Winging it

The Ink recounts last week's seven murders

David Simon claims the homicide clearance rate is way down since Bernstein took over and the CP agrees-- 2009 homicides led to an indictment 38% of the time under Jessamy, and in 2011 under Bernstein, 30% of homicides were resolved by indictment.

Balding fraudster Kenneth Koehler faces federal fraud charges in SE mortgage-scam scheme.

Oh, crackheads/hairron zombies, must you rob the children? Somebody stole laptops from the Community School in Remington, please contact the school if you have any spare laptops you could donate so some poor hapless teenagers can get their GEDs.

Van Smith writes about Baltimore's high-flying "potrepreneurs" and their "pricey reckoning," which included the loss of a plane, 46 local properties used for various potly functions, and, of course, lots of cash and doobage.

Two years after the Justice Dept. agreed to oversee the city jail, and not long after the Sun's teens-wallowing-in-poop story, * federal officials are on the scene.

Bizarro: The Mayor's taking a family vacation in California, and taxpayers will be shelling out $2,000 so she can have a security team with her on vacation. Says BPD's spokesflak, "She's very visible in the national media." That's weird, b/c the only national story I see mentioning her in the past month is this thing about the BFD's terlit paper ("A bathroom-related prank against Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is causing a hot rash on the city's political buttcheeks"). So why the vacation security? Rabid stalker? Smokin hot security swain? Ploy to avoid having to be alone with the family? Hrrrmmm...

Pooches screwed

Oh, for poop's sake. T. Mike Miller says the senate is at an impasse on the pit bull bill.* Scratch that, the Daily Record's Alex Pyles Tweeted "Senate will not bring up pit bull bill. It's dead." ...You'd think after serving up all that pork to the casino operators they'd feel obliged to chuck citizens a bone. Oh, and the Senate just approved the tax breaks for the casino operators and a bunch of other treats for them 32-14. And with that the 'special' 'emergency' session is over.

A vigil in Mt Vernon commemorated the murder of Alex Ulrich (a gay man, claims the Washington Blade) and shooting of his friend Larry Peterson attracted hundreds.* The community association VP compared the shooting to a "lightning strike." Fenton notes there have been more than 30 robberies in Mt. Vernon/Midtown so far this year.

Speaking of the Blade, the paper has published the name of every person who signed the anti-gay-marriage petition. It's been up for a while and never would have known had Fox News not used it to poke their base, but thanks for the tip, Jeff Barnd! Remember, folks, petitions are public record, and for good reason -- if you see your neighbor's name on there, ask them if it's legit.

Comment of the day year from Anonymous on "Pastor Convicted." Word, Tue Aug 14, 01:55:00 PM EDT.

Austerity for YOU

You may have gotten a new income tax increase, but the casino operators got their tax breaks last night. The bill passed the House 72-57 (or was it 71-58?) but still needs to get signed off on by the Senate.

Trespassing, murder, Marlo, mastitis

Local celebuttorney Billy Murphy (above in the ponytail) is filing a lawsuit alleging the police department outsourced policing to a private security firm, Tenable Protective Services, and went as far as to allow the firm to arrest residents (shouldn't the security guards also be charged for impersonating officers? Sheeit.)

A federal jury has convicted one Frank Marfo for counts related to a $1 million scheme to steal money orders out of rent deposit boxes, and his part in paying $2,000 to have co-conspirator-cum witness Isaiah Cortez Callaway murdered.

Police have released photos of the victims in the Mt. Vernon shootings in hopes of sourcing more information about the motives or perps. I guess there were no crime cameras around? (Caution, the WBAL link also activates a VERY LOUD ad.)

In the Sun, an opinion piece re. the City Circuit Court's unfriendliness to breastfeeding that will have you clutching your hooters in sympathy.

Rough night in the county, with a guy shot in Dundalk and two guys stabbed in Essex.

In the Southern, two arrested for road-raging then exchanging punches at the McDonald's drive-thru, a man stabbed by a line-cutter, a stolen "Shitzu" (like a shih tzu, only shittier). And in the SE, "A man told police that he agreed to give his ex-girlfriend $15 to perform a sex act. He said that during the act the two men she brought with her attacked him."

What the?! Former owner of the Senator, Tom Kiefaber, was arrested and charged with trespassing, harassment and littering after allegedly berating and threatening workers renovating the theater. Says Friends of the Senator Theater's Laura Perkins,

"He has been arrested under a trespassing charge for being on City public property (the sidewalk) outside of The Senator Theatre. 6 police cars were sent to arrest him. He never crossed the property line of the theatre and never went inside. There was no confrontation. He says the latest they can hold him is until tomorrow around this time. This is just plain harassment by political cronies who have broken all kinds of laws, using the City police force as their personal security force."

Kiefaber claims that all he did was illegally use the Dumpster. Oh the dramz!

Out in RowLAND Park, where sheds and garages are always on the thievery menu, an alert from the listserv:

Three incidents involving African-American teens confronting neighbors and stealing bikes in broad daylight in the last three days in the first blocks of St. Mary's and Church lanes (between Roland and Woodlawn and Woodlawn and Hawthorn). Please don't leave bikes or anything else of value unsecured and in sight, and please call 911 immediately if you see anything suspicious. One neighbor was threatened with a stick. Police are aware of all incidents and took three teens away in handcuffs Sunday. If you had two bikes stolen yesterday, please call the Northern District at (410) 396-2455.

So. Bitchin! Remember in the Wire when Marlo gives Maurice Levy the number for his personal 'burner'? Call the number (410-915-0909), get treated to Jamie Hector delivering some of Marlo's greatest lines.

Hot cop peddles revenge plot

The Urbanite notes a new Baltimore-cop novel, Eliot,a purportedly fictional revenge fantasy set in the Eastern district, written by Sergeant Michael A. Wood Jr. (l) and published via Amazon's self-publishing arm. Based on the three-page sample it looks a little testosterone-soaked and under-edited for my taste (unless there's a ton of sex in it, of course, but that seems unlikely). But perhaps you would enjoy a little of the old ultra-violence, dear reader:

"With my left knee pinning his nuts to the concrete, right knee pinning his left arm down, left hand holding his head up, and right hand crushing his esophagus, I look into his eyes, “Are you the one who took from me?” Emptiness. “Are you the one who did it?” Emptiness. I can see in his eyes that this fucker has no idea what I am talking about."

Lips together, teeth apart

Phylicia Barnes' accused killer Michael Johnson goes on trial today. (Expect today to be the first of many postponements)

But they're job creators! Luke Broadwater found $10 million of the city's unpaid water bills are owed by big business and major (non-tax-paying) nonprofits.

Chik-Fil-A H8trs vandalized a Fredneck location with glue, stickers and a rainbow flag.

UK's Daily Fail eulogizes De'Andre "Dukie" McCullough.

Speaking of fascist media, I'm always surprised at the appeal this blog and Baltimore crime issues apparently has to racist right-wing fascist types, eg this guy who constantly emails me with lead-ins like "the liberals are gonna HATE this!!" (yes, it's horrible to promote him in any way, but you should know what's out there, dear reader) (and why is "gay" in "quote marks?").

Speaking of big bidniz, how is it possible that our elected leaders could permit the prospective buyers of Sparrow's Point can remain un-public knowledge? (If you've ever wondered why Baltimore's demography is as it is, Sparrow's Point is why) Props to the Sun, who tracked down the bidder as one Thomas E. Roberts, a property developer in St. Louis, and to the Brew for staying on the original story like a dog-tick in August. Says commentor "An RG Creditor":

I just want to say that as an unsecured creditor, I have not received any information about this bankruptcy other than what I read on here. I have an attorney who I can't even afford since this has taken place. I still get no answers. There are so many small businesses that worked in the point and will now have to close. We will never get paid and lose our homes and everything we worked for because we can't pay our business loans and we don't have any work. We are not all rich because we have a little business. There are 1,000 to 5,000 creditors listed. I think it is just a way to push the debt away and quiet things down until after the election.... I have no say at all and I have an attorney!!!

So got my car broken into this morning in the 4600-block of Keswick. All that was taken was a tube of (used) Chanel lipstick. Ghosting party girls? Tranny crackheads? A gift for Mrs. Crackhead? The possibilities are fascinating! ... a neighbor says she also got her car broken into and they took only her chapstick. Maybe the crack pipe was giving them dry lips?

127

Tweets Fenton, "Chase St homicide victim identified as Joseph Alexander Ulrich, known as Alex. From Smithsburg, was living in 900 block of N Calvert St." Ulrich was 41*. The owner of the Empire House Inn, Lawrence Peterson, was also shot in the chest in the incident.

A 68-year-old woman on Hickory Ave in Hampden was injured by a shard of metal after someone shot into her house at 3 in the afternoon.

Think of the invisible children!

Damn, domestic assailants! A Baltimorean who held a gun to his babymom's head and kidnapped their child was shot to death in Columbia.

Fifteen federal years for a cocaine dealer who helped bring product to MD from CA in a shipment of strawberries.

A teacher who taught at Towson's Carver Center for Arts and Technology was indicted for assault; he allegedly pointed a gun at workers removing trees near his Carney home.

Think of the (invisible) children! Five new speed cameras are up and running in the county, supposedly to protect schoolchildren. Never mind that the one "near" Stoneleigh school is actually five blocks away, or that the school is currently closed for renovations. According to the Patch, the county got an even worse deal than the city's 48%-of-revenue kickback, in 2010 paying the camera co. 81 cents of every dollar collected in camera revenue. Fun bonus fact: in D.C. in 2008 ACS, now a subsidiary of Xerox and operator of city and county cameras, was accused of vandalizing speed cameras by cutting wires after losing the contract to a competitor.

The MD political process has hit a new low with the "Special Session"-- an *emergency* meeting of the legislature in the middle of summer. And what's the emergency, you out-of-state readers might wonder? The state's poor preparedness for a natural disaster, terrorist attack or outbreak of infectious disease? The closing of fire stations or post offices? Schools that are falling apart? Ho, ho, ho. No, dear reader, the gambling industry is apparently having a money emergency and needs some tax breaks this minute*. One sliver of good's come out of it though, a senate panel has advanced nixing that goofy pit-bull law in favor of a bill that makes dog owners responsible for their own pets.

Thought-provoking Google ad of the day (from this page*): "Do you need to be on House Arrest? Inexpensive & No Ankle Bracelets www.shadowtrack.com" Can I take this ad to imply that if you're on house arrest you have to buy your own ankle bracelet? Notes the ad, "ShadowTrack has been helping individuals with their house arrest needs for over 10 years."

City Surveillance Being... Useful

Believe it or not, city surveillance cameras do occasionally come in handy. Two men, Tyrell Brogden, 26, and James Pitts, 23 (Pictured Right and Far Right Respectively), were arrested and charged in the wrench beating death of 50-year-old Charles Johnson thanks in large part to city surveillance video that caught the entire crime unfolding.*

The honorable judge Barry G. Williams handed down a life plus 20 sentence to Anayah B. Miles, 33, for non-fatally shooting one of his baby-mama's pals. 

Homicide detectives are probing the "suspicious death" of a 3-month-old child, the family of whom are giving very conflicting reports as to what exactly happened to the baby boy.

Two seperate incidents have put two city criminals prematurely on the streets. 26-year-old Robert Aaron was accidentally released from a city courthouse Tuesday, while Deandre Scott, 28, is wanted after removing his ankle bracelet and absconding from home detention.

An alarming number of car larcenies continue to plague North Baltimore. 

A drug deal goes south (Shocking!), and ends with balding Dundalkian Thomas Schnople, 24 (Pictured Right), firing almost a half dozen shots at his drug dealers, missing the man but striking his car. 

A 2008 County murder case has finally been resolved, with 33-year-old Antoine Reed, Jr. being being convicted for the shooting death of Hunter's Crossing Apartments manager Milton Barnes.

The family of 17-year-old Christopher Brown feel the manslaughter charges against Officer James Laboard are not severe enough.

Finally, the latest Baltimore Guide Crime Blotter, this one recounting crimes in South Baltimore, includes a line cutter cutting someone, a stolen shitzu, and a “Boh Knows Football” paraphernalia caper.

This is Baltimore. This is what's happening.

After a rash of killings, several recent homicide victims have been identified by The Sun.*

Fells Point's residents are on edge thanks to a string of armed robberies, including one that included the classic line "This is Baltimore. This is what's happening" followed by a pistol whipping.

A 25-year-old serial traffic infractor is in the hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm. Tavon Williams attempted to run down an officer while fleeing the Borgerding District Court Building. The officer has not been identified and Williams is recovering in the hospital.

Police have arrested face-tat-rocking Maurice Lonan, 26, (Pictured Right) for a triple shooting/home invasion in the 5500 block of Lothian Road that left 35-year-old Quinton Winder dead.

Afro has an interesting article regarding the still-unsolved February murder of 22-year-old Jerry Isaac, believed to have been killed after breaking up a fight.

Get caught with a .22, get 15 years in the federal pen. So was the fate of 36-year-old Joseph Bassett, a Baltimore resident with six prior drug convictions to his name.

Have you seen the man sketched to the right? Whomever he is, City popo say he's the man responsible for killing Lance "Tracey" Johnson (#105) on July 5. The BPD says Johnson was 40 years old and "a transgender."

City Paper has a more detailed account of the now federally convicted former wiener-lady Shanel Stallings, convicted of offering up mustard, relish and heroin to go along with her frankfurters.

A peaceful demonstration inside City Hall Monday night lead to the arrest of two protestors.

Drug trafficker Howard Drummond Jr., 26, was exiled for the next 12-plus years by federal authorities. Drummond has a long criminal past including a separate 10-year state sentence for similar charges, as well as having been previously charged alongside now 26-year-old Joel Ugah for the 2008 murder of Sandy Howard. Both men were eventually acquitted, and Ugah is now facing an August trial related to his own drug distribution charges. It is unknown whether the state and federal charges will run concurrently or consecutively.

A human head was found in Pasadena.

Finally, racist spree killer Wade Michael Page, the perpetrator of the Wisconsin Sikh Temple shooting had apparently been signed to local white supremacist record label "Label 56." Page at one point played a local racist music festival during his time with the label.

122

A man was shot to death in the 3000 block of Garrison Blvd.

The protagonist of "The Corner," DeAndre McCullough, has died of an apparent drug overdose at age 35.

I like my beer cold, my TV loud, and my chicken restaurants flaming.

The officer involved in the Medfield shooting was named as John Hanyok, the man who threatened an officer with a knife and was shot was named as Jonathan Blankenship, 40. According to the JIS, Blankenship (or another guy of the same name and age) is a WHITE, CAUCASIAN, ASIATIC INDIAN, ARAB with an extensive 'rap sheet' that includes charges for second-degree assault, first-degree assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, carrying a concealed weapon, resisting arrest, endangering a vulnerable adult (one Michael J. Morris, who was also granted "peace orders" against him), reckless endangerment and nonpayment of child support.

121, 15, 41

A man was shot to death and a woman wounded on the 3000 block of Rosedale Court in the SW at about 1:30 am.

Cal Ripken Jr. confirms that his mother's kidnapping was "bizarre"

A string of robberies in Fell's Point (what else is new?)

This terrifying man terrified moviegoers in Annapolis by pretending he had a gun, ranting and swearing.

135 months for serial sex offender Brian Netzer of Hagtown.

Lots of cars need towing in the city, and tow truck drivers charge crazy amounts, knowing drivers will be in no position to comparison shop. Shouldn't some of that money go to the hardworking men of the BPD? That's what the owners of Majestic Auto Repair thought, but the story came to an ignoble end today as the 15th and final officer, Kelvin Manrich, sentenced to 41 months for "committing extortion under color of official right."

Speaking of color of official right, Shomrim's posting of a suspected bike thief on their FB page led to some "is that racist?" talk on another local blog. ("If I wasn't busy controlling the media and making money I would comment on your racist stereotyping and the damage it does.")

4th Circuit Grants Stay

... until a Federal Appeals Court can rule on the legality of overturning MD's current concealed-carry law.
 
An FBI sting caught a hit man* who calls himself "Tony Montana."

Gun-toting pot dealer Zegory Chambers got 10 years

A 26-year-old Jade Jackson got 57 months in the pen for the PCP-fueled driving moves that led to him crashing and killing a motorist on the BW Parkway

A city officer was indicted on wiretap and misconduct charges after secretly taping a judge. Wonder what the judge was saying that was so interesting?  Something filthy, I hope.

A Glen Burnie family was awarded $21 million in a lawsuit against Harbor Hospital, alleging that the hospital failed to perform a timely c-section, leading to their son's cerebral palsy.

Leave the vacuum, take the chicken box

It's officially Fred Bealefeld's last day (!) I think we can all agree he's the best commissioner we've had in the last 40+ years, no? No domestic-violence scandals or taxpayer-funded mistress panties, and ps crime went wayway down under his tenure. Well, murders did, anyway. Acting commissioner Anthony Barksdale is the replacement for now (and is his last name just a coincidence? Cursory Googling would have it seem so.)

Police shot and killed a man yesterday evening at 1402 Weldon Place in Medfield. Police say that the man attacked an officer with a knife, the officer called for backup, backup arrived.

Fourteen federal years for 24-year-old RoFo robber Gregory Graham, who threatened an Essex store clerk with a vacuum cleaner tube. And the Evergreen RoFo was robbed (again), for cash and cigarillos.

Ever get carjacked and wonner where your car done got at? Maybe Africa!

Patch: drug dealer strikes man with brick.

Three residents were robbed at gunpoint in Remington.

115-120

120 - An as of yet unidentified man was beaten to death, possibly with a wrench found nearby, Monday in the 1800 block of West North Ave.*

119 - 30-year-old Jermaine Devon Blue died from after being shot multiple times in the 1400 block of Poplar Grove Street. Online court records show he had prior arrests for Rape, and Distribution of Narcotics, as well as a conviction for Assault.

118 - Derian Hampton, a 21-year-old was shot to death in the 1200 block of North Caroline Street, located in the small but very deadly Oliver area. Online court records have show that Hampton had prior arrests for Arson, Robbery, Distribution of Narcotics, Att. Murder, and Burglary. Hampton was facing Drug Possession and Assault charges at the time of his death. 

117 - This weeks Murder Ink has more information on the death of Herman Regis, 67. Regis was found decomposing in the inside of a home in the 5900 block of Eurith Ave, located in the Northeast portion of Baltimore. Regis had a minor criminal history.

116 - Hamin Bridges, a 34-year-old Coppin State alum and Philly native was shot and killed in the 1000 block of Evesham Avenue. You can read more about him in previous posts.

115 - Franklin Edward Morris Jr., a 34-year-old man* was shot dead by men waiting for him in his own home in the 1600 block of Smallwood Street. Court records indicate that Morris had a lengthy criminal record dating back to the mid 90's that included arrests for Distribution of Narcotics, Carjacking, and Att. Murder, as well as several convictions for Gun Possession and Assault, as well as a conviction for Armed Robbery.

 

Two more murders, a strange corpse,a kidnapped senior citizen

A man shot to death in the 300 block of Charles St, either inside or near the Holiday Inn Inner Harbor, and one Derian Hampton was shot to death in the 1200 block of N. Caroline Street.

Fenton reports conditions facing youth in the city jail include lack of medical care or air conditioning, violent fights and sleeping in poo*.

A sexagenarian was kidnapped by two well-dressed men (one in a plaid suit, the other in a polka-dot tie) in Catonsville and forced to drive to ATMs.

A peculiar corpse was found near the harbor Saturday, Police don't know if the deceased jumped or fell off of a nearby building, or something else*.

In offensive-sex news, Baltimorean Andrew Sterling Dash traveled to Frostburg, where he then allegedly raped a woman then fired a gun at her friends; Ocean City police have warned residents about a would-be sex assailant targeting drunk female victims walking alone; loose peen on parade in Crofton.

Bottles, bats and rocks: stuff flying last week in South Baltimore.

Vandals Freedom-loving revolutionary cadres attacked a speed camera in Catonsville, pushing it off of its pedestal and, best of all, ripping its money-grubbing guts out. Nice work there comrades!
Ps. the WaPo claims that the photo-blocker sprays actually work (sometimes), but Amazon product reviewers say otherwise. This license-plate cover got good reviews,but is illegal under MD law, says el WaPo.

Gansler asks 4th Circuit to Stay Concealed-Carry Ruling

Reports TDR

115, 116?*

Hamin Bridges,
from Facebook

Two homicides yesterday*: Hamin Bridges, 34 and reportedly with no criminal record, was shot on his porch in the 1000, block of Evesham Avenue. He was a native of Philadelphia and Coppin State alum. Says Hamin's Facebook page, "don't stop shooting for non-violence."


Franklin Morris Jr., 34, was shot multiple times at his home in the 1600 block Smallwood Street. Morris had served time for attempted armed robbery.

Remember when Goucher college accidentally hired an accused Rwandan genocidaire to teach a French class? In this week's New York Magazine, college president Sanford J. Ungar gives backstory with a side of hand-wringing, and reveals that Leopold Muntayakzi is still living in an apartment in Towson.


Outgoing head of the Baltimore branch of the FBI Richard McFeely chatted with Fenton* about his big cases, says Baltimore BP isn't systematically corrupt.

Speaking of the offensively sexual, Reddit posted a very enlightening thread in which rapists explain themselves.


Gregg Bernstein has created a Special Victims Unit to deal with victims of sex offenders and domestic violence, headed by Lisa Phelps. Thought this was just made up for TV, but no, the NYPD really does have an "SVU," or rather a Special Victims Division, as does Bergen County NJ, San Francisco, Miami, Providence and a bunch of other places.


Police have released pictures of Vi Ripken's abductor and his car. The kidnapper requested no ransom and apparently had no idea that his victim was Cal Ripken's mom.

Neil Prescott, via BaltimoreOrLess

In PGC, police say they prevented a workplace massacre at Pitney Bowles by a disgruntled employee, Neil Prescott, left, who called himself "the Joker" and had a crazy huge arsenal.


An educational read: Reddit has a thread for rapists to explain their motives (also here) - via Jezebel.  


*Fenton points out that our count is off and we are only up to 115 homicides so far... trying to get to the bottom of it.

Butterfingers!

In the county, Steven Podles, a 30-year-old man was charged with sex offenses against a 13-year-old... and Podles is HIV positive.

Another prisoner accidentally set free from Central Booking.

A cop against the drug war wants* to be commissioner; that would be interesting..

And have you seen any of these five missing sex offenders?

48 Percent?!?!

Luke Broadwater reports that the Dallas-based private company that operates the city's speed cameras, whose contract was due to expire, instead of getting rightfully run out of town with torches and pitchforks will instead get 48 percent of the city's revenue for at least the next five months*. $19.20 of every ticket. Hey all you firearms fans who claim you need your guns to fight some hypothetical corrupt regime-- said regime has arrived. Please put those hand cannons to good use and shoot those damn things down!