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Feds bust suspected drug ring in St. Louis area

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:13:57 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern Missouri announced Thursday charges have been filed against 34 defendants believed to be tied to an organization known as Black Mafia Family. Investigators allege the group trafficked large amounts of narcotics into the St. Louis area.The four-year investigation was conducted by the St. Louis Gateway Strike Force. “I think that dismantling this organization is going to make a significant impact on community safety,” said Chris Crocker, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI St. Louis Field Office.Investigators allege the organization, with ties to other parts of the country, has been the main supplier of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine into the St. Louis area. The investigation also led to charges alleging drug traffickers pocketed money by applying for loans related to COVID relief funds. Teen and young woman shot while in car downtown, police investigating According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, among those facing f...

One month in, No Cash Bail seems to be not as bad as some thought, officials say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:13:57 GMT

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) - One month ago, a new era dawned for the Illinois criminal justice system. No longer would people have to post money to get out of jail. Some hailed it as a way to even the playing field. Others decried it as opening the doors to the jails.But here in central Illinois, an informal service of attorneys and sheriffs has indicated that really, not much has changed. A new era dawns in Peoria County as No Cash Bail comes to local courtrooms "The past month has pretty much gone as expected," said Peoria County State's Attorney Jodi Hoos, who, along with her colleagues around the state, helped to craft the rules regarding the elimination of cash bail. The veteran prosecutor also noted that for the most part, judges are seeing the "same types of cases that they did before. We just removed cash from the equation."Added McLean County Sheriff Matt Lane, "With the preparation we did and the training we did before this went into effect with our officers and our correction...

Michael Malone rejoins Nuggets in Los Angeles after father’s death; Denver expects Michael Porter Jr., Christian Braun back for season opener

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:13:57 GMT

LOS ANGELES — Nuggets coach Michael Malone rejoined the team Wednesday in Los Angeles after missing Denver’s first four preseason games due to the death of his father, Brendan.The team’s preseason finale Thursday against the Clippers was his first game back on the Nuggets sideline, but Malone watched the first game in Los Angeles on Tuesday night. Lead assistant coach David Adelman had been at the helm as interim head coach during Malone’s absence.“It’s great to be back,” Malone said before tipoff. “Obviously a hard thing to go through, and obviously I’m not the only one who’s lost a parent. It’s a very sad part of life, and especially with the relationship I had with my father. But being back, being in the gym, being around the guys, giving them a hug and being back in the arena tonight, it is therapeutic. It’s good to be back doing something I love.”After the Nuggets rested their starters Tuesday in a 116-102 loss with the Clippers’ ...

Denver officer fires gun in encounter with suspect at Whole Foods

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:13:57 GMT

A Denver police officer fired their gun inside a Whole Foods at 17th and Wewatta streets on Thursday night while contacting a person brandishing a knife, according to the Denver Police Department.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | East Colfax motel owner gives up license amid police investigations Crime and Public Safety | DPS pushes back as city officials, including Mayor Johnston, seek to influence policy, board elections Crime and Public Safety | Denver DA drops one of two murder charges in I-25 road-rage killings Crime and Public Safety | Soccer match between Belgium and Sweden suspended after a gunman kills 2 Swedes in Brussels Crime and Public Safety | Cañon City teenager who fired shots from vehicle sentenced No one was injured in the incident near Union Station, Denver police posted on X. Officers also deployed a taser, and the suspect was arrested after the incident.This is a developing s...

4 suspects charged in string of Garden Grove burglaries

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:13:57 GMT

Three women and one man were arrested on Thursday for their involvement in a series of residential burglaries in Garden Grove. On Wednesday, Garden Grove police responded to a report of a residential burglary in progress in the 13000 block of Greentree Avenue after the homeowner captured two suspects on her surveillance footage attempting to break in. When they arrived at the scene, authorities observed a suspicious silver SUV leaving the neighborhood. After conducting a traffic stop with the vehicle, police determined that the suspects in the car, identified as 41-year-old Catalina Ciucur, 57-year-old Ino Florea, 49-year- old Caludia Margel, and 45-year-old Nicolae Elena, matched the suspects captured on the homeowner's security footage. Further investigation revealed that the four suspects were connected to a string of burglaries in Garden Grove and neighboring cities. The suspects were arrested and are facing multiple charges related to residential burglaries.

Suspect charged in two killings outside San Leandro gym

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:13:57 GMT

SAN LEANDRO – Prosecutors on Thursday charged a 23-year-old San Leandro man with two counts of murder in connection with the shooting deaths of two men 10 days apart last month in the parking lot of the 24-Hour Fitness at Bayfair Center.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Antioch police ID four cops who shot and wounded homicide suspect; one had spent just 4 days on the job Crime and Public Safety | Chase of car-theft suspect in East Bay ends with suspect’s wrong-way crash on state Highway 24 Crime and Public Safety | 2 Bay Area residents arrested after $130,000 in jewelry and electronics stolen from rental car Crime and Public Safety | Hayward man sentenced to 14 years for sexually assaulting woman as she walked Oakland streets Crime and Public Safety | Oakland man thought to have died in Cement Hill car crash was actually shot, police say Joshua Ballard was arrested just after 2 p.m. Tuesda...

Antioch PD detail events that led up to Oct. 1 police shooting

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:13:57 GMT

(KRON) -- The Antioch Police Department put out a press release on Thursday regarding a police shooting that happened Oct. 1. The person who was shot, 30-year-old Antioch man Daniel Mackin, survived the shooting. According to police, the incident began at about 7:41 a.m. when an Antioch community service officer came across two vehicles on the 200 block of West 3rd Street that were suspected of being involved in a recent burglary. Two APD officers responded, and one of them saw Mackin asleep inside a stolen van with a gun in his hands, police said. Victims robbed at gunpoint in downtown Walnut Creek Mackin woke up after hearing the officers and did not comply with their orders, per APD. He drove the van away from the carport it was situated in and it stopped on a nearby grassy berm. Still ignoring officers' commands, Mackin grabbed the gun and ran out of the van, according to police. Officers followed, and police said Mackin turned towards them and pointed the gun at them. That i...

DC law enforcement sees rise in machine gun conversion devices

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:13:57 GMT

US Attorney Matthew Graves and Craig Kailimai, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives's Special Agent in Charge of DC's field office, speak on Oct. 19, 2023. (WTOP/Sandra Jones) US Attorney Matthew Graves and Craig Kailimai, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives's Special Agent in Charge of DC's field office, speak on Oct. 19, 2023. (WTOP/Sandra Jones) Law enforcement agencies across the county, including in the District, are working to combat a dangerous trend of criminals using small devices that turn a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic weapon.In an interview with WTOP, U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves expressed deep concerns over the number of gun conversion devices showing up...

Slovenia to introduce border checks with Hungary and Croatia after Italy did the same with Slovenia

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:13:57 GMT

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Slovenia said Thursday it will introduce border checks with neighboring Hungary and Croatia following Italy’s decision to do the same with Slovenia because of security concerns due to violence in the Middle East. The government said border controls will be introduced on Saturday and last for at least 10 days. Italy on Wednesday said it will suspend an open-border agreement with Slovenia, also on Saturday and for 10 days.The decisions reflect increasing security concerns in Europe because of the war between Israel and Hamas. European Union interior ministers on Thursday debated how to manage the impact of the war on the 27-nation bloc after a firebomb assault on a Berlin synagogue and killings in Belgium and France by suspected Islamic extremists.EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said in Luxembourg that the commission is looking into the issue of internal border checks, which she described as one of the challenges of the Schengen area. “Even...

As Israel readies troops for ground assault, Gaza awaits urgently needed aid from Egypt

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:13:57 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel pounded the Gaza Strip with airstrikes Thursday, including in the south where Palestinians were told to take refuge, as the Israeli defense minister ordered ground troops to prepare to see Gaza “from the inside”, though he didn’t indicate when the ground assault would begin. Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals tried to stretch out ebbing medical supplies and fuel for generators, as authorities worked out logistics for a desperately needed aid delivery from Egypt. Doctors in darkened wards across Gaza performed surgeries by the light of mobile phones and used vinegar to treat infected wounds.Amid the violence, President Joe Biden pledged unwavering support for Israel’s security, “today and always,” while adding that the world “can’t ignore the humanity of innocent Palestinians” in the besieged Gaza Strip. In an address Thursday night from the Oval office, hours after returning to Washington from an urgent visit to Israel, Biden drew a distin...