On Thursday, April 18, 2013 the FBI has released photos and videos of the 2 suspects that may be responsible for the Boston Marathon bombings. Please visit the official FBI website to see of you can help with the investigation. Use extreme caution if you see these men as they should be considered armed and dangerous. Do not try to apprehend them on your own. Contact your local law enforcement or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), prompt #3, with information. All media inquiries should be directed to the FBI’s National Press Office at (202) 324-3691.
Click Link for Video: Boston Marathon Bombing Suspects – FBI Released Video April 18, 2013
Archive for the ‘How to Catch a Thief’ Category
Boston Marathon Bombing Suspect Photos Released
Thursday, April 18th, 2013Bellaire nursing home worker arrested after hidden camera captures theft
Friday, February 15th, 2013A Bellaire nursing home employee has been charged with theft from the elderly after a hidden camera installed in a resident’s room allegedly detected the employee stealing.
Dorcas Gbenda, 34, was arrested about noon Jan. 29 at The Gardens of Bellaire, 4620 Bellaire Blvd. and was taken from the property in handcuffs.
Bellaire Police Department Assistant Chief Michael Leal said the camera was installed by the elderly resident’s relatives because they noticed that items were missing from his room.
“The family members had suspected something was going on,” Leal said. “They chose to place a camera in there. They involved us when they had a little bit of evidence. I think the camera did capture an employee going through the resident’s belongings.”
According to the arrest affidavit filed by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, video footage from the camera showed Gbenda taking $60 from the resident’s wallet inside his room Jan. 25.
The family first reported their suspicions to the police in early January, Leal said.
Gbenda, a Houston resident, was free Friday on $2,000 bail, pending a court appearance Feb. 5 in County Court No. 11.
Administrators at the facility, previously known as Brighton Gardens of Bellaire, did not immediately return a call for comment
Original Story: www.chron.com
Alleged iPad-Swiping TSA Agent at DFW Airport Arrested
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012This case is part of a series of recent theft allegations against TSA employees.
TSA Agent Clayton Keith Dovel was arrested last week on suspicion of stealing numerous iPads from passenger’s luggage at DFW’s airport.
Apparently, Dovel was lifting the iPads from his position where he screened passenger’s checked luggage by hand.
Dovel was caught because one of the theft victims had downloaded the “Find My iPhone” app onto her iPad. She was able to track her stolen iPad directly to Dovel’s house. Police found at least seven iPads at Dovel’s residence.
TSA placed Dovel on leave until officials can sort out the situation.
I would think installing video surveillance in the area where luggage is checked would be enough to discourage pilfering by TSA employees, who I am sure are usually honest hard working individuals.
Video surveillance is used in the screening area at John F. Kennedy International Airport and the video recently helped catch a TSA agent who stole $5,000 from a passenger’s jacket. Surveillance video showed TSA agent Alexandra Schmid taking the money from a jacket pocket, wrapping the cash in a plastic glove and taking it to a bathroom.
The money hasn’t been recovered. Police are investigating whether Schmid gave it to another person in the bathroom.
The 31-year-old Schmid was arrested on a charge of grand larceny and suspended pending an investigation. Her attorney’s name wasn’t immediately known.
It is best to never check items of value in your luggage and to check for your valuables after they have gone through the passenger screening area. If you must check your computers, there are software programs for Macs and PCs that will track your computer should it be lost or stolen.
Robber is Chased, Cornered and Lectured by 50 year-old Woman
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012Sometimes a robber chooses the wrong victim and everything backfires. This was the case with a robbery in downtown Chicago last Friday.
A 50-year-old woman chased her robber for almost a mile, cornered him in an alley and then gave him a lecture. She must be in awesome shape.
The woman was riding a Chicago Transit Authority bus in the Loop just after midnight when police said Jenar Sanders, 18, swiped her wallet from her purse. He then jumped off the bus at Huron and State streets and took off, but he wouldn’t get very far.
Trailing Sanders, the woman alerted others as she ran down the street, according to the Chicago Tribune. The CTA bus driver and a hotel staff member at the Omni Hotel called the police.
The race came to a quick halt when police said Sanders ended up cornered in an alley off Superior Street between Wabash Avenue and Rush Street, surrounded by the victim and others who had joined the chase.
“She kept telling him God didn’t want him to steal her wallet,” a police source told the Tribune. (more…)
Stolen Taxicabs Located With GPS Tracking Device
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
GPS tracking devices installed on taxicabs that were stolen resulted in the retrieval of the cabs and the capture of one robber in two separate incidents.
Stolen Taxicab Tracked in Denver
A man was arrested in Denver, CO this past Wednesday after law enforcement officials said he stole a taxi, robbed a convenience store and then led police officers on a chase that ended when he crashed the cab into a tree in the Civic Center Park.
According to a local police report, the suspect stole an orange Union Taxi mini-van and then drove it to the Diamond Shamrock convenience store at around 1 a.m.
After robbing the convenience store, the suspect took off again in the stolen cab. The taxi was equipped with a GPS tracking device, which allowed police to track the precise location of the vehicle. The suspect led officers on a late-night chase, which ended with the cab going off the street and onto a sidewalk, where he then smashed in to a tree near downtown Denver.
The police were able to take him into custody, and the suspect was then taken to a hospital to have his injuries checked out.
Stolen Taxicab Found in San Antonio
In a similar incident, a cab driver had his taxi stolen from him at gunpoint in San Antonio, TX.
Cesar Alvarez told police he picked up a fare at a motel around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. He said he drove the man to his destination and suddenly found himself staring into the barrel of a gun.
“He said get (out),” said Alvarez. “I saw the gun. He was in the back seat. And I said, ‘All right. Sure.’ He didn’t take any money or anything. He just took the cab.” Alvarez said he was shaken but otherwise all right.
Within roughly 30 minutes, San Antonio police officers had found the cab in the parking lot about a mile from where Alvarez had originally picked up the man.
“It was parked. It was abandoned,” said Sgt. Daniel Gonzalez with San Antonio Police Department.
Although Gonzalez said police officers stumbled upon the stolen taxicab by chance, Alvarez believes the quick discovery was due to the fact that a GPS tracking device was attached to his cab.
“It was the GPS,” Alvarez said. “It has a GPS.”
Police said after he parked the cab, the carjacker got away. They used a helicopter and officers on the ground but did not find him.
Looks like it’s been a rough start to the New Year for taxi drivers. Thankfully, they were able to locate their stolen cabs with the help of GPS technology.
Read story@ landairsea
Store Clerk Knocks Out Would-Be Thief With Single Punch
Wednesday, December 28th, 201125-year-old Mostafa Hendi got more than he asked for when he walked into the We Buy Gold shop in North Carolina yesterday and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk, Derek Mothershead, wasn’t in the mood for a robbery.
After reaching to give the armed robber the cash, Mr. Mothershead gave him something else – an unexpected punch, knocking him to the floor. Surveillance camera footage caught the moment.
Mothershead said, “When he came through the door, he told me had a gun and he even flashed it.” I stood up and threw my hands up and said, “Take the money.”
The thief came behind the counter, but Mothershead had no intention of giving him the money. When he went to pass him cash from the draw, he instead passed him a punch in the face.
“When he reached out, I took a step in, I cocked back and preloaded and I hit him hard,” Mothershead said.
With the single blow, Hendi was knocked out, and Mothershead was able to pin him down and call 911.
But the clerk wasn’t finished with the thief yet, when the thief came to, the clerk forced him to mop up his own blood from shop floor with paper towels and cleaner. That should teach the thief a lesson.
Mothershead also grabbed the man’s weapon, but said he laughed when he realized it was just a pellet gun.
Paramedics took Mostafa Hendi away on a stretcher. Mr. Mothershead’s handywork can be seen in Hendi’s police mugshot, where his face appears bruised and swollen.
Hendi remains behind bars on a charge of attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon.
Store manager Juaz Cruz added: “Merry Christmas Mostafa Hendi.”
View video, pictures and surveillance camera shots@ dailymail
“Catatonic” Man Passes Driver’s Test – Admits to Workers’ Comp Fraud
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011Martin Lobatos managed to pass a driver’s test with an above average score while on the verge of catatonia.
Lobatos and his wife, Belen Luna Lobatos, have both entered guilty pleas for what became over a year long workers’ compensation scam. The couple, who live in Aurora, Denver, are accused of stealing $120,000 worth of workers’ compensation funds from Pinnacol Assurance. Eventually, a private investigator was hired and Lobatos was placed under surveillance. Before being caught, Martin and his wife led doctors and the insurance company down a road of confusion and deception.
While working as a roofer in September 2008, Martin fell face first, six to ten feet from a ladder, causing him to briefly lose consciousness — although it is being disputed as to whether he faked being unconscious. He was taken to a medical center where he was diagnosed with a wrist fracture, two broken ribs and a closed head injury that caused a small abrasion and some swelling. A CT scan was performed on his head and neck but came back negative. He was discharged from the medical center the same day he was admitted.
On September 30, Lobatos filed a workers’ comp claim. He returned to work full-time on October 21 and began complaining of headaches, dizziness, vertigo, and blurred vision. An MRI on October 28 didn’t show any reason for these symptoms. A doctor who examined him in April 2009 couldn’t find any medical reason for his continuing issues. This doctor determined that Lobatos had reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) and assigning him what the indictment describes as a “zero-percent impairment rating.”
For unknown reasons, Lobatos was terminated from his job that same month. He was offered a $20,000 settlement from Pinnacol Assurance in September 2009, but he turned it down. Lobatos started to complain of new symptoms, including dizziness, memory loss, difficulty recognizing his own children, inability to use stairs without help, pain caused by eating, chewing, bright lights, and the weather. Apparently, Lobatos was very convincing and a second physician rejected his predecessor’s findings, determining that the MMI ruling was premature. (more…)
Laptop Theft at All Time High – Tracking Software Locates Your Lost or Stolen Computer
Thursday, October 6th, 2011The news has been rampant with stories of stolen laptop and desktop computers. Whether you are running your business from your computer or keeping confidential information on your personal computer, thieves can do irreparable damage with your information – either by stealing your customer’s information or your personal information. Identity theft crimes have also grown exponentially over the years.
Are you doing anything to protect your computer? Did you know there is “theft tracking software” you can install that tracks and locates lost or stolen laptop and desktop computers? Products exist for both PC’s and Mac’s. Follow the above links to check out our programs. They are available at the U-Spy Store at a substantial discount if you order online. Also, feel free to stop into one of our stores and speak with our staff. They are very knowledgable and can offer great advice. We sell both the PC PhoneHome™ and the Mac PhoneHome™ Theft Tracking Software. Special low-cost Enterprise versions of PC PhoneHome™ are available for large-scale deployment for K-12s, Colleges & Universities, Corporations and Government agencies. We also provide a technical support phone number.
Heres how this tracking software works…Every time a protected computer connects to the Internet, a stealth email is sent to a pre-determined email address of the user’s choice and to a worldwide control center. In the event your computer is lost or stolen, you file a theft report with the local police and then notify us. Recovery agents at our Command and Tracking Center will provide you full tracking and recovery support. We work with global ISPs and local police to recover your lost property fast!
A single copy version is priced at only $29.95 for the life of your computer! There are no yearly monitoring fees, no additional charges and no hidden costs – unlike other retailers who charge upfront fees.
Video: ‘Gumby Bandit’ Turns Himself In
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011The Gumby Bandit who attempted to rob a 7-11 store in San Diego on September 5 has turned himself in (along with his costume) to the San Diego police today. Jacob Kiss, age 19, dressed in a gumby costume walked into a 7-11 and demanded money from the store clerk and then reached into his pocket – pulling out a bunch of coins that fell to the floor. The man then ran off and got into a getaway car with his accomplice, Jason Giramma, also age 19. Giramma also turned himself into the police.
Store security video was aired on the news and apparently several tips came in through Crimestoppers and the accomplice was identified. Police called the accomplice, Kiss, and shortly thereafter, both men turned themselves in to police.
View video of news story@msnbc
Video: Plane Passenger Thwarts Burglary – at His House
Monday, September 12th, 2011Steve Lynn, a Texas man who called police to report a burglary he spotted from the low-flying Cessna in which he was a passenger, says he couldn’t believe what he was seeing as he flew over the scene of the crime – his own home. (TODAY)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/44383071#44383071
