Preparedness
Plumber’s Bank Transactions Unveil Murders in Unexpected Twist
A peculiar detail in banking transactions was the telltale clue that led California law enforcement officers to potentially link a plumber to a murder case. Rotherie Durell Foster, 38, already incarcerated on suspicion of a different murder, is now faced with charges related to the death of a former client, a case previously thought to be due to natural causes.
Foster, a resident of Camarillo, was initially apprehended for the alleged murder of José Antonio Velásquez, a fellow plumber who disappeared in July 2022. Velásquez’s remains were uncovered several months later in the Santa Monica mountains, as reported by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office.
“Potential for murder for financial gain.”
Prosecutors have leveled accusations against Foster for using a firearm to “violently” procure Velásquez’s financial data. This, they claim, allowed him to illicitly purchase gas, clothes, and food with the pilfered funds.
While building a case against Foster for this crime, the detectives spotted an interesting connection with the death of an elderly man whose remains were discovered on January 10, 2022.
Bill Dean Levy, a 72-year-old man from Granada Hills, was found deceased in his home. At the time, the death wasn’t deemed suspicious and no autopsy was performed. Levy’s death was chalked up to natural causes and he was laid to rest.
However, the narrative shifted when investigators noted multiple payments from Levy to Foster via bank transactions. Intriguingly, these payments were dated January 11, one day after Levy’s death.
This peculiar detail triggered an alarm for the police, who suspected these payments could be a pattern akin to those made posthumously by Velásquez, or as it was labeled, “potential for murder for financial gain.”
Further investigation revealed that Foster had been hired for plumbing jobs at Levy’s residence on several occasions. To confirm whether another homicide had occurred, authorities decided to exhume Levy’s remains.
The ensuing examination by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office discovered that Levy had died from exposure to fentanyl, not natural causes as initially believed. Consequently, his cause of death was changed to homicide.
Presented with this and additional evidence, authorities have charged Foster in connection with Levy’s death. Police are currently probing other dubious bank transactions from another Los Angeles resident to Foster. He’s also facing charges related to an armed robbery of a convenience store in July 2022.
Foster’s list of charges is extensive, with 33 felony counts, including first-degree murder, murder during a burglary, identity theft, and forgery.
He has a prior conviction from his juvenile years for involuntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon. Officials shared that he was sentenced to a 21-year prison term, but it remains unclear how much of this he actually served.
Levy, who lived alone, had bequeathed his entire estate to several charities, including the American Heart Association and Children’s Hospital.
The video news report about the case is available on KTLA-TV.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Preparedness
Concealed Carrier Defends Against Alleged Threat in Road Rage Incident
A recent road rage incident in Illinois escalated to gunfire when a concealed-carrying motorist felt threatened by an approaching individual. The confrontation unfolded at the intersection of Busey Avenue and Park Street in Urbana, drawing a swift response from local police.
The altercation began as a verbal dispute between a man driving alone and a couple in another vehicle. Tensions rose when the solo driver attempted to distance himself from the pursuing pair by pulling into a hospital emergency room parking lot before exiting onto Park Street.
As the situation intensified, the couple continued their pursuit, stopping their car at Park Street. The female driver armed herself with a baseball bat, while her male passenger approached the lone motorist.
The solo driver, who held a concealed-carry permit, reported that the approaching male appeared to have his hand under his shirt, suggesting he might be armed. In response, the driver drew his legally concealed firearm and fired multiple shots, striking the male passenger.
Following the shooting, the driver promptly called 911 to report the incident. The injured male was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery and was placed in intensive care.
Authorities are actively investigating the incident, and no arrests have been made at this time. The police encourage anyone with information to come forward, offering options for private discussions or anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
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Preparedness
Mom’s Bold Confrontation Sparks Gunfire at Popeyes Showdown
In Jacksonville, Florida, a mother took matters into her own hands to confront an 18-year-old man who was allegedly engaging in inappropriate text exchanges with her 13-year-old daughter. The confrontation, which took place at a local Popeyes restaurant, escalated dramatically and ended with the suspect being shot.
According to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Chief of Investigations Alan Parker, the suspect, Cerry Rodriques Banks, had been involved in “an inappropriate text relationship with a 13-year-old female.” Upon discovering these communications, the girl’s mother decided to intervene directly. She assumed her daughter’s identity by using her phone to communicate with Banks, setting up a meeting with him at the restaurant early on a Sunday morning.
When Banks arrived, he was expecting to meet the young girl but was instead confronted by the mother, her daughter, and her 11-year-old son. During the encounter, Banks allegedly pulled out a gun and ominously warned the mother, “When you hear the shots tonight, you know what’s up.”
The mother quickly ushered her children into the safety of the Popeyes and alerted the authorities. Despite having the opportunity to leave the scene, Banks remained outside the restaurant. When police officers arrived, they instructed Banks to “turn around and show his hands,” but he ignored the commands and attempted to flee.
“As the officer reaches the corner of the business, he observes the suspect pull the pistol from his waistband,” Parker explained. The officer, who has seven years of experience, ordered Banks to drop the weapon. When Banks did not comply, the officer fired, hitting Banks multiple times.
“The suspect continues to flee and, near a neighboring business, drops the gun,” Parker added. Banks managed to escape temporarily but was later captured in a drainage tunnel with the help of a K-9 unit. He sustained injuries to his hand, torso, and possibly his leg, and was provided medical care before being transported to a hospital.
Authorities recovered the firearm, which had not been discharged during the incident. Banks now faces several charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, lewd and lascivious conduct, unlawful use of a communication device, and traveling to meet a minor for illicit purposes.
Jacksonville Sheriff T. K. Waters acknowledged the mother’s concern for her daughter but emphasized that such situations should be handled by law enforcement. “We’d absolutely love to handle every situation, but this is a mother who’s concerned about her daughter. So, I get it, I understand,” Waters stated. “But, I would say that in most cases, in situations like that, call us and let us come out and deal with the situation, so it doesn’t unfold like this.”
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Preparedness
Concealed-Carry Motorcyclist Defends Against Hammer-Wielding Aggressor
A concealed-carry motorcyclist was involved in a fatal incident in Maryland last week, which police have described as a road-rage confrontation. The motorcyclist, a 22-year-old with a valid Maryland concealed handgun carry permit, was traveling near Maryland Route 10 and Furnace Branch Road when he encountered an aggressive driver.
According to reports, the motorcyclist noticed another vehicle tailgating him and behaving erratically. The situation escalated when the driver, identified as 51-year-old Scott David Guhse, pulled alongside the motorcyclist, shouting at him. The two nearly collided during the encounter.
Anne Arundel County police spokesman Justin Mulcahy explained, “At a certain point, he was sort of forced off the road, and then stopped. He ultimately had to lay down his bike.” The confrontation reached a critical point when both individuals stopped on East Furnace Branch Road at Margate Drive.
It was there that Guhse allegedly charged at the motorcyclist with a hammer. In response, the motorcyclist drew his handgun and fired, resulting in Guhse’s death at the scene, according to fire officials. The motorcyclist remained at the scene following the incident, cooperating with authorities.
“I heard a pop. I thought it sounded like gunfire,” Hyung Chang, owner of Against Our Odds Vape Shop in Glen Burnie, recounted. “Ten to 15 minutes later, started having police and everything show up.”
Chang remarked on the frequency of such incidents in the area, noting, “It’s unfortunate,” and adding that he witnesses similar altercations at least once a month. “People have to learn to tone things down a little bit and not take things so personal,” he advised.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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