Springfield police charge city man with breaking into his ex-girlfriend's home and assaulting her
by The Republican Newsroom
Wednesday July 29, 2009, 7:10 AM
By GEORGE GRAHAM
ggraham@repub.com
SPRINGFIELD - Springfield police charged a 27-year-old city man with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and other charges following a break-in at his ex-girlfriend's Summit Street home.
The suspect slapped the woman with a diary and pushed her into a mailbox, Capt. Eugene C. Dexheimer said.
Police arrested the suspect, Miguel Valentin, 27, of 19 Summit St., Apt. 1, about 1:20 a.m., Wednesday. The incident occurred the day before, Dexheimer said.
Valentin was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony and resisting arrest, police documents state.
Wolf Security News: As I have stated before the daytime is not safer than the nitetime. In this instance, a door viewer with a deadbolt protecting the victim could have helped alot. Know when its time to upgrade your security in your life. It will keep you out of the news.
.jpg)
WOLF SECURITY NEWS DELIVERS Advice pertaining to home/business security and crime prevention measures. Articles on crime & crime prevention. How to protect against Home & Business intrusion. Products for security and detection.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Dumb Camera Thief
I always like to if possible to lock the dvr in an area that cant be found easy or away from the camera systems. Theives do not always think that a camera is sending a signal to a dvr or in some cases a wireless signal to a vcr. This gives us the advantage and should be a deterent if the person is smart. This guy was not smart.
Steve: Wolf Security News
Steve: Wolf Security News
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Bomb threat to court house
Investigators probe bomb threats at Springfield juvenile and housing courts
by The Republican Newsroom
Wednesday July 22, 2009, 8:11 AM
Photo by Mark M. Murray / The RepublicanA member of the Springfield Arson and Bomb Squad walks up the steps of the Springfield Juvenile Court on the State Street side Wednesday morning to inspect a package that was left there under a spray- painted sign that says "boom." The package was later detonated by the bomb squad.
This is a 1:02 p.m. update of a story originally posted at 8:11 this morning. By GEORGE GRAHAM ggraham@repub.com and BUFFY SPENCER bspencer@repub.com SPRINGFIELD - Suspicious items and spray-painted messages discovered at the front doors of both the Springfield juvenile and housing courts Wednesday morning prompted a full-scale response from the Springfield Arson and Bomb Squad. Police cordoned off the area, including the Hampden County Hall of Justice next door on State Street, following the discovery of the items and messages at about 7 a.m. The words "boom" and "bomb" were spray-painted on the front doors of those two courthouses which share the same building.
suspicious package delays Hall of Justice opening
Photo by Mark M. Murray / The Republican A suspicious yellow package that was left at the front door of the Springfield Juvenile Court building at 80 State Street.
Members of the arson and bomb squad continued Wednesday to probe the hoax, Springfield Fire Department spokesman Dennis G. Leger said. Employees of all the courts in both buildings stood across State Street from the Hall of Justice watching as police kept anyone from getting near the building housing the juvenile and housing Courts. The public parking lot across from Juvenile Court was kept empty as the torrent of people who pour into the courts each day waited nearby and shared with each other what they had heard. A box, which apparently once held nails, was found at the front door of the juvenile court. Above it, on the door, the word "boom" was spray-painted. A member of the bomb squad, dressed in full protective gear, placed a detonator near the box and a short time later a small explosive sound was heard as it was opened remotely.
Photo by Mark M. Murray / The RepublicanOfficials stay clear of the Springfield Juvenile Court building.The box turned out to be empty, Leger said. The door to the building's Court Street side, which serves as entrance to the housing court, was spray-painted with the word "bomb." Beneath it were several beverage containers and trash, Leger said. The Hall of Justice opened for business about 9 a.m. Prospective jurors, who had had to wait, too, were allowed in shortly before the building's official opening.
The building housing the juvenile and housing courts opened a short time later.
by The Republican Newsroom
Wednesday July 22, 2009, 8:11 AM
Photo by Mark M. Murray / The RepublicanA member of the Springfield Arson and Bomb Squad walks up the steps of the Springfield Juvenile Court on the State Street side Wednesday morning to inspect a package that was left there under a spray- painted sign that says "boom." The package was later detonated by the bomb squad.
This is a 1:02 p.m. update of a story originally posted at 8:11 this morning. By GEORGE GRAHAM ggraham@repub.com and BUFFY SPENCER bspencer@repub.com SPRINGFIELD - Suspicious items and spray-painted messages discovered at the front doors of both the Springfield juvenile and housing courts Wednesday morning prompted a full-scale response from the Springfield Arson and Bomb Squad. Police cordoned off the area, including the Hampden County Hall of Justice next door on State Street, following the discovery of the items and messages at about 7 a.m. The words "boom" and "bomb" were spray-painted on the front doors of those two courthouses which share the same building.
suspicious package delays Hall of Justice opening
Photo by Mark M. Murray / The Republican A suspicious yellow package that was left at the front door of the Springfield Juvenile Court building at 80 State Street.
Members of the arson and bomb squad continued Wednesday to probe the hoax, Springfield Fire Department spokesman Dennis G. Leger said. Employees of all the courts in both buildings stood across State Street from the Hall of Justice watching as police kept anyone from getting near the building housing the juvenile and housing Courts. The public parking lot across from Juvenile Court was kept empty as the torrent of people who pour into the courts each day waited nearby and shared with each other what they had heard. A box, which apparently once held nails, was found at the front door of the juvenile court. Above it, on the door, the word "boom" was spray-painted. A member of the bomb squad, dressed in full protective gear, placed a detonator near the box and a short time later a small explosive sound was heard as it was opened remotely.
Photo by Mark M. Murray / The RepublicanOfficials stay clear of the Springfield Juvenile Court building.The box turned out to be empty, Leger said. The door to the building's Court Street side, which serves as entrance to the housing court, was spray-painted with the word "bomb." Beneath it were several beverage containers and trash, Leger said. The Hall of Justice opened for business about 9 a.m. Prospective jurors, who had had to wait, too, were allowed in shortly before the building's official opening.
The building housing the juvenile and housing courts opened a short time later.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Neighbors help and stay aware
For the first time in his life, Harold Preston is locking his doors at night. He's just learned that one of his neighbours, a 77-year-old widow who lives alone, was severely beaten when someone forced their way inside. ... Neighbours reacted with surprise: "That's something that happened right under our nose." "I can't believe it happened." "Nothing ever happens here." "Things like that happen in big cities, not here."Excerpted from The Ottawa Citizen – 06 July 2007
Our world has changed, and things of the nature of the story above have become common place. I believe that a good way to protect your property is to keep close to your trust worthy nieghbors. A large majority of breakins in homes happen in the day, and in some cases where people are around and watching. Years ago I recall a neighbor of mine being robbed in the middle of the day. Many people saw a truck pull up but because they looked professional people just thought they were workers.
Also people may pose as everything from meter readers to salespersons or other contractors and prey on unsuspecting people. Always ask for I.D. or look for a truck with a number and call the number or check out the company thru information. Never let someone in to use the phone. If they are in need or trouble, dial for them, and tell the person thier problem. I have had people call my company over the years for someone in trouble and in need of service. It is not unheard of. If they refuse that help with you in control then maybe they are up to something else. Stay aware, it keeps you safe.
Women raped at springfield residence
Timothy Paulo of Chicopee charged with raping 25-year-old woman
by The Republican Newsroom
Thursday July 16, 2009, 3:25 PM
Timothy S. Paulo
By PAMELA H. METAXAS pmetaxas@repub.com CHICOPEE - A Chicopee man was arrested Wednesday and charged with the rape of a 25-year-old woman at a Springfield Street residence. Detective Timothy M. Foley said he took Timothy S. Paulo, 27, of 61 Beston St. into custody at the Police Department. The alleged incident occurred Saturday, and the victim came into headquarters to report it on Tuesday. Paulo was arraigned in Chicopee District Court on Thursday, posted $2,500 bail and the case was continued to Aug. 13 for a pre-trial conference.
by The Republican Newsroom
Thursday July 16, 2009, 3:25 PM
Timothy S. Paulo
By PAMELA H. METAXAS pmetaxas@repub.com CHICOPEE - A Chicopee man was arrested Wednesday and charged with the rape of a 25-year-old woman at a Springfield Street residence. Detective Timothy M. Foley said he took Timothy S. Paulo, 27, of 61 Beston St. into custody at the Police Department. The alleged incident occurred Saturday, and the victim came into headquarters to report it on Tuesday. Paulo was arraigned in Chicopee District Court on Thursday, posted $2,500 bail and the case was continued to Aug. 13 for a pre-trial conference.
Breakin to home to support drug habit
Three men from Springfield, 1 from Chester charged with breaking into homes to support drug habits
by The Republican Newsroom
Thursday July 16, 2009, 7:29 PM
Vadim Demyan
This is a 5:28 p.m. Friday update of a story originally posted at 7:29 p.m. Thursday.
By ELIZABETH ROMAN eroman@repub.com SPRINGFIELD - Four men who broke into East Forest Park homes to support their OxyContin habits have been arrested through the efforts of crime watch groups and police, said Sgt. John M. Delaney Thursday. Arrested were Vadim Demyan, 22, of 25 Larkspur St.; Sean Wilczynski, 18, of 15 Leland Drive; Korey Harrington, 18, of 72 Sunapee St., and Anthony Hart, 19, of Chester, said Delaney, aide to Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet.
Sean Wilczynski
All have been charged with seven counts of breaking and entering during the daytime with intent to commit a felony and larceny over $250, he said. Information about their arraignments in Springfield District Court Thursday was not available.
Anthony Hart
Delaney said the suspects spent a month targeting homes in the East Forest Park area, particularly Overlook Drive, Granby Street, Colorado Street, Acrebrook Street and Woodcrest Road.
Korey Harrington
Delaney said the suspects knocked on the doors of houses where there were no cars in the driveways. If no one answered they broke into the home by cutting screens on windows and stole money and jewelry.
Delaney said the suspects are all addicted to OxyContin and were using the stolen goods to purchase drugs. Investigating officers received car descriptions and plate numbers from neighborhood watch members in Forest Park and East Forest Park which helped them make the arrests, Delaney said. Harrington and another suspect were stopped Thursday after officers spotted a vehicle that met a description given to them by the neighborhood watch group.
by The Republican Newsroom
Thursday July 16, 2009, 7:29 PM
Vadim Demyan
This is a 5:28 p.m. Friday update of a story originally posted at 7:29 p.m. Thursday.
By ELIZABETH ROMAN eroman@repub.com SPRINGFIELD - Four men who broke into East Forest Park homes to support their OxyContin habits have been arrested through the efforts of crime watch groups and police, said Sgt. John M. Delaney Thursday. Arrested were Vadim Demyan, 22, of 25 Larkspur St.; Sean Wilczynski, 18, of 15 Leland Drive; Korey Harrington, 18, of 72 Sunapee St., and Anthony Hart, 19, of Chester, said Delaney, aide to Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet.
Sean Wilczynski
All have been charged with seven counts of breaking and entering during the daytime with intent to commit a felony and larceny over $250, he said. Information about their arraignments in Springfield District Court Thursday was not available.
Anthony Hart
Delaney said the suspects spent a month targeting homes in the East Forest Park area, particularly Overlook Drive, Granby Street, Colorado Street, Acrebrook Street and Woodcrest Road.
Korey Harrington
Delaney said the suspects knocked on the doors of houses where there were no cars in the driveways. If no one answered they broke into the home by cutting screens on windows and stole money and jewelry.
Delaney said the suspects are all addicted to OxyContin and were using the stolen goods to purchase drugs. Investigating officers received car descriptions and plate numbers from neighborhood watch members in Forest Park and East Forest Park which helped them make the arrests, Delaney said. Harrington and another suspect were stopped Thursday after officers spotted a vehicle that met a description given to them by the neighborhood watch group.
Arson suspected in murder coverup
Benjamin Sanchez held without bail after pleading innocent in the murder of Ana Cruz
by The Republican Newsroom
Monday July 20, 2009, 12:03 PM
Photo by Don Treeger / The RepublicanBenjamin Sanchez appears in District Court in Springfield Monday where he pleaded innocent to the murder of Ana Cruz.
This is a 5:09 p.m. update of a story posted at 12:03 this afternoon.
By BUFFY SPENCER bspencer@repub.com
SPRINGFIELD - Benjamin Sanchez will be held without right to bail on charges for the stabbing death of his estranged wife Ana I. Cruz and the burning of her home in what police say Sanchez held without bail after pleading innocent in the murder of Ana Cruz was an arson fire set to cover up a murder. Documents in the court file for the murder case say that Cruz was stabbed 35 times, with 15 puncture wounds in her left chest and upper arm and 20 puncture wounds to the middle of her back. About two dozen family members of Cruz were in the courtroom for the arraignment of Sanchez on Monday in Springfield District Court, many wearing T-shirts with her picture and messages in her memory.
Sanchez, 38, of 55 Better Way, pleaded innocent before Judge William J. Boyle to charges of murder and arson. He also denied two charges of violating of a restraining order for incidents that police said preceded Cruz' death on July 12. Defense lawyer Alan J. Black had no comment after the arraignment. The body of Cruz, 38, was discovered in her burning home at 681 Bay St. in the early morning hours of July 12. An autopsy concluded Cruz died from stab wounds and smoke inhalation. Cruz left two sons, two daughters, her parents, three brothers, two sisters, four grandchildren and many other relatives. Family members waiting outside the courtroom for the arraignment talked of Cruz' optimistic personality and love of family, but also the horror of events as they unfolded on July 12. She was buried Friday in St. Jerome Cemetery in Holyoke. Alfred Santiago, Cruz' 19-year-old son, had gone to his mother's house to pick her up for work at Baystate Medical Center on the morning of July 12 and discovered the house had been burned. Vanessa Garcia, Cruz' daughter, said she had been trying to reach her mother for hours, and was surprised Cruz' phone was turned off because she never did that. Garcia was told about the fire, and then the family learned about what had happened to her mother. Garcia, 22, said her mother, who was called "Annie," managed to still be happy no matter what she was going through. She said her mother and Sanchez had been separated and going through a divorce. "He was always trying to get to her and upset her," Garcia said of Sanchez. "I always knew he would try to harm her." She said she warned her mother to be careful and invited her to stay at her house. Garcia said her own 5-year-old daughter is distraught and "grieving very much" about her grandmother's death. Because of that, she did not take the child to the funeral. "We're trying to not tell her the details," Garcia said. "She went with my mom to Six Flags on the Thursday before (Cruz' death). I want my daughter to have that memory of her." Filings in the case say that although Sanchez said he did not leave his trailer once he went home late July 11, the car he was driving was seen on surveillance video leaving the mobile home park at 12:08 a.m. July 12. The car came back to the mobile home park home at 12:33 a.m. The fire was first reported at 12:33 a.m., the filings said. In a statement to police early July 12 at police headquarters Sanchez said he knew of no one who would want to hurt Cruz. In the July 12 statement he told police he and Cruz were getting divorced because he has been a heroin addict on and off for 20 years. The court filings said that when Sanchez was interviewed by police July 12 he had fresh injuries on his right hand and forearm that were consistent with a physical altercation.
by The Republican Newsroom
Monday July 20, 2009, 12:03 PM
Photo by Don Treeger / The RepublicanBenjamin Sanchez appears in District Court in Springfield Monday where he pleaded innocent to the murder of Ana Cruz.
This is a 5:09 p.m. update of a story posted at 12:03 this afternoon.
By BUFFY SPENCER bspencer@repub.com
SPRINGFIELD - Benjamin Sanchez will be held without right to bail on charges for the stabbing death of his estranged wife Ana I. Cruz and the burning of her home in what police say Sanchez held without bail after pleading innocent in the murder of Ana Cruz was an arson fire set to cover up a murder. Documents in the court file for the murder case say that Cruz was stabbed 35 times, with 15 puncture wounds in her left chest and upper arm and 20 puncture wounds to the middle of her back. About two dozen family members of Cruz were in the courtroom for the arraignment of Sanchez on Monday in Springfield District Court, many wearing T-shirts with her picture and messages in her memory.
Sanchez, 38, of 55 Better Way, pleaded innocent before Judge William J. Boyle to charges of murder and arson. He also denied two charges of violating of a restraining order for incidents that police said preceded Cruz' death on July 12. Defense lawyer Alan J. Black had no comment after the arraignment. The body of Cruz, 38, was discovered in her burning home at 681 Bay St. in the early morning hours of July 12. An autopsy concluded Cruz died from stab wounds and smoke inhalation. Cruz left two sons, two daughters, her parents, three brothers, two sisters, four grandchildren and many other relatives. Family members waiting outside the courtroom for the arraignment talked of Cruz' optimistic personality and love of family, but also the horror of events as they unfolded on July 12. She was buried Friday in St. Jerome Cemetery in Holyoke. Alfred Santiago, Cruz' 19-year-old son, had gone to his mother's house to pick her up for work at Baystate Medical Center on the morning of July 12 and discovered the house had been burned. Vanessa Garcia, Cruz' daughter, said she had been trying to reach her mother for hours, and was surprised Cruz' phone was turned off because she never did that. Garcia was told about the fire, and then the family learned about what had happened to her mother. Garcia, 22, said her mother, who was called "Annie," managed to still be happy no matter what she was going through. She said her mother and Sanchez had been separated and going through a divorce. "He was always trying to get to her and upset her," Garcia said of Sanchez. "I always knew he would try to harm her." She said she warned her mother to be careful and invited her to stay at her house. Garcia said her own 5-year-old daughter is distraught and "grieving very much" about her grandmother's death. Because of that, she did not take the child to the funeral. "We're trying to not tell her the details," Garcia said. "She went with my mom to Six Flags on the Thursday before (Cruz' death). I want my daughter to have that memory of her." Filings in the case say that although Sanchez said he did not leave his trailer once he went home late July 11, the car he was driving was seen on surveillance video leaving the mobile home park at 12:08 a.m. July 12. The car came back to the mobile home park home at 12:33 a.m. The fire was first reported at 12:33 a.m., the filings said. In a statement to police early July 12 at police headquarters Sanchez said he knew of no one who would want to hurt Cruz. In the July 12 statement he told police he and Cruz were getting divorced because he has been a heroin addict on and off for 20 years. The court filings said that when Sanchez was interviewed by police July 12 he had fresh injuries on his right hand and forearm that were consistent with a physical altercation.
Thieves breakin blind womens home steal ashes
Thieves steal ashes of Valerie Blackwell's late husband and son in Springfield burglary
by The Republican Newsroom
Monday July 20, 2009, 5:26 PM
By GEORGE GRAHAM ggraham@repub.com SPRINGFIELD - One or more thieves, ransacking Valerie Blackwell's Pine Point neighborhood apartment, made off with her most-valuable earthly possessions - the ashes of her late husband and son. "Can you imagine grieving all over again?" the 47-year-old legally blind woman said on Monday as she sat in the darkened living room of her Leland Drive home. "I can't think straight." Blackwell was robbed some time on Thursday while she was on a daylong trip to Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston where she said she receives care for retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive eye disease. The disease has been gradually stealing away her sight since she was first diagnosed at age 16. Blackwell said she returned home that night to discover her possessions strewn about, her furniture and mattress slashed, the ashes gone. Investigators believe Blackwell my have been a victim of a hate crime, targeted by somebody who knew her and the significance of the urns, according to police spokesman Charles L. Youmans. "It's not like a regular burglary," said Youmans, speaking to the apparent viciousness of the break. Missing, along with the urns containing the remains of her husband and son, were a substantial amount of cash and the special adaptive equipment that Blackwell relies on to use her telephone and computer. "They took from me what I need to be independent on my own," said Blackwell. White clouds of stuffing, ripped from Blackwell's furniture and mattress, still drifted about the apartment's floors on Monday morning. "I had money in my mattress; that's why they cut up the place," Blackwell said. "They cut everything up to find the money." Blackwell said she can survive without the money and that the equipment can be replaced. "I know in my heart my son's spirit is with God in heaven, but his remains were here with me" she said. The two urns are similar; both are royal blue, zig-zagged with 10-karat gold. Blackwell said her son, Tyrone J. Bailey, died in Atlanta in 2007. Her husband, Gregory G. Blackwell died 23 days later of a massive heart attack. "They said he hung himself," Blackwell said of her son's death. "He was my first-born, my first gift from God, and he was so gifted." Her husband, 40 years old when he died, "was a loving man," Blackwell said. Blackwell said she would eagerly accept the return of the ashes, no questions asked. "I just want the ashes back," she said. A small safe, with such things as her late son's jewelry and her mother's wedding ring, was also taken. Blackwell started sobbing, in recounting the safe's contents, when she realized that it also contained a lock of her late son's hair. Police said at least $1,500 in cash was taken and that the stolen jewelry was estimated at $10,000. Blackwell said she is determined to get on with her life. "I am not going to give up. I will not give up. I am just grieving now," Blackwell said. Asked if she is afraid to stay in her apartment, now that the shelter it provided has been so violently shattered, Blackwell said no. "They took something so precious that my heart is almost dead," Blackwell said. "What else can they do to me?" Blackwell said she takes comfort in knowing, however, that her son and husband are safe in heaven. "If I never see those ashes again it's going to hurt, but, I know my husband and son's spirits are in God in heaven," she said. Blackwell hopes to study public relations and criminal justice at Springfield Technical Community College. "You better believe after what happened to me I am going to do it," she said. Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Police Department at (413) 787-6355.
by The Republican Newsroom
Monday July 20, 2009, 5:26 PM
By GEORGE GRAHAM ggraham@repub.com SPRINGFIELD - One or more thieves, ransacking Valerie Blackwell's Pine Point neighborhood apartment, made off with her most-valuable earthly possessions - the ashes of her late husband and son. "Can you imagine grieving all over again?" the 47-year-old legally blind woman said on Monday as she sat in the darkened living room of her Leland Drive home. "I can't think straight." Blackwell was robbed some time on Thursday while she was on a daylong trip to Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston where she said she receives care for retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive eye disease. The disease has been gradually stealing away her sight since she was first diagnosed at age 16. Blackwell said she returned home that night to discover her possessions strewn about, her furniture and mattress slashed, the ashes gone. Investigators believe Blackwell my have been a victim of a hate crime, targeted by somebody who knew her and the significance of the urns, according to police spokesman Charles L. Youmans. "It's not like a regular burglary," said Youmans, speaking to the apparent viciousness of the break. Missing, along with the urns containing the remains of her husband and son, were a substantial amount of cash and the special adaptive equipment that Blackwell relies on to use her telephone and computer. "They took from me what I need to be independent on my own," said Blackwell. White clouds of stuffing, ripped from Blackwell's furniture and mattress, still drifted about the apartment's floors on Monday morning. "I had money in my mattress; that's why they cut up the place," Blackwell said. "They cut everything up to find the money." Blackwell said she can survive without the money and that the equipment can be replaced. "I know in my heart my son's spirit is with God in heaven, but his remains were here with me" she said. The two urns are similar; both are royal blue, zig-zagged with 10-karat gold. Blackwell said her son, Tyrone J. Bailey, died in Atlanta in 2007. Her husband, Gregory G. Blackwell died 23 days later of a massive heart attack. "They said he hung himself," Blackwell said of her son's death. "He was my first-born, my first gift from God, and he was so gifted." Her husband, 40 years old when he died, "was a loving man," Blackwell said. Blackwell said she would eagerly accept the return of the ashes, no questions asked. "I just want the ashes back," she said. A small safe, with such things as her late son's jewelry and her mother's wedding ring, was also taken. Blackwell started sobbing, in recounting the safe's contents, when she realized that it also contained a lock of her late son's hair. Police said at least $1,500 in cash was taken and that the stolen jewelry was estimated at $10,000. Blackwell said she is determined to get on with her life. "I am not going to give up. I will not give up. I am just grieving now," Blackwell said. Asked if she is afraid to stay in her apartment, now that the shelter it provided has been so violently shattered, Blackwell said no. "They took something so precious that my heart is almost dead," Blackwell said. "What else can they do to me?" Blackwell said she takes comfort in knowing, however, that her son and husband are safe in heaven. "If I never see those ashes again it's going to hurt, but, I know my husband and son's spirits are in God in heaven," she said. Blackwell hopes to study public relations and criminal justice at Springfield Technical Community College. "You better believe after what happened to me I am going to do it," she said. Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call the Police Department at (413) 787-6355.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)