Church burglary case takes sharp twist
Sexual predator off the streets
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The man
who was arrested for the burglary of Homer’s First Baptist Church is not who he says he is.
Just
after the newspaper hit the streets last week, The Guardian-Journal learned
that Christopher A. Weinbender, of Canada, is not the man he claimed to be.
Imposter
Weinbender has been identified as Shawn Thomas Fries, and he is considered a
high flight risk. No bond has been set as the Toronto Police have placed a hold
on him.
Fries
was arrested December 16, after a church member informed police the church had
been burglarized. A subsequent investigation revealed that Fries had visited
the church on December 15.
When
police ran the plates on the truck Fries was driving, they came back as
reported stolen. He was later arrested at a local motel, booked and transported
to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center where he remains incarcerated.
According
to Canadian police records, Fries, 43, is a resident of Ontario, Scarborough. He was previously charged with simple burglary of a religious building, which
carries a minimum of at least two years of prison time. Later, the charge of possession
of stolen things was added to his rap sheet. A charge of identity theft was not
pursued.
End of
story? Not even close. So what prompted a further investigation by Homer
authorities into Weinbender’s — or Fries’ — past? Pure gut instinct, said Police
Chief Russell Mills.
As it
turns out, during the suspect’s interrogation, several discrepancies came to
light, including his age and other parts of the story he gave police.
“Things
just really weren’t adding up,” Mills said. “As everything was evolving, it
just didn’t make sense.”
Homer
Police contacted Canadian authorities requesting proof of Weinbender’s
identity. All of the information provided matched — accept for the photo.
Items
in the suspect’s possession led police to believe Fries really was Weinbender.
Those items included a driver’s license, birth certificate, CPR card, and
numerous other pieces of information. There was no reason to doubt his story.
The
criminal history provided in last week’s edition of The Guardian Journal is the
true history and identity of a Christopher A. Weinbender – 38 years of age of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada, who has previously been charged with DWI and a few traffic
violations. However, Weinbender is a blond-haired, blue-eyed man.
The
tall, dark-haired man pictured last week is Fries, who has a lengthy criminal
record including charges of crimes against children. In addition, there are
three active warrants for his arrest in Canada. According to police reports, he
is wanted in Canada for not complying with the conditions of his probation.
“He’s a
very dangerous individual — as in a predator of small boys,” said Toronto
Police Det. Martin Woodhouse of the 43rd Division. “This is a stranger you
don’t want in town.”
Fries
is known to “do his homework,” wear disguises and use numerous aliases. In
fact, the last search warrant executed at Fries’ residence revealed makeup and
the clothing of an old man.
“He
enjoys the hunt, and his message, to me, is ‘Catch me if you can,’” the
Canadian detective said.
All
this begs the question: How did Fries end up in a small-town, rural area like
Homer?
Mills
said during his interview with Fries, he said he’d been to Tennessee, Texas and as far as Biloxi, Mississippi.
“He was
trying to go to South Louisiana, somehow made his way on to Interstate 20 and
made a wrong turn and wound up in Homer, Louisiana,” Mills said.
Further investigation revealed
that Fries was able to con some money from a worker at Presbyterian Village.
“Then
he made his way to First Baptist Church in Homer and acted as if he was working
in the area,” Mills said. “With so many people in the area working right now,
he just blended in. He’s one of thousands of people who come through this town
that we could encounter on any given day.”
According
to his interview with police, Fries’ intention was to lay low in this area
until after the holidays and make his way south.
“He’s a
sick individual,” Mills said. “We don’t know what kind of crimes he’s committed
in Canada. He’s been on the run since October and there’s no telling what kind
of crime spree he’s committed throughout the states. He is a career criminal.”
According
to Woodhouse, Fries had just completed a four-year prison term for a sexual
offense. After his release, Fries was seen in the Toronto area in the presence
of a small child. The child’s parents were present at the time; however, the
incident violated the terms of his probation.
The
violation carries a 22-month prison sentence in Canada.
Fries
is also listed on Canada’s National Sex Offender Registry, which is a registry
born out of “Christopher’s Law.” This act was put into place after a man’s
young son, Christopher Stephenson, was killed just outside Toronto
approximately 8-10 years ago.
This
registry is not open for public view. According to Canadian law, specifically
Parliament, House of Commons Bill C-399, the sex offender registry is “only
available to the Minister and police purposes of crime prevention and law
enforcement.” However, any sex offender listed on the registry may view their
information and make any corrections as necessary.
In the
meantime, Canadian authorities intend to post bulletins all over Canada and the United States.
“I was
quite nervous when I found he’d fled,” Woodhouse said. “I have to retrace his
steps to find out what crimes he’s committed from Toronto to Saskatchewan and
then down to Louisiana.”
Canadian
authorities will extradite Fries once he’s served his time in Claiborne Parish.
Much like the U.S. legal system, Canadian authorities will go to the Crown
Attorney — equivalent to the U.S. District Attorney — for the extradition
paperwork. At that time, Canadian authorities will come to Louisiana, pick him
up and take him to jail in Canada.
Woodhouse
highly commended the Homer Police Department for capturing Fries.
“Your
police department there did a fine job,” Woodhouse said. “We are very
appreciative of them. They were very hospitable and I’m glad they got him.”
Chamber Banquet set for January 19
Submitted photo
Melinda Dowies and Butch Fincher, on
behalf of First Guaranty Bank President and CEO Michael Sharp, present Chamber
Vice President J.T. Taylor and President Steven J. Koskie a check for Diamond
Sponsorship for the Chamber Banquet. They also expressed their support for the
work of the Chamber by making an addition donation of $1,000. Koskie, Taylor,
and Executive Director John Watson, on behalf of the Claiborne Chamber of
Commerce were very grateful for First Guaranty Bank’s continued support and
happy to receive this $2,000 check. Please see page 3 for more details.
The Guardian-Journal
The
annual Claiborne Chamber Banquet is almost here.
Set for
Monday, January 19, the speaker for the event will be Louisiana Secretary of
State Jay Dardenne.
Banquet
reservations are available for $35 per person. All reservations must be paid in
advance to confirm seating. Reservations will NOT be available at the door the
night of the event. Seating is limited to 300 people, so those wishing to
attend will need to return the reservation card as soon as possible. Business
dress will be appropriate for the evening.
As in
prior years, sponsorship opportunities are available. All sponsors will be
recognized at the banquet and will be listed in the event program. The various
sponsorship levels and benefits are as follows:
Diamond
sponsor: $1,000 receives special recognition, 12 tickets and reserved tables.
Platinum
sponsor: $700 receives 8 tickets and a reserved table.
Gold
sponsor: $400 receives 4 tickets and reserved seating.
Silver
sponsor: $200 receives 4 tickets and reserved seating.
Bronze
sponsor: $100 receives 2 tickets and reserved seating.
For
those who wish to become a banquet sponsor or to reserve seating, please call
the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce at 318-927-3271.
Homer PD collects toys for children
The Guardian-Journal
The Homer Police Department collected
toys for both girls and boys as well as clothes and other items for the annual
Toys for Tots drive. These toys and clothes will be delivered to needy families
and children throughout Homer before Christmas. A special thanks goes out to
all who donated this year.
The Spirit of Christmas
The Claiborne 4-H Club and the Homer
Lions Club teamed up with Brookshires Grocery Co., and lent a hand to the needy
of Claiborne Parish. With approximately 200 roasting hens donated by
Brookshire’s and the non-perishable food collected, several families will not
go hungry this Christmas. 4-H Club members sorted and boxed the food and Lions
Club members spent the afternoon delivering. No one at First Presbyterian
Church, site of the food sorting and boxing, went hungry the morning of
December 19, as Pat Gladney whipped up a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs,
sausage and biscuits.
First Presbyterian Church of Homer holds
live Nativity Scene
The First Presbyterian Church in Homer
(behind Capitol One Bank) displayed their annual Live Nativity Scene
on Sunday and Monday, December 21 & 22, from 6:00-7:00 PM each
evening.The community was given an opportunity to see the real “Reason for
the Season”, God’s greatest “gift” to mankind—Jesus Christ.
Diesel spill not serious
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
On Thursday, December 18, the Homer Fire
Department was called to the Dixie Mart station in reference to a diesel spill.
A school bus driver overfilled the tank, causing some diesel to spill into the
parking lot. According to Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher, it is protocol for
the fire department to be called in to clean up a diesel spill. No injuries
were reported and it took approximately 10-15 minutes to clean up the spill.
Pictured above, Fireman Tommy Sanders works to clean up the spill as Homer
Police Officers Joseph Henry and Keith Ferguson stand by to assist.
Haynesville Elementary celebrates
Christmas
The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams
Kindergarten and pre-Kindergarten
students at Haynesville Elementary perform an emotional Oh, Holy Night
and Santa Claus is Coming to Town at the annual Christmas program on
Thursday, December 18. The children, dressed in handmade red and white Santa
and Christmas tree shirts were led by Denise Williams and Cindy Jackson.
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Haynesville Elementary School
students and teachers performed in their annual Christmas Program on Thursday,
December 18.
Principal
Bob Bond opened the program with a welcome to the friends and families of the
students and teacher Mary Presley led the audience in a prayer.
Denise Williams and Cindy Jackson
had the task of being the first class to perform. The Kindergarten and
pre-Kindergarten students performed a moving rendition of “Oh, Holy Night” and
an amusing version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
Following
next were all the first grade students led by Peggy Holloway and Rose
Kirkindoff. The children perfomed “Mary’s Boy Child” and “Happy Birthday,
Jesus.”
After these two very emotional
songs, the second graders brought tears of a different sort to the eyes of the
audience members. The children entertained the crowd with a hilarious version
of “There’s Someone in the Chimney” with Zach Kennedy portraying Santa Claus,
and “Blitzen’s Boogie.” The students were led by Judy Hudson Riley.
Marty
Wilson’s third grade class performed wonderful versions of “White Christmas”
and Jingle Bell Rock,” while Mary Presley’s fourth graders performed “Sing We
Now of Christmas,” “Merry Christmas Bells” and ended the program with “We Wish
You a Merry Christmas.”
Local resident wins DART Christmas Cash
drawing
The Guardian-Journal
The
Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) in Claiborne Parish met Thursday,
December 18, at the former Claiborne Electric Building.
A
highlight of the meeting was the $500 Christmas Cash drawing, the winner of
which was Lester Jones, an employee of Emerson Oil Co. Jones had purchased his
$2 ticket from coworker Ann Burton, a local DART supporter.
Mary
Ellen Gamble, Rural Advocate for DART, reports that the Christmas Cash drawing
raised over $500 for local DART services. She adds that their lollipop sales
are a year-round fundraiser and encourages everyone to buy a DART lollipop and
support a good cause.
Gamble
reminds readers that domestic abuse is a growing problem and adds, “If you are
a victim of domestic abuse or want additional information, call me or Krista
Johnson at 927-2818 or the domestic abuse hotline, 888-411-1333. All calls are
confidential.”
