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Thirsty 8-year-old boy trapped neighbor's chimney for hours

Police free 8-year-old boy trapped in chimney for hours

 
Deseret News
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011 9:52 p.m. MDT

 

WEST VALLEY CITY — Richard Draper said he has come home to a few surprises in his life, but nothing quite like Friday night.

Draper and his family went out around 5 p.m. for some dinner. When they came home around 7:30 p.m., they could hear a noise coming from their home.

After looking through the house, they went downstairs to see if they had left the television on. They hadn't.

Instead, they discovered an 8-year-old boy trapped inside their chimney.

The boy said his name was Steven and that he had tried to get into the house to get a drink, Draper said.

Police, who had received a report of a missing child earlier, responded and went to work. They were able to lower water down to the boy from the roof, but they had to cut a hole in the Draper's wall in order to free him.

"There used to be art on this wall," Draper said. "There used to be a lot of things on this wall."

It took about an hour for police to get the boy out, Draper said. From the main floor, police were able to reach down and pull up Steven, who was standing on the chimney flue between the basement and main floor.

Medical personnel were standing by, Draper said, but after being trapped in a chimney for more than four hours, the boy emerged with little more than scrapes and bruises.

"When they brought him out, he was in much better condition than I anticipated," he said.

Police said the boy was being watched by his older siblings and wandered off. His siblings called their parents, who then called police.

The boy had been on the Draper's property earlier in the day, Draper said, looking for kids to play with. After the family left, he apparently climbed up the apricot tree near the house and lowered himself feet first into the chimney.

Draper said he and his family were fearful for the boy's condition and were relieved to see him in good health.

"I was haunted by the fact that we had this child in our chimney," he said. "All in all, this turned out really well."

Entry #5,300

Carjacker caught after wild police chase

Phoenix police identify fatally shot carjacking suspect

 

Maria Polletta and Eugene Scott and Laurie Merrill

Aug. 21, 2011 09:34 AM
The Arizona Republic

Phoenix police Sunday released the identity of the 21-year-old carjack suspect who was fatally shot Saturday after a wild chase.

Phoenix police fatally shot Gabriel Jaramillo after he refused to follow commands and continued ramming a Jeep into police vehicles at Interstate 17 and Cactus Road, said Sgt. Trent Crump, a Phoenix police spokesman.

Trent said Jaramillo had an extensive criminal history that included prior unlawful flight charges, drugs and burglary. His next of kin has been notified.
Department of Corrections records list Oct. 2010 as his release from prison after serving time for a conviction on a "dangerous drug violation."

He also was found guilty of several infractions in prison and court, including disrupting court and promoting prison contraband, according to the records.

Crump said police were initially alerted about 1:30 p.m., Saturday when a man spotted someone behind the wheel of his silver Lincoln, reported stolen in Tempe a week before.

Police confirmed it was the same stolen vehicle, and they initiated a pursuit in the area of 67th and Maryland avenues.

As police began to follow, the driver "took off at a high rate of speed," Crump said.

After getting a flat tire, Jaramillo abandoned the stolen vehicle. Crump said Jaramillo made at least three attempts to carjack different vehicles - two at a car wash near 36th and Dunlap avenues and one at a Wendy's drive-thru line near 43rd Avenue and Dunlap - before returning to the Lincoln, which eventually caught fire.

When the Lincoln became inoperable, police said Jaramillo forced his way into a white Jeep stopped at 51st and Glendale avenues. A woman driving the Jeep couldn't get out of the car, primarily because of her seatbelt, police said.A police officer in an unmarked car tried to block the vehicle, but the Jaramillo rammed into the officer's car and put the Jeep in reverse, striking a vehicle parked behind, Crump said.

By then, the officer was on the sidewalk and fired at least one shot at Jaramillo, who drove directly toward him and hit him. The officer was treated for minor injuries.

Jaramillo then turned onto Glendale, traveling about 100 feet before the Jeep's original driver jumped out of the car, police said. She had minor injuries.

Police continued to follow the Jeep by ground and air until they surrounded it on the southbound onramp of I-17 at Cactus. Cornered, Jaramillo began to ram police cars, Crump said. An officer from Phoenix police's Special Assignment Unit fired several shots, killing Jaramillo.

Another officer was injured while trying to respond to the pursuit of the suspect. The officer's marked Chevy Tahoe was struck by a red Ford Taurus at 51st and Peoria Avenues. The Tahoe flipped on its side and rolled off the hood of a green Jeep Cherokee stopped at the intersection.

Witnesses described the Tahoe as being one of about eight police cars that went through the intersection with lights flashing but no sirens. The officer's injuries were not life-threatening, and he was taken to a local hospital with two others involved.

The fatal officer-involved shooting Saturday was the second in the Valley in three days.

Mesa police shot and killed a 38-year-old man on Thursday.

Police originally said Phillip A. Trimble was shot by three officers when he dropped a cellphone and pointed a gun at them. But after further investigation, homicide detectives discovered Trimble had only simulated a weapon, acting as if he was grabbing a handgun tucked in his waistband before officers opened fire.

Staff writer Jim Walsh contributed to this report.

Gabriel Jaramillo, 21

Arizona Department of Corrections

Gabriel Jaramillo, 21



LINK TO VIDEO:

http://www.azcentral.com/video/1120644166001

Entry #5,298

Inmate, pregnant fiancee wed in courtroom, but they can't touch

Inmate, pregnant fiancee wed in courtroom, but they can’t touch

DAN ROZEK Staff Reporter

Sun Time

August 19, 2011 5:08PM

Updated: August 20, 2011 6:11AM



The bride wore black, while the groom sported handcuffs.

And thanks to security rules, Jessica Ortiz and Tharvin Benitez couldn’t exchange rings or even share the traditional kiss after their unusual wedding Friday in a Wheaton courtroom.

Benitez, 21, is jailed after being arrested in May on felony drug charges.

But the Des Plaines man and his pregnant, 21-year-old bride wanted to be married before their child is born, so they sought permission from DuPage County Judge Blanche Fawell for the courthouse wedding.

Fawell, who is presiding over Benitez’s criminal case, approved the request and performed the brief marriage ceremony after Benitez — clad in standard-issue orange jail fatigues and handcuffs — appeared in her courtroom on his drug charges.

Courthouse rules that prevent jail inmates from touching visitors ruled out the usual wedding kiss after Ortiz and Benitez completed their vows.

And defense attorney Robert Duffy had to step in for Benitez and place the ring on Ortiz’s finger — a task he can’t remember performing for a client.

“In 40 years of practice, that’s never occurred before,” Duffy said.

Ortiz said the couple already was planning to marry before Benitez’s arrest, but decided to go ahead with the ceremony because the birth of their child is imminent.

“It should be next week,” Ortiz said of her expected delivery.

The newlyweds may not be spending much time together.

If convicted, Benitez faces up to 30 years in prison. He also could face deportation for allegedly entering the country illegally.

“It’s going to be a while before they take their honeymoon,” Duffy said. “But love springs eternal.”

 

LINK TO PHOTO:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/7166980-417/inmate-pregnant-fiancee-wed-in-courtroom-but-they-cant-touch.html

Entry #5,293

City slams bicyclist with $1,500 in fines for running red lights

Off the chain! City slams bicyclist with $1,500 in fines for running red lights

Tanyanika Samuels
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Sunday, August 21st 2011, 4:00 AM

Bicyclist Juan Rodriguez fought a ticket he got for running a red light on his bicycle and lost - big time.
 
John Roca/News
 
Bicyclist Juan Rodriguez fought a ticket he got for running a red light on his bicycle and lost - big time.

Manhattan bicyclist Juan (JC) Rodriguez didn't learn his lesson after running his first red light. Or his second.

But the third time may be the charm - because it came with more than $1,500 in fines.

"It's absurd," complained Rodriguez, 45, who's also a pedicab driver. "When you look at the fines leveled and the actual offenses, it makes no sense."

Some bicycling advocates agree fining two-wheelers the same as tractor-trailers is overkill, while others say bikers should stop at red lights.

"They are endangering pedestrians, many of whom are elderly or children who may not be able to get out of the way quickly," said City Councilman James Vacca (D-Bronx).

"We have too many people riding their cars and bicycles and thinking these rules are not meant for them."

Department of Motor Vehicles spokesman Nick Cantiello says cyclists are subject to the following fines for red-light violations: $190 for the first offense, $375 for the second, $940 for the third.

They don't, however, face $80 in surcharges that motorists get and there are no license points to worry about.

"Bicycles are expected to follow the rules of the road just like any other vehicle," Cantiello said.

Rodriguez says that regardless of whether it's legal, it's common practice for bikers to roll through red lights when it's safe.

He did it on March 3 as he rode down Central Park West near 109th St. on his way to work, and a traffic cop pulled him over.

"My first thought was, 'Are you serious? Is this some sort of joke?'" he said.

It wasn't. The officer also gave him a ticket for not having a bicycle bell.

Rodriguez figured it was a fluke. But six days later, an officer pulled him over for blowing a red light at Riverside Drive and W. 96th St.

"I thought, 'Oh my God! What is going on?'" Rodriguez said.

Last month, Rodriguez was stopped after he rolled through a red in Chelsea.

He pleaded not guilty to all three tickets by mail.

"I thought if I show up in court I might have a say and show how unbelievably ludicrous this is," he said.

At a hearing this month, Rodriguez contested the Riverside Drive ticket. The judge slapped him with a $375 fine.

Rodriguez returned to traffic court last week to plead guilty to the two other tickets and was fined another $1,000.

Barbara Ross of the pro-bike environmental group Time's Up! said the penalty system needs a tune up.

"Fining cyclists up to $950 for a traffic violation - the same rate as drivers of 4-ton vehicles that kill hundreds of people annually - is excessive and unfair," she said.

"Traffic enforcement policies should focus on safer streets, not use them as a revenue source for the city."

Rodriguez, who lives in Washington Heights, hopes by telling his story, other cyclists won't have to shell out a lot of green for running a red.

"Things have changed," he said. "[Bicyclists] need to be aware of what the worst-case scenario can be."

Entry #5,292

Michelle Obama's Separate Travel Costs Taxpayers Thousands

Michelle’s Separate Travel Costs Taxpayers Thousands

 

Keith Koffler

White House Dossier

 

August 19, 2011, 10:26 am

Michelle Obama and President Obama traveled to Martha’s Vineyard just hours apart, costing taxpayers thousands in additional expenses so she could have just a bit of extra vacation time.

Mrs. Obama and her daughters arrived just before 2 pm Thursday on a U.S. government jet, according to the Martha’s Vineyard Times, which got its information from the local airport. The first lady’s office has been silent on her travel. President Obama arrived in the evening along with the family dog Bo.

The extra costs related to Mrs. Obama’s solo trip mainly include the flight on a specially designed military aircraft she took instead of Air Force One, as well as any extra staff and Secret Service that had to be enlisted to go with her. She would also have had her own motorcade from the airport to her vacation residence.

Mrs. Obama’s separate jet travel sends the wrong message on a host of issues, from global warming to the budget deficit to the economy – in which currently so many people can’t afford to take a vacation at all.

This is not the first time Michelle has gone on vacation ahead of the president on the taxpayers’ tab. Last December, she racked up what was likely more than $100,000 in expenses leaving early for their Hawaii vacation.

Entry #5,291
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