Month: June 2021

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Officials Need Your Help Identifying Two Individuals Who Are Suspected of Attempting to Rob the Sooper Credit Union

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and the Arvada Police Department need your help identifying two individuals who are suspected of attempting to rob the Sooper Credit Union located at 5151 West 60th Avenue in Arvada, Colorado, at approximately 5:55 p.m. on Friday, May 7, 2021.

Suspect One is described as a Caucasian female, between 30 and 40 years old and 5’6” to 5’8” with a heavy build. She wore a black and red dress and a black and red wig.

Suspect Two is described as a Caucasian individual and approximately 5’10” with a medium build. The suspect wore a black and white dress and a white wig.

The suspects were seen driving away in a light green sedan.

Please be on the lookout for anyone matching the description of the suspects. Be aware of anyone similar who might have recently changed their spending habits or discussed coming into money suddenly.

Bank robbery is punishable up to a 20-year prison sentence for each offense and increases if a dangerous weapon is used in the commission of the crime. The FBI continues to provide financial institutions with the best practices for security to make them less vulnerable to robberies.

If anyone has any information on the bank robbery above or any bank robbery, please call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at 303-629-7171; or, you may remain anonymous by calling CRIMESTOPPERS at 720-913-STOP (7867).

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ATF and FBI Offer $10,000 Reward for Information in Arson of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Fruita, Colorado

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

FRUITA, CO—The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Fruita Police Department, and the Lower Valley Fire District announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for setting fire to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fruita, Colorado.

In the early morning hours of Monday, April 26, 2021, the Fruita Police Department and the Lower Valley Fire District responded to a fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 417 E. Ottley Avenue, Fruita, Colorado. This investigation is being conducted jointly by the Fruita Police Department, the Lower Valley Fire District, the FBI, and the ATF.

The team of investigators is requesting the public’s assistance to provide any information, tips, or leads pertaining to this crime. Anyone with information should contact the 24-hour FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), the FBI Denver office at 303-629-7171, the ATF Hotline 1-888-ATF-FIRE (1-888-283-3473), the Fruita Police Department at 970-242-6707, or Crime Stoppers of Mesa County at 970-241-STOP (970-241-7867). Information may also be submitted online anonymously to https://tips.fbi.gov, www.atf.gov/contact/atftips, www.reportit.com, or sent via email to ATFTips@atf.gov.

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Joint Press Release—Denver Police Department, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The Denver Police Department, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Denver Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Colorado have joined together to share resources with the public to encourage proactive reporting to law enforcement for situations in which there could be a danger to an individual or the community.

In light of the recent violent attacks in workplaces, stores, schools, and public places, and as pandemic restrictions ease across the nation, we ask you to stay alert. We are not aware of any specific, credible threats at this time, but we ask the public to remain vigilant.

The public plays a critical role in keeping our nation and our neighborhoods safe. If you see something suspicious or notice behavior that does not seem quite right, contact law enforcement. Tell them who and what you saw, where and when you saw it, and why it seemed suspicious or unusual. We recognize that individuals themselves are not suspicious, behaviors are. We will review all reports submitted. Hopefully, the concern turns out to be non-threatening, but your information could save lives. Help us make the community safer. If you see something, say something.

The team of local, state, and federal representatives gathered today provided a variety of resources you may contact to report your concerns, whether they are about someone’s escalating behavior that appears to be heading toward potential violence, or about a concerning motivation or ideological shift that could lead an individual to a dangerous act against another individual, a certain community, or against him or herself. An informed and alert community plays a critical role in keeping our nation safe.

Resources:

  • Denver Police Department – Report emergencies via call or text to 911. Report non-emergency suspicious or illegal activity by calling 720-913-2000. Report information regarding unsolved crimes or wanted individuals anonymously & confidentially to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP or https://www.metrodenvercrimestoppers.com/report-a-crime.
  • Colorado Attorney General’s Office—Safe2Tell – Safe2Tell is a successful violence intervention and prevention program for students to anonymously report threats to the safety of themselves and others. Safe2Tell is not an emergency response unit nor mental health counseling service provider; it is a conduit of information for distributing anonymous tips to local law enforcement and school officials pursuant to state law. To make a report, individuals can call 1-877-542-7233 from anywhere, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Reports also can be made at Safe2Tell.org or through the Safe2Tell mobile app which is available on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
  • FBI – Report tips anonymously and in a variety of languages by phone to 1-800-CALLFBI (national tipline), 303-629-7171 (Denver FBI Office), or online to https://tips.fbi.gov/.
  • FBI Sources of Information and Resources:
  • https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/pre-attack-behaviors-of-active-shooters-in-us- 2000-2013.pdf/view (Stressors—pages 15-16; Concerning Behaviors—pages 17-19)
  • https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/making-prevention-a-reality.pdf/view (Bystanders Become Upstanders—pages 11-15; Pathway to Violence—pages 24-28; Threat Enhancers—pages 29-37; Trip Wires and Warning Signs—pages 90-91)
  • https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/active-shooter-event-quick-referenceguide_ 2015.pdf/view
  • https://www.fbi.gov/survive Active Shooter Resources:
    • Run.Hide.Fight (training video – customers at a bar are caught in an active shooter event. By employing the run, hide, and fight tactics, as well as knowing the basics of rendering first aid to others, they are prepared, empowered, and able to survive the attack): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeOdxKozra0
    • Prepare to Survive (training video – describes how to employ the run, hide, and fight tactics to survive an active shooter incident. Although set in a house of worship, these principles can be applied anywhere): https://youtu.be/55v7fP5nn9c
    • In the Aftermath—When the Shooting Stops, the Healing Begins (documentary- best practices after school shooting tragedies, including family reunification, dealing with accompanying trauma, and crisis planning. It highlights the difficult journey of recovery while also giving hope to survivors): https://youtu.be/3sKyH68L7OE
    • Echoes of Columbine (video exploring the issue of school shootings and what schools, parents, and law enforcement can do to help prevent these attacks): https://youtu.be/zgeRtRo862w
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Remarks by FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Craig Fair on Combating Hate Crimes in Oakland Chinatown

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

First, we believe that hate crimes are significantly underreported to law enforcement. We know that some people are afraid to come forward. They may have a fear or distrust of law enforcement, fear due to their immigration status, or a fear of retribution from their attacker. We understand that. But law enforcement can’t investigate a crime if people are too afraid to come forward. I assure you that our primary goal is to protect victims, regardless of their immigration status or their country of origin.

Another challenge is that federal hate crimes are difficult to charge in court. Law enforcement may have evidence of the underlying crime, whether it be assault, arson, or even murder. However, hate crimes are some of the only crimes where law enforcement has to prove the motive in a court of law. In order to charge a federal hate crime, we have to prove the offender acted intentionally and willfully with bias. That can be difficult to prove. It’s often very critical that witnesses come forward to speak to law enforcement about what happened. It’s also helpful for members of the community to support each other, and encourage people to come forward if they have been the victim of a crime.

But these challenges do not stop the FBI from actively and thoroughly investigating hate crimes. We work closely with local law enforcement, like the Oakland Police Department, and both federal and local prosecutors. We work together to find the best plan of action, whether a violent offender is ultimately charged locally or in federal court. Our FBI agents have an excellent working relationship with OPD investigators and other police departments throughout the Bay Area. We regularly share information on reported hate crimes and we collaborate on investigations. Our ultimate goal is to protect victims, to help them get justice, to stop violent offenders from hurting people, and to deter people from committing these terrible crimes.

The FBI has been working closely with a number of partners in Oakland to combat and deter hate crimes. In particular, I want to highlight the efforts of OPD Chief LeRonne Armstrong, Carl Chan of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, Geoff Collins, the Asian Advisory Committee on Crime, the Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils, and the Chinatown Volunteer Patrols.

FBI San Francisco has recently developed a new strategy to tackle this increase in reported hate crimes against the Asian American Pacific Islander community and to work proactively to try to stop these crimes from happening.

First, we are increasing our federal investigative activity. We have trained, experienced hate crime coordinators who are training additional agents on the complexities of civil rights and hate crime investigations. We have a team of analysts who are scrubbing reports of hate crimes to identify possible new cases for our agents to investigate.

Second, we are working closely with our local law enforcement partners, like OPD, even when it’s not possible to bring federal charges. We can offer FBI resources, forensic expertise, and investigative experience to local law enforcement to pursue hate crime cases that are charged under California law. We can also offer training to local law enforcement on federal hate crime laws so they know when the FBI may be able to adopt a case for federal charges.

Third, we are rapidly expanding our community outreach. Part of this is so that we can really listen to the fears and concerns of the community, but also so that we can help educate people on what the FBI can do to help. We want to encourage people to report hate crimes so that we can help people find justice.

Fourth, we have launched a major public awareness campaign to let people know that the FBI investigates hate crimes, and to tell people about our reporting process. People can report hate crimes, in whatever language they prefer, to the FBI via our website, tips.fbi.gov. FBI agents look at every tip that comes in, and we will work with local law enforcement to identify and investigate possible federal crimes. We are letting people know that we will protect them, regardless of their immigration status or their national origin. Hate crimes are a huge priority for the FBI, and we are surging resources to address this problem.

It’s absolutely critical for us to listen to the community, to hear your fears and concerns. This is our obligation. Law enforcement is a public service, and we have to be responsive to our communities. We are standing here today with you to make it clear, that hate crimes are not acceptable. We will not stand by and let people be attacked on our streets. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, and everyone deserves a voice. I’m here today to listen to your voice. Thank you for having me here with you today.

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FBI San Francisco Announces New Strategy to Combat Hate Crimes

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The San Francisco Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is announcing a new strategy to identify and investigate hate crimes in Northern California.

A hate crime is defined as a violent criminal act against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity. Hate crimes are often underreported to both federal and local law enforcement.

“We understand that some individuals may be afraid to come forward to law enforcement,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Fair. “I want to assure the community that the FBI works to protect all victims of crimes, regardless of their country of national origin or immigration status. Acts of hate and racism have no place here and will not be tolerated.”

“FBI San Francisco is surging our resources to combat hate crimes, and we will use all authority granted to us by federal law to investigate civil rights violations,” said FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “I urge members of our community to report any hate incidents to local or federal law enforcement so we can bring offenders to justice.” “The FBI’s robust strategy to identify and investigate hate crimes in Northern California demonstrates, once again, the agency’s longstanding commitment to civil rights enforcement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds. “We applaud and support these efforts and will continue to coordinate closely with the FBI in this vital enforcement area. In addition, we will do our part to ensure all federal law enforcement components are using the available tools to prosecute and bring to justice anyone who violates the hate crime statutes, and will vigorously enforce the federal civil rights laws.”

The FBI San Francisco Division’s strategy to combat hate crimes includes federal investigative activity, law enforcement partner coordination, community outreach, and public awareness:

Increase FBI Investigative Activity

  • FBI San Francisco is actively enhancing its existing investigative resources to investigate federal hate crimes. The division has experienced, specialized FBI special agent hate crime coordinators who are training more special agents to conduct hate crime and civil rights investigations. These special agents will also conduct outreach to community groups to spread awareness, build trust, and encourage additional reporting of hate crimes to the FBI.

Improve Law Enforcement Coordination

  • FBI special agents are actively working with local and state law enforcement partners and tribal authorities throughout Northern California to offer assistance and training on federal hate crime statutes. FBI San Francisco is encouraging law enforcement partners to refer possible federal hate crime cases to the FBI. In many instances, federal investigations may run parallel to and in coordination with local law enforcement investigations of violations of California state hate crime laws.
  • The FBI works closely with state, local, and tribal authorities on investigations, even when federal charges are not brought. FBI resources, forensic expertise, and experience in identification and proof of hate-based motivations often provide an invaluable complement to local law enforcement hate crime cases. Many cases are also prosecuted under other state statutes such as murder, arson, or more recent local ethnic intimidation laws.

Increase Community Outreach

  • FBI San Francisco has been rapidly increasing outreach efforts to minority associations, religious organizations, and community groups to promote cooperation and reduce civil rights abuses. Transparency and trust are fundamental to increase the reporting of hate crime incidents to law enforcement.

Launch Public Awareness Campaign

  • The FBI is encouraging the reporting of all incidents of bias and hate by expanding public education and outreach. FBI San Francisco has launched a social media awareness campaign and currently is running an advertisement on a San Francisco Muni train to encourage the public to report hate crimes to the FBI. Members of the public can report information on tips.fbi.gov in any language.

The FBI is the lead investigative agency for criminal violations of federal civil rights statutes. The Bureau works closely with its local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement partners around the country in many of these cases. Hate crimes are the highest priority of the FBI’s civil rights program because of the devastating impact they have on families and communities. The Bureau investigates hundreds of these cases every year, and we work to detect and prevent incidents through law enforcement training, public outreach, and partnerships with community groups.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911. If you believe you’ve been the target or victim of a hate crime or other violation of your civil rights, please contact the FBI San Francisco Division by calling (415) 553-7400 or submitting a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Tips can remain anonymous and can be made in an individual’s native language. If you are a member of an impacted community and would like to engage with us in this critical work, our FBI community outreach team can be contacted at Outreach.SF@fbi.gov.

For media inquiries, please contact the FBI San Francisco Media Office at media.sf@fbi.gov