Indictments of Detroit Ring Announced Feb 27 –Federal Prosecutors Detail the National Crime Ring Responsible for Tourneau Heist and others

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U.S. Attorney’s Office February 27, 2015
  • Eastern District of Michigan (313) 226-9100
WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Michigan, March 30, 2015:
Seventeen individuals from the metro-Detroit area have been charged in a series of smash and grab robberies of jewelry stores across the United States, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today (February 27,2015):.
McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Paul M. Abbate, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Office, along with partners of the FBI Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force which include, Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office; Director Rebecca Adducci, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, Detroit Field Office; Commander Monica Yesh, Michigan State Police; Chief Eric Hawkins, Southfield Police Department; Chief Geof Gaudard, Bloomfield Township Police Department; Acting Chief Jeff James, Waterford Police Department; Chief Corrigan O’Donahue, Royal Oak Police Department; Assistant Deputy Director Beverly Smith, Michigan Department of Corrections and other local police agencies.
Three separate federal indictments filed during the past month charge the defendants with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery of stores located in New York, Maryland, North Carolina, Mississippi, Nebraska and Connecticut.
These indictments follow a series of investigations nationally by various state, local and federal law enforcement agencies involving approximately 40 smash and grab robberies in 2014. In Michigan alone, between 2012 and 2014, approximately 25 smash and grab jewelry store robberies were committed. FBI agents and other state and local law enforcement officers continue to work collaboratively to identify and criminally charge all of the individuals responsible for these robberies.
According to the indictments, crews from the metro-Detroit area planned and executed six robberies. The crews traveled across the country to jewelry stores that sell Rolex watches and other jewelry.
Several members of the crew entered the jewelry stores while they were open for business, smashed the Rolex display cases with sledge hammers and fled the store with Rolex watches, valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars. The robbers escaped into waiting, stolen vehicles and returned to Michigan with the stolen watches.
The indicted defendants are:
  • Elijah McKinney, 24, of Detroit
  • Darius Ellis, 30, of Detroit
  • Kordaryl Cross, 25, of Westland
  • Latrina Williams, 38, of Detroit
  • Lorenzo Daniel Terry, 21, of Detroit
  • Anthony Jerome Browner, 24, of Farmington Hills
  • DaJuan Cortez Marcellus, 24, of Detroit
  • Brandon Phillip Wilkerson, 24, of Detroit
  • Marquis Wade Cheatham, 24, of Detroit
  • Darien Savon Thompson, 21, of Detroit
  • Britnei Rodgers, 29, of Detroit
  • Ernie Thomas Evans, 25, of Detroit
  • Darrick Adams, 29, of Detroit
  • Brandon Mayes, 20, of Detroit
  • Bria Jackson, 22, of Shelby Township
  • Bria Stanford, 21, of Belleville
  • Shaquita Wyatt, 24, of Detroit
“These crimes, committed during business hours, are serious because of the danger and trauma they create for the victim customers and sales clerks,” McQuade said. “These defendants travelled around the country to commit their crimes in hopes of dividing and conquering witnesses and investigators, but with the collaboration of law enforcement agencies across the country, those schemes have been thwarted.”
Special Agent in Charge Abbate stated, “The defendants in this case intentionally targeted jewelry stores across the country, exposing the public to danger and attempting to thwart the efforts of law enforcement. Together, law enforcement at every level, through shared intelligence, resources, and evidence, brought their crime spree to a halt. The FBI stands, along with its partners, both local and national, ready to bring other criminal smash and grab robbery crews to justice.”
Sheriff Bouchard stated, “Clearly as evidenced by this case, criminals do not recognize jurisdictional boundaries. Therefore, it is imperative for all agencies to work together to defeat complex criminal activity. It’s a pleasure for us to have the Gang and Violent Crime Task Force work out of our Pontiac substation and we are proud of the relationships and success that comes from this teamwork.”
Chief Hawkins stated, “This is another great example of how law enforcement agencies at different levels of government can work together to disrupt complex criminal enterprises and take dangerous individuals off the streets. I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and all of the officers involved for their hard work on this case.”
John Kennedy, head of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) that represents the interests of 21,000 retail jewelry stores stated, “It’s very difficult for a local agency to address the problem by itself, but when the FBI—with its national and international scope—assists, the overall law enforcement effort is more effective.” The JSA also plays a key role in these investigations by offering law enforcement agencies access to its database of jewelry and gem thefts.
Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company and an industry consortium are offering a combined reward of up to $45,000 for information leading to the arrest of other individuals responsible for these robberies.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force which is comprised of special agents and officers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations; Oakland County Sheriff’s Office; Michigan State Police; Southfield Police Department; Bloomfield Township Police Department; Royal Oak Police Department; Waterford Police Department and the Michigan Department of Corrections. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas Salzenstein and Jerome Gorgon.
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Federal Indictments Link Ring to Robberies at The Westchester Tourneau Store

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The Tourneau Robbery In Progress in The Westchester, August 18, 2014 (Tourneau Video Surveillance )

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By  John F. Bailey with reporting by WDIV-TV DETROIT March 30, 2015:

WPCNR has learned there have been 18 Federal indictments in the Detroit area as a result of high end jewelry store robberies in six different states over the last six months, including the Tourneau Store in The Westchester Mall.
Details are being assembled police say and WPCNR expects more on this story to be released Tuesday morning. 
More from WPCNR as this story develops.
The indictments according to WDIV-TV Detroit,  were handed down Friday February , as detailed on the Click-on Detroit website,
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/17-from-metro-detroit-charged-in-smashandgrab-robberies/31520426

Seventeen people from the metro Detroit area are charged in connection to a series of smash-and-grab robberies across the country.

Federal investigators announced charges Friday morning (February 27) after investigations involving about 40 smash-and-grab robberies in 2014.

According to the indictments, crews from the metro Detroit area carried out six robberies. They are accused of traveling across the country to jewelry stores, smashing Rolex display cases with sledge hammers and making off with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise.

“It creates a risk of violence that’s intolerable in our community for the kind of quality of life that we want, and so we’re doing all we can to stop it. If we can’t stop them from coming in we’re going to stop them from going out and being free in the community,” said U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade.

A reward of up to $45,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of other people connected to these robberies.

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District Attorney’s Crimestoppers Notebook: The Grandparent Scam

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Janet DiFiore

WPCNR COMMUNITY ALERT. From Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore, March 30, 2015:

Editor’s Note: This month, District Attorney Janet DiFiore begins a column to alert county residents of typical scams  they should be aware are being tried on residents With families going on spring break vacations, her first column is particularly timely. We appreciate the District Attorney for beginning a practice WPCNR has long advocated law enforcement organizations practice: preemptive information.

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore wants to let the public know about trends in crime and criminal behavior that can have an impact on the safety and well being of the citizens of WestchesterCounty.  This is the first in a series of “Community Alerts” which will identify and explain those topics, giving the public information it needs to avoid being a victim of a crime or of inappropriate behavior.

There is nothing like the love and affection grandparents have for their grandchildren. And it is that emotional connection which is being exploited by scammers who are stealing thousands from unsuspecting victims. Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore wants to alert the public to the “Grandparent Scam”.

The scammers begin by checking out social media pages of potential victims; checking on names, relationships and phone numbers. The scam itself, works like this. A grandparent gets a frantic call in the middle of the night from someone posing as their grandchild saying they’re in trouble. They might say they’ve been arrested or have been in a car accident and they need their grandparent to wire them money right away. The “fake” grandchild will often plead, “Please don’t tell my parents”. If the caller doesn’t sound like their grandchild, they explain it away be saying “I have a cold” or “My nose was broken in the car accident.”

The call comes in the middle of the night to cause confusion and dread. Good news is usually not delivered at those hours and victims are often panicked or distressed upon learning a loved one is in danger or in trouble.  They often don’t ask more questions. They hesitate to call other family members because they’re protecting their grandchild.

The grandparent is told to wire 1,000 or more dollars to somewhere out of state or out of the country. Once that happens it’s like handing over a bag of cash. It’s gone. The victim is often too embarrassed to report it.

You should report it to your local police department or the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. Here are some tips to avoid being a victim of the “Grandparent Scam”:

  • Your antenna should go up anytime someone calls out of the blue asking you to wire them money.
  • Immediately call family and friends to verify whether there is a true emergency before you wire any money.
  • Create a code or “password” that only family members know and which should be uttered in the event of a true emergency.
  • Avoid putting personal information, like vacation or other travel plans on social media sites.
  • “Grandparent Scam” calls often come during school breaks and during the summer. Times when a grandparent would believe a grandchild might be traveling.

Imposter scams like the “Grandparent Scam” are increasing at an alarming rate. But now that you know about it, forewarned is forearmed.

 

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Governor and Senate, Assembly Majority Leaders Announcxe Agreement on New York Budget

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Governor’s Press Office. March 30, 2015:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie Sunday announced an agreement on the 2015-16 State Budget.

The Budget agreement includes landmark education reforms and investment, an ethics package with the nation’s strongest disclosure laws for legislators with outside income, and new investments in rebuilding and growing the state’s economy, including $1.5 billion for the Upstate Revitalization Initiative and $500 million to make New York the first in the nation to have statewide broadband.

The Budget agreement holds spending growth below two percent for the fifth consecutive year, continuing a record of fiscal discipline that has reversed decades of state budgets where spending grew at a higher rate than inflation or personal income growth.

Governor Cuomo said: “With this agreement, we address intractable problems that have vexed our state for generations. After decades of leading the nation in education spending but lagging in results, New York will set an example for all other states with a complete overhaul of the entrenched education bureaucracy. These reforms – accompanied by an unprecedented financial investment – will put students first by bringing accountability to the classroom, recruiting and rewarding our best teachers, further reducing over-testing, and finally confronting our chronically failing schools.

“I said I would not sign a Budget without real ethics reform, and this Budget does just that, putting in place the nation’s strongest and most comprehensive rules for disclosure of outside income by public officials, reforming the long-abused per diem system, revoking public pensions for those who abuse the public’s trust, defining and eliminating personal use of campaign funds, and increasing transparency of independent expenditures.

“This is a Budget that all New Yorkers can be proud of.

“I commend Speaker Heastie and Majority Leader Skelos, and their colleagues in the Legislature for their hard work and leadership in reaching this agreement.”

Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said: “I am pleased that we have arrived at a responsible Budget agreement that lives within the 2 percent spending cap, rejects tax increases and meets the needs of every region of this state – reflecting the priorities of our Senate Republican conference. Thanks to a dramatic reduction in the Gap Elimination Adjustment along with an overall school aid increase of approximately $1.4 billion, students will continue to have the resources they need to learn and thrive. The Budget also includes a blueprint for significant new reforms designed to improve performance in the classroom, reduce over-testing and promote excellence in teaching. In addition, we make sound investments in our infrastructure to create new jobs and encourage the private sector to build and grow. Working together, the Legislature and Governor have also significantly tightened up the state’s ethics and disclosure laws to improve transparency and restore the public’s trust. I thank the Governor, Speaker Heastie, Senator Klein and all of the members of the Senate and Assembly for their hard work and contributions to this year’s enacted Budget, which we expect to pass on time before April 1.”

Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said: “Throughout this Budget process, the Assembly Majority pledged to stand strong for New York’s families. This financial plan provides historic increases in education funding for our children, funds our Higher Education Road to Success initiative, provides safe and affordable housing for a growing number of New Yorkers who are on the brink of homelessness, and grows our economy. I am particularly proud that this agreement builds upon our core values to strengthen our families, uplift our communities, and restore faith in our government. I thank Governor Cuomo and our colleagues in the Senate for their hard work in crafting a Budget that will help move New York forward.”

Spending
The Budget agreement includes spending in the following categories:· Total State Operating Funds: $94.25 billion; 2.0% growth
· School Aid: $23.5 billion; 6.1% growth
· Medicaid: $17.741 billion; 4.6% growth
· Funds from financial settlements: $5.4 billion, including $1.5 billion for the Upstate Revitalization Initiative and $500 million to make New York the first in the nation to have statewide broadband.
Full details and language to be released Monday.

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Snow, What Snow? It’s Palm Sunday, and the Daffs Are Right on Schedule

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PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY: The Daffodils like the Tappan Zee Bridge and the New York State Legislature are right on schedule, poking up at Palm Sunday (tomorrow) despite 35 degrees and snow flurries; There’s yellow tips out there!

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Flash the News Frog Interviews first of the dogged Daffodils to poike their yellow tips through — getting ready for Easter Sunday. A spokesdil told Flash the public should hang on Spring, they guarantee is coming!

 

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Frank Asprea–A Model Employee–Sets the Standard for Hard Work. And it’s Harder for Him.

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MR. RECEPTION: Frank Asprea of United Cerebral Palsy at the front desk.

WPCNR PEOPLE TO BE PROMOTED. From Cerebral Palsy of Westchester. March 28, 2015: 

United Cerebral Palsy’s Frank Asprea speaks volumes to the gifts that those withdevelopmental disabilities possess. Leading the way with an attitude of gratitude, Frank has not only held consistent employment in the community throughout his career but he has brought an awareness to individuals that the only disability in life is a “bad attitude”

.Frank began working at Cerebral Palsy of Westchester in March 2001 in which he worked as a cashier at the Company store for seven years. One year later, in 2002, he was offered a part-time position at Kohl’s in Port Chester again working as a cashier for the Company. As Frank’s skills progressed he continued to push himself and left Kohl’s as a cashier and was hired into the Human Resource Department at Target in Mt. Vernon, NY in which he was responsible for putting together new hire packets for employees, prescreening potential applicants, ordering supplies for the department, working on computers and photocopying bills.

To say Frank has a heart of gold is an understatement. After years of work
experience in the field of hospitality and human resources he applied for a
full-time position at Cerebral Palsy of Westchester as the Agency Receptionist.
In August 2011 Frank was hired by the Agency and continues to do an
excellent job to this day. Frank says: “I’ve always wanted to be an inspiration
to others. Showing all people that when you put your mind to something you
can do it.”

He then added: “As far as I’m concerned you can never judge a
book by its cover. What you see on the outside is not always what you get on
the inside.”
Due to Frank’s hard work and dedication he was voted employee of the
month in February 2011 and accepted the award for employee of the year in
October 2011! Frank Asprea is an exceptional employee who brings awareness
every single day to the life and accomplishments of those with developmental disabilities

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Orange-Rockland-Westchester jobs increased 1.4% in year

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WPCNR ECONOMISTRY. From the New York State Department of Labor. March 26, 2015:
Job growth was fastest in the Kingston metro area (+1.6 percent) followed by the Orange-Rockland-Westchester metro area (+1.4percent), Sullivan County (+0.6 percent) and the Dutchess-Putnam metro area (+0.4 percent).
For the 12-month period ending in February 2015, private sector employment in the Hudson Valley increased by 9,000 or 1.2 percent, to 742,500.
The job picture in the private sector continues to be mixed, with growth recorded in four of the nine sectors.
The four sectors adding jobs were educational and health services (+6,300), professional and business services (+2,000), natural resources, mining and construction (+1,700) and other services (+1,600).
While five sectors lost jobs over-the-year, the losses were all less than 1,000 jobs.
Although the regional job market continues to expand, private sector job growth in the Hudson Valley lags that of the state (+2.0 percent) and the nation (+2.8 percent). Overall, private sector employment growth occurred throughout the region.
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You are invited to attend
“Present Day Enslavement in our Communities,”
a forum on human trafficking.
When? April 15, 7-9 p.m.
Where? White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Avenue
Confirmed Speakers:

NYS Assemblywoman Amy Paulin;

Gonzalo Martinez de Vedia of the Human Trafficking Program, Worker Justice Center;

Carl J. Boykin, Director of Human Trafficking Prevention for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services;

Lauren Hersh, Director, Anti-Trafficking Policy & Advocacy, Sanctuary for Families 

Sponsors: White Plains League of Women Voters, White Plains Rotary,

The Slater Center, El Centro Hispano, and the White Plains Public Library


For more information, contact:
Denise D’Ambrosio, denisedambrosiolaw@gmail.com

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White Plains Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in February 2014 Assault.

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WPCNR DISTRICT ATTORNEY REPORT. From the Westchester County District Attorney. March 24, 2015:   

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Eric Hines (DOB 05/02/81) of 34 Kensico Avenue, White Plains, New York pled guilty today to:

  • one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, class “B” Felony.

On February 4, 2014 at approximately 12:52 a.m. in the vicinity of School and Harmon Streets, the defendant, hit the victim on the head with a glass vodka bottle causing the victim to fall to the ground, and then repeatedly punched and kicked the victim in the head.

Two witnesses called 911, police responded quickly and the defendant was seen walking away from the location of the incident.

The victim was transported to WestchesterMedicalCenter and admitted for traumatic brain injury.  He remained in a medically induced coma throughout his nearly 6 week stay, during which time he underwent several procedures, remained on a ventilator.

He was transported to a long term care facility in the Bronx and on March 19th 2014, he was noted to be in respiratory distress and was transported to MontefioreMedicalCenter where he was pronounced dead.

The cause of death was certified as complications of blunt impacts of the head.

Sentencing will be on April 28th, 2015.

He faces a maximum sentence of twenty five years in state prison.

Assistant District Attorney Shameika Mathurin of the Career Criminal Bureau prosecuted the case.

 

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NABBED! Police Round Up Robbery Suspect; THANK NEWS MEDIA.

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ROBERT BERRY

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From White Plains Department of Public Safety. March 24, 2015 UPDATED JANUARY 25, 2015:

Within 24 hours of the posting on the internet by Lohud.com and The White Plains CitizeNetReporter of the surveillance photo above, the suspect who was shown in the progress a walk-in, walk-out, help yourself robbery of this picture, White Plains Police are  pleased to announce the arrest of the suspect.

Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong said, “Robert Berry a 54 year old Mt. Vernon resident was arrested last night by our investigators for the USA Pro Auto Shop larceny of $90k. The White Plains Police Department appreciates the assistance of the news media which helped lead to his apprehension.”

White Plains police released the above photograph overnigh Monday  of a man who police said robbed the USA Service Pro Auto Shop service station, 578 Mamaroneck Avenue last Wednesday, March 18.

Lieutenant Eric Fischer told The Journal News  the man loitered a small amount of time outsdide the office, and when the office was unoccupied, walked in and helped himself to an open safe, departing quietly with $90,000 in cash.

Police are asking anyone who knows this man (captured on video) above to contact the police anonymously at 422-6200 or 422-6223. Information and your identity will be kept confidential..

 

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