Compiled by Gabriel Falcon
AC360 Writer

Welcome to the 360 Crime Blotter.

Some of the best crime writing comes from cops on the beat. But it’s not fiction. It’s fact, put down on paper in incident reports. We’re going to bring you their first-hand accounts. Taken from police department web sites, the official submissions run the gamut from mundane misdemeanors to the most serious of felonies. They all show what police officers across the country face 365 days a year. So let’s get started:

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Juneau Police Department

Shooting - Boys with Guns

On 12­/10­/08, at 3:06pm, a 15­-year­-old boy called the Juneau Police Department to report another 15­-year­-old boy  had accidentally shot two other teenage boys at a Mendenhall Valley  home. The  initial investigation revealed that five teenage boys  had removed several guns from a locked cabinet in the home.

They began playing a game with the guns, which resulted in the 15­year­old boy shooting two other boys.  One 14­-year­-old boy was standing at the time and was shot through the torso.  The bullet passed through the first boy and struck another 14-year-old boy in the back who was sitting on a kitchen stool.

No adults were in the home at the time of the  incident.

Capital City Fire and Rescue transported both injured boys to Bartlett Hospital where one of the boys later died. His next of kin have been notified.  The second boy  is in stable condition and being air  lifted out of town. All five boys are Juneau Douglas High School students. The 15-year-old shot the gun was interviewed and released to his parents.  The investigation is continuing. Updates will be released as they become available.
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Tampa Police Department

Roommate Murder

Tampa Police Dispatch received a 911 call shortly before 8:00 AM on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 from a male caller who thought his roommate was deceased. When officers arrived on scene they determined the 43 year-old black male was deceased. Detectives are now questioning the 31 year-old black male caller, who is also the victim’s roommate, at TPD headquarters.

Two hours prior at approximately 5:50 AM, police responded to that same location for a verbal dispute. One roommate wanted the other roommate to leave, but they were both on the lease. No arrests were made, because there was no evidence of any physical injuries and both parties denied any physical altercation. It is unclear at this time which roommate called in the disturbance to police dispatch.

Detectives are currently waiting for a search warrant to re-enter the apartment and at that time the Medical Examiner will take possession of the body to determine the cause of death. Updates will be provided this afternoon via Media Alert. At this time, next of kin has not been notified.

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San Francisco Police Department

Missing Person

Have you seen this man?

Compiled by Gabriel Falcon
AC360 Writer

Welcome to the 360 Crime Blotter.

Some of the best crime writing comes from cops on the beat. But it’s not fiction. It’s fact, put down on paper in incident reports. We’re going to bring you their first-hand accounts. Taken from police department web sites, the official submissions run the gamut from mundane misdemeanors to the most serious of felonies. They all show what police officers across the country face 365 days a year. So let’s get started:

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Richmond Police Department

Robbery

12/4/08 7:19 p.m.
4610 Jefferson Davis Highway Melissa’s Cakes was robbed by two males. Rodshell L. Jones 21, of the 3400 block of Walsmley Boulevard is charged with two counts of robbery and two counts of use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Joseph F. Nevers Jr., 22, of 1700 Chevelle Drive, is charged with two counts of robbery, two counts of use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Death Investigation

12/4/08 10:24 p.m.
5702 Grove Ave.
A male was found unresponsive in the parking lot of the above address. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. The Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause of death. No sign of foul play.

Robbery

12/4/08 6:40 a.m.
410 Westover Hills Blvd.
A male reported he was robbed by an unknown male with a gun.
If you have information about any of the above listed incidents, please call the Detective Division at 646-6741.

Keep reading

Gabriel Falcon
AC360 Writer

The most famous inmate in Nevada’s penal system has a new number. And guess what? It’s listed. 1027820 is Orenthal Simpson’s ID. It’s a worthy bookend to his booking denominator, 121264.

Thanks to the state’s Offender Tracking Information System, we’re getting the latest prison-charted vitals on Simpson.

Under the Identification and Demographics banner, Offender #1027820 is 61 years old, he has brown eyes, weighs 235 pounds, and is described as having a “stocky” build. Corrections officials haven’t yet designated where he will stay inside the High Desert State Medium-Security Penitentiary and have labeled his custody level as “unassigned.”

Although commonly referred to as the Juice, the report lists no known aliases for Simpson. It does, however, offer a litany of his convictions. And let’s say the rap sheet is long. There are 13 offenses posted on the booking information chart. They include the minimum and maximum sentences and when they go into effect.

Want to see the Simpson report for yourself? Just click on this link.

Compiled by Gabriel Falcon
AC360 Writer

Welcome to the 360 Crime Blotter.

Some of the best crime writing comes from cops on the beat. But it’s not fiction. It’s fact, put down on paper in incident reports. We’re going to bring you their first-hand accounts. Taken from police department web sites, the official submissions run the gamut from mundane misdemeanors to the most serious of felonies. They all show what police officers across the country face 365 days a year. So let’s get started:

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Lancaster Police Department

Robbery

On 1 December 2008, Officer Justin Miller of the Lancaster Bureau of Police, was responding to the area of N. Pine Street and E. Lemon Street for a Robbery that had just occurred. As Officer Miller responded he observed three Subjects approach another male Male (34 years of age) within the 400 Block of N. Market Street, Lancaster, Pa. Officer Miller observed the three subjects begin to strike the male from behind about the head and face with their fists. Upon the officers approach the three subjects fled on foot.

At this time the 34 year old male identified himself as being a victim of a robbery, and identified the three fleeing males as taking his backpack with its contents. Officer Miller was able to stop and detain Manuel Taylor in a parking lot just off N Market Street, in this area Officer Miller did locate the back pack that had been reported stolen. Officer Miller did take Taylor into custody, and conveyed him to the Lancaster Bureau of Police.

Detective Michael Winters of the Lancaster Bureau of Police did charge Manuel Casimir Taylor with Robbery and Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. Taylor will be held at the Lancaster Bureau of Police for arraignment.

The Lancaster Bureau of Police request anyone with information related to this incident, or any other crime contact the Lancaster Bureau of Police at 717 735-3300. Callers can remain anonymous.

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Wilmington Police Department

Man shot in altercation at Pharos Night Club

On Sunday December 7, 2008, at approximately 12:45 a.m., Wilmington Police responded to the Pharos night club at 340 S. Market Street in regards to an assault. There, they located a 37 year old Wilmington man suffering from what appeared to be facial and rib injuries. Additionally, he was suffering from a gunshot wound to his right knee.

The victim says he was involved in a verbal altercation inside the club and within about an hour he was assaulted. All the combatants were thrown outside. One of the assailants drew a weapon and shot him in the leg. The victim was transported to the Christiana Hospital and treated for broken ribs, a broken jaw and the gunshot wound. He is in stable condition.

The suspect was described as a black male with a full beard wearing a black and yellow sweater.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Martin Lenhardt at (302) 576-3668.

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Akron Police Department

Officers arrest man wanted in West Virginia bank robbery

Around 11:30 PM Saturday night officers arrested Darin S. McClain, 25, of the 1600 block of Eastwood Ave. McClain was wanted by West Virginia State Police for bank robbery.

McClain was arrested and taken into custody without incident. Officers found a safe and other items obtained with money from the bank robbery at his residence. McClain gave officers consent to search the safe. Inside of the safe was 400 grams of marijuana and almost $7,000.00 in cash. McClain was charged with Possession of Drugs and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The West Virginia authorities have been notified.

Five males arrested in connection with robbery

Around 8:30 PM Friday evening officers responded to a robbery on Copley Rd. Two juveniles reported they were walking down Copley Rd when a red Buick pulled up to them and five males got out. The suspects surrounded the victims, patted the victims down, and took $20.00 and a pocketknife from them before fleeing.

Officers located the suspect vehicle at Delia Ave and Storer Ave. The victims were able to identify the occupants as the robbers.

All five males were arrested. Immanuel J. Jones, 19, of Orrin St was charged with Robbery and Possession of Drugs. Cameron C. Miller, 18, of Greenwood Ave was charged with Robbery and Possession of Drugs. Cornell J. Iverson, 19, of Orrin St was charged with Robbery, Possession of Drugs, and Underage Drinking. Kartel E. McGowan, 18, of Seward Ave was charged with Robbery and Possession of Drugs. Tyshawn L. Vaughn, 14, of Seward Ave was charged with Robbery.

Father and son arrested for breaking and entering

A father and son were arrested late Sunday afternoon for breaking into a vacant building located at 126 W. Bartges St. When officers responded they observed several doors had been forced open. Officers discovered Robert C. Smeal, 38, of Union St and his 15-year-old son inside the building. The two took all of the copper piping that could be scrapped from the location.

Smeal was charged with Breaking and Entering, Possession of Criminal Tools, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Child. Smeal’s son was charged with Breaking and Entering and Possession of Criminal Tools.

Gabriel Falcon
AC360 Writer

The Marquee Night Club in NYC bills itself as a premiere hot spot. It is a place for big stars…and the star-struck.

But just before dawn last Wednesday, this upscale lounge was the setting for an encounter between a convicted sex offender and a young woman - new to New York City- who hasn’t been seen since.

The disappearance of Laura Garza, a 25-year-old transplant from Texas, has been splashed across the front pages of New York’s local newspapers over speculation that what began as a mystery could in fact turn into a case of murder.

Right now, police are focusing their attention on this sex offender named Michael Mele. He owns a Quiznos franchise in upstate New York. He reportedly may have been trying to destroy evidence connecting him to Ms. Garza. According to the New York Daily News, investigators say large patches of rug were removed from Mele’s home when they investigated over the weekend.

But there is more. The Daily News says Mele had scratch marks on his neck and bite marks on his hands. They also recovered a machete and a woman’s shoe from a dumpster near his home in Upstate NY.

Mele has not been charged with any crime as of now. The 23-year-old is, however, in custody on an unrelated probation violation.

Security cameras from the Marquee apparently captured Mele and Garza getting cozy inside the club. CCTV cams also captured Mele and Garza leaving together last Wednesday night, the night she was last seen.

Garza lives in Brooklyn. She is described as a bright, beautiful young woman by those who knew her. Question is: Will she ever be seen again?

Compiled by Gabriel Falcon
AC360 Writer

Welcome to the 360 Crime Blotter.

Some of the best crime writing comes from cops on the beat. But it’s not fiction. It’s fact, put down on paper in incident reports. We’re going to bring you their first-hand accounts. Taken from police department web sites, the official submissions run the gamut from mundane misdemeanors to the most serious of felonies. They all show what police officers across the country face 365 days a year. So let’s get started:

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16 arrested Wednesday in methamphetamine investigation

Law enforcement officers arrested 16 people Wednesday as the result of a two-year investigation into methamphetamine manufacturing rings.
Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies have been investigating the two groups, which have also been involved in other criminal offenses, including burglary, assaults, forgery and homicide.

DPS Narcotics officers in Midland, as well as the Texas state troopers, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Odessa Police Department, the Midland Police Department, the Ector County Sheriff’s Department, the Ward County Sheriff’s Office and the Monahans Police Department served arrest warrants at numerous locations Wednesday. The Howard County Sheriff’s Office, the Midland County Sheriff’s Office and Kermit Police Department have also assisted in this investigation.

Keep reading

Compiled by Gabriel Falcon
AC360 Writer

Welcome to the 360 Crime Blotter.

Some of the best crime writing comes from cops on the beat. But it’s not fiction. It’s fact, put down on paper in incident reports. We’re going to bring you their first-hand accounts. Taken from police department web sites, the official submissions run the gamut from mundane misdemeanors to the most serious of felonies. They all show what police officers across the country face 365 days a year. So let’s get started:

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Boston Police Department

DAILY INCIDENTS FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2008

Death Investigation at 8 Malta Street in Mattapan

This morning around 12:22AM, officers from District E-18 (Hyde Park) responded to 8 Malta Street in Mattapan for a person shot.

On arrival, officers located a 29 year-old male victim suffering from several gunshot wounds lying on the sidewalk in front of 8 Malta Street. EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to Boston Medical center with life threatening injuries. Once at the hospital, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced.

Boston Police Homicide detectives are actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident and appeal to any and all individuals who may have information relating to this incident to contact them at (617) 343-4470. Individuals who wish to provide information anonymously may do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or texting ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).

Death Investigation at 416 Talbot Street in Dorchester
Keep reading

A Wal-Mart employee at this Long Island location was killed in a rush early Friday morning.

Gabriel Falcon
AC360 Writer

Jdimypai Damour began the day working part-time at a Wal-Mart mega-store in Valley Stream, New York. His job was to stand by the entrance doors — marked with a sign saying “BLITZ LINE STARTS HERE” — as the crush of early-morning holiday bargain-hunters began their frenzied Black Friday shopping.

Damour never made it home alive. The 34-year-old man from Queens, New York was crushed to death, a victim of a massive stampede of people pouring into Wal-Mart. One detective described the scene to CNN, calling it “utter chaos as these men tried to open the door this morning.”

Police officers who arrived to tend to Damour reportedly couldn’t even break through the mob to get to Damour. As the man lay dying on the ground, men and women continued to trample over him, fixed on gifts and deals, seemingly ignoring his plight or refusing to help.

In a statement, Wal-Mart said, “We are saddened to report that a gentleman who was working for a temporary agency on our behalf died at the store and a few other customers were injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this difficult time.”

A video camera caught pictures of the police trying to rescue Damour with CPR. Please be cautious: the video can be disturbing.

Damour’s death is tragic. He was an innocent man. But was a crime committed? A law broken? Authorities investigating this disturbing story have not filed any charges at this point. One officer told the New York Times that Wal-Mart “could have done more.”

What do you think?

Soledad O'Brien talks with Jeffrey Toobin about the case of the woman allegedly using MySpace to bully a teenager.

Gabriel Falcon
AC360° writer

Lori Drew is not being charged with murder, but the parents of Megan Meier are convinced she drove their daughter to suicide.

Now, two years after the 13-year-old girl hanged herself in her bedroom, Drew, who lived just down the block from the Meier home, is being tried in connection with this tragedy.

But are prosecutors overreaching in their case against her? Drew was indicted on one count of conspiracy and three counts of three counts of accessing protected computers without authorization to obtain information to inflict emotional distress.

A jury in Los Angeles has already reached a partial verdict on three of the counts. The judge has ordered them to continue deliberations.

Keep reading

Compiled by Gabriel Falcon
AC360 Writer

Welcome to the 360 Crime Blotter.

Some of the best crime writing comes from cops on the beat. But it’s not fiction. It’s fact, put down on paper in incident reports. We’re going to bring you their first-hand accounts. Taken from police department web sites, the official submissions run the gamut from mundane misdemeanors to the most serious of felonies. They all show what police officers across the country face 365 days a year. So let’s get started:

______________________________________________________________________

Palm Beach Police Department:

Our policing philosophy is based on a strong community partnership dedicated to improving the quality of life in Palm Beach. We are a national and state accredited, proactive, highly visible, full service law enforcement agency, promoting an environment that values creativity, innovation and invention.
Palm Beach is very unique in character and demands the highest level of service and the utmost in professionalism from its personnel. The Department emphasizes efficiency and excellence in law enforcement.

Recruitment is conducted on an ongoing basis for all applicants who possess the minimum qualifications. Preliminary testing consists of swim test, physical abilities test and oral review board.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION

For information about a career with the Palm Beach Police Department, please contact Janet Kinsella, Manager, Personnel/Training by phone at (561) 838-5467 or via e-mail at info@palmbeachpolice.com. To request a police officer application packet, please call the Human Resources Department at (561) 838-5450.

Police Officer Salary Range

• $54,299 - $66,063 (starting range for certified officer, based on experience)
• $51,772- Trainee Position (non-certified/no prior experience)
• $54,299 - $80,376 Salary range for certified police officers

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
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