Crime

Cybercrooks use interest in Texas plant explosion to attack computers

Submitted by Alan Collins, Fox 6 News Reporter

Friday, April 19th, 2013, 11:04am

Cybercrooks use interest in Texas plant explosion to attack computers

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Another round of cyber attacks to beware of on your personal computer.

FOX6 told you Wednesday that cyber criminals were sending out emails with malware in video of the Boston Marathon bombings. The latest cyber attack has expanded to include the explosion at a west Texas fertilizer plant late Wednesday night.

"The spammers diversified the message of just focusing on the Boston explosion. Now they have added a line referring to the Texas explosion," Gary Warner, UAB's Director of Research in Computer Research, said.

Warner has been working with authorities tracking the spammers in efforts to shut them down. The crooks' goal is to download a hidden program to personal computers which in turn could cause the computer to be controlled to send out future spam. There is also another group which seeks to add a financial crime program to your computer.

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Clanton robberies could be connected to 4 others

Submitted by Melanie Posey, Fox 6 News Reporter

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013, 7:08pm

Clanton robberies could be connected to 4 others

CLANTON, AL (WBRC)- The police chief in Clanton has a big problem on his hands. Chief Brian Stilwell says there's been a rash of armed robberies in his city.

He thinks the same crook has committed robberies in several other towns, including Hoover.

Authorities believe it is one guy acting alone in all these situations. They suspect he may be travelling up and down I-65 looking for targets.

Over the last months he's hit five Alabama towns that are as far as three plus hours away from each other. Police hope to stop him before hits more.

One of the most recent victims was a clerk at an Exxon gas station who goes by "Christina." She described what happened during the robbery.

"Was about 7:40. I was standing at the counter and I heard the door open. The guy came in, pointed the gun at me and said, where's the money?" Christina said.

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Man's body found inside car

Submitted by MyFoxAL Web Staff on Monday, March 11th, 2:16 pm

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Birmingham police are trying to find the person responsible for the city's latest homicide. It happened just after 6 a.m. on Saturday morning on Fourth Court North.

Officers were looking into a suspicious vehicle when they found 33-year-old Adam Morrow inside his car with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

There are no arrests in this case. Anyone with information should contact the Birmingham police homicide unit or crime stoppers.

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FBI releases national hate crime statistics

Submitted by Jonathan Hardison, Fox 6 News Reporter

Monday, December 10th, 2012, 6:57pm

FBI releases national hate crime statistics

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- The FBI today released its annual report on the number of hate crimes in the U.S.

First the good news: the FBI says nationwide, the number of reported hate crimes dropped by about 400 to 6,222 last year compared to 2010.

The FBI says of Alabama's 83 hate crimes last year, 69 were related to race or ethnicity, seven because of sexual orientation, five because of religion, and two because of disability.

But the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate crimes in Alabama and nationwide, says those numbers don't tell the real story.

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Birmingham to celebrate National Night Out 2012

Submitted by Melynda Sides, Digital Content Producer

Monday, August 6th, 2012, 4:52pm

Birmingham to celebrate National Night Out 2012

Birmingham will celebrate the 29th annual National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 7. The anti-crime celebration will be held in neighborhoods throughout the city, but specific events are planned for Eastlake Park and Railroad Park.

The Eastlake Park National Night Out will last from 6-9 p.m. and the one at Railroard Park will be from 4-6 p.m.

National Night Out is a nationwide campaign designed to give community members the chance to meet local law enforcement officers and help prevent crime in their neighborhoods.

"This campaign will encompass citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials coming together to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness," the Birmingham police department said in a release.

According to their website, the purpose of National Night Out is to:

1. Heighten crime prevention awareness

2. Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs

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Protecting your vehicle from break-ins and theft

Submitted by Brianne Britzius, Fox 6 Digital Producer

Thursday, May 10th, 2012, 4:06pm

Protecting your vehicle from break-ins and theft

As the temperatures get warmer it can be tempting to leave the AC running in your car while you pop into the store or your house. But Birmingham Police have noticed an increase in car thefts and break-ins of vehicles that are left unattended.

No matter where you live, their tips for keeping your car safe can prevent thieves from helping themselves to your property:

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Protecting your vehicle from break-ins and theft

Submitted by Brianne Britzius, Fox 6 Digital Producer

Thursday, May 10th, 2012, 3:54pm

Birmingham Police have noticed an increase in car thefts and break-ins since temperatures have risen, in part because people may leave their car running in order to keep in cool while they run into a store.

To help combat these crimes they have offered some tips that can help protect your property, regardless of where you live.

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