Wachovia Bank Robbery

/in , , /by

There is an interesting story coming out of Hollywood, Florida. Have you heard about the bomb-strapping bandits, again? No, I am not talking about the Brian Wells story — where unfortunately, Wells paid the ultimate price.

I am speaking about Christopher W. Ferreira, and his girlfriend Cindy Wade. Ferreira says three people came to his home, strapped a bomb on him — and made him rob the Wachovia Bank where he works as a teller.

Read moreWhen I saw the story break, I was able to see Ferreira on video as he sat waiting for the bomb squad to dismantle him. I write about the story in more detail at The True Crime Weblog –formerly CrimeBlog.US.

Several things struck me as odd right off the bat:

  1. Why was Ferreira wearing work-type clothes on his day off — while he was at home? This may be explainable or it may not.
  2. While I can’t see for sure, I don’t clearly see a bomb strapped to Ferreira. I wondered if perhaps the bomb is strapped under his shirt? If that is true, it makes absolutely no sense. Why would a robber take the time to strap a bomb under someone’s shirt? What purpose would that serve?
  3. Look at Ferreira’s body language as he sits waiting for the bomb squad. Remember Brian Wells? He was tense, afraid and nervous. Do you see that with Ferreira?
  4. I find it strange that the robbers who put Ferreira up to the robbery stayed at his home two hours before robbing the bank– planning it all out. Most professional robbers have a plan. They don’t create one at someone’s house, or depend solely on the insight of a teller — that’s way too risky.
  5. I also found it odd that the robbers depended on Ferreira to drive to the bank in his car. They had to be sure he had keys, gas, etc. I thought that was odd.
  6. I also find it interesting how Ferreira’s girlfriend comes home in the middle of all of this, and is just gets included in. Wouldn’t you expect that instead of hauling her with them that they would have simply tied her up and taped her mouth shut to get her out of the way? Wouldn’t she be a liability going with them?

As the story continues to unfold, it appears that after being questioned by police, Ferreira didn’t show up for another interview police scheduled with him. Instead, he hired an attorney and from what news reports say, now he isn’t speaking to the police anymore.

One of his co-workers said she believed Ferreira was a nice guy — but when you watch this video, you see Ferreira giving the media the finger. If you were innocent of a crime such as this — wouldn’t the media be your friend and not an enemy? If you spoke, don’t you think you could help bring witnesses forward to help in the search for these robbers? Why isn’t Ferreira using the media to help him? Why does he see them as his enemy?

While I can’t come to any conclusions, my eyebrows are arched up and high. This behavior is certainly odd and not what I would expect from a victim. Developments can still emerge, and put a new light on the situation.

If only Ferreira would speak. If you see him make a statement which I don’t suspect he will do, let me know.

Mystery Plagues Indiana Town

/in , /by

There is a sad story that is slowly emerging out of Indiana. I wrote about it on CrimeBlog.US which is now moved and redirecting to TrueCrimeWeblog.com.

I am keeping my eyes on Lonny Stanley at this point after listening to her 911 call. Her behavior is odd and definitely has peaked my interest.

Update 10-10-2007:
News has come out today that Erin Stanley’s boyfriend has been arrested and charged with her murder and her murder alone (at this point).

I sure do wonder if Lonny was on drugs during that 911 call. Her behavior was just plain weird but of course weird behavior is not conclusive to anything by itself. As I commented on CrimeBlog.US, drugs could explain her odd behavior.

If anyone sees any video of Lonny Stanley speak about the murders of her two daughters, please let me know.

Update 10-11-2007:
Police released a few more details of this case, and a comment made by Erin Stanley’s mother, Lonny. The statement in bold raises my hairs again. This woman is strange.

“Lonny Stanley, the sisters’ mother, called for an ambulance for Erin about 5:15 a.m. Sept. 1. Although she suggested during the 911 call that her daughter was still trying to breathe, court documents filed Wednesday indicate Stanley likely was dead before a police officer arrived.

Lonny Stanley later told investigators that “was more of a hope than an observation,” according to a probable cause affidavit.” Indy Star

Read more
I wonder what the police have that points directly to MacFarland, and why Lonny isn’t nor has been a person-of-interest as her behavior is just strange to me. Maybe they know she was on medication or drugs that night. Or, they have finger prints of MacFarland all over Erin’s neck (is that possible?), or the window to the house after Kelly’s death? I hope they have something substantial at this point.

Of course without watching either of them speak, I have very little to go on — so right now I can’t see anything conclusive — but Lonny keeps raising these red flags with what little she says. If she was on medication or drugs that night, and her probable cause affidavit was made during the same night– it could, again, all be explainable (due to drugs or meds).

What a mystery!

Peculiar McCann Video

/in /by

There is a video of the McCanns being interviewed by a reporter on YouTube that is getting attention. People are questioning the interview because Mr. McCann’s behavior is different in this video than in other videos, and they are correct.

In the video, Gerry’s voice loses strength, he smiles, looks away and he scratches his ear. While none of these are clues to deceit by themselves, combined –and compared to other instances of Gerry talking — his behavior here is unique — and that is a red flag.

That is about all that can be said about this video.

Does this video change my original position that I believe the McCanns had nothing to do with the disappearance of their daughter? No, it does not.

Portuguese Police & Unanswered Questions

/in /by

Watching the cable network news the other night, I heard an interesting tidbit of information that peaked my curiosity. I guess there are some allegations by another woman of a missing child against the lead investigator of the McCann case.

Did you know another little girl, age 9, disappeared within seven miles of Madeleine only three years ago? Joana Cipriano disappeared on September 12, 2004 and her body has never been found.

Joana’s mom and uncle were charged and convicted of the murder on the fact that blood of the little girl was found in the freezer.

Joana’s mother filed complaints with our equivalent of the District Attorney’s office stating that she was beaten into giving a false confession.

“Portugal’s Ministerio Publico said in June it had charged three police officers with torture, a fourth with omission of evidence and a fifth with falsification of documents.” (4)

One of the officers charged, Portuguese CID Chief-Inspector Gonçalo Amara, is now the lead investigator in the McCann case.

Just food for thought.

Articles:
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Link 4

NOTE: Mary Winkler is scheduled to talk with Oprah on Wednesday, September 12th. I’ll be watching, will you?

Kate McCann is now a Suspect

/in /by

Yes, it is official — Kate McCann is now a suspect in the disappearance of her daughter, and news reports are saying that Gerry McCann will likely be named one as well — though that has yet to happen.

The reports are suggesting that the Portuguese police believe that the McCanns, more specifically Kate, accidentally killed their daughter and disposed of her body. They say that they have found blood evidence in the car rented by the McCanns 25 days after Maddie disappeared.

Read moreDo I question my original position on believing the McCanns? Absolutely not.

I have not seen one thing that has lead me to question the McCanns. To be guilty of killing their daughter intentionally or accidentally, you would expect to see hints of “fear” — fear that they are going to get caught in one of the biggest (self-) hyped lies in history.

Furthermore, they would have to be constantly on their feet to “think and talk” like a victim instead of a perpetrator. I see none of this.

More than that — if you accidentally or intentionally killed your daughter — are you really going to incite a worldwide media frenzy to focus on your every move? It’s ridiculous. Most liars want to avoid their lies — not be forced to talk about them day in and day out with cameras tracking their every move.

I do see many questionable things from the Portuguese police, however; delayed interviews, delayed forensics, and a lack of anything substantial.

The Portuguese police are accusing the McCanns of transporting a dead Maddie in their car — rented 25 days after her disappearance. If this truly happened, don’t you think someone would have seen something? After all, the McCanns every move has been watched since May 3rd.

Furthermore, if the McCanns had a body to hide, would they really create a media whirlwind? It defies logic.

Consider, however, the Portuguese police. They have the pressure of the world mounting on the shoulders. Are they smart enough, savvy enough — and professional enough to solve a missing person case? Each day that goes by where they are unable to generate credible leads makes them look bad. It makes them look unprofessional and unskilled. It tarnishes their reputation.

Consider as well that the McCanns are in Portugal still four months later. The constant barrage of media reports — on the missing girl — around the globe is painful to the economy of this nation. Tourism suffers, the image of Portugal suffers as do business owners. The McCanns presence is only negative to the people of Portugal. People who are economically strained by this impact are also likely to put immense pressure on the police — and officials to wrap this intense focus up and quickly.

You have to wonder if the mounting pressure on the Portugese police is causing them to jump to conclusions, don’t you?

Where do I see the most questions? When I look at the Portuguese police, not the McCanns.