Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Man awarded medal for foiling bank robbery in 2010 now accused of robbing a different bank
A man from Portland, Oregon, awarded a medal from the Portland Police Bureau five years ago for disarming a would-be bank robber now faces bank robbery charges of his own.
Mark Rothwell was taken into custody shortly after the Wednesday afternoon robbery of Albina Community Bank, according to a federal complaint filed Thursday in US District Court.
"It's me you want," the 49-year-old told arresting officers.
Rothwell last crossed paths with Portland police in March 2010. He was one of two customers left inside a Chase branch inside the Hollywood Fred Meyer in Northeast Portland about five minutes before its 7pm closing.
The former Londoner had visited the bank to ask about exchange rates in anticipation of a trip back to England. A man walked in, pulled out a gun, which turned out to be a fake, and demanded cash. Seeing terror on the teller's face, Rothwell jumped at the man, knocked the gun away and held him down until police arrived. The following June, the Portland Police Bureau presented Rothwell with a Civilian Medal for Heroism for his actions. On Wednesday, the Albina teller told police that a man walked into the lobby carrying a gun in his right hand and said, "Give me all your cash," as he pointed the gun back and forth from one teller to another.
The tellers did as they were told, putting $15,703 in a "rope-cinched bag." One teller told Portland Detective Brett S. Hawkinson that the robber had a 2-inch cross tattoo on his neck, a 5 o'clock shadow and European accent. Hawkinson reviewed the surveillance video, which showed the suspect had not covered his face. Shortly after the robbery, police received information that the stolen cash was inside a running, unoccupied white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck nearby. The license plate on the truck was actually registered to a 2002 Audi sedan. Officer James West recovered a white bag containing a large quantity of cash, a black knitted cap, black gloves and a 9mm Beretta handgun
With the help of tracking dog, officers were led to a backyard of a home and confronted a man there. During the confrontation, another man identified as Mark Rothwell stepped out from behind the house. "It's me you want," Rothwell said, according to court documents. When Officer Scherise Hobbs asked him why, records show, Rothwell replied, "I just robbed the bank." Both tellers later identified Rothwell as the robber, and Hawkinson identified Rothwell as the suspect from the surveillance footage. "it appears to be an unfortunate turn of events in this man's life," said Sgt. Pete Simpson, a Portland police spokesman. Rothwell is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on Thursday.
The former Londoner had visited the bank to ask about exchange rates in anticipation of a trip back to England. A man walked in, pulled out a gun, which turned out to be a fake, and demanded cash. Seeing terror on the teller's face, Rothwell jumped at the man, knocked the gun away and held him down until police arrived. The following June, the Portland Police Bureau presented Rothwell with a Civilian Medal for Heroism for his actions. On Wednesday, the Albina teller told police that a man walked into the lobby carrying a gun in his right hand and said, "Give me all your cash," as he pointed the gun back and forth from one teller to another.
The tellers did as they were told, putting $15,703 in a "rope-cinched bag." One teller told Portland Detective Brett S. Hawkinson that the robber had a 2-inch cross tattoo on his neck, a 5 o'clock shadow and European accent. Hawkinson reviewed the surveillance video, which showed the suspect had not covered his face. Shortly after the robbery, police received information that the stolen cash was inside a running, unoccupied white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck nearby. The license plate on the truck was actually registered to a 2002 Audi sedan. Officer James West recovered a white bag containing a large quantity of cash, a black knitted cap, black gloves and a 9mm Beretta handgun
With the help of tracking dog, officers were led to a backyard of a home and confronted a man there. During the confrontation, another man identified as Mark Rothwell stepped out from behind the house. "It's me you want," Rothwell said, according to court documents. When Officer Scherise Hobbs asked him why, records show, Rothwell replied, "I just robbed the bank." Both tellers later identified Rothwell as the robber, and Hawkinson identified Rothwell as the suspect from the surveillance footage. "it appears to be an unfortunate turn of events in this man's life," said Sgt. Pete Simpson, a Portland police spokesman. Rothwell is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on Thursday.
Officials looking for meth lab found moonshine still instead
State probation officials in Florida searching a Plant City property for a meth lab instead found a moonshine still with a barrel of fermenting corn mash and strawberries, authorities said.
At 5:30pm on Thursday, Hillsborough County sheriff’s detectives and and state Department of Corrections officers responded to the home of Donnie Jones, to locate a meth lab, the sheriff’s office said.
The officials were were searching a shed on the property and found the still under an overhang, the sheriff’s office said. Detectives said they observed a red 50-gallon plastic barrel which contained corn mash and strawberries. Detectives said they also located a white plastic barrel with copper worm tubing.
Detectives found items to make methamphetamine but not an operational lab, the sheriff’s office said. Jones, 26, was arrested for violating probation on charges of resisting a law enforcement officer without violence, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
At 5:30pm on Thursday, Hillsborough County sheriff’s detectives and and state Department of Corrections officers responded to the home of Donnie Jones, to locate a meth lab, the sheriff’s office said.
The officials were were searching a shed on the property and found the still under an overhang, the sheriff’s office said. Detectives said they observed a red 50-gallon plastic barrel which contained corn mash and strawberries. Detectives said they also located a white plastic barrel with copper worm tubing.
Detectives found items to make methamphetamine but not an operational lab, the sheriff’s office said. Jones, 26, was arrested for violating probation on charges of resisting a law enforcement officer without violence, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Temporary Nazi tattoos removed from store after staff and management were told what they were
A store in Auckland, New Zealand, has removed Nazi temporary tattoos from its shelves after staff and managment were advised what they represented.
No.1 Mart in Manukau said in a statement there would be a recall on the tattoo packets and they would be returned to the supplier. Both staff and management were previously "unaware of what the sign represented", the statement added.
Anthony Smith was shopping with his four-year-old daughter on Sunday when he came across the packet that included a Nazi-styled eagle perched over a swastika. He said his initial response was 'what the f***?'
"I had a look and yeah, it was an actual swastika with an eagle, next to peace signs weirdly enough." No.1 Mart thanked Smith for bringing it to their attention and apologised to all parents. "Our store stocks many products and it is not our aim to offend anyone."
No.1 Mart in Manukau said in a statement there would be a recall on the tattoo packets and they would be returned to the supplier. Both staff and management were previously "unaware of what the sign represented", the statement added.
Anthony Smith was shopping with his four-year-old daughter on Sunday when he came across the packet that included a Nazi-styled eagle perched over a swastika. He said his initial response was 'what the f***?'
"I had a look and yeah, it was an actual swastika with an eagle, next to peace signs weirdly enough." No.1 Mart thanked Smith for bringing it to their attention and apologised to all parents. "Our store stocks many products and it is not our aim to offend anyone."
Disappointment all round over road markings painted in the dark
Road markings will be re-done after contractors painted a white line over leaves and debris on Mt Nebo Rd in Brisbane, Australia.
Moreton Bay Regional Councillor Bob Millar said: “It is a contractor that does line marking, not council staff.”
He said the work was part of regular line marking on Mt Nebo Rd which was being done ahead of winter when low cloud can hamper visibility at night. “We’ve had our project manager visit the site and he tells me it is an isolated instance of that problem in what is effectively a 15km long job,” Cr Millar said.
“They were actually doing this job at night so it’s not beyond the bounds of possibility that in the darkness the operator for the company contracted to council has missed it.” Cr Millar said the project manager had discussed the matter with the contractor’s owner and they would be repairing that section at their cost.
“I was disappointed, the director was disappointed, the project manager was disappointed - and so was the owner of the contractor. The reason (the work) is being done at night time is for safety reasons and for the convenience of our residents,” he added. “I’m advised that the line marking is now all complete except for the passage they’ve got to come back and fix."
He said the work was part of regular line marking on Mt Nebo Rd which was being done ahead of winter when low cloud can hamper visibility at night. “We’ve had our project manager visit the site and he tells me it is an isolated instance of that problem in what is effectively a 15km long job,” Cr Millar said.
“They were actually doing this job at night so it’s not beyond the bounds of possibility that in the darkness the operator for the company contracted to council has missed it.” Cr Millar said the project manager had discussed the matter with the contractor’s owner and they would be repairing that section at their cost.
“I was disappointed, the director was disappointed, the project manager was disappointed - and so was the owner of the contractor. The reason (the work) is being done at night time is for safety reasons and for the convenience of our residents,” he added. “I’m advised that the line marking is now all complete except for the passage they’ve got to come back and fix."
Honeymooning man rescued after falling down 4,000-foot 'World's End' cliff while taking photo
A Dutch honeymooner has become the first person to survive a fall from the 4,000-foot World's End cliff in Sri Lanka.
Mamitho Lendas, 35, was taking a photograph of his new bride when he took a step backwards and plunged off the cliff.
But rather than dropping to the bottom, his fall was broken by a tree about 130ft down the rock face. Sri Lankan army troops used ropes to reach him and winch him back to safety. Some 40 soldiers and a military helicopter were involved in the rescue.
"It was very scary and very painful as well," said Mr Lendas, who suffered no major injuries in the incident. "I was making pictures and I had a misstep and I fell down backwards. Then I sat in (a bush) for like three and a half hours... the longest three and a half hours of my life."
YouTube link.
Sri Lankan army spokesman Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera said Mr Lendas was "extremely lucky" to survive. "He fell on top of a tree about 130ft from the top," he said. "He is the first person to survive a fall from World's End." The World's End cliff is the main attraction at the Horton Plains nature reserve in central Sri Lanka and is a key tourist attraction.
But rather than dropping to the bottom, his fall was broken by a tree about 130ft down the rock face. Sri Lankan army troops used ropes to reach him and winch him back to safety. Some 40 soldiers and a military helicopter were involved in the rescue.
"It was very scary and very painful as well," said Mr Lendas, who suffered no major injuries in the incident. "I was making pictures and I had a misstep and I fell down backwards. Then I sat in (a bush) for like three and a half hours... the longest three and a half hours of my life."
YouTube link.
Sri Lankan army spokesman Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera said Mr Lendas was "extremely lucky" to survive. "He fell on top of a tree about 130ft from the top," he said. "He is the first person to survive a fall from World's End." The World's End cliff is the main attraction at the Horton Plains nature reserve in central Sri Lanka and is a key tourist attraction.
Warning after home destroyed and family dog killed in fire caused by Nutella jar
A family's house was gutted and their beloved dog killed when a Nutella jar magnified the sun's rays, sparking a huge blaze.
Declan Murphy has warned others to be alert to the danger following the devastating inferno at his home in Twickenham, west London, last Sunday afternoon.
The fire is believed to have been been ignited when the low winter sunlight was focused through the chocolate spread container on his daughter's bedroom window sill, used to hold her loom bands. Mr Murphy, 41, was out at the time, celebrating the anniversary of his engagement, with his wife and two children, aged seven and three.
But their dog, a nine-year-old Jack Russell called Chili, was trapped inside and died of smoke inhalation. "We're all heartbroken at Chili's death and we've been told it will be up to a year before the house is ready for us to move back into," he said. "I want to ensure other people are aware of the dangers and know to keep glass items away from windows and out of direct sunlight so they don't have to go through anything like this."
Charlie Pugsley, from the London Fire Brigade's fire investigation unit, said: "These sort of fires are not as rare as you would think. I've seen everything from sparkly door knobs to crystal balls starting fires. Crystal and glass ornaments and items such as mirror tables should be kept out of direct sunlight. This shows these fires are not an urban myth."
The fire is believed to have been been ignited when the low winter sunlight was focused through the chocolate spread container on his daughter's bedroom window sill, used to hold her loom bands. Mr Murphy, 41, was out at the time, celebrating the anniversary of his engagement, with his wife and two children, aged seven and three.
But their dog, a nine-year-old Jack Russell called Chili, was trapped inside and died of smoke inhalation. "We're all heartbroken at Chili's death and we've been told it will be up to a year before the house is ready for us to move back into," he said. "I want to ensure other people are aware of the dangers and know to keep glass items away from windows and out of direct sunlight so they don't have to go through anything like this."
Charlie Pugsley, from the London Fire Brigade's fire investigation unit, said: "These sort of fires are not as rare as you would think. I've seen everything from sparkly door knobs to crystal balls starting fires. Crystal and glass ornaments and items such as mirror tables should be kept out of direct sunlight. This shows these fires are not an urban myth."
Motorist doing handstands on motorway hard shoulder scored highly for effort by traffic police
Police were called to the hard shoulder of the busy M60 in Manchester after motorists spotted a man doing handstands next to his broken down car in a bid to keep warm.
Officers received the unusual call after confused drivers saw the man attempting to stay toasty with a spot of impromptu roadside gymnastics just before 7pm on Sunday evening.
Police found him near J5 of the M60 on the slip road for the M56 near Manchester Airport. The North West Motorway Police account tweeted: “A report of a broken down vehicle on the hard shoulder male at side doing handstands. Police attended, he was trying to keep warm.”
Officers warned the man that his antics were concerning other drivers, but scored him highly for effort. A spokesperson said: “The gentleman was advised that his gymnastics were attracting attention. His vehicle was recovered and he scored 8.5.”
Officers received the unusual call after confused drivers saw the man attempting to stay toasty with a spot of impromptu roadside gymnastics just before 7pm on Sunday evening.
Police found him near J5 of the M60 on the slip road for the M56 near Manchester Airport. The North West Motorway Police account tweeted: “A report of a broken down vehicle on the hard shoulder male at side doing handstands. Police attended, he was trying to keep warm.”
Officers warned the man that his antics were concerning other drivers, but scored him highly for effort. A spokesperson said: “The gentleman was advised that his gymnastics were attracting attention. His vehicle was recovered and he scored 8.5.”
Tiny pony given periscope so he can see out of his stable
Children in Brixton, London, have come up with a clever solution to help Pedro the pony see over his stable door.
Pedro the Shetland Pony moved into the Ebony Horse Club a year ago but they only had full sized stables to house him in.
At just over a metre tall, Pedro can't see over his stable door. A group of school children were invited to come up with a solution. Building a new stable was too expensive, so the team came up with a clever idea.
YouTube link.
They designed The Pedroscope, a periscope, which uses mirrors to let Pedro peek over the stable door. The club is now trying to raise money to build Pedro a new Pedro-sized stable.
Pedro the Shetland Pony moved into the Ebony Horse Club a year ago but they only had full sized stables to house him in.
At just over a metre tall, Pedro can't see over his stable door. A group of school children were invited to come up with a solution. Building a new stable was too expensive, so the team came up with a clever idea.
YouTube link.
They designed The Pedroscope, a periscope, which uses mirrors to let Pedro peek over the stable door. The club is now trying to raise money to build Pedro a new Pedro-sized stable.
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