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:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Preparedness
Lawnmower Escape Fails: Bodycam Captures Bizarre Police Pursuit
Recently released bodycam footage reveals a peculiar incident involving a Michigan man who attempted to evade law enforcement on a riding lawn mower. The footage captures the unusual chase and subsequent events that unfolded when the suspect, James Mitchell Kerr, was approached by authorities.
On September 19, officers were dispatched to a residence in Leoni Township with the intention of arresting Kerr, who had multiple outstanding warrants. Upon arriving, the deputy found the 41-year-old suspect operating a riding lawn mower. Despite being ordered to dismount, Kerr allegedly refused to comply.
In a surprising turn, Kerr reportedly accelerated the mower toward the deputy before attempting to flee. The chase, while unconventional, saw the mower eventually come to a halt in a ditch. Even then, Kerr allegedly ignored commands to surrender.
The situation escalated further when Kerr returned to his mower, retrieved a concealed handgun, and aimed it at the deputy. In response, the officer deployed a stun gun, successfully striking Kerr. This action inadvertently caused Kerr to discharge his weapon, resulting in a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his hand.
Kerr was subsequently treated for his injury at a local hospital and later released. Fortunately, the deputy emerged from the incident unharmed.
“This incident underscores how rapidly a seemingly routine encounter can escalate and the potential dangers deputies face daily,” remarked the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. “Thankfully, the deputy was unharmed, and the suspect did not sustain serious injuries.”
Following his medical clearance, Kerr was arrested and released on bail. The case prompted Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette to request an independent investigation by the Michigan State Police, alongside an internal review by the sheriff’s office. The internal investigation concluded that there were no policy violations during the incident.
In October, Kerr faced formal charges and was bound over for trial in circuit court. He remains in custody at the Jackson County Jail, awaiting further legal proceedings.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Preparedness
Unprovoked NYC Stabbing Spree Sparks Safety Concerns
A shocking series of stabbings unfolded in New York City, leading to the deaths of three individuals. The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Ramon Rivera, has a history of multiple arrests and is currently homeless. His arrest came after a cab driver, who witnessed one of the attacks, notified the authorities.
The victims were simply going about their daily routines when they were attacked without warning. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny stated, “Today, we have three innocent New Yorkers, just going about their lives, who were the victim of a terrible, terrible assault.”
The violent spree began at approximately 8:20 a.m. on 19th Street. A 36-year-old man was stabbed in the stomach while standing in front of a construction site. Despite being rushed to Bellevue Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
Just two hours later, another attack occurred on 30th Street near the East River. This time, a 68-year-old man who was fishing was repeatedly stabbed. Unfortunately, he also did not survive, passing away at the same hospital.
The final victim, a 36-year-old woman, was attacked near the United Nations building on East 42nd Street and First Avenue. She was critically injured and taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she later died.
Kenny emphasized the seemingly random nature of these brutal acts, saying, “As of right now, these attacks seemed to be unprovoked. That he just walked up to them and began to attack them with the knives.”
The suspect was apprehended shortly after the third attack. A cab driver, who witnessed the incident, mistakenly thought he was observing a robbery and reported it to the police. Rivera was found with large kitchen knives and blood-stained clothing.
An officer involved in Rivera’s arrest described the scene: “I just heard a commotion. Stepped outside and heard what people were saying and reacted.”
Mayor Eric Adams highlighted systemic issues, describing the incidents as a “clear, clear example of the criminal justice system, mental health system that continues to fail New Yorkers.” The investigation is ongoing, with no additional suspects identified at this time.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Preparedness
Gunfire Strikes Plane at Dallas Airport: Security Concerns Rise
A recent incident at Dallas Love Field has raised significant concerns about aviation security after a bullet struck a Southwest Airlines plane near the cockpit while it was taxiing for takeoff. The unexpected event forced an evacuation of the flight, and authorities are actively searching for the person responsible for the gunfire.
“The fact that it hit so very close to the cockpit seems too much of a coincidence,” noted an airport spokesperson.
Flight 2494, which was preparing for departure to Indianapolis, was hit around 8:30 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The plane returned to the gate where passengers disembarked, and fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The runway was temporarily closed as police conducted their investigation. An FBI airport liaison agent has been assigned to collaborate with police and federal partners to ensure a thorough investigation.
Shannon and Jamie Lee, who were on the flight with their children, shared their experience. They recalled the pilot announcing a “rattle outside of the plane” and the need to return to the gate for an inspection. Initially, they believed it was a routine mechanical issue.
Shannon Lee expressed surprise upon learning about the gunfire after landing in Indianapolis, saying, “We had no idea that something happened.”
The couple appreciated Southwest’s handling of the situation but felt passengers should have been informed about the shooting before boarding another flight. Jamie Lee remarked, “I was surprised that they had shut the runway, not really knowing if there were potentially other shots being fired.”
The Lees emphasized the importance of allowing passengers to decide on their safety, with Shannon Lee stating, “You have to give people a choice, whether they want to put their safety at risk a second time in one night.”
Southwest Airlines has since apologized to the Lees and offered a voucher for a future flight. The incident has prompted the Lees to reconsider their travel plans until more is known about the investigation and potential safety improvements.
Armen Kurdian, a retired Navy captain, expressed shock at the incident, saying, “Holy cow, somebody just shot a gun, and it hit a commercial aircraft!” He explained that investigators would focus on determining the bullet’s origin and whether the shot was intentional.
The proximity to the cockpit raises questions about whether it was a targeted attack, as Kurdian noted, “The odds of that happening, I think, got to be really, really high.”
Kurdian also highlighted the potential damage a bullet could cause to an aircraft, ranging from minor issues to more severe impacts on critical systems. Despite the backup systems in place, he acknowledged the security vulnerability this incident exposes.
“Did this put an idea into, say, a non-state or a state actor as, ‘Oh, maybe this is something we can do to disrupt air travel’?” Kurdian pondered.
He suggested that airports and agencies should consider enhanced security measures, such as random sweeps and physical barriers, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
-
Preparedness4 months ago
Ex-Ballerina’s Guilty Verdict Sends Tremors Through Gun-Owner Community
-
Tactical7 months ago
70-Year-Old Fends Off Intruder with Lead-Powered Message
-
Tactical7 months ago
Vape Shop Employee Confronts Armed Crooks, Sends Them Running
-
Preparedness2 months ago
Good Samaritan Saves Trooper in Harrowing Interstate Confrontation
-
Survival Stories1 year ago
Emily’s 30-Day Experience of Being Stranded on a Desert Island
-
Tactical7 months ago
Midnight SUV Theft Interrupted by Armed Homeowner’s Retaliation
-
Preparedness2 months ago
Arizona Engineer’s Headless Body Found in Desert: Friend Charged
-
Preparedness2 months ago
Boy Saves Dad from Bear Attack with One Perfect Shot