Police arrest 1 of 2 suspects in violent purse snatching in northwest Dallas

Dallas police have arrested one of two suspects wanted in a violent purse snatching caught on tape last month.
Javier Duenas, 19, was taken into custody Tuesday in Grand Prairie on a charge of aggravated robbery.
A Crime Stoppers tip led police to Duenas, and he was arrested without incident during a traffic stop after officers observed him leaving a home.
He is being held in the Dallas County Jail on $250,000 bail. He’s also suspected of being in the country illegally.
The second suspect, identified as 20-year-old Thelma Delao, is still at large.
The purse snatching occurred March 29 in a northwest Dallas parking lot. Investigators believe Duenas and Delao accosted Adriana Ibarra, 25, at knifepoint before dragging her across a northwest Dallas parking lot by her gym bag and purse on March 29.
Authorities released security footage seeking help from the public, and the suspects were quickly identified. A second release of the video resulted in the arrest of Duenas.
Delao is described as a Latino female, 5 feet 1 inch tall and 170 pounds. Police say she is believed to be staying with friends in the area.

 

Former Chicago cop admits role in robberies

former Chicago police officer pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal felony charges stemming from one of the worst misconduct scandals in the department's history.

Keith Herrera, 33, admitted taking part in three robberies in which he and other officers with the elite Special Operations Section stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash from suspected drug dealers and other citizens after making illegal traffic stops or searches of their homes.

Herrera, who remains free on bond until his scheduled sentencing on July 14, faces up to 13 years in prison, but prosecutors said in a plea agreement that if Herrera continues to cooperate, they will recommend a reduced prison sentence.

Herrera pleaded guilty to civil rights and tax-related charges and admitted he pocketed about $40,000 from the robberies in 2005. He admitted he never reported the money as income on his federal tax return for that year.

Herrera later secretly wore a wire, recording then-Officer Jerome Finnegan, identified by authorities as the scheme's ringleader, allegedly plotting the murder of a Special Operations Section officer whom he suspected of cooperating with authorities.

 

arrested five people in the Fairbanks area for allegedly planning to kidnap and possibly kill troopers and a Federal judge.

Alaska State Troopers, Fairbanks police and federal law enforcement officers have arrested five people in the Fairbanks area for allegedly planning to kidnap and possibly kill troopers and a Federal judge.
According to a statement issued by troopers, the five were charged with conspiring to commit murder, kidnapping, arson, along with weapons misconduct, hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.
Those arrested are  Francis “Schaeffer” Cox, Lonnie Vernon, Karen Vernon, Coleman Barney and Michael Anderson.
U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler said Lonnie Vernon was charged with threatening to kill federal judge Ralph Beistline.   The arrests took place yesterday and were completed by evening.
55 year old Vernon who is accused of evading income tax obligations pleaded not guilty today to federal charges of threatening the judge overseeing the case.
Vernon faces a two-count federal indictment that claims he threatened to murder U.S District Court Judge Ralph Beistline  in an attempt to intimidate and interfere with the judge in retaliation for Beistline issuing rulings in a civil tax case.
Vernon also faces state charges, as does a more high-profile defendant, 26-year-old Francis “Schaeffer” Cox, a leader in a militia movement.
State Troopers say Cox, Vernon, and three others collectively face conspiracy, weapons and evidence tampering charges. They were to be arraigned today  in state court.
Authorities say the group is involved with the Sovereign Citizen Movement.

Colorado Springs police say they've arrested the men responsible for a string of violent and terrifying bank robberies.

Colorado Springs police say they've arrested the men responsible for a string of violent and terrifying bank robberies.

Police say the arrests of 30-year-old Daryl Keener and 28-year-old Gary Cyprian on March 8 and police say culminated three months of investigations and eight bank robberies which began on December 28, 2010.


Police say Keener and Cyprian were responsible for the following bank robberies:
1. 12/28/10 9:45 AM
Academy Bank
2835 Briargate Bl

2. 1/10/11 11:10 AM
American National Bank
4194 Royal Pine Dr

3. 1/15/11 9:45 AM
TCF Bank
5470 E Woodmen Rd

4. 1/22/11 12:20 PM
TCF Bank
4330 N Academy Bl

5. 2/1/11 9:06 AM
People’s National Bank
6830 Mesa Ridge Pkwy, Fountain

6. 2/28/11 10:16 AM
American National Bank
3755 Briargate Pkwy

7. 3/3/11 12:20 PM
Key Bank
1115 Elkton Dr

8. 3/8/11 10:30 AM
Air Academy Credit Union
705 N Nevada Av

Police say bank tellers at these eight banks were terrorized by the suspects, one of whom who would enter the bank, gun in hand, and give commands to everyone inside while a second suspect waited in a nearby getaway vehicle.

Police say that although no one was physically injured, the victims suffered significant psychological and emotional trauma. The heists put everyone, including banking customers, on high alert.

As the pattern persisted, members of the CSPD Robbery Unit joined forces with the CSPD Tactical Enforcement Unit and the local FBI office to combat the problem proactively, with an established response in place.

On March 3, critical evidence was discovered, which would lead to the identification of the two suspects, Keener and Cyprian who were both on parole. Keener was in jail for 2003 bank robberies and Cyprian for other felonies. Police say they learned that the two men spent most of their time together; they were co-workers and workout partners.

Police say the investigation came to an end on March 8 when the Air Academy Credit Union branch on N. Nevada Avenue, was robbed by a masked gunman. Investigators recognized this heist as part of the pattern they were investigating.

Leads sent detectives to 2110 Collier Avenue, where the suspects were seen leaving in two vehicles. Detectives found both men in separate locations, each with a large amount of money. Search warrants were obtained for two residences: 2110 Collier Ave. and 1810 Monterey Dr. #313.

On March 10th, a third location, a detached garage at 1015 E. Rio Grande St. was discovered. The house itself is rented to tenants who do not use the garage, which is adjacent to the alleyway. An investigation showed the garage belonged to a family member of Daryl Keener.

Police say Keener has used the garage for several years, dating back at least to the early 2000s. The garage was searched and four semi-automatic weapons were recovered: a Glock .45 auto handgun, a Glock .40 caliber handgun, a Beretta .40 caliber assault style carbine, and an FN brand 5.7 millimeter assault carbine, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition."

In addition to the arrests of Keener and Cyprian, police say they've made three other arrests in the following bank robberies from 2011:

1. 1/21/2011 8:45 AM
Colorado Capital Bank
2 S Cascade Av
Arrested: Aaron James Rasco, 21 yoa

2. 1/27/2011 11:54 AM
Aventa Credit Union
426 S Cascade Av
Arrested: Michael Radecky, 37 yoa

3. 2/16/2011 9:20 AM
Wells Fargo
1800 S Nevada Av
Arrested: Gullick Arthur Springen, 50 yoa

Police say the community can rest assured knowing 100% of the city’s bank robberies in 2011 have ended in an arrest

Madoff says banks 'had to know' of fraud

From prison, Madoff says banks 'had to know' of fraud - CharlotteObserver.com: "Bernard Madoff said he never thought the collapse of his Ponzi scheme would cause the sort of destruction that has befallen his family.

In his first interview for publication since his arrest in December 2008, Madoff - looking noticeably thinner and rumpled in khaki prison garb - maintained that family members knew nothing about his crimes.

But during a private two-hour interview in a visitor room this week, and in earlier e-mails, he asserted that unidentified banks and hedge funds were somehow 'complicit' in his elaborate fraud, an about-face from earlier claims that he was the only person involved.

Madoff, who is serving a 150-year sentence, seemed frail and a bit agitated compared with the stoic calm he maintained before his incarceration in 2009."

Three arrested on bookies raid

Three arrested on bookies raid (From Oxford Mail): "Two men and a woman have been arrested following an armed robbery in Headington.

Two men in hooded tops robbed the Betfred betting shop in London Road at 8pm yesterday, at gunpoint.

A small amount of cash was taken and no one was injured.

Two 25-year-old men were later arrested on suspicion of armed robbery along with a 22-year-old woman. She was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting an offence.

Police seized an imitation firearm and a knife during the arrests.

All three were last night still in custody. Police are appealing for witnesses."

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TSA hit by new theft allegations after two agents are arrested for stealing $40k from a passenger at JFK | Mail Online

TSA hit by new theft allegations after two agents are arrested for stealing $40k from a passenger at JFK | Mail Online: "Two TSA agents were arrested today after allegedly stealing almost $40,000 from a passenger's bag at JFK airport in New York.

It comes just days after two other TSA employees admitted stealing thousands of dollars from passengers at the city's Newark Liberty Airport.

Port Authority police say they recovered $39, 980 when they arrested Coumar Persad, 36, and Davon Webb, 30, after a two-week investigation. The pair have also confessed to other thefts totally $160,000, according to reports"

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Gangland killer has minimum jail term slashed in half after turning 'supergrass'

Gangland killer has minimum jail term slashed in half after turning 'supergrass' | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk: "A 'remorseful' hitman who shot dead an innocent shopworker had his minimum jail term slashed by 17 years - after he helped bring his gangland paymasters to justice.

Simeon Henderson, 28, was hired to carry out an attack on the Brookhouse Wines shop in Eccles as part of a long-running feud between two rival gangs in Bolton.

But in a bungled hit which was captured on CCTV video, Henderson struggled to control the 600-round-a-minute machine gun he was given to carry out the attack and sprayed the shop with bullets."

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Crime: Bank Robber Killed After Taking Hostages

Crime: Bank Robber Killed After Taking Hostages | CaryCitizen: "Yesterday afternoon, a bank robbery and hostage situation came to a tragic conclusion in Cary. Devon Mitchell, 19, of the 900 block of Pony Club Circle in Cary, was fatally shot after attempting to rob the Wachovia bank at 10050 Green Level Church Road and holding seven people hostage for several hours.
Of the seven citizens held captive, five were Wachovia Bank employees. Three citizens were released immediately, and 2 hours later, two more were released. Less than an hour later, Mitchell exited the bank, apparently holding a gun to the head of a hostage and using her as a human shield.
Officers fired at Mitchell, who died at the scene. No one else was injured."

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Police may soon seize domains without court order

Police may soon seize domains without court order | thinq_: "Police powers that could see the UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) being able to suspend the domain names of websites without a court order are being considered by registrar Nominet.

Nominet, the body responsible for adminstering UK internet domain registrations, has issued a formal call for interested parties to join discussions on the proposal. If agreed, the organisation will change its terms and conditions to enable the requested powers.

Such a move would make it easier for police to take down domains such as Fitwatch.org.uk, the site set up to protest against alleged abuses of police surveillance powers.

Last November, the site's web hosting was pulled after a request from the Metropolitan Police. The move came after the outfit published advice to student tuition fee protestors on how to evade detection.

Crucially, though, police didn't have the power to seize its domain name - the recognisable web address used by most users - enabling the site to resurface days later, hosted by a 'safe' ISP based in the US - beyond the jurisdiction of UK law enforcement.

Under the proposed powers, police will be able to request that Nominet suspends domains believed to be used for criminal purposes."

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Four men have been arrested in Perth after police seized cannabis in an operation against an alleged serious organised crime gang. Cannabis seized from 'crime gang' in Perth

BBC News - Cannabis seized from 'crime gang' in Perth: "Four men have been arrested in Perth after police seized cannabis in an operation against an alleged serious organised crime gang.

Cannabis resin with an estimated street value of £25,000 was found when officers searched a BMW X5 in Scott Street at about 1900 GMT on Thursday.

Four men aged 22, 18, 50, and 38 were charged with being concerned in the supply of the Class B drug.

All four are expected to appear at Perth Sheriff Court on Monday."

Blonde TV host accused of mafia-style hit

Blonde TV host accused of mafia-style hit: "blonde TV host goes on trial in Cyprus on Monday accused of the mafia-style murder of media mogul Andis Hadjicostis in a case that has gripped the Mediterranean island nation.
Elena Skordelli, a 42-year-old mother of two, her brother Tassos Krasopoulis, 37, and Andreas Gregoriou, a 33-year-old meat supplier, deny arranging the contract killing of the millionaire.
Prosecutors say the chat-show presenter hatched the plot to kill her ex-boss — the scion of an influential family — in an alleged conspiracy to take control of his media empire."

Accused gang member on trial for armed robbery

Accused gang member on trial for armed robbery: "Davonta Covin, 17, is charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, street gang terrorism and possession of a firearm during a felony for the September 2009 robbery of Kenya Hosley.
Several witnesses, including a witness who claims that Covin raped her, testified Tuesday in Dougherty County Superior Court.
The witness testified that she saw Covin the night of the armed robbery of Hosley.
James Finkelstein, defense attorney for Covin, claimed Tuesday that the witness could not have seen Covin that night due to where she was standing and the darkness of that night."

Former Cop Found Guilty Of Armored Car Robberies - News Story - KTVU San Francisco

Former Cop Found Guilty Of Armored Car Robberies - News Story - KTVU San Francisco: "Robert Steven Starling was charged with four felony counts of robbery, two felony counts of conspiracy, felony preventing or dissuading a witness or victim, two misdemeanor counts of false reporting of a crime, and misdemeanor wearing a mask for unlawful purposes.
The jury also found true four enhancements that Starling used a firearm in the robberies. Each enhancement potentially carries a 10-year term.
Police estimate more than $500,000 was stolen in three robberies. At the Bank of America on Grant Street in Novato on April 15, 2009, Starling allegedly grabbed an empty money bag, dropped it and fled.
His accomplice Andrew Cooper Esslinger, 27, of Santa Rosa, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and testified against Starling."

Ex-Chicago FBI agent led double life as gangster :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicago Crime

Ex-Chicago FBI agent led double life as gangster :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicago Crime: "Ben Tran was a dirty FBI agent, one the agency had been investigating for years after they fired him in 2003 for allegedly bribing a government official when he visited Vietnam, among other offenses"

Man Pleads Guilty To Robbing Same Bank 3 Times - wcco.com

Man Pleads Guilty To Robbing Same Bank 3 Times - wcco.com: "21-year-old man pleaded guilty Wednesday to robbing the same bank on three separate occasions.
Nathan Lamar Stewart, of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery and one count of carrying a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was indicted, along with three other men, on Nov. 10."

Man Pleads Guilty To Robbing Same Bank 3 Times - wcco.com

Man Pleads Guilty To Robbing Same Bank 3 Times - wcco.com: "21-year-old man pleaded guilty Wednesday to robbing the same bank on three separate occasions.
Nathan Lamar Stewart, of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery and one count of carrying a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was indicted, along with three other men, on Nov. 10."

Officer shot by bank robbers was focused on ending dangerous crime spree - KWGN

Officer shot by bank robbers was focused on ending dangerous crime spree - KWGN: "suspects open fire. Engaging officers in a rolling gun battle which ultimately ended in a deadly shoot out sixteen blocks north at 120th and Federal.The suspects died. Two officers were shot.It's an experience Westminster Deputy Chief Tim Carlson says he'll never get out of his mind. He and officer Shawn Chandler were both shot by the suspects that day. They've both since recovered from their injuries.Carlson says it's a miracle more people were not hurt or killed.It was all for $8,400."

direct flights from Dubai to Durban could be proving a boon to drug smugglers

introduction of direct flights from Dubai to Durban could be proving a boon to drug smugglers. This week at Durban International Airport police and custom officials seized pure heroin that, once "cut", would have had a street value of more than R2,5-million. A 20-year-old Cape Town woman was arrested and will appear in court next week.Police and airport officials said with Durban opening up to international air traffic, drug syndicates would increasingly target these flights.The 1kg of powder was covered with carbon paper - to make it more difficult to detect - and stitched inside cricket shin pads.Police from Crime Intelligence Gathering were tipped off that a consignment of drugs was en route to Durban from India via Dubai.Police believe the bust could be the "tip of the iceberg" as another woman, who was travelling with the suspect, gave police the slip.
Investigating officer Detective Carl Saunders of the Organised Crime Unit said the bust was linked to international and local crime syndicates who were taking advantage of the new route to bring drugs into Durban.
He said the value of the uncut drugs was about R500 000, but once cut by dealers and sold on the streets was worth five times the amount.The bust was set in motion on Thursday after Crime Intelligence informed custom officials to be on the lookout for suspicious-looking travellers from Dubai. About 275 passengers were on board the Emirates flight from Dubai.Using CCTV footage police and custom officials picked up two women acting suspiciously. One was "nervous and fidgeting" and was called aside for questioning. Her luggage contained sports equipment, which was X-rayed.
Officials noticed there was an "unevenness" in the lining of the shin pads. On further investigation police found brown powder wrapped in carbon paper neatly stitched into the shin pads. "It was really well done. There was no indication that the packaging had been tampered with," a customs official said.Police identified the substance as pure heroin and the woman was arrested. However, her travelling companion gave police the slip and it is believed she may have also been carrying drugs.An official explained that syndicates often used tip-offs as decoys, giving up a small amount of a consignment to distract from a bigger haul.
Saunders said it was not yet clear whether the drugs originated in India, but the woman's steps would be traced.Airports Company of South Africa spokesman Colin Naidoo said they were aware of the increased risk of smuggling due to direct flights to Durban, but that authorities were vigilant."We have a close relationship with the police and customs officials and commend them for their efforts," he said.Naidoo said new technology at King Shaka Airport (due to open on May 1) would make it more difficult to smuggle drugs into Durban.
"We want to assure the public that we are keeping a close eye on activities and that this will increase during the World Cup and beyond," Naidoo said.

Cape Town is as violent as New York was in the late 1950s.

Cape Town is as violent as New York was in the late 1950s."I see a lot of resemblance between the Cape Town gangs today and the ones we had in New York back then. The scale of violence, slick crime syndicates and everything else seems to have been adopted by troublesome youngsters here," he said while on a visit to the Cape Flats this week.Cruz, 71, who led the notorious New York Mau Mau gang in the 1950s, but later became an evangelist and wrote 15 books, was in Manenberg on Friday as part of his global crusade to change the lives of gangsters. Accompanied by bodyguards, relatives, former gangsters who had turned their lives around and curious locals, Cruz took a stroll through the gang-infested area and spoke to residents. Manenberg is home to gangs such as the Fancy Boys, Young Mafia and the Americans.Noting the many police, youngsters hanging out at corners and the security fences of schools, Cruz remarked that the neighbourhood resembled the Brooklyn area in New York when he lived there as a teen.Going door-to-door, the former gangster urged parents to show their children "more compassion", as lack of it led children to look for it in the wrong places.Cruz, born in Puerto Rica, knows more than most what it's like being a hardened criminal.As a child he was abused by his parents, who are said to have practised voodoo. At 15 he was sent to the United States to live with his brother."But I didn't stay with my brother. Full of anger and rage, I chose to make it on my own."After he joined the feared Mau Maus - named after Kenyan rebels - he quickly became a warlord and sowed terror wherever he went.The gang became known all over the world for their killing sprees and organised crime.But after the brutal death of a gangster friend, Cruz decided he had had enough. A priest, David Wilkerson, co-author of the seminal The Cross and the Switchblade, offered him a better life and he grasped the chance to become an evangelist.
Cruz said the syndicated crime, the brutality and the whole nature of gangs "starkly resembles the types of violent crimes committed by gangs in my time".Although he was no longer a criminal, some Mafia families still looked up to him - a fact that he did not approve of."I'm confident, though, that if we - parents, children and the government included - work together we could wipe crime off the face of the Earth," said Cruz.

Versalko spent NZ $4 million on extravagance properties, NZ$3.3 million on prostitutes and NZ$300,000 on wine.

Cash drained from the customer’s investments was openly used for showcasing a luxurious lifestyle of having property, cash and prostitutes by an investment adviser at ASB. Almost NZ$17.8 million was stolen by the banker Stephen Gerard Versalko, 52. For this offence, the accused have been jailed for six years.This has come out to be the first and the biggest single employee case in New Zealand. This case was unveiled after one of the clients of Versalko observed a documentary with behavioral similarities on Bernard Madoff, an US impostor.People who were clawed under the defrauded scheme of Versalko's, largely included elderly females who resided away from New Zealand. The investors were assured that their money will get them high-return as the investments were guaranteed by Government.It is now known that during the year 2000 and 2009, Versalko spent NZ $4 million on extravagance properties, NZ$3.3 million on prostitutes and NZ$300,000 on wine. He also spent the money for buying boats and cars.This case, reported by media has brought into light that during this period of time, a prostitute was offered NZ $2.5 million which she used in erecting a good amount of property that will face a legal action for getting the property back.Addressing the bank authority, two days before the sentencing, he wrote, “The years ahead are going to be very difficult, however I want to make amends even if only in a small way”.

indicted Ahmed Muhammed Dhakane, 24, a Somalia citizen, on two counts of false statements under penalty of perjury to federal authorities concerning his association with global terrorist organizations.

indicted Ahmed Muhammed Dhakane, 24, a Somalia citizen, on two counts of false statements under penalty of perjury to federal authorities concerning his association with global terrorist organizations. United States Attorney John E. Murphy announced the indictment was returned Thursday and unsealed Friday afternoon.
It alleges that on October 28, 2008, the Dhakane “falsely omitted on an application for asylum that from a time prior to September 11, 2001, until January 2003, he was a member of, or was associated with, al-Barakat and Al-Ittihad Al-Islami.”Both organizations have been designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists by the Department of Treasury.
Dhakane is also alleged to have “provided additional false information concerning his entry into the United States. The defendant allegedly claimed to authorities that he and his wife traveled from Somalia to Mexico via Russia, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.”
“While in Mexico, they traveled by bus to the United States/Mexico border, where they were smuggled illegally into the United States. The indictment alleges that defendant failed to disclose to authorities that from June 2006 until March 2008, he resided in Brazil where he participated in, and later ran, a large-scale human smuggling enterprise knowing that such disclosure to authorities would prevent him from receiving asylum in the United States.”
Dhakane surrendered to U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents near Brownsville, Texas in March 2008. While being held in an Immigration Detention Facility located in Pearsall, Texas, he allegedly made the false statements to federal authorities.
If convicted, Dhakane faces up to 10 years in federal prison per count.
This case was investigated by agents with the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Roomberg is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Gary Bellchambers (46) oversaw a network selling golfing accessories, clothing and passes for an airline lounge “on a scale that, it is believed, has never been seen before

Gary Bellchambers (46) oversaw a network selling golfing accessories, clothing and passes for an airline lounge “on a scale that, it is believed, has never been seen before”, a court in England was told. head of a global crime network that duped eBay customers into buying fake branded golf clubs has been sentenced to four years and three months in jail.Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that over four years the gang was “responsible for the sale and distribution of hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of pounds worth of counterfeit goods both in the UK and abroad”.
Adam Davis, for the prosecution, said the conspiracy was of a “truly global nature”. Conspirators are thought to have been based in Thailand, Australia, Germany, Singapore, the US, Hong Kong and China, he said. Conspirators were found in Ireland, Wales, Aberdeen, Dorset and Birmingham.
Two gang members were also jailed. Keith Thomas (49), Bellchambers’ book-keeper, was sentenced to 16 months. Roy Cottee (66), a pensioner, was given 12 months. Other gang members were handed suspended sentences.

VIDEO:Masked gunmen stormed an upmarket hotel in Berlin on Sunday and forced staff working at a poker tournament there to hand over millions.,

Hyatt hotel:a group of armed men stormed the hotel during a poker tournament
Masked gunmen stormed an upmarket hotel in Berlin on Sunday (NZT) and forced staff working at a poker tournament there to hand over money, police said.There was "a little panic" among guests during the hold-up at the Grand Hyatt in the central Potsdamer Platz square, during which some were slightly injured, a police spokesperson said.
He declined to confirm media reports said the gang got away with 800,000 euros ($NZ1.56 million)ackpot for the tournament stood at €1 million ($1.36 million), according to a European Poker Tour Web site. The EPT confirmed the heist on the event's blog in an official statement, saying there had been "an armed robbery executed by six men." It was unclear why the number differed from the police count.Olaf Wagner, a photographer for Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper, was in the hotel when the raid occurred.
He said: "I was at the entrance to the poker hall when they stormed in.I saw three masked men struggling with security personnel in the room where cash is exchanged for chips.
"I saw one of the men stuffing 500 euro notes into a backpack. A second pinned down a security guard with a machete to his chest.
"As they ran one of the security men pulled a robber to the ground. I couldn't decide if this was all a PR stunt or not; it seemed incredible to believe that it could be a real robbery in the heart of Berlin in daylight.
"I got my camera ready. As the security guard was on the floor a hotel page boy came along and took the bag he had been carrying.I saw next to the robber was his gun, a revolver.
"As they struggle the robber calls for help and the others return. One of them has an empty glass bottle he waves in the face of the security man. They force him to release their accomplice.
"Then I see them, unmasked, running into the tourist filled shopping centre. They left the hotel through the emergency exit."
The tournament organiser, the European Poker Tour (EPT), said the raiders had probably been attracted by the one-million-euro prize on offer to the winner of the event. They did not say how much was stolen.
A statement on their website called on anyone with photo or video footage of the robbery to hand it over to the police.
The tournament, which German tennis legend Boris Becker took part in earlier, resumed around four hours after the attack,

arrested Cody Bertelsen when he surrendered Friday and wrapped up an intense investigation into what police say was a notorious gang of organized thieves

arrested Cody Bertelsen when he surrendered Friday and wrapped up an intense investigation into what police say was a notorious gang of organized thieves. Bertelsen and others face racketeering charges that are normally used for prosecuting the Mafia or other crime syndicates. According to police, Bertelsen's group was an organized gang of thieves who terrorized businesses and individuals for at least a year.Bertelsen had amassed nearly $800,000 in arrest warrants. "Cody is the last piece of the puzzle, the last major player," Capt. T McLachlan of West Valley Police Dept. said.Detectives have served at least two additional search warrants and have recovered thousands of dollars worth of stolen property. Cops say there may be even more stash houses of stolen goods still out there.

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and other countries are relaxing penalties for possession and personal use of small amounts of narcotics.

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and other countries are relaxing penalties for possession and personal use of small amounts of narcotics.Critics warn drug abuse and violence will rise if the small-scale consumption of cocaine, marijuana and other drugs is tolerated, but policy makers in much of Latin America argue the new laws will free up resources to go after big traffickers and treat addicts.The shift away from zero-tolerance policies has picked up pace in the past year and U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration has voiced little opposition to the changes. That is a dramatic switch after decades of Washington’s resolute opposition to any easing of laws against consumption.Even in countries such as Argentina, where drug violence is still unusual, judges are backing decriminalization because the justice system is congested with small-time busts, leaving prosecutors unable to go after bigger fish.
“The courts were overwhelmed with cases of small consumers. We have a real drug consumption problem in Argentina and we cannot fix it just by punishing,” said Horacio Cattani, a federal judge who is on a high-level commission that drafted new drug laws for Argentina.Most of the world’s cocaine still comes out of the Andean countries of Colombia, Peru and Bolivia, even after billions of dollars spent eradicating crops.In Mexico, the drug war has killed more than 16,000 people since late 2006 when President Felipe Calderon took office and deployed tens of thousands of soldiers to combat ruthless cartels that behead and dismember rivals, and bribe or intimidate police and judges.Drug violence has also soared in Central America, where street gangs have taken over the trade and in some cases infiltrated political parties.Mexico is the world’s biggest producer of marijuana and Paraguay, in the heart of South America, has taken the No. 2 position as demand grows in neighboring Argentina and Brazil.

Martin Anthony Smith, 44, of North Shields, is wanted in connection with the rape of a child

Martin Anthony Smith, 44, of North Shields, is wanted in connection with the rape of a child under 16, gross indecency with a girl under the age of 16, indecent assault of a girl under 16 and the attempted rape of a girl under 16. He may be on the run with his wife and five-year-old daughter.

Mark Ronald Brown, 44, of Liverpool, is accused of being the head of a drug smuggling gang that conspired to bring hundreds of kilos of heroin into Br

Mark Ronald Brown, 44, of Liverpool, is accused of being the head of a drug smuggling gang that conspired to bring hundreds of kilos of heroin into Britain.

Jody Michael Flynn, 28, of Birkenhead, is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Jody Michael Flynn, 28, of Birkenhead, is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Stephen John Burnell, 56, of Scunthorpe, is wanted following a failure to surrender to custody after being convicted of a series of sex crimes. He was

Stephen John Burnell, 56, of Scunthorpe, is wanted following a failure to surrender to custody after being convicted of a series of sex crimes. He was facing a six-year jail sentence for offences including attempted rape, indecent assault and indecency with a child.

Michael Eddleston, 27, of Doncaster, is accused of three counts of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances

Michael Eddleston, 27, of Doncaster, is accused of three counts of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances

Fatah Benlaredj, 32, originally from Algeria, is wanted for the rape of a seven-year-old girl.

Fatah Benlaredj, 32, originally from Algeria, is wanted for the rape of a seven-year-old girl.

Joseph Stephen Morley, 46, of Liverpool, disappeared from prison in 2000 while serving a 15-year sentence for conspiracy to import cocaine and heroin

Joseph Stephen Morley, 46, of Liverpool, disappeared from prison in 2000 while serving a 15-year sentence for conspiracy to import cocaine and heroin

Stephen Henry Pitman, 53, of Chislehurst, southeast London, is accused of seven offences of of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Stephen Henry Pitman, 53, of Chislehurst, southeast London, is accused of seven offences of of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Paul Walmsley, 40, who is wanted for heroin and cocaine trafficking

Paul Walmsley, 40, who is wanted for heroin and cocaine trafficking. He has been on the run for three years.Police are also appealing for help in finding Martin Smith, 44, suspected of raping a young girl.He is thought to be in hiding in Spain with his wife and five-year-old daughter.

Benjamin Murphy, 29, is wanted for a robbery in which a gang ram-raided a jewellers in Sheffield and escaped with £1.6m worth of diamond rings

Benjamin Murphy, 29, is wanted for a robbery in which a gang ram-raided a jewellers in Sheffield and escaped with £1.6m worth of diamond rings and watches.
Murphy, from Manchester, has been on the run since jumping bail 18 months ago.
Although South Yorkshire Police had confiscated his passport he was able to apply and get a replacement, claiming he had lost the original.
Two of Murphy's cousins are already serving long jail sentences for their part in the robbery, from which most of the jewellery is still missing.
Shop owner Gary Singleton said: "He's done a runner and got away with a lot and is living the high life. If he's done the crime he should be doing the time."
Are criminals hiding among tourists?
Murphy is described as stocky with green eyes, shaved, dark brown hair and Chinese dragon tattoos on his chest and right arm.

serious and persistent breaches of Gibraltar’s financial services legislation.

Financial Services Commission has today, pursuant to Section 11 of the Financial Services (Investment and Fiduciary Services) Act cancelled the licences of the following licensed firms and persons ;
Gibland Secretarial Services Limited ; Licence No FSC00171B
Gibland Nominees Limited ; Licence No FSC00175B
Equity Nominees Limited ; Licence No FSC00174B
Equitar Management Limited ; Licence No FSC00172B
Gibter Management Limited ; Licence No FSC00173B
Cabor Trustees Limited ; Licence No FSC00430B
Meridian Trustees Limited ; Licence No FSC00890B
Marrache, Benjamin John Samuel ; Licence No FSC00736I
Marrache, Solomon S ; Licence No FSC00176I
The decision has been taken following an investigation into the affairs of the licensed entities and persons which in the opinion of the Commission have disclosed serious and persistent breaches of Gibraltar’s financial services legislation.
The Commission,while investigations continue, has taken immediate measures to safeguard the interests of the existing clients of these firms and has appointed Mr Frederick White Managing Director of Grant Thornton (Gibraltar) Limited of 6a Queensway, Gibraltar (Tel. 200 45502) as Authorised Administrator of all the above companies pursuant to the provisions of the Financial Services (Investment and Fiduciary Services) (Temporary Administration of Companies) Regulations 2010.

The Authorised Administrator will work closely with the clients of these firms in assisting them to transfer their business to other licensed entities at the earliest opportunity having regard to the particular needs of individual clients.

Marrache & Co Gibraltar bank account supposed to hold the company’s cash in fact had a balance of less than nine Euros and no credit facility.

Two senior executives at a prominent Gibraltar law firm, brothers Benjamin and Solomon Marrache, appeared before the Magistrates Court yesterday charged with false accounting in respect of E1.8m of client money.The two men were arrested on Tuesday and spent the night in police cells before being ferried to court in a police van.The two Marrache brothers were ushered by police through a side entrance to Central Police station just before 10am and appeared before the magistrate in a crowded courthouse a short while later.Attorney General Ricky Rhoda, appearing for the Crown, urged the magistrate to impose stringent bail conditions for fear that the two men might flee the jurisdiction.Keith Azopardi, the defence lawyer representing the Marrache brothers together with Samantha Sacramento, said there was no risk of them leaving Gibraltar because both were of previous good character and had strong family ties here.Stipendiary Magistrate Charles Pitto granted bail but set tough conditions on each defendant, in the form of two sureties to the value of £300,000 for each brother. The court also set a further financial condition of £150,000 in their own recognizance for each defendant.In simple terms, failure to appear at future court hearings could cost the defendants and their guarantors up to £900,000 in total.Both men also had to hand in their travel documents and agree to reside at their respective family homes, as well as report twice weekly to police.By the end of the day yesterday, a number of persons had stepped up to provide £600,000 in sureties for the release of the two men.At an hour-long hearing in the evening, Mr Pitto questioned the guarantors closely but accepted the sureties. The two brothers were released from custody later that evening.Yesterday’s developments in court were the opening shots in what will undoubtedly develop into a lengthy and complex case.Mr Rhoda said the sums of money involved “could be quite substantial”.He said the two men were currently facing “holding charges” and that more charges could follow at a later stage. The Attorney General also said there could be further arrests as a result of an ongoing police investigation.Earlier this week police raided several commercial and residential properties linked to Marrache & Co and seized documents and computers.Prosecutors allege that in January this year, the brothers falsified documents to conceal a shortfall of E1.8m of funds belonging to a company called Portino Comercio Internacional. One document, a letter signed by Solomon Marrache, purported to show that the money was held by the brothers on the client’s behalf. Another document, a letter signed by Benjamin Marrache, purported to give authority to Natwest bank to transfer the client’s money to a bank in Ireland.But prosecutors said that the Gibraltar bank account supposed to hold the company’s cash in fact had a balance of less than nine Euros and no credit facility.

arrested a 40-year-old man from Arriate, near Ronda, for a crime against public health when he was found to be in possession of 10 grams of cocaine

arrested a 40-year-old man from Arriate, near Ronda, for a crime against public health when he was found to be in possession of 10 grams of cocaine. Further to the arrest, charges have been pressed against the owner of the pub where the man was arrested. Upon search of the bar police found the establishment had no opening licence and found drugs and different weapons. It is also thought the owner permitted patrons to consume drugs freely in his bar.

arrested a 54-year-old man from Velez Blanco charged with a crime against public health after dismantling a drugs sale point

arrested a 54-year-old man from Velez Blanco charged with a crime against public health after dismantling a drugs sale point and seizing 49 grams of cocaine. The operation began after police observed unusual activity of people coming and going from an establishment in Velez after commercial hours. The clients were seen leaving the establishment putting small items in their pockets, making police suspect that drugs were being sold. They confirmed their suspicions and raided the establishment finding extremely pure rock cocaine as well as utensils and substances used for cutting and preparing drugs.

sentences of between two and nine years for three men charged with planning to kill a National Police officer

sentences of between two and nine years for three men charged with planning to kill a National Police officer who had previously arrested one of them for drug dealing. One of the accused, who owned the premises where the drugs were being distributed, is believed to have paid almost 300,000 euros to one of the others to carry out the murder. The hired killer then obtained a weapon and requested help from the third man accused, giving him the weapon. The plan never materialized and the men denied in Alicante Provincial Court ever having planned to kill the officer.

wearing blue overalls and armed with a gun stole 150 euros from a shop

wearing blue overalls and armed with a gun stole 150 euros from a shop in Ciudad Quesada, Rojales. Police are investigating and believe he may not have acted alone

arrested four people believed to have perpetrated a robbery on December 13 at an Orange mobile phone shop near the train station

arrested four people believed to have perpetrated a robbery on December 13 at an Orange mobile phone shop near the train station in the centre of Malaga in which 30,000 euros worth of latest generation mobile phones and laptop computers were stolen over the weekend. They entered the shop via an adjoining empty warehouse. This time, they were caught red-handed by the police after a citizen alerted that they had entered the office of a promoter. Two were caught inside with tools and wearing socks on their hands so they would not leave fingerprints. Outside, two other people were waiting in a car which contained some of the stolen mobile phones.

Man who died in hospital following an argument on the CV-905 road in Rojales, had been stabbed several times in the head.

Man who died in hospital following an argument on the CV-905 road in Rojales, had been stabbed several times in the head. The victim was from Madrid but lived in Torrevieja. The other man involved in the events, a 26-year-old resident of Rojales, is also in a serious condition in hospital as he was stabbed in the lung. He is under police guard and will be arrested by the Guardia Civil as soon as he is well enough and charged with manslaughter.It appears the two drivers had an altercation on the road and began to chase each other along the A-37 until they reached the roundabout in Rojales. Here, they got out of their cars and the deceased allegedly took out a knife and stabbed the other driver in the face and chest, leaving the knife in him. The killer grabbed the knife from his own body and stabbed his attacker, allegedly in self defence.

17 years in prison for a Guardia Civil officer who with the help of a friend who is facing the same sentence, allegedly killed a drug dealer

17 years in prison for a Guardia Civil officer who with the help of a friend who is facing the same sentence, allegedly killed a drug dealer who regularly supplied them with cocaine and who they owed 3,000 euros in 2006. The body was found abandoned in an olive grove in the town of Biar. Also on trial are the officer’s wife, his friend’s brother and a Local Police officer, all of whom are facing two years in prison.The two men used to take drugs together, but in October 2006, they killed their supplier. Now, at trial, each one is accusing the other.The officer admitted to taking cocaine and smoking marijuana, but denied he had any debts and said the deceased dealer always gave him the drugs as a gift. He said they had met when he was doing breathalyser tests and become so friendly that one lent the other more than 1,000 euros for his daughter’s communion. He claims his friend owed the victim money and told him to come to a petrol station in Montesa and he heard shots. Fearing he too might be shot, he claims he dragged the body into the boot of the car and after taking all the dealer’s belongings, they hid the body.His friend, who was a driver of the municipal tow-truck, on the other hand, says the Guardia Civil asked him to come to the meeting with the dealer because he owed him money, and gave him a loaded weapon. He claims they fought with the dealer and the gun went off, but he hid behind the car and heard several more shots.Both agree that they disposed of the body.

7 men and 2 women aged between 18 and 41 have been arrested in a drugs operation against cocaine sales in Torrevieja

7 men and 2 women aged between 18 and 41 have been arrested in a drugs operation against cocaine sales in Torrevieja, charged with illegal association, document forgery and cocaine trafficking, believed to have been carried out in local bars and nightclubs. The operation, codenamed Milor, began nine months ago when Guardia Civil detected drugs sales in leisure areas.On April 16 last year, they seized 626 grams of cocaine and arrested one man, believed to be transporting the drugs from Madrid, leaving them in lockers in supermarkets and shopping centres in Torrevieja, and then giving the keys to the members of the organization.He revealed that one of the ringleaders planned to return to Madrid for more drugs in January, and the assistance of the Guardia Civil in Albacete was required. Blockades were set up on the motorway between Madrid and Alicante, and in Chinchilla, where the suspect was stopped and arrested with more than a kilo of rock cocaine found in his car together with plastic bags containing ground coffee used to throw tracker dogs off the scent. Eight searches were carried out and police seized more cocaine, a press, utensils used for cutting and preparing drugs, audiovisual and computer equipment and money in cash.

attempting to kill the victims with a chainsaw in Estepona Port

sentenced by Malaga Provincial Court to 15 years each in prison for attempted manslaughter, for causing an accident and attempting to kill the victims with a chainsaw. The events took place in Estepona Port in April 2001, where one of the accused put a chainsaw to the neck of one of the victims, although he did not start it. A friend of the victim came forward in his defence and pushed the attacker to the floor.The two men, accompanied by another, got into a car and left, with the three accused in chasing them in another car. During the chase, the accused rammed the other car trying to force it off the road, intending to kill the occupants. The first time was at a roundabout and caused so much damage to the back of the car that the man who was in the back seat had to move into the front. Once on the motorway, they slammed into the car again.The victims took a narrow, winding and unlit path which led to the home of a relative where they intended to take refuge. Despite the 40kph speed limit, the cars were driving at more than 80kph. It was then that the attackers rammed them a third time, making the driver loose control of the car and crash into a wall. The attackers rammed the car a fourth time, and seeing that the occupants were still alive, they threatened them with the chainsaw. However, another vehicle approaching forced them to flee the area thinking it was the police.

sentenced to six years and six months in prison for the attempted manslaughter of a colleague who he said harassed him.

sentenced to six years and six months in prison for the attempted manslaughter of a colleague who he said harassed him. The two men had argued on several occasions and threatened to kill each other, so the company in Marbella reprimanded them both. Two months later, in August 2008, outside in the street after work, they argued again and one of the men stabbed the other. The attacker will also have to pay the victim 1,210 euros in compensation for his injuries and is banned from coming near him or communicating with him for eight years

Marta del Castillo Casanueva, police have still not been able to find her body.

Marta del Castillo Casanueva, police have still not been able to find her body.
According to self-confessed killer and ex-boyfriend of the victim, Miguel Carcaño, 21, Marta's body was thrown into the river Guadalquivir.Carcaño later changed his statement and claimed she was on a rubbish dump just outside the city.The killer told police a year ago that he and his former girlfriend had argued after she told him she wanted to see him to find out about rumours he had allegedly spread about her.In the heat of the moment, Carcaño said he threw an ashtray at her whilst they were in his flat in Camas (Sevilla), knocking her unconscious.Believing her dead, he said he panicked and threw her into the river with the help of his older stepbrother and a friend, whilst another friend was said to have stayed behind to clean up the blood and other evidence.But later statements suggested Marta had been gang-raped and then strangled.More than 200 technicians and members of the armed forces searched the river, and then the rubbish dump.They then combed the area around Miguel's flat after one of his ex-girlfriends said she thought Marta had been dumped in a ditch near the block.MP for Andalucía Juan José López Garzón revealed that searching the rubbish tip alone had cost the taxpayer 200,000 euros.

64-year-old woman has been found dead at her home in Granada with signs of a blow to the head and her maid has been arrested.

The police were called to the building at number 3 cuesta de Escoriaza around 4.30pm today by neighbours who had heard a violent argument going on inside the apartment.
When they entered the apartment, the police found the owner, a 64-year-old woman, dead and with a gash to the head, apparently caused by a blow from a vase.
A search of the apartment revealed the alleged author of the crime, hiding in a wardrobe. The 26-year-old Spanish woman, identified only by the initials A.F.H.M. was employed by the owner as a home help.Sources suggest that the argument was about a debt. The police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the crime.