Author: CNN Newsource

By Jacqueline Aguilar

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    TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) — Several people broke into Showtime Cards on the Eastside and stole an estimated $100,000 worth of sports trading cards, including rare collectibles the owner had accumulated over years.

Surveillance video shows a group of people breaking into the store and smashing a display case before taking off with some of the shop’s most valuable sports cards.

The break-in happened around 3:45 a.m. Monday morning.

“I looked at our cameras and there’s someone inside the shop, and you could see them with duffel bags, grabbing boxes and stuff, breaking glass showcases,” owner George Mares said.

Mares says the people used a sledgehammer to get inside the shop and moved quickly before taking off.

“They had everything planned out. I think they had a timer on the phone. You could see them arguing if you watch the footage. They set their phone down. They’re talking about like, hey, watch the phone, you know, the time and stuff. So, they did everything in and out in one minute and two seconds,” Mares said.

He says the people targeted high-end sports card boxes and cases worth thousands of dollars each.

“They knocked the glass down with his leg. He kicks it down. He steals three boxes of national treasures going back to 2020. That first pile of cards was $20,000 right there–it was $21,000,” Mares said.

Mares tell me some boxes carry steep price tags.

“Just one box of cards is $1,300, that’s a single box, $1,000 for a single hobby box. And they’re just kind of pulling, lifting boxes down the shelves,” Mares said.

Some of the stolen items had been in the store for years and had grown in value over time, according to Mares.

“It’s our baby, blood, sweat, and tears, everything we have into this,” Mares said.

Mares has owned Showtime Cards for 28 years and says the growing popularity of sports card collecting has also attracted criminals.

“It’s unfortunate these values go up and people look for ways to steal,” Mares said.

He says similar break-ins have been reported at card shops in other Arizona cities, and the methods appear to be the same.

“They’re using these sledgehammers, the same type of mask, gloves. They’re stealing the same types of products,” Mares said.

Despite the loss, Mares says support from Tucson’s card collecting community has helped him stay optimistic.

“We can definitely bounce back from this. But yeah, I mean, it hurts,” Mares said.

Mares is hoping the public can help identify the people involved. He is offering a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest and is encouraging anyone who recognizes the individuals in the surveillance video to call police.

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

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Fernanda Silva

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    KANSAS CITY (KSHB) — Three friends completed an almost 11,000-mile bike journey from Argentina to Kansas City, arriving after nine and a half months on the road.

Miguel Silio, Yamundu Martínez, and Vicente Conculini pedaled through 17 countries, carrying everything they needed to survive — from winter gear to summer gear — to make it to KC for the World Cup.

Silio struggled to find the words to describe the moment.

“The journey is hard. You go through cold, heat, and rain. And to find this reward at the end, honestly, it makes it all worthwhile — every single moment,” he said in an interview in his native Spanish.

For their final miles, the trio was joined by dozens of Kansas Citians.

Steven Seck, who lives in the Kansas City area, said he wanted to be part of the moment.

“We wanted to be a small part of something much, much bigger than all of us,” Seck said.

Seck said he learned about the journey through our social media post.

Carlos Hernandez, also from the KC area, found out through our stories on the trio.

“I learned about it from you — Channel 41,” Hernandez said.

Javier Terrada, another KC-area resident who came out to welcome the cyclists on his truck with loud Argentine music, called it a monumental undertaking.

“It’s all for soccer,” he said.

In the final miles, the riders reflected on everything they had been through.

“It’s a dream,” Martínez said.

Conculini said he had not even had time to think — and that it will be a while before he can fully process what happened.

“There are no words to describe it,” he said.

Their finish line was the hotel where the Argentine national team is staying in Kansas City. Silio called the moment very special.

The three cyclists plan to stay in Kansas City until after the Argentine national team plays in the city on June 16, though they do not have tickets to the match.

For the next two nights, they are staying at a local hotel, and they have not yet decided where they are headed next.

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

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By WTKR Web Staff

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    VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia (WTKR) — A 22-year-old female sailor was shot and killed by a 22-year-old male sailor, who then tried to kill himself, on Magnolia Chase Way in Virginia Beach early Sunday following the death of their infant child the day before, authorities say.

NCIS confirmed Tuesday the affiliation of Petty Officer 3rd Class Natasha Forbes, a culinary specialist, and and Petty Officer 3rd Class Quentell Lawrence, an aviation ordnanceman.

Around 9 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to reports of a domestic assault in the 5000 Block of Magnolia Chase Way and heard gunfire when they arrived.

Forbes was found dead, and Lawrence had a life-threatening, self-inflicted gunshot wound, NCIS says. News 3 has not been able to confirm the direct relationship between Forbes and Lawrence, but NCIS did confirm the child who had died the day was theirs.

The baby’s cause of death has not yet been shared.

Virginia Beach police believe Lawrence shot Forbes before turning the gun on himself.

Lawrence faces a second-degree murder and gun charge. His status is not known as of Tuesday afternoon.

“NCIS is deeply saddened by this horrific loss of life and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones affected,” said Emily Schmid special agent in charge of the NCIS Norfolk Field Office.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Kendall Brandt

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    PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WBBH) — Dead anchovies have been washing ashore at Laishley Park Marina in Punta Gorda, creating a strong odor and raising concerns among visitors.

The small dead fish were seen floating on the surface of the water, drawing lots of birds to the marina along the Peace River. Visitors told Gulf Coast News they noticed the smell associated with the fish kill.

Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission say the fish kill was reported to the agency Sunday. FWC crews took a water sample to test for toxic algal blooms. Officials are still awaiting the results of the test.

Boaters said they have seen similar occurrences during past rainy seasons.

“We get a lot of runoff from land, and that fresh water mixes with the saltwater, and depending on what’s all in that runoff, it messes with our water quality down here and especially in the summertime,” said Mike Mante.

However, boaters like Mante hope the issue doesn’t stem from something harmful.

“I don’t want to see any green algae,” Mante said. “I don’t want to see any red tide.”

Read FWC’s full statement below:

We received a report of this fish kill on Sunday, May 31st. FWC staff responding to the report observed dead anchovies and collected a water sample for harmful algal bloom (HAB) analysis.

At this time, we are awaiting the results of that analysis. We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.

For more information about the most common causes of fish kills in Florida, visit myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/causes

We encourage the public to report fish kills to the FWC Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511 or online at MyFWC.com/ReportFishKill

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Tyler Watkins, Madison Zaleski, Edward Franco

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    LEE COUNTY, Florida (WBBH) — A man was arrested Monday after Lee County deputies said they received a tip that he made concerning calls to Rep. Byron Donalds’ office in Cape Coral.

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said Daniel Eberly, 43, threatened to blow up Donalds’ office and “shoot every cop” during the erratic phone calls.

Detectives were able to find Eberly at his Cape Coral home and take him into custody within hours of the reported threats.

“In just a matter of hours, detectives took him into custody and charged him accordingly. Frankly, that phone call was the investigative equivalent of a self-addressed stamped envelope,” Marceno said.

Body camera footage shows Eberly being taken into custody on Northeast 15th Avenue and Northeast Pine Island Lane. Alex, a neighbor who witnessed the arrest, said, “The guy was threatening the congressman! That’s crazy! Two houses down from my house. That’s nuts!”

Donalds’ team shared a statement from him with Gulf Coast News that said, “Thank you, Sheriff Marceno and all the fine law enforcement officers who quickly handled this threat. There is no place for violence in our politics, and there is no place for violence against law enforcement.”

Eberly is facing charges of making a false report of a weapon of mass destruction and making a threat against a public servant. He has a lengthy criminal record in Lee County dating back a decade.

Eberly was arrested in 2024 for arson after Lee County deputies said video showed him setting a fire outside of a business.

Neighbors expressed concerns about the frequent law enforcement presence at the home. Paul, another neighbor, said, “Safety concern for everybody in the neighborhood.”

The home is reportedly a transitional living and addiction recovery house, which neighbors say is too close to families and a school bus stop. Alex added, “It’s no surprising that the cops come here sometimes every day in the week!”

Another man was previously arrested on May 27 for threatening to kill Donalds. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said Dominic Ambrosia, 30, posted the threats to his X account.

Alex commented, “He’s moved up a lot to have some punk guy just threaten his life, his safety, his well-being.”

Back near U.S. Rep. Donalds’ office, Chriss Hoffman from Lee County, who was passing by, said, “I do think violence is on the uptick. And just in general, it just seems a lot more is happening around the world and even in our own neighborhoods, to be honest.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Graham Cawthon

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    FLORENCE, S.C. (WJCL) — A Mexican man accused of helping lead a major drug trafficking operation that moved cocaine, fentanyl and heroin into South Carolina has pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge, prosecutors said.

Rafael Contreras Ramos, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances in the state, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.

Large-scale trafficking operation Federal prosecutors said evidence presented during Contreras’ plea hearing showed he was a leader of an international drug trafficking organization that brought more than 40 kilograms of cocaine, 14 kilograms of fentanyl and 1 kilogram of heroin into the state for distribution.

Authorities said the organization operated mainly out of Tucson, Arizona, and had connections in Las Vegas; Burlington, North Carolina; and Horry County, South Carolina. Prosecutors said the group received narcotics and logistical support from a Mexican cartel.

Investigators identified the organization in 2021 during a joint probe involving local, state and federal agencies. Authorities later determined that Contreras and his associates had been moving drugs into Horry County since at least 2016, continuing until the operation was disrupted by federal charges in 2022.

Prosecutors also said the group collected more than $5 million in drug proceeds during that time.

Officials say case targeted broader network U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling said the case reflects a broader effort to stop dangerous narcotics before they reach communities in South Carolina.

“With our Homeland Security Task Force partners, we are stopping the influx of dangerous, illegal narcotics at the source,” Stirling said. “Dismantling drug organizations like this makes South Carolina safer.”

FBI Columbia Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore said investigators focused not just on street-level dealers, but on the larger supply chain behind the trafficking.

“The defendant played a direct role in flooding Horry County with illegal drugs, and the consequences were that of violence on our streets, addiction in our neighborhoods, and real harm to people,” Moore said.

Extradited from Mexico, awaiting sentencing Contreras was arrested in Mexico and extradited to the United States for prosecution. He remains in custody while awaiting sentencing.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Dawson accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Contreras after a presentence investigation is completed. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and could receive up to life behind bars. Prosecutors said he will be deported to Mexico after serving his sentence.

Part of federal task force initiative Prosecutors said the case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, a federal effort aimed at dismantling cartels, transnational criminal organizations, gangs, and human trafficking and smuggling networks.

The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the Horry County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett McMillian is prosecuting the case.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Kirsten Maselka

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    GLENNVILLE, Georgia (WJCL) — Residents packed Glennville City Hall on Tuesday night for a tense public meeting as city leaders faced mounting backlash over a viral video that captured the mayor and three council members making derogatory remarks about community members.

Every seat in the chamber was filled, with attendees spilling into the hallway for what many saw as the first real opportunity for the public to confront city officials directly since the video began circulating online weeks ago.

“You have broken the trust of the citizens and taxpayers,” resident and pastor Reba King Feliciano told city leaders during public comment.

The video, which has fueled weeks of controversy in the city, prompted residents to demand accountability from elected officials. Feliciano called for both an apology and resignations, saying, “We are sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

Public comment was limited to residents who signed up in advance, allowing only a small number of people to speak. Several who addressed the council said the remarks heard in the video were unacceptable.

“Citizens should never have to question if they will be treated differently simply because of their religion,” said resident and pastor Roger Nelson.

Not all attendees agreed on how the city should respond. Resident Donna Blocker urged the community to show restraint, saying, “I do not believe that anyone should be judged solely by their worst moment.”

When council members addressed the crowd, however, residents received little in the way of explanation. The mayor and two council members allegedly heard in the video declined to comment. One council member thanked attendees for coming, but no one issued an apology.

Council member Cynthia Miller, who was not a part of the video but was the subject of some of the derogatory comments, thanked residents who spoke in her defense.

The meeting did little to settle the controversy. Some residents left City Hall angry and disappointed.

“It was a spit in the face,” resident Jo Ann Anderson said.

Others said the city must find a way to move forward together.

The uproar has dominated public discussion in Glennville for weeks, and Tuesday’s standing-room-only meeting suggested the divide in the community remains deep — and unresolved.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Ayron Lewallen

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    BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WVTM) — The search continues for missing Auburn student James “Weston” Higginbotham who was last seen five days ago at a train station in Kyoto, Japan.

As his family searches for answers overseas, support is growing back home in Central Alabama, where loved ones, friends and community members gathered Tuesday at Asbury United Methodist Church to pray for his safe return.

With heads bowed and eyes closed, the church sanctuary was filled with prayers for Higginbotham and for the family members desperately waiting. Dozens came together to ask for strength, comfort and hope as the search stretches into another day.

Higginbotham’s grandfather, Robert Holt, said the family is facing obstacles but is deeply grateful for the support pouring in from so many people.

“Try to assure them that they’re not alone—that they have a whole lot of people—and most importantly, they’ve got God,” he said. “It’s his decision on how things go in our daily lives—period. Whatever your beliefs may or may not be, mine is very simple. God is in control, and with that said, ‘God, please.’”

Holt described his grandson as a strong young man who just finished an Ironman triathlon and said the family is doing everything possible to bring him home.

Family friend Clay Farrington described Higginbotham as a smart, kind and respectful athlete. He said the uncertainty has been heartbreaking, but the community is determined to stand beside the Higginbotham family. He still believes there is reason to hope.

“Keith and Nancy and Grayton, we love y’all,” he said. “Weston, if you see this, buddy, love y’all. Can’t wait to see y’all back in Birmingham.”

At the prayer gathering, that hope was at the center of every message. Higginbotham’s family is working to spread word of his disappearance as widely as possible and hopes anyone with information will come forward. They say they are thankful for the support they have received so far and are asking people to continue praying for his safe return.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.