Crime Briefs

Police name head of internal investigations division

The Baltimore Police Department has selected a new commander for its internal investigations division, bringing new leadership to an area of the department that has been under recent scrutiny. Maj. Nathan Warfield, a 19-year veteran, will move from the Northwest District to lead the division. His deputy major, Johnny Delgado, moves to the top spot in the district. Lt. Sabrina Tapp-Harper, a former police spokeswoman, was promoted to fill Delgado's position, making her the second female deputy major in the department. The Police Department recently dismissed 12 cases against officers charged internally with misconduct, and the police union has accused an official, who was fired last month, of manipulating documents. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has asked the FBI to review why the cases are being thrown out. Mayor Sheila Dixon, who called the department's internal investigations a "weak link," said she was pleased with Warfield's selection, praising his work in the Northwest District and saying he "has a very good set of skills in investigations."

- Justin Fenton

Target in gang raids is held without bail

A man described by police as the leader of a gang that was the subject of dozens of raids last week was ordered held without bail in a brief hearing in federal court Monday. Emiliano "Blikk" Aguas, 31, whom authorities identified as the leader of the local Pasadena Denver Lanes Bloods set, consented to the detention terms at a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge James K. Bredar. The hearing occurred four days after he and more than 30 other alleged gang members were apprehended in coast-to-coast raids after a lengthy wiretap investigation. Aguas, who is accused of multiple killings and beatings, allegedly ordered two thrashings of his own associates over a cable box taken without his permission. In a recorded telephone conversation, Aguas said simply, "People got to die, that's what it is," according to court papers. An attorney representing Aguas declined to comment.

- Justin Fenton