http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/08/richmond-gang-rape-911-ca_n_350209.html
Richmond Gang Rape 911 Caller Speaks: Margarita Vargas Heard About Attack, Reported It
15-year-old girl who was raped, robbed and beaten by multiple attackers outside of her high school homecoming dance was found by police after 18-year-old Margarita Vargas, undaunted by pressure to keep quiet, called 911.
Vargas called police after her brother-in-law told her about an attack at Richmond High School in Richmond, Calif. CBS:
"I was watching a movie, and my brother-in-law came in and he told me 'I don't know what to do, because there is a girl back there and she has been raped. I'm scared,'" 18-year-old Margarita Vargas said.
"I'm like 'We should call the cops because that's the right thing to do.' I didn't think about it twice."
Relaying what she knew, Vargas called police without even witnessing the crime. She arrived after police and saw the victim being taken away. Vargas told CNN that she was proud of herself. Referring to a culture of silence, Vargas told CNN that there's a common saying around Richmond "snitches get stitches."
Police believe up to 10 people participated in the Oct. 24 assault and that as many as a dozen people watched, laughed and took pictures while it happened. Seven suspects have been arrested, though 1 has been released. According to a report by KTVU News, at least 4 of the suspects are teenagers and face life in prison. One suspect is 21.
The victim released a statement last Tuesday, urging supporters to look past their anger and work for change to keep people safe.
According to police, the 15-year-old who was attacked, left her high school dance Oct. 24 and was expected to meet her father. He was looking for her while the attack took place.
Cameron Aulner
http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-wheelchair-wal-mart-arrest-092909,0,4371546.story
Disabled man stops suspected child molester at Westminster Wal-Mart
John Romero KDVR Denver
9:44 PM MDT, September 29, 2009
WESTMINSTER, Colo. - It was anything but an ordinary Saturday at the Wal-Mart at 92nd and Sheridan.
Westminster Police confirm that on September 19th, a man "touched" a 10-year-old girl while she pushed her 2-year-old cousin in the toy department. According to the arrest affidavit, witnesses said the suspect then ran away after the little girl screamed.
She told officers a man came toward her, she turned her back to the shelves, and he reached around and then "squeezed her butt." She began to scream and ran away, looking for another adult.
The affidavit says one witness, Chris Bevin, saw the suspect, 34-year-old Kevin Salyers, run from the toy department. Bevin told investigating officers that he began to run after Salyers, and shouted "stop that man!" But no one was able to stop him.
That's when a man working at the Comcast table at the front of the store went into action. Even more amazing, the Comcast employee, 22-year-old Cameron Aulner was in a wheel chair. Aulner pulled in front of the suspect, and grabbed his t-shirt. Aulner says he wound up out of his wheel chair, and on top of the suspect who was on the ground.
The arrest affidavit says Aulner and others prevented Salyers from leaving until police arrived.
"It was something that happened so fast, I didn't even think about it," Aulner said Tuesday. "I'm not a hero. I just did what you're supposed to do."
Aulner lost the use of his legs when he fell off a roof installing Christmas Lights. He said he played a little football before he got hurt and knew how to tackle.
"He just had this look of astonishment, he didn't know what hit him," Aulner said. Witnesses say Aulner helped hold Salyers down until police arrived.
Westminster Police charged Salyers with Sexual Assault on a Child. They are considering giving Aulner an official commendation.
Comcast is also praising his efforts.
"As a parent, I'm thrilled that the child was ok and the person was apprehended," Marketing and Sales director Matthew Moyer said. "I applaud Cameron for getting involved and happy that the child wasn't injured."
Aulner said this was simply a matter of doing the right thing.
"When someone has an opportunity to help someone else, it doesn't matter who you are, you have a responsibility to do that," Aulner said.
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