Illegal aliens, or just another assortment of criminals allowed into our country?

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Off to the Land of Opportunity

Organized bands of criminals have been preying on shopkeepers (among others) for years; often illegals from China* and South and Central America, these particular crooks are Romanian gypsies.

Arrests Made in Relation to Organized Retail Theft Group in Greenwich

Two people were arrested by Greenwich Police on March 11 after an incident in the area of Mason Street.

Police said they arrested Ionut Kenzo Stoiciu, 18, and Teodora A Miclescu, 19, both of Rosselle, New Jersey in relation to a shoplifting incident.

>>>>

Plainclothes officers observed suspects individuals matching the description of the suspects in the area of Greenwich Ave and detained them as they arrived at their parked vehicle. The investigation revealed that two co-conspirators acted as lookouts’ and positioned themselves to obstruct the view of the store clerk. Stolen merchandise was later located in the vehicle in plain view, with merchant tags still on the items.

Investigation also revealed that the arrestees are part of an Organized Retail Theft Group currently wanted in the state of Maryland. Police said that upon arrival in Greenwich the suspects entered a retail store and engaged in an effort to conceal merchandise totaling $1,640.

A check of their criminal history revealed Ms Miclescu had been arrested for burglary and larceny multiple times since 2022.

Greenwich Police charged Miclescu with one Court of Risk of Injury to Child, [Presumably, the third thief was a minor,learning the trade — Ed] Possession of Burglar Tools (3 counts), Larceny 4 and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 4.

She was unable to post her court set bond of $300,000 and given a court date of March 25, 2026 in Stamford Superior Court.

As for Mr. Stoiciu, he was also charged with Risk of Injury to Child, Possession of Burglar Tools (3 counts), Larceny 4 and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 4.

He was also charged with Interfering with Officer/Resisting.

His bond was set at $300,000 which he was unable to post and he also has a date in Stamford Superior Court on March 25, 202

As though our men in blue aren’t busy enough chasing Chimblos — why are any members of this busy gang still here?

Romanian crew convicted in ATM skimming case

U.S. Attorney's Office

Published Date

2025-05-16

HOUSTON ‐ A man and woman who illegally resided in Houston have admitted their roles in installing and removing ATM skimmers from machines at multiple banks in the Houston area, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. 

Perla Miclescu, 26, and Rafael Rafaila, 21, both citizens of Romania, each entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

In April 2024, they installed skimmers designed to enable them and others to intercept debit/credit card information via magnetic strips. They would save the information onto a computer chip affixed to the device after unsuspecting victims used their cards at ATM terminals.

The first instance involved co-conspirators April 4, 2024. Security footage at a Houston bank showed Ana Maria Dirman, 30, and Mihai Alexandru Gaita, 38, both Romanian citizens, placing an ATM skimmer into the card reader. At the time, they were in a 2004 Ford Explorer.

*November 28, 2025

3 Members Of Chinese Organized Criminal Group Arrested In Greenwich: Police

Police said the arrestees' criminal activity stretches back "over an extended period of time" in "multiple incidents."

** May 15, 2024

Members Of Organized Retail Theft Group Arrested In Greenwich: Police

Police said four men conspired to distract store employees, act as lookouts and use their bodies to obstruct their actions of shoplifting.

On May 15 at around 3:45 p.m., plainclothes police officers working in the central Greenwich business district area noticed "suspicious activity" at a local retail store, police said. (Richard Kaufman/Patch)

GREENWICH, CT — Four members of an organized retail theft group were arrested in Greenwich last week after police say they conspired to shoplift over $2,000 worth of items from a store in downtown Greenwich.

Keyver Chirino, 27; Jesus Hueck-Escobar, 31; David Lopez-Flores, 18; and William Figueroa-Mendoza, 23 — all New York City residents — were charged with use of drug paraphernalia; possession of a controlled substance, first offense; organized retail theft less than $10,000; conspiracy; and third-degree larceny, according to the Greenwich Police Department.

"The investigation revealed that the arrestees are part of an organized retail theft group and arrived in a vehicle with a [misused], stolen plate, entered a retail store and all engaged in an effort to distract employees, act as lookouts and use their bodies to obstruct their actions to commit a larceny by shoplifting totaling $2,040," police said in arrest reports.

One of the problems we’re facing in that we have too many people like Greenwich resident and “personal chef: like Mr. Craig Kravitz. Here’s a story dated June 26, 2025, pulled from the Police Department’s Facebook page, followed by Kravitz’s reaction:

Greenwich Police Facebook

On June 26, 2025, at approximately 1:00 PM, Officers arrested Gentian Gjana (DOB: 04/18/1992), of Yonkers, NY, following a theft at a local store in central Greenwich.

An employee reported that a man and woman entered the store, concealed a pair of sunglasses valued at $548, and left without paying. Surveillance footage confirmed the theft. Officers located Gjana nearby and detained him. He denied involvement, but video evidence showed him with the female suspect during the incident.

During an inventory of Gjana’s vehicle, officers found:

- Two balaclava masks

-Large canister of pepper spray (illegal size)

-Tactical vest and fake DEA badges

-Knife over 4 inches

-Ten rounds of .44 Magnum ammunition

Gjana was arrested and charged with:

-CGS 53a-138 Forgery 1st Degree (3 counts)

-CGS 29-38 Illegal Possession of Weapons in a Motor Vehicle (2 counts)

-CGS 53a-48/53a-125 Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 5th Degree

-CGS 53a-127f  Possession of a Shoplifting Device

-CGS 53a-217 Criminal Possession of Ammunition (10 counts)

Bond was set at $250,000.

UPDATE. Here’s another one:

Greenwich Police

On February 28, 2026, at approximately 8:00 p.m., multiple police units were dispatched to the central part of town following a report of two individuals observed on surveillance video inside an unoccupied residence.

Officers responded immediately; however, the suspects fled the area prior to police arrival. Additional resources were requested, including K-9 units and aerial drone support, to assist in locating the suspects. The Stamford Police Department deployed its drone unit, and our GPD K-9 unit responded to aid in the search.

Officers tracked the suspects on foot through the  neighborhood which led officers to a second unoccupied residence, where fresh damage was observed to a second-story window. The second residence was located less than half a mile from the original burglary. The homeowners confirmed that no one was authorized to be inside the residence at that time.

Believing the suspects had entered the home while attempting to evade capture, officers made entry and conducted a systematic search of the residence. During the search, one suspect was located hiding within a stairwell that led to a small crawlspace. The individual was ordered to surrender and complied without incident.

The suspect was identified as Jonathan Rojas-Urriola. He was charged with the following offenses:

• Burglary in the First Degree (C.G.S. § 53a-101) – Two Counts

• Possession of Burglary Tools (C.G.S. § 53a-106) – One Count

• Larceny in the Sixth Degree (C.G.S. § 53a-125b) – One Count

Rojas-Urriola was held on a $200,000 bond, which he was unable to post. He is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court.

Just sayin' ....

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Robot Loses It in a California Restaurant: Do We Have to Get Used to This Now?

…. a humanoid robot working in a Haidilao hot pot restaurant in San Jose/Cupertino, Calif., lost control over itself, intimidating and scaring customers, and it had to be restrained by restaurant staffers. The robot had been tasked with performing a Disney-themed dance routine to entertain patrons.

Albany Blues

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Hochul begs “patriotic billionaires” to return to New York to be fleeced.

You can’t cash lip service, as these politicians and socialists are discovering.

Delaware Chancery Court: Get woke, go broke

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Background

I’m comfortable using Google’s AI when I already know a fair bit about the subject I’m asking about and can spot an “off response. This one seems right:

AI Overview

Corporations are leaving Delaware ("DExit") primarily due to a perception that the Delaware Court of Chancery has become less business-friendly, delivering high-profile rulings that increase shareholder litigation risks, scrutinize executive pay, and expand corporate liability.

While the Chancery Court historically favored management, recent decisions have been interpreted as favoring stockholders, leading to an exodus of companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and Meta to states with stronger management protections, such as Nevada and Texas.

Why Corporations Are Leaving Delaware

  • Hostile Court Rulings: High-profile decisions, particularly under Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, have unnerved executives. The most prominent example is Tornetta v. Musk, where the court voided Elon Musk's $56 billion compensation package.

  • Increased Litigation Risk: Companies feel that shareholder activists are encouraged by the court, resulting in more derivative lawsuits and increased D&O (Directors & Officers) insurance costs.

  • Rise of Alternatives: States like Nevada and Texas are actively wooing corporations by offering stronger statutory protections for directors, less litigation-friendly environments, and no state corporate income tax.

  • "Subjective" Judicial Standards: Critics, including major startup investors like Andreessen Horowitz, argue that Delaware's traditionally predictable common law has become unpredictable, with judges substituting their judgment for that of boards.

Have Chancery Court Opinions Changed?
Yes, there is a strong perception and evidence that the court has become more stockholder-friendly (or less "management-friendly") in recent years:

  • Heightened Scrutiny of Pay: The court has shown an increased willingness to overturn massive executive compensation packages, challenging the "all-performance" pay structures common in tech.

  • Restrictions on Controlling Shareholders: Decisions have increased scrutiny on "controlling stockholders," making it harder for founders to manage companies without intense legal oversight.

  • Broadening "Entire Fairness": The court has applied the rigorous "entire fairness" standard of review to more transactions, which makes it harder for cases to be dismissed early, forcing expensive, long-term litigation.

Delaware's Response (2025–2026)
In response to this exodus, Delaware has taken significant steps to reverse this trend:

  • Senate Bill 21 (The "DExit" Amendment): Signed in March 2025, this law allows more "safe harbors" for conflicted transactions, restricts stockholder access to "books and records," and limits liability for controlling stockholders.

  • Legislative vs. Judicial Split: The Delaware Legislature has acted to override certain Chancery decisions (like Moelis) that threatened founder-friendly stockholder agreements, demonstrating a move to restore the state’s pro-business reputation.

  • Supreme Court Reversals: The Delaware Supreme Court has begun reversing some of the Chancery Court’s most aggressive rulings, signaling a return to a more director-friendly interpretation of the business judgment rule.

Despite the "DExit" buzz, Delaware still holds over 60% of Fortune 500 companies due to its unrivaled body of legal precedent, though its dominance is facing its toughest challenge in decades.

But, credit where due, Chancellor McCormick’s forcing Musk to complete his deal to buy Twitter, while certainly intended to punish him, inadvertently turned out to be a huge boon to the conservative cause and freedom of speech in America.

When the children belong to the state, this will happen

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Christian parents lose final appeal after Swedish state took daughters following false abuse claim

Swedish authorities labeled Samson family religious extremists for frequent [3X weekly] church attendance

A Christian couple’s years-long fight to regain custody of their daughters from the Swedish government was dealt a major setback last week after a top European court rejected their plea for help.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled the case brought by Daniel and Bianca Samson "inadmissible" on March 10, a final decision that cannot be appealed. 

According to Alliance Defending Freedom International, which is supporting the family’s legal effort, the children have been separated from their parents since December 2022.

ADF International said the case began after the couple’s eldest daughter, Sara, then 11, made a false abuse report at school following a fight with her parents over not being allowed to have a smartphone or wear makeup. ADF said the girl quickly retracted the allegation and that prosecutors found no evidence of abuse, but the Swedish state refused to return the children.

According to the legal group, the state cited the family’s habit of attending church three times a week and their parenting choices as evidence of "religious extremism" and justification for keeping the children.

The girls have pleaded to be reunited with their parents and have suffered worsening mental and physical health, according to ADF International. Their parents reported that both girls attempted suicide while in state care.

The parents have completed state-mandated parenting courses and were later deemed fit to parent, according to the legal group, but they still have not been reunited with their daughters. They have also allegedly sought to move the girls into foster care in their home country of Romania, but have been denied.

The European Court of Human Rights "deemed the case inadmissible on the grounds of failure to exhaust legal remedies in Sweden," ADF International said, despite the Swedish Supreme Court refusing to hear the family's case in 2025.

It's no wonder our Hollywood cretins support open borders; they need Manuel and Rosita to clean up after them, plastic bottles and all

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Hollywood’s Climate Virtue Signaling Ends Where Personal Responsibility Begins

Jane Fonda, Javier Bardem, and Leonardo DiCaprio were just three of the celebrities who lectured their peers on the importance of global warming before being limoed to their private jets and flown back to their Montana ranches.

Puerto Rico: Cuba East, and the bad news is, we already own it

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Inspired by an earlier post on Cuba’s achievement of net zero emissions, Burning Madolf passed along this nugget:

PR maybe worse. I just Googled has Puerto Rico solved their trash problem:
No, Puerto Rico has not solved its trash problem the island is currently facing a waste management crisis. Most of its 29 landfills are over capacity, violate U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.
They should start burning for energy.

BM’s comment reminded me that Puerto Rico’s power grid, like the rest of its government, has been of Third World status for decades, literally crammed with corruption and gross inefficiency, so I, too looked to Google for a summary of the problems. The AI answer is, in my experience, overly generous, but it will serve.

These are results for my question, “history of Puerto Rico's failed electrical infrastructure - has it ever been operated efficiently, and if so, when did it begin to deteriorate, and what were the causes thereof?

AI Overview

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s electrical infrastructure has a long history of systemic issues, transitioning from a period of expansion and relative stability to a state of chronic failure.

Efficiency and the "Golden Age"

Puerto Rico’s electrical system was considered relatively efficient and reliable during its era of rapid expansion in the mid-20th century.

  • 1940s–1970s Expansion: Following the creation of the Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority (now PREPA) in 1941, the island aggressively electrified rural areas and built large-scale power plants.

  • Industrial Backbone: During the 1950s and 60s, the grid supported Puerto Rico’s transition to an industrial economy under "Operation Bootstrap," providing the reliable power necessary for manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.

Timeline of Deterioration

The decline was not sudden but a slow erosion that began decades before the 2017 hurricanes.

  • Early 1970s Design Flaws: A critical decision in 1970 to build major power plants on the south coast while 70% of the population lived in the north created a permanent vulnerability in the transmission lines.

  • 1990s Stagnation: By the 1990s, PREPA had become a monopoly that struggled to keep pace with modern technology. Infrastructure began aging faster than it could be replaced.

  • 2000s Fiscal Crisis: As Puerto Rico’s economy entered a recession in 2006, the maintenance budget for the grid was systematically cut to address burgeoning debt.

  • 2016–2017 Collapse: PREPA effectively filed for bankruptcy in early 2017, just months before Hurricanes Irma and Maria decimated the already fragile and under-maintained system.

Primary Causes of Failure

The current state of the infrastructure is the result of a "perfect storm" of internal and external factors:

  • Aged Infrastructure: The average age of power plants in Puerto Rico is roughly 45 years, compared to the U.S. average of 18 years. Much of the equipment is beyond its intended lifespan.

  • Financial Mismanagement and Debt: PREPA accumulated over $9 billion in debt, leading to "discretionary" maintenance where critical tasks like trimming trees near power lines were neglected for years.

  • Political Interference: Leadership at PREPA changed frequently with political administrations (often every four years), preventing long-term strategic planning and favoring short-term "patches" over modernization.

  • Geographic Isolation: Unlike U.S. states, Puerto Rico cannot pull electricity from neighboring regions if a plant fails; it is a "power island" that must be entirely self-sufficient.

  • Corruption and Inefficiency: Audits have highlighted billions in wasteful spending on failed projects, such as the "Vía Verde" pipeline, and allegations of bribery in contracting.

Google provided a number of source citations - here’s just one, from ABC News, circa 2021…

How did Puerto Rico’s electric system become so chaotic? Experts weigh in

Blackout and brownouts are a part of daily life for Puerto Rico's citizens.

Puerto Rico has had a long history of instability with its electric system, even prior to the devastation Hurricane Maria wreaked in 2017, which left millions on the island without power for nearly a year.

'Perfect storm'

The combination of Luma's late response to failures in the transmission and distribution that have left thousands without power in the last months, and the weak infrastructure of the power plants has made Puerto Rico's electric service the worst among the U.S.' states and territories, experts say.

"Most of these power plants should have been decommissioned many years ago. But when you decommission something, you need to have something new," Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority former executive director Ricardo Ramos told ABC News.

PREPA's gas power plants are over 40 years old. The average lifespan of these power plants is about 20 years, according to one report by National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Ramos, who says he has worked in the energy industry all his life, told ABC News that the situation with Puerto Rico's power is the result of a "perfect storm" of failures that perpetuate the island's electricity woes.

PREPA's operational hurdles

Problems with electricity have been reported since PREPA was established in 1941, Ramos said.

In the1960's Puerto Rico began building power plants, but amid the island nation's industrial revolution plus a then-predicted business boom, those power plants were built larger than the country could manage.

"At that time, bunker type C oil was extremely cheap. So it was chosen to use that fuel in order to have a competitive, let's say, electricity tariff," Ramos told ABC News.

More businesses actually began leaving the island, and Puerto Rico ended up with a majority of its larger power plants located in the southern area of the island, while the most electric consumption has been in the north, Ramos said.

That has resulted in a complex geographical situation for the island's transmission and distribution, now managed by Luma, he said.

Prior to Luma's takeover on June 1, 2021, the government entity, PREPA, was in charge. Today, the government only owns the system that generates electricity while Luma oversees transmission and management.

Financial Problems

The mix of an expensive system, mismanagement and lack of maintenance drove PREPA into a more dire situation, according to energy financial expert, Tom Sanzillo.

Sanzillo is the director of financial analysis of the Institute of Energy and Economics and Financial Analysis, and is a former New York State comptroller.

"You can look at it as the misuse of the revenues that have come in from the ratepayers over a number of years," Sanzillo told ABC News.

Both Sanzillo and Ramos say that effective energy projects take time, can be complicated, and must include collaboration between key players from stakeholders to politicians.

"A power system is very hard to work on, decisions have to be made years prior," Sanzillo added.

In addition, financing energy projects involves a large amount of investment, he said, and that PREPA's investment came from the bond market and loans.

As the electric utility issued bonds to finance energy projects that typically take over six years to build, the island's politics got in the way.

"If you're changing the management every four years, and you already have, let's say, immediate bonds for a project, and the project doesn't exist, it can quickly become a mess," Ramos told ABC News.

"You have a combination of a system and disrepair and political mismanagement at the top of the agency, and you have a recipe for a real problem," Sanzillo from IEEFA said.

The island filed for bankruptcy in 2016 under Title 3 known as Puerto Rico's Oversight Management Economic Stability Act.

Bankruptcy proceedings are still underway, according to local media reports.

Amid Hurricane Maria's destruction, the Trump administration designated one of the biggest federal funds with nearly $10 billion for PREPA's reconstruction. As of today only $7.1 million has been disbursed, according to Puerto Rico's government.

Other citations lead to publications spewing the usual garbage: blame Trump (?), and turn to cheap, reliable solar energy, because yea, that’s the ticket! That’ll solve everything!

Morons.