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Saturday, September 10, 2011
Woman, 22, accused of vampire attack on elderly man
The vampire attacked just before midnight on the porch of a vacant Hooters. Milton Ellis, 69, was sleeping in his motorised wheelchair when he awoke to find Josephine Rebecca Smith, 22, of Pensacola on top of him, said police spokesman Mike Puetz. She told Ellis she was a vampire and bit his face and neck. She bit off chunks of his face and part of his lip, Puetz said.
Ellis managed to escape and called for help at a nearby Shell gas station, where he had just met Smith. Face bloodied, he directed police to the Hooters at 10400 Roosevelt Blvd. N. Police found Smith there, half naked and covered in blood, but uninjured. They said she had no idea what happened or why her clothes were off. Ellis said she was dressed when he last saw her, police said.
Ellis first encountered Smith after a relative dropped her off at a Shell station. Smith tried calling a relative in Pensacola to pick her up. Ellis invited her to hang out with him at the vacant Hooters until someone picked her up. He eventually fell asleep.
Smith was arrested on a charge of aggravated battery on an elderly person. Bail was set at $50,000. Ellis, who needed stitches after the attack, has been arrested numerous times in Pinellas County for offenses including panhandling, disorderly intoxication, trespassing and possession of an open container.
There's a news video here.
Ellis managed to escape and called for help at a nearby Shell gas station, where he had just met Smith. Face bloodied, he directed police to the Hooters at 10400 Roosevelt Blvd. N. Police found Smith there, half naked and covered in blood, but uninjured. They said she had no idea what happened or why her clothes were off. Ellis said she was dressed when he last saw her, police said.
Ellis first encountered Smith after a relative dropped her off at a Shell station. Smith tried calling a relative in Pensacola to pick her up. Ellis invited her to hang out with him at the vacant Hooters until someone picked her up. He eventually fell asleep.
Smith was arrested on a charge of aggravated battery on an elderly person. Bail was set at $50,000. Ellis, who needed stitches after the attack, has been arrested numerous times in Pinellas County for offenses including panhandling, disorderly intoxication, trespassing and possession of an open container.
There's a news video here.
Man asked permission to dump body in neighbour's bin
Tacoma police say a man suspected of dumping a body in a bin asked his neighbours for permission before placing the corpse in the receptacle. Police spokesman officer Mark Fulghum says after the 20-year-old suspect talked to his neighbours, they went to the bin in the 500 block of East 36th Street and saw the victim's body. Fulghum says the couple left the area, spotted two gang unit officers nearby and told them about the body and their neighbour's request to use the bin to dispose of it.
As the officers were investigating, the suspect walked out of a nearby residence and was taken into custody. A woman who asked not to be named or show her face out of fear of repercussions said her next-door neighbor came to her home and asked her to help him dispose of a body. "(He asked) if we would help him, that he just killed somebody and there was a dead body in his house, and if we would help him dispose of the body in the bin in the alley," she said. "He was really calm and laughing about it, so we thought it was a joke at first."
The woman said her friend found the body in her bin a short time later, when she said the suspect opened the lid as she was waiting to put some rubbish inside. "He lifted the lid and that's when she saw the body in there ," the woman said of her friend. "(He said) 'What do you think of this?' I think it's absolutely bizarre." Fulghum says the suspect admitted putting the dead man in the bin, but has given three or four different versions about what happened.
"He's given a few different variations of what took place," Fulghum said. "So right now, we've got to sort out those and match the evidence and get the true story." The Pierce County medical examiner is performing an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Fulghum says the victim's identification has not been confirmed yet. The suspect has been booked into the Pierce County Jail on suspicion of murder.
With news video.
As the officers were investigating, the suspect walked out of a nearby residence and was taken into custody. A woman who asked not to be named or show her face out of fear of repercussions said her next-door neighbor came to her home and asked her to help him dispose of a body. "(He asked) if we would help him, that he just killed somebody and there was a dead body in his house, and if we would help him dispose of the body in the bin in the alley," she said. "He was really calm and laughing about it, so we thought it was a joke at first."
The woman said her friend found the body in her bin a short time later, when she said the suspect opened the lid as she was waiting to put some rubbish inside. "He lifted the lid and that's when she saw the body in there ," the woman said of her friend. "(He said) 'What do you think of this?' I think it's absolutely bizarre." Fulghum says the suspect admitted putting the dead man in the bin, but has given three or four different versions about what happened.
"He's given a few different variations of what took place," Fulghum said. "So right now, we've got to sort out those and match the evidence and get the true story." The Pierce County medical examiner is performing an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Fulghum says the victim's identification has not been confirmed yet. The suspect has been booked into the Pierce County Jail on suspicion of murder.
With news video.
Woman dies after injecting hot beef fat into her face
A Homewood woman died on Thursday after apparently injecting heated beef fat into her face at her south suburban home. Janet Hardt, 63, was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m. at Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
A source said shortly before Hardt died she injected heated beef fat into her face around her mouth and chin, which she had done before on several occasions. Hardt went to the hospital after complaining that her face became singed and felt like it was burning, according to the source.
She has previously undergone multiple facial surgeries, the source said. An autopsy to determine the cause and manner of her death is scheduled for later, according to the medical examiner’s office.
Homewood spokeswoman Rachael Jones would not confirm or deny the medial examiner’s office reports and said police were waiting for the results of the autopsy before releasing any information.
A source said shortly before Hardt died she injected heated beef fat into her face around her mouth and chin, which she had done before on several occasions. Hardt went to the hospital after complaining that her face became singed and felt like it was burning, according to the source.
She has previously undergone multiple facial surgeries, the source said. An autopsy to determine the cause and manner of her death is scheduled for later, according to the medical examiner’s office.
Homewood spokeswoman Rachael Jones would not confirm or deny the medial examiner’s office reports and said police were waiting for the results of the autopsy before releasing any information.
Clumsy thief caught on CCTV stealing cigarettes
Police are trying to identify a clumsy thief who they say made off with more than $1,300 in cigarettes from a drug store. Surveillance video showed a man and a woman at a Walgreen's store on South Federal Highway just past 3 a.m. on Monday.
The woman distracted the clerk by asking for help with some wart medicine, and after she drew the clerk away from the counter, the man jumped behind the counter and put 25 cartons of cigarettes into a large bag.
YouTube link.
But after he jumped back over the counter, he dropped the bag, scattering the cigarette cartons across the floor. He then picked them all up, put them back in the bag, then ran out of the store.
The man is described as black, in his 30s, wearing a long, white T-shirt with dark Dickie's shorts. The woman, also black, was wearing white medical scrubs. They left together in a newer-model white or silver Ford.
The woman distracted the clerk by asking for help with some wart medicine, and after she drew the clerk away from the counter, the man jumped behind the counter and put 25 cartons of cigarettes into a large bag.
YouTube link.
But after he jumped back over the counter, he dropped the bag, scattering the cigarette cartons across the floor. He then picked them all up, put them back in the bag, then ran out of the store.
The man is described as black, in his 30s, wearing a long, white T-shirt with dark Dickie's shorts. The woman, also black, was wearing white medical scrubs. They left together in a newer-model white or silver Ford.
Smelly sneaker fails to revive fainted witness
Falguni Patel was just a little ways into her testimony on Wednesday in New Port Richey courtroom, Florida, when it all became too much. The prosecutor showed Patel the knife used by the masked robber who held up her convenience store in 2009. Patel, already shaking and on the verge of tears, flopped back in the witness chair, unconscious.
Circuit Judge Michael Andrews had the jury taken out of the room. A bailiff called for an ambulance. Then everyone waited. It was the defendant who finally spoke up, wondering aloud if Patel was breathing. She was. She had fainted.
Another bailiff brought in a family member, who in an apparent attempt to revive Patel, removed a sneaker and held it up to her face, perhaps like smelling salts. The woman told bailiffs that Patel is prone to fainting and she frequently uses this technique to revive her. Patel didn't wake up.
After paramedics arrived, Patel was wheeled out on a stretcher and reported to be resting at home in the afternoon. She is expected to take the stand again later. This all happened during day two of the trial of 32-year-old Morgan Armstrong, charged with armed robbery in the October 2009 holdup at Beverages Plus on State Road 52 in Hudson.
Circuit Judge Michael Andrews had the jury taken out of the room. A bailiff called for an ambulance. Then everyone waited. It was the defendant who finally spoke up, wondering aloud if Patel was breathing. She was. She had fainted.
Another bailiff brought in a family member, who in an apparent attempt to revive Patel, removed a sneaker and held it up to her face, perhaps like smelling salts. The woman told bailiffs that Patel is prone to fainting and she frequently uses this technique to revive her. Patel didn't wake up.
After paramedics arrived, Patel was wheeled out on a stretcher and reported to be resting at home in the afternoon. She is expected to take the stand again later. This all happened during day two of the trial of 32-year-old Morgan Armstrong, charged with armed robbery in the October 2009 holdup at Beverages Plus on State Road 52 in Hudson.
Thief drank four bottles of hospital hand cleaner
A hospital patient drank four bottles of alcohol handwash then stole a charity box containing just 70p from a chapel.
Steven Cox’s lawyer Hugh Robertson told a court: “It is amazing to me that he’s here to tell the tale.”
Cox, 35, appeared for sentencing after pleading guilty to criminal damage and theft of the charity box on May 15 at William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford, Kent.
Folkestone JPs gave Cox, of Saltwood, near Folkestone, a year’s community order with six months’ alcohol and drug treatment, 50 hours of unpaid work and a curfew for three months. He must pay £205 compensation.
Steven Cox’s lawyer Hugh Robertson told a court: “It is amazing to me that he’s here to tell the tale.”
Cox, 35, appeared for sentencing after pleading guilty to criminal damage and theft of the charity box on May 15 at William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford, Kent.
Folkestone JPs gave Cox, of Saltwood, near Folkestone, a year’s community order with six months’ alcohol and drug treatment, 50 hours of unpaid work and a curfew for three months. He must pay £205 compensation.
Inventor causes house explosion making home-made vodka
An inventor has been injured in an explosion, after apparently producing vodka in a house in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Lawrence Toms, 44, from Tynewydd, near Treherbert, was taken to hospital with burns to his hands and face. Ten terrace houses were evacuated as a precaution as the fire spread through three roof spaces. Police said Mr Toms had not done anything illegal because it is not a criminal offence to produce alcohol for private use.
Four fire engines and a water bowser were called to the scene after the explosion at 23:34 BST on Tuesday. A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it took three hours to bring the fire under control. Neighbours described hearing a huge blast. One, Gavin Rees, 28, said he then looked out of the window and saw Mr Toms in his underwear with serious burns to his arms.
"I took him in and ran his burns under the tap until the paramedics took him away." Hannah Knowles, 63, who lives opposite, said: "I looked out the window and saw giant jets of flame shooting out of the roof of Mr Tom's house. I've never seen anything like it."His windows were blown out but luckily for me his camper van was parked outside and that shielded me from the blast." Graduate Mr Toms runs his own small company which makes, among other things, gift paper and stationery from sheep droppings. In 2006 he won a £20,000 Millennium Award for "social entrepreneurship".
He is being treated at Morriston Hospital in Swansea where he was described as "stable". South Wales Police said they believe the explosion was caused by home-made alcohol. "We believe the explosion was triggered by a home-brewing kit. But officers are satisfied he was making it for his own consumption and this was not a commercial operation," said a spokesman. Officers took the apparatus away for examination.
Four fire engines and a water bowser were called to the scene after the explosion at 23:34 BST on Tuesday. A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it took three hours to bring the fire under control. Neighbours described hearing a huge blast. One, Gavin Rees, 28, said he then looked out of the window and saw Mr Toms in his underwear with serious burns to his arms.
"I took him in and ran his burns under the tap until the paramedics took him away." Hannah Knowles, 63, who lives opposite, said: "I looked out the window and saw giant jets of flame shooting out of the roof of Mr Tom's house. I've never seen anything like it."His windows were blown out but luckily for me his camper van was parked outside and that shielded me from the blast." Graduate Mr Toms runs his own small company which makes, among other things, gift paper and stationery from sheep droppings. In 2006 he won a £20,000 Millennium Award for "social entrepreneurship".
He is being treated at Morriston Hospital in Swansea where he was described as "stable". South Wales Police said they believe the explosion was caused by home-made alcohol. "We believe the explosion was triggered by a home-brewing kit. But officers are satisfied he was making it for his own consumption and this was not a commercial operation," said a spokesman. Officers took the apparatus away for examination.
Grandfather caught making napalm after being egged
A tormented grandfather combed the internet for bombmaking instructions after a dispute with neighbours became too much for him, a court has been told. Police found Nicholas Smith in an agitated state when they responded to a complaint about eggs being thrown at his house, in Horden, County Durham, in May. Police Constable Gary Fildes saw 53-year-old Mr Smith mixing household items, including lighter fuel, in a saucepan, making napalm. When asked by the officer what he was doing, Mr Smith replied: “What does it f*****g look like? I am making a bomb.” He was arrested immediately, Teesside Crown Court was told. Mr Smith is on trial, facing two charges under the Explosive Substances Act.
The former Territorial Army volunteer has grown-up children, but daughter Melanie died a number of years ago, aged seven. Dan Cordey, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Smith wrote about his despair over the problems he was having with neighbours, in Twelfth Street, on social network website Facebook, in the days leading up to his arrest. He wrote: “Now I’m gonna die tonight. War has been declared [by neighbours]. Eggs thrown at me. To hell with the cops. I will burn them. I would rather be with Melanie.” The jury was shown a printout of a web page taken from Mr Smith’s computer. It read: “Anarchist’s list, how to make a bomb, 22 ways to kill.” Mr Smith had visited several websites about explosives after searching “how to make a bomb”, said Mr Cordey.
It is alleged that he also viewed articles on how to make napalm and Molotov cocktails. PC Fildes told the jury that police arrived at Mr Smith’s home at 10.20pm, on May 8, but were immediately called away to another incident, returning about an hour later. Various household items were seized, including a saucepan, cheese grater and soap, along with his computer. During cross examination, PC Fildes told the defendant’s barrister, Nathan Rasiah, that Mr Smith had said: “Go on, lock me up,” as he was arrested. Mr Cordey said Mr Smith had been bothered by antisocial behaviour from local youngsters in the weeks leading up to the incident. He said: “It is clear, from the evidence, that the actions against him and his family had affected him, and it may be that he was coming to the end of his tether.”
He added: “The prosecution does not suggest, in this case, that the defendant’s actions were part of any detailed plan. We do say that, at the relevant time, he did have the necessary intention. The Crown accepts that we are not dealing with a man who is a terrorist, but charges of this kind are not designed purely for the most serious cases, such as that.” Forensic scientist Lorna Phillip, who analysed materials seized from Mr Smith’s home, told the court her findings suggested he had been attempting to create a thickened fuel mixture. She said the mixture would not have been explosive in itself, but it could have been described as napalm. Mr Smith denies the charges against him. The trial continues.
The former Territorial Army volunteer has grown-up children, but daughter Melanie died a number of years ago, aged seven. Dan Cordey, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Smith wrote about his despair over the problems he was having with neighbours, in Twelfth Street, on social network website Facebook, in the days leading up to his arrest. He wrote: “Now I’m gonna die tonight. War has been declared [by neighbours]. Eggs thrown at me. To hell with the cops. I will burn them. I would rather be with Melanie.” The jury was shown a printout of a web page taken from Mr Smith’s computer. It read: “Anarchist’s list, how to make a bomb, 22 ways to kill.” Mr Smith had visited several websites about explosives after searching “how to make a bomb”, said Mr Cordey.
It is alleged that he also viewed articles on how to make napalm and Molotov cocktails. PC Fildes told the jury that police arrived at Mr Smith’s home at 10.20pm, on May 8, but were immediately called away to another incident, returning about an hour later. Various household items were seized, including a saucepan, cheese grater and soap, along with his computer. During cross examination, PC Fildes told the defendant’s barrister, Nathan Rasiah, that Mr Smith had said: “Go on, lock me up,” as he was arrested. Mr Cordey said Mr Smith had been bothered by antisocial behaviour from local youngsters in the weeks leading up to the incident. He said: “It is clear, from the evidence, that the actions against him and his family had affected him, and it may be that he was coming to the end of his tether.”
He added: “The prosecution does not suggest, in this case, that the defendant’s actions were part of any detailed plan. We do say that, at the relevant time, he did have the necessary intention. The Crown accepts that we are not dealing with a man who is a terrorist, but charges of this kind are not designed purely for the most serious cases, such as that.” Forensic scientist Lorna Phillip, who analysed materials seized from Mr Smith’s home, told the court her findings suggested he had been attempting to create a thickened fuel mixture. She said the mixture would not have been explosive in itself, but it could have been described as napalm. Mr Smith denies the charges against him. The trial continues.
Police stopped crime victim reclaiming stolen bike, then let thieves cycle away
Police have apologised after stopping a crime victim from reclaiming his stolen bike - and then letting the crook pedal away scot-free. Simon Turner, of Cookham Rise, had his bicycle stolen from his shed at the beginning of August. He was walking through the town centre on Friday, August 26, when he spotted the bike chained up opposite McDonald's.
With his six-year-old son Giles, he set about trying to find a police officer and eventually located a PCSO who he took back to the bike. The 48-year-old said: "I gave details of a hidden technical modification, then she looked and there it was - it was clearly my bike. I said I'd go home and get some tools and remove it but they said we couldn't remove the bike. They said 'you'll be damaging the lock and it's not your property'."
The company director even offered the PCSO £5 for the 'cheap' lock but was told the owner could sue him for the damage. The PCSO, receiving advice from the police station, told Mr Turner to leave the bike there and the police would monitor who came to collect it using CCTV. "They rang me up on Tuesday to say it was removed and taken away by two males who could not be identified," he added. "And that's it - my bike's gone again. I'm absolutely appalled."
A police spokesman said: "The PCSO was acting on the advice of a colleague, and, although we've yet to establish exactly what happened, it does appear the incorrect advice was given to her and there were other steps that could have been taken at the time. We'd like to apologise for this mistake and reassure the gentleman concerned that we are doing all we can to track down the person or people who stole his bicycle."
With his six-year-old son Giles, he set about trying to find a police officer and eventually located a PCSO who he took back to the bike. The 48-year-old said: "I gave details of a hidden technical modification, then she looked and there it was - it was clearly my bike. I said I'd go home and get some tools and remove it but they said we couldn't remove the bike. They said 'you'll be damaging the lock and it's not your property'."
The company director even offered the PCSO £5 for the 'cheap' lock but was told the owner could sue him for the damage. The PCSO, receiving advice from the police station, told Mr Turner to leave the bike there and the police would monitor who came to collect it using CCTV. "They rang me up on Tuesday to say it was removed and taken away by two males who could not be identified," he added. "And that's it - my bike's gone again. I'm absolutely appalled."
A police spokesman said: "The PCSO was acting on the advice of a colleague, and, although we've yet to establish exactly what happened, it does appear the incorrect advice was given to her and there were other steps that could have been taken at the time. We'd like to apologise for this mistake and reassure the gentleman concerned that we are doing all we can to track down the person or people who stole his bicycle."
Drunk burglar stole show home fake TV not realising it was a worthless dummy
Burglar Christopher May could hardly believe his luck when he tiptoed into a posh new waterfront development and stole a flashy flatscreen TV. He stumbled the few steps back home with his booty in tow and got ready to show it off to his pregnant fiancee. But his moment of criminal glory turned to horror when she pointed out it was nothing but an empty box.
The 29-year-old had mistakenly targeted a show home in the Orwell Quay development, just yards from his Patteson Road apartment, and had made off with a fake television put there to impress potential buyers. He had even failed to notice there was no cable or plug on the imitation set, which was completely worthless.
May admitted the burglary which took place on August 21 when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court. Defence solicitor Mark Holt said: “The room was set up to look like a living room. He was so intoxicated he didn’t realise it had no flex on it.” May has a history of alcohol-related crime, although he has managed to keep his nose clean for the past three-and-a-half years by going to counselling.
District Judge David Cooper, who presided over the hearing, told the defendant: “It’s really due to you having drunk far too much, and you stole an item that has no value whatsoever. You said you felt stupid about it and you had a right to feel stupid and a right to feel guilty – house burglary is a serious matter.” May was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 compensation to developer Persimmon Homes as well as £85 in court costs as punishment for his crime.
The 29-year-old had mistakenly targeted a show home in the Orwell Quay development, just yards from his Patteson Road apartment, and had made off with a fake television put there to impress potential buyers. He had even failed to notice there was no cable or plug on the imitation set, which was completely worthless.
May admitted the burglary which took place on August 21 when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court. Defence solicitor Mark Holt said: “The room was set up to look like a living room. He was so intoxicated he didn’t realise it had no flex on it.” May has a history of alcohol-related crime, although he has managed to keep his nose clean for the past three-and-a-half years by going to counselling.
District Judge David Cooper, who presided over the hearing, told the defendant: “It’s really due to you having drunk far too much, and you stole an item that has no value whatsoever. You said you felt stupid about it and you had a right to feel stupid and a right to feel guilty – house burglary is a serious matter.” May was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 compensation to developer Persimmon Homes as well as £85 in court costs as punishment for his crime.
Man killed by clothes horse
A man died in circumstances a coroner described as “probably rarer than being struck by lightning or a meteorite” when he became trapped in the rungs of an indoor clothes airer and suffocated himself. Bradford father-of-two Brian Depledge, 38, died in the incident on February 1 when he fell backwards onto the clothes horse, causing the drier to collapse and lodge his head between the rails. An inquest heard that his desperate efforts to free himself only made the compression worse, creating a “cat’s cradle effect”.
Photo from here.
Coroner Prof Paul Marks, recording a verdict of accidental death at the hearing on Thursday, said: “I have never come across a case like this. Brian’s was an untimely death caused by the most bizarre set of circumstances - probably rarer than being struck by lightning or struck by a meteorite. It’s an extremely rare cause of death.” Det Insp Mark Long, of Bradford CID, said Mr Depledge appeared to attempt to untangle himself from the airer by putting his right arm through one of the segments, but by pushing down on the bars it tightened the grip “like a concertina”.
Asked by Mr Depledge’s daughter Shawni Murgatroyd how her father could have fallen backwards, Det Insp Long suggested that he could have tripped over a small stool in his living room, which was found at his feet. He added that when Brian was found, the clothes at the top of the airer were still wet, which would have put even more pressure on his neck. Dr Philip Batman, a consultant pathologist who carried out the post-mortem, said that the effects of the incident would be similar to hanging. “It’s absolutely bizarre,” he said.
“Mr Depledge was found in his living room with the clothes horse on top of him and blood on his face. He appeared to have fallen and got stuck between the rungs of the airer. The drier gave way, but Brian’s struggles to release himself would have resulted in more suffocation. Deep indentations were found on his chest on the right hand side, along with an indentation on the right side of his neck. His lungs were congested with excess fluid, which is consistent with asphyxiation as a cause of death.”
Photo from here.
Coroner Prof Paul Marks, recording a verdict of accidental death at the hearing on Thursday, said: “I have never come across a case like this. Brian’s was an untimely death caused by the most bizarre set of circumstances - probably rarer than being struck by lightning or struck by a meteorite. It’s an extremely rare cause of death.” Det Insp Mark Long, of Bradford CID, said Mr Depledge appeared to attempt to untangle himself from the airer by putting his right arm through one of the segments, but by pushing down on the bars it tightened the grip “like a concertina”.
Asked by Mr Depledge’s daughter Shawni Murgatroyd how her father could have fallen backwards, Det Insp Long suggested that he could have tripped over a small stool in his living room, which was found at his feet. He added that when Brian was found, the clothes at the top of the airer were still wet, which would have put even more pressure on his neck. Dr Philip Batman, a consultant pathologist who carried out the post-mortem, said that the effects of the incident would be similar to hanging. “It’s absolutely bizarre,” he said.
“Mr Depledge was found in his living room with the clothes horse on top of him and blood on his face. He appeared to have fallen and got stuck between the rungs of the airer. The drier gave way, but Brian’s struggles to release himself would have resulted in more suffocation. Deep indentations were found on his chest on the right hand side, along with an indentation on the right side of his neck. His lungs were congested with excess fluid, which is consistent with asphyxiation as a cause of death.”
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