Quantcast
Channel: Local – NBC10 Philadelphia
Viewing all 60435 articles
Browse latest View live

Phillies Down & Out

0
0

It wasn't too long ago that things were going pretty well for the Philadelphia Phillies. They finished up the first half of the season with a 7-3 record in their final 10 games, a run that put them at the .500 mark during the All Star Break. In their first game to kick off the second half, the offense exploded for 13 runs off the New York Mets in what appeared to be a continuation of the success from only a few days earlier. And with the Washington Nationals struggling and the Atlanta Braves hurting, it seemed like the Phillies might be able to make a run.

Or not.

Since that victory on July 19 to put the Phillies one game over .500 (their high water mark for the season), they are 1-13, and have been swept three times. They've scored 2.3 runs per game in that span, have been shut out twice, and have been held to one run five times. At times, they've been unable to pitch, play defense, and do the little things that good teams do in order to get over the hump in those close games. In short, they've been absolutely dreadful.

Since July 20, when that streak began, they've gone from 6.5 games back of the division to 16.5 games. Of 30 MLB teams, they have the 22nd worst record, and have a legitimate shot at finishing dead last in the division. They are in a virtual tie with the New York Mets, and are 6.5 games ahead of the Miami Marlins. While it would admittedly take a lot for the Marlins to overtake the Phils, I wouldn't be surprised.

If their on-the-field performance wasn't bad enough, the Phillies have been receiving bad news from off-the-field, as well. Not only did Ruben Amaro fail to get any takers for his wares at the trade deadline, but news broke on Monday that relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo will be suspended 50 games following MLB's investigation into the Biogenesis clinic in Miami. Bastardo, one of the only worthwhile relievers on the team, will miss all but one of the 51 remaining games. Thankfully, the Phillies are so bad that they are not likely to miss his arm late in games.

The good news about this – and yes, there is a silver lining if you squint hard enough – is that the Phillies are on their way to having an absolutely dreadful record, which means they are going to be in a much better position in the off-season and during next year's draft. While there are no slam-dunk studs like Bryce Harper in next year's expected draft class, the Phillies have a decent good shot at having one of the top ten picks in 2014. Because of that, they will have their pick of the litter in this year's free agent class without having to worry about losing that first draft pick, thanks to the new rules that govern free agent compensation. It's quite literally the best thing the Phillies can hope for at this point.

I'm never one to root for the Phillies to lose, but they literally have nothing to play for this season. I'd like to see the individual players do well, especially those who might be traded, like Cliff Lee or Jonathan Papelbon, but for the next two months, they are all but playing for 2014.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

12 Kids Hurt After Van Overturns on I-295

0
0

Over a dozen people were hospitalized after a 15-passenger van overturned on I-295 in Burlington Township.

Police say the van was driving from Trenton around 5:30 p.m. Monday night when the driver somehow lost control and the van overturned near Exit 47. The van is owned by the city of Trenton, according to officials.

Two lanes on I-295 Northbound were blocked for over an hour. They have since reopened.

Officials say 14 of the 15 passengers were hurt and transported to Virtua Mt. Holly where they were treated for minor injuries. Officials say 12 of the victims are under the age of 18.

Officials say a tire issue may have caused the accident. They continue to investigate.

Also on NBC10.com:

Officials Use Zombies to Warn of Pedestrian Dangers

New Flu Shot Gives Broader Protection



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

2 Men Wanted for Robberies, Sex Assault

0
0

Police are on the hunt for two gunmen who they say committed eight robberies during a two-week span and also sexually assaulted a teen girl during one of the incidents.

Police say the robberies took place on the following dates at the following locations:

  • July 16 - 2600 W. Lehigh
  • July 19 - 29th and York
  • July 21 - 2410 W. Lehigh
  • July 21- 2600 N. 24th St.
  • July 26 - 2500 Lehigh Ave.
  • July 27 - 2600 W. Lehigh Ave.
  • July 30 - 2600 N. 22nd St.
  • Aug. 2 - 2100 N. 16th St.

Credit: Philadelphia Police

A 58-year-old man, who did not want to be identified, says he and his friend were robbed at gunpoint on the front steps of their home by the two suspects.

“[[They said]] ‘give up the goods,’ he said. “I went upstairs and got my cellphone and called 911.”

Police say the suspects have demanded money, cell phones and credit cards during the robberies.

“The robberies have happened between 2 and 5 in the morning,” said Philadelphia Police Lieutenant Patrick Doherty. “So we’re asking the public if they’re out at that time to use caution until we get these guys off the street.”

Police say during one of the robberies, the men sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl at gunpoint.

The first suspect is described as a 25 to 35-year-old man standing between 5-foot-10 and 6-foot-2 with short hair. The second suspect is described as a 30 to 40-year-old man standing at 5-foot-6 with a bald head and full beard.

If you have information on any of these incidents, please call Philadelphia Police.

 



Photo Credit: Philadelphia Police

'Night Out' Rallies Aim to Stop Crime With Communication

0
0

Communication is the key to stopping crime.

That's Bernadette Townes' feeling. The South Philadelphia mother of three and grandmother of the same says when the neighborhood doesn't talk, its residents can't beat criminals.

"Nobody wants to live in the neighborhood with violence, we want to live in the neighborhood where it's safe for everybody. So it's good to come out and meet people to see what we can do to keep everybody safe," she said.

Townes was among about 100 other like-minded residents who took part in one of the city's two National Night Out Kickoff Rallies Monday evening.

Complete with food, games and giveaways, the events act as a appetizer to Tuesday night's official National Night Out -- where 16,000 communities across the United States and Canada come together to meet their neighbors and the law enforcement that serve their community in an effort to reduce crime. This year, marks the event's 30th anniversary.

"This rally is to engage people to come out and be supportive and neighborly and we found that when you do that, people are apt to combat crime in an efficient way," said Carmetta Dickerson. A town watch community liaison, she along with the city's Town Watch Integrated Services department, brought together police, fire, elected officials and, most importantly, residents at Sacks Recreation Center at 4th Street and Washington Avenue.

"Can we get some of those abandoned buildings taken down? The drug users are using them," Kensington resident Wesley Gillard asked Mayor Michael Nutter as he made his way through the park to deliver remarks.

After asking for the locations of the homes, Mayor Nutter promises to look into the problem.

"We can't be on every block, on every street, in front of every house, 24 hours a day, seven days a week so community engagement is an integral part of how you make neighborhoods a safer place for all of us," Mayor Nutter said.

Ten miles north at the second National Night Out Rally outside Target at Buselton and Bleigh Avenues, Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says his department is much more effective when the community communicates.

"We've gotta get back to neighbors knowing neighbors. In today's world, unfortunately, that doesn't happen to the extent that it happened at one time. But we can do it," he says.

The work being done so far, has been positive. So far this year, homicides are down nearly 30-percent over 2012, according to police crime data. Violent crimes overall have dropped seven-percent. But Commissioner Ramsey says the reduction isn't enough.

"We still have too much crime in this city and we're going to continue to do everything we can to continue to drive it down," he says.

For social worker Shanita Riley-Miles, having officials like Commissioner Ramsey and other men and women in uniform present in the community for a non-crime event has an effect.

"A lot of the younger people don't know who the elected officials are, they don't know who the police commissioner is and the police and fire department and those who serve us in the community. It's a good way to introduce them to those people," she said.

And build trust between police and the residents -- a crucial part of the crime-fighting strategy says Commissioner Ramsey.

"It's knowing the police officers and having trust to give them the call when something's going on," he said.

Town watches, the backbone of the effort, were also honored as part of the events.

"Keeping their outside lights on from dusk to dawn, that's our motto," testifies Ruth DiCicco of her crime-fighting crew, the Three Streets Block Watch.

The spry senior, from the Castor Garden's section of Northeast Philadelphia, happily touts the group's effectiveness.

"We have stopped many things, we have found many things," she said. "Somebody's house was being burglarized and the neighbor saw it happening and they caught them in the driveway."

DiCicco says members regularly call each other when someone, or something, looks out of place. She adds they're not afraid to call 911.

"We keep 911 busy, letting them know we're a town watch," she said.

Holding the framed certificate thanking the group for their hard work, fellow member Jerry Noe jokes: "Unfortunately, you don't get any money with this."

But, DiCicco says they take part in the town watch and National Night Out because it's what's necessary to make the city safer.

"The 2nd District cops are phenomenal, but unfortunately there's not a enough of them to go around so that's why we do what you do," she says. 

For a full list of National Night Out events happening in Philadelphia Tuesday, click here.


Contact Vince Lattanzio at 610.668.5532, vince.lattanzio@nbcuni.com or follow @VinceLattanzio on Twitter.



Photo Credit: Vince Lattanzio, NBC10.com

What Vince Fumo Needs to Do

0
0

When the feds nailed Vince Fumo in a massive corruption case, they asked the judge to give him 15 years. The former state senator reports to a halfway house in Philadelphia Tuesday, less than four years after going into the joint. The interesting question is, what now?

I don't mean whether Vince likes the food or gets along with his roommates on Erie Avenue. Or when he's sent to some very comfortable home confinement to finish his prison term that ends in February (Groundhog Day, actually). Or even whether prosecutors succeed in making him pay another $800,000 restitution in addition to the $3.5 million he's already forked over. (Court hearings are coming on that.)

To me, the interesting question is what Vince, who spent decades giving orders, cutting deals, negotiating multibillion-dollar budgets, making and breaking careers, and generally being a titan in state and city politics, does now.

Others have trodden here

You don't have to look far to find other Philadelphia politicians who went to prison on corruption charges and came back for a second act.

In fact, there's a whole vocabulary about it among city pols. They'll say somebody "had a problem" and went away. Many of the city's 69 Democratic ward leaders used to call the federal pen at Allenwood "the 70th Ward" - kind of the way celebrities talk about rehab. It could happen to anybody.

The late state Sen. Henry "Buddy" Cianfrani came back after his prison term and worked as a political consultant and powerbroker for many years. Former City Councilman Jimmy Tayoun, always the entrepreneur, started a political newspaper, the Philadelphia Public Record, which is still going and is read by city and state pols everywhere.

Former U.S. Rep. Michael "Ozzie" Myers, who went down in the Abscam scandal, is still influential in South Philly, where his brother Matthew is a ward leader.

I dropped by Tayoun's office yesterday, and he reminisced about getting out, putting up with his halfway house, and what Fumo can expect. ("If his parole officer is a nasty little creature, it's going to be hell for him.")

Tayoun said Fumo is "a politician down to his toes," and that it will be hard for him not to get involved. In fact, Tayoun said, he should for his own good.

I'm not so sure.

A new line, maybe?

The difference between Vince and those Philly pols who returned from prison and got back into the game is that they got into politics at least in part because they like people, and built relationships.

They knew how to ask for something and be gracious about it, even if there was an implied transaction in the ask.

Fumo is an classic insider who was never comfortable in crowds of strangers, and he was often effective because he had leverage over people.

It wasn't just that, of course. He was scary smart, understood both politics and policy, and knew the value of getting and keeping talented staff.

But look at the number of his close relationships, both political and personal, that have detonated over the years, leaving a wake of hard feelings and often litigation.

Some former politicians become lobbyists. I think of Joe Loeper, the former Chester County state senator who spent six months in jail after pleading guilty to one count in a complicated federal case that involved consultant payments.

Today Loeper's a successful lobbyist in Harrisburg, representing, among others, the city of Philadelphia because he's smart, credible and good at dealing with people.

It's hard to imagine Vince returning to Harrisburg as a supplicant.

Fumo has enough connections and resources -- both personal wealth and a political committee with a quarter million bucks in it – to make waves again.

But he shouldn't.

The real business is in the heart

I've written a lot about Fumo over the years – about his enormous gifts that were undone by his equally enormous flaws. Here's a blog post from a couple of years ago if you're interested in that perspective.

My hope for Vince now is that he can get whatever therapy and life changes he needs to rebuild some of the fractured relationships in his life – most importantly within his family – and learn to take some joy in simpler things.

I'm no psychologist, but all you have to do is read a sampling of the frenzied emails that have gotten him into trouble to know that, well, he has issues.

Vince Fumo, now 70, is not going to be a political giant again. The sooner he gets that and focuses on other goals, the better off we'll all be.


This story was reported through a news coverage partnership between NBC10.com and NewsWorks.org



Photo Credit: AP

Teen Female Shot, Killed

0
0

A man walked into a home overnight and opened fire killing a teenage female and injuring a young man.

The shooting, inside a home that neighbors call, "the problem" house" on the block, was one of at least three deadly shootings in Philadelphia overnight.

According to Philadelphia Police, the gunman, armed with a shotgun, walked into a home on the 2800 block of Sebring Street in the Holme Circle section of Northeast Philadelphia around 1:30 a.m. and shot the 18-year-old in the head as she sat on a couch. She was pronounced dead a short time later.

Investigators then say the gunman shot a 23-year-old man who lives in the house in the abdomen before fleeing. The male victim remained in critical condition Tuesday morning.

Investigators tell NBC10 that they believe they know who the shooter is and that they are actively trying to track him down. They didn’t reveal his identity however as the search continued.

“We have several witnesses who were in the house at the time,” said Chief Inspector Scott Small. Those witnesses were being interviewed by police.

Earlier, around 11:15 p.m. Monday, a 33-year-old man was shot in the head near a basketball court at 52nd Street and Wyalusing Avenue in West Philadelphia. He was driven to the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Police had no immediate suspect or motive in that shooting.

A few minutes earlier, officers found 37-year-old Thomas Samarco shot multiple times at Reach Street and E Allegheny Avenue in Kensington. He was pronounced dead around 11:10 p.m.

"Based on ballistic evidence we know that at least 12 shots were fired from a semi-automatic handgun," Small said.

Two buildings and three cars were also hit by bullets.

Small said that police were looking into possible surveillance video from area businesses.

No motive was given and no one was arrested.

Small said that an officer responding to scene swerved to avoid another car and went up on the sidewalk. The officer hurt his leg but was expected to recover.

There was also a triple shooting on the 400 block of E Hart Lane around 8 p.m. Monday. All the victims, including a 17-year-old, were expected to survive.

These shootings all came as residents around the country prepare for National Night Out, an event geared towards curbing crime.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Philly Get Ready for Permanent Sales Tax Hike

0
0

Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke's office said Monday that legislators will make permanent a 1 percent sales tax that was due to expire next budget year.

"Council will pass an extension of the sales tax," said Jane Roh, a spokeswoman for Clarke. "There is just disagreement at the moment about what the final sales tax extension will look like."

Earlier in the day, Mayor Michael Nutter's aides said that Council members should quickly get on board with a plan to extend the tax so that the city can borrow $50 million this year against future sales tax revenues for the cash-starved school district.

Superintendent William Hite also expressed urgency last week, when he said that he likely wouldn't be able to open schools on Sept. 9 without additional funding. He expected to have an extra $50 million in hand by now.

The $50 million loan is part of Gov. Tom Corbett's plan to help fill the school district's $304 million budget gap.

Originally, Nutter proposed raising money for the schools by imposing a $2 tax on every pack of cigarettes. Council passed the levy, but the Pennsylvania General Assembly did not provide enabling legislation needed to make it a reality.

State lawmakers did OK the sales tax extension, which Nutter now supports. He wants to dedicate $120 million annually from the sales tax revenues to the school district.

"These are the tools that we were given, and we need to use them to make sure the district gets the funding it needs," said Rob Dubow, Nutter's finance director.

Clarke, however, wants to split the sales tax proceeds between the school district and the city's underfunded pension system. His strategy relies on the General Assembly approving the cigarette tax this year.

Councilwoman María Quiñones-Sánchez, who argued that the sales tax is highly regressive, has also proposed an alternative plan to raise up to $50 million for the schools this year by tapping the city's general fund. But Dubow said that is not an option because it would lead to budget deficits in future years.

Because of Nutter's position on Sánchez's plan, Roh pronounced it dead.
"I believe the administration has said it opposes it," she said. "That effectively ends that discussion."

City Council could signal approval

Council is scheduled to come back from its summer recess on Sept. 12.
Dubow said that Council members would not necessarily need to return from recess early in order to begin the process of borrowing $50 million from Wall Street.

"I don't know that they need to meet," Dubow said. "If they gave indications of support, that would probably help get the process started."

It is unclear whether a statement from the Council president's office would be enough to satisfy Wall Street lenders. Dubow said Nutter would work with Council to determine "what those indications would look like."

Dubow said the city could borrow $50 million if lawmakers decided to split the sales tax proceeds between the district and pension fund, as long as the General Assembly passed the enabling legislation for the cigarette levy. That is considered a long shot.

City officials said it may not be possible to borrow the money if Clarke's plan won support from Council, but not the General Assembly.

"It's also a timing issue," said Lori Shorr, Nutter's chief education officer. "Because the tobacco tax would have to pass up in Harrisburg, and schools open" in five weeks.

Clarke spokeswoman Roh, however, said the disagreement over the sales tax proceeds "should not affect the city’s ability to borrow against the extension."

More pleas for school funding

Several education advocacy groups visited City Hall Monday to try to convince Council members to boost school funding.

Parent Dawn Hawkins, a member of Action United, said she supports Sánchez's plan.

"They need to get that money and fund our children's education," she said. "Point blank. Period."

Donna Cooper, executive director of the local nonprofit Public Citizens for Children and Youth, said elected officials should, at the very least, vote to extend the sales tax, dedicate $120 million to the district from those revenues starting next year, and move forward with Sánchez's $50 million grant or Corbett's $50 million loan.

"School starts in one month and funds are still far short of what is needed," Cooper said in a letter to Nutter and Council members. "There is hard work that must be done."


This story was reported through a news coverage partnership between NBC10.com and NewsWorks.org

Top 20 Party Schools

0
0

The Princeton Review released its 2014 edition of "The Best 378 Colleges" book Monday, which includes a list of the Top 20 party schools in the country.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

School District Sues Design Firms for Millions

0
0

The School District of Philadelphia is suing nearly two dozen architecture and design firms over millions of dollars worth of “design deficiencies” at district buildings.

Twenty-five lawsuits were filed by the district on July 29 in Pennsylvania’s Court of Common Pleas seeking up to $2 million in damages on projects done through the district’s Capital Improvement Program.

As part of the improvement program, firms bid on projects to rehab and repair older school district buildings and construct new facilities. The program seeks to address 25 years of “disinvestment” in school properties, according to a program description on the district’s website.

District spokesman Fernando Gallard says in each case there were “deficiencies in the drawings and specifications” the firms prepared for the projects. The district has not said what the deficiencies were and how they impacted the buildings.

“The school district anticipates recovering up to $2 million as a result of these suits. The district intends to pursue these actions aggressively,” Gallard said in a statement.

Firms listed in the suits include architecture, design, engineering and consultant companies.

Robert Breslin, President of Breslin Ridyard Fadero Architects, one of the firms named in a suit, said his firm worked with the district starting in 2004, but has yet to be notified about the legal action.

“Right now, there’s not a lawsuit because we haven’t been served,” he said. “We haven’t heard anything.”

Breslin says his firm had a contract with the district to renovate and add an addition to Henry W. Lawton Elementary School in the Tacony section of Philadelphia.

Vitteta Group principal Gary Pittman also says his firm is unaware of the proceedings.

“We haven’t seen it and we’re going to look at it and find out more,” he said.

Other firms shown in court documents include Agoos/Lovera Architects, Arora Engineers, Blackney Hays Architects, BWA Architecture & Planning, CDI Infrastructure, Converse Winkler Architecture, Corporate Networking, The Gibson Tarquini Group, GLP Architects, Kelly/Maiello, Inc. Architects and Planners, Maitra Associates, PZS Architects, LLC, Ross Barney Architects, Schrader Group Architecture, The Sheward Partnership, SMA/SRK Architects, SMP Architects, Synertech, United Consultants, USA Architects and Planners & Interior Designers.

The lawsuits come as the School District of Philadelphia works to find ways to close its $304 million budget deficit.

The shortfall has resulted in dramatic cuts to programs and extracurricular activities and the layoff of nearly 4,000 teachers, administrators and support staff.

A $2 million win could cover a year’s worth of salaries for 50 laid-off secretaries. The average salary of the 290 secretaries given pink slips this summer is $38,448, according to district pay data.

The district has not said what they plan to do with the damages.


Contact Vince Lattanzio at 610.668.5532, vince.lattanzio@nbcuni.com or follow @VinceLattanzio on Twitter.

First Look at Contractor Burned in House Explosion

0
0

When Steve Barrientos was working inside a home in South Philadelphia last week, he had no idea that the gas was on, according to his attorney.

"He had no knowledge of any gas being present in the home at any time," said Jeff Goodman. "And as a result was an innocent victim there when the explosion occurred."

The blast leveled the home at 428 Daly Street. Barrientos suffered second and third-degree burns on his face and upper body, Goodman said.

The explosion also destroyed the adjoining homes on either side, and most everything inside, including the ashes of a beloved family member.

Sean Fulmer represents the family who lived at 430 Daly Street -- a woman, her teenage daughter who was injured, and the woman's boyfriend, who was also treated for minor injuries.

"Although their physical injuries may not be life threatening, they are suffering severe mental anguish," Fulmer said today during an inspection at the site of the explosion.

"Among their possessions, there was an urn. And that contained a family member which they have not been able to locate at this point."

Law firms representing four of the victims were back at the explosion site conducting their own inspection. Goodman said fire origin and natural gas experts were able to confirm today that there was active gas running into the home at 438 Daly Street at the time of the explosion.

"We can tell that based upon the blast patterns, based upon the sidewalk cracking at the site, in fact, even today when we looked, that gas valve was still on," said Goodman.

Barrientos was hired to put down tile in the home, which is owned by SCK Investments and was being rehabbed.

The Philadelphia Fire Department said on the day of the blast that the preliminary cause of the explosion appeared to be a gas leak and Mayor Michael Nutter backed up that claim the next day in a news conference. Nutter said last week that he would not respond to "rumors and speculation" that Barrientos was smoking a cigarette which may have set off the blast. Barrientos' attorney would not answer the question directly today either.

"Right now his concern is with treating his injuries and becoming better and getting healthier," Goodman said.

 

 

 



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

4 Families Homeless After Fire Spreads to 6 Homes

0
0

Three firefighters are recovering and four families are displaced after a fire damaged six row homes in Montgomery County.

The 2-alarm blaze began at a home on Willow Street in Norristown shortly before 3 p.m. and quickly spread to five other row homes.

"The flames were shooting at least 10 to 12 feet up into the air," said Al Johnson. "Smoke was billowing out of all the homes." 

Officials say some type of work was being done on the roof of one of the row homes when the fire broke out. They also say the blaze began in the roof area. A witness says a worker was using a blow torch to melt a layer of rubber on the roof.

"The dude was actually still working on the lower roof as the flames were emanating from the top roof," said Randy Quintal.

A source close to the investigation tells NBC10 the worker was a friend of one of the homeowners and was working informally. He also says he likely won't be charged for the accidental destruction of the homes.

No residents were inside their homes at the time and none of the workers were hurt. However, three firefighters who responded to the scene suffered minor injuries.

Officials say four of the six damaged homes are total losses and will be condemned, leaving four families homeless.

The Red Cross is providing food, clothing and lodging for 13 adults and eight children affected by the fire.



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Man in Critical After Motorcycle Collides With Car

0
0

A motorcycle rider is fighting for his life after an accident in the Wissinoming section of the city.

Police say a motorcycle collided with a car on the 5700 block of Torresdale Avenue. The motorcycle rider was taken to the hospital where he is in critical condition. The driver of the car was not injured.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story. 

Also on NBC10.com:

3 Families Homeless After Fire Spreads to 6 Homes

Accused Town Meeting Gunman: "Town Stole My Home"

Husband Accused of Strangling Wife of 52 Years


 



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Pastor Charged With Setting Car on Fire for Insurance Money

0
0

A North Philadelphia pastor is behind bars after police say he set his own car on fire in an attempt to collect insurance money.

On March 20, around 11:30 p.m., police and firefighters responded to a call on the 2700 block of Emerald Street where they found a 2004 Nissan Quest fully engulfed in flames under the Conrail railroad tracks. Investigators discovered that the car belonged to 57-year-old Teofilo Santiago, the pastor of a local Pentecostal Church.

After being notified by police, investigators say Santiago reported that he had parked his car in front of his home on the 1800 block of N. 6th Street around 9:10 p.m. that same night and wasn’t aware it was missing.

The next day, investigators say Santiago contacted Nationwide Insurance and reported that his insured vehicle had been stolen and then recovered by police as a burn shell. Santiago claimed his Nissan was in perfect condition with no prior damage, according to police. Investigators say Santiago told them his two sets of car keys were accounted for at the time of the theft, that he never lost his keys and that he never had any additional keys.

Investigators with the Fire Marshall’s Office determined that the fire began in the passenger compartment of the car after an open flame was applied to the combustible material. The fire then spread from the passenger compartment to the roof and exterior panels, causing major damage to the car. Investigators ruled the fire as arson.

Investigators also determined that a properly cut mechanical key with the correct transponder code was used to operate the Nissan prior to the arson. Finally, investigators discovered that the Nissan was valued at $7,547 and that the damage to the vehicle far exceeded the car’s actual value. Police also say Santiago owed a balance of $4,700 to his lien holder on the Nissan.

On April 15, an investigator with Nationwide met with Santiago. Santiago allegedly maintained that the car was in perfect condition when it was stolen. However, police say he changed his story after the investigators showed him the results of the forensic examination. Santiago then allegedly admitted that his car was in bad condition and needed expensive repairs. Police say he admitted to conspiring with another person to destroy the vehicle, report it stolen and collect the insurance settlement.

Detectives arrested Santiago Tuesday morning. He’s charged with Arson, Insurance Fraud, Conspiracy and other related offenses.
 



Photo Credit: Associated Press

Police Detonate 'Hazardous Device' on O.C. Beach

0
0

Ocean City Police detonated a “hazardous device” after closing off a portion of the beach on Tuesday.

Police say they received a tip reporting a firework or smoke device located on the beach on 36th Street. Police say the tipster was concerned about a co-worker who allegedly talked about a device he learned to make on the Internet that was stored inside his car.

Police say the man cooperated with responding offices and gave them access to his vehicle and his device. The Atlantic City bomb squad was called to the scene and they safely detonated the device after closing off an area of the beach.

Police announced there was no threat to the public though they continue to investigate, according to NBC40.

An NBC10 viewer who lives in Ocean City sent us video of what he says was the device being detonated.

No charges have been filed. Police have not yet revealed what the device actually was. 

Also on NBC10.com:

Pa. Borough Asks Suspended Police Chief for Gun Sale Info

3 Families Homeless After Fire Spreads to 6 Homes

Pastor Charged With Setting Own Car on Fire for Insurance Money
 



Photo Credit: Dave Bickell

I-95 Renamed for Fallen Police Officers

0
0

The memories of two Philadelphia Police highway patrol officers, killed along Interstate 95, will never be forgotten as officials dedicate a portion of the highway in their honor.

A seven-mile stretch of Interstate 95 from Allegheny Avenue to Academy Road has been renamed The Officers O’Hanlon and Lorenzo Memorial Highway, according to Philadelphia Police.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, Mayor Michael Nutter, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 President John McNesby and the officers’ families were on hand for a dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Highway Patrol Officer Charles O’Hanlon was killed on November 13, 1985 after a tractor-trailer slammed into the back of his unmarked police cruiser in the northbound lanes of I-95 at Comly Road.

It was 3:15 in the morning on Sunday, July 8, 2012, when an alleged drunk driver drove the wrong way on I-95 and slammed head on into Officer Brian Lorenzo in the northbound lanes of the highway at Princeton Avenue. Ofc. Lorenzo was traveling home from his highway patrol shift on his police motorcycle when he was hit.

John Leck, Jr., remains in jail charged with third-degree murder and other crimes. He is set to stand trial on October 21.

A state bill to rename the highway was sponsored by State Senator Michael Stack and was passed by the legislature last October.


Contact Vince Lattanzio at 610.668.5532, vince.lattanzio@nbcuni.com or follow @VinceLattanzio on Twitter.



Photo Credit: Philadelphia Police

Sarah Celebrates a Birthday

0
0

Lung-transplant recipient Sarah Murnaghan celebrates another milestone as her siblings join her today as the girl who fought to receive an adult lung transplant celebrates her 11th birthday.

Photo Credit: Facebook.com

Man Shot, Killed While Sitting on His Steps

0
0

A gunman opened fire on a man as he sat in front of his home overnight.

Philadelphia Police officers responded to the 3300 block of Agate Street in the city's Port Richmond section after reports of a shooting around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“They found a 37-year-old male victim sitting on the front steps of a private residence… suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the face and head,” said police Chief Inspector Scott Small.

Medics pronounced the man dead a short time later.

“We’re not sure who he was with or when he was shot,” Small said.

Small said that the man lived in the home.

Investigators planned to examine nearby surveillance footage in hopes of figuring out who shot the man.

Police gave no motive for the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact Philadelphia Police.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Lottery Dreams Help Older People

0
0

NBC10's Jesse Gary is one of the many dreaming of hitting the mega Powerball jackpot. But as many of us dream, Gary reminds us that funds from the lottery help older Pennsylvanians.

NBC10 Forecast: Possible Showers

0
0

NBC10 First Alert Weather meteorologist Bill Henley has the forecast

Philly Plane Threat Unfounded

0
0

A plane from Ireland landed in Philadelphia after an "unsubstantiated" threat, according to Philadelphia police. But after investigating, federal agents and local police said the threat was unfounded.

As a precaution, the plane was taken to a remote area of the airport so that Philadelphia police and Homeland Security could search passengers and luggage.

"Once we landed, all of a sudden we saw all these cop cars," said Molly Cross, one of the passengers. "An FBI agent got on the plane and told us that someone made a bomb threat or something like that."

A bomb threat was called in to the Philadelphia Airport by an unknown male, according to sources close to the investigation who did not want to be named because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

This was not an emergency landing. US Air Flight #777 took off this morning from Shannon, Ireland and was scheduled to arrive at Philadelphia International at 2:05 p.m. According to the airline's website, the flight landed at 1:58 p.m.

"We were aware of a possible security issue with the flight and out of an abundance of caution taxied the aircraft to a remote location, where it was met by law enforcement and emergency personnel," said Davien Anderson, a spokesperson for U.S. Airways.

All 171 passengers and 8 crew members were escorted off the plane and loaded onto buses. They were taken to a secure area and screened as well as interviewed. Luggage was also removed and screened. Bomb-sniffing dogs went through the plane, which is standard procedure.

"They got everyone off," Cross said. "They got buses and everything and the dog sniffed our bags. We got interviewed. They just asked basic questions, like how long I was there."

All inbound flights were temporarily delayed during the investigation, according to Victoria Lupica, a spokeswoman for the airport.

When a threat like this occurs, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers alert the FBI and Homeland Security first. The FBI then calls in the Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is made up of multiple government agencies as well as local and state police, to help with the investigation.

The last time federal agents responded like this at Philly International Airport was in September of 2012 when a Philadelphia man called in a fake report about explosives on a flight headed to Texas. The plane was turned around and brought back to Philadelphia. Kenneth Smith eventually pleaded guilty to charges including giving malicious, false information about an explosive. He had to write a letter of apology to every person on the plane.

More NBC10.com stories:

 



Photo Credit: NBC10
Viewing all 60435 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images