A clumsy thief stole a big-screen TV from St. John’s University in Staten Island, hitting himself in the face with the set as he fled. The suspect, described as a college-aged man with a light complexion and a slim build, was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, a gray hat, dark-colored jeans, and white and black sneakers. Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline.
Steven Skea, 64, of South Hadley, has been charged in connection with two burglaries last year at The Collector Galleries in Northampton and Whitney Hill Antiques in Deerfield. Skea pleaded not guilty to two counts of breaking and entering, two counts of larceny, and a charge of possessing a firearm without a license at his arraignment in Hampshire Superior Court on Monday. According to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, Skea is being held without bail. In August, The Collector Galleries reported a break-in, with a suspect seen on surveillance footage blocking a camera with a ceiling tile. The business reported 100 pieces of jewelry and 200 pieces of flatware missing. In October, Whitney Hill Antiques reported a break-in and theft of $30,000 to $50,000 of items, including rare coins and antique jewelry. In November, police obtained a warrant to search Skea’s home, where he allegedly told police he sold stolen items to jewelers in Holyoke and Enfield. Police located numerous pieces of stolen jewelry and coins at Skea’s residence. Skea is due back in court for a hearing in May.
A Winter Haven, Florida man named Larry Carter Jr. had his custom 2023 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak stolen from his home in the night, but it was later recovered by police. Along with the car, thieves had stolen a cup holder containing some of his late mother’s ashes. Miraculously, police were able to locate and return Carter’s mother’s ashes, which he had preserved as a priceless possession. Despite the ordeal, Carter expressed relief and gratitude that his mother’s ashes had been recovered, acknowledging the thief’s possible remorse and compassion in returning them.
Former treasurer of the Aurora Farmer’s Fair, 54-year-old Scott A. Petty, has been charged with theft after an investigation by Indiana State Police revealed he stole over $70,000 from the Fair’s bank accounts. The investigation, launched in March after reports of missing funds, found that Petty made numerous unauthorized purchases using the Fair’s credit card and bank account, including personal vacations, bills, car payments, and other miscellaneous items.
Three Fayette County men were arrested and charged with stealing over 400 feet of telephone line from Luzerne, leaving behind evidence that led to their identification. The suspects, Kalen Barkley, Arram Nelson, and David Emery, face charges of theft, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy. A fourth suspect remains unidentified.
A former Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer, Abigail Barlow, has been fined £100 for keeping her police uniform and equipment after resigning from the force in January 2023. Barlow, who worked for GMP for four-and-a-half years, resigned three days after being sentenced for repeated domestic abuse against her partner. She pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behavior and was given a 26-week suspended sentence, unpaid work, and rehabilitation activities. In a subsequent misconduct hearing, GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson described Barlow’s actions as “incompatible with the role of police officer” and she was banned from the profession. During an investigation into an alleged incident involving a different partner, officers searched Barlow’s home and found police uniform and equipment, including a PAVA spray, a retractable baton, a high visibility TAC vest, and a utility belt. Barlow admitted that she knew she should have handed back the items but denied any intention to impersonate a police officer.
A group of off-duty British police officers on a stag do in Barcelona apprehended a man attempting to steal from a restaurant. The officers, including Sergeant Eren Emin, witnessed the man jumping over the counter and grabbing electrical items. Driven by instinct, they chased him down and detained him, holding him until Spanish police arrived.
Mayfield Heights Police responded to numerous incidents recently, including a two-car accident, suspicious activity at a Dollar Tree, a fake identity used in an eviction, a gift card scam, theft at a Circle K, physical control of a vehicle while under the influence, cash deposits missing from a Sports Clips safe, an attempted car break-in caught on camera, a stolen tip jar, a lost cell phone, and missing money from an apartment.
42-year-old Vincent Rodriguez was arrested on April 15th in Colma, California, after allegedly stealing $475.20 worth of merchandise from a business. During the arrest, police discovered drug paraphernalia and suspected fentanyl on Rodriguez. He was charged with petty theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a narcotic and was released on his promise to appear in court.
