Month: October 2025

By Meghan Moriarty

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    COCOA, Florida (WESH) — A man is facing charges of grand theft and kidnapping after video shows him driving away with a woman’s car — only to return it seconds later, police said.

William Mullis, 53, is seen on camera outside a Sunoco gas station in Cocoa, off U.S. Highway 1. He appears to look around, then walks north, out of the view of the gas station’s surveillance camera, toward the victim’s car, according to an arrest affidavit.

The car is then seen driving toward the exit, stopping before making a right onto U.S. Highway 1. It backs up, passes the pumps and comes to a final stop in a parking space in front of the store, according to the report.

The mother then runs out of the gas station and confronts Mullis.

She told investigators he said he would not have stolen the car if he had known a baby was inside. He then apologized and left the area on foot.

“I’m sure this is a parent’s worst nightmare,” Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Tod Goodyear said. “In this case, she’s very lucky that this guy saw there was a child in the back seat, got a case of remorse and decided to drive back and give her her car back with her child in it.”

Under Florida law, it is illegal for a parent or anyone responsible for a child younger than 6 unattended in a vehicle for more than 15 minutes. The vehicle can’t be running, and the child may not be left alone if their health is in danger or they are in distress.

Goodyear said it appears the child was inside the car for only a few minutes. The mother is not facing any charges at this time.

“I have three kids. I have four grandkids, and it’s a pain to take the kids out of the car when you’re going in for just a short period of time,” Goodyear said. “But this kind of reinforces you never know what’s gonna happen. You never know who’s watching you.”

Mullis is being held without bond. His next court date is in early November.

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Kevin Harrington
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By Eric Horng and ABC7 Chicago Digital Team

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    CAMPTON HILLS, Illinois (WLS) — A former west suburban police chief, two former officers and a current police officer have been accused of illegally selling guns from an evidence room, covering it up and other fraud, the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office said Thursday.

The former police chief, according to his attorney, plans to plead not guilty after surrendering himself to Kane County authorities about 20 months after resigning his position.

Indictments were unsealed Thursday against former Campton Hills Police Chief Steven Millar, former Campton Hills police Officers Scott Coryell and Daniel Hatt and current Campton Hills police Officer Douglas Kucik, the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office said.

The state’s attorney’s office alleges that between January 2018 and February 2023 guns were unlawfully sold that were in police department possession in the evidence room, and reports were filed and in some cases changed to facilitate the sales and obstruct investigators.

A Kane County jury returned a 41-count indictment against Millar on felony charges that include money laundering, forgery, wire fraud and official misconduct.

“It’s a series of bad acts with many different dimensions to it lasting many weeks, months, and years. It’s a very serious set of allegations,” ABC7 Chief Legal Analyst Gil Soffer said. “It’s coordinated action almost certainly what they’re alleging and, again, over a long period of time.”

Millar, who previously worked for Streamwood police, was promoted to Campton Hills chief in 2018 before being placed on paid administrative leave in July 2023. He resigned seven months later.

An attorney for Millar said in a statement, “Retired Chief Millar spent a 30 year plus career in law enforcement serving and protecting his communities. These charges are a shock to him. He committed no crime. He looks forward to a trial and to be exonerated.”

Millar and the three other suspects turned themselves in to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office Thursday and appeared in court.

They were released under special conditions, while their cases are pending. They cannot possess firearms, communicate with their co-defendants or travel out of state without the court’s permission.

The full list of charges are as follows:

Steven Millar, 60 – Money Laundering, Class 3 Felony – Forgery, Class 3 Felony – Official Misconduct, Class 3 Felony – Misapplication of Funds, Class 3 Felony – Theft between $500 and $10,000, Class 3 Felony – Wire Fraud, Class 3 Felony – Delivery of Firearm Before 72-Hour Waiting Period Expired, Class 4 Felony

Scott Coryell, 57 – Forgery, Class 3 felony – Official Misconduct, Class 3 felony – Wire Fraud, Class 3 Felony – Theft between $500 and $10,000, Class 3 Felony – Obstructing Justice by Destroying Evidence, Class 4 Felony

Daniel Hatt, 65 – Money Laundering, Class 3 Felony – Forgery, Class 3 felony – Official Misconduct, Class 3 Felony – Wire Fraud, Class 3 Felony – Obstructing Justice by Destroying Evidence, Class 4 Felony

Douglas Kucik, 42 – Theft between $500 and $10,000, Class 3 Felony – Official Misconduct, Class 3 Felony – Money Laundering, Class 3 Felony – Wire Fraud, Class 3 Felony – Delivery of Firearm Before 72-Hour Waiting Period Expired, Class 4 Felony

Illinois State Police conducted the investigation.

“The public must be able to trust that those charged with enforcing the law are also upholding the law,” ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly said. “After a thorough, years long investigation, ISP Special Agents submitted evidence of criminal behavior among certain Campton Hills Police Department Officers to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, in an effort to hold these individuals accountable for their actions, and restore public trust.”

Messages left by ABC7 for village officials were not returned. Millar and his co-defendants are due in court for an arraignment December 12.

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By Michelle Gallardo

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    WAUKEGAN, Illinois (WLS) — As the immigration crackdown across the Chicago area continues to ramp up, more and more people are afraid to carry on with daily activities.

And that includes going to the grocery store.

One Waukegan businessman has turned his hair salon into a food pantry.

The idea for the food pantry was born a week ago.

D’Marco is one of Waukegan’s largest and longest-running hair salons. But as the so-called Operation Midway Blitz began, business dried up.

It was then, the realization hit, that if people weren’t leaving their homes to get their hair cut, they probably weren’t going to work or going to the grocery store either.

A truck full of 50-pound bags of rice and beans, all donated, made its way into what until last Friday operated as a Waukegan hair salon.

On Thursday, the chairs and stores of hair products were replaced with a non-stop, all-volunteer operation with a single focus: feeding the scores of families living in the U.S. without legal permission who are now too afraid to leave their homes.

There are children suffering, says Marco Salcedo, who for 30 years has run D’Marco hair salon.

For years they’ve sustained his business. Now it’s his turn to give back, he said in Spanish.

“We’re trying to put, you know, a complete bag with eggs, bread, meat, if we have, cereal, cookies, beans, rice,” volunteer Maria González said.

The multi-pronged operation starts with volunteers sorting through donations and packing them up.

Miriam Treviño drove from Racine, Wisconsin to help out.

“I was in the same situation once before. I’m a U.S. citizen right now, but before I was the same, an immigrant,” Treviño said.

Then there are the volunteer drivers who deliver the meals to those who put in their requests through the hair salon’s Facebook page, making sure they’re not being followed by immigration enforcement agents is also part of the job.

“They’re not supposed to knock the doors. Cause a lot of people are scared, they don’t open,” González said.

The demand, says Salcedo, is high. The food is out the door nearly as soon as it comes in. Hundreds of grocery bags are being delivered every day.

Donations are coming in from individuals, but also from businesses in the area. And it’s not just food, but other essentials, like diapers. Pet food is also delivered to those who ask for it.

“It’s very inspirational what Marco has done so far. There’s a lot of people, people with businesses, helping them,” Abraham Cruz said.

Salcedo said, “It smells of onion and garlic in here now. But I am happy to do this.”

With the sheer amount of food donations threatening to overwhelm the hair salon, Salcedo says he’s now looking for someone to donate warehouse space so they can better accommodate not just all the food, but his small army of volunteers.

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By Peter Maxwell

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    CENTER LINE, Michigan (WXYZ) — Nine-year-old Laila Breitshtrus is in good spirits and recovering in the hospital just days after a woman crashed into her bedroom. Laila says she’s thankful she is alive and that angels were protecting her.

“I was scared,” Laila said, recounting the moments when an SUV driven by 20-year-old Caris Adell Wade crashed through her bedroom.

The crash happened on MacArthur Boulevard in Center Line just before 3 a.m. Monday as Laila and her family were sleeping.

The impact was so violent it sent the 9-year-old flying out of her bed and outside into the yard, leaving her pinned under debris.

“I felt kind of trapped under everything. I tried crawling out. Then after that, I remember my stepdad Casey picking me up and making sure I was OK and then yelling for someone,” Laila said.

After the terrifying crash, police say the suspected drunken driver, Wade, took off running but was arrested a short time later by Warren police officers.

Wade is now charged with fleeing the crash and reckless driving causing serious impairment. She could face additional charges when toxicology results come back.

I looked at Wade’s driving record and found that multiple speeding violations have put her on driver’s probation.

Laila’s injuries include spinal fractures and a laceration to her liver. On top of that, she still feels pretty sore.

“Right now, my chest is hurting, my tailbone and my ribs a little,” Laila said.

Hear from Laila Breitshtrus’ mother, Rachael Wright, in the video player below:

Despite her injuries, Laila remains grateful for the support she’s received.

“I don’t think I would have been able to make it without everybody there, especially my stepdad, my mom and my dad, and the angels above me,” Laila said.

She has a message for her supporters.

“I just want to say thank you to everybody who has been out there and supporting me,” Laila said.

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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. The Scripps editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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By Eric Pointer

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    HICKMAN COUNTY, Tennessee (WTVF) — The family of one of the victims in the deadly explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems in Hickman County that killed 16 people is seeking legal accountability from the company through the first wrongful death lawsuit filed in connection with the October 10 explosion.

This is the first wrongful death lawsuit, alleging the company failed to take proper precautions.

Attorneys from Hughes and Coleman say the lawsuit was filed on behalf of Jeremy Moore’s daughter. There are claims that proper precautions could have prevented the deaths, and it raises questions about corporate accountability and worker safety standards.

“This is a disaster of epic proportions,” said lead attorney Lee Coleman of Hughes & Coleman in a statement. “This explosion involved ultra-hazardous materials, and the devastation it caused impacts dozens, if not hundreds, of lives. The loved ones will be in mourning for years, and our clients are still shocked by this horrible tragedy.”

Hughes & Coleman has partnered with Armstrong Lee & Baker and Terry Bryant, PLLC out of Texas to investigate the incident.

The lawsuit suggests that the explosion involving ultra-hazardous materials also raises immediate public safety concerns and questions about industrial safety regulations.

So far in the investigation, crews have identified 14 of the 16 victims through their remains. The ATF, FBI, and local law enforcement are still working to determine what caused the explosion.

Another update on the progress investigators are making is expected Friday night.

Watch the full investigation and get the latest updates on this developing story. Have information about workplace safety concerns in your community? Contact Eric at Eric.Pointer@NewsChannel5.com – we want to hear from you.

This story was reported by Eric Pointer and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Eric Pointer and the Scripps editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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By Robb Cole

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    MOUNT JULIET, Tennessee (WTVF) — You might have noticed pink ribbons are popping up almost everywhere right now, that’s because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Across Middle Tennessee, events are raising money and awareness for the cause.

A senior living community in Mount Juliet found a way to honor survivors in a uniquely glamorous way.

“It’s just so exciting to see the light in their eyes. They come walking down the aisle, all dolled up,” said Karen Tucker, executive director of Rutland Place.

“I enjoy it, and the other ladies do too,” said Saundra Sims, a breast cancer survivor who lives at Rutland Place.

Their fierce clothing looks are all provided by the clothing brand Chico’s.

However, it’s a fierce fight they’ve been through that unites them much more.

“I was just diagnosed with breast cancer this year,” said Jan Drury, who also lives at Rutland Place.

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the senior living community puts on an annual fashion show featuring women who are breast cancer survivors.

“Well, it gives you closeness. It gives you something, a bond with the other ladies,” Sims said.

Saundra Sims has beaten three types of cancer; this is her seventh time walking this runway.

She said that whether it’s her fellow models or anyone battling cancer, she’s here to lend an ear and some support in the fight.

“Be a listener, to be someone that they can come to and talk to about it, because it is definitely something that you cannot know what it is unless you’ve experienced it,” Sims said.

Neighbor Jan Drury is a more recent survivor.

“I will be tested off and on for various things to see if it’s spread, it can, I guess it can spread. But so far, everything’s okay. It’s only been eight months,” Drury said.

Drury walked in the fashion show for the first time this year.

Both visited the glam squad beforehand and strutted their stuff for an adoring crowd in their dining room.

While the pink decorations and runway may be around once a year, the connections made between the models, that’s something that will always be in fashion.

“I do have a bond with all of them, we all know that we have had something together,” Sims said.

The National Cancer Institute estimates more than 300 thousand women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone.

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