Teen accused of brandishing knife amid carjacking definitely picks wrong woman to victimize



An accused knife-brandishing teen most definitely chose the wrong female to carjack over the weekend in Yonkers, New York.

Around 12:45 p.m. Sunday, police got a call requesting assistance at the Mobil gas station at 838 Kimball Avenue, police said.

The suspect will be charged with robbery in the first, second, and third degree, as well as fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree menacing, police said.

The call was from an off-duty New York state trooper.

An investigation revealed that when the off-duty trooper was done refueling her vehicle, a male approached her, brandished a knife, and entered the driver’s seat of her vehicle, police said.

While the trooper was off-duty, she sure wasn't unarmed — and as you might expect, she wasn't going to let the crook get away without a fight.

With that, the trooper fired one shot from her off-duty firearm, striking the suspect in the left arm — and the round continued into his torso, police said.

The suspect accelerated the vehicle toward the rear of the gas station, drove through a shed and fence at the end of the property, and then came to a stop in the parking lot of the adjacent apartment building at 1296 Midland Avenue, police said.

The suspect then fled from the stolen vehicle and ran toward Midland Avenue, police said.

However, Yonkers Police officers quickly located the suspect at the entrance to 1328 Midland Avenue and placed him into custody without incident, police said, adding that a knife was recovered from the suspect at the time of arrest.

RELATED: Deadly shoot-out between off-duty cop and male who pistol-whipped him caught on police dashcam video

Medical aid was rendered at the scene, and the suspect was transported to an area hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds; he was in stable condition, police said.

The suspect is a 17-year-old Yonkers resident, police said.

The suspect will be charged with robbery in the first, second, and third degree, as well as fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree menacing, police said.

The Yonkers Police Department's Detective Division Major Case Squad is leading the criminal investigation while the New York State Police is conducting an internal review, police said.

As the trooper was the victim, police said no identifying information will be released about her other than she was a female off-duty state trooper assigned to Troop NYC.

A state police spokesman said the trooper is a 12-year veteran who suffered minor injuries in the incident and was treated at a hospital and released, according to the Rockland/Westchester Journal News.

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MLB umpire chases down, fights teen thug who allegedly stole his phone on Philly street: Police sources



A Major League Baseball umpire chased down and fought a teenager who allegedly stole his phone on a Philadelphia street earlier this month, KYW-TV reported, citing police sources.

Multiple law enforcement sources identified the umpire as Brock Ballou, who has been an MLB umpire since 2022, the station said.

'They ended up on the ground, at which time the victim struck his head, causing injury. The male continued his assault, violently punching him.'

Police released surveillance video of the suspect, KYW noted. Police said the suspect is a teenage male with brown complexion wearing a light blue sweatshirt and black pants.

Police said the suspect approached Ballou from behind in the 1600 block of Walnut Street in the downtown section of the city around 7 p.m. April 9, stole Ballou's phone while the umpire was looking at directions, and then ran off, the station reported.

"The suspect approached the male and snatched his cell phone out of his hands," Capt. Jason Smith told KYW. "The victim went chasing after the male, at which time they got involved in a physical altercation at 16th and Walnut."

Investigators told the station that when Ballou tried to take his phone back, the suspect punched him several times in the head. KYW said surveillance video it reviewed shows the suspect repeatedly punching Ballou.

"They ended up on the ground, at which time the victim struck his head, causing injury," Smith added to the station. "The male continued his assault, violently punching him."

The suspect then ran away without the phone, which was returned to Ballou later by someone on the street, police told KYW.

RELATED: Coach for 10-year-old baseball players shoves umpire, knocks him to the ground; injured ump says he's pressing charges

Ballou's injuries were not serious, police added to the station.

Ballou was in Philadelphia to work the Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks series last weekend, KYW said, adding that Ballou umpired at first base the night after the incident and was behind home plate two days later.

KYW said MLB declined to comment.

In addition, police told the station the same suspect about a half-hour previously had entered a 7-Eleven just a few blocks away in the 1200 block of Chestnut Street and allegedly stole several items. Police told KYW that an employee confronted the suspect, after which the suspect punched the employee multiple times before the suspect fled the store.

Police are asking those with information about the crimes to contact the department's central detective division at 215-686-3093/3094, the station said.

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Dad rushes home to protect child, pregnant wife from unhinged male screaming death threats at door, demanding it be opened



A Northern California father rushed home to protect his 5-year-old child and pregnant wife from a male stranger who was caught on the Fairfield home's doorbell camera screaming death threats and demanding that the homeowner open the door.

Video from last Tuesday's terrifying incident shows the male standing on the porch of the home in the 1700 block of Burbank Court in Fairfield and talking to the homeowner through a Ring doorbell camera and demanding entry, KTVU-TV reported.

'Open the door. This is my neighborhood. ... Now. Or I'll f**king end you. Do you understand me?'

Fairfield is about 45 minutes southwest of Sacramento.

"I just want to make sure that everything's OK," the man is heard saying, the station reported. "There seems to be something going on."

"What do you mean?" the homeowner replied while repeatedly asking the male to leave.

The homeowner had just left his residence minutes before, KTVU said. However, he was able to observe and talk to the male stranger — and immediately returned home, police said.

Things only got scarier.

The male is seen on video kicking the door and shouting, "Where's your daughter? Who's in there with you? Open this f**king door, or I'm breaking it down!" KTVU said.

RELATED: 'I'll kill you in the name of Allah': Knife-wielding male makes death threats in chilling driveway incident; suspect arrested

Things also got downright bizarre.

At one point, the male identified himself as a fictional wizard and private investigator from an urban fantasy series, the station said.

"My name is Harry Dresden, motherf**ker," the male is heard saying on camera. "Open the door. This is my neighborhood. ... Now. Or I will f**king end you. Do you understand me?"

Soon the male pulled down a decorative doorbell, repeatedly bashed the door with it, and continued to demand to be let inside "or I'll f**king kill you," KTVU said.

All the while, the homeowner's pregnant wife and 5-year-old child were inside the home, but they managed to hide in the garage, the station said.

Unable to get in through the front door, the male stranger soon broke a gate and entered the home through a sliding glass door, KTVU reported.

Video from inside the home shows the intruder moving through rooms and yelling, "Where the f**k is she?" the station said.

But soon the homeowner is seen on video back inside his residence — and armed with a shovel. KTVU said that while video doesn't show the physical altercation between the homeowner and the intruder, a commotion can be heard.

The homeowner is heard telling the intruder, "I'm giving you a chance — get the f**k out of my house," the station reported.

Authorities confirmed to KTVU that a physical confrontation occurred between the intruder and the homeowner, and both sustained head injuries.

Arriving officers found the intruder outside the home, and the station said he was taken to NorthBay Medical Center for treatment and later booked into the Solano County Jail.

Police said they "want to recognize the actions of the homeowner, who worked to protect his family while officers were responding to the scene."

Jason Nichols, 30, was arrested on suspicion of burglary, vandalism, and making criminal threats, KTVU reported, adding that police on Monday added a charge of annoying or molesting a child.

The station said that during Nichols' court appearance Monday, he seemed to take issue with some of the charges as Superior Court Judge William Pendergast read the complaint.

Nichols did not enter a plea, KTVU reported.

Authorities would not say if Nichols was targeting any child related to the homeowner, the station said, but they did say Nichols lives behind the family's home, although the family does not know him.

Nichols' bail was set at $250,000. While jail records indicate Nichols remained behind bars Tuesday afternoon, the charge of annoying or molesting a child was no longer listed among the charges against him. Nichols' next court date is scheduled for April 23.

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Mugger slashes teen in face, steals his phone — but victim grabs knife from mugger and fights back in brutal fashion: Report



A mugger reportedly slashed a male teenager in the face and stole his cell phone aboard a New York City subway train Thursday evening — but the victim grabbed the knife from the mugger and fought back in a brutal way.

The 18-year-old victim and his friend were on the Bronx No. 2 train as it approached the Pelham Parkway station near White Plains Road in the Pelham Parkway section of the Bronx around 7 p.m. when the suspect and seven others walked through the train car, stopped the victim, and asked to see his cell phone, the New York Daily News reported.

'Case of beer for that young person!'

The victim pulled out his phone, and the mugger grabbed the phone and started to walk off with it, which sparked a brawl, police told the Daily News.

Amid the dustup, a knife fell upon the subway car’s floor, police told the paper.

The mugger grabbed the knife and slashed his victim in the face, which left a deep gash on the teen's face, the Daily News said.

But as the fight continued, the victim grabbed the knife from the mugger and stabbed him five times, police told the paper.

Emergency medical services arrived and rushed the mugger to Jacobi Hospital, where he was expected to survive, the Daily News said, adding that he remained in the hospital Friday and was awaiting charges related to the incident.

The teen was taken to Montefiore Medical Center, where his slash wound was treated, the paper said, adding that the victim's friend was punched in the face during the brawl.

A police source with knowledge of the case told the Daily News that detectives said the mugger's pals — who ran off — are responsible for several similar robberies in the Bronx and on borough subway trains.

Charges against the mugger and his victim were not immediately filed, the paper said.

As you might expect, observers commenting under the Daily News' Facebook post about the incident gave many kudos to the teen who fought back:

  • "Case of beer for that young person!" one commenter wrote.
  • "He took care of bizness!" another user exclaimed.
  • "Great job from the victim," another commenter noted.
  • "That's how it's supposed to be," another user declared.
  • "Given it's NYC, has the teen been charged yet?" another commenter quipped.
  • "People need to fight back, glad this happened!" another user said.

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Axe-wielding thug allegedly threatens Florida car-wash employees — then 1 victim violently turns the tables on him



An axe-wielding male allegedly threatened a pair of car-wash employees in Ocala, Florida, last week — but one of the victims managed to violently turn the tables on him.

Marion County Sheriff's deputies responded to the Tidal Wave Auto Spa on SW 95th Street Road over a reported disturbance around 8:30 p.m. March 8, officials said.

'I timed [it] so that once he lowered [the axe], that’s when I shot the takedown.'

Upon arrival, deputies said they found an 18-year-old victim restraining 36-year-old Bryce Thayer.

The investigation revealed that Thayer approached two employees at the car wash as they were closing, officials said.

Thayer was told to leave the property, officials said, but Thayer became angry and approached the two victims in a threatening manner while wielding an axe.

Officials said the 18-year-old victim lunged at Thayer in an attempt to disarm him and was able to get him on the ground. The second victim then was able to remove the axe from Thayer's grip, officials said, and the 18-year-old victim restrained Thayer until deputies arrived.

RELATED: Teen robbers open fire on victim behind Texas Family Dollar, but victim also has a gun — and turns the tables lethally

Leodan Pino, 18, told WOFL-TV that his instincts took over amid the unnerving ordeal.

"I hear some screaming, someone yelling something," Pino told the station. "Something along the lines of, ‘Where’s my wife? I can’t find my wife.’"

Pino added to WOFL that he knew he had to act.

"I timed [it] so that once he lowered [the axe], that’s when I shot the takedown," Pino told the station. "I got on top of him, and I controlled the situation."

WOFL reported that one of the car-wash workers — presumably Pino — hit Thayer in the face several times to disorient him.

Thayer was taken into custody, officials told the station, and he was found in possession of drug paraphernalia — a glass pipe believed to be a methamphetamine pipe.

He faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and a drug paraphernalia charge, WOFL said.

Thayer was taken to the Marion County Jail, and bail was set at $65,000, the station reported.

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Philly couple fed up with porch pirates pack 'gross,' 'stinky' contents in box for payback. Crooks take bait like clockwork.



As readers of Blaze News are aware, porch pirates have been a rampant and widespread problem for quite a long time. But one Philadelphia couple recently decided to issue a bit of payback to crooks who steal their delivered packages.

Travis Giarraffa and Lauren Goffredo told WTXF-TV they took action after someone stole a box of toilet paper while they were just feet away.

'I shook it to make it all dirty in there, so if they even put their hands [in], it's all over their hands.'

"[The package thief] walked off with a big thing of toilet paper, so last night [Travis is] like, 'You know, I got to clean up all the poop in the yard. Let's just box it up and put it outside,'" Goffredo told the station.

Goffredo added to WTXF: "This is Louis. He's our poop-machine French bulldog."

With that, the couple boxed up their canine's waste, shall we say, and left it outside overnight, the station said.

RELATED: Package thief leaves snarky 'thank you' note for victim. But she hopes to have last laugh with decoy box featuring 'a little gift' from her dog.

Giarraffa and Goffredo told WTXF that surveillance video actually captured someone taking the package at 4 a.m. last Wednesday.

"It was probably disgusting and gross and a lot — and I shook it to make it all dirty in there, so if they even put their hands there, it’s all over their hands," Giarraffa noted to the station.

"It was stinky, for sure," Goffredo added.

Bottom line: The couple told WTXF their hope is that the prank will make would-be thieves think twice before stealing packages in the future.

Giarraffa added to the station that he's also willing to help neighbors repeat the experiment: "If you need some dog poo for a package, hit me up. We have a whole dog poo dumpster out there."

More from WTXF:

Philadelphia police encourage anyone who experiences a theft or any crime to call 911 or visit their nearest police district. A spokesperson said, "If you experience a theft or any crime against you, it is important to report it to the police. ... If you have video evidence, it can be very helpful for investigators in locating the offender(s)."

The station added that neighbors in the area are staying vigilant and sharing information to help prevent future thefts.

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13-year-old boy brutally punishes stepfather who allegedly strangled his mom and also attacked him



A 13-year-old Alabama boy took matters into his own hands after his stepfather allegedly strangled his mother during an argument — and then attacked him, too.

Deputies with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence off Underwood Road in Foley at 8:20 p.m. Monday regarding a domestic violence complaint, the sheriff's office said in a Thursday morning news release.

'He was threatening to kill everyone in the house because he was high on drugs, and he was drunk.'

Upon arrival, deputies saw a 13-year-old male holding down 32-year-old Darnel Hernandez-Lopez with a bicycle in the front yard, officials said.

Hernandez-Lopez had numerous injuries to his face and was detained and treated medically on the scene, officials said.

Hernandez-Lopez’s wife told deputies her husband grabbed her around her neck and started to choke her during an argument that took place in front of the boy, who left the house to seek help.

Once the boy was outside, Hernandez-Lopez followed his stepson and attempted to violently engage him in the front yard, officials said.

During this altercation, the stepson was able to defend himself and struck his stepfather in the face numerous times and subdued him until deputies could arrive, officials said.

Hernandez-Lopez was charged with felony assault strangulation and taken to the Baldwin County Corrections Center for holding, officials said, adding that his bond is $30,000.

What's more, the sheriff's office said Hernandez-Lopez is now on an immigration hold as well.

RELATED: Boy, 11, shoots his mother's boyfriend to death after couple's argument allegedly becomes physical

Darnel Hernandez-Lopez. Image source: Baldwin County (Ala.) Sheriff's Office

“He was threatening to kill everyone in the house because he was high on drugs, and he was drunk,” the mother told WALA-TV regarding Hernandez-Lopez.

She added to the station that Hernandez-Lopez swung at her son, who dodged the blow.

"[He] was able to get him on the ground, and that’s when he punched him a few times, knocked him out until the police arrived,” the mother noted to WALA.

She also told the station she was frightened for her son’s safety — at first.

“I was scared because I thought he was going to get hurt, but he had the situation under control," she told WALA, adding that she and her son are safe and did not suffer serious injuries.

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Armed robber orders female worker at jewelry store to open display case — even zaps her with stun gun — but she fights back



A female worker at a Southern California jewelry store gave an armed robber all he could handle last week amid a scary altercation caught on surveillance video.

Police in Montclair — which is in San Bernardino County and about 35 miles east of Los Angeles — said the suspect entered Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs around 7:45 p.m. Thursday holding a small bag, which he he put down before walking back out of the door, KCBS-TV reported.

'I don't want to have that kind of feeling where every customer comes in wearing a hoodie and ... sunglasses, and I have to now tell them, ''Get your sunglasses off, get your hoodie off, get your cap off.'''

The suspect then "looked around outside the business" before going back inside the store and walking to the rear of a glass jewelry display case, where the female employee was standing, the station said.

KCBS said the suspect then allegedly pulled a handgun from his jacket and began demanding that the woman open the jewelry case.

"The suspect raised the gun toward the employee multiple times and used a flashlight in his other hand to push the employee," police said, according to the station.

The employee — who wished to be identified only as Alin — told KCBS she was scared but also enraged, so she fought back.

"He said, 'Don't scream ... just open the case,'" Alin recalled to the station, adding that she pushed him and told him to leave.

"The suspect shattered the glass case with the gun and attempted to grab items from the case, but was pushed out of the business by the employee," police said, according to KCBS.

Alin added to the station that the crook shocked her lower body with a stun gun amid the fight, and he was able to grab some store items before running off.

RELATED: Video: Masked smash-and-grab robbers don't look so scary when jewelry store owner pulls his gun and opens fire

While Alin told KCBS that the encounter shook her up, she wasn't injured.

What's more, she told the station her work at the jewelry store is more than just a job: "It's my brother's store, you know."

The store owner added to KCBS that the robber stole gold pieces, watches, diamond rings, gold chains, and bracelets — adding up to a loss in the thousands of dollars.

"When you have a jewelry store, you feel like you are targeted in these kind of places, to be honest," the store owner, who wished to remain anonymous, noted to the station. "Especially with gold prices soaring so high ..."

The store owner added to KCBS that the incident marks the second time his place of business has been hit by theft, but he's hopeful that state laws can be changed to protect store employees and customers.

"I don't want to have that kind of feeling where every customer comes in wearing a hoodie and ... sunglasses, and I have to now tell them, 'Get your sunglasses off, get your hoodie off, get your cap off.' Is that the way that we should be working?" he told the station.

More from KCBS:

Police say that as the suspect ran from the store, another person hit him with a chair to try and slow him down, but the suspect was able to continue running and was last seen heading west through the mall.

A gun recovered at the scene was found to be an unloaded and inoperable BB gun, according to police.

Police are asking those with more information about the incident to contact them at 909-621-4771, the station said.

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Florida man chases alleged armed crooks out of his home, rams their SUV into ditch — but trio flee on foot into woods



The sheriff's office in Bay County, Florida, said officers responded Tuesday to a reported home invasion robbery at a residence in the 8200 block of Random Road. The area is about 10 minutes north of Panama City Beach.

Patrol deputies made contact with the victim, who reported that two masked suspects entered his home while he was sleeping and stole a large amount of cash, officials said.

He said Swartz earlier in the evening contacted him by phone requesting to visit his home and stating that she got his number through a mutual acquaintance, officials said.

The victim stated he confronted the suspects inside the residence and chased them out, officials said, adding that the suspects then fled in their SUV.

The victim then entered his own vehicle and pursued the SUV off Random Road and eastbound on Highway 388, officials said.

During the chase, the victim reported striking the suspect vehicle multiple times in an attempt to stop it, officials said, adding that after the final impact, the suspect vehicle swerved and crashed into a ditch.

When deputies arrived, they learned that the occupants of the crashed vehicle fled on foot into a nearby wooded area, officials said.

Investigators soon learned that the crashed vehicle was registered to 22-year-old Sarra Swartz, officials said.

While processing the scene, investigators found a large amount of cash in the vehicle and on the ground near the driver’s door, officials said, adding that the cash appeared consistent with the victim’s report of money taken during the home invasion.

The victim amid the investigation also provided additional information about events preceding the robbery, officials said.

RELATED: Florida home invader threatens homeowner with weapon, advances toward him, refuses to leave. But crook picks wrong victim.

Image source: Bay County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

He said Swartz earlier in the evening contacted him by phone requesting to visit his home and stating that she got his number through a mutual acquaintance, officials said.

The victim agreed, and Swartz arrived soon after and remained at the residence for about 15 to 30 minutes before leaving, officials said.

The victim added that he displayed a large amount of cash while giving money to his girlfriend — and while Swartz was present — which may have been observed, officials said.

After Swartz left, the victim fell asleep, officials said, after which he said his girlfriend woke him up screaming that individuals were taking his money.

The victim saw two masked males inside the residence, officials said, and described one as a tall, larger white male and the other as a shorter black male armed with a baseball bat.

The victim’s girlfriend also reported seeing what appeared to be a handgun in the possession of one of the suspects, officials said.

Deputies detained one suspect in the woods, later identified as 37-year-old James Crowe, officials said, adding that Crowe provided information identifying two additional suspects and detailed events leading up to and following the robbery.

As the search continued, investigators found Swartz walking along a road west of the crash site, officials said.

A short time later, investigators saw the third suspect, Devarius Stewart, seated in the passenger seat of a vehicle stopped in the area, officials said.

Stewart initially refused commands to exit the vehicle, officials said. However, with the arrival of additional units, Stewart and Swartz were detained and transported to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for interviews, officials said.

RELATED: Armed Florida homeowner fights back against 4 thugs who reportedly try to force their way into his residence

(L to R) James Crowe, Sarra Swartz, Devarius Stewart. Image source: Bay County (Fla.) Jail, composite

Crowe, Swartz, and Stewart were arrested and charged with home invasion robbery with a deadly weapon, officials said.

Bay County Jail records indicate that all three remained behind bars Friday morning; Swartz's bond is $75,000, Stewart's bond is $100,000, and Crowe is being held without bond. Records also indicate that Crowe faces an additional charge of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon; his bond is $20,000 for that charge.

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'Anyone who breaks into someone's home should expect to get shot': Gun-toting Florida homeowner takes care of business



An armed Florida homeowner fired shots in self-defense amid a burglary attempt Wednesday night, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies responded just before 8 p.m. Wednesday after a homeowner reported two suspects attempted to break into a house on Clearwater Road, officials said.

'This is a serious crime with real consequences.'

The homeowner fired a gun and struck a juvenile male suspect, who was later transported to a local hospital, where he was in stable condition, officials said.

A second suspect — later identified as 18-year-old Anson Shawn Drew of Fernandina Beach — fled the scene but was located shortly after with assistance from NCSO’s Drone Unit and K-9 Unit and air support from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, officials said.

WJAX-TV reported that the juvenile suspect was shot in his lower back. The station, citing the sheriff's office report, said Drew left one of his shoes behind when he ran off and was later arrested at his home.

Drew was charged with two counts of burglary, officials said.

According to victim statements, the homeowner heard voices and movement outside the residence and observed two individuals in the yard, officials said, adding that one suspect then forcibly opened the front door and shined a flashlight into the home.

The homeowner — in fear of bodily harm — fired two shots, officials said. Detectives determined that the homeowner’s actions were justified under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, the sheriff's office said.

"Anyone who breaks into someone's home should expect to get shot," Sheriff Bill Leeper said. "This is a serious crime with real consequences."

RELATED: 'I have a gun; don't move!' Concealed carrier protecting his wife and kids confronts burglar — and shocked crook wises up

Image source: Nassau County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office

Leeper added that the “individuals said they liked to break into vacant homes to smoke weed," WJAX reported, adding that the sheriff’s office said the suspects didn’t have any marijuana on this occasion.

Drew was booked into the Nassau County Jail & Detention Center on a bond exceeding $10,000, officials said. Drew was not listed in the jail roster Friday morning.

The juvenile suspect will be charged pending a warrant for his arrest, officials said.

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