A normally benign religious symbol could actually be a symbol for something much more sinister. U.S. Marshals say religious saints are being used to represent drug and street gangs.
These are the faces of biblical saints. They are often found in a Christian or Catholic home. But now, U.S. Marshals say these faces should be looked at twice if found in a suspect's home.
A cross. A rosary. Images of La Santa Maria or the Virgin Mary and other saints.
Familiar to us as biblical icons found within the Christian faith -- but U.S. Marshals say these holy saints are now showing their faces inside criminals' homes.
"A lot of the Mexican drug traffickers and gangs will use prayer for protection from law enforcement and anyone they consider their enemy," says Robert Almonte, U.S. Marshal's Office
Traffickers and gang members will pray to these saints for unholy things -- like law immunity. They will ask the normally do-good saints to ward off law enforcement so they can get away with bad things. This trend is all new to law enforcement.
"If a lot of these items pop up, like Santa Muerte in the bedroom, it's something [officers] may want to look at and see what's going on."
Usually, traffickers and gang members will adopt signs like this one: La Santa Muerte or the Saint of Death. The spirit of death often mirrors their ill intentions, but praying to the Virgin Mary is a new saint to worship.
"Not everybody praying to the different icons are criminals. This information was meant to enhance their safety and use as a tool and meant to further their investigation."
Should officers find the saints inside a suspect's home, further investigation should be done. The criminal could have international gang connections.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:44:14 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:29 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:29:45 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:15:21 GMT
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:00 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:00:29 GMT
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police.
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police. Andrea Rebello's family followed the pastor Wednesday as he led her white cloth-draped coffin to the altar at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:27:26 GMT
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:10:42 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
