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Man targets several St. Louis-area Walmarts, steals $64K in sleight-of-hand scheme

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:28:17 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A man allegedly stole more than $64,000 in cash from Walmart stores nationwide and targeted several St. Louis-area stores in a sleight-of-hand scheme. Mohsen Akbari, 37, has been charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property in the investigation. Federal authorities arrested Akbari on Sept. 5. He pleaded not guilty to criminal charges on Monday. Father of teen killed in crash wants more transparency from police According to a federal indictment, Akbari entered the United States last March from South Korea on a visitor visa. He reportedly traveled across the country, entered various retail stores, and used sleight-of-hand techniques to steal cash. As part of the scheme, Akbari would make a small purchase, then claim that he and his family collect United States currency, typically $100 bills. He asked cashiers to show him bills in the cash register, so he could examine them, and then surreptitiously place some of the b...

Woman dies in south St. Louis County highway crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:28:17 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A woman died Tuesday afternoon in a south St. Louis County highway crash, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.MSHP has identified the victim as Debra Fitzgerald, 61, of Fenton. Next of kin has been notified. The crash happened around 2:40 p.m. Tuesday on Missouri Route 30 near Rahning Road. Father of teen killed in crash wants more transparency from police Investigators say, leading up to the crash, Fitzgerald and the other driver involved were in different lanes. According to the MSHP crash report, Fitzgerald tried to change lanes as the other driver began to slow down for congested traffic. MSHP says Fitzgerald's vehicle struck the right rear of the other vehicle. She was later pronounced deceased at the scene. MSHP did not report any injuries from the other driver involved.

Denver Health jail staff ignored dying man’s pleas for help, lawsuit alleges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:28:17 GMT

Leroy “Nicky” Taylor, shown here in a photo provided by the Rathod Mohamedbhai law firm, died Feb. 9, 2022, after falling ill at the Denver Downtown Detention Center. (Photo courtesy of Rathod Mohamedbhai law firm)Two days before he died, Leroy “Nicky” Taylor called his public defender from the Denver jail and begged for help.“I’ve been sick for 10 days,” he said in a voicemail. “…I feel like I’m dying in here.”The day before he died, Taylor called his sister and told her he wasn’t getting the medical care he needed while incarcerated in the Denver Downtown Detention Center.“I can’t get no help down here,” he said. “I am so miserable. I can’t eat anything. I got diarrhea. And they don’t give a (expletive)… I feel like I’m going to die.”On the day Taylor died — Feb. 9, 2022 — his hands and feet turned blue. The 71-year-old man spent hours in a jail...

Bear may still be inside Sierra Madre home after ransacking fridge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:28:17 GMT

Police and wildlife officials were called to a home in Sierra Madre Wednesday morning where a bear may still be inside. Officers were dispatched to the home in the 100 block of South Hermosa Avenue shortly before 2 a.m. after the homeowners arrived and called 911, the Sierra Madre Police Department stated in a news release. “I was walking through my courtyard and I glanced to the left where my side door is and it was wide open,” homeowner Chelsea Mapanda said.Authorities respond to a possible bear intrusion at a home in Sierra Madre on Sept. 13, 2023. (KTLA)Mapanda also noticed through the window that the refrigerator door had been opened and food was scattered on the ground. “So I automatically knew that a bear was in my house because we had been alerted that a bear was around,” Mapanda said.Officers arrived at the scene and heard grunting sounds while inside the home, the Police Department stated. The officers decided to exit and secure the area. Thus far, the bear has not been si...

Actors to march through Hollywood as strike rolls on

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:28:17 GMT

As the writers and actors strike drags on, SAG-AFTRA is hosting a solidarity march and rally in Hollywood.The march begins at 9 a.m. at Netflix, one of the companies receiving much of the blame for the conditions that led to the strike, and will conclude with a rally outside Paramount Studios, the union said in a news release."Today we're taking Hollywood, marching from Netflix (1456 N Van Ness) to Paramount (5433 Melrose)! Let's show them the strength of performers!," the union said on X, formerly known as Twitter. The Writers Guild of America encouraged members to "Join our union siblings in @sagaftra as we march from @netflix to @paramountplus!," the union said on X.The WGA, which has been on strike for 134 days, and SAG-AFTRA, which has joined the picket lines for 61 days, have paralyzed much of the production of movies and television shows.The unions' actions have played a major role in what some are calling "hot labor summer," which also has included strikes or the threat of s...

Pasadena man shoots, kills son, is charged with murder, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:28:17 GMT

A Pasadena man has been charged with two felonies, including murder, after he fatally shot his son, officials said.Marvin Wright, 65, has been charged with murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm after the Saturday shooting of his son, 35-year-old Hakim Wright, the Pasadena Police Department said in a news release.The younger Wright, also a Pasadena resident, was shot inside an apartment in the 1100 block of Summit Avenue, and he was declared dead at the scene.The older Wright was found outside of the apartment complex and taken into custody, police said."Detectives confirmed that Marvin Wright and Hakim Wright were involved in a physical altercation before the shooting occurred," police said.Marvin Wright is being held at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility. Jail records indicate his bail is $2 million, though police said it was $3 million.He is due to appear in Pasadena Superior Court on Nov. 2.Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call 626-744-424...

Did Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Timberlake fight at the MTV VMAs?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:28:17 GMT

Social media was ablaze after a video was captured of a backstage exchange between Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Timberlake at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.Many felt that it was a heated war of words between the two musicians due to what some felt as tense body language. "Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Timberlake appear to be arguing backstage at the 2023 #VMAs," Buzzing Pop posted to X, formerly Twitter."Did Justin Timberlake say something to p--- off Megan Thee Stallion? We still haven’t forgiven you for what you did to Janet Jackson.. Do we have a problem? #VMAs," a fan tweeted.Sources cleared the air as the night continued. It turned out there was no bad blood, Meg was just excited to meet the "SexyBack" singer.A source told Variety that there was "zero fight."“He said, ‘It’s so nice to meet you,’ and she said ‘No, no this don’t count, this don’t count. We gotta meet proper.’"Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Timberlake clear the air after a backstage exchange at the 2023 MTV V...

Craft Your Unique Festive Looks with Pernia’s Pop-Up Men: A Showcase of Global Couture

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:28:17 GMT

The festive season is here, making it the perfect time to elevate your style game with Pernia’s Pop-Up Men, your one-stop destination for the finest national and international designer clothing. Whether you aim for classic sophistication or a bold, contemporary edge, Pernia’s Pop-Up Men has you covered. Let’s explore how you can create your festive looks with this fashion haven.Curate Your Signature StylePernia’s Pop-Up Shop Men presents an impressive collection featuring clothing from renowned designers across the globe. Whether you prefer traditional elegance or cutting-edge fashion statements, their selection allows you to curate your unique festive style. You can simply mix and match pieces such as Kurtas, Nehru jackets, Indo westerns, etc. from celebrated designers like Jatin Malik, Masaba, Antar Agni, Tarun Tahiliani, Kunal Rawal and more to showcase your individuality.Also, you can never underestimate the impact of accessories when crafting a standout festiv...

Oakland: Family identifies mother of five who was stabbed to death in unsolved homicide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:28:17 GMT

OAKLAND — A 54-year-old woman has been identified as the person whose badly decomposed body was discovered in a residential neighborhood last month.Senne Monique Casey, of Oakland, was stabbed to death last month by a yet-to-be-identified person, police say. Her nude body was found wrapped in a blanket on the 2700 block of 79th Avenue in Oakland on Aug. 14.A GoFundMe page for Casey, launched by her eldest daughter, describes her as a dedicated mother and grandmother who had five children who was recently able to “get herself together” after a long struggle with addiction.“Our mom’s greatest blessing was her children, and grandchildren. She loved us so much, and wanted to be the best mom she could be for all of us and she was proud of us,” the GoFundMe page says.Police say they’re investigating several leads but have yet to make an arrest or publicly identify a suspect. They also haven’t said whether she was killed in the area or dumped...

The complicated truth about San Francisco

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:28:17 GMT

By Laura Kiniry | CNNSan Francisco is undeniably having a moment.Over the past year, headlines claiming the city is caught in a spiraling “doom loop” have become so prominent that a city commissioner decided to cash in on downtown San Francisco’s storefront vacancies, homelessness and opioid issues by anonymously advertising an hour-and-a-half long tour showcasing “doom and squalor.” For $30 a person, you could see the city’s “open-air drug markets” and “abandoned tech offices” first-hand.However, just before it was scheduled to take place, the tour was canceled (and the commissioner ultimately resigned). Instead a more “positive” walk organized by a local nonprofit guided participants through the city’s Tenderloin, highlighting a neighborhood that’s long been a poster child for the city’s hardships.While people sleeping on sidewalks and drug use were still visible, it focused on the community’s more positive attributes, including a rich history, art and a career center that’s worki...