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Wednesday 22 June 2016

Man arrested in death of teen who was shot fleeing burglary

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - Police in north Alabama say a man is facing charges in the shooting death of a teen who was fleeing the scene of an alleged burglary.

Huntsville police said in a statement Wednesday that 50-year-old Jonathan Wayne Scott is charged with manslaughter in the death of 16-year-old Mustafa Bearfield.

Police say Bearfield had allegedly been seen taking items from inside Scott's vehicle Tuesday morning and was shot as he was running away.

Police Lt. Stacy Bates tells Al.com (http://bit.ly/28QfYuD ) that Scott had been driving a delivery truck and Bearfield was not armed at the time of the shooting. Scott is white and Bearfield is black.

Police say the case will be presented to a grand jury by the Madison County District Attorney's office. It's unclear if Scott has an attorney.

Investigators, family seek answers 10 years after Northport teen’s death

NORTHPORT, AL  -On June 22, 2006, a group of friends found 17-year-old Jeremy Scott “Scotty” Cockrell shot and killed inside his Northport home.

A decade later, no one has ever been charged with the crime. During that time, family members have hoped for closure, and investigators have remained on the case.

Today, investigators still believe a particular piece of information could be valuable in leading them to a suspect.

Cockrell’s friends were coming to his home in the Biscayne Hills neighborhood, not far from the intersection of McFarland Blvd. and Highway 43, to pick him up for a day at the lake. They arrived that morning and found Cockrell had been killed.

According to the Tuscaloosa Metro Homicide Unit, there were signs of forced entry.

In the years since Cockrell’s death, investigators have said they have found nothing in Cockrell’s life that would have put him at heightened risk to become a victim of a homicide.

Cockrell’s older sister Larrah Craig agrees.

“It’s a shock for anyone that deals with something like this,” Craig said. “But when there’s nothing at all, any kind of behavior pattern that would have ever even led to anything like this, it’s worse. There’s no understanding, no closure.”

In the days leading up to the crime, witnesses reported seeing a late 1990s model white Ford Escort near Cockrell’s home on multiple occasions.

Investigators say the vehicle, with chrome or fake rims and a Jefferson County license plate, was occupied by black and white males.

Craig said she believes someone has the information that would lead investigators to a resolution in this case.

“Whoever it was that did it, I don't think it's possible to hold that in your entire life, something of that magnitude, something that evil that you did. So it's just going to take someone coming forward that has information," she said.

Craig says she still hopes for closure and wants the person responsible for her brother’s death held accountable. She also says she wants to know the motive for why someone took her brother’s life.

“Whoever it is, they're the ones having to deal with it, everyday, the rest of their life, for what they did. But I want closure as far as wanting to know why," she added.

Investigators want to hear from anyone with information on the vehicle or the case.

Contact the Tuscaloosa Metro Homicide Unit at (205) 464-8690, or make a confidential call to Jefferson County Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777 or Tuscaloosa County Crime Stoppers at (205) 752-STOP.

Man dies after chase, shooting with Shelby County Sheriff deputies

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —A police chase out of Shelby County Wednesday morning, led to an officer-involved shooting in Birmingham, authorities said.

Maj. Ken Burchfield, of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, said the incident began just before 2:30 a.m. when a deputy noticed a black SUV that he thought was suspicious at an apartment complex off Highway 280. When the deputy tried to pull over the vehicle, the driver sped off down 280 and a chase ensued, according to Burchfield.

The driver of the SUV came to a stop off Interstate 20 on Oporto Madrid Boulevard. However, Burchfield said that when deputies started to approach the vehicle, the driver attempted to run over one of the deputies.

According to Burchfield, the deputy fired his gun into the vehicle and struck the driver. The driver was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:15 a.m. 

A male passenger was taken into custody and is currently being questioned at the Shelby County Jail.

Burchfield said the two suspects could face multiple charges.

"I know there’s a stolen car involved. I know it's got a switched tag and I know there's a stolen gun. So the investigators are going to have to decide what are the appropriate charges, who gets those charges and those kinds of things,” Burchfield said.

The Birmingham Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Alabama state troopers assisted with the chase.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will not be involved in the shooting investigation because it involved one of its deputies. Burchfield said the investigation has been handed over to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

"There will be a review of our actions to make sure the public knows that what we did here was lawful," Burchfield said.

British couple who confused their Birminghams will get royal treatment in the Magic City

The British couple who mistook Birmingham, Alabama for Birmingham, England when booking a trip to Las Vegas a few months ago will get to experience the Magic City for themselves on Aug. 16-17.
Richella Heekin and Ben Marlow's upcoming excursion is a chance for Alabamians to show residents of Birmingham, England (and the world) that Birmingham (Alabama) is a worthy, and maybe even better tourist destination than Sin City, said Tom Cosby, a retired Birmingham businessman, who is organizing the couple's visit.

The couple will spend a day and a half in Magic City after spending a week in Las Vegas.

Richard Branson-owned Virgin Holidays is picking up the tab for the couple's airfare and five nights of accommodations in Las Vegas.

Richella Heekin and Ben Marlow's upcoming excursion is a chance for Alabamians to show residents of Birmingham, England (and the world) that Birmingham (Alabama) is a worthy, and maybe even better tourist destination than Sin City, said Tom Cosby, a retired Birmingham businessman, who is organizing the couple's visit.

The couple will spend a day and a half in Magic City after spending a week in Las Vegas.

Richard Branson-owned Virgin Holidays is picking up the tab for the couple's airfare and five nights of accommodations in Las Vegas.

Birmingham, Alabama is currently in the midst of an astonishing rebirth, so this is an absolutely great time for Richella and Ben to visit," Cosby said.

While in Alabama, five of Birmingham's hippest young couples will escort Heekin and Marlow around the city. They will sample the city's "legendary culinary destinations," including award-winning restaurants and craft beer pubs.

They will experience the Magic City's award-winning Red Mountain Park and hair-raising zipline courses, use the electric assist Zyp bikes to tour the city center and receive VIP treatment at Birmingham's internationally renowned Porsche Driving Experience, Cosby said.

The couple will be treated like celebrities complete with the chance to throw out the first pitch at a Birmingham Barons baseball game at Regions Field.

Their short visit will be capped off with tickets to Iron City to see Jenny Lewis in concert.

In a previous interview with AL.com, Heekin said she was appreciative of Cosby's "generous offer" and was looking forward to visiting the South.

She happened across the Red Mountain Park website while Googling the city. "It sounds like both a fun and interesting place to visit," Heekin said.

The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, Big Communications, REV Birmingham and the Alabama Department of Tourism helped coordinate the couple's visit.  

"We could not have done this without the generosity of our local attractions and eateries and the outpouring of help from stalwart donors such as Merrill Stewart of Stewart Perry Construction Company." Cosby said. 

Former Alabama high school star athlete shot to death by Shelby County deputy after chase in stolen SUV


A former Birmingham high school standout athlete arrested just two months ago on drug and gun charges was shot to death early this morning by a Shelby County sheriff's deputy.

The Jefferson County Coroner's Office this afternoon identified him as Isaiah Core III. He was 20, and had previous addresses in Clay and Trussville.

Core graduated from Huffman High School, where he was a quarterback on the football team, guard on the basketball team and was named a Scholar-Athlete of the Week. He went on to play college basketball at LaGrange College where he was named the USA South Rookie of the Week.

He was shot to death early today after leading lawmen on a chase through two counties in a stolen vehicle and then trying to run over a Shelby County sheriff's deputy, authorities said.

"It's sad to hear, knowing the potential he had,'' LaGrange College head basketball coach Kendal Wallace told AL.com today. "He just never could get on the right track to make the right decisions to get on the right path."

Today's deadly shooting began on U.S. 280 in Shelby County and ended on Oporto Madrid Boulevard in Birmingham. Shelby County sheriff's officials have provided this account of what happened:

At about 2:30 a.m., Shelby County deputies were patrolling the apartment complexes and neighborhoods in the area of the Highway 280 corridor looking for criminal activity. A deputy noticed a vehicle driving suspiciously through an apartment complex and began watching it. He then saw the vehicle leave the apartment complex, being driven erratically on U.S. Highway 280.

The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle and a pursuit began when the driver failed to pull over in response to the deputy's emergency lights and siren. The vehicle fled the scene at a high rate of speed and the chase ended when the driver exited Interstate 20 at Oporto Madrid Blvd South in Birmingham. The vehicle stopped after exiting the interstate and sheriff's deputies and assisting officers at the scene gave verbal commands to the driver and passenger to exit the vehicle to determine why they fled from officers. There was a deliberate movement of the suspect's vehicle backwards in an attempt to injure officers and a Shelby County deputy fired at the vehicle, striking the driver.

Core was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:15 a.m. His passenger, whose name hasn't been released, was taken to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office for questioning.

Shelby County sheriff's Maj. Ken Burchfield said deputies determined the vehicle was stolen out of Jefferson County and had a switched tag. Further investigation, he said, found a stolen weapon inside the vehicle and it was taken into evidence.

One deputy suffered minor injuries at the scene and the deputy that was involved in the shooting will remain on administrative leave which is a normal practice of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. They turned the shooting investigation over to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

"While I realize the circumstances under which Mr. Core died, I cannot help but wish his family my sincere condolences,'' said Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego. "I wish them peace as they struggle to find resolution with their loss."

Core attended Huffman HighSchool where he played both football and basketball. "I've been coaching for 11 years and he's probably the best guard I've ever had in doing it all (with) rebounding, scoring, assists and steals," coach Stephen Ward said at the time. "He does it all. "

After graduation, Core attended LeGrange College where the freshman guard made quite an impression during his first semester on the team. He was named LaGrange College Athlete of the Week for the week ending Nov. 17 and was named the USA South Rookie of the Week after averaging 19 points in the two games at the Guilford College Invitational. He was named to the all-tournament team. "We felt he was the future of our guard position,'' Wallace said.

However, after less than a dozen games with the Panthers, Core became academically ineligible for play, mainly for not attending class. He was able to earn back eligibility after the spring semester, but then a back injury set him back again. He ultimately left LaGrange and returned home to Jefferson County, where he briefly played for Lawson State Community College.

Core, who lived in the eastern part of the county, was arrested by Tarrant police in April. He was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and possession of illegal prescription medicine.

In that case, police were on patrol in a public housing community on Cedar Street when they smelled marijuana, according to police reports. The officers talked with Core and the woman, eventually found a blunt. "Core became even more nervous,'' according to court records. The officer began to check him for weapons when "Core kept placing his left hand on his left pocket and even placed his hand in his pocket."

The search turned up a revolver, at which point Core was arrested. Police then ran the tag on the white Chevrolet Silverado Core was driving and found the tag had been switched and belonged to a 2002 Volvo. A check of the pickup truck's VIN number showed it had been stolen out of Irondale. Core was in possession of Naproxen, which is a prescription anti-inflammatory, and digital scales with marijuana residue.

Core was arrested by Trussville police in January 2014 when Trussville police were dispatched to a convenience store on Deerfoot Parkway on a narcotics complaint. The woman who called police complained that a black male was in a car rolling joints. When police arrived on the scene, they reported smelling marijuana and approached the vehicle.

Former Alabama high school star athlete shot to death by Shelby County deputy after chase in stolen SUV


A former Birmingham high school standout athlete arrested just two months ago on drug and gun charges was shot to death early this morning by a Shelby County sheriff's deputy.

The Jefferson County Coroner's Office this afternoon identified him as Isaiah Core III. He was 20, and had previous addresses in Clay and Trussville.

Core graduated from Huffman High School, where he was a quarterback on the football team, guard on the basketball team and was named a Scholar-Athlete of the Week. He went on to play college basketball at LaGrange College where he was named the USA South Rookie of the Week.

He was shot to death early today after leading lawmen on a chase through two counties in a stolen vehicle and then trying to run over a Shelby County sheriff's deputy, authorities said.

"It's sad to hear, knowing the potential he had,'' LaGrange College head basketball coach Kendal Wallace told AL.com today. "He just never could get on the right track to make the right decisions to get on the right path."

Today's deadly shooting began on U.S. 280 in Shelby County and ended on Oporto Madrid Boulevard in Birmingham. Shelby County sheriff's officials have provided this account of what happened:

At about 2:30 a.m., Shelby County deputies were patrolling the apartment complexes and neighborhoods in the area of the Highway 280 corridor looking for criminal activity. A deputy noticed a vehicle driving suspiciously through an apartment complex and began watching it. He then saw the vehicle leave the apartment complex, being driven erratically on U.S. Highway 280.

The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle and a pursuit began when the driver failed to pull over in response to the deputy's emergency lights and siren. The vehicle fled the scene at a high rate of speed and the chase ended when the driver exited Interstate 20 at Oporto Madrid Blvd South in Birmingham. The vehicle stopped after exiting the interstate and sheriff's deputies and assisting officers at the scene gave verbal commands to the driver and passenger to exit the vehicle to determine why they fled from officers. There was a deliberate movement of the suspect's vehicle backwards in an attempt to injure officers and a Shelby County deputy fired at the vehicle, striking the driver.

Core was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:15 a.m. His passenger, whose name hasn't been released, was taken to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office for questioning.

Shelby County sheriff's Maj. Ken Burchfield said deputies determined the vehicle was stolen out of Jefferson County and had a switched tag. Further investigation, he said, found a stolen weapon inside the vehicle and it was taken into evidence.

One deputy suffered minor injuries at the scene and the deputy that was involved in the shooting will remain on administrative leave which is a normal practice of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. They turned the shooting investigation over to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

"While I realize the circumstances under which Mr. Core died, I cannot help but wish his family my sincere condolences,'' said Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego. "I wish them peace as they struggle to find resolution with their loss."

Core attended Huffman HighSchool where he played both football and basketball. "I've been coaching for 11 years and he's probably the best guard I've ever had in doing it all (with) rebounding, scoring, assists and steals," coach Stephen Ward said at the time. "He does it all. "

After graduation, Core attended LeGrange College where the freshman guard made quite an impression during his first semester on the team. He was named LaGrange College Athlete of the Week for the week ending Nov. 17 and was named the USA South Rookie of the Week after averaging 19 points in the two games at the Guilford College Invitational. He was named to the all-tournament team. "We felt he was the future of our guard position,'' Wallace said.

However, after less than a dozen games with the Panthers, Core became academically ineligible for play, mainly for not attending class. He was able to earn back eligibility after the spring semester, but then a back injury set him back again. He ultimately left LaGrange and returned home to Jefferson County, where he briefly played for Lawson State Community College.

Core, who lived in the eastern part of the county, was arrested by Tarrant police in April. He was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and possession of illegal prescription medicine.

In that case, police were on patrol in a public housing community on Cedar Street when they smelled marijuana, according to police reports. The officers talked with Core and the woman, eventually found a blunt. "Core became even more nervous,'' according to court records. The officer began to check him for weapons when "Core kept placing his left hand on his left pocket and even placed his hand in his pocket."

The search turned up a revolver, at which point Core was arrested. Police then ran the tag on the white Chevrolet Silverado Core was driving and found the tag had been switched and belonged to a 2002 Volvo. A check of the pickup truck's VIN number showed it had been stolen out of Irondale. Core was in possession of Naproxen, which is a prescription anti-inflammatory, and digital scales with marijuana residue.

Core was arrested by Trussville police in January 2014 when Trussville police were dispatched to a convenience store on Deerfoot Parkway on a narcotics complaint. The woman who called police complained that a black male was in a car rolling joints. When police arrived on the scene, they reported smelling marijuana and approached the vehicle.

Police: Bystander held at gunpoint following argument

FRANKFORD - An argument in front of kids led to more than just words being exchanged. Now, police are looking for one of the people who was arguing and another who pointed a gun at the man who complained.

Police say on the afternoon of June 5 in Frankford, a man heard the couple arguing in an alley in the 5200 block of Jackson Street and asked them to move because he had children present.

Soon, another man got out of an older model gray Cadillac pointing a handgun while standing behind a wooden fence.

The victim backed away and the gunman got away in an unknown direction.

Then, the first person threatened the victim. He got away in a white Chrysler minivan.

There were no injuries reported.

The first suspect is described as 25-30 years old, with a light complexion, short hair, and possible tattoo on his face. He was wearing a black Levi's T-shirt, and black and gray Army-style long shorts. He was in a white Chrysler minivan with a Pennsylvania license plate and possible stickers in the rear window.

The other is described as 25-30 years old, with a light complexion, heavy build, and black beard. He was wearing a long white short-sleeve shirt, black pants, and black sandals. He was in a silver or gray Cadillac, with a sticker in the left corner of the back window.

If you recognize him or know where he is, you’re asked to call 215-686-TIPS (8477), text a tip to PPDTIP (773847), or click here to submit a tip anonymously. Police say all tips will be confidential.

27-year-old woman claims Uber driver sexually assaulted her

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - The woman, who we will call Sally, says her birthday celebration started out as a fun night -- but then took a terrifying turn when she ended up at this gas station in the 6100 block of Irvington.

This is where she says the Uber driver picked her up after her husband used the Uber app.
Sally who admits to being intoxicated says she fell asleep in the passenger seat.

"I woke up with his mouth on my neck and his fingers inside of me," Sally said. "I freaked out. I got startled and I grabbed my purse and I opened the door."

ally says surveillance video from the gas station shows she and the Uber driver were parked at the gas station for some 14 minutes.

"So for 12 to 14 minutes there was no reason he shouldn't have pulled out and taken me home," Sally said.

Police were called and the Uber driver called Sally's husband.

"He told me that my wife is freaking out, he was just putting her seat belt on and adjusting the seat position for some reason, and I don't understand why he would call me like that immediately as soon as she jumped out of the vehicle," said Sally's husband Adam Benton.

The Uber driver has not been charged, however Houston police are now investigating.

A spokesperson for Uber says "We are deeply concerned by this report and we take allegations like this very seriously. We are in close contact with law enforcement and the driver in question has been removed from the Uber platform."

Voorhees Police warn residents about fake parking tickets

oorhees, NJ (WTXF) Voorhees Police are warning residents about fake parking tickets.

"I’m not surprised not at all not in this day and age. I don't put anything past anybody," said Lauren Bermudez. She’s talking about what looks like a parking ticket in Voorhees.

"At first glance I would definitely think it was real," she said.

But a tweet put out by the Voorhees Police Department warns residents in the area of "The Club at Main Street Apartments and Townhomes" that the ticket someone has been placing on cars is actually fake..

"A senior citizen may fall for it that's what I really that think they're hoping for," said 

But police say it appears to be more about harassment than an attempt to collect money. The ticket lists a 75 dollar fine but actually has the correct phone number and website for the police department printed at the bottom. So one call to them and you'd quickly know it didn't come from police.

"I would call into the police department and find out why I've been given a ticket. I've met a couple of the Voorhees police officers and they seem like the type of people who would be very straight forward with you about it and get it resolved, " said Rich Sneider, another resident.

Residents also say it doesn't make sense because there's really no way you could be in violation of parking here.

Man faces felonies for allegedly delivering drug to woman who overdosed

NORRISTOWN, Pa.  - A Philadelphia man is charged with several crimes including drug delivery in connection to a woman’s death.

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said the night before Renee Winslow was found dead in her Pottstown apartment on Jan. 29, “she had sent and received drug-related text messages with her heroin supplier, who said he would deliver four bags of purported heroin to her residence.”

Then, video found Harold Robert Burton went in and out of her apartment, and was the only person there until Winslow’s boyfriend found her dead from an overdose and called police.

The autopsy revealed she didn’t die from heroin, but the stronger fentanyl.

Burton, 36, is charged with drug delivery resulting in death, which could land him 40 years. He’s also charged with two other felonies: manufacture, delivery or possession of controlled substances, and criminal use of communications.

He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

MAN CHASED, SHOT AND KILLED BY GUNMAN IN FRANKFORD IDENTIFIED

FRANKFORD (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police have identified a man gunned down in Frankford Tuesday in broad daylight.

It happened before 11:44 a.m. Tuesday.

Police say 27-year-old Andre Moore, of the 2100 block of Bridge Street, was walking with his girlfriend on Torresdale Avenue when a man started shooting at him.

Moore fled. The gunman chased him, continuing to fire.

Police say Moore fell at Bridge Street and Torresdale Avenue, then got up and ran to a home in the 2100 block of Granite Street, where he collapsed on the porch.

Officers arrived to find him suffering from gunshot wounds to the chest and legs.

Medics rushed him to Aria Health/Torresdale in critical condition. He was pronounced dead a short time later, at 12:51 p.m.

The gunman remains at large.

Police are looking for a black man with a dark complexion, 5'7" tall with a thin build.

He was wearing black clothing and a black and white bandana across his face and was last seen running west on Bridge Street away from Torresdale Avenue.

Anyone with information about the suspect or case is asked to contact Philadelphia Police.

GALLONS OF FUEL SPILL ONTO PASSYUNK BRIDGE AFTER CRASH IN SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA


The incident occurred around 10:42 a.m. Wednesday on the Passyunk Bridge located on the 3000 block of West Passyunk Avenue.

Officials say a gasoline tanker truck struck a box truck on the northbound side of the bridge.

Approximately 20 to 30 gallons of diesel fuel spilled onto the highway.

A Hazmat situation was declared and crews were called to the scene.

No injuries have been reported.

GIRL'S ROBBERY LEADS TO CHASE, GUNFIRE, CRASH IN MAYFAIR

MAYFAIR --Philadelphia police are investigating after an attack involving high schoolers escalated into a vehicle chase and a shooting.

It was a series of events that spanned several hours in Mayfair.

It started around 7 p.m. Tuesday when a 16-year-old girl was beaten up and robbed at Lincoln High School.

"A fight got out of hand, her things got taken, it snowballed from there," said Lt. Dennis Rosenbaum.

Her father, Adam Nonemaker, went to confront the teens at the high school and retrieve his daughter's belongings.

That's when, police say, one of the teenagers flashed a gun in his waistband.

Police converged and began searching for the teens responsible.

"Kids these days have no respect for life, anything," Nonemaker said.

In an effort to identify two of the teens, Nonemaker, his daughter, and his two nieces hopped into his pickup truck and caught up with them around Wellington.

But soon they were fleeing, when police say the teens started chasing them.

Witnesses reported seeing a gun, then heard shots fired from a red vehicle as it chased the pickup through the streets.

It ended on Torresdale, when police say the suspects rammed the pickup multiple times. The airbags deployed, and the pickup spun around crashed into parked cars.

The teens ditched their car a few blocks away by Sheffield.

"This is a densely populated neighborhood, the pursuit went down public streets, somebody had to seem something, knows who is involved," said Rosenbaum.

No one was seriously injured.

Police have the teen gunman in custody, but they are still searching for the driver.

Officers are also still looking for those responsible for the initial robbery.

Fattah convicted of federal corruption charges

U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Pa.) was convicted Tuesday on federal racketeering and bribery charges, putting an ignominious stamp on the career of one of the region's longest-serving members of Congress and all but ensuring that his public life will be capped with a prison sentence.

Yet Fattah, 59, offered no indication of whether he intended to resign.

"This is an extraordinarily difficult day for me and my family," he said in a statement. "While today's outcome isn't what we had hoped, I respect our nation's judicial system. I want to thank the people of the Second Congressional District for the honor of serving them."

The verdict came after four weeks of testimony in which prosecutors painted the congressman as an arrogant lawbreaker who repeatedly turned to the money of others - taxpayers, charities, wealthy fund-raisers - to cover his personal and political debts. His lawyers did not say whether they planned to appeal.

While he had breezily dismissed the allegations and smirked through much of his trial, Fattah betrayed little emotion Tuesday as the jury foreman read out guilty verdict after guilty verdict - on all of the 22 counts he faced, including charges of fraud and money laundering.

Four longtime members of his inner circle - including Herbert Vederman, a former Philadelphia deputy mayor under Ed Rendell - were also convicted on multiple counts tied to crimes they committed to advance Fattah's political career. U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III set sentencing dates for early October.

Attorney for accused mom in Bucks case: Hold judgment

"Anybody can be arrested - your friends, your neighbors, your family, or even you - but it doesn't mean you're guilty." So argued attorneys Wednesday for Savilla Stoltzfus, the jailed mother of a teenage girl found living in a Bucks County home with a man accused of raping and fathering children with her.

Those were the first public comments of any kind made on behalf of either parent involved in the unusual and still-unfolding case.

Savilla Stoltzfus, 42, of Quarryville, Lancaster County, was arrested last week along with her husband, Daniel Stoltzfus, on charges of child endangerment.

They told authorities that they "gifted" their then-14-year-old daughter, now 18, to Lee Kaplan in gratitude for his having helped save the couple's Quarryville farm from financial ruin. In addition to that girl's two young children, nine other girls were living in the house, who the Stoltzfuses claim are all their daughters.


"Until all the facts are in, we ask that the court of public opinion hold its judgment of our client as well. Stay tuned," read the statement, issued by attorneys Cary B. Hall and Alexander G. Tuttle.

The allegations against her are "unconfirmed," they said.

Savilla Stoltzfus spent most of her time living in the Feasterville home with Kaplan and the girls.

Kaplan, 51, was arrested on statutory rape and other charges.

No attorneys are listed for Daniel Stoltzfus or Kaplan. Savilla Stoltzfus' attorneys are not representing her husband.

Investigators continue to piece together the relationships among Kaplan, the females, and the Stoltzfuses.

WORKER FALLS DOWN ELEVATOR SHAFT AT GEORGE R. BROWN CONVENTION CENTER

HOUSTON  -- Firefighters were called to the George R. Brown Convention Center after reports of a man falling down an elevator shaft.

HFD has confirmed the nature of the call to 911 dispatchers, but have no further details.

The George R. Brown Convention Center says in a statement that the accident involved an employee off TD Industries.

While GRB officials could not give us specifics about what happened, we do know paramedics were called to the scene and the worker was taken to the hospital for their injuries.

UNATTENDED BAG CAUSES SCARE AT DFW AIRPORT


The bag was discovered in the south ticketing hall of Terminal D, according to airport administrators.

Security personnel locked down and cleared the ticketing hall during the investigation, but by around 12:30pm, determined the bag was of no concern and opened everything back up.

DALLAS POLICE: TROUBLED QB MANZIEL REPORTS HIT-AND-RUN CRASH

Police in Dallas say troubled quarterback Johnny Manziel reported a hit-and-run accident earlier this week. The publicist for the former Texas A&M star says he wasn't seriously injured.

Senior Cpl. DeMarquis Black told The Associated Press the accident happened Monday night, and Manziel had a witness from his vehicle and an impartial witness. Manziel attorney Bob Hinton said police told him the vehicle was damaged on the driver's side.

Manziel's publicist, Denise Michaels, said the former Cleveland player told her he hit his head but didn't have a concussion or other injury.

The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner is facing a misdemeanor assault charge in a domestic violence case involving former girlfriend Colleen Crowley. A status hearing is scheduled for Friday, but Manziel isn't required to appear.

PRANK GONE WRONG LEAVES ALABAMA TEEN TRAPPED IN OVERSIZED BARNEY HEAD

A 15-year-old Alabama girl had to be rescued by firefighters after she got her head stuck inside a giant Barney costume in a prank gone wrong.

Darby Risner said she wanted to scare her friends with the oversized Barney head when they came downstairs. She managed to scare her friends, but in an unexpected way.

Risner ended up stuck inside the Barney head, she told WVTM-TV.

"What had happened was, like, at the point it was on my head I had no idea that it was gonna get stuck or anything," she said.

Her friends tried pulling the head off, but it wouldn't budge even after they rubbed Vaseline on her arms to get some slip. After failed attempts, they eventually called the fire department for help. So as not to alarm neighbors, Risner and her friends drove to the fire station instead.

Lt. Vince Bruno told ABC News that the sight of a girl waddling into the station with a giant Barney head was a first in his 33-year career at the department.

"When she first got there, we looked at it and it was tight coming down around her shoulders and holding her arms, looked kind of like dinosaur arms because she could bend from the elbows down. It was a little comical," he said.

While he said it was definitely amusing, firefighters took her situation seriously and helped her out. Firefighters spent about 45 minutes making a few cuts to release Risner from the head.

Bruno said the firefighters, Risner and her friends all had a good laugh after the incident and that it will be a story to tell for generations.

South Texas woman claims police offered taco after sexual assault

A south Texas woman alleges she was sexually assaulted by a former La Joya police officer after she was arrested, according to media reports and court documents.
The woman, identified as Autumn Renee according to the lawsuit posted by Buzzfeed, was arrested May 29, 2014, for a misdemeanor probation violation and booked into the La Joya City Jail.
The lawsuit, filed May 27 in U.S. District Court in McAllen, states that Felipe Santiago Peralez, then-communications officer for the La Joya City Police Department, conducted an "all-night invasion of plaintiff's body."

Peralez inserted his fingers and hands into Renee's private areas, according to the lawsuit. It also states he forced her to perform oral sex on him.
Renee suffered injury to her private areas and that she was, "in staunch fear of further  brutal, sadistic and invasive acts causing severe bruises, scratches, irritation and soreness... for repeated hours."
The lawsuit calls Peralez's actions "malicious and (a) sadistic use of force.

South Texas woman claims police offered taco after sexual assault
Will Axford, Houston Chronicle Updated 2:49 pm, Wednesday, June 22, 2016


A south Texas woman alleges she was sexually assaulted by a former La Joya police officer after she was arrested, according to media reports and court documents.
The woman, identified as Autumn Renee according to the lawsuit posted by Buzzfeed, was arrested May 29, 2014, for a misdemeanor probation violation and booked into the La Joya City Jail.
The lawsuit, filed May 27 in U.S. District Court in McAllen, states that Felipe Santiago Peralez, then-communications officer for the La Joya City Police Department, conducted an "all-night invasion of plaintiff's body."
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Peralez inserted his fingers and hands into Renee's private areas, according to the lawsuit. It also states he forced her to perform oral sex on him.
Renee suffered injury to her private areas and that she was, "in staunch fear of further  brutal, sadistic and invasive acts causing severe bruises, scratches, irritation and soreness... for repeated hours."
The lawsuit calls Peralez's actions "malicious and (a) sadistic use of force." 
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La Joya police Lt. Ramon Gonzalez reviewed the video recording on May 30, 2014, and "obtained (Renee's) statement, offered her a taco, declined her request for medical attention" the lawsuit reads. 
According to the lawsuit, La Joya Police Officer Nancy Venecia knew about the assault the same day Gonzaelz reviewed the video recording but did not request that Renee be transported to an emergency room for examination.
Buzzfeed reports Peralez resigned after being suspended from the police department May 30, 2014.  
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Renee's lawyer, Tammy Peden of Houston, cited the incident as a violation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act passed by U.S. Congress in 2003, which establishes a zero tolerance for rape and sexual assault. The lawsuit also highlights violations of the Eighth Amendment, which forbids "cruel and unusual punishment" and "prohibits excessive use of force and guard brutality."
In addition to Peralez, Venecia and Gonzelz, the lawsuit is filed against the City of La Joya and the City of Penitas as she was originally arrested by the Penitas Police Department. The lawsuit states Penitas police conducted the follow-up investigation to the alleged sexual assault and failed to act against La Joya officers involved in the incident.   
Renee is seeking $5 million in damages and emotional distress. 

In wake of fatal chase, police chief declines to detail department chase policy

PATTON VILLAGE - The chief of Patton Village's 20-person police force on Tuesday defended his officer's decision to pursue a suspect in a high-speed chase that left the officer and an 11-year-old dead.
At a news conference in this Montgomery County hamlet, Chief Leon "Pete" Verot declined to comment further and discuss or release the department's policy on chases.
With a black band across his badge, Verot confirmed the 6-mile chase began after Sgt. Stacey Baumgartner, 39, responded Sunday night to a 911 call about a man urinating and exposing himself at a Valero gas station at U.S. 59 and Texas 242. The chief said Baumgartner called out to the suspect and tried to detain him.

In wake of fatal chase, police chief declines to detail department chase policy
Man who fled charged with murder in crash that killed two
By Andrew Kragie and James Pinkerton Updated 8:58 am, Wednesday, June 22, 2016

 Garrett William Nee is charged with one court of murder, two counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, and six counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury. 
Garrett William Nee is charged with one court of murder, two counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, and six counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury. 

PATTON VILLAGE - The chief of Patton Village's 20-person police force on Tuesday defended his officer's decision to pursue a suspect in a high-speed chase that left the officer and an 11-year-old dead.
At a news conference in this Montgomery County hamlet, Chief Leon "Pete" Verot declined to comment further and discuss or release the department's policy on chases.
With a black band across his badge, Verot confirmed the 6-mile chase began after Sgt. Stacey Baumgartner, 39, responded Sunday night to a 911 call about a man urinating and exposing himself at a Valero gas station at U.S. 59 and Texas 242. The chief said Baumgartner called out to the suspect and tried to detain him.

Baumgartner gave chase west along Texas 242 until a 1998 Chevy Suburban carrying a family of seven collided with his cruiser in the intersection with FM 1485; the posted speed limit on both roads ranges from 50 to 60 mph. A child from the SUV, Adan Hilario Jr., died at the scene.
"He decided he did not want to be detained," Verot said of the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Garrett William Nee, of Kingwood.  Police have said that Nee also tried to strike Baumgartner's marked cruiser.
Verot placed blame for the accident on Nee.
"All the guy had to do was stop," he said, adding that he did not think the officer could have done anything to prevent the wreck.
Tyler Dunman, of the Montgomery County District Attorney's office, said Nee returned to the scene after seeing the crash. He was arrested, taken to the Montgomery County jail and charged early Monday with murder, two counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle, and six counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury, jail records show.He is being held on $1.3 million bail.
While many metropolitan police departments, including HPD, have adopted pursuit policies limiting when an officer can participate in a high-speed chase, Verot did not discuss whether the small Patton Village department had a written policy.
"We just let this guy get away?" Verot said, calling the pursuit an example of "cause and effect."

Suspects use stolen identity to charge $7,000 at stores in Harris County

Authorities are searching for two identity-theft suspects who used a woman's personal information to charge more than $7,000 at at stores in Harris County.
A 23-year-old woman recently alerted authorities after she noticed credit accounts in her name had been opened fraudulently at Best Buy, Macy's and Home Depot, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said surveillance photographs show a man and woman who used the purloined information to spend several thousand dollars at a Best Buy, where they bought high-end electronics and computers.
Anyone with information on these suspects is urged to call the HCSO Financial Crime Unit at 713-274-9200 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects or charges being filed against them.

18-wheeler overturns, leaving mess in E. Houston

HOUSTON – Residents in an east Houston neighborhood had a rough morning after an 18-wheeler crashed into a fire hydrant leaving a big mess.

The fire hydrant at the corner of Brownwood and Harbor was ripped right out of the ground after an impact that jolted many people out of bed Wednesday morning.

An 18-wheeler flipped onto its side in this ditch just after midnight. Police say the truck driver was driving on this fairly narrow street as he cut through this residential area to get back onto the East Freeway searching for a place to eat.

He attempted to make this tight turn, and that's when the truck toppled right over on top of a fire hydrant.

The tanker was full of a non-toxic water soluble liquid called glycerin, which is widely used in the food industry.

Initially there was a concern that people in this area could be at risk because authorities weren't aware of what was inside the tanker, but they said it poses no health concern.

The truck was impaled by the fire hydrant, and water gushed into this community for hours. Public works turned off water to this neighborhood for much of the morning.

The cleanup went on for quite a while after a tow truck hauled away the tractor and the tanker with the company Reynolds Nationwide.

The man behind the wheel was taken to the hospital to get checked out. He was banged up pretty badly from, but is doing OK.

Police say he was not breaking any laws by cutting through this residential area and will not be cited.

Man allegedly broke into home, got in bed with residents

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - While the residents were sleeping, a man allegedly broke into a home and climbed into bed with a woman inside.

Police responded to the scene in the early morning hours on June 20. The residents told police that while they were sleeping, the suspect broke into the home, went into the bedroom and climbed onto the bed where a woman was sleeping. Family members fought the suspect and pulled him away from the woman.

According to Harris County Precinct 4, 52-year-old George Arthur Smith was arrested at the scene in the 11800 block of Hillbrook Drive. Smith was transported to an area hospital for a medical evaluation after displaying signs of being under the influence of an unknown substance.

Smith was charged with burglary to a habitation and with intent to commit assault. His bond was set at $20,000.

Person of interest in Target child indecency case

HOUSTON - Police have released surveillance images of a person of interest wanted for questioning in a child indecency incident.

According to police, a 9-year-old boy stated that while he was in the men's restroom at a Target in Willowbrook, a man came into the stall with him. The boy said that the man 

The victim's mother was inside the women's restroom at the time. The victim ran out and hid under a water fountain until his mom came out and alerted her of the incident. 

The person of interest is described as a white or Hispanic man. He was wearing glasses and seen pushing a baby stroller. 

Anyone with information on the person of interest is asked to call the HPD Special Victims Division at 713-894-1971 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. 

SHOTS FIRED AT POLICE ON SOUTHWEST SIDE; 2 IN CUSTODY

CHICAGO - Two men were taken into custody after police said someone opened fire on officers in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood.

Police said the shots were fired in the 2400-block of West 34th Street around 2:10 a.m. Wednesday. Authorities did not released details about what happened before the shots rang out.

No injuries were reported. Police said a weapon was recovered at the scene. Charges have not yet been filed.


ELDERLY WOMAN KILLED IN BELLWOOD HOUSE FIRE

BELLWOOD, Ill.  -- An elderly woman died in a house fire in west suburban Bellwood early Wednesday morning.

Bellwood Spokesperson Andre Harvey the flames broke out in the bedroom of a home in the 300-block of Wilcox Street around 2:30 a.m.

Harvey said a woman in her eighties or nineties was not able to escape and was killed. Her identity has not been released.

Several other people managed to make it out of the house safely. No other injuries were reported. They are in need of a place to stay.

Investigators are working to determine what caused the fire.

WOMAN SHOT DURING WEST SIDE GAS STATION ROBBERY

CHICAGO-Charges are pending against a robber who shot a 55-year-old woman at a gas station on Chicago's West Side, police said.

The man allegedly walked up to her at a BP gas station in the 600-block of South Independence Boulevard just after 4 a.m. Wednesday, demanded money and shot her in the leg.


Police said he took off running after shooting the woman, but an officer patrolling the area spotted the suspect and caught him.


The woman was taken Mount Sinai Hospital, where she is listed in good condition.

House fire causes extensive damage in Roselle

ROSELLE  - The cause of an early evening fire Tuesday in northwest suburban Roselle is under investigation, according to a statement from the Roselle Fire Department.

Residents nearby reported a deck on fire at 5:06 p.m. in the 600 block of Waterford Court, according to authorities. When firefighters arrived, flames were seen throughout the back of the house and on the deck.

The fire was under control in about an hour, authorities said. No one was home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported, but damage to the home was extensive.

Colleagues shocked as noted psychologists die in murder-suicide

CHICAGO  - One of the most prominent couples in the psychotherapy field in the city were found dead in their Hyde Park home on Saturday, and colleagues and friends were shocked to learn of the apparent murder-suicide.

Dead are psychotherapist Dr. Margaret L. Shanahan and her husband, popular retired teacher and therapist Dr. Richard Moore, who were found shot to death in their home Saturday morning by police and firefighters conducting a well-being check.

“Chicago Theological Seminary is deeply saddened by the deaths of Dr. Margaret Shanahan and Professor Robert Moore,” a statement from the seminary said. “Professor Moore was a valued member of the Seminary’s faculty from 1977 until his retirement from full-time teaching in 2012.”

Officers assisting the Chicago Fire Department with a well-being check in the 1400 block of East 54th Street found a 65-year-old woman and 73-year-old man with gunshot wounds to the head at 9:49 a.m., according to Chicago Police. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The medical examiner’s office on Tuesday identified the woman as Shanahan, who lived in the home where she was found. An autopsy showed she died of a gunshot wound to the head and her death was ruled a homicide.

On Wednesday, the medical examiner’s office confirmed Moore was also killed by a gunshot wound to the head, and ruled his death a suicide.

The couple was heavily involved in the Jungian field of psychology in Chicago, where Stephen Martz, president of the C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago, said he was “stunned” by the news about the couple, whom he had known for years.

Chicago man found guilty of paying for sex with child in Aurora

CHICAGO  - A Chicago man was found guilty Wednesday of paying to have sex with a child during an operation conducted by Aurora police and federal investigators.

Marek P. Gacierz, 34, of the 3700 block of North Octavia Street, was convicted of felony charges of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, grooming and traveling to meet a minor in a bench trial before Judge Donald M. Tegeler Jr., according to a statement from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s office.

Gacierz traveled to an Aurora hotel from Chicago to have sex with a 15-year-old girl on Jan. 8, 2015, according to the statement. At the hotel, he paid $150 to a woman he believed was the girl’s mother and confirmed he wanted sexual favors. He was subsequently arrested by officers from the Aurora Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.

MAN CHARGED AFTER BEING SHOT BY PATROL OFFICER ON NW SIDE

CHICAGO -- A man has been charged after a Chicago police officer shot him when he refused to drop a gun Sunday night near the Puerto Rican Festival in Humboldt Park, police allege.

Angelo Dixon, 19, faces felony counts of aggravated assault with a weapon against a police officer and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, police said.

About 9 p.m., officers assigned to patrol the festival walked up to a suspicious person in a group who was "exhibiting behavior consistent with carrying a weapon," police said after the shooting.

The man ran when he saw the officers, who chased him to the intersection of North and Washtenaw, police said. They saw the man was holding a handgun and ordered him to drop it, police said.

Police said the suspect then turned around and an officer fired at least one shot, striking him in the "lower extremities."

The man was taken in serious condition to Stroger Hospital, fire officials said. He remained hospitalized Tuesday.

No officers were hurt. A gun was recovered at the scene, police said.

Dixon, of the 2200 block of West Diversey, was ordered held on a $250,000 bond at a hearing Tuesday, according to Cook County Circuit Court records. His next court date is June 27.

The Independent Police Review Authority is investigating, as it does all police-involved shootings. The officers involved were placed on routine administrative duties for 30 days, per CPD policy.

Bikini-Clad Woman Wanted In Lancaster, Lake Hughes Thefts

 Authorities are searching for a woman who was caught stealing from a home while clad in a bikini.

Surveillance video showed the woman, who wore a yellow bikini bottom and a green bikini top, entered a locked property in the 28000 block of West Avenue in Lancaster Saturday and “took items,” according to Shirley Miller of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Later that day, the same woman took valuable items from an unlocked residence home in the 47000 block of Three Points Road in Lake Hughes, Miller said.

The suspect was described as a white woman in her late 30s, about 5-foot-5 and 120 pounds. She was last seen driving away in a tan-colored sedan.

Anyone with information about the woman’s identity can call the sheriff’s station at (661) 255-1121, ext. 5156.

3 ARRESTED IN DUARTE HOME-INVASION ROBBERY; POLICE BELIEVE THERE COULD BE MORE VICTIMS


DUARTE, Calif.  - Three men are suspected of a violent home-invasion robbery in Duarte, which happened just two doors down from the mayor.

Authorities showed off the men's mugshots Wednesday during a press conference.

"This is personal for me. This occurrence happened two doors down from me. It could have just as easily been my house," Mayor Margaret Finlay said.

The crime happened in March. Investigators said the suspects used a high-end luxury SUV to help them blend into the upper middle class neighborhoods they were targeting.

While the three suspects are in custody, deputies believe there may be more victims who have yet to come forward. Victims investigators are hoping more will speak out.

"In this case, or any other case, if we're not aware of the crime it's hard to be able to investigate and do anything with it," Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said. "You give a free pass to someone if you don't report what they've done."

Authorities stress that residents need to be aware of anything suspicious, but admit they are investigating claims a 911 dispatcher ignored a caller about this very case.

While the department looks into that claim, they are also investigating a possible fourth suspect. In addition to the Duarte robberies, deputies said the suspects may also be connected to crimes across the county.

'Mass Hysteria' Causes Stampede at NYC Subway Station: NYPD

Dozens of commuters ran out of a crowded Manhattan subway station Tuesday morning after one straphanger thought they heard someone say they had a gun, according to the NYPD.

Straphangers stampeded out of the Central Park North – 110th Street subway station in Harlem at about 9 a.m. in what police are calling an incidence of mass hysteria.

Authorities said that the commotion spurred from a fight between two people on a 2 train. It’s not clear what led straphangers to believe that someone had a gun.

One commuter told The Grio’s Natasha Alford that he was walking into the station wearing headphones when he saw people running toward them. 

“All they said was just ‘run, run, run, run,'” the commuter said. “People getting stampeded, getting trampled, bags flying. It’s crazy right now.”

One commuter told The Grio's Natasha Alford in a video posted on Twitter he was walking into the station wearing headphones when he saw people running toward him. 
"All they said was just, 'Run, run, run, run,'" the commuter said. "People getting stampeded, getting trampled, bags flying. It's crazy right now."


It's not clear if anyone was hurt in the commotion or if any arrests have been made.