Latest news with #AlastairOrencas
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Woman, 41, found dead after ‘being driven to location' as three men arrested on suspicion of murder
THREE men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was found dead. Police have launched an investigation after Shara Miller, 41, was discovered in Smethwick, West Midlands, on Monday morning. 1 Emergency crews rushed to Woodbourn Road after her body was found just after 6.10am. Despite their best efforts, Shara was tragically confirmed dead at the scene. Three men, aged 38, 31 and 29, have since been arrested and remain in custody. Cops believe that Shara was killed in the early hours at the location where her body was found. West Midlands Police have appealed for anyone with information on Shara's movements before 1am on Monday to come forward. Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Orencas from the Homicide Unit said: 'We have made some significant progress in our investigation and now have three men in custody. 'However, we still want to hear from anyone who saw Shara or spoke to her in the hours leading up to her death. 'We understand she was involved in sex work around the Soho Road, Birmingham area and believe she may have been driven to Woodburn Road from that location. 'If you have any footage or information, and haven't yet come forward, please contact us.' In response, the force has confirmed it will be boosting police presence in the area where Shara was found. A statement on its website read: "Officers are increasing patrols in the area where Shara was found and around Soho Road as reassurance so please do speak to us about any concerns. "If you'd rather not tell us who you are, but want to help, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111." is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Yahoo
Aimee Betro had intention to kill before flying to UK, detectives believe
Detectives believe Aimee Betro had a determined and settled intention to kill even before she flew to the UK to join her partner's murder plot. Speaking after Betro was convicted of conspiracy to murder at Birmingham Crown Court, Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Orencas said only a malfunction of her pistol or a 'rogue' bullet had prevented Betro from shooting Sikander Ali. Jurors at Birmingham Crown Court deliberated for almost 21 hours before finding Betro guilty of conspiracy to murder, possessing a self-loading pistol and a charge of fraudulently evading the prohibition on importing ammunition. The childhood development and graphic design graduate, who denied all the charges, flew into Britain to take part in a plot orchestrated by co-conspirators Mohammed Nabil Nazir, 31, and Mohammed Aslam, 56, to shoot dead Aslat Mahumad following an altercation in a shop. Betro, 45, from Wisconsin, was caught on CCTV as she tried to shoot Mr Ali, Mr Mahumad's son, in Measham Grove, Yardley, Birmingham, in September 2019. Commenting on Betro's conviction, Mr Orencas said of the assassination attempt: 'Whether the slider is jammed or it's a rogue round, it has failed to discharge that firearm.' Asked about Betro's use of false names to book herself into hotels and to buy a car before the assassination attempt, Mr Orencas said he believed Betro knew of the murder plot before she jetted in from the United States more than a fortnight beforehand. The officer said: 'I think this is a carefully planned, persistent, murderous plot. It's unbelievable to me that that would be conceived without careful lengthy planning.' But he said of the actual shooting bid: 'It's a brazen attempt. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of effort to avoid detection. I think she fell foul of a really slick, dynamic law enforcement operation over here. 'I don't know whether that was her perspective from America that that's how we operate – but (there is) zero tolerance around firearms criminality on these shores.' Betro was convicted on 'overwhelming' evidence, the senior officer said, adding that she had 'a troublesome relationship with the truth' in giving her account of what happened. Betro's use of a niqab to hide her face 'didn't work very well' as 'the footwear didn't change, phones didn't change' and various CCTV cameras caught her in the area of the shooting, Mr Orencas said. 'It was a fairly poor attempt (at disguise) and again, whether or not the attitude was that the British police wouldn't be up to it, I think she was fatally flawed, if that was ever the consideration in her mind,' Mr Orencas noted. Thanking the Daily Mail for its investigation that tracked down Betro's hideout in Armenia in summer 2024, the detective chief inspector continued: 'There were parallel inquiries going on but, without a doubt, the Daily Mail were of great assistance. 'And I'll say thank you on record to the Daily Mail with regard to that.' Mr Orencas added: 'I think the tenacity of the investigation team has been outstanding to the point where we had officers, that were coming towards the end of their service, retire and come back as civilian investigators. 'And they've stuck in right to the end because they were so passionate about getting justice, really, for the family, but the broader community in the West Midlands who simply won't tolerate firearms criminality.'
The Independent
12-08-2025
- The Independent
Aimee Betro had intention to kill before flying to UK, detectives believe
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Detectives believe Aimee Betro had a determined and settled intention to kill even before she flew to the UK to join her partner's murder plot. Speaking after Betro was convicted of conspiracy to murder at Birmingham Crown Court, Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Orencas said only a malfunction of her pistol or a 'rogue' bullet had prevented Betro from shooting Sikander Ali. Jurors at Birmingham Crown Court deliberated for almost 21 hours before finding Betro guilty of conspiracy to murder, possessing a self-loading pistol and a charge of fraudulently evading the prohibition on importing ammunition. The childhood development and graphic design graduate, who denied all the charges, flew into Britain to take part in a plot orchestrated by co-conspirators Mohammed Nabil Nazir, 31, and Mohammed Aslam, 56, to shoot dead Aslat Mahumad following an altercation in a shop. Betro, 45, from Wisconsin, was caught on CCTV as she tried to shoot Mr Ali, Mr Mahumad's son, in Measham Grove, Yardley, Birmingham, in September 2019. Commenting on Betro's conviction, Mr Orencas said of the assassination attempt: 'Whether the slider is jammed or it's a rogue round, it has failed to discharge that firearm.' Asked about Betro's use of false names to book herself into hotels and to buy a car before the assassination attempt, Mr Orencas said he believed Betro knew of the murder plot before she jetted in from the United States more than a fortnight beforehand. The officer said: 'I think this is a carefully planned, persistent, murderous plot. It's unbelievable to me that that would be conceived without careful lengthy planning.' But he said of the actual shooting bid: 'It's a brazen attempt. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of effort to avoid detection. I think she fell foul of a really slick, dynamic law enforcement operation over here. 'I don't know whether that was her perspective from America that that's how we operate – but (there is) zero tolerance around firearms criminality on these shores.' Betro was convicted on 'overwhelming' evidence, the senior officer said, adding that she had 'a troublesome relationship with the truth' in giving her account of what happened. Betro's use of a niqab to hide her face 'didn't work very well' as 'the footwear didn't change, phones didn't change' and various CCTV cameras caught her in the area of the shooting, Mr Orencas said. 'It was a fairly poor attempt (at disguise) and again, whether or not the attitude was that the British police wouldn't be up to it, I think she was fatally flawed, if that was ever the consideration in her mind,' Mr Orencas noted. Thanking the Daily Mail for its investigation that tracked down Betro's hideout in Armenia in summer 2024, the detective chief inspector continued: 'There were parallel inquiries going on but, without a doubt, the Daily Mail were of great assistance. 'And I'll say thank you on record to the Daily Mail with regard to that.' Mr Orencas added: 'I think the tenacity of the investigation team has been outstanding to the point where we had officers, that were coming towards the end of their service, retire and come back as civilian investigators. 'And they've stuck in right to the end because they were so passionate about getting justice, really, for the family, but the broader community in the West Midlands who simply won't tolerate firearms criminality.'
