Category: Crime & Public Safety

Vermont Police Officer, 19, Dies in Crash With Burglary Suspect She Was Chasing

RUTLAND, Vt.—A Vermont police officer was killed and two other officers were injured when a burglary suspect crashed into two police cruisers pursuing him, Vermont State Police said. Rutland City Police Officer Jessica Ebbighausen, 19, was killed on Friday afternoon. The crash happened as police chased a vehicle driven by Tate Rheaume, 20, a suspect…


A Vermont Police Officer, Aged 19, Died in a Crash With a Burglary Suspect She Was Chasing

RUTLAND, Vt.—A Vermont police officer was killed and two other officers were injured when a burglary suspect crashed into two police cruisers pursuing him, Vermont State Police said. Rutland City Police Officer Jessica Ebbighausen, 19, was killed on Friday afternoon. The crash happened as police chased a vehicle driven by Tate Rheaume, 20, a suspect…


6 Killed When Small Plane Crashes, Bursts Into Flames in Field Near Southern California Airport

MURRIETA, Calif.—Six people were killed when a small plane crashed and burst into flames in a field during the second of two landing attempts in fog at a Southern California airport before dawn Saturday, authorities said. The crash of the Cessna C550 business jet occurred around 4:15 a.m. in Murrieta, about 80 miles southeast of…


6 People Dead After Plane Crashes and Catches Fire in Southern California, Officials Say

MURRIETA, Calif.—Six people died after a plane crashed over a Southern California field on Saturday morning before bursting into flames. The plane was engulfed in fire along with about one acre of vegetation when deputies arrived. The plane crashed near an airport in the city of Murrieta, California, in southwest Riverside County, located between Los…


Inmate Suspected of Homicide Escapes From a Pennsylvania Jail Using Bed Sheets

WARREN, Pa.—Authorities were searching Saturday for an inmate described by police as “very dangerous” who escaped from a jail in northwestern Pennsylvania using bed sheets, officials said. Michael Burham was last seen wearing a blue denim coat from the jail, white and orange pants, and orange shoes, Warren police said Friday. Mr. Burham was being…


Florida Judge to Murder Suspect on Run for 40 Years: ‘You Knew You Were Running From Something’

TAMPA, Fla.—A judge in Florida has ordered a 65-year-old California fugitive held without bond in connection with the death of a woman nearly 40 years ago. Donald Santini was arrested by U.S. marshals in California last month, and extradited to Florida. He had used at least 13 aliases over the years. Mr. Santini was the…


Crack in North Carolina Roller Coaster May Have Formed 6–10 Days Before Closure, Commissioner Says

RALEIGH, N.C.—An ongoing investigation by North Carolina’s Department of Labor found that a large crack in the support column of a towering roller coaster had been visible for at least a week before the amusement park shut it down for repairs. “It looks like maybe six to 10 days prior, some pictures had been taken…


DNA Testing Leads to Former US Army Soldier in 1978 Killing of Woman in Germany

DNA testing has led to the arrest of a Nebraska man who was repeatedly questioned over decades in the 1978 stabbing death of a woman while he was stationed with the U.S. Army in Germany, authorities said. Tommy Molina, 69, was arrested in the western Nebraska city of Gering on June 21, the U.S. Marshals…


Leslie Van Houten, Follower of Cult Leader Charles Manson, Is One Big Step Closer to Freedom

LOS ANGELES—California’s governor announced Friday that he won’t ask the state Supreme Court to block parole for Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten, paving the way for her release after serving 53 years in prison for two infamous murders. In a brief statement, the governor’s office said it was unlikely that the state’s high court…


Florida Parents Charged in Death of Toddler Left in Car Overnight After Fourth of July Party

LAKELAND, Fla.—A toddler died after her parents left her in a hot car overnight following a Fourth of July party in Florida, authorities said Thursday. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said Lakeland couple Joel and Jazmine Rondon have been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child. Authorities said the Rondons accidentally left the 18-month-old girl…