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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Hot Topics Forum Photo Gallery Past Readers Polls Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Online Games Movie Preview September 28, 2006 Ashland man assaulted for trying to solve crime By Robert Plain Ashland Daily Tidings A theft of cash from a dance studio on A Street led to an assault in Lithia Park a day later, according to Ashland Police. On Monday, $410 in cash was reported stolen from a changing room at the Balancing Act Dance Studio. Djibril Camara, an instructor at the dance studio, saw the man he suspected stole the cash in Lithia Park at 12:30 on Wednesday morning. "[Camara] went up and confronted him and wanted him to go to the police department with him," Rich Walsh, deputy chief of police in Ashland, said. But instead of solving the initial crime, Camara was assaulted and then robbed. "With no warning [the man Camara suspected of stealing the cash] swung at him with a closed fist," Wash said. "He struck him in the left jaw, breaking his retainer and a tooth." The man then grabbed Camara and "continued hitting him in the face and stomach," said Walsh. Then things went from bad to worse for Camara, who is from West Africa and speaks limited English. A second man joined the first in assaulting the dance teacher. "He kicked him in the groin," Walsh said of the second suspect. Camara then fell to the ground and the two men "continued to kick him in the ribs and stomach," Walsh said. One held Camara down by the throat while the other kicked him, according to Walsh. While Camara was on the ground, the two suspects took a large silver necklace with a bird pendant on it from him and escaped into the park. Ashland, Talent and Phoenix police were joined by an Oregon State Trooper in searching for the two suspects on foot in the park, but to no avail. The suspects are wanted for Assault 3 and Robbery 2, both felonies, said Walsh. Police are looking for two white males in the 20s. One was described as having a red goatee about 4 to 5-inches long and being 6-feet tall and weighing approximately 170 to 190 pounds. The second suspect was described to police as being smaller and thinner. Camara spent the night in Ashland Hospital and was released the next day. "They almost killed him," Tina Clark, manager of the Balancing Act Dance Studio said. "He's at home recovering. He's in pretty rough shape." Clark said there were a group of people hanging out outside the dance studio just before the money was stolen from a changing room. The money belonged to a student who had just come from cashing her check. Camara suspected the men were going to steal his bicycle and went out to guard it. When he did, one of the people outside snuck inside and stole the money from the student's wallet, Clark said. The odd twist of events led Clark to suspect Carnara as the thief. When she accused him of as much, Camara went off on a search to find the real thief. "He was just trying to clear his name and he ended up getting jumped," she said. "He did this totally to be a good samaritan and he got beat up." Clark added, "It goes to show that in our little paradise of Ashland, we have to be more careful." Staff writer Robert Plain can be reached at 482-3456 x. 226 or [email protected] Current Comments: oh they are just harmless transient/panhandlers and Camara must be a wealthy Republican. Let's build more benches to solve the problem. Oh wait, there is no problem... Mike - Talent - September 28th, 2:04 PM Much sympathies to the victim of this crime. Maybe these men wouldn't have committed this crime if they had received a hug from Mike Bianca. W. Speerage - Ashland, OR - September 28th, 2:21 PM Gee, maybe we should elect Eric Navikas and take money from the police department to give to the transients, since there is no crime in Ashland. Linda - Ashland, OR - September 28th, 3:47 PM One thing I don't miss about Ashland after moving a few months ago is the extremist comments and viewpoints. From BOTH sides of the fence. Incendiary drivel. Toby Carrier - South Lake Tahoe - September 28th, 5:35 PM Camara, Please get well quickly! Ashlanders, please encourage our city council to enact ordinances that will control and codify "solicitation." We can't make transients go away, but we can make it easier for the real homeless to ask for help; and make it harder for the criminal street element to intimidate our citizens. The latter type will move on to easier pickings, and we will have less of these horrible incidents Ellen - Ashland - September 28th, 9:41 PM Hate crimes are despicable. Especially here at home in Ashland. Local - Ashland, OR - September 28th, 9:47 PM They might not even have stole the money, there is no evidence except the word of this moron who got beat up. If some guy accuses people he doesn't know of a crime they may not have committed, he should expect a beat down. Where's the story Tidings? Oh yeah there is none. More propaganda to make it sound like transients are out victimizing little schoolgirls...give me a break. Frank - Ashland - September 28th, 9:56 PM Your little paradise? Did I miss the part of the story describing the suspects in custody as transients? Quite a heady assumption former neighbors. Could these so called "transients" be attracted by a gaud awful display of wealth? Hiring more police will turn "paradise" into another Portland, where instant justice is served up republican style on a regular basis. You want freedom to flaunt? Maybe the "victim" should invest in some martial arts lessons before seeking instant justice on his own. Former transient - Talent - September 28th, 10:03 PM People please. I know got to know Djibril before I recently moved to Portland, and not only is this event sad, but I find it even more sad that some of you only have sarcastic remarks to post here. I find it more interesting that nobody nearby tried to help Djibril out while this assault occured. It seems that people are becoming more inclined to turn their heads when issues don't effect them personally. Community policing or not, Ashland needs to become a community again. Kevin McWilliams - Portland, OR - September 28th, 10:06 PM "Incendiary drivel"? hmm... just looks like old fashion ridicule to me. C - Ashland - September 28th, 10:27 PM Is it time YET to start considering the rights of Ashland's families or, should we continue to hand them over to those who do nothing but make our most cherished public areas an uncomfortable and unsafe place to be? You're right Linda, there is a choice on election day: "Families" or "anarchy". I am choosing "Families" and will be voting for Lemhouse. The "Progressives" are hardly that at all. Best for Ashland - Ashland, OR - September 28th, 10:38 PM Wow. The victim is a friend of mine. Its a shock to read your friends name in such an article. I hope they find those guys. Eyes open, everyone. Thats whats gonna keep Ashland a nice place. Citizens who live in a place they enjoy are enpowered. Im sorry but I can only come up with this: If it walks like a duck and quacks like its from the slums of Medford, its probably A)something to keep an eye on till its gone or away from the studio B) nothing we want in this town. Shocked - Ashland, OR - September 29th, 3:58 AM I really think we should just "give peace a chance". Or maybe another peace circle in the park. Wait more community policeing. How about legalize marijuana! That's the ticket! Nice safe city we got here. Mark - Ashland - September 29th, 4:22 AM "Maybe these men wouldn't have committed this crime if they had received a hug from Mike Bianca." Oh please. Now that you transplanted your rear from California, refrain from opening your mouth until your botox wears out, k? The stretch marks are killing us. Jefferson - Ashland, OR - September 29th, 5:51 AM Now I feel "accused". On the night in question I saw only Camara enter dressing room. So, after the money was discovered missing, I called him to see if he knew anything. He's my friend and my prayers go out to him. Tina Clark - Ashland, OR - September 29th, 7:08 AM As an ex-NYr, I'm not taken in by any of the notions of a safe little paradise. I've been here for two months and won't go to Lithia Park on my own, whether it's for a hike or a picnic. My doors are always locked (car and house). The newspaper has regular accounts of stolen property, some from the front yards of our homes. The transients around here do nothing to enhance my sense of insecurity. It doesn't mean I don't like it here, it just means we have to be careful, even in Paradise. kathleen - Ashland, OR - September 29th, 10:18 AM I hope you get well soon Djibril. Your community is behind you, Tina..and the student that is out her/his cash. Peace Luke - Ashland - September 29th, 12:21 PM And people wondered why I called police when a homeless person was on our property digging through our trash. This is why I called the police on the transient digging through our dumpster. Sorry to hear that Camara got beat up - that is horrible, but that is EXACTLY why you call police officers to confront these type of people. They are trained to handle the responses. But Kathleen...you seem a bit TOO paranoid about Lithia Park. Just keep your wits about you. Use caution, not fear. Jon - Ashland - September 29th, 2:52 PM Wow, seriously? Some of the comments here are so shameful. Someone was beaten - there is never an excuse for that. What type of people are you for making flippant remarks regarding a story like this? I am sure your song would be different it was your friend, or yourself, sent to the hospital. How embarrassing this is to our community. Brian! - Ashland, OR - September 29th, 3:04 PM Jefferson, you are wrong, wrong..., about those being stretch marks, I mean. The stretch marks from ancient procreation are long gone, so mature couple feels fine about voting against school support. The botox is to rid happy lady of smile marks that resulted from arriving for retirement in a "perfect" town, beautiful scenery, "enough" culture, and half a mill in the bank from the net gain on real estate transactions. Steve - Japan - September 29th, 3:26 PM Gee Willy Brian! How dare these "people" make such flippant comments about OUR Pleasantville! Sheesh! The nerve of them to disrupt our fantasy Utopia!! What do they think this is; just like everywhere else in America or the world for that matter? Yo Momma - Ashland - September 29th, 4:03 PM Oh my gawd!!!! have always wanted to move to Ashland because I admire the feel and the way people were so kind and spoke nicely to one another. Sorry... the last 4 have gone downhill at a 90 degree angle. And these article are proof positive. You all sound like children in grade school bickering!! Be ahamed!!. deb - phoenix,or - September 29th, 6:43 PM Yeah Brian. How dare anyone express an opinion on an online forum for a newspaper. Let's keep it sterile people. Power to the Politically Correct. It's not about them personally, it's a community issue and this is a community forum. It's terrible what happened. It hurt us all, and that is why the reaction is so sharp. People have a right to express themselves without being worried about the Brave New Worldites censuring them. (the ones that agree with ME that is). Mike - Ashland - September 29th, 6:44 PM Ok people, enough. Those of us that have suffered this selfish act are getting on with our lives with more awareness. Thank you to the community member that offered medical services to the victim. You can take peoples money, but you can't take away their character. Love to all. Involved - Ashland, OR - September 29th, 6:47 PM Where's the evidence? I think they should prosecute the numbskull for starting a fight with the two guys who were probably minding their own business. If you're gonna go play vigilante hero don't cry when someone takes your two dollar a_s and makes change. Frank - Ashland - September 29th, 7:11 PM Hate is hate. Love is Love. Everyone gets to decide for themselves. Seth - Ashland - September 29th, 7:13 PM The comments about Bianca were way out of line. The LAPD wanna-bees run the department now and it's time they start answering for what they have NOT been doing for years.Walsh's mafia runs the department.Can he answer; why is it a man from another country who doesn't speak the language found the suspects in the theft of the cash but APD couldn't?Is it because the suspects were in Lithia Park, where the police do not patrol anymore? Maybe it's not real enough of a crime for them to waste time on? Steve L. Iverson - Ashland,Jefferson - September 30th, 6:48 AM Frank, How about I kick your a**. I am certain I can. But, of course, you know I won't. I can't. I am a member of the greater community. I follow the rules. I have a stake in our community�s success. The payoff for my smack-down is much less than the costs of beating your a**. Legal fees, jail, maybe even the loss of my job. It's not propaganda to point out those who don't follow a community�s rules. They do as they please, knowing most are too afraid to stare them down or call the cops. Angry - Ashland, Oregon - September 30th, 7:41 AM After the car jacking espisode maybe people are leary. But if this is real we have some big problems. The police need to find the guys now. Get a scetch out with a reward now because if they haven't been caught yet chances are they might never. ann - ashland or - September 30th, 7:50 AM Yes, let's "move on" & not harsh our mellow by talking about how this city has deteriorated in the last few years. Best to focus on how Bush & rich Californians clog traffic & drive up rents & generally act uppity. Ignore that crime wave! Pay no attention to that graffiti! Shut up til Nov. 7! Our Annointed Council will fix it! Just a few more million, a few more studies, a few more lawyers is all we need . . . "You can evade reality, but you cannot evade the consequences of evading reality." Rich Kline - Ashland, OR - September 30th, 8:26 AM One thing that comes across to me loud and clear is the level of anger in this community. As a 'newbie', I'm not clear on the 'what' - is it the transients and seeming helplessness of police to deal effectively? Is there not enough help available to them? Is it us new folks 'ruining' the joint? As far as Lithia Park, Jon, I'll confess. If it isn't the transients which scare me, I'll admit to being a bit worried about that bear they never found.... don't have bears in the parks in NY.... LOL kathleen - Ashland, OR - September 30th, 10:04 AM The chamber of commerce makes Lithia park sound like utopia,somewhere the entire family can enjoy an afternoon together.Most of the e-mails describe a scene like Bagdad.What's up? Is Ashland a good place to raise a family? P.S. get well soon Djibril. T.D. - H.H.I. S.C. - September 30th, 12:49 PM Bringing up either Mike Bianca or Eric Navickas is inane. Both men are friends of mine whom I honor for thier integrity and honesty in the face of persons who possess neither. This incident had nothing to do with them and to bring thier names up shows both ignorance and lack of care for the real issue. When people are beaten up for attempting to right a wrong and the perpetrators are vindicated it is shameful and wrong. No matter how you look at it. I feel for Mr. Camara. And for us all. Mara - ashland - September 30th, 5:58 PM Angry, calm down. All I'm saying is that numnull should have called the police if he knew it was these so called transients that took the litle girl's money. But no, this guy didn't see them steal anything and what he man did was idiotic, plain and simple. He wasn't "solving crime" as the ridiculous headline claims. He was out starting fights in the park at midnight with his accent and jewelry all swinging around and his little esprit dance pants. This dance instructor is a menace to society Frank - Ashland - September 30th, 6:27 PM yes call the police! what our they going to do, by the time they get there if there not to busy solving the case of a missing dog! they need to patrol more! why dont they patrol the park? maybe we need to start a community patrol like the young lords in NYC, so people feel safe jsl ( [email protected] ) - ashland/oregon - October 1st, 5:43 AM Frank,a common mistake made when analyzing crime is to blame the victim.Perhaps in his culture confronting someone who did wrong and attempting to solve the issue without the immediate call to the police is acceptable,here we shun such an approach. Or do we? Maybe the Keystone cops that make up APD were not viewed as an option.Maybe he realized that if he could locate the suspects involved in this felony burglary and attempted bike theft but the police could not,why call APD?They're ineffective. Steve L. Iverson - Ashland, Jefferson - October 1st, 7:42 AM Victim? There is not a shred of evidence. Nobody saw them do anything! If some maniac came up to you in the park at night, accusing you of a crime you didn't commit, you'd probably slug 'em too. How does that make them criminals? The police were not called because there is no evidence to connect these so called transients with the original theft or "attempted bike theft" Cops can only arrest someone if there is "evidence" not when some dance instructor says he thinks he knows who did it. Frank - Ashland - October 2nd, 10:59 AM Oh yea we need a vigilante gang of idiots in berets to patrol our park and harass people. No thanks. The guardian angels were useless in LA, in fact they caused more crime than they prevented! Same thing goes for the kooks in NYC. Geoff - Ashland - October 2nd, 11:03 AM The Guardian Angels on patrol in Lithia Park, Ashland, Oregon? LOL kathleen - ashland, OR - October 2nd, 1:14 PM Ok if the case is flawed then are qualified police would have the case solved and it would be headlines I expected front page stetch of the dangerous assailants and a manhunt for them. Did anyone see anything? This should be top agenda it is there job instead look at the police report transients were hunted all weekend long. Well the real guys are laughing all the way down 1-5. Nothing has changed they can't police so they do a big shake down to ditract us and blame it on the easiest target. ann - ashland or - October 2nd, 10:12 PM Frank, from reading the article, the charges the 2 men are wanted for stem from the beating and theft from Camera. Has nothing to do with the theft from the studio. Question I have for you. How can you justify beating someone (with your friend) so severely that they require a stay in the hospital AND steal from that person after you are done beating them? You mention in your snide comment someone getting slugged..reread the article, that slugging was followed by a severe beating..justified?! Bill Hendrickson - Ashland, OR - October 3rd, 4:19 AM Yes, justified because the guy had no reason to be bothering those guys in the first place. He was obviously looking for a fight. He should have called the cops but he didn't because he knew he was wrong. The fact that there are no charges for the original theft further proves my point. There was no evidence against the people who the dance instructor so ignorantly assumed were thieves because of their appearance. He deserves what he got. Next time he'll think twice before starting a fight Frank - bolboligee - October 3rd, 9:58 AM Try to understand that Camara is from a different culture. In Conakry if there is a crime, one doesn't go to the police, for they will steal your money and beat you up just as bad. djibi is a gentle, courageous man who just wanted to get his students $$ back. And he saw who did it. Yes, it was unwise to confront these guys in the park in the middle of the night, but why would they beat Camara to a pulp and steal the clothes off his back if they were not guilty for the origional crime? avena - ashland, or - October 3rd, 10:37 AM 'Frank', now that you have admitted with your above revelations that you are a suspect or were involved in the assault you changed your location? Very interesting, perhaps the APD should check with the Tidings regarding the computer(s) you have been using in your defense pleas? If not no problem, you are aware of the Karmic impact of what you or your 'friend' have done to your dear brother Djibril. That or prison time will be the just reward for your involvement or innocence. Namaste Colestine Mafia - Hilt, Ca. - October 3rd, 4:15 PM 'Frank', May I qoute you? "He was out starting fights in the park at midnight with his accent and jewelry all swinging around and his little esprit dance pants. This dance instructor is a menace to society" Frank - Ashland - September 30th, 6:27 PM I rest my case. Namaste Colestine Mafia - Hilt, Ca. - October 3rd, 4:24 PM PUBLIC DISCLAIMER: There's more than one "GEOFF" in this town, so, MR.Sliwa, don't put me on any "hit" lists, K? 'Wudn't ME..it was another GEOFF...K? I'm the smart, kind, and handsome one :-), K? Peace. ya'll. Geoff - ashland OR - October 3rd, 6:17 PM Mafia boy: Tend to your goats and leave the detective work to people with dancing credentials. Frank - Ashland - October 4th, 10:13 AM Frank Rafferty I presume... Colestine Mafia - Hilt, Ca. - October 4th, 10:56 AM I think the wolves of the valley have found the sheep. It's time to lock your doors. Anthony ( [email protected]. ) - White City - October 15th, 1:20 PM It's not that the wolves have found the sheep Tony,they have always known where the sheep were.The problem is that the dogs who protected the sheep are all gone. Ashland is in trouble,the good cops are all gone and all we have now are rent-a-cops brought in from outside the city to work more like an occupying army than people who are part of the town and who care.Camara went out and located the bad guys.He doesn't speak the language and is from another country. Maybe APD should hire Camara? Steve L. Iverson - Ashland, Jefferson - October 20th, 12:55 PM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Advertisement: Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.