Hard Boiled News

True Crime and News of the Weird from around the Globe

Cops find $63K at Home of Priest Eyed in $5M Embezzlement Scheme

By HardBoiledNews Staff Leave a Comment

Rev. Jonathan Wehrle is accused of using the proceeds on a giant mansion

WILLIAMSTON, Michigan — You can’t buy your way into heaven.

Authorities discovered $63,000 in cash hidden in the ceiling of a Catholic priest charged with embezzling more than $5 million from a Michigan parish.

Cops say they found the cash — mostly in $2,000 bundles of $20 bills — wrapped in paper bands stamped with the words: “For deposit only – St. Martha Parish and School.”

The cash was discovered above the tiles in the basement during a second search of the Rev. Jonathan Wehrle’s home, the Lansing State Journal reported.

Investigators believe the money was embezzled from the parish where Wehrle was pastor. In all, more than $1.1 million in assets has been seized in connection with the investigation, police said.

Officials have accused Wehrle of using funds from his Okemos parish to pay for work and materials at the home.

Wehrle has been trying to raise $300,000 for his legal defense and is “in dire need of help,” according to a letter circulated on his behalf by Opus Bono, a charity that raises money to help priests.

“For Father Wehrle, this is quite literally an apocalyptic moment,” the letter said. “The prosecutor has frozen all of his assets … he is unable to pay his legal team for a competent defense.”

 

 

(Visited 62 times, 1 visits today)

Gang Members Charged With Carving Crew’s Name on 15-Year-Old’s Chest

By HardBoiledNews Staff Leave a Comment

The attackers were members of M.O.B. 662, a Bloods gang affiliate in Michigan

FLINT, Michigan — Four ruthless gang members have been charged with brutally beating a 15-year-old boy and carving their crew’s name on his chest with a knife, prosecutors said.

The assault occurred last November, when the four members of M.O.B. 662 — a local affiliate of the notorious Bloods — spotted the teen selling marijuana in Genesee Township, Michigan. They then assaulted the boy, robbed him and carved their crew’s name into his chest, federal prosecutors said.

“This case is a stark reminder that the influence of violent street gangs extends beyond the big cities and into smaller communities such as our own,” said Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.

Doniel “Dee Red” Heard of Canton, Talasha Willis of Flint, Kimberly “Boss Lady” Perryman of Mt. Morris, and Alina White of Waterford are each charged with a count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and a count of interference with commerce by robbery.

Prosecutors say the gang members committed the vicious attack in order to “gain entrance to, maintain, and increase their positions in the gang.”

(Visited 3,008 times, 2 visits today)

Driver Who Killed 5 Cyclists While High on Drugs Sentenced to 40 Years

By HardBoiledNews Staff Leave a Comment

Charles Pickett Jr. was high as a kite when he plowed through a pack of cyclists

KALAMAZOO, Michigan — A stoned driver who plowed through a pack of cyclists, killing five of them, was sentenced to at least 40 years in prison after the judge dismissed his tearful apology as not good enough.

Charles Pickett Jr., 52,  had taken methamphetamine, muscle relaxers and pain medication at a cousin’s funeral two years ago when he got behind the wheel and tore through a pack of nine cyclists on a rural road in Cooper Township.

Five of the cyclists — three women and two men ranging in age from 42 to 74 — were killed and four others seriously injured.

“I’ll live with this the rest of my life,” Pickett said, as he broke down in tears in court, according to MLive.com. “I would give my life for the people I murdered, killed and maimed and I just want to say I’m sorry.”

But Judge Paul Bridenstine called Pickett’s apology ”woefully inadequate,” as he had many opportunities to stop driving before the fatal crash and he had narrowly avoided killing others along the road that day.

“You selfishly and unnecessarily murdered five people and altered the lives of four others,” Bridenstine said before handing down the sentence. “The loss is massive and immeasurable.”

Pickett was hit with a to 40 to 75 years sentence and will be 90 years old before he is eligible for parole.

(Visited 1,412 times, 1 visits today)

Man Phoned in Fake School Shootings to Distract Cops While He Robbed Banks

By HardBoiledNews Staff Leave a Comment

William Minore Liked Phoning in Diversions While Robber Banks

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — A 70-year-old Michigan man has been charged with phoning in phony reports of school shootings and other emergencies to distract police while he committed bank robberies.

Federal prosecutors say William Minore used disposable cell phones to call in the diversionary reports while he robbed a string of banks in northwestern Michigan between 2015 and 2016.

In one episode in September 2016, Minore allegedly called 911 to report that “a man entered a school and shot his daughter, is shooting other people,” before hanging up and walking into a Huntington Bank in Empire, Michigan and sticking the place up, prosecutors said.

In other instances, Minore allegedly reported a gas station robbery, a grocery store robbery and a bank robbery to distract cops while he ripped off banks of his own.

At one bank hold-up, prosecutors say Minore produced a World War II era pineapple-style hand grenade to force employees away from a vault.

Minore faces three counts of bank robbery, and three counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a bank robbery.

 

(Visited 575 times, 1 visits today)

Ex-Teacher Gets 60 Years for Slashing Wife’s Throat Over Student Affair

By HardBoiledNews Staff Leave a Comment

James Chelekis cut his wife’s throat after she confronted him over his affair with 14-year-old

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — A former-public school math teacher was sentenced to 30-to-60-years behind bars for slashing his wife’s throat after she discovered he was having an affair with a 14-year-old student.

James Chelekis, 32, attacked his wife Amanda in June after she confronted him about the affair. At the time, she didn’t know the dalliance was with a middle school student, so the two spent the evening discussing what to two and agreed to enter counseling.

That’s when Chelekis struck.

“Standing behind me, he kissed my forehead and slit my throat from one side to the other,” his ex-wife said in court, according to the Detroit Free Press. “The trauma I was forced to endure was horrendous.”

For the next hour, Amanda Chelekis — who is a registered nurse — struggled to stay alive while convincing her husband to call for help.

“He asked why I hadn’t bled out yet. I was constantly praying to find a way to live,’’ she  told the court. “I told him I was going to die very soon if he didn’t do something and he would regret it the rest of his life.’’

After 60 minutes had passed, 911 was called.

His lawyer had argued that his client had suffered from mental health issues.

“I am truly sorry for how I failed and hurt people that I care about,’’ James Chelekis told the court. “I will never stop trying to say I’m sorry and apologize.’’

A math teacher at Crestwood Middle School, investigators say James Chelekis swapped texts, chats and photos with the girl. It is believed  they began a sexual relationship in June 2016.

A statement from  the girl’s mother that was read in court said that James Chelekis had manipulated and isolated her daughter in order to start the relationship.

“He robbed our daughter of her innocence and childhood. And that is something that she can never get back,” the mother wrote.

He was also sentenced to 15 to 40 years in prison on a criminal sexual conduct charge, which will be served concurrently with the attempted murder sentence.

 

(Visited 97 times, 1 visits today)

Man Arrested for Threatening to Kill CNN Employees Over ‘Fake News’

By HardBoiledNews Staff Leave a Comment

The caller threatened to attack CNN’s headquarters over ‘Fake News’

DETROIT — A Michigan man has been arrested for allegedly calling CNN nearly two dozen times and threatening to kill everyone who worked there, accusing them of producing “fake news,” amid hate-filled rants.

The menacing calls began pouring into the CNN switchboard in Atlanta on Jan. 9 from a number registered to a home in Novi, Michigan, the FBI said.

“Fake news. I’m coming to gun you all down. F — k you, f — king ni—rs,” 24-year-old Brandon Griesemer allegedly told the operator before hanging up.

Several minutes later, Griesemer called back and repeated his threat: “I am on my way right now to gun the f — kin’ CNN cast down. F — k you,” according to an FBI affidavit.

Griesemer allegedly called back 30 minutes later and whispered: “I’m coming for you CNN. I’m smarter than you. More powerful than you. I have more guns than you. More manpower. Your cast is about to get gunned down in a matter of hours.”

The calls carried on the next day, when authorities say Griesemer spouted out slurs about Jews, before stating: “You are going down. I have a gun and I am coming to Georgia right now to go to the CNN headquarters to f — king gun every single last one of you. I have a team of people. It’s going to be great, man . . . You gotta get prepared for this one, buddy.”

CNN managed to figure out who the caller was after bringing in an investigators who was able to trace the number back to Griesemer’s family home in Michigan.

The terrifying calls come at a time of heightened tension for the news media, with President Donald Trump frequently attacking critical press as “fake news,” with CNN being a regular target. Last week, the president unveiled his “Fake News Awards,” naming CNN numerous times. He has also shared several images on Twitter showing him attacking the CNN logo.

Griesemer’s father told the Washington Post that “this whole thing has been a mistake, he really didn’t mean any of it.”

“He didn’t know what he was saying, the seriousness of it. We’re not even gun owners or anything like that. We don’t have any, neither does he,” his father said.

The FBI affidavit also says Griesemer had earlier admitted to phoning in threats to a Michigan mosque in September last year.

(Visited 26 times, 1 visits today)

Driver Shoots Hitchhiker Who Spoke in Tongues and Tried to Grab Steering Wheel

By HardBoiledNews Staff Leave a Comment

Picking up a hitchhiker proved to be a very bad idea for a Detroit motorist

DETROIT — Here’s a good example of why you should never pick up a hitchhiker.

A Detroit motorist had the ride of his life when a man who offered him $100 and a free tank of gas for lift across town began speaking in tongues, tried to grab the steering wheel and then wrestled away the driver’s gun before bolting out of the car.

Michigan State Police say the hitcher approached the driver at a gas station late last week and offered the cash for a ride. The driver, who has a concealed carry permit and was armed said yes.

But when they got on the road, matters took a bizarre turn.

“As the two approach Grand Boulevard, the passenger beings speaking in tongues before he reaches over and tries steering the vehicle into neighboring motorist,” the state police said, according to MLive.com.

The driver then pulled out his gun, but that only made matters worse.

“The suspect takes a hold of the weapon as the victim attempts to simultaneously maintain control of the vehicle, making the weapon inoperable,” police said.

But the driver was eventually able to fire the gun, striking the hitcher in the shoulder. The man then grabbed hold of the gun and ran from the car. The driver pulled over and called 911.

Soon after, cops responded to a call of a man trying to break into a church where the picked up the crazed hitcher. He was taken to a hospital with a non-life threatening wound.

 

(Visited 1,331 times, 1 visits today)

Detroit Cops Get Into Rumble With Each Other During Drug Bust Gone Bad

By HardBoiledNews Staff Leave a Comment

DETROIT — You know crime has gotten out of hand in your town when even the cops start fighting each other during a drug bust.

Detroit cops engaged in an undercover drug operation got into a giant brawl when officers from two different precincts ended up on opposite sides of a buy-and-bust.

Authorities say undercover officers from the 12th precinct posing as phony drug dealers were running a “push off” operation last week where they sell someone drugs and then arrest them.

But things took an ugly turn when officers from the 11th precinct approached to do an undercover buy.

When the officers posing as sellers ordered the phony buyers to get on the ground, all hell broke loose, WJBK-TV reported.

Additional officers showed up to raid a nearby drug house, but the two different groups of cops began fighting with each other and some officers even pulled their guns out as punches were thrown.

The Detroit police department said it is conducting an internal investigation.

(Visited 47 times, 1 visits today)

Man Hangs Self, Leaves Note Admitting to Killing Wife With Map to Find Her Body

By HardBoiledNews Staff Leave a Comment

 

Suicidal Christopher Lockhart admitted killing his wife, Theresa, five months earlier

PORTAGE, Michigan — A man whose wife disappeared five months ago committed suicide and left behind a note admitting he killed her with a map showing where her body could be found, police said.

Christopher Lockhart, 47 was found hanging in his Portage, Michigan, home on Tuesday after failing to report to the community corrections office.

In the house, investigators found a note in which Lockhart said he and his wife, Theresa Lockhart, 44, got into an argument on May 18 and he “just snapped,” MLive.com reported.

The note also included a hand-drawn map showing where Theresa’s body was buried.

Theresa, who worked as a Spanish teacher at the Schoolcraft Community Schools, was found later that day, buried in a shallow grave in a wooded area about 50 miles from her home.

Christopher had been considered a person of interest in the case after he became uncooperative with police, and had been arrested four times on unrelated charges since Theresa disappeared.

“My heart is breaking that a special life has been taken away but we now have peace of mind as to what and when. Chris did one good deed before he died and that was to tell us where we could find Theresa,” Theresa’s sister Joan Mullowney wrote on a Facebook page dedicated to searching for her.

 

(Visited 3,694 times, 1 visits today)

5 Teens Charged With Tossing Rock Onto Michigan Road, Killing Motorist

By HardBoiledNews Staff Leave a Comment

FLINT, Michigan — Five teens in Michigan will be tried as adults and were ordered held without bail for allegedly tossing a six-pound rock off an expressway overpass onto a passing car, killing the driver.

Prosecutors say they boys –high school students who range in age from 15 to 17 — had been horsing around throwing debris at cars from an overpass in Vienna Township on Oct. 18, when they tossed a boulder into the windshield of a van.

Kenneth White, a 32-year-old construction worker and father on his way home from work  , who was a passenger in the vehicle, suffered major head injuries and was declared dead soon after, police said.

“It’s not a prank. It’s second-degree murder. I don’t think anybody is laughing,” Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell said, according to MLive.com.

Investigators believe that Kyle Anger, 17, threw the rock that killed White, but have also charged  his pals, Alexzander Miller, 15; Mark Sekelsky, 16; Mikadyn Payne, 16; and Trevor Gray, 15, with second-degree murder.

Kenneth White

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said he planned to bring the case against all the teens as if they were adults.

“It was a willful and wanton act that resulted in somebody’s death. These people should have known better,”he said. “Under Michigan law that is second-degree murder.

(Visited 48 times, 1 visits today)