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Philly Man in Court for Neglecting Horses

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Derrick Hamm is accused of animal crulety after the SPCA seized his horses from a lot on Grays Avenue.

Uber Driver Busted for Fondling Self: Police

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Police down the Jersey Shore charged an Uber driver who they say got into the back seat of his black car and inappropriately touched himself during a ride over Memorial Day Weekend.

Avalon Police became aware of the caught-on-camera incident after a seasonal resident reported rideshare driver's alleged actions. The woman apparently captured part of the incident on her cellphone.

The driver got into the back seat and began to fondle himself through his clothing, said investigators.

On Tuesday, police announced the arrest of Northeast Philadelphia's Nayal Salem. Police charged the 57-year-old with lewdness, false imprisonment and harassment "after the woman claimed she could not open the rear door of his vehicle to exit."

Earlier, Uber said the driver was no longer driving for the service. They added that he was licensed to operate in Philadelphia by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, not in New Jersey.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Dear Pope Francis... Please Come to Our School

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A Philadelphia Catholic school used its students talents to push for Pope Francis to visit while he is in Philadelphia later this year.

A YouTube video released St. Joseph's Prep Crimson Filmmaking Club uses fancy shots of the Philadelphia skyline and the Catholic school over music to hopefully get the attention of the Pope.

"We're inviting you Pope Francis," say a series of scenes feature The Prep students. "we're opening up our doors to you Pope Francis to meet hundreds of Jesuit high school from all across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada here at our home, St. Joe's Prep, the Jesuit high school of Philadelphia," says a student from the all boys school.

The video, which also features co-ed students in front of the Church of Gesu, plays to the Jesuit roots of the pontiff by playing off all the young people making the pilgrimage to Philly for the "2Philly4Francis" campaign.

Will it work? Find out in September when the Pope is in Philly for the World Meeting of Families.



Photo Credit: YouTube
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I-95 Near County Line Reopens After Crash

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Interstate 95 near the Bucks County/Philadelphia border reopened Tuesday afternoon following a serious crash.

The wreck around 11:45 a.m. closed the northbound lanes between Exit 32 (Academy Road) and Exit 35 Woodhaven Road (Route 63).

No word on possible injuries.

A short time after the wreck, investigators could be seen investigating a badly damaged sport utility vehicle that came to a rest perpendicular to the roadway.

Passenger Jumps Out of Taxi, Shoots Man

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A guy got out of a taxicab and shot a man along a Philadelphia street Tuesday morning.

The passenger exited the taxi at Palm and Ogden streets in West Philadelphia around 10:45 and shot a man in his 20s two times in the torso, said Philadelphia Police.

After the shooting the shooter got back into the brown taxi and fled the scene, said witnesses.

Medics rushed the victim to Presbyterian Hospital where he remained in critical condition Tuesday afternoon, said police.

Nearby school Belmont Academy was temporarily placed on lockdown as police searched for clues.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Philadelphia Police.

The Heat Is Coming

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Things are heating up with another hot and humid day with temperatures in the low 90's.

‘Chasing a Ghost’: Reward Upped in Missing Mom Case

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Authorities have increased a reward for information leading to an arrest in the abduction of a Delaware mother nearly a year ago.

The FBI and New Castle County Police said Tuesday they’re launching a media blitz with hope of drumming up new leads in the disappearance of Nefertiri Trader. The mother of three, called Neffe by family, was last seen being pulled from her Freedom Trail porch and into her silver 2000 Acura RL around 4 a.m. on June 30, 2014. The witness, a neighbor, didn’t report what he had seen until hours later after a missing persons report was filed by Trader’s family.

Since her believed kidnapping, police and federal investigators have followed up on a number of leads, but none have panned out. A $10,000 reward was announced in February and that number was increased by $20,000 Tuesday with the addition of funds from the FBI. Special Agent-in-Charge Steve Vogt hopes the additional money will entice people to come forward as the anniversary nears.

“We’re looking for any member of the public, just do the right thing,” Vogt said.

Corey Trader, the victim’s cousin, said a number of people have reached out to the family claiming she had been abducted by a gang or sold into sex slavery, but they believe it’s just people sharing rumors instead of providing real details.

“It’s like we’re chasing a ghost,” Corey Trader said adding that the family would like closure. “The pain is unbearable. I told my family I’m not going to shed a tear today because I’m mad.”

Since his cousin’s car was taken as part of the abduction, Corey Trader also asked people who own land in the area or hike in wooded areas to keep their eye peeled for her car.

Billboards featuring Nefertiri Trader’s photo and reward information are being posted along the Interstate 95 corridor between Connecticut and Maryland starting Tuesday as part of the renewed effort.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI tipline at 800.CALL.FBI or New Castle County Police at 302.573.2800.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Delivery Driver Dies After Being Shot Point-Blank

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A delivery driver died after being shot at point-blank range outside a Yeadon, Pennsylvania warehouse Tuesday morning, the town's mayor said.

Thomas Childs, 63 of Aston, was found by a co-worker next to a truck at Ridgeway Industries, part of the Yeadon Industrial Park, along the 6200 block of Baltimore Avenue around 3:45 a.m., Yeadon Mayor Rohan Hepkins said.

The witness said he saw suspicious activity before finding the Childs' body, according to Hepkins. He provided a description of the suspect to police.

"He was cold bloodily executed at point blank range last night and he should not have lost his life," Hepkins said.

Authorities believe the driver may have been killed in a botched robbery, but say the investigation remains fluid.

Detectives from the Delaware County District Attorney's Office and Yeadon Police spent Tuesday afternoon searching Fernwood Cemetery — across the street from the shooting scene — looking for evidence.

The suspect is described as a 22-to-24-year-old man who stands 5-foot-4-inches tall, weighs 180 pounds and has a slight mustache. He was wearing a light gray hoodie. Anyone with information is asked to call Yeadon Police at 610.623.1500.


Police Question Montco Bank Heist Suspect

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Police converged on a Norristown apartment complex Tuesday afternoon in an effort to capture a man wanted in connection with a gunpoint robbery at a Plymouth Meeting bank last week.

Plymouth Township police confirmed that officers went to the Curren Terrace Apartments, on New Hope Street near Fornance, to serve a warrant on the bank-robbery suspect. Police closed off the area and directed traffic around the scene for a short period of time while they served the warrant.

The suspect was taken in for questioning, police said, but has not been charged with the robbery.

In the June 3 heist, the armed robber walked into a Bank of America branch on Plymouth Road near Irwins Lane shortly before 4 p.m. and brandished a black handgun, the FBI said. He handed the teller a demand note and obtained an undisclosed amount of cash, and then turned as he was leaving the bank and fired a single shot toward the teller windows, according to authorities. No one was injured, and the robber fled.



Photo Credit: FBI

Roofer's Blowtorch Causes Massive Row Home Fire

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A roofer’s blowtorch caused a massive fire that damaged at least 20 homes in Hamilton Township, New Jersey on Monday, according to police. The fire has been ruled accidental.

The fire started on the 1700 block of East State Street Monday afternoon and spread to at least 20 row homes, causing serious damage to 15.

Strong winds caused the fire to quickly spread from home to home, investigators said.

"It moved fast," said Hamilton Township Fire Chief Thomas Gribben. "We ran out of personnel very quickly. We couldn't get them on scene fast enough. That's how fast it was running."

The fire started on the roof of one of the homes where work was being done. The blowtorch was propane-based, which is commonly used on the types of roofs associated with row homes.

Around 175 firefighters responded to the 6-alarm blaze and were eventually able to bring the flames under control. The block was evacuated as residents helped their fellow neighbors.

"Someone knocked on the door and said, 'Come out! The house is on fire,'" said Alice Leach, one of the residents.

No one was hurt in the fire.

The Red Cross was assisting displaced residents, many of whom lost everything.

"It can be replaced," Leach said. "I'm just thankful that I have my life."


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Customer: Hertz Mistake Nearly Cost Me $11K

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An Atlanta man is speaking out after he says a mistake from an employee at a Philadelphia Hertz rental car location nearly cost him $11,000.

Chad Oliver says the ordeal began the morning of May 11 when he returned his rental car to the Hertz location at the Philadelphia International Airport after a trip in Philly.

“I was running late for my flight that morning,” Oliver said. “I called the Philly airport location to ask to see if I could park the car at the airport parking deck.”

According to Oliver, a woman working at the store told him he could leave the car at the parking deck though there would be additional charges, to which he agreed.

“When I landed back home I got a call from Hertz asking about the rental,” Oliver said. “I told them again specifically where the car was. The lady said, ‘Okay, thanks, we will go get it.’”

Oliver forgot about the incident until 28 days later when he received a call from Hertz’s recovery corporate office stating his rental car still had not been returned.

“I tell everything I explained twice to the Philly location,” Oliver said. “I even emailed a picture of the car and the spot it was parked. Within 18 hours the car was returned.”

Yet Oliver says the situation grew far worse when he discovered the company had charged his debit card $11,000 without his authorization.

“It’s insane,” Oliver said. “How can a company like you not even contact me when the car was not returned within 10 days? You waited 28 days to contact me.”

Oliver posted his story on the Hertz Facebook page on Friday, stating he believed the employee he initially spoke with forgot about his rental car and was trying to cover up the mistake.

“During that phone call the lady at Hertz I believe now is trying to cover up her mess up and forgot to go get the car or just swept it under the rug,” he said. “Don’t you think if the car was gone for more than five to ten days somebody would have contacted me? Instead of waiting 28 days. Something unlawful is going on here and charging me $11,000 without my authorization is unethical business practices from such a company.”

Within a half hour after he posted his story on their Facebook page, an employee with Hertz replied, sparking a long public exchange. After several back and forth replies, a Hertz employee wrote to Oliver on Sunday that the company was unable to refund him.

“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused,” the employee wrote. “As advised, we're unable to offer any refund. You will not be contacted by the manager. This has been reviewed by upper management and it has been decided no compensation is due.”

“Then why did you tell me a regional manager would contact me?” Oliver replied. “Then now all of a sudden ‘nope, nobody is contacting me.’ Hertz you lied straight to me. It would have been nice to actually speak to somebody instead of getting a notification via Facebook. What happened to emails or getting a phone call?”

Finally on Tuesday, Oliver announced he had been fully refunded.

“They just credited me back fully,” Oliver wrote. “Because this blew up. Thank you everybody. Cheers to the new age. I’m tired. Logging off for a while.”

NBC10 reached out to a Hertz spokesperson for a statement. The spokesperson said they would look into the matter and would get back to us with an update.
 

S Philly Horse Owner Guilty of Animal Cruelty

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A South Philadelphia man accused of neglecting his horses learned his fate in court Tuesday. A judge found Derrick Hamm guilty of three counts of animal cruelty. Hamm was ordered to pay $4476.16 in restitution and must forfeit his horses to the SPCA. He also isn't allowed to own any animals for 270 days.

Last April a viewer tipped NBC10 off about Hamm's three horses that were being kept in a lot along the 5500 block of Grays Avenue.

NBC10 reached out to SPCA officials who discovered the horses living in a lot with a crumbling shed in the back and fecal matter on the ground.

“The back of the building is pretty well-blown out,” said George Bengal of the SPCA. “I think there are some L&I violations there. It looks like it’s ready to fall down.”

Hamm told NBC10 he had bought the horses because he wanted to start a riding school for children in his neighborhood.

“I enjoy it so I’m trying to give back to the community,” Hamm said. “Keep them off the street and give them something to do. Something positive.”

SPCA officials say the horses were malnourished when Hamm bought them but were in better shape after they were placed in his care. The real problems however were the deplorable living conditions.

“No grass, no hay, no anything,” said Nikki Millard, a Southwest Philly resident. “When it rains they’re out in the rain.”

Hamm admitted he was behind when it came to caring for the horses and said he needed help. He also told NBC10 he understood why the SPCA believed the living conditions were unsuitable.

“I understand,” Hamm said. “I agree with them. But like I said, if somebody could help we can get it done tonight.”

The SPCA initially said Hamm would be able to keep the horses if he found a suitable home for them that met their standards. On Monday Hamm reached out to NBC10 and claimed the SPCA didn't give him enough time to do that.

"I do the best I can," he wrote. "I take care of those horses. Everyone goes through tough times. They didn't give me enough time to make the fixes. I just feel like the news and SPCA are out to get me. I just want my horses back."

The horses are now in the possession of the SPCA who will medically evaluate and treat them. The animals will then either go to a Horse Rescue or the SPCA's Danville location. 



Photo Credit: NBC10

NBC10 First Alert Weather: Heat Returns

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It's going to be less humid and the 90 degree weather is expected to return. There is also a possibility for storms later in the week. NBC10 chief meteorologist Glenn "Hurricane" Schwartz has your full 7-day forecast.

Actor Loses Leg After Philadelphia Hit-Run

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A 68-year-old stage actor suffered serious injuries in an overnight hit-and-run in Center City Philadelphia, police said Tuesday.

Michael Toner was mid-block near 11th and Market streets about 1 a.m. when a car struck him and fled the scene, Capt. John Wilczynski of Philadelphia Police Accident Investigation said. Toner is in critical condition, police said, and one of his legs has been amputated as a result of his injuries.

Toner recently wrapped up a show at the Amaryllis Theater Company. He was set to begin rehearsals soon for a touring show with the Walnut Street Theater.

Police on Tuesday afternoon did not have a description of the vehicle that struck Toner, and had not found any witnesses. Accident Investigation officers were checking the area for cameras and asking the public for help tracking down the driver who hurt the actor.

Police were expected to hold a news conference at 2 p.m. about the hit-run.

Anyone with information on the hit-run is asked to call Philadelphia Police Accident Investigation at 215-685-3180.

Editor's note: Initial reports said Toner is blind. He is not blind, but recently played a blind character on stage.



Photo Credit: Amaryllis Theater Company

Federal Advisory: Tighten Train Speed Controls

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On the heels of a Federal Railroad Administration safety advisory issued Tuesday recommending a series of safety measures in the wake of the deadly Amtrak train derailment in Philadelphia, an attorney representing one of the victims of the crash said the recommendations state the obvious.

"Tragically, there is not one recommendation today among the patchwork of recommendations made by the FRA which was not glaringly obvious and available to Amtrak on May 12, 2015," said attorney Tom Kline, who filed a lawsuit on behalf of a woman injured in the derailment. "The recommendations demonstrate how far we have to go to achieve a true measure of safety on the northeast corridor and on the rail lines in America."

Kline said "it's a long struggle" for his client, who he said has asked that her name not be publicized.

The FRA safety advisory issued Tuesday came four weeks after Amtrak Train 188 derailed at Frankford Junction in Philadelphia, killing eight people and injuring dozens more. The advisory recommends that passenger railroads implement a series of measures to keep trains safe and in compliance with speed-limit regulations.

In a phone interview Tuesday with NBC10 Investigators reporter Mitch Blacher, Acting FRA Administrator Sarah Feinberg said the advisory is the FRA's "strongest recommendation" for passenger railroads.

The FRA urged railroads to immediately take a number of steps to ensure safety and speed compliance, including identifying track locations at which there is a speed reduction of more than 20 mph approaching a hazardous curve or bridge and monitoring automatic train control systems where they exist to ensure speed-limit compliance.

The administration recommended that for railroads not using automatic train control, all passenger train movements through locations identified as potentially hazardous for speed should be made with a second crew member in the cab with the engineer, or with constant communication between he engineer and a crew member somewhere on the train.

The FRA also advised that passenger railroads install additional signs along tracks to advise train engineers and conductors of the maximum speed, especially in identified speed-reduction areas.

An investigation into Train 188's May 12 derailment in Philadelphia has found that the train was traveling 106 mph on the curve at Frankford Junction -- 56 mph higher than the 50-mph speed restriction at the curve.

Feinberg told NBC10 that automatic train control, a speed-control mechanism, was activated on the portion of Northeast Corridor tracks where Train 188 derailed, but that it was only activated on the southbound tracks, where the speed limit going into the curve is 110 mph -- 30 mph higher than the speed restriction of 80 mph on the northbound track approaching the curve.

Amtrak 188 Engineer Brandon Bostian has told investigators that he has no recollection of the crash.

"Amtrak would have had to predict the engineer would be going into the curve at that speed," Feinberg said when asked why automatic train control was not activated on the northbound tracks as it was on those headed south.

In the wake of the Philadelphia derailment, the FRA issued an emergency order requiring Amtrak to immediately implement code changes to its automatic train control system along the Northeast Corridor to enforce the speed limit at the Frankford Junction curve.

The order also compelled Amtrak to identify every curve on its Northeast Corridor where there was a reduction of more than 20 mph in speed limit and to begin installing addition signage along tracks at curves.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Amtrak said it would review the FRA's safety advisory and take steps to implement any applicable safety measures. Amtrak also said directives issued in the FRA's emergency order after the derailment were immediately implemented and that the rail company is working on a detailed response to the emergency order.

"Amtrak's overarching goal is to provide safe and secure passenger rail travel," the statement read in part.

Amtrak Train 188's derailment in Philadelphia was the second fatal passenger-train derailment in which speed played a factor in 18 months, according to the FRA advisory.

In December 2013, a New York State Metropolitan Transit Authority Metro-North train derailed as it approached the Spuyten Duyvil Station in the Bronx. A National Transportation Safety Board investigation into that derailment found that the train had been traveling 82 mph as it entered a curve with a speed limit of 30 mph. Four people died an at least 61 were injured, according to the FRA.

"FRA recognizes that passenger rail transportation is generally extremely safe," the FRA advisory reads in part. "However, these two recent accidents, which both involved overspeed events and resulted in numerous passenger fatalities, highlight the need to remain vigilant in ensuring employee compliance with operational speed limits and restrictions for passenger trains."

Feinberg said the FRA will also enforce the Dec. 31, 2015 deadline mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 for all passenger railroads operating intercity and commuter service to implement positive train control systems to monitor and control train movements. She said that positive train control systems are expensive to implement, adding, "We've asked Congress many times for funding for railroads" to install it.

She said $825 million in funding has been requested for installation of positive train control systems.

"I don't know how much louder I can be in my call to action than sitting in front of Congress and asking for" the funding, Feinberg said, referring to last week's Congressional hearing on Amtrak 188 and rail safety.

Feinberg noted that, although speed played a role in both the Philadelphia and New York deadly derailments, the FRA has not found a major issue with speed overall on passenger rail lines.

"Engineers and crews tend to follow the speed limit," she said. "Automatic train control is just another backstop."



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Police Investigate 2 Separate Philly Sex Assaults

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Police are investigating two separate sex assaults that occurred Friday and Saturday in Philadelphia.

The first incident occurred Friday at 1:40 a.m. in West Philadelphia. A 26-year-old woman told police she was walking in the area of 60th and Market streets when she was knocked to the ground and sexually assaulted by an unidentified man. The man stole her phone, ID and $70,000 in cash before fleeing the scene, police said.

Police did not release a detailed description of the suspect but say he is around 5-foot-8.

The second incident occurred Saturday at 1:30 a.m. in Northern Liberties. A 28-year-old woman told police she was walking on the 700 block of North 3rd Street when an unidentified man sitting on a bench lunged at her and grabbed her from behind, physically assaulted her and tore at her undergarments, ripping her dress and tearing her bra in two. The woman fought back and screamed causing the suspect to flee on foot, police said.

The suspect is described as a muscular man in his mid-30’s standing between 5-foot-10 and 6-feet. Police say he was wearing light brown or khaki pants as well as a dark-colored sweatshirt.

Police don’t believe the two incidents are related. If you have any details on either incident, please call Philadelphia police.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Volunteers Rebuild Vet's Home

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A team of volunteers is honoring the memory of a World War II veteran by rebuilding his house in North Philly. NBC10's Drew Smith has more.

Police Arrest Suspects After Chase in Philly

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Two suspects are in custody after they allegedly led police on a wild chase from Bensalem to Philadelphia.

The two unidentified suspects were wanted in Bensalem for allegedly crashing into several police vehicles. Police say they drove along I-95 into the Philadelphia area and stopped on the 4700 block of Tackawanna Street around 9 p.m. They then fled on foot and were quickly apprehended.

Police have not yet identified the suspects. No one was hurt during the incident.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

Amtrak Train Stops After Crew Works Too Many Hours

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An Amtrak train heading for Washington, D.C., was stopped in Delaware for more than one hour due to crews working too many hours during the day.

The Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 193 was traveling from New York to Washington, making stops in Philadelphia and Delaware.

"The train left Philadelphia on time at 7:10 p.m. and Wilmington on time," said Susan Poulton, one of the passengers. "And then it came to a complete stop right before the Newark, Delaware stop. After 10 minutes, the conductor announced that the crew had worked a 12-hour shift and had "run out of hours" and had to wait on another crew to relieve them."

Poulton told NBC Philadelphia she was on a southbound Northeast Regional train that left Philadelphia on the same night and time as the Amtrak train involved in the deadly derailment last month. That accident weighed heavily on her mind and the minds of other passengers Tuesday night, according to Poulton.

"About 30 minutes in, we heard a train horn behind us (I'm in the last car) and another southbound train passed us on the left," she said. "There were a couple of nervous looks around the train feeling like sitting ducks in the track. Then another train passed, then another."

An Amtrak official confirmed with NBC10 the train was stopped due to the crew members "exceeding the limit of hours of service." The official called it an "administrative mistake" that was "extremely rare." He also said Amtrak will investigate the incident.

The train remained in Delaware for an hour and 12 minutes until a replacement crew arrived. The train then continued towards Washington, D.C., and arrived at Union Station around 10:20 p.m.

Car Overturns in Boulevard Crash

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At least one vehicle overturned in a crash on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia Tuesday night.

The accident occurred in the southbound lanes of the Boulevard near the Fox Street exit around 9:30 p.m.

Officials have not yet revealed whether anyone was injured in the accident. Crews are responding to the scene.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.
 



Photo Credit: NBC10.com
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