Saturday, June 20, 2009

America's Most Wanted update 06-20-09

Are you interested in some of the cases America's Most Wanted is covering? Do you want to know the latest update? Just click on the name for more details.

This SATURDAY, June 20, 2009, AMERICA’S MOST WANTED will be airing the following cases.

Harlem, New York… CARLOS THOMPSON… New York cops say rapper Carlos Thompson handed a .38-caliber revolver to a 13-year-old boy and ordered him to murder another teen. Now, more than a year later, Thompson is in custody.

Stone Mountain, Georgia… DERRICK YANCEY… Newly-released surveillance video shows Derrick Yancey, a former sheriff's deputy accused of killing his wife and another man, in his first hours on the run. Investigators say Yancey is seen buying a Greyhound bus ticket to California, but his whereabouts are now unknown.

Whitewater, Wisconsin… RICKY HOWARD… Cops in Whitewater, Wisc. say Ricky Howard is a perpetual danger to society. Throughout his life, Howard's been in and out of jail, but cops say in December of 1999, he reached a new low when he violently raped a 12-year-old girl. Nearly ten years later, Howard is still on the run and police need your help to find him.

Garland, Texas… CESAR OROZCO… Authorities are searching for Cesar Orozco, a man who they say shot and killed 26-year-old Joe Castillo last March. Police suspect that Orozco killed Castillo because he thought he was seeing his ex-wife.

Nationwide... JOHN PARIGIAN… After being convicted of wire fraud, cops say Boston con-man John Parigian rented a plane and vanished into thin air – literally. Now, police are piecing together his trail, and believe he could be hiding out in New York or Massachusetts.

Atlanta, Georgia… VERNON COLEMAN… The U.S. Marshals and the DEA have teamed up to bring down the Black Mafia Family, a major drug trafficking organization. They were successful in arresting all but one of the suspects, and the only straggler is Vernon Marcus Coleman, known as Big Wu on the streets.

Anchorage, Alaska… JOHN PEZZENTI KILLER…On December 3, 2007, detectives were called to a two-story shack in Anchorage, Alaska, where they found a body, soon identified as acclaimed wildlife photographer John Pezzenti, Jr. With no signs of forced entry or robbery, cops say John knew who pulled the trigger, and they hope that AMW viewers can help solve the murder.

Nationwide... PATRICIA PARDO… In 2000, cops say Patricia Pardo stole the identity of 17-year-old Joanna Saenz. Eight years later, Pardo was arrested but quickly disappeared after posting bond. Now, Joanna is determined to fight back and help police track down the woman they say changed her life forever. This Saturday, AMW will put Pardo on national TV in hopes of bringing her to justice.

Houston, Texas… TIMOTEO RIOS… In April of 2008, 39-year-old Tina Davila headed to a Cricket store in Houston, Texas to pay her cell phone bill. But before she got inside, cops say she was attacked in an attempted carjacking by Timoteo Rios. With her 4-month-old baby in the backseat, Tina fought back, but police say Rios stabbed Tina in the chest, killing her at the scene. Cops say Rios escaped in his own car, but that this was just the beginning of a crime spree that lasted all afternoon.

Washington, D.C…. TOP COPS 2009… Once a year, the bravest and most heroic police officers -- the nation’s TOP COPS -- are honored in a ceremony hosted by AMW Host John Walsh. This year’s TOP COPS AWARDS showcased some truly inspiring stories, with the night’s top honor going to a Georgia Police Officer who single handedly stopped an armed robbery and saved the life of a cashier who was taken hostage.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

America's Most Wanted update 05-23-09

Are you interested in some of the cases America's Most Wanted is covering? Do you want to know the latest update? Just click on the name for more details.

Hendersonville, North Carolina… JAIME AROCHE… In 2005, a Hendersonville, N.C. teenager found her mother’s dead body under a pile of dirty blankets in their home. Her mother’s boyfriend, Jaime Aroche, was charged with the murder. Now, AMW is teaming up with cops to help find him.

Middletown, Rhode Island… JAMES BELL … Parents near Providence, R.I., were in for the shock of their lives when they found out that James Bell -- the trusted gymnastics coach at a local YMCA -- was accused of molesting their children. What's more, cops say this is just one incident in a long history of sexual abuse and manipulation. Now, Bell has disappeared, and police are on the manhunt for a predator who they say is responsible for victimizing girls across the country.


Clovis, California… KEVIN VERMETTE… In 1997, cops say Kevin Vermette started an argument with four fellow local gym users about the fitness room's musical selection. When the argument escalated, instead of taking his aggression out on the punching bags, police say Vermette killed the men in cold blood.


Weld County, Colorado… ANTHONY VELEZ… Police say when Anthony Velez got into a fight over a drug dealer's territory in East Tremont, N.Y., he lost big time and left with a bruised ego. A week later, cops say Velez was ready for a rematch, but this time, he wasn't going to lose.


Winnebago County, Wisconsin… VINCENT BOYD… Vincent Boyd, a convicted sex offender, is accused of molesting his own cousins in 2003. Two years later, police say Boyd did it again. Now, cops in Wisconsin have come to America’s Most Wanted for help in bringing him to justice.


Rancho Cucamonga, California… GEORGE AND LYNDA TAYLOR KILLER… Moments after returning home from dinner, Los Angeles County Judge George Taylor was shot and killed by an unknown assailant while he sat in his car. When George’s wife, Lynda, rushed outside to see what happened – she too was murdered in cold blood. Now, cops are searching for clues in hopes of finding their killer.

Concord, North Carolina… HAPPY PHAM…Cops in Houston, Texas have been searching for 24-year-old Happy Tran Pham for more than two years. They say Pham was "unhappy" because the girl he was dating went back with her old boyfriend. Houston detectives believe Pham's jealousy led to the murder of 29-year-old Pierre Mai, and they have surveillance video of the crime.


Peoria, Arizona... 2009 AMW ALL-STAR WINNER… William Weigt, a detective with the Peoria, Ariz. Police Department, has been chosen as the 2009 America’s Most Wanted All-Star Contest Grand Prize Winner. Weigt, who was paralyzed from the chest down after being shot by a suspect, will be profiled as the nation’s top first responder on AMW this Saturday night.

America's Most Wanted update 05-16-09

Are you interested in some of the cases America's Most Wanted is covering? Do you want to know the latest update? Just click on the name for more details.

JOAQUIN “CHAPO” GUZMAN-LOERAWhen Mexican authorities seized 23.5 tons of cocaine from a ship at a port in Manzanillo last year, governments north and south of the border bolstered search efforts for the man they say is responsible: one of the world's most notorious drug lords, Joaquin Guzman-Loera. The seizure -- deemed to be by far the largest in Mexico's history -- had an estimated street value of $2.7 billion.

Phoenix, Arizona…PHOENIX GROUND ZERO… Phoenix, Ariz. is the nation's fifth largest city -- a fast-growing metropolis that's become Ground Zero for a unique problem that has law enforcement coming face to face with a new form of an age-old crime. In the Valley of the Sun, the new trend in kidnapping for ransom is criminals targeting other criminals. Because of Arizona's prime location on the U.S.-Mexico border, police say that most kidnap victims and suspects have ties back to Mexico's seedy underworld.

Laredo, Texas JOSEPH GARCIA… … At only 21-years-old, cops say accused killer Joseph Garcia is a member of the Zetas, the main enforcement group for the Mexican Gulf Drug Cartel. Police say Garcia killed for the first time in 2003, and in November of 2008, the U.S. Marshals named him to their 15 Most Wanted list.

Phoenix, Arizona… PHOENIX GUNS… A large number of the high-powered weapons smuggled into Mexico and used by killer drug cartels begin their journey south after being purchased in the U.S. Many of the weapons are sold by gun dealers in the four border states: California, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina… BRITTANEE MARIE DREXEL… Brittanee Marie Drexel, a 17-year-old high school junior, disappeared during a spring break trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. late last month. Cops have had little to go on but are now investigating a possible sighting of Brittanee at a convenience store just outside of Myrtle Beach.


Skamania, Washington… MICHAEL AND TEVEN COLLINS… Thanks to AMW tipsters, Michael Collins and his 16-year-old son Teven were captured in late March after allegedly attacking a skier in Washington State and making off with his SUV. The Collins boys are charged with attempted murder and first degree robbery and are now awaiting trial.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

America's Most Wanted update 04-25-09

Are you interested in some of the cases America's Most Wanted is covering? Do you want to know the latest update? Just click on the name for more details.

Albuquerque, New Mexico …WESLEY WILLIAMS CAPTURE… An airing of AMW has helped solve one of New Mexico’s biggest murder mysteries. Police are charging Wesley Williams with a murder that went unsolved for nine years: the shooting death of Sandra Jean Brady, whose unidentified body was discovered buried in the desert outside Albuquerque.


Nationwide…GANG TECC Most Wanted…With the rise in gang-related violence becoming a problem nationwide, America’s Most Wanted is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Gang TECC unit to announce a new “Most Wanted” list containing the worst of the worst gang bangers in the country. In addition to the announcement in the broadcast, information about the twelve fugitives will be unveiled on AMW.com this Saturday, April, 25th at 9 p.m. ET.

Florida…Julio Bonachea… Julio Bonachea is wanted for violent home invasions, armed robberies, attempted murder and for escaping from prisons in two different countries. Authorities across the state of Florida -- and overseas -- need your help to find him.

Stone Mountain, Georgia …DERRICK YANCEY…Authorities say former DeKalb County Sheriff's Deputy Derrick Yancey murdered his wife and another man, and then fled. He hasn't been seen since he cut off his ankle monitoring device. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.


Woodstock, Ontario…Victoria Stafford MISSING… Police in Canada have released a composite sketch of the woman seen on surveillance video with abducted 8-year-old Tori Stafford. While authorities have been searching local waterways and canvassing neighborhoods near Tori's home, cops say that the search for the little girl has expanded beyond Woodstock, Ontario.


Albuquerque, New Mexico…Mystery Beneath the Mesa… When an Albuquerque resident and her dog went for a walk on the city's West side, the stroll took a grotesque turn when they found a human bone. The discovery would eventually lead investigators to what has become the nation's largest crime scene, spreading out over 100 acres. So far, the remains of eleven women and one unborn child have been unearthed from the desert, and cops have no leads to who might be responsible.

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Finalist in AMW All-Star Contest

Fredericksburg, VA Cop Becomes Finalist in AMWAll-Star Contest


April 8, 2009 – A police officer from Fredericksburg, Virginia whose quick thinking helped end a tense and violent confrontation has been chosen by the public as the latest finalist in the 2009 America’s Most Wanted All-Star Contest, sponsored by Sprint. The iconic crime-fighting TV show’s contest recognizes outstanding achievements by first responders nationwide.


While on evening patrol of June 6, 2008, Officer Joe Young became was called to a domestic violence call involving an armed suspect. As another officer pursued the gun man, Officer Young decided to distract the suspect by opening the door of his cruiser with the radio blaring. It worked – and Officer Young was then able to place himself between the armed suspect and the entrance to his intended victim’s apartment. As the suspect attempted to return to the apartment, Officer Young confronted him and gunshots were exchanged. The suspect was wounded in the gun battle, and then took his own life. It was later discovered that the suspect had killed another officer.


Joe Young received the Officer of the Year award from the Fredericksburg Police Department for his heroic actions that day, and he and the slain officer were awarded the department’s first-ever Medals of Honor.


Officer Joe Young becomes the seventh of eight weekly finalists chosen by the public in this year’s AMW All-Star Contest. Any first responder, such as police, firefighter or EMT, is eligible for the contest, and any member of the public can vote for their favorite first responder online at AMW.com.


Each weekly finalist will be profiled on America’s Most Wanted (Saturdays, 9:00-10:00PM ET/PT on FOX). Through their online votes, the public will choose the grand-prize winner. In May, AMW Host John Walsh will present the 2009 AMW All-Star winner with a check for $10,000 at the NASCAR SPRINT Cup Series™ All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.


Members of the public may vote for their favorite first responder once a day, every day. Finalist voting runs through April 12, and the grand-prize winner voting will run April 16-May 5.

Thursday, April 02, 2009

America's Most Wanted update 04-04-09

Are you interested in some of the cases America's Most Wanted is covering? Do you want to know the latest update? Just click on the name for more details.

Jesus “Chuy” Canales: Family members tell AMW that Lucy Preciado was tired of her lazy husband fighting and mistreating their children, and that she was moving out of their home. But he refused to let her go, and cops say he impaled her with a sword right in front of their kids. Investigators believe their suspect may have fled as far as El Salvador and they need your help in tracking him down.


Jeremy Dunn: America's Most Wanted has worked to solve some of the coldest cases in America, but one murder investigation would lead cops to seven other unsolved slayings. Right now, watch this week's five-part online series going behind the scenes with an exclusive look at the captures produced by AMW's Evan Marshall.


Edward LeBlanc: Friends and family say Kristin Miner was a shy, thoughtful and caring person who often doted on her friends' children. In 2007, Kristin had fallen on tough times when she made a new friend, a man named Edward LeBlanc. However, when Kristin turned up dead, authorities traced the clues to back to LeBlanc, who is now the prime suspect in her murder.


Martin Gonzalez: On an Autumn morning in 2008, a barrage of bullets rang out in a Holbrook, Ariz. mobile home. Cops say the assailant killed one, injured three others and is hiding out somewhere in the American Southwest.


Rickey Robbins: Police in South Bend, Indiana tell AMW that a man who looks like Rickey Allen Robbins is actually not the serial sex offender. Multiple times in the last few weeks, authorities say that someone resembling Robbins has been spotted at the Indiana University South Bend Campus -- first in a parking garage and then in an administration building. Now, the manhunt for the serial sex offender continues and authorities believe he could be somewhere on the West Coast.


Juan Acevedo: Authorities in Arizona are on the lookout for Juan Salvador Acevedo, a man who they say broke into a Phoenix townhouse and attempted to molest two young siblings. Acevedo's rap sheet also includes an arrest for peeping at another young girl and cops believe he could be continuing his antics.


Jeffrey Marshall: When the short courtship of Elizabeth "Lynne" Waterson and Jeffrey Marshall ended, the ambitious, beautiful Lynne continued to deflect Marshall's unwanted advances. For months, cops say an obsessed Marshall stalked his former girlfriend and refused to take no for an answer until one day in April 2007, when he took his twisted infatuation to a deadly breaking point.


Sandra Cantu: To those who know her, 8-year-old Sandra Cantu is the epitome of the friendly, personable girl next door, but friends and family members hope that someone didn't take advantage of the second grader's trusting nature. Cops in Tracy, Calif. say Sandra went missing on March 28, 2009 and now the FBI has joined the effort to find her.


Carvell Baker Killer: Cops in West Los Angeles are trying to piece together a murder mystery involving a homeless man and the man who shot him in cold blood. Luckily, authorities were able to get surveillance video of the murderer before and after the incident, and they hope that the public can help identify a killer.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Finalist in AMW All-Star Contest

NYPD Officer Who Combines Compassion with Crime-Fighting

Is Named Finalist in AMW All-Star Contest


March 31, 2009 – A New York City cop with a big heart has been chosen by the public as a finalist in the 2009 AMW All-Star contest, sponsored by Sprint. The contest recognizes outstanding achievements by first responders. Members of the public who voted at the America’s Most Wanted website, AMW.com, recognized Officer Susan Porcello’s humanity in a job that often calls for emotions to be put aside.


Officer Porcello has been with the NYPD since 1998. Last July, she responded to a 911call from the residence of an elderly man who was ill. Gasper Musso had no family or friends, but after assisting him, Officer Porcello changed that. Not only did she open her heart to him, but for the next six months, she and her partner provided Mr. Musso with the things he needed to care for himself. And when she learned that he was a retired U.S. Marine, Officer Porcello was determined not to let his service to our nation be forgotten. When Mr. Musso died in November, 2008, Officer Porcello and her partner made sure he received full military burial privileges. In addition, she provided for his wake, the mass and burial at her own expense. Officer Porcello received the Public Servant of the Year Award from Little Italy Merchant Association (LIMA), and the Rocco Laurie Memorial Award for outstanding police work for her demonstration of compassion and dedication to Gasper Musso in Life and Death. She recently was also given THE SHIELDS of Long Island award for Police Officer of the month for her ability, courage and understanding, which have won the respect, confidence and admiration of her fellow police officers.


Susan Porcello becomes the sixth of eight weekly finalists chosen by the public in this year’s AMW All-Star Contest. Any first responder, such as police, firefighter or EMT, is eligible for the contest, and any member of the public can nominate and vote for their favorite first responder online at AMW.com.


Each weekly finalist will be profiled on America’s Most Wanted (Saturdays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on FOX). Through their online votes, the public will choose the grand-prize winner. In May, AMW Host John Walsh will present the 2009 AMW All-Star winner with a check for $10,000 at the NASCAR SPRINT Cup Series™ All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.


Nominations are open at AMW.com until April 4, 2009. Members of the public may vote for their favorite first responder once a day, every day. Finalist voting runs through April 12, and the grand-prize winner voting will run April 16-May 5.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

America's Most Wanted update 03-21-09

Are you interested in some of the cases America's Most Wanted is covering? Do you want to know the latest update? Just click on the name for more details.


Wendale Davis Killer: Wendale Davis, 16, was known as 'Sweets,' and to those who knew him, the name was a perfect fit. On April 23, 2006, Wendale was talking with a female friend outside her Bakersfield, Calif. home when a car driven by gang members rolled up looking for trouble.


Wendale Davis Foundation: The Wendale Davis Foundation was born out of a senseless murder, and now uses that tragedy as a platform to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth in the community of Bakersfield, Calif. and beyond.


Michael and Teven Collins:
Cops say a sex offender and his fugitive son are on the run after beating a cross-country skier nearly to death in the forest.


Jessica Martinez: It's a 19-year-old question that still plagues the family of a murdered little girl, and authorities in Bakersfield, Calif. haven't given up hope. On May 10, 1990, Jessica Martinez vanished while playing near her home, before the 4-year-old's body was found in a field, nearly 15 miles from home.


Mark Everett: Former child star Mark Everett has been identified by authorities as the man at the center of a deadly police standoff in a Los Angeles suburb on December 23, 2008. Investigators say Everett, 39, took his 7-year-old son, Benjamin, on the run after the 2004 murder of the child's mother -- Everett's ex-girlfriend. Now, the FBI tells AMW that Everett was killed when police attempted to rescue Benjamin and take the fugitive father into custody.


Duncan and Jack Connolly: An AMBER alert has been issued in Illinois for 7-year-old Jack Connolly. Cops say Jack, and his 9-year-old brother, Duncan, were abducted by their father, 40-year-old Michael Connolly.