the edge of the top level of the parking deck at SouthPark Mall, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police spokeswoman Julie Hill said.A small portion of the three-tier deck then collapsed, and the driver's car fell through the opening, Hill said.The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, said Mecklenburg EMS Agency spokesman Eric Morrison.Two cars under the collapsed concrete were destroyed, Charlotte Fire Department Capt. Rob Brisley said, but authorities said there were no other injuries."I think it's miraculous, quite honest," Hill said.Officials are investigating the cause.Lorraine Ayala, 63, of Monroe, said she left the mall to find the parking deck collapsed just above her ground-level parking space."It makes you question the structure of these buildings," Ayala said.Meanwhile, a parking garage under construction in Jacksonville, Fla., partially collapsed Thursday, injuring about two dozen people, officials said.One person was missing, but police did not know whether the worker was trapped or had escaped. Crews with dogs were looking through the rubble.Misty Skipper, a spokeswoman for Mayor John Peyton, said that early searches had turned up nothing, but that they would continue until searchers were certain that nobody was trapped.At least 21 people were taken to hospitals, which reported three in fair condition, two in good condition and the rest stable or released.The collapse occurred as workers were pouring concrete on the sixth floor of the garage for a condominium complex across the street from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office."I heard a crack, and then it just crumbled," Rick Caldwell, a construction worker, told The Florida Times-Union.The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.
College students protest security officer wages by; Rick McCann www.privateofficer.com
Washington D.C. Dec. 7, 2007 Members of the Progressive Student Union launched a letter-writing campaign urging the University to adopt a code of conduct that lays out the minimum requirement for pay by contractors in its buildings.The group said Securitas, a private security firm in 2000 Penn, pays a starting wage of $8.75 per hour. GW owns the building."We are prepared to take this as far as it goes. Through our protest we want to show people the horrors of being employed either directly or indirectly for GW," said Matthew Brokman, president of the Progressive Student Union.This fall, members wrote 15 letters to Executive Vice President and Treasurer Lou Katz. In a November letter, PSU asked that GW "exert its power as contractor and require that Securitas reform, or risk losing its contract with the University."PSU members said the University is condoning the company's failure to pay the guards $11.75 an hour, a "living wage" as defined by D.C. Department of Employment Services. The District's minimum wage is $7 per hour.A management company, not GW, handles the security for these buildings.each month," one security guard said. He asked to to remain anonymous for fear of possible retribution from his company.In some of his letters, Katz assured the PSU that GW intends to provide for the basic standard of living for all its employees, but in his Oct. 23 letter, Katz wrote that GW has no grounds to criticize Securitas."The University has not dictated a specific wage floor to be paid by companies with whom it contracts for off-site services and, as a matter of principle, (the University) does not interfere with wage determinations made by independent companies and their workers," Katz wrote.Student activists said they are disappointed with the administration's response."Anyone can see that these people are getting paid poverty wages so I was surprised by Mr. Katz's nonchalant response and lack of concern for such a serious matter. It was like he didn't want to step on anyone's toes," said freshman Steve Muse, a member of the PSU.Formed in the early 1980s, PSU was the student voice behind the pay discrepancies and harassment of workers at J Street in the late 1990s. In 2004, 11 of its members were arrested at Marvin Center while protesting GW's indirect use of sweatshops.Last week, some Securitas security guards received a $1.25 per hour pay increase after pressure from a D.C. security guard union, according to a security guard."It makes day-to-day life easier," the guard said.Despite the pay increase, PSU plans to move ahead in their protest and partner with other student organizations whose main focus is social justice, such as Students for Fair Trade."Depending on Mr. Katz' response, we will be escalating the campaigns, looking at a protest, sit-ins, hunger strikes and other types of movements," Brokman said. "Our campaign is not just about individual security guards; it's about changing the way GW does business.""We will continue our actions until the University says,you are right. We will not allow human rights violations to be happening on our properties," he continued.Securitas employs 230,000 people and is the largest private security provider company in the world. They are one of four security guard companies with whom GW contracts for use in its commercial real estate buildings.Federal security guards are paid $14 per hour. At GW, the salary for a receptionist at the Lerner Health and Wellness Center is $7.50 per hour. Work-study students employed at Gelman Library are paid $10 an hour.
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