Famous For Two Reason, By Roger Behra

SHORT COMMUNICATION 196

Famous For Two Reason

By

Roger Behra

There is a part of California that is famous for two reasons. The reasons are both good and bad. The good reason is the annual climate in Orange County, California is outstanding, and so many people, want to live there. The bad reason is Orange County is famous for some very unusual crimes. The list started at 50, but extensive research has put the total as growing much larger. Some of the famous and notorious crimes and the perpetrators are to follow.

In May, 1983 the California Highway Patrol stopped a suspicious freeway driving suspect in his Toyota Celica after he was spotted driving a long way on the shoulder of the road. The arrest revealed a dead man in the passenger seat under a coat. The arrested man was Randy Kraft, who was later convicted of murdering 16 young men and linked to 29 others. Detectives are convinced he probably killed as many as 66 boys and men.

In 1980 Tom Maniscalco was known as feared motorcycle gang leader. A dispute broke out among the gang over the skimming of profits from a drug and counterfeiting scheme. The dispute left three people dead. Tom was arrested and later convicted of the triple murder.

Also in 1980 John George Brown killed a Garden Grove, California police officer inside the Cripple Creek Saloon. Another police officer was wounded along with two bar patrons. Astonishingly, Brown was not shot or wounded along with two bar patrons. Astonishingly, Brown was not shot or wounded in the furious and dangerous gun battle. Brown was later convicted and sentenced to death.

In March, 1983 convict Charles Rothenberg committed a most despicable and infamous crime. He started a fire and then raced from a burning Buena Park, California motel leaving behind his six-year-old son, David. He had given his son a sleeping pill, doused the room with kerosene, and then set a match to the room. David lived, but he was permanently disfigured from ninety-percent body burns. The reason was a custody dispute. Charles spent many years behind bars after being convicted.

On October 18, 1984, Teofilo Medina, Jr. began a robbery and killing spree. During the two weeks of robbery and killing four men clerks at gas stations and drive in dairies were robbed and dead. The Orange and Riverside counties were terrified. The killer showed no mercy during the killings. Teofilo was sentenced to death.

Orange County, California is also famous for notorious serial killings. The Charles Manson cult killings, the “Night Stalker”, the “Freeway Killer”, and the “Grim Sleeper Killer” are the most famous. They will never be forgotten.

Other famous California serial killers include Rodney Alcala. The DNA process is linking him to six cold case murders, and he is suspected of several more. The “Zodiac Killer” did his killings in the San Francisco area. All of these killings were famous because of the gruesome and torture methods used by killers.

R. B.