Latest news with #BeanieBabies
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
West Valley City man indicted after alleged carjacking with the victim inside the vehicle
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. SALT LAKE CITY () — A felon from West Valley City was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury after he was charged with carjacking a vehicle while the victim was still inside. Joseph Anthony Kingston, 27, was federally charged with carjacking after an incident that occurred on April 30. According to court documents, West Valley City Police officers responded to a call asking for help in getting Kingston to leave a residence in West Valley City. Through a local records search, officers discovered that Kingston had an active felony warrant out for his arrest for state charges of robbery, and he was restricted from possessing a weapon. When officers arrived on scene, they observed Kingston fleeing on foot over the property's fence. Police searched the surrounding area by drone and K9 officers, but Kingston was not located. Man who allegedly held Millcreek family hostage for months charged with 13 felonies About 20 minutes later, police received a call from an adult man who stated he was the victim of a carjacking. According to the complaint, the man was completing a landscaping job in the area, and when he returned to his work truck, he allegedly found Kingston laying in the back. The victim stated that Kingston pulled a knife on him, told him 'drive' and 'go,' and to get Kingston out of the area. Kingston allegedly remained on the truck's floorboards until they had passed the police. According to the complaint, the victim drove Kingston to a different area, and Kingston allegedly stole food and medical supplies from the truck before leaving. West Valley City Police arrested Kingston later that same day after a foot pursuit. He allegedly still had medical supplies from the stolen work truck in his possession when he was arrested. West Valley City man indicted after alleged carjacking with the victim inside the vehicle Suspect arrested, woman in coma after break-in at Beanie Babies tycoon's California mansion Baylor football player Alex Foster dies after being shot multiple times: reports Follow the Flag raises gigantic flags and patriotic spirit Temps continue to climb, challenging heat records by the weekend with 90s and 100s on deck Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Woman who engaged in pursuit, standoff on Memorial Day had felony warrant: LAPD
The woman who led the Los Angeles Police Department on a pursuit and engaged in an hourslong standoff with officers on Memorial Day before being shot has been identified, and authorities now say she had a felony warrant. A call regarding a possible shooting investigation came into LAPD around 7:15 a.m. Monday; the caller described seeing a white van with bullet holes in its windshield in the 13000 block of Sherman Way in the Valley Village neighborhood. Officers responded and contacted the woman inside the van – later identified as Claudia Corugedo – and found she had a felony warrant out for her arrest. When they tried to detain her, Corugedo resisted, removed 'what appeared to be' a black semiautomatic pistol and pointed it at her throat, LAPD said in a media release issued Wednesday. Suspect arrested, woman in coma after break-in at Beanie Babies tycoon's California mansion As the officers went back to their vehicles to call for backup, Corugedo drove off, and a pursuit was initiated that ultimately terminated in the 20900 block of Arcana Road in Woodland Hills, approximately 14 miles away. Corugedo, 42, became surrounded by officers after driving into a dead end, and she refused commands to surrender. According to LAPD, during the ensuing standoff, she continued to point the pistol at her throat, and it was learned that she had a large machete on her. 'A SWAT Team was requested; however, prior to their arrival, Corugedo began walking toward the front door of a residence while still holding the [weapons], and an officer-involved shooting occurred,' LAPD's media release states. 'Corugedo was struck by gunfire and collapsed near the entryway of the residence.' Mother of girl, 4, receiving treatment in L.A. speaks out against life-threatening deportation to Mexico She was taken into custody and treated by responding L.A. Fire Department paramedics at the scene before being transported to a hospital for further treatment. Afterwards, she was booked for felony evading. Further investigation into the chase and standoff revealed that Corugedo was actually in possession of a BB gun designed to resemble a semiautomatic pistol; a machete was also recovered at the scene. Corugedo did not appear in inmate search records in connection with Monday's incident; however, the records indicate that she has been arrested by LASD twice in the past, both times for felony offenses in 2023. In one case, she was cited and released, and in another, she spent just under two weeks in jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Woman in coma after violent break-in at California home of Beanie Babies billionaire, officials say
A 42-year-old Nevada man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and kidnapping after a woman was violently attacked during a break-in last week at a Southern California mansion owned by the Beanie Babies billionaire Ty Warner, according to authorities and court documents. The victim, named in a criminal complaint as L. Malek-Aslanian, was in a coma after suffering a brain injury during the attack May 21 at the home in coastal Montecito, northwest of Los Angeles. Warner, founder of the company that makes the stuffed toys that became a fad in the 1990s, was home at the time, but not hurt, according to the complaint obtained by the Los Angeles Times. His relationship with the victim wasn't immediately clear. Russell Maxwell Phay was arrested after a standoff with deputies during which he locked himself inside a bathroom before jumping from a second-floor window, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. The resident of Henderson, Nevada, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including attempted murder, kidnapping, assault and burglary. A lawyer for Phay couldn't be located and the public defender's office didn't immediately reply to an email asking whether one of its attorneys is representing him. Prosecutors said Phay had numerous prior convictions and had served time in prison or jail, but the details of his criminal history weren't immediately available, the Times said. He was being held on $100,000 bail. Officials did not identify a possible motive or say whether the suspect knew the victim. The investigation is ongoing. A message was sent Wednesday to the Santa Barbara County district attorney's office seeking an update on the victim's condition.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Reclusive life of Beanie Babies tycoon as mysterious attack on woman in his home stuns neighbors
The Beanie Babies craze of the 1990s thrust Ty Warner into the spotlight as he dominated the children's toy market and amassed a fortune now worth $6 billion. His plush toy success enabled Warner to assemble a high-end real estate portfolio that included luxury hotels, social clubs and private estates, including a sprawling 6.58-acre mansion in southern California's celebrity enclave Montecito. But his dizzying rise to success precipitated a fall from grace, as Warner's greed ultimately led him to stash millions in Swiss bank accounts and he was ordered to pay back more than $53 million in taxes. And now the reclusive billionaire has become the talk of the town yet again, after falling victim to a bizarre crime that saw an Army combat veteran break into his estate and violently assault a guest. Russell Maxwell Phay allegedly broke into Warner's Montecito estate last week and viciously attacked 60-year-old financial services expert Linda Malek-Aslanian. She remains hospitalized and comatose after suffering a brain injury. Warner, 80, was home during the attack but 'not physically harmed', with the prosecutor saying he was 'able to escape and contact authorities' for help. It was unclear why Malek-Alsanian was at Warner's home but she has previously worked for the billionaire businessman. Phay, 42, of Nevada, allegedly invaded the property, proclaimed that he owned it, and demanded everyone leave, before attacking Malek-Aslanian and barricading himself in a second-story bathroom. He tried to evade arrest by jumping from the bathroom window, but was tackled to the ground by sheriff's deputies and K-9 officers. Phay was charged with attempted murder, burglary, kidnapping, and assault. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody at the Santa Barbara County jail as he is not eligible for bail. Phay entered Warner's home with the 'intent to commit larceny' before holding Malek-Aslanian against her will, assaulting her and causing 'great bodily injury', prosecutors said in a criminal complaint. The complaint also identified Malek-Aslanian as being 'particularly vulnerable'. Phay served in the military as an Army combat soldier about 20 years ago and previously claimed he was 'trained to eliminate' his enemies. He has a criminal record that includes assault and battery charges, as well as prison time for threatening his wife. Officials did not identify a possible motive and Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch says they are 'uncertain' why Phay targeted the Beanie Babies mogul's home, which is neighbored by ritzy homes belonging to dozens of stars including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. 'It's a big house, but of course it's in an area with a lot of big houses,' Savrnoch told People Magazine. He added that authorities do not believe that Phay, whom Savrnoch branded a 'serious danger to society', personally knew his alleged victims. Warner owns several properties in Montecito, including the lavish San Ysidro Ranch hotel which is regularly frequented by Hollywood A-listers and high-profile figures. Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger were married at the property in June 2019, roughly nine years after the toy tycoon purchased the resort and made it part of Ty Warner Hotels & Resorts, LLC. The firm also owns the nearby Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore, but the luxury five-star hotel has been closed since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in March 2020. The Biltmore hotel is expected to reopen this year, according to a Four Seasons press release. In addition to hotels, Warner's property portfolio - which extends beyond California - includes nearby private members clubs including The Montecito Club, Sandpiper Golf Club, and the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club. An annual membership at Sandpiper Golf Club ranges between $500 and $1,400, depending on the facility and membership type. Membership at Warner's extremely exclusive Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club is limited to just 600 people and requires a referral from an existing member. Members pay an initiation fee of $300,000 and monthly dues of around $2,500. The Montecito Club, which includes access to the Coral Casino Beach & Cabana Club, has membership costing around $2,500 per month - after an initiation fee of $275,000, according to The Montecito Journal. Members living within 25 miles of the club can pay a discounted initiation fee of $3,000 and monthly dues of $175. The 80-year-old billionaire has never married or had children, but has been publicly romantically involved with several women. He lived in his Montecito mega-mansion with his longtime partner Kathryn Zimmie for a decade. But the pair split in 2020 with Zimmie suing him over alleged 'emotional and physical abuse', The New York Post reported at the time. Zimmie was seeking half of the Montecito estate, which at the time of the complaint was worth roughly $400 million. Warner's lawyer, at the time, denied Zimmie's allegations, claiming that her 'lawsuit is a money grab filled with lies'. The toy tycoon was also romantically involved with at least two women who were previously employed by his company Ty Inc. Patricia Roche was a partner at the company, according to a profile by Women's Health. She is credited with helping to turn Ty Inc. into an incredibly lucrative toy company and reportedly inspired popular Beanie Baby, Patti the Platypus. Warner also dated Faith McGowan, a divorced mother of two who worked as a lighting designer for the firm. The pair were first linked together in the 90s after Warner, whom McGowan was not a fan of, won her and her children over. She was heavily involved in the early creation of the Beanie Babies craze and her children even helped with research and development. McGowan and Warner separated in 2001, but are said to have stayed in contact until her death in 2013. The toy tycoon was among those who attended her funeral. It is unclear what Warner's relationship is with Malek-Aslanian, the financial services expert who was violently attacked at his home. Malek-Aslanian, who according to broker records is currently employed at New York Life, previously worked for Warner's hotels division. Members living within 25 miles of the Montecito Club (pictured) can pay a discounted initiation fee of $3,000 and monthly dues of $175 Warner was born in Chicago in 1944 and had a tough upbringing in an unhappy family. He claimed in later life that he had been 'a youth devoid of educational advantages'. He was sent to military school at the age of 15, before attending college in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1962. But Warner was forced to leave his academic institution because he couldn't afford his tuition. He attempted to enlist in the military but was unsuccessful after being deemed unfit to serve due to hearing loss. His mother was later diagnosed as a paranoid-schizophrenic and he helped take care of her, working odd jobs as a busboy, bellboy, and encyclopedia salesman to make ends meet. He got his first up-close look at the toy industry during his employment at San Francisco-based Dakin, a company that produced stuffed animals and figurines. Dakin was the market leader at the time, selling almost 70 million toys a year, and Warner was the best person they had at getting their products out the door. But his 15-year tenure at the company ground to a halt in 1980 after his bosses learned that Warner, who wanted a bigger slice of the action, had begun creating his own line on the side. Warner took a three-year sabbatical to Italy, where he discovered plush toys that inspired him to form his own company, reports. He formed Ty Inc., where he launched Beanie Babies, and first introduced prototypes at the World Toy Fair in 1993 before manufacturing began in 1994. The range began with nine original Beanie Babies including Splash the Whale, Patti the Platypus, Chocolate the Moose, Squealer the Pig, Spot the Dog, Flash the Dolphin. Warner said until then toys were 'stiff and hard'. He credits part of Beanie Babies' success to the design and flexibility to 'wave, dance, and cuddle' at the will of their owner. The adorable little toys were small enough to be carried around. With a $5 price tag, Beanie Babies were also affordable enough for kids to be able to buy them with pocket money. But the key to their unrivalled success was in creating scarcity. While sales were slow initially, Warner made the inspired decision to pull back the quantities of toys on sale. He restricted stores to only carrying 36 of each character, which resulted in customers becoming obsessed with getting their hands on them while they could. He also carefully elected which characters to retire which spawned a resale market that saw the toys skyrocket in value. Sales hit more than $280 million by the end of 1996 and Warner's personal income for that year, pretax, was a whopping $90 million. The following year, he secured a collaboration with McDonald's which amplified the Beanie Babies mania. The fast food chain manufactured 100 million Teenie Beanie Babies for their Happy Meals. The promotion was expected to run for five weeks, but instead lasted only two. By 1998, more than half of America owned at least one of Warner's creations. His pretax salary skyrocketed to $700 million, with over $1.3 billion in sales. He upgraded from his home office to operating out of a 370,000-square-foot warehouse. But within another year, the novelty appeared to be waning. When a series of retirements were announced, resale prices stayed about the same. Another collection of 24 new Beanie Babies was announced, flooding the market which put collectors off. In 2000, Beanies were being flogged in three for $10 bargains and began to appear in dollar stores. Sales dropped substantially at the start of the new millennium, and in 2004 Warner's tax return claimed losses of more than $39 million. He'd made investments in the four years prior, purchasing hotels, and property including the Four Seasons Hotel in New York, the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, the Montecito Country Club and the Sandpiper Golf Course in Santa Barbara. Warner's success enabled him to purchase a sprawling 6.58-acre Montecito estate off Butterfly Beach where he lived from 2010 to 2020 with his former long-term partner. By 2007, he moved onto Ty Girlz, a series of dolls with unique patterns which were connected to a website, but both were discontinued in 2013. In September that year, Warner's distinguished reputation was challenged when he was charged with one count of tax evasion for failing to report more than $24.4 million in income, and evading nearly $5.6 million in federal taxes from millions hid for more than a decade in a secret account at a Swiss bank. Beanie Babies founder Ty Warner is escorted from the Dirksen US Courthouse in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 after entering a guilty plea for tax evasion The toymaker pleaded guilty, admitting that between 1996 and 2008 he opened and maintained undeclared foreign bank accounts. He said he felt 'shame and embarrassment' for what he had done. Warner faced up to five years in prison, with prosecutor Michelle Petersen asking US District Judge Charles Kocoras to give Warner at least a year behind bars. He was handed two years' probation and complete 500 hours of community service for at least three Chicago high schools as well as pay a $100,000 fine. Warner also paid more than $53 million in a civil penalty, representing 50 percent of the highest balance of his unreported foreign bank accounts. His well-known philanthropic efforts, which exceed donating over $300 million to charities since the launch of Ty Inc, were considered in the judge's decision. Warner's net worth is currently valued at $6 billion and he is ranked 595 on Forbes' Billionaires list.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Mother of girl, 4, receiving treatment in L.A. speaks out against life-threatening deportation to Mexico
The mother of a 4-year-old girl who was born in Mexico and taken to L.A. two years ago is speaking out after the Trump administration ordered them to self-deport, despite her daughter receiving lifesaving care in America. Deysi Vargas told KTLA that her daughter Sofia (which is a pseudonym to protect her identity) may look like a healthy, happy child; however, she was born prematurely and suffers from short bowel syndrome, a condition that does not allow her body to absorb nutrients on its own. Vargas' young family was allowed to come to the U.S. in 2023 through a temporary humanitarian permission process so that Sofia, aged 2 1/2 at the time, could receive the care she needs to stay alive, which is not available in her native country. Suspect arrested, woman in coma after break-in at Beanie Babies tycoon's California mansion Specifically, Sofia requires intravenous nutrition 14 hours a day, and the family, who now lives and works in Bakersfield, drives down to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles every six weeks for treatment. 'She is living her life as normal as possible for a girl her age,' Deysi Vargas told KTLA 5's Carlos Saucedo in Spanish. 'It's all thanks to the medical treatment she's receiving in this country…this type of treatment doesn't exist in my country.' However, in the wake of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, Sofia's medical protection has been revoked, and now the Vargases must leave the U.S. on their own accord. Federal officials also canceled the parents' work permits, according to Gina Amato, directing attorney at Public Counsel's Immigration Rights Project. 'The federal government sent the family notices in April this year, canceling their humanitarian parole, which was otherwise valid until July,' Amato said. Amato added that doctors at CHLA are worried that if Sofia doesn't get the proper care, she will die. 'It's not speculative,' Amato said. 'It's that she will die within days.' 7 remain hospitalized days after Liverpool F.C. parade crash that injured at least 79 A concerned Deysi Vargas reiterated the life-or-death circumstances surrounding her daughter's future at a press conference held Wednesday morning in conjunction with the family's attorneys and with Sofia present. 'I am very scared because Sofia runs the risk of not receiving the treatment that she requires for her condition, and if we return back to our country, she would be back at the hospital day and night,' she said through a translator. 'I have a lot of faith…I believe in God and he has already blessed us with many miracles.' 'When we lived in Mexico, my daughter did not get any better,' she continued. 'Now, with the help that she's received in the United States, my daughter has the opportunity to get out of the hospital, know the world and live like a normal girl of 4 years.' Sofia uses special equipment to get nutrients throughout the day and night; she is connected to an IV for 14 hours and receives four feedings via a gastral tube throughout the day that take about an hour, according to a family spokesperson. The equipment is included in a special backpack that Sofia wears is part of the 14-hour treatment process, but she is still able to intake food with it. Amato explained Wednesday that CHLA's Intestinal Rehabilitation Program is one of the best in the world and treats approximately 200 children, but the main issue lies with the manufacturer of the equipment that Sofia needs to survive. Highly contagious COVID strain detected in CA amid vaccine crackdown 'The manufacturer of the equipment that delivers the intravenous nutrition is not available outside the United States,' Gina Amato said at the Wednesday press conference. 'The manufacturer will not allow the equipment to travel outside of the United States and that is why the treatment is not available outside of the U.S.' 'Deporting this family under these conditions is not only unlawful, it constitutes a moral failure that violates the basic tenets of humanity and decency,' Amato added. Family attorneys told KTLA that they have written to the Trump administration and made them aware of the case while also noting that the family has filed new documents for humanitarian parole; however, they have yet to hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
