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D.A. charges 5 in connection with 196 robberies, thefts targeting Apple product sellers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:56 GMT

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has filed charges against five people who are accused of committing nearly 200 robberies, thefts and fraudulent transactions targeting sellers of Apple products who they contacted online.On Wednesday, the D.A.'s Office announced Jamari Deon Turner, 21, of Lawndale, Jerome Joseph, 25, of Los Angeles, Tyler Russell, 22, of Lawndale, Kesai Doss, 23, of Palmdale, and Ellis Garrett, 22, of Los Angeles were all arrested and charged in connection with the crimes.Three of the defendants, Turner, Joseph and Russell, have been charged with committing "Hobbs Act robbery," which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Those three were expected to appear in court Wednesday.Doss and Garrett are charged in a separate criminal complaint on felony charges for wire fraud, which also carries a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. They were expected to appear in court in the coming weeks, the D.A.'s Office said.The five defend...

Old Farmer's Almanac predicts cool, wet winter for California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:56 GMT

If the Old Farmer’s Almanac is to be trusted, California can look forward to another winter with above-average precipitation and cooler-than-average temperatures.“Get Ready for a Winter Wonderland!” is the Alamanac’s headline for its Winter 2023-2024 national forecast.A map indicates cool and wet conditions are expected in central and southern California, extending from the San Francisco Bay area to the Mexico border.Areas of Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas are also included.“A strong El Niño means winter will be wetter than normal, with above-normal mountain snow," the Almanac says. "The stormiest, wettest periods will be in early and late January, early to mid-February, and mid-March. There will be a white Christmas across the Sierra Nevada mountains, but not in the valleys or along the coast.”Working inside a nearly 18-foot-deep snow pit at the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab, from left, Shaun Joseph, Claudia Norman, and Helena Middleton take measurements of s...

Pair involved in Santa Ana follow robbery arrested, may be tied to other incidents

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:56 GMT

A man and a woman seen on video robbing unsuspecting victims coming from a bar in Santa Ana earlier this month have been arrested, and authorities believe they may be tied to other similar incidents.The incident captured on video occurred on Aug. 13 after the two men left a bar in the downtown Santa Ana area.The two had car trouble and ended up pulling over into a parking lot to change a tire. While one man is on the ground -- after apparently having too much to drink -- and the other is changing the tire, a woman approaches one and starts speaking to him in English, which he doesn’t quite understand.A still from video provided by the Santa Ana Police Department shows a man and a woman stealing from victims during a follow robbery on Aug. 13, 2023. That’s when the male assailant approached the victim changing the tire and started attacking him.The victim told KTLA the man pistol-whipped him three times until they struggled to the ground.The assailant got up first, cocked his gun, po...

Victor Quibas Killed in Motorcycle Accident on 43rd Avenue [Phoenix, AZ]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:56 GMT

62-Year-Old Motorcyclist Pronounced Dead after Fatal Collision near Indian School RoadPHOENIX, AZ (August 30, 2023) – Early Sunday morning, Victor Quibas was killed in a motorcycle accident on 43rd Avenue.Police responded to the scene around 5:30 a.m., near Indian School Road on August 27th.Per reports, the driver of a northbound vehicle turned left into a private driveway and struck a pedestrian. Paramedics arrived and transported 63-year-old Quibas to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.Following preliminary duties, officers determined that the female driver of a vehicle did not show signs of impairment. Although, police have not yet released her identity.At this time, an active investigation is still currently underway. Once available, more details will be provided.The team at Sweet James sends out their heartfelt sympathies to the friends and family of Victor Quibas who are grieving over the loss of their loved one.Reach out to Sweet James today and ...

1 Killed in 2-Car Accident on South Mount Vernon Avenue [Bakersfield, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:56 GMT

One Pronounced after Two-Vehicle Collision on East Belle TerraceBAKERSFIELD, CA (August 30, 2023) – Thursday evening, one victim was killed in a 2-car accident on South Mount Vernon Avenue.Authorities responded to the scene around 6:30 p.m., near East Belle Terrace on August 24th.Per reports, the driver of a Kern High School District bus was heading north on Mount Vernon Avenue while a Toyota Sienna was heading south. For reasons under investigation, the driver of the Toyota slid into the northbound lanes and veered into the direction of the school bus.Due to the extent of injuries sustained, medics pronounced one person dead at the scene. Although, authorities have not yet released their identity.Meanwhile, paramedics transported the school bus driver and two passengers to Kern Medical Center for treatment of moderate to severe injuries.At this time, the identity of the deceased person remains undisclosed to the public. No further details regarding the South Mount Vernon Avenue two...

Man Killed, Another Hurt in 2-Car Accident on Deer Springs Road [San Marcos, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:56 GMT

Man Pronounced Dead after Two-Vehicle Collision near Mesa Rock RoadSAN MARCOS, CA (August 30, 2023) – Thursday morning, a man was killed and another was hurt in a 2-car accident on Deer Springs Road.Police responded to the scene around 5:30 a.m., just west of Mesa Rock Road.According to reports, the male driver of a BMW 330ci was heading west and crossed over the double yellow lines into the eastbound lane.There, the BMW struck a Toyota Tacoma, driven by a 61-year-old man in the westbound lanes. Medics arrived and pronounced the 23-year-old male driver from Fallbrook, dead at the scene. Although, authorities have not yet released his identity.Medical personnel arrived and transported the other man from Forest Ranch, to Enloe Medical Center with major injuries.At this time, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway. Once available, more details will be provided.The team at Sweet James offers their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends...

Toan Thuan Duong Dead after Semi-Truck Crash at Sean Haggerty Drive [El Paso, TX]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:56 GMT

Timothy Schevikhoven Injured in Two-Vehicle Collision on Gateway SouthEL PASO, TX (August 30, 2023) – Early Friday morning, a semi-truck crash at Sean Haggerty Drive claimed the life of Toan Thuan Duong.The incident occurred on August 18th, just before 1:30 a.m., near the intersection of Sean Haggerty Drive and Gateway South.According to reports, a Lexus, driven by Duong, traveled into the path of a semi-truck driven by Timothy Schevikhoven. As a result, the semi-truck t-boned the Lexus leaving both drivers with injuries.First responders arrived at the site of the collision at around 3:50 a.m. They transported both victims to a nearby hospital for treatment.On August 24th, officials stated that 40-year-old Toan Thuan Duong had died from his injuries. Meanwhile, the condition of 40-year-old Timothy Schevikhoven is unknown. However, his injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening.The team at Sweet James sends our warm and sincere sympathies to the friends and family of Toa...

Deputy Officer Hospitalized in Red-Light Crash at Pebble Hills Boulevard [El Paso, TX]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:56 GMT

Minor Injuries Reported Following Two-Vehicle Collision along Zaragoza RoadEL PASO, TX (August 30, 2023) – Friday morning, a deputy officer sustained injuries after a red-light crash at Pebble Hills Boulevard.The accident occurred on August 18th, at around 6:50 a.m. at the intersection of Pebble Hills Boulevard and Zaragoza Road.As per reports, a patrol vehicle, for unknown reasons, failed to stop at a red light and crashed into another vehicle.First responders arrived and found four occupants in the second vehicle. They reported minor injuries due to the crashMeanwhile, paramedics transported the deputy to a local hospital with minor injuries.Following the crash, officials closed the intersection for several hours toMoreover, the collision temporarily closed the intersection for several hours due to cleaning and preliminary operations.At this time, further events leading up to the crash at Pebble Hills Boulevard remain under active investigation. Once available, more informat...

‘Feels a little unsafe’: Uncertainty and few easy solutions after Emeryville mall chaos

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:56 GMT

The videos posted to social media depicted chaos: dozens of teenagers fighting, with many more egging them on, and scores of shoppers fleeing at one of the East Bay’s largest malls, hanging from rails and pushing down the stairs to escape.One person was stabbed but would recover, authorities said. A gunshot was reported, but no one was found shot.Yet days after the Sunday afternoon brawl at Bay Street Emeryville, shoppers, restaurant-goers and criminal justice experts alike grasped to explain the sudden outburst violence, one of several seen across the nation around the same weekend. And while many said they were unswayed in their desire to visit the sprawling open-air complex, others — including employees — voiced concern about a lack of security and future unrest at the popular community hub.Witnesses compared the melee to a massive schoolyard fight, with swarms of people rushing into the scene to get a glimpse of the action. At least one witness encountered a person claimin...

Military figure appointed leader after coup in Gabon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:56 GMT

By Yves Laurent Goma and Sam Mednick | Associated PressLIBREVILLE, Gabon — Mutinous soldiers in Gabon proclaimed their republican guard chief as the country’s leader Wednesday after placing the just-reelected President Ali Bongo Ondimba under house arrest, alleging betrayal and massive embezzlement during his long-time rule over the oil-rich Central African nation.The coup leaders said in an announcement on Gabon’s state TV that Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema had been “unanimously” designated president of a transitional committee to lead the country. Oligui is a cousin of Bongo, who earlier Wednesday had been declared the winner of the country’s latest presidential election following 55 years of rule by him and his late father.In a video from detention in his residence, Bongo called on people to “make noise” to support him. But the crowds who took to the streets of the capital instead celebrated the coup against a dynasty accused of getti...