victimized in san francisco alone. in all, the thiefs have stolen 1.$5 million. the da says only one got her money back. thanks to another victim, a woman who had guts to go to police. >> our community has been suffering for the last year and a half from an activity. >> hundreds appeared to learn how to protect themselves against the thieves this, morning, the district attorney met privately with a whom almost became a victim. instead, susan wong became a hero n october here at farmer's market where three women approached wong and befriended her. >> number two stoz me it will be nice for to you have a new friend. >> they were nice to her. they chatted and exchanged information about their

families. one of them seeped to be claire voiant. number three told me that there is going to be calamity in the household. your son is going die within three days and your husband is going to get really ill. they also told me that, and scared me saying that a ghost followed me home. the ghost wants to marry my son. >> but the three women told wong this was her lucky day. they can scare evil spirit business blessing her valuable autos they asked me tho bring as many valuables as possible. the more values, valuables i bring, the better off my family is going to be. >> wong went home, and she went to ingleside police station. she recalled reading about the

blessing scam, watching this police spot on tv. this was a reenactment of how the thieves worked. she real yidzed it's happening to her. under cover officers went back with her to the farmers's market. wong identified the women, the officers followed them, saw them working on another victim. this victim had turned over $47,000 in cash to the thieves. here is the money. being photo copied for evidence by an investigator before being returned to the victim. they were reegsently conflict -- convicted of grand theft. >> she took the initiative to go to the police. >> when we told her she was a hero this is her response. >> yeah. >> she said no. come on. >> well, susan wong lay mai in the think she's a hero, police and prosecutors do. she says she was just doing

the right thick. d.a.gascone says this was the first successful prosecution in this country of a blessing fraud case. the thieves will be sentenced on friday. >> a judge ordered the sheriff's department to stand trial on charges of using excessive force the result of a lawsuit brought by a man claims he was the victim of an unprovoked assault of a sheriff deputy two years ago. his attorney saying the sheriff's department has a policy and practice of abuse. accusing the former sheriff of a callous disregard for what happened to his client. abc 7 news called the sheriff's department but we've not received a response. >> the brown administration today ordered a top to bottom review of the policies and procedures at caltrans. that is after a series of high profile blunders including use of thousands of bolts on the new bay bridge that may not

need meet it's own standards. the agency has hired an independent panel of experts to take what it calls a fresh look at caltrans operations. the panel, which includes experts and transportation officials from around the country will assess caltrans performance, communications, and management. senator, state senator head of the senate transportation committee says issues illustrated the need for a culture change at caltrans. and call forward review a good first step. >> speaking of the bridge we won't know until july whether the new span will open as scheduled labor day weekend. sheer picture of the bridge. today, entering dirty laundry at the same time. >> officials are feeling pressure for better transparency coming to the realization that at this point,

public confidence could be harder to repair than broken bolts. the toll bridge program committee says it needs three things before settling on an opening date. completion of the written investigation into broken bolts and a decision on what to do about the rest of the 2300 or so suspect bolts now being tested. >> labor day is still the goal. but the test results and retro fit will determine whether we'll meet that goal. >> testing of the broken bolts is done but on rest of them won't be finished until late june. one test going into july. >> this involves a salt water bath to see how the metal reacts to that. >> the committee ran down a

list whaift calls construction challenges including bad welds, kor yoded skyway tendons and assignment of the suspension deck off by a couple inches. they say they've corrected those problems. chief engineer explain that's 99% of the time they get either better than expected materials or can exchange the subpar. >> then, about something less than 1% of the time we get something we don't wachblt we have to tear it out. and go to buy another one. it's one percent they asked me to tell you about. >> this project is so big that you encounter a lot of challenges. >> saying the drop dead date for a decision is july 10th.

>> thank you very much. >> one person dead, shot this afternoon. two people with him under arrest tonight. nick have you new information on the gun police found at the scene stha. right? >> absolutely. we have just leshed my hourses teld tel me the weapon recovered not only was it loaded but had been reported toll jennen out of the state of georgia. if you look you can see this tape is still in place. we're at the intersection of ritchie street and bankroft avenue just before 2:00 this afternoon, officers received information that three nen a car may be armed with one illegally possessed firearm, police startedded a pursuit of the vehicle that ended at 77th and bankroft avenue. police say the three men ran way in different directions. one of the three ran to the

2400 block of ritchie stree. a deputy chief said that suspect was arm skptd officer chasing him perceived a threat before firing his weapon and shooting the suspect but witnesses describe a chaotic mess, what they heard multiple gunshots. >> i guess they got mad because he was getting away. they caught him and got out, started shooting. they just got outside, shooting from the back. >> this is a violence suppression unit. they're out there looking for individuals that are brought to their attention. i can't go into detail into what that is. >> now, the first two suspects were call and arrested. the suspect shot later died. police recovered one weapon at the scene that we now know was loaded and reported stolen. they have nod knot said how

many shots were fired all they will tell me is that this is still an active investigation where they are actively using their suppression tactics where they are responding to areas that our hot spots throughout the city and acting and moving quickly. >> nick, thank you. >> the 7th yaider -- grader accused of stabbing his is was in juvenile court today. the question is whether a 12-year-old should face murder charges. >> this boy was in court just long enough to deny he murdered his sister, lawyers did take time to say they don't think he's old enough to assist in this defense. >> trying a 12-year-old is a very difficult question. >> perhaps signaling a few tour strategy, lawyers for a

12-year-old boy say they're in the sure someone his age should stand trial for murder. >> the issue of a 12-year-old. whether or not a 12-year-old can go through these proceedings on trial in a serious case. and can participate to the point the trial resemble what's we call fundamental fairness. >> the boy who abc 7 news is not identifying appeared in a brief hearing where he entered redenials to charges he stabbed to death his 8-year-old sister. that is the juvenile equivalent of a not guilty plea. the parents to both were in court sitting behind their son. >> the family still doing remarkably well under very difficult circumstances. and appreciate the support that they've goten. >> laila's older brother

attended a vigil, standing with the family just three days after she was stabbed multiple times while the two siblings were at their home alone. of the 7th grader says he found an intruder in the house. he was going to ask he be released to his parents but decided not to at this point. >> there haven't snt a plan worth presenting to the court because the family living environment has been unstable since the incident happened due to the destruction of the house and memories that make being in that house impossible. >> now, the next hearing is set for end of july. this boy will remain in custody. his family has not returned to their home since the murder except to pick up belongings. >> still head a big opinion

pine tree and a chain reaction that it started. >> plus a close up of the mountain lion stocking a naibtd giving residents the jitters. >> a woman's brand new tv set zrnt a picture or sound. coming up, 7 on your side gets her a new one. >> i'm sandhya patel. warmer pattern is

a brand new housing development scheduled to open in a san francisco neighborhood known for its high crime rate. the tender loin lofts are under construction m a site that holds special mean are for us here at abc 7. >> this was once our home. until 1985, kgotv's newsroom studios and broadcast facilities were located on golden gate avenue in san francisco's tender loib. -- tender loin. now, after being vacant nearly 30 years, the site is coming to life again. called lofts at 7 to honor tv station legacy, 88 new market rate rental apartments are going up. they'll have high sealings, hard wood floors and more. >> we're standing now on the roof is a great view. there is a outdoor cinema.

>> in gritty surroundings. >> this is really hard. but we're told things are changing. it's being called the trendy loin as some mid market hype makes think the way. >> this has a major affect. people who have jobs who can patronize local businesses and tell their friends to come down here. it's better than people think. >> the crime is still an issue. hundreds of neighborhood residents have signed a petition criticizing police chief greg sur for a decrease in police staffing. >> tender loin down twice as much. >> help is on the way. two academy classes in. and we're committed to making sure the tender loin staffed back up again. >> welcome news for those currently living in the loin as well as newcomers on the way. in san francisco, abc 7 news.

>> two families in napa have been forced out of homes after a tree fell and started a fire on top of 3 apartment house at about 10:00 this morning and brought down power lines. that started a small brush fire, firefighters knocked out the power, pg&e arrives to clean up power lines. an inspector red tagged two apartment autos for the spekd time this week, neighbors spotted a mountain lieon. a woman and nephew came close enough to snap this picture this, weekend another person spotted a mountain lion sitting on a tree. ward wardens do think this is the same animal and believe the cuing jar likely hunting deer but neighbors being warned to keep small pets inside. especially at night. >> the dogs are locked up at the house right now.

and at night. we're taking them out in the front yard right now. >> if you encounter a mountain lion, make yourself as big as possible and back away, slowly its frightening. >> that is a big animal it is. >> let's talk about the weather forecast. >> sandhya patel is in tonight. >> yes. witness being hot and dry, higher fire danger. right now temperatures dworing to get nup mid-90s for your weekend. clear skies right now, no moisture no, clouds and here is a view from our south beach camera looking at blue skies right now. san jose, 67. oakland, 66. santa cruz 74 degrees. it's a beautiful afternoon, evening. you can see sun glistening

there. 78 in santa rosa. it's 69 degrees in limp more now. of a bouncy camera. it's breezy. mainly clear, cool mornings. goitsing to be heating up friday and saturday. that is when we're looking at fire danger. this is the weak system moving through this morning producing showers with cloud cover this morning. things starting to change. high pressure is going to build in. so tonight patchy low clouds along the coast. it will be a cool start to the morning and then, sun will be out for thursday. it's a warmer day. by friday, the wind really starts to come in from this direction over the inland slal valys so hotter air, temperatures soaring there. along the coast we're going to have a enough of a wind or sea breeze to keep your temperatures on the mild side.

so not expecting to it get toasty near the coast. inland areas, certainly though will get hot. from 81 to 89. still going to be hot. upper 40s, patchy low clouds around, it will be a cool start. you will be able to lose that layer for afternoon and notice it's going to be a nice day. 80s in morgan hill. 76 san jose. 71 san mateo, mountain view. 58 in pacifica. still enough of a sea breeze to keep you into the comfort zone. sunset district, 61. into 60s for downtown san francisco. and 81 in calistoga. head out towards east bay, mild, sunny skies, oakland 73. 74 hercules. inland areas warmer than today. by a good several degrees.

82 in concord. occasional high clouds. from low 90s fully hottest communities choftal areas upper 60s saturday. sea breeze knocks temperatures down into next week. >> big change. >> yes. >> thank you very much. >> just ahead a follow up to the best of some outboard motor autos yes. how police solved this crime

immigrant groups criticizing a part of the immigration reform bill they say hurts families. several dozen people stood outside chanting in english and chinese upset the bill restricts family visas and still allow impact impacts -- immigrants to sponsor children and spouses but cut visas to parents, and adult children. >> there are normal parents, just siblings so it's cruel to be forcing them to be separated on a permanent basis. >> the state department estimates 40% of the family visas go to immigrants from asian countries. the senate begins debate in

early june. >> an alarming health statistic from the south bay. three silicon valley cities had the highest rates in the state. 89% of those suffering from tb are foreign born. doctors warn anyone is susceptible to the disease regardless of where they're born. >> we have a diverse population and we have tech entrepreneur that's travel. >> mike honda is leading an effort to restore federal funding to make sure hospitals are fully stocked with medications to better treat this disease. >> a group that helps people with disability goeses sailing is about to get stolen property back back. last night we reported exclusively someone has stolen five outboard moat skbrorz damaged equipment belonging to the bay area association of disabled sailors well, today we've learned police found

motors in the back of a truck at their impound lot. they learned the moators had been stolen. >> more still to come at 6:00 governor brown puts a price tag on a plan to improve california water supply. how much this will add to your monthly bill. >> dead or alive? this man is part of a taliban leadership in pakistan and may have been killed in a u.s. drone strike. >> a woman discovers just how sensitive a flat screen television can be. michael

a controversial plan to upgrade delivery of drinking water and farmland irrigation supplies in california is inching forward tonight. the plan to build a tunnel to transport water through the delta. today, state officials put a price tag on it for the first time. >> the span plan has been in the works for seven years. the goal to provide urban

water supplies and now, it has a price tag. 24 plt $5 billion. >> these costs can be spread over 50 years, we'd retro fit the water deliver system for 25 million people in california. >> 68% of the cost will be paid by water agencies, a household might seat bill go up $5 a month. however, opponents aren't kons vinced the agencies will want to foot the bill. >> restore the delta with several other organizations we'llwill plan to litigate if this plan comes to pass. we still aren't convince that had water contractors are going to buy in and really pay for the project. >> the plan build new water tunnels move intakes and restore the habitat for mice,

rabbits, snakes, turtles, frogs and birds. restoration will cost $4 billion. supporters say it's vital for the state economy. this economist says $24.5 billion buys three benefits. >> increased water supply reliability and then, third, rests. >> over half of the water come frtz sierra. 40% flows through the delta. >> the plan now goes to republic comment phase we should wrap up towards the end of the year. if going through a threat, the plan could be delayed for a long time. >> despite a promise of improved transparency the white house refused to confirm a high value target has been killed in a drone strike in

pakistan missiles slammed into a house in the north region today, killing five people. one said to be the number two man in the pakistani taliban. for his role in a suicide tack on a u.s. base in afghanistan four years ago in which seven cia operatives were killed. the taliban denies it. the white house says if it is true, it's depriving the taliban of a chief military strategist in pakistan. a series of bills passed through state state today. including several gun control changes. expand the list of people banned from owning a gun and bar possession of the magazines. today's votes stirred up

debates. >> per pur chas a product that has potential to maim, or kill another human being no questions asked. >> address problems of such individuals. who commit these crimes. >> the life act now moves onto the assembly. >> we have an update now on a story that broke during our newscast last night. a trark can explosion forcing evacuation of toon town in disneyland. tonight we can report an arrest has been made of a disneyland employee. police found remnants of a water bottle and believe it was killed -- filled with dry ice to create the explosion. there have been imsimilar incidents in neighborhoods recently. the man being held on $1 million bail said to be cooperating with detectives. disney is the parent company

of abc 7. >> sparks flew this morning at chevron's share holders meeting. pro testors held signs outside of the complex demanding the ouster of john watson. some demonstrators challenged executives for fighting a $19 billion verdict. >> eight u.s. courts have found fraud in the case in ecuador and continue to find the truth to, explain that. >> pro testors questioned executives for the fire last august that sent smoke into surrounding neighborhoods. >> these people are in there denying there is a problem if they had culpability for sending 15,000 people to the hospital. reporting $26 billion in

profits last year. >> tonight a fine over the facebook fiasco. the governor ordered the exchange to pay $10 million fwor allowing the public offering to go forward despite a technical glitch. 30,000 words got stuck in the system. officials refused to stop trading and investors lost estimated $500 million. this fine is the largest ever levied against a stock exchange. >> today the dow jones fell by almost the same amount gained yesterday. 106 points. traitders concerned economy doing so well, the fed will end it's $85 billion bond buying stimulus program. >> a bay area girl is moving on to the semi finals in the scrips national bell speling bee. she correctly spelled the word

umami. she is one of 42 sfeler who's made it to the semi finals. another 13-year-old did not have a high enough score to move on on a written exam. the cut was based on points that did include that written test. the competition begins at 11:00 in the morning. >> i like procuitto. i don't know if i can spell it. >> up next, tech yeez gather in in

there is a special hacka than organized for local war vet troonz it is all about designing new program autos that is right. abc 7 news went to facebook head quarters to see how recent war vets are getting help. >> you'll find employees having boor bee cue but at this company one group is

working through lunch. and none of them work here. >> i was into army and south korea. >> albert is leading a team in this hackathon on facebook campus. a competition to design, and build computer programs but sefshz a higher purpose. the first to admit coming home hasn't been easy into the military everything is struck tour toured. so i woke up in a certain time, ate at a certain time. sum coming back to college, it's drinking and different thing autos the group started holding events like this to make the story ends happily. >> the reintegration into an industry, the tech industry. >> so they often have a lot of other skills that are tougher to teach. >> leadership, displin. ability to work in uncertain

environments to get the same quality that's we look for for employees at facebook. >> for laura redder, al you're of winning takes a back seat to the experience itself. hacking to bring something unfamiliar. >> so it makes doing something new a little bit more comfortable. you're doing witness people that you resonate with. >> a lot more still to come. if salmon isn't on the dinner menu, maybe it should be. >> fresh fish headed for

imagine if you bought a big screen television it and didn't work. >> bummer, right? that is what happened to a woman who says her tv came from the store, broken. >> flat screen tv give you

great pictures a crack can disable the set this, woman says her tv was cracked um p coming out of the box but the warranty didn't cover a reskpair they couldn't return to it store. >> after work, shan john looked forward to a relaxing evening watching tv with the family. she and her children flipped channels, disagreeing about what to watch then, on this day, they're just happy the set works. >> i plugged it n excited to have a tv. >> shannon telling us about the ordeal. she bought a plasma tv in february but when turning it on sheerks what happened. nothing. >> no pictures. no sound. >> she figure nod problem it was brand new, and under warranty. she contacted samsung which sent out a technician discovering the problem. >> he found three little cracks in the border line where the screen is.

>> the technician pointed to tiny fractures on this part of the screen disabling the set. the warranty didn't cover cracks so shannon contacted walmart. the retailer said would it not take back the tv with a damaged screen. she also had the extended warranty but that didn't cover a cracked screen, either. she kept telling everyone this wasn't her fault. the tv came with the cracks. >> right out of the box. and it was shocking like really? did i just use this money on the tv? >> she says she paid $500 for the tv and $44 for the extended warranty. >> to be told that oh, we can't help you. sorry. you just got to take that ross. you know? is like wow. i work hard for my money. i just want a tv that works. >> we contacted walmart. and two weeks later, the retailer gave her a call.

>> agreeing to provide a full refund. a spokesperson said waits not clear what caused the cracks but this is not the experience we want our customers to have. we did the right thing taking care of miss barns resolving the issue with her. shannon bought another set which works perfectly. now, the family is snug yeld up, debating what to watch once again. >> i'm just ready to watch tv. i didn't care what. >> a warranty will not usually cover cracked screens and repairing a screen can often cost more than the price of the entire set. she did everything right by reporting the problem on the same day she bought the tv. our thanks to walmart for that full refund. i'm michael finney, 7 on your side. >> bay area salmon fishermen making up for lost ground, stuck in port because of high winds but look what they came

back with today. 30,000 pounds of fresh salmon. some has been sent to local fish markets. the fishing has been kind of hit and miss this year is expected to be a good one because all of the rain we've had in 2010 should help. there has been a lot of lag time between when it spawn in frish water when they're then caught at sea. so looks like a good year. >> checking on the accu-weather forecast now. >> yes. jand patel is here. >> yes. notice we have no rain, clear skies. sunny afternoon. we're expecting weather to cooperate for the bay bridge series. one game getting underway in about a half hour, temperatures 62 degrees. tomorrow's game is a day game. a's giants, 12:45. breezy, sunny, mid 60s, temperatures low 60s. good looking weather. checking out our high temperatures for tomorrow, they're coming up 67 in san francisco. 72346 san jose. 73 oakland.

80 degrees there. 79 in santa rosa. temperatures come up mid to upper 60s coast side. sunday, temperatures trend lower but not until next week you'll notice a cooling trend. >> thank you very much. >> larry beil is here now yes. giants and a's trying to stop the green machine tonight. the bay bridge series moves over to san francisco. a's pitchers have to

good evening, battle of the bay tonight and tomorrow. a's beat giants over in oakland. with the series shifting into national league, a's pitchers will have do what giants pitchers do, pick up a bat and take some hacks. tommy malone we're told is a good hitter base faiss lincecum tonight. >> we have one guy off it will

be tommy malone. and they've had success. i think they're ready, they're excited put it that way. >> i'vebe taking a swing so i'm going up there where if i get an opportunity. chi doubt i will. i'm just going to try to make contact. >> close your eyes, swing hard. big day at wrigley for cubs catcher. maybe that is what he did. all three hits were home runs. first two right handed. this one is out of the stadium. if you look at the last decade, shark woz have to be considered the most successful sports franchise here in the bay area. that is of sill lirl consoleation today that. is the day after for the sharks. the sharks made major trades

during the season. helping them make the playoffs for the ninth year. and they fell short of reaching stanley cup final autos group we ended up with would co-have went one way or another. we're in transition a little bit. with some moves we've made. i thought the way they've played was exceptiona. a positive sign for the organization. >> this is moving day, they're playing capitol city club sitting at eight others before a bogey on 16, still a 65, he's fineus five over all. both players positioned nicely for the individual final round as a team in second place over all under two rounds just one shot find hind georgia tech.

to the proms memorial begins tomorrow best known as jack's tournament. do you remember last year? mazing ship once again today, tiger woods asked about sergio garcia's recent fried chicken remark. dealing with racism its happened my entire life. and happened to my entire career. so that doesn't surprise me. people are trying to make a difference trying to make it more fair for all. >> serena williams cruised in the second round match at the french open facing caroline garcia. seeking her first french open title. she lost last year, since then, a record of 69, 3. russian dare did he have jill

yuft completed the highest base jump ever. leaping off north face of mount everest. elevation above 7220 meters. and he lived to talk about it. get the speed here. 120 miles per hour that is unbelievable before touching down safely. >> wow. >> don't have to be crazy to do that. >> he looked like a super hero there. >> join me tonight at 9:00, cable channel 13 coming up, the question, what is in a name? for coca coala, the answer is everything. the new marketing campaign becomes very personal. >> then at 11:00 apple plans to settle a dispute over warranty coverage.

how much this could mean in refunds for customers coming up on abc 7 news at 11:00. >> and tonight prime time line up starts with the middle, family tools and modern family, then, how to live with your parents for the rest of your life. a new investigation program called the lookout, then back with abc 7 news at 11:00. >> that does it for this edition of abc 7 news. >> from all of us here thanks for watching. we appreciate your time.

this is "jeopardy!" here are today's contestants -- an m.b.a. student originally from prairie village, kansas... a recruiter from bear, delaware... and our returning champion, a systems engineer from bloomington, minnesota... [ applause ] and now here is the host of "jeopardy!" -- alex trebek! thank you, johnny. thank you, everyone. thanviewers often ask what i talk to the contestants about at the end of each program. well, at the end of yesterday's program, were discussing the fact that it was an uneven game,

and mike didn't do as well as previously. he won -- okay, he won over $10,000, but that dropped his average from $31,000 per victory to about $25,000 per victory. [ laughter ] poor mike. okay, meena and sam, you've got him on the ropes already. he's feeling terribly low, you know. let's see what happens. good luck, players. here comes the jeopardy! round. and here come the categories, starting off with... each correct response will end with those threers -- "a-t-h." alex: mike, start. letteere it is?, $200. meena. what is olympus? mount olympus, yes. where it is?, $400.