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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Crews made railroad repairs in Los Angeles Monday after a train derailed near the location where thieves have been raiding cargo containers, leaving the tracks littered with emptied boxes of packaged good sent by retailers.
Ex-Omaha Archdiocese chancellor faces new theft charge
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A former chancellor for the Roman Catholic Church's Archdiocese of Omaha who is already charged with two felony counts has been charged with a new count of theft after authorities say he stole more than $100,000 from a church in Sarpy County.
Thieves raiding rail cargo containers in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, taking packages belonging to people across the U.S. and leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded boxes.
Sioux Falls man charged with stealing $12K worth of tools
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A Sioux Falls man has been charged with stealing $12,000 worth of power tools over a span of months.
The Argus Leader reported Friday that court documents state the 34-year-old man made a series of stops at Runnings between March and June of 2021.
Vehicle theft suspect killed by police in suburban Denver
ARVADA, Colo. (AP) — A person suspected of stealing a vehicle was shot and killed by police in suburban Denver Wednesday after brandishing a large knife, police said.
The shooting happened after someone reported a suspicious vehicle, later discovered to be stolen, with two people in and near it in Arvada at around 1:18 a.m., police spokesman Det.
Terrorism charge for suspect in South Africa Parliament fire
By GERALD IMRAYJanuary 11, 2022 GMT
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A homeless man accused of setting a fire that destroyed part of South Africa's historic Parliament complex was charged with terrorism Tuesday and sent to a psychiatric hospital for a month for assessment.
Overall crime down in North Carolina's largest city
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Overall crime in North Carolina's largest city dropped by 5% in 2021, and police say there were declines in several major categories including violent crime and homicides.
The end-of-year crime statistics released Monday evening by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department say there were 7,554 violent crimes reported in Charlotte in 2021, compared to 8,090 in 2020.
Police: Car drove at deputy, who responded with gunfire
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Two people are in custody after a car allegedly drove at a Kansas deputy who responded by firing into the vehicle, Wichita police said Monday.
No one was hurt in the incident that happened Sunday evening.
By MICHELLE CHAPMANJanuary 10, 2022 GMT
Take-Two Interactive, maker of "Grand Theft Auto" and "Red Dead Redemption," is buying Zynga, maker of "FarmVille" and "Words With Friends," in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $12.7 billion.
The acquisition announced Monday would wed a powerhouse in console gaming, Take-Two, with a mobile gaming company with an almost cult-like following.
Former VA employee gets a year for stealing VA property
January 8, 2022 GMT
GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi man has been sentenced to a year in prison for stealing government property, U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca said Friday.
Chad Jacobs, 55, was also ordered to pay a $40,000 fine and $23,584 in restitution to the Veterans Administration.
Portuguese court convicts 11 in national armory heist case
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — A Portuguese court on Friday acquitted a former defense minister but convicted 11 others in connection with the theft of weapons from the national armory more than four years ago, according to the defendants' lawyers and local media reports.
Police: Baltimore city truck used in ATM theft attempt
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — A Baltimore city public works employee used a city truck in an attempt to steal an ATM in Baltimore County last week, officials announced Wednesday.
County police said officers responding to a report of a burglary in Owings Mills around 3:30 a.m.
Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges
ATLANTA (AP) — A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office.
Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary on Wednesday pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft and conspiracy to commit federal program theft, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Police struggle to deter rising catalytic converter thefts
By DENISE LAVOIEJanuary 2, 2022 GMT
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — In the tiny town of Lawrenceville, Virginia, a van owned by Poplar Mount Baptist Church was knocked out of commission for weeks after thieves cut the catalytic converter out of its exhaust system.
Trial to open next month in spectacular German jewelry theft
BERLIN (AP) — Six men will go on trial in Germany next month over their alleged role in the spectacular theft of 18th-century jewels from a Dresden museum in 2019, a court said Wednesday.
The Dresden state court said that the trial will open on Jan.
Break-ins reported at Sacramento lobbying, nonprofit offices
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Burglars broke into more than a dozen offices of lobbying firms, nonprofits and a union a block from the state Capitol last week and stole computers and files with identity information, it was reported Tuesday.
Iowa man gets 57 years in prison for fatal 2018 stabbing
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man who was convicted of stabbing a Cedar Rapids man to death in retaliation for a theft from a drug dealer has been sentenced to 57 years in prison.
Drew Blahnik was sentenced earlier this month for killing Chris Bagley, 31, in December 2018 at a mobile home outside Cedar Rapids and then burying his body.
South Florida woman charged with multiple underwear thefts
Associated PressDecember 24, 2021 GMT
MIAMI (AP) — A South Florida woman has been arrested and charged with a series of thefts of underwear from Victoria's Secret stores.
The 56-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday and charged with nine counts of grand theft, three counts of retail theft and a count of resisting an officer without violence, according to Miami-Dade County court records.
Gifts for needy children are stolen from Atlanta warehouse
ATLANTA (AP) — Volunteers working to distribute presents to needy children say they lost thousands of dollars in gifts to someone who broke into their southwest Atlanta warehouse.
Workers at the Empty Stocking Fund warehouse discovered Wednesday morning that someone had knocked a gaping hole through a cinderblock wall to get inside the warehouse.
Worker who shot at man accused in 5 robberies inks plea deal
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A Fargo pawnshop worker accused of shooting at a fleeing robber accused in a string of thefts has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless endangerment.
Kyle Ramsey was working at the Mister Money pawnshop in June when the store was robbed by Hunter Havisto, police said.
Native American KU students want a say in criminal cases
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Some Native American students at the University of Kansas want a say in criminal cases involving vandalism and thefts at the "Native Hosts" art exhibit.
Michigan police pursuit ends with crash, death of woman, 58
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (AP) — A man fleeing from officers in a stolen pickup truck crashed into a 58-year-old woman's car in suburban Detroit, fatally injuring her, police said.
An undercover officer from the Macomb Auto Theft Squad spotted the stolen truck Monday afternoon in Mount Clemens and made several unsuccessful attempts to stop it, police said.
Court records: Social media posts played role in shooting
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Court documents show that a Nebraska man was shot after social media posts resulted in a case of mistaken identity.
The Omaha World-Herald obtained court documents in the Aug.
Police: Stolen Ohio bridge found, man facing theft charge
AKRON, Ohio (AP) — A 58-foot-long (18-meter) pedestrian bridge stolen from an Ohio city last month has been found and a man is facing charges, police said.
Akron police said investigators acting on tips and other information Friday afternoon found the missing span partially disassembled on property in Sharon Township in neighboring Medina County.
FBI: Artifacts stolen from museums in 1960s, 1970s returned
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal authorities say 15 historical artifacts stolen almost a half-century ago from a number of Pennsylvania museums have been returned to the institutions.
The FBI art crime team and other law enforcement agencies repatriated the 18th- and 19th-century rifles and pistols as well as a Native American silver concho belt in a ceremony Friday at the Museum of the American Revolution.
Salvation Army official: Theft of toys no victory for Grinch
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — Farmington-area residents of northern New Mexico donated gifts and money after somebody stole a Salvation Army van loaded with $6,000 worth of toys for children, according authorities.
California governor boosts efforts to combat smash-and-grabs
By DON THOMPSONDecember 18, 2021 GMT
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Stung by recent headline-grabbing smash-and-grab robberies, California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday said he will seek more than $300 million in state funding over three years to boost law enforcement efforts to combat retail theft.
Man sentenced after hidden shotgun injures Wichita officers
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man who hid a modified shotgun in a chair has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after the gun went off and injured two Wichita police officers.
James Hathorn pleaded guilty in September to to residential burglary, theft, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a sawed-off shotgun.
How brothers in arms plotted theft, sale of US Army weaponry
By JAMES LAPORTA and JASON DEARENDecember 16, 2021 GMT
Connecticut task force to combat organized retail crime
By PAT EATON-ROBBDecember 15, 2021 GMT
Connecticut has formed a task force charged with combating the growing problem of organized robberies at brick-and-mortar retailers, Gov.
County worker charged with stealing $109k in fees, deposits
MIAMI (AP) — A former South Florida government worker has been charged with stealing nearly $109,000 over two years from the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts office, prosecutors announced Monday.
Tyrone Derise Smith Jr., 35, has been arrested and charged with grand theft over $100,000 and organized scheme to defraud over $50,000, according to a state attorney's office news release.
Woman charged with stealing $300K from California retailers
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — A woman has been charged with grand theft for allegedly stealing more than $300,000 in merchandise from retail stores in California.
Ekaterina Zharkova, 38, was arrested last month after an investigator with the California Highway Patrol's Organized Retail Theft task force saw her stealing from a Nordstrom Rack in Costa Mesa.
Police: Over 20 weapons stolen from Virginia gun store
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — Federal agents have gotten involved in seeking the culprits who police say stole more than 20 firearms from a Tidewater Virginia gun shop this week.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is working with Virginia Beach police to locate the weapons, which included handguns and rifles.
Guns now allowed in cars on University of Missouri campuses
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The University of Missouri System Board of Curators voted Friday to allow guns in parked vehicles on all of its campuses.
The university system still prohibits open or concealed carry of firearms on campus, the Columbia Daily Tribune reports.
3 of 5 ex-utility officials guilty of theft in lavish trips
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Five former utility officials were found not guilty Friday on a charge of conspiracy, while the same federal jury found three guilty of theft stemming from lavish trips they took to the Kentucky Derby and a luxury golf resort.
Police recover 17 stolen firearms at Sioux Falls residence
December 9, 2021 GMT
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Seventeen stolen guns have been recovered at a residence in Sioux Falls after a theft victim used GPS tracking which led to the house, according to police.
Authorities said an investigation began after some items were stolen from a car in in south Sioux Falls last October.
Seattle man charged in fatal Seattle shooting
SEATTLE (AP) — A Seattle man already jailed on charges that he shot and wounded two pedestrians on a crowded sidewalk in October was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder in connection with a fatal shooting in downtown Seattle a week earlier, King County prosecutors said.
Insurance agent sentenced to 2 years in wire fraud case
SEATTLE (AP) — A Snohomish, Washington, insurance agent was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud in the theft of premium payments from clients.
Vicki Boser, owner of InsuranceTek, Inc., pleaded guilty in August.
Police: Tips led to arrests in thefts seen in viral video
DERBY, Conn. (AP) — Viral videos of thieves loading up a car with items from a grocery store have helped police arrest three suspects.
In one widely seen video from last month, four people were seen loading more than $1,600 worth of items, mostly laundry detergent, into two vehicles outside a store in Oxford.
Salvation Army bell ringer robbed, suspect caught
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — A man was chased down and caught by deputies in Washington state after allegedly assaulting a Salvation Army bell ringer and fleeing with his donations kettle.
Georgia inmate sentenced in fraud scheme run from prison
ROME, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia inmate will spend additional time behind bars after prosecutors say he used a cell phone from prison to try to steal millions of dollars worth of heavy equipment.
Georgia veteran sentenced in theft of sleep apnea machines
ATLANTA (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a Veterans Affairs department employee in Georgia stole more than $1.9 million in medical devices that he purchased with a government credit card.
A judge Wednesday sentenced 41-year-old Kevin Rumph to two years and three months in prison.
DAs, retailers say California needs tougher retail theft law
By DON THOMPSONDecember 3, 2021 GMT
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Spurred by a recent run of large-scale smash-and-grab robberies, prosecutors and retailers are pushing back on assertions by California's governor and attorney general that they have enough tools to combat retail theft in the wake of a voter-approved easing of related laws.
Plumber's find possibly tied to 2014 Texas megachurch theft
By JUAN A. LOZANODecember 3, 2021 GMT
HOUSTON (AP) — For more than seven years, no one has known what happened to $600,000 in checks and cash that was stolen from a safe at Pastor Joel Osteen's Houston megachurch, which has one of the largest congregations in the country.
Arizona DPS arrest man in stolen SUV with military ordnance
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona authorities have arrested a man who was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle that had an inactive military ordnance inside.
State Department of Public Safety officials said 36-year-old Timothy Carpenter is facing one count of theft of transportation among other charges including outstanding warrants.
LA authorities announce arrests in smash-and-grab robberies
By CHRISTOPHER WEBERDecember 3, 2021 GMT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities in Los Angeles on Thursday announced more than a dozen arrests in recent smash-and-grab thefts at stores where nearly $340,000 worth of merchandise was stolen, part of a rash of organized retail crime in California.
$2.5M theft scheme: Georgia ex-official begins prison term
By JEFF AMYDecember 3, 2021 GMT
ATLANTA (AP) — Former Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck began a seven-year prison sentence Thursday, convicted earlier this year on 37 counts involving a scheme to steal more than $2.5 million from a state-chartered insurer of last resort
Former Alabama school bookkeeper sentenced in theft
TROY, Ala. (AP) — A former bookkeeper who pleaded guilty to stealing from Troy's public schools avoided prison time but must pay nearly $27,000 in restitution, prosecutors said Thursday.
Sherry Hassey Tucker, 53, of Ramer, also must spend two years on supervised probation, the Alabama attorney general's office said in a statement.
Comptroller: Memphis charter school leaders stole thousands
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Former top officials at a Memphis charter school stole hundreds of thousands of dollars over several years, according to the Tennessee comptroller's office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.