Rick Labelle Arrested for Alleged Home Improvement Scam
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – Rick Labelle, the owner of Abel Construction and Remodeling LLC, has been arrested following allegations of a home improvement scam that cost homeowners over $100,000.
Charles Black Charged with Theft in Pool Business Scheme
In 2022, Charles Black, owner of Legacy Pools, was charged with grand theft and scheming to defraud after a customer accused him of taking a $19,800 deposit to build a swimming pool but failing to communicate or begin the project. The homeowner, frustrated with the lack of response, contacted St. Cloud Police, leading to an investigation.
18 Foreign Nationals, Including Phan Viet Ngân, Arrested in Online Scam Bust
In a series of coordinated operations, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested 18 foreign nationals—eight Chinese and 10 Vietnamese—in Parañaque City for their involvement in various online financial scams.
U.S. Returns $52.88 Million in Seized Assets to Nigeria in Alison-Madueke Case
The United States announced on Friday that it would return $52.88 million in seized assets to Nigeria, stemming from a lengthy corruption investigation into former oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke and her associates. The joint statement from Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and the U.S. government marked a significant milestone in the probe, which has targeted Alison-Madueke’s alleged corrupt activities.
Hawks Arrest Anele Mapisa Over Fraudulent Amatola Water Tender Scheme
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, arrested Anele Mapisa (41), the director of Bright Future 1283 Trading (Pty) Ltd, on charges of fraud, forgery, uttering, and theft. The arrest took place on 22 January 2025, as part of an investigation by the Serious Corruption Investigation team.
Bryant Mendelson Arrested in Wallingford for Drug Possession and Distribution
A 39-year-old man, identified as Bryant Mendelson of Clinton, was arrested on Friday following a traffic stop in Wallingford, Connecticut, which uncovered a significant quantity of drugs in his vehicle. Wallingford Police were conducting a State of Connecticut DUI grant operation when they observed Mendelson’s tan Lexus SUV swerving across the double yellow center line multiple times on North Colony Road.
Jhon Paul Cela-Pichisaca Arrested for Murder in Norwich Homicide
A 23-year-old man, Jhon Paul Cela-Pichisaca, was arrested on murder charges following the fatal stabbing of 39-year-old Nelson Chumap in Norwich on Friday night. Police responded to William W. Backus Hospital around 11:35 p.m. after an unresponsive man, covered in blood, was brought in. Chumap was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, with investigators confirming that he had suffered a fatal stab wound.
Z’nobia Spears Arrested for Theft and Fraud at Crane’s Mill in West Caldwell
A former employee of Crane’s Mill in West Caldwell, Z’nobia Spears, 28, of Jersey City, is facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing a check from a resident and committing fraud. The incident was reported to West Caldwell police on September 14, 2023, when a check went missing from the facility, prompting an investigation led by Detective Potucek.
Shawn Rodriguez Arrested in Bristol on Drug and Gun Charges
A man from Bristol, Shawn Rodriguez, was arrested early Wednesday morning on multiple gun and drug charges after a traffic stop led to the discovery of a stolen firearm and marijuana. At approximately 12:30 a.m., Bristol police were conducting motor vehicle enforcement near Pine Street when they observed a violation and stopped Rodriguez.
Paola Moncada Arrested for Shoplifting at Fairfield Target Store
FAIRFIELD, NJ – A local woman, Paola Moncada, 54, of Fairfield, has been arrested and charged with shoplifting after an incident at the Target store located on Route 46 on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Yohannis Bacardi-Bague Arrested for Skimming Cases in Newton
Marshalltown on January 3 for identity theft and possession of a card skimming device. Now, authorities have connected him to a series of card skimming incidents that took place in Newton, Iowa, at a Git N Go gas station located at 801 1st Ave W. The charges stem from incidents in the fall of 2024, where multiple victims reported credit card fraud after making fuel purchases.
Newton Couple, John Davis and Lauren Parkison, Arrested in Mail Theft Case
NEWTON, Iowa — Authorities arrested a man and woman on Tuesday, both suspects in a mail theft investigation that had been ongoing since early January. According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began when local residents reported stolen mail, followed by the unauthorized use of credit cards and checks.
Former Forensic Scientist Yvonne Woods Faces 102 Criminal Charges
DENVER — Yvonne “Missy” Woods, a former forensic laboratory scientist with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), is facing 102 criminal charges, including cybercrime, perjury, and forgery, according to the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Dakota Petrey Charged in 2020 Murder of Vanessa Ceja Ramirez
CHICAGO — Dakota Petrey, 30, from central Illinois, has been charged with the first-degree murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault in the brutal death of 22-year-old Vanessa Ceja Ramirez, whose body was found in the Midlothian Meadows Forest Preserve in November 2020.
Eugene Sanders and Dajon Neely Charged in West Englewood Murder
CHICAGO — Two men have been charged in connection with the shooting death of a 34-year-old man in West Englewood during the Fourth of July weekend in 2024. Eugene Sanders and Dajon Neely, both 18, were arrested on Tuesday in separate locations: Sanders in the 6100 block of South Marshfield Avenue in Chicago, and Neely in the 500 block of South Washington Street in Carbondale, Illinois.
Timothy Teeters Arrested for Grand Larceny at Tupelo Mall
TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) — A Nettleton man, Timothy Teeters, 31, has been arrested on charges of grand larceny following an incident at The Mall at Barnes Crossing in Tupelo.
Robert Walker Charged with Embezzlement in Oxford Business Case
OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA) – Robert Walker, 34, of Water Valley, has been charged with two counts of embezzlement after being accused of stealing from a business in Oxford.
Amory Shooting Suspects Arrested in Pontotoc
Three people have been arrested in connection with a shooting that took place in Amory, Mississippi, just days before Christmas. Tyrique Harris, 20, of Plantersville, and Denzarious Wren, 19, of Nettleton, were found hiding in the attic of an apartment building in Pontotoc on Monday by local police. Both men are facing charges of shooting into an occupied building after they allegedly fired shots into a home on Concord Avenue on December 20, 2024. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.
Michael Elkins, Christopher Wroten Arrested for Copper Theft from Tulsa Churches
TULSA, OK (KTUL) – Two men, Michael Elkins and Christopher Wroten, were arrested after allegedly stealing copper from air conditioning units at two churches in Tulsa.
Jose Ramirez-Arellano Sentenced to 10 Years for Cocaine Trafficking
CHICAGO (CBS) — Jose Ramirez-Arellano, 33, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after attempting to traffic cocaine from California to Chicago, according to the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
Three Men Arrested for Stealing Car in Montgomery County, MD
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — Three men were arrested in Montgomery County for stealing a Toyota RAV4 on Jan. 1, according to the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD).
Leitchfield Teen Ethan Tapscott Arrested for Vehicle Theft
LEITCHFIELD, Ky. — A teenager from Leitchfield was arrested this week after confessing to stealing a vehicle and taking items from another car.
Arrest Warrants Issued for Fermin Tonche-Gallardo and Marcos Mendez in Cemetery Vase Theft
CHICAGO — Arrest warrants were issued this week for two Illinois men accused of stealing approximately 200 decorative vases from McHenry County Memorial Park Cemetery.
Alan West Jr. and Tiffany Clendenin Arrested in Drug Bust
CADIZ, Ohio — Alan West Jr. and Tiffany Clendenin have been arrested on multiple drug charges following a search warrant executed at their residence at 110 S. Main St.
Ricardo Munoz and Jermy Gomez-Tapia Arrested for Cattle Theft
HOPKINS COUNTY, Texas — Two men from Sulphur Springs, Ricardo Munoz, 19, and Jermy Gomez-Tapia, 17, are in jail after stealing a dozen cattle and attempting to trade them for a pickup truck.
Jorian Jackson Arrested for Murder of Nacogdoches Woman
TYLER, Texas — Jorian Jackson, 29, of Plano, was arrested on January 23 in connection with the shooting death of 26-year-old Cheyenne Russell from Nacogdoches.
Seven Arrested in Athens Meth Bust, Including Codee-Ray Kenas
ATHENS, Texas — A Sunday night search warrant in Athens led to the arrest of seven suspects and the seizure of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Karen Lopez & Cristian Moreno Arrested for Stealing Tools in OC
IRVINE, Calif. — Two Los Angeles residents were arrested on Jan. 22 after being accused of stealing over $2,000 worth of tools from Home Depot stores across Orange County.
Sanford Man Arrested for Aggravated Fentanyl Trafficking
SANFORD, Maine — John Leroy Gray, 44, of Sanford, was arrested on January 21, 2025, on charges of aggravated trafficking in fentanyl following a high-risk search warrant execution at a residence on York Street. The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) and Sanford Police Department, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, seized significant quantities of fentanyl and suspected drug proceeds during the operation.
Kevin McMains Sentenced for Defrauding U.S. Government of $779K
MILTON, Florida — Kevin Paul McMains, a 44-year-old former Army veteran from Milton, Florida, has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for defrauding the U.S. government of over $779,000 in disability benefits. McMains, who pled guilty to theft of government money and making false statements to federal agencies, was sentenced on January 23, 2025, by the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Jason R. Coody.
Seven Charged in $600M COVID-19 Tax Credit Fraud Scheme
CENTRAL ISLIP, New York — An indictment unsealed today in Central Islip, New York, reveals that seven individuals have been charged in connection with a large-scale conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government of over $600 million by filing over 8,000 false tax returns for COVID-19-related employment tax credits. The Justice Department (DOJ) announced the charges.
Joe Lewis Jefferson Sentenced for COVID-19 Rental Assistance Fraud
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Joe Lewis Jefferson, 50, of Nashville, has been sentenced to four years in prison for his role in defrauding the emergency rental assistance program created to support households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced the sentence today.
Felony Warrants Issued for Kearney Shoplifting Suspects
KEARNEY, Neb. — Felony arrest warrants have been issued for two men accused of stealing more than $11,000 worth of electronics from the Cabela’s store in Kearney earlier this month.
Hartselle Pair Arrested for Stealing Merchandise from Retail Store
HARTSELLE, Ala. (WAFF) — Two suspects, Kristine Faye Wolfe and Corey Denzel Watkins, were arrested Tuesday after allegedly stealing over $500 worth of merchandise from a retail business in Hartselle.
Palm Beach County School District Employee Arrested for Stealing Copper, Causing $780K in Damage
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A Palm Beach County School District (PBCSD) employee is facing serious charges after allegedly causing nearly $780,000 in damage by stealing copper worth just a fraction of that amount. Michael Falcone, 50, who worked as an electrician for the district, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly committing 18 burglaries across 20 schools in Palm Beach County over the span of six months.
Two Men Plead Not Guilty to Additional Murder Charge in Lake Worth Beach Bar Shooting
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Morey Pinard III and Michael Vititoe, the two men accused of killing three people in a shooting at a Lake Worth Beach bar, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a new third murder charge. This charge was filed against Pinard following the death of Reginald Gordon, a kitchen manager at Old Key Lime House, who succumbed to pneumonia nearly three weeks after the shooting.
Mount Gilead Man Arrested for Pawning Stolen Jewelry in Aberdeen
ABERDEEN, N.C. — Anthony Patterson, a 33-year-old from Mount Gilead, was arrested on January 22 after being accused of pawning stolen jewelry in Aberdeen. The investigation began in early November when the Aberdeen Police Department and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office were notified about stolen jewelry being pawned in the area.
Friday Harbor Man Charged with Multiple Offenses After Resisting Arrest and Burglary
FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. — Justin Edward James, 34, of Friday Harbor, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including second-degree burglary, third-degree assault, resisting arrest, and theft, following an incident on January 10.
California Mom Sentenced to 5 Years for Running Multi-Million Dollar Retail Theft Ring
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Michelle Mack, a 54-year-old woman from Bonsall, California, began serving a five-year prison sentence on January 9 after pleading guilty to running a large-scale organized retail crime ring. The operation targeted major beauty retailers like Ulta Beauty and Sephora, stealing millions of dollars worth of products to resell on Amazon.
Former Manitoba Chief Administrative Officer Arrested for Fraud and Theft
GILBERT PLAINS, Manitoba — Amber Fisher, the former Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the western Manitoba municipality of Gilbert Plains, has been arrested and charged with fraud, theft, and the use of proceeds obtained by crime after a two-year investigation revealed she had stolen over $532,000 from the municipality.
Three Teenagers Arrested in Connection to Series of Burglaries and Armed Robbery in Osceola County
KISSIMMEE, FL — The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has arrested three individuals in connection to a series of burglaries and an armed robbery that took place between December 23, 2024, and January 5, 2025. The suspects, Johnuel Alejandro Lugo-Sanchez (17), Edgar Antonio Casique-Mejias (16, juvenile), and Diego Guevara-Canelon (15, juvenile), were involved in several break-ins, including at two smoke shops, five motor vehicles, and a nail salon, where they forcibly entered the properties with the intent to steal.