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Court Program Fast Tracking Immigration Cases Questioned

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When a 52-year-old construction worker from Guadalajara faced a federal court judge last March for illegal entry, he was no stranger to the court room. Since 1998, the man had been arrested nine times for illegally entering the country.

Through a plea deal system called “Fast Track,” the man faced a two-year prison sentence for the latest offense. It was less time than he received in 2011 when the same federal court judge sentenced him to 30 months for the same crime.

Court documents show the federal court judge objected, saying “seems to me that if a guy keeps doing the same thing … one would think the penalties would go up, not down.”

Federal Court Judge Larry A. Burns overturned the defendant's plea deal, sentencing the Guadalajara worker to 45 months behind bars, according to court documents. He added, “This isn’t Starbucks where you get your eighth coffee for free.”

The defendant’s court appointed lawyer declined to comment.

The Southern District of California is the fifth busiest U.S. court district. Immigration cases make up 60% of the caseload. According to 2014 data released by the U.S. Justice Department, 41.7 percent of the federal criminal cases U.S. attorneys filed in all U.S. district courts across the nation were in the five U.S. attorneys' districts that sit along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Those numbers are just tracking the more serious illegal re-entry cases, federal data shows. On average, a person is caught for illegal entry and deported 3.2 times before they ever see the inside of a federal court room, according to the data. The federal prosecutions are reserved for criminals who illegally enter the country in addition to committing some other offense, such as drug offenses, theft or domestic violence, according to legal experts and federal court records.

The Southern District of California uses a system called “Fast Track” to handle the huge volume of immigration cases, but court documents show two federal court judges are raising concerns about the process.

Fast Track offers a quick resolution to illegal entry cases, in return for lighter sentences. In 2015, about 27 percent of all cases were handled by the Fast Track Sentencing Unit in the Southern District of California, according to a U.S. Attorney spokeswoman.

“Essentially, you show up, here’s your Fast Track offer, it’s on the table, take it or leave it. If you don’t take it, your sentence is going to be way jacked up,” said Criminal Defense Attorney Patrick Griffin.

Both the U.S. Attorney’s office and Griffin said “Fast Track” preserves court resources, saving time and money.

“There’s a balancing act between do we give these people lighter sentences for not using resources, or do we expend a ton of resources, time, energy to incarcerate people who are eventually going to get deported anyway?” Griffin said.

One federal court judge, Larry A. Burns, has said recently in open court that preserving court resources is no longer a concern because few cases go to trial anymore.

Both Burns and U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy declined an on-camera interview.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, prosecutors are granted full discretion in deciding who is offered a Fast-Track disposition, a break in the previous policy that required the defendant to not have already gone through the Fast-Track system before and not have any serious violent felonies on his or her record.

Griffin said there’s really no simple solution to the complicated problem.

“What the statistics have found is these people simply are not deterred by federal incarceration, and they’re not,” Griffin said. “The numbers back it up. They just don’t sit there and think ‘Oh, I better not do this,’ because for a lot of these people, three square meals a day and having a bed to sleep in is not that much worse than what they’re dealing with when they decide to cross.”



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Man Accused of Killing 2 Family Members Sent for Treatment

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A man accused of fatally stabbing his grandmother and uncle has been sentenced to three years in a state mental hospital for treatment. 

Raymond Chatterfield, 29, is accused of killing his grandmother Donna Chatterfield, 78, and uncle Kenneth Chatterfield, 54, at their Otay Mesa mobile home Monday afternoon — just hours after he was released from county jail.

A judge ruled Monday Chatterfield is not competent to stand trial and sentenced him to three years at Patton State Hospital. 

A year ago, a court psychiatrist warned that Raymond "posed a substantial danger of physical harm toward others" and needed antipsychotic medication, according to court documents obtained by NBC 7.

The suspect had told the psychiatrist he thought his grandmother was running a sex trafficking ring and that he was a Navy SEAL fighting a war-- all delusions of a dangerous schizophrenic, the records say.

In August, Raymond admitted to violating a restraining order meant to protect Donna. In October, court records show he violated the order again. He told police at the time he could go anywhere he wanted because he owns all the land and is the president of Brazil.

He was sentenced to 90 days in jail on Oct. 20, but he got credit for 41 days of time already served. With good behavior, he was released.

Raymond was in and out of jail multiple times over the last three years. He was arrested on multiple misdemeanors for drugs, elder abuse and violating the restraining order, according to court documents.

Connie Ferraro, the victims’ roommate, previously told NBC 7 Donna had been terrified of her grandson for years.

“She was worried. Yesterday, she knew he was getting out,” Ferraro said. “They kept her updated; they should have called her or something but they didn't. The last time they let him out on the 14th of October, the 16th he got arrested here again. And then the 30th, it didn't take him long to get here.”

Local judges issued at least three orders to protect Donna from her grandson. None of them prevented Raymond from entering her home Monday, Ferraro said.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Trump Says SD Judge Is Prejudiced Against Him

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Donald Trump believes U.S. Federal Judge Gonzalo Curiel is prejudiced against him, claiming the judge has shown "tremendous hostility" to him.

The GOP presidential candidate said the judge, based in San Diego, ruled against him a number of times in the class action lawsuits against Trump University, which name Trump as a defendant.

"I think it has to do with perhaps the fact that I'm very, very strong on the border," Trump said on Fox News Sunday. "Now he is Hispanic, I believe. He is a very hostile judge to me."

Trump said the judge is biased because of Trump’s call to build a wall along the border.

Nothing could be further from the truth, long time defense attorney Gretchen Von Helms told NBC 7.

This is “absolutely unfounded,” Von Helms said. “Judge Curiel gave lots of his rulings before Trump made those comments about the border and illegal immigration.”

NBC 7 checked federal court records and confirmed Von Helms' claim. NBC 7 also reached out to Curiel for comment but his office says they can’t comment on any element of the ongoing cases.

Von Helms argued cases against the judge when Curiel was a prosecuting attorney. She also argued cases before him as a superior court judge and now as a federal judge. Her experience has shown the judge to be ethical and even-handed, she said, not likely to be influenced by Trump’s attack.

“Personally I think this judge would be one to just set it aside,” Von Helms said. “He is not going get involved with it, not get embroiled in a controversy. He is going to continue his job professionally because that is the kind of judge he is.”

Two different lawsuits allege Trump’s school engaged in deceptive practices and scammed thousands of students who enrolled in response to claims the school would make them rich in the real estate market. Both cases will be tried in San Diego.

Trump's attorneys have repeatedly defended the school, claiming the lawsuits are politically motivated.

During an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," Trump said, "This is a case that should have been thrown out a long time ago, in the opinion of many great lawyers."

The class action lawsuits are set to begin in San Diego this spring. Trump is on the witness list for both the plaintiffs and the defense.
 



Photo Credit: AP

5 Parrots Shot in Point Loma, Ocean Beach

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Five endangered parrots have been shot and killed in Point Loma and Ocean Beach over an eight-day period.

Residents and animal activists are searching for the person or people who have been shooting the birds with a BB gun.

Three of the five parrots were shot in a neighborhood near Gage and Talbot streets.

Jamul-based SoCal Parrot reports that the birds being killed are endangered Lilac Crowned Amazons and Red Masked Conures.

The organization has started a reward fund, which is up to $1,500 so far.

Residents, like Kathie Landis, have put up signs in their neighborhood that read: “Stop Shooting the Parrots.”

“It’s completely disconcerting to imagine one of my neighbors could possibly be responsible for this,” Landis said.

San Diego police are investigating the string of parrot shootings as an animal cruelty case and anyone with information should contact them.

Killing an endangered bird is a federal crime and could be punishable with jail time and $20,000 fine.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Camp Pendleton-Based Marine Shot Outside SoCal 7-Eleven

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A U.S. Marine was hospitalized after being shot outside a 7-Eleven in Monterey Park early Monday morning, and now police are looking for the shooter, officials said.

Police responding to reports of a shooting in the 200 block of West Pomona Boulevard about 2:45 a.m. found a man suffering from a gunshot wound, according to the Monterey Park Police Department.

The confrontation began when the victim and a friend arrived at the 7-Eleven and were contacted by a suspect who was standing in the parking lot.

After words were exchanged, the suspect pulled out a gun and fired at the victim, striking him in the abdomen, police said.

The victim was transported to the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center. He is expected to survive. 

Both the victim and his friend were active-duty Marines based in Camp Pendleton, according to Lt. Bill Cuevas with the Monterey Police Department.

No other injuries occurred during the incident.

Witnesses and the victim told police the suspect was a male Hispanic in his 20s wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and dark pants. The weapon used was described as a dark-colored handgun.

The suspect was last seen fleeing the parking lot on a bicycle, police said.

Police believe this may have been a random shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Monterey Park Police Department detectives at 626-307-1246. Anonymous tips can be made at 800-222-TIPS (8477).



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Vatican Cardinal: Pedophile Priest 'Wasn't of Much Interest'

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Vatican treasurer George Pell said Tuesday that a notorious Roman Catholic Church sex-abuse case "wasn't of much interest" to him.

The Australian cardinal — the highest-ranking Vatican official to testify on systemic sexual abuse of children by clergy — said senior clergy lied to him to cover up abuse in the 1970s.

He said was no reason for him to know the extent of Father Gerald Ridsdale's pedophilia, who was later convicted of 138 offences against more than 50 children.The convicted priest was once Pell's roommate.

Pell denied there was any discussion of Ridsdale being a pedophile at a meeting he attended in 1982 where it was discussed that Ridsdale should be moved to another parish.



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1 Dead After App Sends Israeli Soldiers Into Refugee Camp

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A Palestinian was shot dead during a riot sparked when two Israeli soldiers got lost using a cellphone navigation app and strayed into refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, officials said Tuesday, NBC News reported. 

The soldiers were not familiar with the area and the app took them the shortest possible route, which was directly through the refugee camp, said Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon.

Clashes broke out after the two soldiers accidentally entered the Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, on Monday night

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said one Palestinian was shot and killed and four others were wounded by live ammunition. Another 12 were injured by rubber bullets, according to the ministry.



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Black Candidate's Office Shot in Apparent Racial Attack

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Five people were taken into custody and questioned late Monday in connection with the apparent racially motivated shooting at a Texas campaign office, police said. 

Zena Stephens, an African-American woman and university police chief at Prairieview A&M, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the Jefferson County sheriff position. Her campaign office in Beaumont, Texas, was shot at by a white male who drove up in his vehicle and yelled racial slurs before opening fire, Stephens, who was standing outside her campaign headquarters at the time of the incident, told NBC News.

Stephens' father, mother, and niece were in the building along with roughly 22 other people and a handful outside. No one was injured in the shooting.



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911 Calls From Machete Attack

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Calls to 911 reveal the frantic scene after a bizarre attack involving a machete sent one man to the hospital in Connecticut over the weekend.

Terror in the callers' voices is evident in the recordings from Saturday night, when 30-year-old Zchacorey Pouncey, of Broad Brook, allegedly attacked another man with a machete outside the victim’s home on Abbe Road. The victim’s girlfriend called 911.

"I have a head injury. We got somebody running there’s (expletive) blood all over the place. We just need somebody here right now," the woman told the dispatcher.

She then handed the phone to her boyfriend, who had been cut with the machete.

"She went out. Came home with her cousin’s boyfriend. I’ve got the machete right now that this dude tried to chop me up with," the victim said in the call.

"OK, is the person with the machete still there?" the dispatcher asked.

"I took the machete from him. He (expletive) tried to kill me," the victim replied.

Police said the man fought back against the suspect but won’t be charged because he was acting in self-defense.

"I don’t even know if he’s all right. You guys may have to look for him," he told the dispatcher.

Neighbors found Pouncey lying on their porch, bleeding heavily from a head wound. Pouncey was taken to the hospital and later arrested and charged with assault, breach of peace and carrying a dangerous weapon.

"The house is a mess. There’s pure blood in here. Nobody died or nothing like that, but yeah, he came home and tried to kill me," the victim repeated on the 911 call.

Police still don’t have a motive but said Pouncey was intoxicated.

Pouncey also faces charges for allegedly starting a fight and breaking the window of the German Club in Broad Brook.

Employees said they kicked Pouncey out after he appeared to become intoxicated and start a fight. Upon being locked out of the club, police said Pouncey used the machete to break a window.

East Windsor police said they plan to charge him with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Information on an attorney for Pouncey was not immediately available.



Photo Credit: East Windsor Police Department

Stocks Gain After Manufacturing Report

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U.S. stocks were up Tuesday after a better-than-expected report on U.S. manufacturers, CNBC reported.

February ISM manufacturing came in at 49.6, about 1 point higher than expected and better than 48.2 from the prior month. But anything under 50 percent shows that companies are cutting back instead of expanding and the index has still been under that threshold for five straight months, Marketwatch reported.

Still, the Dow was up 200 points in mid-morning trading, led by Goldman Sachs and IBM. IT and financials led other sectors on the S&P 500.



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Boy Left in Trash-Filled Hallway

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A New York City mother is angry after watching a video she says shows her son being left inside a trash-filled stairwell as an apparent means of discipline at his pre-kindergarten school. 

The video, recorded about a week ago by a school worker, was sent anonymously to community advocate Tony Herbert, who spoke to reporters Monday alongside the boy's mother, Fatima Scipio. 

In the footage, the 4-year-old boy is seen throwing and kicking around trash bags in an isolated stairwell used to hold trash at PS 198 in East Harlem, Scipio said. He was sent there after he began acting out in the classroom.

Scipio said her son had been getting into trouble at school but didn't know what prompted the change in his behavior.

"I get numerous call from the school each and every day that my son has spit, kicked and did all of these things," she said. "I have asked the school, 'What are you guys doing to my child while he is in the school? What is the reason for him to behave in this manner? What is going on with my child at school?' And no one can answer me."

When she saw the video of her son lashing out while being left alone in the trash-filled stairwell, Scipio realized what was happening. 

"When he starts to to have his tantrums, that's where they place him," she said. 

"I knew about the behavior issues. I didn't know he was being left in a stairwell," she added. 

Scipio said the school's manner of dealing with her son's behavior is inappropriate.

"My child is a human being. For them to treat my child in this manner, I'm flabbergasted and floored," said the mother.

Scipio said her son was the "sweetest" child while attending day care last year.

"He started this school in September — why all of a sudden has he turned from the sweetest kid to mean and angry and upset?" said Scipio. 

She said she attributes the change in her son's behavior to the people around him and she wants her son placed in a different school.

The Department of Education did not return multiple calls for comment Monday evening.

The video was sent to Herbert's office, who in turn alerted the mother. She said she doesn't know who recorded the video but is grateful it came to light. 

Step Forward in Eradicating HIV/AIDS in San Diego

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 San Diego County residents living with HIV/AIDS may soon have better resources available to them as the County Board of Supervisors took the next step in approving a proposed plan to eradicate the disease. 

Officials formally approved “Getting to Zero,” a County initiative aimed at eradicating HIV/AIDS in San Diego. Tuesday, the board approved the recommendations, which will help create comprehensive policy to better align programs and partners through the County.

Officials estimate approximately 20,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in San Diego County and of those, approximately 2,300 are not aware of their HIV/AIDS status.

“Along with regular testing good care, this will mean we can absolutely stop the spread of the disease and as our chairman said, relegate this to the history bin,” San Diego City Council member Todd Gloria said.

The Board also heard an update on the Alzheimer’s Project, a plan to update and improve care for patients suffering from the disease and find a cure.

County and health care system across San Diego will start adopting a new standard of diagnosing patients who may have Alzheimer’s or dementia. The County says 60,000 people and their families are dealing with Alzheimer's or some form of dementia. 

County Supervisor Dianne Jacob believes this is one of the first initiatives around the country in caring for people with these symptoms.

“But we have a new tool and this critical new tool, physicians will be able to identify patients with dementia faster and help them get the resources they need,” Jacob said. “This is great news for families who are worried sick about their loved ones.”

Combined, 80,000 people across the County are affected by HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s and dementia, County officials said.



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Charges Over 'Jailhouse Fight Club'

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Three current and former San Francisco sheriff's deputies are accused of forcing jail inmates to fight each other in what authorities described as a "jailhouse fight club."

District Attorney George Gascón and FBI Special Agent in Charge David Johnson announced the charges Tuesday against deputy sheriffs Eugene Jones and Clifford Chiba and former Deputy Sheriff Scott Neu.

The three face felony and misdemeanor charges including "cruel and unusual punishment."

"These are serious crimes that damage the moral authority of law enforcment," Gascón said.

According to court documents, Neu forced county jail inmates Ricardo Palakiko-Garcia and Stanley Harris to fight each other March 5 on the seventh floor of the county jail at 850 Bryant Street.

Neu allegedly told Garcia and Harris that if they did not fight, he would handcuff them, use Mace or a Taser on them, beat them and send them to a different jail with fewer privileges, documents show. 

The two inmates fought each other because they felt they had no choice, according to Gascón.

Chiba was allegedly present and failed to stop the fight, neglecting to protect Garcia and Harris from harm, records indicate. Chiba also gave advice to one of the inmates later about how to proceed in a subsequent round, according to the documents.
 
The next day, Neu and Jones forced the inmates to fight a second time, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors also said that between Oct. 3, 2014 and March 25, 2015, Neu ordered Harris to perform push-ups and dips and gamble in exchange for food and clothing. 

Neu is charged with 17 counts, including issuing criminal threats against inmates, inflicting cruel and unusual punishment and "inhumanity" against the inmates in his care. If convicted of all counts, Neu could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Jones is charged with similar allegations, including "willfully failing to perform an official duty." He could face up to five years in prison if convicted.

Chiba, the only one not charged with a felony, faces a misdemeanor charge of inflicting cruel and unusual punishment. He could face a year and six months in county jail.

Harry Stern, an attorney for the San Francisco Deputy Sheriff's Association, the deputies' union, has called the allegations "exaggerated'' and the fighting "little more than horseplay."

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the the pending charges Monday, citing sources familiar with the investigation.

The deputies’ conduct had been under investigation by both local and federal authorities since the allegations emerged in March 2015, when San Francisco public defender Jeff Adachi described "gladiator style" fights under former Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi.

Mirkarimi was later voted out of office.

It's the second recent high-profile case involving jail guards charged with crimes against inmates.

Three Santa Clara County jail guards are currently in the midst of a preliminary hearing after they were accused of beating inmate Michael Tyree to death in August. The guards have pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: AP

Father, Son Nab Hit-and-Run Suspect

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Police are crediting a father and son with catching a hit-and-run suspect in New Haven, Connecticut, on Monday night.

Sajjad Chaudhary and his son, Ali, chased down 46-year-old David Diaz after Diaz drove into a woman crossing the street at the intersection of Whalley Avenue and Sherman Avenue around 7:30 p.m., according to police.

A video shot by Sajjad Chaudhary shows Diaz outside his car in a parking lot on County Street.

The father and son stopped Diaz and forced him to stay put until police arrived, according to authorities.

"Do not move, do not move. Put the hands up there," Sajjad can be heard saying in the video.

The Chaudharys work near the scene of the crash.

"I seen the lady, she go into the air and fly like a couple of turns and she dropped the body on the ground, and instantly my brain take a right turn," Sajjad Chaudhary said.

According to police, Diaz sped away. The father and son followed him and were eventually able to make him stop his car.

"When he got out of the car, I grabbed his keys and then we just held him there until the cops came," Ali Chaudhary said.

They called 911 and police arrived to take Diaz into custody. 

"His commands to the suspect were spot on. This guy should certainly apply to be a police officer," said New Haven police spokesman Officer David Hartman. "If not, maybe we'll offer him a job training."

Diaz admitted to officers that he had smoked marijuana and snorted cocaine earlier in the day, police said. They are awaiting test results to confirm what was in his system.

Diaz, whose speech appears slurred, can be heard on video saying he didn't do anything wrong.

"I didn't kill nobody," he said. "She got in my way."

He is charged with second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, reckless driving, operating under the influence and evading. Information on an attorney for Diaz was not immediately available.

The woman Diaz struck was transported to the hospital and immediately underwent surgery. She is improving and is expected to recover, police said.

"I am glad she make it because the way he hit her, looked like to me like maybe she's not gonna make it," Sajjad Chaudhary said.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Carlsbad Police Start Body Camera Trial Program

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The Carlsbad Police department will start a four to six-week trial of body cameras on Tuesday the department said.

The test will include six police officers, but they are hoping to eventually all officers with body cameras.

“We are always looking for ways to be innovative and use technology to ensure effective police work,” said Interim Police Chief Neil Gallucci. “Body-worn cameras not only assist in the collection of evidence, but they can also enhance public trust and our ability to safely collaborate toward the common goal of a safe and secure Carlsbad.”

The department is also finalizing a policy over when to turn cameras on, when not to use them, who can access the footage and how the data will be stored. The department has been working with other regional agencies and the District Attorney’s office and has reviewed national information while creating the policy according to the project manager Cpt. Mickey Williams.

"We want to involve the community as we test and rollout this new tool,” said Chief Gallucci. “We understand there is a lot of curiosity about body-worn cameras, and we want the public to have as much information as possible about the department’s use of this resource.”

Other countywide agencies that are testing or have adopted the use of body-worn cameras are the San Diego Police Department, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Chula Vista Police Department, Coronado Police Department, and Escondido Police Department.

The department chose the TASER Axon Flex Camera for the trial because of its accessibility and the fact that other agencies in the county are using the camera. During the trial, footage will be stored by the TASER Company under an agreement that will allow the District Attorney’s Office access to the stored footage.

The initial cost for the first year is projected to be $212,316. This includes the equipment, officer training and data storage. Subsequent years are projected at $123,148. The policy will be on the department’s website when it’s complete.


Bill Gates Tops Forbes' 2016 World's Billionaire List

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Bill Gates remains the world's richest person with a current net worth of $75 billion, down from $79.2 billion a year ago, according to Forbes' annual ranking of billionaires in the Mar. 21, 2016 issue. 

The Microsoft co-founder has taken the top spot for 17 of the last 22 years. Right behind Gates was Amancio Ortega with $67 billion, followed by Warren Buffet with $60.8 billion. Mexican business magnate Carlos Slim Helú was at number four after dropping two spots, and his net worth decreased to $50 billion from $77.1 billion last year. Meanwhile, Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, moved up to the fifth spot from number 15 last year with a net worth of $45.2 billion.

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg was the biggest gainer on the list at number six. He broke into the top 10 on the list for the first time, adding $11.2 billion to his fortune for a total net worth $44.6 of billion.

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump made the list at number 34 with his fortune valued at 4.5 billion. The real estate mogul spent only $18 million of his vast fortune on his White House bid so far, Forbes noted. 

But the total number of billionaires was slightly down this year to 1,810 from 1,826 in 2015. The total net worth for this year’s billionaires was $6.48 trillion, down from $7.05 trillion last year.

The U.S. has the most billionaires on the list with 540 total, followed by China with 251, Germany with 120, India with 84, and Russia with 77. A wealth of billionaires is concentrated in California where there are 131, including 9 newcomers.

The U.S. also boasts the most women on the list with 65, although the overall number of women is down on the list to 190 from 197 in 2015. The list includes thirty-three women who are self-made billionaires. Hong Kong newcomer Zhou Qunfei, whose Her Lens Technology went public in 2015, is the richest woman on Forbes' list. 

This year, 198 billionaires were new to the list, with China adding 70, the most of any country. The U.S. followed with 33.

Sixty-six of the billionaires are under 40 this year, including Norway's Alexandra Andresen, 19, and her 20-year-old sister Katharina Andresen. The sisters, heiresses to a family fortune built on tobacco, are the world’s youngest billionaires. 

A few people are missing from the list this year, including American fashion designer Tory Burch. Forbes attributed the change to the decreasing value of luxury fashion brands. 

The billionaire list is determined by a snapshot of wealth taken on Feb. 12, 2016 when stock prices and exchange rates are locked in from around the world. Individuals on the list must be worth a minimum of $1 billion apiece to make the list.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, who has a net worth of $2.9 billion, graced the Forbes cover this year, which marks the magazine's 30th edition of the billionaire list.


 



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Garage Fire Sparks in Allied Gardens

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A fire sparked in the garage of an Allied Gardens home Tuesday morning, sending heavy smoke into the neighborhood.

The blaze began around 6:15 a.m. in the 7100 block of Romford Court. When San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) crews arrived, smoke was stemming from the home’s detached garage.

Crews began tackling the fire and were able to contain it to the garage. It was knocked out without spreading to the home. SDFD officials said.

All residents inside the home had safely escaped when the fire broke out and no injuries were reported.

SDFD officials said one car parked inside the garage was damaged in the fire. In all, damages from the blaze are estimated at $200,000.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.



Photo Credit: Chris Chan

Driver Slams Into 7-Eleven, Traps Customers Inside

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A hit-and-run driver behind the wheel of an SUV plowed into a 7-Eleven in downtown San Diego Monday night, trapping two people inside the store.

According to officials, the crash happened just before 11:30 p.m. at the convenience store on Market Street and Park Boulevard in the East Village. Witnesses said a man driving a blue Ford Explorer was trying to make a U-Turn when, instead, he slammed into the entrance of the 7-Eleven.

Witnesses told police the driver then backed up and sped off, driving eastbound on Market Street, leaving behind a huge mess.

The impact from the collision ripped the frame of the store’s front door out of the ground and shattered the glass at the entrance. Shards and debris were left all over the sidewalk and inside the business.

Two people were inside the store at the time, and were trapped inside for about a half-hour while fire crews secured the building and created a safe opening for them to get out. No one was hurt, officials said.

The crash rattled many people in the area, including 7-Eleven customer Robert Geiger. He couldn’t believe his eyes when the SUV slammed into the store.

“I thought he would hit a parking meter before he hit the store,” Geiger said. “All the parking meters in the street are okay.”

Another witness who lives above the 7-Eleven said the sound of the crash was so loud it shook the entire building and woke him up.

Despite the incident, the store was open for business Tuesday morning and very busy with customers making their early-morning purchases.
Crews were on site repairing the damage left behind in the crash. The hit-and-run driver has not been arrested.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Suspect Uses Victim's Stolen Identity to Order Prepaid Cards: SDPD

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 An investigation is underway after a suspect stole a Carmel Mountain resident's identity and used it to order prepaid credit cards in his name. 

San Diego Police (SDPD) initially received a call for the reported theft on Feb. 17 or 18, when the victim said a man came to his door and stole a UPS package. 

The suspect stole his identity, police said, and ordered prepaid credit cards in his name. 

A neighbor's surveillance video shows the suspect in the area and walking up to the house, out of frame. Police are aware of the surveillance and say it is part of the investigation. 

The investigation is ongoing, police said. 

If you plan on receiving a package, police said, they recommend having someone home to pick it up or coordinate with neighbors to help out. 

No further information was immediately available.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Silicon Valley Co. Plans San Diego Expansion

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Wrike, a software as a service provider, plans to bring 150 jobs to San Diego over the next three years, the company announced Feb. 29.

The Silicon Valley company develops work-management software for companies that use large-scale or enterprise computer systems.

The business spent roughly half a year evaluating regions for a secondary location, said Seth Shaw, the company’s chief revenue officer. Executives reviewed Atlanta, Chicago, North Carolina and Phoenix before deciding to expand into San Diego. Shaw said the company was attracted to San Diego by the “deep talent pool,” including its university graduates, as well as the frequent airline service between San Diego and Silicon Valley.

Compared to North Carolina, the company is paying a 20 percent to 25 percent premium for talent, he said.

Most immediately, Shaw said Wrike is hiring for entry level to mid-level positions. First-year salaries will be in the $50,000 to $100,000 a year range, he said.

The company found space on Nobel Drive, near La Jolla and the University of California, San Diego.

Wrike says its product combines project management functions with a real-time work space for collaboration, discussion and document sharing. Customers include Amazon.com, AT&T, Capgemini, Hootsuite, Hawaiian Airlines, HTC, MTV and PayPal.

The business is based in Mountain View. Wrike raised $26 million in three rounds of venture funding, according to TechCrunch, most recently receiving $15 million in series B funds.
 



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