Former Sgt. Walter McWilson Pleads Guilty to Receiving Stolen Property

A once-lauded Oceanside police sergeant will do jail time after pleading guilty Wednesday to three counts of receiving stolen property.

Before striking a plea bargain with prosecutors, Walter McWilson, 37, a 10-year Oceanside police veteran, had been facing 14 felony charges, including grand theft and conspiracy for allegedly asking his office manager girlfriend to use her construction company's credit cards to buy gift cards, electronics and home improvement materials.

Prosecutor Anna Winn, who handled the case, said police officers are "heroes" and "protectors," so McWilson's fall was painful to many.

"Anytime a police officer commits a crime, it betrays all police officers and it betrays the public trust," Winn said.

McWilson is scheduled to be sentenced June 15 to 365 days in county jail, Winn said. But if he repays Oceanside-based Royal Pacific Construction $22,000 by that date, he will get a sentence of between 180 and 270 days.

Under state guidelines, McWilson will probably be required to serve half of any sentence he receives.

McWilson has three children and lives in Murrieta with a son and his elderly mother.

His now ex-girlfriend Aimee Rich, 34, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and is expected to be sentenced April 22 to between 120 and 365 days in jail, Winn said.

Before he was placed on leave in August, McWilson gained the praise of department leaders as the supervisor of the Neighborhood Policing Team and for his work on the Crisis Negotiations Team and the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team.

With an earnest but friendly demeanor and what department leaders said was a sincere concern for the community, one Oceanside police captain called McWilson a "rising star."

Detectives from his own department discovered McWilson's crimes by accident as they investigated Rich, police said.

She refused to tell investigators whether her embezzlement had benefited any friends, but a receipt for a mattress seized from her Murrieta apartment had McWilson's name on it, police said.

Oceanside police Chief Frank McCoy on Wednesday said McWilson's arrest and guilty plea showed the department's commitment to justice.

"A clear message was sent that regardless of if someone is a police officer or whatever their profession is, our department will conduct a thorough and fair investigation," McCoy said.

Oceanside's probe showed that Rich had used company checks and lines of credit to embezzle about $160,000 between 2004 and 2008, court records show.

Winn said McWilson admitted that Rich used her company's credit to buy him about $22,000 worth of goods, including four TVs, one of which he sold to a neighbor, an Apple notebook computer, a high-end mattress, Thomasville mahogany flooring and $4,000 in Home Depot gift cards.

As a convicted felon, McWilson will never be able to work in law enforcement again, Winn said.

But it is not McWilson's first time on the wrong side of the law. In 1993 he was convicted of evading a police officer, Winn said, but had the charge expunged after establishing a record of good behavior.

Former Officer Benjamin Cordova Fired for Stealing Gas

A former North Las Vegas police officer has been fired for allegedly purchasing fuel for his personal vehicle on a department credit card.

Benjamin Miles Cordova had been videotaped three times fueling his blue Chevrolet Colorado four-door pickup truck using another officer's credit card at two gas stations in Henderson and North Las Vegas, an arrest report indicated.

The administrative investigation is separate from a criminal case that's in the hands of the Clark County District Attorney's Office, police said. Details of the police administrative investigation won't be released because it's a personnel matter.

He was arrested July 22 and booked into the North Las Vegas Detention Center. At that time he was placed on paid administrative leave until the administrative investigation was completed.

Cordova was booked on three counts of credit card fraud and three counts of receiving property obtained by unlawful use of a credit card. All counts are felonies.

North Las Vegas police had launched an investigation after another officer discovered that a department credit card was missing from a patrol car and notified his superiors.

During the investigation, police also learned that Cordova's driver's license had expired on Aug. 13, 2007, but he was still driving his own vehicle and department vehicles.
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http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_13578634

Officer David Reeves Jr Arrested for Robbing Auto Parts Store

A Riverside police officer was behind bars today on suspicion of attempting to rob an auto parts store in Moreno Valley, a sheriff’s sergeant said.

David Reeves Jr., 28, of Moreno Valley, allegedly tried to rob the AutoZone at 23510 Sunnymead Blvd. just after 9 p.m. Wednesday, said Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez.

Moreno Valley police arrived within one minute of the call and found Reeves detained inside the store, Gutierrez said.

“Nobody was injured, thank God. No shots were fired,” said AutoZone manager Robert Sedano. “I wasn’t here, but I’ve spoken to police.”

Sedano said he heard Reeves had been a police officer.

“That’s sad,” Sedano said. “An off-duty police officer. What’s this world coming to?”

Gutierrez and another sheriff’s public information officer today confirmed Reeves had been a Riverside police officer.

Reeves is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside, with arraignment expected Friday in Riverside Superior Court.

Meanwhile, Reeves is no longer on the Riverside police force, as of noon today, according to Sgt. Jaybee Brennan, a department spokeswoman and adjutant to Chief Russ Leach.

Brennan said she could not say whether Reeves was fired or if he resigned, noting it was personnel issue and considered confidential.

“The fact that he’s been a police officer is a concern because we have hundreds of professional officers of integrity and honesty,” Brennan said. “It’s a sad day for us. This obviously occurred when he was off-duty and not working.”

Reeves started working for the Riverside Police Department on June 21, 2001, as a police cadet, Brennan said. He was sworn in as a peace officer on June 28, 2002.

He was arrested on suspicion of kidnap ransom with injury, strong-arm robbery and receiving stolen property and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on $250,000 bail, a jailer said.

He is to be arraigned Friday in Riverside Superior Court, the jailer said.

Anyone with information on the alleged robbery was asked to call Moreno Valley police at 951-486-6700. Moreno Valley contracts with the Sheriff’s Department for the city’s police services.

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http://www.inlandnewstoday.com/story.php?s=11139

Deputy Cornelius Flowers Charged with Theft

A Peach County sheriff’s deputy and a Fort Valley contractor are accused of selling stolen lawn tractors, authorities said.

Cornelius Flowers was charged with one count of theft by taking, three counts of theft by receiving stolen property and three counts of theft by deception, said Craig Rotter, assistant special agent in charge of the GBI’s Perry office.
deputy

Flowers, 41, who headed the shared Peach County drug unit, has been under investigation for several months, Rotter said.

Darreyl Bryant, 43, a Fort Valley contractor, also was charged with one count of theft by taking, three counts of theft by receiving stolen property and three counts of theft by deception, Rotter said.

Flowers allegedly helped Bryant sell stolen Kubota and John Deere lawn tractors, including a Kubota lawn tractor stolen March 23 from Walker Rhodes Tractor Co. in Perry. That lawn tractor was recovered in Taylor County, and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Perry Police Department, which was investigating the theft. The agencies contacted the GBI for assistance.

Peach County Sheriff Terry Deese said he was notified by the GBI about the investigation about four months ago.

“It was really hard to believe. I’ve known him (Flowers) all those years and he’s been a really good employee all those years,” Deese said.

After his arrest Aug. 4 by the GBI, Flowers was suspended without pay pending his expected termination, Deese said.

Flowers, who has worked for the sheriff’s office for 19 years, had no prior disciplinary action, the sheriff said. “He’s always been one of our best,” Deese said. “It just goes to show you that even good people make poor decisions.”

Flowers is free on a $62,500 bond, and Bryant is free on a $22,500 bond, Rotter said.

Anyone who may have purchased equipment from Flowers or Bryant is asked to contact the GBI at 987-4545.

Otherwise, should the GBI recover more stolen equipment, the person who has possession of it may be charged with theft by receiving stolen property, Rotter said.

Barry Carpenter Charged with Breaking Into Sarah Jessica Parker's House

A police chief facing charges over a burglary at the home of the surrogate mother to Sarah Jessica Parker's twins has been put on leave.

The chief suspect in the surrogate mother's house burglary is no longer the chief of police in Martins Ferry. At least not for a while.

Barry Carpenter was notified in a letter from the mayor. He is indefinitely suspended.

The Ohio Valley was waiting for this decision, that was in the hands of one man, Martins Ferry Mayor Phil Wallace.

"The decision I made, it was a tough one," said Mayor Wallace. "I stayed up real late last night to make it. And I notified the chief about 2:45 today."

He suspended the 32-year-old police chief indefinitely, without pay. The mayor declined to discuss what led him to that decision.

As for Martins Ferry, he says the scandal dubbed "surro-gate" has put the city in the national spotlight, and not in a good way.

"I know what effect it's had on me," said Mayor Wallace. "On the city, I'm sure there are those out there who like that glory. I'm not a glory-seeker and I don't think this city is a glory-seeking city. We really wish it would have happened somewhere else but unfortunately it happened here and we've got to deal with it."

Overall, he says it's been a painful chapter in the city's history.

"It hurts everybody," the mayor said. "I mean, Chief Carpenter is a really nice guy. For something like this to pop up is hard to deal with."

Lt. Phil Hartman, the department's highest-ranking officer, is at the helm of the police department at this time.

Mayor Wallace says he plans to appoint an interim chief within a week.

Former Officer Brian Hinkel Faces Several Charges Including Theft

Brian Hinkel, accused of keeping an arsenal of weapons at his Gloucester County home and grabbing for a gun in front of state troopers, has been charged in connection with a theft ring, police said.

Authorities say they believe Hinkel, 59, was involved in an operation that stole up to $75,000 worth of tractors and other equipment from farms. He was charged last week with receiving stolen property.

The former Vineland, N.J., police officer has been held in the Gloucester County Jail since Feb. 4, with bail set at $250,000. He also is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of assault rifles, possession of a destructive device, and possession of high-capacity magazines.

When two troopers went to Hinkel's Franklinville home last month to question him about his ties to two burglary suspects, he ran from them and picked up a gun from his kitchen before the troopers subdued him, police said.

Police later found 259 handguns and rifles on Hinkel's property, including some hidden in a makeshift bunker, they said. He also had gunpowder, a tear-gas canister, and a live grenade, police said.

Police have arrested several other men in the farm-equipment thefts. Anthony D'Alessandro, 42, of Williamstown, and Peter Monteleone, 44, of Folsom, N.J., are charged with burglary and theft. Carl D'Argenzio, 43, of Turnersville, is charged with fencing and receiving stolen property.

Police are investigating connections between Hinkel and the other men.

Officer Ronald Betts Charged with Felony Theft

Officer Ronald Betts, an Austin city police officer, was charged with felony theft by receiving in a warrant sweep.


No other information currently found.

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http://www.nlrtimes.com/articles/2009/02/20/sherwood_voice/local_news/nws05.txt

Officer Randy Oliver Betts Arrested for Felony Theft

An Austin police officer has been arrested on an active felony warrant out of Pulaski County.

Thursday afternoon, the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office received information on an active arrest warrant for Felony theft by receiving. The initial investigation revealed that the warrant from Pulaski County was for 44-year-old Randy Oliver Betts of Searcy.

Further investigation revealed Betts was a police officer for the Austin Police Department and was currently on-duty. Authorities contacted the Austin Police Department and Betts was relieved of duty and turned himself in at the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office.

Betts was released to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office.

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29167299/

Chop Shop Owner and two Officers Arrested

GEORGETOWN

Georgetown County Sheriff’s Investigators and members of the Organized Crime Bureau (OCB) arrested 22-year-old Martin Grice of Jackson Village Road, Georgetown, 30-year-old Patrick Cumbee of Freddie Lane, Andrews, and 26-year-old Dedrick McCray of Spruce Street, Andrews yesterday afternoon. Grice, a Georgetown County Detention Center Correctional Officer, was charged with Misconduct in Office and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Cumbee, an Andrews Police Officer, was charged with Misconduct in Office and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and McCray, owner of a chop shop, was charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Chop Shop, and Receiving Stolen Goods.

The investigation began Monday, October 6, 2008, when members of the OCB received information from a Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office employee that Grice was attempting to sell a stolen motorcycle. Once members of the OCB received this information they, along with sheriff’s investigators, discovered that Grice sold the motorcycle to Cumbee.

As the investigation continued, sheriff’s investigators, members of the OCB and members of the Andrews Police Department found that Cumbee purchased the motorcycle from Grice and took the motorcycle to McCray’s chop shop for alleged mechanical work.

When the investigation led to the whereabouts of the motorcycle and other valuable evidence, a search warrant was obtained for McCray’s residence to retrieve the motorcycle. During the execution of the search warrant, members of the OCB and sheriff’s investigators located the motorcycle in addition to other motorcycles. At this point another search warrant was obtained for the additional motorcycles.

Once the second search warrant was obtained it was discovered that parts on the other motorcycles were from other stolen motorcycles combined to construct one along with removed VINs and stolen license plates. These motorcycles and the one Grice sold Cumbee were seized along with other evidence items relating to the operation of a chop shop.

Grice, Cumbee, and McCray turned themselves in at the sheriff’s office yesterday where they were arrested and transported to the Georgetown County Detention Center. All three are currently awaiting a bond hearing.

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/story/625095.html

Officer Arrested for Receiving Stolen Property

MOUNT GILEAD

A Mount Gilead police officer was arrested Tuesday on charges of receiving stolen property -- including a dozen air conditioners used to cool the Morrow County courthouse.

"We were shocked and surprised. News in a small community travels extremely fast," Morrow County Commissioner Olen Jackson said.

Morrow County deputies searched the residence of third-shift village police officer Joe Hughes. The stolen property, a single-axle trailer and several air-conditioning units, were behind Hughes' residence, according to a news release from Mount Gilead Police Chief Brian Zerman.

Hughes was the officer who took the theft report June 9, Morrow County Sheriff Steve Brenneman said.

Hughes has been charged with one count of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; one count of theft in office, a fourth- degree felony; two counts of receiving stolen property, fifth-degree felonies; and one count of obstruction of justice, a fifth-degree felony.

Brenneman said additional charges are possible.

Hughes was hired as a part-time Mount Gilead police officer Feb. 7, 2006, and made full-time a year later. He was cooperative when he was taken into custody at the Morrow County Correctional Facility. Hughes was released on $5,000 bond, Brenneman said.

"Our maintenance staff had gotten the air conditioners out of storage for the winter," Jackson said. "They loaded them up to take them to a service location, to wash and clean to put back into use. Before they could be put into service, the trailer and air conditioners came up missing."

Hughes was placed on unpaid administrative leave. If convicted on all charges, Hughes could face up to 9 1/2 years in prison and $12,500 in fines.