Tag: Crime

Pokemon cards, pot and $200K in stolen golf carts: How Canadian police solved a crime ring

Over 250 golf carts went missing in that timespan from more than 20 different golf courses.

Police in the province of Ontario hope they have cracked a case that baffled golf course operators throughout the region.

Starting in 2021, several courses started noticing golf carts turning up missing, often in significant numbers.

According to a story from the CBC, over 250 golf carts went missing in that timespan from more than 20 different golf courses.

But a raid in October in the small town of Gwillimbury, about 40 miles north of Toronto, and another in the town of Georgina, which is even further north, led to a massive discovery, according to Detective Greg Chalmers of the York Regional Police.

Here’s more from the CBC:

In these searches, they found what they describe as a large quantity of stolen property, including 18 golf carts worth almost $200,000, rare Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering trading cards worth $100,000 and more than two kilograms of cannabis.

Chalmers told CBC News police found the golf carts on a farm property in the area, taken there by an enclosed flatbed trailer. They linked the accused to at least six separate cart thefts.

“You have something stolen, you feel really violated,” said Rob Brandon, general manager of Pheasant Run Golf Course in Sharon, Ont., just northeast of Newmarket, Ont.

How were the carts found? Well, it’s not surprising, but GPS trackers on the carts were used in the recovery.

Unfortunately, since only a small portion of the carts were recovered, it’s unlikely the rest will ever be found.

Since just 18 carts were recovered, golf courses who didn’t get their property back suspect they’ve already been sold.

“I would say our cars are long gone,” said Rob Davis, sales manager with Turf Care Products, a golf cart distributor to about a third of all the courses in Ontario.

“I’m hoping … this is the end of it.”

Eight of Davis’s carts were stolen in March from his warehouse in Keswick, Ont., about 70 km north of Toronto.

In June, he told CBC News there is a thriving black market for the vehicles as prices skyrocketed during the pandemic, with many uses for them, including trailer parks, cottages and farms.

Before the pandemic, his carts sold for about $6,000 each. They now cost at least $10,000.

“Somebody has to be very organized and understand the marketplace and know where to sell that many cars at once,” he said.

Tech N9ne on the Chiefs’ community impact: ‘Crime and killings are down in Kansas City‘

@EdEastonJr spoke to award-winning artist Tech N9ne about the Chiefs’ recent success and its positive impact on the Kansas City community.

As with every professional sports franchise, the Kansas City Chiefs’ impact is to unite a community through tough times and tragedy.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to award-winning artist Tech N9ne about the Chiefs’ recent success and positive impact on the Kansas City community.

“Whenever the Chiefs are up, crime and killings are down in Kansas City,” Tech N9ne explained. “I’ve noticed the morale in the town. Man, when the Chiefs are up, when the Chiefs are winning, we’re all winning. I’m sure if you talk to the PD (Police Department), they will say the same thing. I mean, things change in the streets. From what I see from where I’m standing.”

Chiefs players have often given back to the community off the field and are viewed as ambassadors for the city. The tragic events at this year’s Super Bowl parade didn’t dim the light of the many fans who view the team as an escape from internal issues in their own lives but rather come together to support each other.

https://twitter.com/TechN9ne/status/1699880690303553583

“I’ve heard people say it, and I felt it in the town, celebrating with the town when we’re winning. I’ve been down at KC Live! When we’re winning,” said Tech N9ne. “Like just the energy in the town, man changes. You don’t hear any stories of murders or anything. The Chiefs bring the town joy, man, happiness, and togetherness, just like music does. It’s definitely important, and it’s obviously great to hear, and just the energy that this team brings.”

For more information from Tech N9ne, follow him on X, Instagram and log on to strangemusicinc.com

Active bald eagle nest destroyed in Texas; reward now $15,000

The nest, being utilized by a mating pair of bald eagles, was first detected by a concerned citizen on property being developed as a subdivision.

Federal and state authorities in Texas are still hoping to bring to justice the person responsible for destroying an active bald eagle nest last year north of Dallas.

On Thursday, the Center for Biological Diversity announced that it has increased the reward for information leading to a conviction in the case from $1,500 to $15,000.

“I’m outraged by the destruction of this eagle nest, and the perpetrator needs to be brought to justice for harming America’s national bird,” Will Harlan, a senior scientist at the Center, stated in a news release. “Whoever committed this cowardly act should be held accountable.”

The nest was first detected by a “concerned citizen” in February 2023 on private property being developed as a subdivision. A Texas game warden noted at the time that two adult eagles were using the nest.

Photo: ©Pete Thomas

Days later, special agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed that the nest had been destroyed. It was not clear if the eagles were raising chicks at the time.

Bald eagles, which mate for life, use the same nests year after year and build on them over time.

Bald eagles and their nests are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Destroying an active nest could carry significant criminal penalties, including prison time.

Anyone with potentially helpful information is asked to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Texas at 817-334-5202, or the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 800-792-4263.

–Generic bald eagle images courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Oregon poachers are harassing, killing deer with pellet guns

Five carcasses have been discovered in one neighborhood and at least one deer died after a pellet became lodged in its lung.

Authorities in Oregon are hopeful that a newly offered $2,000 reward will help them identify and prosecute the person or persons responsible for harassing and killing deer with pellet guns.

Five black-tailed deer carcasses have been discovered so far this month in Roseburg, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. At least one deer died after a pellet became lodged in its lung.

“It was a nice, forked horn buck that ended up dying next to a resident’s barn,” said Jason Stone, an Oregon State Police/Fish & Wildlife senior trooper. “The pellet broke a rib and clipped its lung, which caused it to hemorrhage. Both lungs then filled with blood.”

The carcasses were discovered in the Meadows neighborhood. Troopers who canvassed the neighborhood were told that some residents use pellet guns to haze deer away from their gardens.

Said Stone: “People think that pellet guns won’t hurt deer, but if the pellet lodges in the right place, it can be lethal. Regardless of if they intend to harass or haze animals, if they kill the animal, it is still an unlawful take and we don’t want to see that continue.”

Several of the carcasses had decomposed in hot weather, making it difficult for authorities to determine the cause of death.

The reward was put up by the Oregon Hunters Association. A tip that leads to an arrest or citation in any of the incidents can earn the provider $2,000 or preference points toward state-sanctioned hunts.

Said the OHA’s Kelly Forney: “The wanton shooting of deer in this busy neighborhood is a serious offense that should be punished. A significant TIP reward will encourage those that know about this crime to come forward.”

Those offering tips via the Turn in Poachers line can remain anonymous.

–Black-tailed deer image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Boat involved in notorious walleye cheating scandal could be yours

Two men surrendered the $100,000 boat after they were found to have stuffed weights into their fish at a Lake Erie tournament. Now the vessel is up for auction.

Anglers around the country might recall the highly publicized cheating scandal in October 2022, involving two men who were found to have stuffed weights into their fish during a Lake Erie walleye tournament.

What anglers might not know is that, for the right price, they could own the top-line bass boat, motors and trailer used by the cheaters and later confiscated by Ohio authorities.

(Jacob Runyan and Steven Gall also received 10-day jail sentences.)

According to Government Deals, a public viewing and demonstration of the boat, valued at $100,000, will be held Saturday (July 13) at the Dempsey Fishing Access Area in Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio.

The 2022 Ranger 622 FS Pro Bass Boat is currently in the possession of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Bids are being accepted online through July 23 and the highest bid, as of July 11, was $82,000.

Suspect dies, ranger injured in Yellowstone National Park shootout

The deceased individual was reported to have been acting in a threatening manner while waving a firearm.

Yellowstone National Park rangers were involved in a shootout overnight Wednesday that left one man dead and at least one ranger injured.

The unidentified man had been reported as acting in a threatening manner while carrying a firearm at Canyon Village near the center of the park.

When law-enforcement rangers arrived, there was an exchange of gunfire, the park stated in a news release.

The “subject” was declared dead early Thursday and at least one ranger was reported to be in stable condition at a regional hospital.

The Canyon Village area remains closed to the public while the FBI and National Park Service agents conduct an investigation. As of mid-morning Thursday, there were no active threats in the park.

The park stated that “no additional information is available at this time.”

–Image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Video shows elephant snoring like a beast – remind you of anyone?

The large bull elephant had been tranquilized so vets could treat a poison-arrow wound inflicted by poachers.

A large bull elephant that was tranquilized recently so veterinarians could treat an arrow wound appears to have slept deeply throughout the procedure.

That is, if its powerful snoring was an indication.

The accompanying footage, shared via X Tuesday by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, requires high volume to appreciate the magnitude of snores issued by the pachyderm.

“Reminds me of my husband,” reads one comment beneath the post.

While many might relate to that sentiment, the operation highlighted a serious issue facing bull elephants in Kenya: poaching.

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a group dedicated to conserving wildlife in Kenya, explained the decision to tranquilize the elephant:

“This big bull was darted … so that a poisoned arrow wound could be treated!

“The treatment itself cannot commence until the patient is sedated and, as here, snoring like a very big baby!

“Using his experience, the vet estimates the size and weight of an elephant to determine how much of the anesthetic drug will be needed to knock it out (too much could be fatal).

“Once down, ground teams rush in to commence treatment. The outcome of this case was positive.”

Louisiana men arrested for fraud after winning hog-hunting contests

The hunters are charged with catching feral hogs in another state and using them as part of their competition tallies.

Six men have been arrested for their roles in catching wild hogs in Texas and transporting them to their home state of Louisiana for hog-hunting contests, which they won.

All six men were charged in Louisiana with criminal conspiracy and fraud. Two were also charged with violating interstate commerce; one was charged with obstruction of justice, and another was charged with hunting with a suspended license.

The competitions were the Dingler Wild Hog Roundup in Bienville Parish Feb. 9-10, and the Swamp Time Hog Hunt in Caldwell Parish March 14-16.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries stated Wednesday that agents learned during an investigation that the men had entered hogs caught in Texas as part of their contest tallies.

One of the men, Nathan Granger, 34, of Vinton, turned himself into the Bienville Parish jail on June 4, since he did not participate in the Caldwell Parish competition.

The other five turned themselves into both jails on June 7. They are Trace Davis, 30, of Longville; Hunter Webb, 27, of Pitkin; Colby Bushnell, 26, of Dry Creek; Davy Haymon, 35, of Pitkin, and Don Pollard Jr., 40, of Pitkin.

Contest rules stipulated that hogs could be caught only in Louisiana during the competition windows.

The fraud charge can result in a $3,000 fine and one year in jail. Criminal conspiracy and interstate commerce violations could add significantly to the mens’ punishment.

The obstruction of justice charge, for Davis, carries a fine of up to $10,000 and five years in jail.

Hog-hunting competitions are allowed as a means of controlling feral pig populations. The animals, which multiply rapidly, cause extensive damage in agricultural areas.

–Feral hog image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Fisherman man pleads ignorance after killing great white shark

The New Zealand man, who removed the protected shark’s head and jaw, claimed to have had an excuse.

A New Zealand fisherman who recently captured and decapitated a protected great white shark has been fined $600 – his excuse being that he did not  know what type of shark he had caught.

The nation’s Department of Conservation announced Friday that its investigation began March 15, after a Māori elder notified authorities after she spotted the headless shark carcass near the Mahia Boat Ramp.

(View a graphic image of the carcass in this link.)

The fisherman was located and confessed to catching the shark and removing its head and jaw. The man told authorities he did not know it was a white shark.

“As well as failing to report his capture of the animal, the man received the infringement for being in possession of the head and jaw of the shark without a relevant authority under the Wildlife Act,” said the DOC’s Matt Tong.

Some on social media did not believe the man’s story. The Blue Planet Society stated via X: “His defense? Claims he didn’t know it was a great white shark. Even though he kept the head.”

The shark’s head and jaw were donated to the Māori community.

Great white sharks are protected under New Zealand’s Wildlife Act 1953. Intentionally hunting and killing them is punishable by fines of up to $250,000 and two years’ imprisonment.

Fishermen are required to report unintentional white shark captures if the sharks cannot be released alive.

“Accidentally catching something is not an infringement,” the DOC explained. “But keeping, killing, or failing to report it is.”

–Top image courtesy of the Department of Conservation

Historic Death Valley tram tower toppled by off-roading tourists

Damage to the 113-year-old tram tower appears to have been caused by a motorist who became stuck in mud while driving illegally off-road.

Death Valley National Park is seeking information that could help authorities identify the person or individuals responsible for damaging a 113-year-old tram tower.

The toppling of the historic salt tower in Saline Valley appears to have been caused by a motorist who became stuck while driving illegally off-road.

“It appears the tower was pulled over while a person used a winch to extract their vehicle out of deep mud,” the park stated Wednesday in a news release. “The damage happened sometime between April 1 and April 24.”

Tram tower standing upright, before it was damaged. Photo: NPS

The uprooted structure was part of a tram system built by the Saline Valley Salt Company in 1911.

The Saline Valley Salt Tram, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was used to deliver salt from Saline Valley to the Owens Valley – covering a rise of more than 7,000 vertical feet.

“Tram tower No. 1 is the tower closest to Saline Valley lakebed,” the park continued. “Nearby tracks show that a vehicle drove a short distance off the legal roadway and got stuck in mud.

Tram tower after it was uprooted by a motorist driving off-road. Photo: NPS

“Park rangers believe that someone used the tower as an anchor to pull their vehicle out of the mud. The tower toppled over, pulling its concrete footings out of the ground.”

The incident occurred after the National Park Service had planned a salt tram stabilization project to be funded by the federal Inflation Reduction Act.

It’s not clear if extra funding can be provided to repair and re-anchor the damaged tower.

Anyone with potentially helpful information is asked to call 888-653-0009 or visit the National Park Service’s online tip portal.