Home Invasion Terror

Two men are accused of the brutal Connecticut home invasion of a prominent doctor. Joshua Komisarjevsky, 26, of Cheshire, and Steven Hayes, 44, of Winsted, have been arraigned on charges of assault, sexual assault, kidnapping, burglary, robbery, arson, larceny and risk of injury to children. More charges are pending and the two men could face the death penalty.

The state medical examiner confirmed that Jennifer Hawke-Petit, 48, was strangled and her daughters, 17-year-old Hayley and 11-year-old Michaela, died of smoke inhalation. The deaths were ruled homicides.

The girls' father, Dr. William Petit Jr., a prominent endocrinologist, remained hospitalised with head injuries.

All three women were raped. Petit was beaten with a baseball bat, thrown down the basement stairs, and then tied up in the cellar.

The daughters were tied to their beds and raped repeatedly, then left to burn after gasoline was poured around their beds and ignited.

How to Protect Yourself from a Home Invasion

It's frightning that home invasions have increased the way they have. Protecting yourself is a must as criminals will strike anyone- whether low or high income areas.

1.Fortify your home with solid core doors, strong locks and security devices on windows. To strengthen locks, secure heavy-duty strike plates with at least four three-inch screws.
2.Keep all doors and windows in the home and garage locked at all times.
3.Install a peephole and use it before opening your door. Make sure your porch light is in a position to help you see persons at your front door clearly.
4.Never open your door to strangers or solicitors and never rely on a chain-latch. If a solicitor acts suspicious, call the police.
5.Keep window shades closed at night. Windows can give a criminal a lot of information about your home's vulnerability. If a home invader can't see into your home, he may not feel confident about storming in.
6.Never make it obvious that you're home alone. The fewer the occupants, the easier a home invader's job becomes. A single occupant may be the opportunity a home invader is looking for. 7.Keep extra lights on. Use a television or radio to create the illusion that more people are in the house.
8.Hold a meeting with your family to discuss home security practices. Too often, the weakest part of a home security system is the habits of occupants. If your family is educated about the risks and certain home security practices are followed, this will greatly reduce the risk of a home invasion.

Rolling Out the UNWELCOME Mat and Other Considerations

1.Security Lights. Check Ebay for some handy solar power lights that don't require wiring.
2.A Pet. Dogs always alert their owners when someone approaches.
3.Security Cameras. Even the ones that don't work can make a criminal think twice.
4.A personal alarm or full security system. They're noisey but criminals will surely run away- make sure you get a sticker for the windows and a sign for your gate.

A tiny Chihuahua has been credited with the cracking of a robbery case following a daring bank heist in the US.

Seven-year-old Chico attacked one of two men who ran through his owner's backyard in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During the struggle the tiny dog managed pull one of the men's pants down, which were later found by Chico's owner Peter Budo along with a pair of shoes. Mr Budo's backyard is just metres from a Capital One bank which had just been robbed. "He (Chico) was running in circles and barking up the fence," Mr Budo told local TV station WAFB. "I saw the shoes and I saw the pants laying down, that's all I could see."

More Scams

I've said it before, you can't win a lottery you never entered. These two washed up in my junk mail so I posted them in the hope that the email addresses these scum frequent become filled with spam(poetic justice). If you're silly enough to send your details to people like this you'll quickly find your bank account depleted and your identity stolen.

Scam 1

Dear Winner, Your Hotmail email has just won the sum of £ 1,628,360.00in cash credited to a file in the just concluded Lotto LondonInternational Award Programme held 18th August 2008 Your Hotmail e-mail address attached to:Ticket Number: 8603775966738Batch: 013/05/8394369Reference Number: UK/776090X2/23.WINNING NUMBERS: 9, 18, 21, 24, 37, 48(BONUS.22)WINNING DATE: 18th August 2008For Claims,Contact:====================================Name: Bar.David MarkSEND DETAILS TO: mrshellendavid5@hotmail.comForeign Services Validation OfficerTel Phone: +447024043160SEND DETAILS TO: mrshellendavid5@hotmail.com=====================================

Scam 2

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To file for your claim, please contact our claims agent:
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For due processing and remittance of your prize money. Congratulations once more from all members and staffs of this program. Thank you for being part of our online promotional lottery program.
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Kidnapping All Around The World

Kidnapped and Murdered

The kidnapping and murder of a 14-year-old boy has caused a national outrage in Mexico.

Fernando Marti was abducted in June. His decomposed body was then found in the boot of a car in Mexico City, even though his family had paid the ransom. The murdered teenager's family co-owns Mexico's largest chain of sports stores.

The impact of his death was compounded by news that a number of police officers, including a police commander, have been arrested in connection with the case...

READ THE FULL BBC ARTICLE


Kidnapper's Reasons

Kidnapping is a dangerous threat in many countries. Children can be stolen to sell on the blackmarket or sold back to their parents. A businessperson can be kidnapped and held against their will for financial or political gain. Young woman from third world countries are often lured to richer countries with the promise of work, only to have their passports taken from them and be forced to work as sex slaves.

According to NationMaster.com, the leading, most recent kidnappings have occurred in these countries.

WORLD KIDNAPPINGS

1. United Kingdom 3,261
2. South Africa 3,071
3. Canada 2,933
4. Belgium 994
5. Tunisia 555
6. Peru 491
7. Portugal 432
8. Romania 383
9. Kuwait 281
10.New Zealand 257

It is interesting to note that only 10% of kidnappings are usually reported and some of the hot spots around the world were extremely suprising to me. In fact, 66% of the world's reported kidnapping cases occurred in the United Kingdom, Canada and South Africa. Neither Mexico or the United States are mentioned in the list of 39 countries.

However, a recent article for the BBC suggests that Mexico is much closer to the top of the list. It's a fascinating story that suggests that the years of experience Mexican authorities and private security specialists have in this field could be utilised in Iraq.

READ THE FULL BBC ARTICLE

Kidnapped by Paedophile Group

It is believed that British police were told Madeleine McCann had been snatched by an international paedophile ring which photographed her three days before she vanished.


An email sent by the Metropolitan Police stated that a child abduction ring based in Belgium placed an order for a "young girl". Three-year-old Madeleine was spotted while on holiday in Portugal by someone connected to the gang who took a picture of her.

The photograph was then sent back to Belgium where the paedophile ring agreed that she should be abducted.

READ THE FULL UK TELEGRAPH ARTICLE

More Kidnapping Stories from Around the World

Bush Says Kidnapping Not A Crime
Continuing its recent spree of criminality in the alleged pursuit of law enforcement, the Bush Justice Department formally advised a British Court last week that it is fully entitled to kidnap foreigners (i.e., Britons) off the street around the world and carry them off to secret prisons. The claim was formerly thought to relate to terrorists. But no longer. Now the Bush Justice Department asserts the right to kidnap anyone it suspects of a crime.

Children Stolen from India and Sold to Australians
"I thought someone had taken her for her kidney," says the weeping mother, clutching a photocopy of her daughter's picture that she keeps in a special place in her tiny two-room flat. "Many, many places I looked. My husband traveled everywhere looking. I was all the time crying for my daughter." Her husband says: "My wife was half mad with grief."

Australian Kidnapped in Somalia
The family of a missing Queensland photographer feared to have been abducted in Somalia have confirmed his identity, saying they are "deeply concerned".

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has put out a statement on behalf of the family of 37-year-old freelancer Nigel Brennan, who is one of two foreigners said to have been abducted near the capital Mogadishu yesterday.

Your Security When Travelling Overseas : How safe is India and was there strong indications of a threat prior to the terror attacks at Mumbai?

Public outrage may be growing in India after the terror attacks in Mumbai. Reports continue to emerge that clear warnings of a coming assault were ignored. I can say that travel warnings concerning terror attacks on hotels in India were made a month prior to Australian’s travelling abroad.

In India, the Hindustan Times has said that intelligence agencies did have very precise information almost a year ago that the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba was planning to attack hotels in India.

The information was specific and provided by a Lashkar militant arrested in northern India last February, the Times said.

The interrogator stated that the captured operative stayed at a guesthouse in Mumbai to survey each floor of the luxury hotels the Taj Mahal and the Oberoi/Trident.

The captured operative also disclosed that the attack would probably emerge from the sea.

Islamist gunmen launched their assault on Mumbai in two dinghies. As well as the Taj Mahal and Oeroi/Trident, the attack targets included Mumbai's main train station, a hospital as well as a Jewish cultural centre.

Indian commandos shot the last remaining militants 60 hours later, despite this 170 people had been killed. Initial suspicions were focused on the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

According to the Times of India, the Intelligence Bureau told India's National Security Council as far back as September that the Taj hotel could be the target of a terrorist attack and another advisory on November 12 stated that an attack would come from the sea.

Pakistan links

Indian investigators said that evidence from Azam Amir Kasav, the only gunmen of the 10 not killed, clearly showed that Pakistani militants were involved. The clean-shaven, 21-year-old with fluent English was photographed during the attack.

New Delhi has not accused Islamabad's civilian Government of any involvement, but has expressed frustration that its neighbour has been unable to prevent militants using its soil to attack Indian cities.

One thing that is for long debate: Is the siege on Afghanistan driving extremists into Pakistan and fuelling a deeper threat to India?

Murdered During The Olympics

Beijing Olympics: Murdered American was volleyball coach's relative

Todd Bachman and his wife Barbara, who was seriously wounded in the attack, were stabbed at the city's 13th-century Drum Tower monument. Their daughter Elisabeth, the wife of head indoor volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon, witnessed the attack but escaped unhurt.

The lone Chinese attacker subsequently committed suicide by jumping from the second storey of the tower. The motive for the murder remains a mystery, especially since it is rare for foreigners in China to suffer from violent crime.

Tips For Overseas Travel

Travelling to a new country can be an incredible experience and whether you are travelling on business, a student, or taking a holiday. The recent murder/ suicide in China has brought travel security to the fore. Some simple things to consider are;

Do you have experience or knowledge of the country and region you're travelling to? If you've been to your destination many times in the past you probably consider yourself one of the locals. However, first timers overseas can find themselves lost very fast.

Check your embassy or news reports to see if there are any areas of concern - a good example would be the south islands of the Philippines. Sometimes, areas of countries be complete polar opposites. In the Philippines, you can easily travel from an area that is quite safe, to an area that is considered extremely dangerous, in just a few minutes. The Islamic group MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) has been involved in sporatic violence against the Philippine government for many years.





The Philippine Supreme Court has stopped the government from signing a territorial agreement with Muslim separatist rebels, in yet another blow to efforts to end a thirty-year conflict. Both sides were due to formalise a deal, to widen an existing Muslim autonomous region. The court ruling followed a petition by Catholic law-makers in the region.. who oppose the deal between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government, saying they weren't consulted. They fear that non-Muslim areas might also come under MILF control in southern Mindanao island. An MILF spokesman says the court decision is a setback, but that the group is still committed to a peaceful resolution.

Kidnappings and violence are common in many countries, so be cautious and make sure you are well informed.

Can you speak the language? Do you need a guide? And, is the guide a reputable one? You'll find no shortage of people wanting to help you in a foriegn country. The problem is, often those who are offeing help are just looking to con travellers. Check their credentials and ask if they have references.

Will you be staying at a safe location? Some hotels are safer than others. If you're travelling to a country that has problems with dysfunctional activity, look for a safe place to stay.

Transport type? If you need to get around, is the transport safe? Would you be better to use a taxi service? Some hotels even have their own shuttle services.

Health precautions (vaccinations) Consult your doctor long before you travel. Some vaccination processes take 6 months or more.

Contingency plans. Consider Plan Bs. Plane's get cancelled. Trains often run slow. Don't make your schedule so critical that a small problem upsets your whole holiday. Also, consider making copies of all your information (passports, tickets,etc) in case of theft of a mishap with your luggage.

Other Stories, Including More on the Philippines and the War Against MILF

Deep in a jungle hide-out in Mindanao's remote Lanao del Norte province, about 100 men armed with American-made assault rifles gather to pledge a jihad, or holy war, against the Philippines government.

They are members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front [MILF], the largest Muslim rebel group in the southern Philippines, and their field commander, known by his radio codename "Congressman", explained what they were fighting for.

AFRICA

You don't face any more danger traveling in Africa than in other parts of the world. Petty theft is probably the most common crime you are likely to come across when visiting Africa. As a tourist with cameras and cash, you just have to be careful. Violent muggings are quite rare for most African countries. Dakar, Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg are probably most notorious for violent crime, car-jacking and murder. Keep up to date with African news so you can avoid areas where there is war, famine or obvious political instability. This article will give you a brief overview of what to watch out for and how to avoid becoming a victim of crime when traveling in Africa.

Basic Safety TipsRegardless of your budget, when you are traveling in Africa keep in mind that you are much richer than the majority of local people around you. While most people are honest, the sight of a tourist with cash to spare and cameras dangling is too tempting for some. To avoid being fodder for con-artists, petty thieves and opportunists keep some of the following safety tips in mind when visiting Africa:

India

In past years, some private medical clinics have provided patients with more treatment than is necessary in order to procure larger medical insurance claims - get several opinions where possible. Worse still, a serious food scare erupted in northern India in 1998, principally in Agra and Varanasi, when numerous travellers became sick and two died after eating at local establishments. This scam has thankfully been quashed, but there's always the chance it could reappear. Water can also be a potential problem. Always ensure the seal is intact on bought mineral water and check that the bottom of the bottle hasn't been tampered with. Crush plastic bottles after use to prevent them being misused later. Better still, bring along water-purification tablets to avoid adding to India's plastic waste problem.

United States

Despite its seemingly Babylon-like list of dangers - guns, violent crime, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes - the USA is actually a very safe country to visit. Perhaps the single greatest danger for travelers is posed by car accidents on America's highways (buckle up - it's the law). The two greatest annoyances will be auto traffic in the cities and crowds at popular sites.

South America

Although women travelers in South America face the same general safety concerns as men, they also have to cope with undue attention from local males. South America is a fairly chauvinistic continent, and a single foreign woman is often considered an easy target for male advances. To get rid of undesirable male company, some women recommend wearing a wedding ring and referring to their imaginary husband. However, there is no strategy or advice that can completely prevent undesired advances. A friendly shopkeeper in Peru offered to take my girlfriend and me to the outskirts of a small jungle town. Since he only had a motorcycle we had to go one at a time. He took me first and when my girlfriend finally arrived, she told me that the man had taken her to his house and had proposed to have sex with her.