“We had our debit card on us the whole time,” said Mrs. Linford, who believes the thief may have stolen their information remotely. Fortunately for the couple, their credit union, Credit Union One, quickly detected the fraudulent purchases and refunded their money. But the surprises didn’t end there.

In the weeks after the theft, the Linfords began receiving an odd assortment of Christmas gifts at their front door. A veritable hodge-podge version of the 12 days of Christmas that directly corresponded with the thieves’ $5,000 shopping spree. Among other things the Linfords received:

• A$900 signed Dale Earnhardt Jr. poster
• A Chipper Jones autographed baseball bat
• Six metal plant stands
• A case of leather Samsung Galaxy Note covers
• Four Northface jackets
• A series of linen photo albums
• Two women’s coats
• 1 radar gun
• And a letter from the fruit of the month club regretting to inform them that they do not deliver to Alaska

Mrs. Linford speculates that the thieves failed to change the shipping address when using the stolen information to order items online, either that or they planned to come by the house and pick up the goods before the Linfords noticed. An idea that Mrs. Linford says, would have been especially foolish: “I work from home and we have a very large dog, bad plan.”

The barrage of gifts slowed down after the Christmas season but has picked up again recently as vendors continue to send items that were on back-order when the crooks purchased them. Including Mrs. Linford’s personal favorite so far, “yesterday our little hacker sent us some virus protection software.”

Because of the nature of the crime, the Linfords were told that they do not have to return the items to the merchants, but that hasn’t stopped Mrs. Linford who has been contacting each seller individually to return the ill-gotten goods. Otherwise the seller would have to pay out of pocket.

“We were told you’re welcome to keep it, but I thought no that’s not right,” Linford told ABC News.

With both the money and the items returned to their rightful owners, the case seems to have been put right. But as Linford points out there are still a few people out there suffering because of it. “I’m sure the thieves family’s are a little disappointed, they didn’t get their Christmas gifts.”

(Image credit: Arapahoe County Sheriff/AP Photo)

By CAROL McKINLEY and CHRISTINA NG

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Accused Aurora shooter James Holmes legally bought thousands of bullets, explosives chemicals and four guns months before prosecutors say he opened fire on a crowded movie theater, an ATF agent testified today.

The agent testified on the second day of a preliminary hearing, which is essentially a mini-trial as prosecutors present witness testimony and evidence to outline their case against the former neuroscience student.

Agent Steve Beggs gave the prosecution a timeline that showed Holmes started his buying spree on May 10, 2012 with the online purchase of tear gas grenades. From then until July 14, Beggs testified, Holmes legally bought nearly 6,300 rounds of ammunition, two Glock .40 caliber pistols, a .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle, a 12-guage shotgun, ballistic protection clothing, beam laser lights, bomb-making material and handcuffs. Some of the purchases were made online and some were made in person.

Video surveillance taken as Holmes was buying several of the items in person showed that he had what Beggs described at “reddish-orange hair” at the time. Holmes hair was dyed the same striking color at the time of the shooting.

Holmes’ defense attorney Tamara Brady asked Beggs if there is a legal process to keep from selling these items legally in Colorado to a “severely mentally ill person.” Beggs answered that there is not.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF THE AURORA THEATER SHOOTING

The hearing at the Arapahoe County District Court in Centennial, Colo., could last all week. Judge William Sylvester will decide whether the case will go to trial. Holmes’ attorneys have not yet said whether they plan on using a insanity defense, in which case Holmes could possibly be deemed unfit to stand trial. Another possibility is that the hearing could set the stage for a plea deal.

If the case does not go to trial, this week’s hearing could be the only opportunity for public testimony and release of information in a case where gag orders and sealed documents have kept much of the evidence and information away from the public.

Syrian refugee children watch television at a temporary shelter, after their tents flooded from the rain, at a refugee camp, in the eastern Lebanese Town of Al-Faour near the border with Syria, Lebanon, Jan. 8, 2013. The flood forced dozens of Syrian refugees to leave in search for alternative shelter along with their water-soaked and muddied belongings. (Hussein Malla/AP Photo)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES OF THE DAY ON ABCNEWS!!!

(Image credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

New Jersey police arrested a man who scaled an iconic Jersey shore roller coaster, swept out to sea following superstorm Sandy, and planted an American flag.

News 12-New Jersey identified the man as Christopher Angelo, 38, who told the station he was trying to raise awareness for victims of the storm.

A police boat met Angelo as he walked to the bottom of the coaster. The boat brought him ashore where he was handcuffed and arrested.

The Jet Star, already a Jersey shore landmark made popular by the MTV reality show “Jersey Shore,” gained new fame when it was tossed into the sea during the storm.

Congress last week passed a $9 billion relief package for East Coast areas affected by the storm, after the House balked on voting for a $60 billion aid bill.

Two years after the shooting that left former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords with a permanent brain injury, Giffords and her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, sat down for an exclusive interview with “ABC World News” anchor Diane Sawyer.

The interview airs tonight on “World News with Diane Sawyer.” In a behind-the-scenes chat with “Nightline” anchor Cynthia McFadden, Sawyer discussed her impressions of the couple.

“They continue to amaze me with their purposefulness and their resilience as the years– now two years have gone by to the day since she was shot, and how much they want to turn it into something that matters,” Sawyer said.

See the full interview at 6:30 p.m. ET on “World News” and on “Nightline” at 12:35 p.m.

Giffords was shot in the head while meeting constituents at a Tucson, Ariz., supermarket on Jan. 8, 2011.  In August 2012, Jared Lee Loughner pleaded guilty to the mass shooting that left six people dead and 13 injured, including Giffords.

In the wake of the Newtown, Conn., elementary school shooting, Giffords plans to lobby lawmakers about gun laws.

Kelly and Giffords — who both are gun owners — plan to meet with member of Congress to push for what they call a “consensus common-sense idea” which would include focusing on background checks to screen out the mentally ill and targeting big magazines that fire numerous rounds, Sawyer said.

“She going to be up there walking as best she can down those halls and sitting in the offices and saying, basically, ‘look at me and tell me you’re not going to do anything,’” Sawyer added.

The couple traveled to Newtown in the wake of the December shooting death of 20 children and six adults at the school.

Kelly found it tough.

“He tells us he sat down the family of a young girl who died and he said he just felt lost and he couldn’t handle it …,” Sawyer said, adding that when she asked Giffords about her reaction to the shooting, the former congresswoman replied: “Enough.”

Sawyer said Giffords has made significant progress in her recovery but now has some frustration when the words don’t come fast enough to convey what she’s trying to say.

In addition to her brain injury, Giffords was left with a paralyzed right arm and partial blindness.

(Photo Credit: Ida Astute/ABC)

“World News” Cut the Total Viewing Gap with NBC by More than Half Year-to-Year and Demo Gap by Nearly a Quarter

Season-to-Date, “World News” is in Most Competitive Position in Four Years 

For the week of December 31, 2012, “ABC World News with Diane Sawyer” averaged 8.48 million Total Viewers and a 1.8 rating/6 share/2.10 million in Adults 25-54, according to Nielsen Media Research.  For the 2nd week in a row, “World News” improved on the prior week’s performance in Total Viewers (+2% – 8.27 million on w/o 12/24/12), scoring its most-watched week in 7 weeks – since 11/12/12.  

In addition, “World News” was up over the year-ago week in Total Viewers (+6% – 7.97 million on 1/2/12).  The ABC evening newscast has built on the same week last year in 5 of the last 6 weeks.   

“World News” narrowed its week-to-week margins with “NBC Nightly News” by double-digits in both Total Viewers (-49% – 421,000 vs. 825,000) and Adults 25-54 (-11% – 352,000 vs. 394,000).   “World News” posted its smallest overall viewer gap with the NBC program since premiere week more than 3 months ago - since w/o 9/24/12.

“World News” slashed its gaps “NBC Nightly News” on the same week last year by double-digits in both Total Viewers (-55% – 421,000 vs. 930,000) and Adults 25-54 (-24% – 352,000 vs. 464,000). 

Season-to-date, “World News” has increased its Total Viewing audience (+1%, 7.90 million vs. 7.79 million) compared to the same point last season, drawing its most-watched season in 3 years - since the 2009-10 season. In addition, “World News” has narrowed its Total Viewer gap (-16%) with “NBC Nightly News” by double-digits for the second year in a row to post its smallest gap (781,000) with the NBC program in 4 years- since the 2008-09 season. 

“ABC World News” bettered “CBS Evening News” by 1.23 million Total Viewers and by 71,000 Adults 25-54. 

Note: Due to the New Year’s holiday, ABC’s “World News” and CBS’ “Evening News” were coded as specials on Monday (12/31/12) and Tuesday (1/1/13), while NBC’s “Nightly News” was coded as a special on Monday.  They are excluded from the weekly averages.  ABC’s and CBS’ program averages are based on 3 days (Wed-Fri), while NBC’s averages are based on 4 days (Tues-Fri).  David Muir anchored the ABC broadcast on Monday and Tuesday.

“ABC World News with Diane Sawyer” airs at 6:30 p.m., ET on the ABC Television Network.  Michael Corn is the executive producer of the broadcast. Follow Diane Sawyer and the “World News” team online: @DianeSawyer; @ABCWorldNews; facebook.com/DianeSawyer; facebook.com/WorldNews.

EVENING NEWS (Week of December 31, 2012)

Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 Live + SD weeks of 12/31/12, 12/24/12 & 1/2/12.  Most Current – 2012-2013 Season (9/24/12 – 1/6/13) and 2011-2012 Season (9/19/11 – 1/1/12).  All averages based on regular telecasts.

(Image Credit: Portland Police Bureau)

An Oregon woman told police her boyfriend used his dreadlocks to choke her during an argument.

Officers responded to a home in Portland at 2:28 a.m. Monday after receiving a report of a domestic assault.

The victim, who was not identified, told police her boyfriend, Caleb Grotberg, choked her with his dreadlocks, which are matted ropes of hair.

The woman was taken to a Portland hospital where she was treated for “numerous, non-life-threatening injuries,” said Sgt. Pete Simpson of the Portland Police Bureau.

Grotberg, 32, was located by officers in the neighborhood and booked into the Multnomah County Jail.

He is scheduled to be arraigned today on charges of kidnap in the second degree, attempted assault in the second degree, assault in the fourth degree, menacing, and strangulation. All of the charges are domestic violence felony crimes.

It was not known whether Grotberg had retained an attorney.

Christine Peterson/The Telegram & Gazette/AP Photo

A Massachusetts man and his nephew are recovering after being attacked by a bobcat in the man’s suburban garage.

Roger Mundell Jr., 53, and his 15-year-old nephew, Michael Granger, will find out later today if they contracted rabies after both were mauled by a bobcat Sunday morning. Mundell and Granger told ABC News they have already started treatment for the disease as a precaution.

Mundell, Granger and a friend were working on a project Sunday morning when Mundell entered his garage in rural Brookfield, Mass., to fetch some some straps. Rounding a car, he heard a hissing sound and Mundell says that without warning, the bobcat pounced on his head, sinking its teeth into his face and clawing his back.

“It got me just like his and gave me a bear hug right here,” Mundell said while pointing to his scared face.

Mundell was wearing a thick coat and managed to throw the bobcat off his body, sprinting out of the garage and slamming a door behind him. But the bobcat escaped through another door, where it caught sight of Granger.

“All of a sudden he’s just looking at me. Just giving me the death stare and you can tell he’s meaning business,” Granger said.

The bobcat bit Granger on the arms and back before Mundell pulled it off his nephew and wrestled it to the ground, holding it down with his arms and shin.
“I was screaming. I’m still hoarse,” Mundell’s wife, Cindy said.

“It was squirming around so much I was afraid that if it ever got loose it would still attack us,” Mundell said. “Cindy ran in the house and grabbed the handgun which we keep close.”

Mundell, bleeding from his neck and arms, shot the animal twice killing it.

“These two puncture from his fangs are really deep I guess,” Mundell said while showing off the bite marks on his neck.

Mundell’s wife is also being treated for rabies because the bobcat’s blood got on her skin.

Bobcats are elusive and are very rarely seen in the wild because they typically avoid human contact, experts say.

“Human bobcat interactions are extremely, extremely rare and attacks on humans are even more rare,” said Laura Conlee of the state’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. “Unprovoked, aggressive behaviors are a symptom of rabies and sometimes we see that with animals that do have rabies.”

Bobcats are approximately twice the size of a domestic house cat and adult bobcats can weigh between 15-35 pounds, according to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s website.

Conlee says that if you spot a bobcat, enjoy the rare sighting from a distance, but if it exhibits strange behavior, report it to the authorities.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requiring hybrid vehicles to add extra noise. Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Hybrid car owners, so accustomed to the silence of their electric motors,  may soon need to get ready to rumble.

The government is asking automakers to turn up the volume on all new hybrid and electric vehicles.  They are sometimes so quiet, says the Department of Transportation, that pedestrians and cyclists don’t notice them.

So the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed that manufacturers of hybrid and electric vehicles add extra noise to the cars in an effort to reduce accidents.  The agency estimates that making these cars louder could prevent 2,800 pedestrian and bicycle accidents each year.

“This proposal will help keep everyone using our nation’s streets and roadways safe, whether they are motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians, and especially the blind and visually impaired,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

This push comes after Congress passed the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010, which mandates that all cars make a certain amount of noise to alert passersby.

The added sounds would need to be detectable over background noise when these fuel-efficient cars are traveling less than 18 miles per hour. Once a hybrid or electric car speeds up, it makes enough noise to be noticed without the extra sound.

Wade Newton, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, said these changes won’t affect current hybrid or electric car owners; the changes will be phased in for new vehicles.

He added that different situations may call for louder signals.

“The sound you would need in Times Square would be quite different than one that would be appropriate on a rural road,” Newton said.

Under the new proposal, each automaker would have a range of choices about the sounds it chooses for its vehicles, but those sounds would need to meet certain minimum requirements to be audible. Also, vehicles of the same make and model would need to make the same set of sounds.

“We understand the proposal allows for some flexibility,” Newton said. “But it avoids a Pandora’s box of sounds.”

                                                                     (Image Credit: Courtesy Christine O''Donovan)

Christine O’Donovan’s dog had left home before, but when the Belle Harbor, N.Y., woman’s year-old dog Ridgeback-shepherd mix ran away after superstorm Sandy devastated the community, O’Donovan said, this time was different.

She and her children searched the neighborhood, but weeks went by without any sighting of Buster.

“Time went on,” the mother of five children said Monday. “I was just, I said either somebody took him, and I was hoping he was in a good home, or I thought the worst that he may have been killed by either a car or, you know. A thousand things go through your head.”

On Dec. 12 – about a month after Buster disappeared — a friend sent O’Donovan, 42, a text message to say she believed she’d seen a photo of the dog on Urgent Part 2, a Facebook page that posts the euthanasia schedule of New York City’s Animal Care and Control.

The friend, Kim Frazier, said the dog was on the list to be killed the next day. O’Donovan called the shelter and left a message to put a hold on Buster.

“I couldn’t sleep that night because I was so worried they were going to put my dog down,” she said, adding that she got up early the next day and took her children to the shelter’s emergency facility in Brooklyn in the hopes of recovering their dog.

He was alive.

“He was so happy to see me. I was so happy to see him, too. I cried when I saw him,” she said.

Buster had lost some weight, and had developed kennel cough. He would have been put to sleep in eight hours, she said.

“I never in my life experienced something like that, just knowing that there was that chance that a family member was going to be put down,” O’Donovan, who lost two cars, her garage, her basement and children’s clothes and toys in the storm, said.

Buster joined the family in 2011 when O’Donovan spotted him tied to a pole on Queens Boulevard. His food bowl and toy were with him, and nearby shopkeepers confirmed that he’d been abandoned.

“I couldn’t leave him there so I brought him home with me,” she said.

O’Donovan said she paid the shelter $225 in fees to get the dog returned to her. She said the shelter would return $150 if she took Buster there to have him neutered.

She said the fee was unexpected, but added: “I mean, at that point I didn’t care. I just wanted to take my dog home.”

Richard Gentles, a spokesman for Animal Care & Control of NYC, said, in general, people retrieving pets pay fees for treatment, medication or any other services that might have been provided to the animal.

Owners who are unable to pay could have all or part of the fees waived under a subsidy program, he said, adding that such a waiver would be determined based on the circumstances of each case.

Strays that come into the shelter are held for at least 72 hours before being placed on a euthanasia list. Buster was kept for eight days.

“We try to give every opportunity to get them reunited,” he said. “Thankfully, this was a good story and they’re back together. That’s what most important.”

Gentles said the shelter wasn’t able to determine Buster’s ownership because the dog wore no identification. He stressed how important it was to have animals properly identified, saying it would aid in reuniting lost pets with their owners.

O’Donovan said she doesn’t know where Buster was during the period he was away from home, but she said he was tagged.

“When he got out he had a collar with his tags on but when I picked him up they told me that he had had no collar or tags on him, so he must have lost it,” she said.

She has since fitted Buster with a microchip.