Latest news with #theft
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ex-Siesta Key resort manager accused of stealing $110K from hotel
SIESTA KEY, Fla. (WFLA) — A former Siesta Key resort manager was arrested last month after deputies said he stole $110,000 from a top-rated resort. Billy Prater was arrested on May 21 after the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said he used his status as Siesta Key Palms Resort manager to give free rooms or cancel rooms in the system and pocketed the money. The resort's owner met with deputies on Nov. 26 to file a fraud report after he discovered that his former officer manager was stealing from his business following a financial audit, an arrest affidavit said. Investigators said another part of Prater's scheme was to hire a handyman to complete jobs around the property. The report showed that Prater paid the handyman through CashApp, PayPal and company payroll. Deputies said it was unclear what work the handyman did and if the amount he was paid was inflated. 'You done messed up': Wanted man who challenged Polk deputies on Facebook to catch him arrested by Lakeland police An audit showed that Prater stole about $110,470.19 from the end of 2023 through 2024, the report said. Prater is also accused of committing FEMA fraud by adding extra stays to FEMA-approved accounts, even though the guests didn't stay those nights. The information was forwarded to FEMA, and the owner was forced to pay FEMA $7,003, the report showed. According to court records, Prater bonded out of jail on May 22 for $50,000. He has a criminal arraignment hearing scheduled for June 20. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
South China Morning Post
7 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Not cool: Japanese police sweat over surge in theft of air conditioners
A surge in theft of outdoor air-conditioning units in Japan , especially in the suburban areas of the country's eastern Kanto region, has left authorities struggling to track down the perpetrators. Last year, the country saw 3,397 cases, a dramatic 13-fold jump from just 255 in 2020, the Asahi newspaper reported, citing the National Police Agency (NPA). The number has doubled annually since 2020, rising from 442 in 2021 to 819 in 2022 and 1,717 in 2023, according to NPA data. Ibaraki prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, reported the highest number of stolen outdoor air-conditioning units last year with 594 cases, followed closely by Saitama at 563 and Chiba at 402. In comparison, metropolitan cities such as Tokyo and Osaka saw only 60 and 101 theft cases, respectively, which police said meant that thieves tended to avoid urban areas given the higher risk of detection. Air conditioners in a multi-story building in Chiba City. There were 402 cases of stolen air-conditioning units in Chiba prefecture last year, according to the National Police Agency. Photo: Shutterstock According to the NPA, rising copper prices could have fuelled the surge in crimes, as outdoor air-conditioning units often have copper pipes.
ABC News
9 hours ago
- ABC News
Metro drivers told to hide money when within Glenorchy bus mall
Tasmania's government-owned bus company has instructed drivers to hide their coin trays when within a major bus mall in Hobart after a series of thefts. Police this week laid charges as a result of investigations into multiple incidents. Police allege two youths stole coins from the money trays of Metro buses on multiple occasions. They also allege after getting off the bus, the youths removed an emergency hammer and damaged a bus window. No one was injured during the incidents. A 13-year-old from Risdon Vale and a 14-year-old from Lutana have been charged over several incidents. In a safety alert issued to Hobart drivers on Wednesday seen by the ABC, Metro addressed "ongoing incidents in the Glenorchy bus mall", instructing drivers between 4-8pm to "pull over at a stop prior to entering the mall" and "remove their cash trays and store them out of sight" while within the mall. The notice also said fares including cash or GreenCards should not be collected while in the bus mall during the given times, and fares could be reversed if customers tap on by mistake. The notice is valid until Sunday. In a statement, Metro Tasmania said it took a risk-based approach when deciding to implement safety controls. "Metro believes that this temporary safety measure is appropriate given the recent incidents in the Glenorchy mall." Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) state secretary Byron Cubit said not enough was being done to improve driver safety. In 2023, the Rockliff government started a pilot program to introduce transit officers on buses, but Mr Cubit said they were never delivered permanently. Mr Cubit said the government's planned implementation of transit officers needed improvement. "When the Liberal government committed to transit officers, they would be privately employed and they would not have that power to detain. The union is also worried about a half-price fare scheme which is soon to come to an end. "If adult fares double on July 1st, the bus drivers are going to cop the brunt of frustration from passengers," Mr Cubit said. Transport Minister Eric Abetz said the RTBU was "central to the security screen trials, being heavily involved in consultation, and is aware that they are being rolled out as quickly as possible". "Screens are being installed as we speak, and have already protected drivers on the job," Mr Abetz said. In May, Tasmania Police unveiled Taskforce Respect, a community campaign involving high-visibility patrols in Glenorchy and surrounds. The task force was established in the wake of a string of incidents involving large groups of youths causing disturbances in the area. Glenorchy Police Inspector Jason Klug said businesses had reported a significant drop in anti-social behaviour while the task force has been active. "Whilst at the moment, its focus is on anti-social behaviour and retail crime, the task force is there and able to adapt to any crime trends or any community concerns that we see.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Asda thief sat on man and kissed him in car park before stealing gold chain
A driver told how a brazen thief sat on him in an Asda store car park and repeatedly kissed him while stealing his gold chain. The crook, described as a middle-aged woman, approached George Lovatt as he waited in his car in a disabled bay at the Minworth store in Sutton Coldfield at around 12.30pm on Monday, June 16. At first the woman and her younger accomplice were asking about blue badges and asking for money, he said. READ MORE: Police called to Sutton Coldfield town centre fight as 'man attacked woman' But when those requests were refused, the older woman sat on him and started kissing him, before stealing a gold chain he had had for 30 years, with two crosses on it. George, from Coleshill, told BirminghamLive: 'At first, I thought it was a joke. 'I drove to Asda with my wife and daughter. It was that hot I let the women go into the store. 'It was red hot on the driver's side so I moved to the passenger side. 'I sat out of the car and I was approached by a middle-aged woman and a younger one. 'They had a sheet with them with signatures and the blue badge sign and they were asking for money.' The 84-year-old continued: 'Then the older woman climbed over me. At first I thought somebody had set me up. 'She was kissing me around the neck and on the lips. I thought she was a bit familiar. I pushed her away and she got out of the car. 'I phoned my daughter to tell them what happened just before 12.30pm. They thought I was having them on. 'When I got home I noticed my gold chain was gone. We tried to get Asda security and then phoned 999 and was told to call 101.' READ MORE: Anger as police officer parks on double yellows to get takeaway meal Mr Lovatt continued: 'My wife bought the gold chain originally. It has got two crosses on it. 'I only said to her the other day, 'I wonder how much that would be worth'. 'Fortunately I usually have a chain on my hand, but that was still on the dresser and I hadn't worn it. 'These women are obviously preying on people in blue badge areas. Apparently, it has happened at a Tesco too.' Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join Mr Lovatt added: 'I have been having panic attacks since an operation for a detached retina. 'This has made that worse. What made it worse was the climbing on top of me and kissing me. 'Anybody walking past the car would have thought she was making love to me. A police officer said they had a special team looking into it and had pictures from Asda." Get the latest Sutton Coldfield news delivered direct to your inbox A West Midlands Police spokesman said: 'We're investigating a distraction theft, outside a supermarket on Walmley Ash Road, Sutton Coldfield, at around 12.30pm on Monday, June 16. 'It's reported two women approached a man, one began to kiss him, and he pushed her away. 'Afterwards the man noticed a gold chain and crucifix he was wearing was missing. 'We are in contact with the man who reported this, and officers are reviewing CCTV as part of the investigation. 'Anyone with information should contact us on 101 quoting 20/277138/25.'
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mayor accused of stealing skid steer from dead man
ST. MARY, Mo. – In the small Mississippi river town of St. Mary, police investigators say the mayor stole an $18,000 skid steer—a piece of equipment used for digging and hauling. Missouri Highway Patrol investigators said it was on a property on Cemetery Road and that the deceased man's heirs went to get it and could not find it. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now FOX 2 visited the home of mayor Adam Bequette, who's now charged with felony theft and tampering. A public works truck showed up after we arrived. The worker told us he couldn't talk, and mayor Bequette did not come out. Court records say defendant Bequette claimed the skid steer was blocking access to utilities and that he also said that he'd contacted the deceased man's family before taking it. Police investigators report finding no evidence of either. American Idol alum launches Coffee Girl shop in Waterloo Bequette was also once a licensed police officer—until recent action by the Missouri Attorney General. The Attorney General filed a complaint in September 2024, attempting to strip or discipline Bequette's police license because of two reports of domestic violence. Court records show that Bequette did not respond, and the Attorney General was awarded a default judgment. City Hall was closed because of Juneteenth, but court records indicate Bequette's past was the talk of city employees, who reportedly said the mayor told them he was not going back to jail. A judge denied police and prosecutor requests to lock up Bequette on the charges. Instead, he's been served with a court date to show up for his initial appearance on July 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
