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Rick Crouch

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Richard "Rick" Crouch
City Councilor eThekwini Municipality
Assumed office
2010
LeaderHelen Zille
Preceded byGillian Noyce
Chairman eThekwini Ward 10 Branch
In office
2009–2010
LeaderHelen Zille
Preceded byNone
Personal details
Born (1960-09-06) 6 September 1960 (age 63)
Cape Town
NationalitySouth African
Political partyDemocratic Alliance
SpouseMichelle Mills
Children2
ResidenceGillitts South Africa
WebsiteRichard Crouch

Richard "Rick" Crouch (born 6 September 1960) is a South African citizen and is a City Councillor in the eThekwini Municipality representing the official opposition Democratic Alliance

Education

Crouch matriculated from Mansfield High School in 1979. He joined the Democratic Alliance's predecessor, the Democratic Party, in 1980 as a student activist. In 1986 Crouch was forced to leave South Africa because of his opposition to the Apartheid System. Crouch went to the United States where he continued his education and activism against Apartheid.

Career

As well as becoming an accomplished commercial pilot, while in the United States, Crouch formed a private investigation company, and because of his work with and for celebrities and politicians, became known as the "PI to the stars". He also assisted local law enforcement and the FBI in locating and returning to justice dangerous fugitives, the likes of pedophiles and drug dealers and manufacturers. Crouch and his company also worked as bounty hunters, tracking down fugitives who had decided to "jump bail" and fled the jurisdiction.

As a private investigator

Crouch started his own private investigation agency in Los Angeles in 1990[1]. He very quickly became known for his integrity and excellent work product. His company worked for many famous celebrities and celebrity attorneys the likes of Barry Rothman, Michael Cardoza, Mark Geragos and Pat Harris.

Some of the more notable Investigation cases
Client Case Type Clients Attorney Supporting Attorney
Scott Peterson Murder [2] Mark Geragos Pat Harris
Michael Jackson Child Sexual Abuse [3] Mark Geragos Pat Harris
Hunter Tylo Civil Case Bary Rothman
Robyn Astaire Civil Case [4] Bary Rothman
Wynona Ryder Theft / Narcotics [5] Mark Geragos Pat Harris
Jeffrey Hambarian Embezzlement [6] Mark Geragos Pat Harris
Christopher Fitzsimmons Child Sexual Abuse [7] Kenneth Schrieber
Omar Bongo, President of Gabon Civil Case Barry Rothman

Investigation specialties

  • Board Certified Criminal Investigator
  • Gang Defense Investigations
  • Crime Scene Investigation
  • Identity Theft
  • Computer Forensics
  • Internet Investigations
  • Crime Intelligence
  • Crime Scene Investigation
  • Forensic Science
  • Trace Evidence Analysis
  • Forensic Aspects of Chemistry & Physics
  • Finger Print Collection & Analysis
  • Forensic DNA Analysis
  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Fire & Arson Investigation
  • Forensic Aspects of Anatomy & Physiology
  • Firearms Analysis
  • Document Examination
  • Forensic Photography

As a bounty hunter

Crouch and his team took on the fugitive cases that no one else could. He specialized in tracking pedophiles that had fled while on bail. In many cases he tracked them all over the world, locating them in some unlikely places, South Korea[8], Israel[9], Poland and Mexico[10].

In one case he located Eddie Chapin, who was known as the wizard, in Mexico. The Orange County Sheriff's Department (California), and the local Police Department had been looking for Chapin for more than a year when Crouch got the case from a local bail bond agent, Glenda Stroobant. After months of work and developing informants Crouch located Chapin deep in Mexico on a ranch owned by the Sinaloa Cartel. Crouch had Chapin's ex-girlfriend lure him up to the US border on the pretext of wanting to talk to him. When Chapin arrived he stayed on the Mexico side of the pained border line, then one of Crouch's investigators pushed him across the line into the waiting arms of the US Marshals. For this case Crouch received the Citizen of the Year award from the local Law Enforcement.[10]

Some of the more notable "Bounty Hunter" cases
Fugitive Charges Where Located
Edward "The Wizzard" Chapin Drug Manufacturer [10] Sinaloa, Mexico
Michael Leon Zeve Child Sexual Abuse [11] Tel Aviv, Israel
Ostell Miles Fraud Colorado, USA
Chin Paek Assault with a deadly weapon / Assault on a police officer [12] Seoul, South Korea

As a politician

In the USA

Crouch was a member of the Republican Party, campaigned for local, state and national politicians, and used his celebrity connections to organize fundraisers. Crouch is known for his vocal support of US politicians that were supportive of the "New South Africa". Crouch also ran for public office in California. In 2005 Crouch attended the Inauguration[13] of President George W. Bush as an invited guest.

In South Africa

In 1980 at the age of 19 Crouch became a member of the Progressive Party, one of the two opposition parties represented in parliament at the time. From the period 1982 until he was forced into self exile in the United States Crouch was among those white South Africans who opposed the Apartheid System; this was known as the White Resistance.

Crouch, along with his family, decided in late 2006 that he would return to South Africa to pick up where he left off in 1986 and run for public office.[14]. Upon his return to South Africa, Crouch was elected to the Chairmanship of the eThekwini Ward 10 Branch of the Democratic Alliance.[15]

During his time as chairman Crouch has been very involved in the community and in Ward 10[16][17][18]. Crouch also served on the Executive Committee of the Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal Community Policing Forum (CPF)[19].

On May 22, 2010 Crouch was elected as a City Councilor to the eThekwini Municipality representing the Democratic Alliance in the ANC majority Council.

As a city councilor in eThekwini Municipality (Durban), Crouch has tackled many issues that have helped to make the communities he serves a better place to live. Some of the more notable are; getting the public housing project in Roseneath back on track [20] after the contractor had absconded leaving houses half finished and people living in the bushes as a result. Crouch has also made it his mission to lower the rates (property taxes) in the municipality[21] and to get a by-law passed to make it illegal, with significant penalties, for scrap dealers to purchase stolen copper, cables and metals.

Some of the more notable community activities organized by Crouch
Activity Location Date
Arbor Day Winston Park Primary School September 7, 2009
Kloof Railway Cleanup [22][23] Kloof October 31, 2009
Gillitts Station Cleanup [24][25] Gillitts October 31, 2009
Kloof Cleanup [26] Kloof January 23, 2010
Donation of Book and Stationary Gillitts Primary School February 22, 2010
What Politicians and others are saying about Crouch in Politics
Comment Person Commenting Status
“Rick is hard working and committed. He has gained a most noteworthy profile within his sphere of influence and has become well known for his work within his community. Commands immediate respect for his quiet and assured demeanor.” Councilor Tex Collins , Caucus leader , Democratic Alliance Worked directly with Rick at Democratic Alliance
“I have worked with Rick for almost a year, and have found him to have huge amounts of initiative. He masters skills quickly, and brings passion to all that he does. He is a pleasure to work with.” Gareth Morgan , Member of Parliament , Democratic Alliance Worked directly with Rick at Democratic Alliance
“Rick is a dedicated DA politician. I feel safe in knowing that he will latch onto the dishonest practises that the ruling party is ever more embroiled in” Peter Davies Constituent
“Since Rick became involved with the DA he has shown complete dedication and commitment with all the projects he has undertaken. He has subscribed to the principles and aims as prescribed by the DA constitution. He has shown a keen interest in signing up members for the DA.” Logie Sanasy , Provincial admin asst. , DA Worked directly with Rick at Democratic Alliance

Awards

  • Appointee at Reagan Congressional Commission (2008)
  • Best of La Mirada Award in the Investigators category (2008)[27]
  • Congressional Order of Merit (2006) [28]
  • Board Certified Criminal Investigator (2005)
  • National Leadership Award (2004)
  • Citizen of the Year (2004)[10]
  • Business Advisory Council Honorary California Chairman (2003) [29]
  • Business Advisory Council Businessman of the Year (2003)
  • Pilot Proficiency Award (1999)

Offices held

Political offices

Template:Incumbent succession box

Business positions

Business positions
Preceded by CEO of Option-One Investigations
1990–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by CEO of Option-One Software
1990–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Richard "RJ" Barry
 CEO of American Communications International (ACI)
1990–2007 		Succeeded by
Unknown

References

  1. ^ "Key Personnel". Option One Investigations.
  2. ^ Murder of Laci Peterson
  3. ^ Madigan, Nick (14 May 2005). "Ex-Lawyer for Jackson Testifies for Defense". New York Times.
  4. ^ "Robynaire v. Cutter Aviation". CNN.
  5. ^ "Prosecutor won't seek jail for Ryder". CNN. 6 November 2002.
  6. ^ "White Collar Crackerjack". OC Weekly.
  7. ^ "La Mirada Private Investigators Solve the Case" (PDF). La Mirada City Insider.
  8. ^ Buena Park Independent, 12 December 2004
  9. ^ Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2005
  10. ^ a b c d Buena Park Independent, 12 April 2005
  11. ^ "FBI Fugitive Child Molester located by Private Investigator Richard Crouch" (PDF). Los Angeles Times. July 19, 2005.
  12. ^ "Private Investigator captures International Fugitive" (PDF). Buena Park Independent. December 12, 2004.
  13. ^ "Inauguration" (PDF). National Republican Committee. January 20, 2005.
  14. ^ "Fury over plan to alter ward boundaries". Independent News & Media. December 14, 2009.
  15. ^ "Elected Executive". DA Ward 10. August 14, 2009.
  16. ^ Jason Van Der Venter: The Highway Mail, 12 February 2010, page 12.
  17. ^ Jason Van Der Venter: The Highway Mail, 11 December 2009, page 15.
  18. ^ Cate Rayner: The Sunday Tribune, 13 December 2009
  19. ^ Don't Attend, Don't Complain
  20. ^ "Roseneath RDP houses back on track". Upper Coast Fever. November 05, 2010. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "Rates base must be raised says Ward 93 Councillor". Upper Coast Fever. October 28, 2010.
  22. ^ "Volunteers Cleanup Along Railway Line" (PDF). Highway Mail.
  23. ^ "DA Orders Clean Up" (PDF). Tha Hilltop.
  24. ^ "Old Station Gets Back on Track" (PDF). Sunday Tribune.
  25. ^ "Railway Line Cleanup" (PDF). Highway Mail.
  26. ^ The Highway Mail 15 January 2010
  27. ^ U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA), 2 December 2008
  28. ^ "COM" (PDF). National Republican Congressional Committee.
  29. ^ "Official BAC Press Release" (PDF). National Republican Congressional Committee.

Sources

  • Highway Mail, 16 October 2009.
  • The Hilltop, 30 October 2009.
  • The Mercury, 9 November 2009.
  • Highway Mail, 13 November 2009.
  • Highway Mail, 16 October 2009.
  • The Hilltop, 4 December 2009.
  • Highway Mail, 11 December 2009.
  • Sunday Tribune, 13 December 2009.
  • The Mercury, 14 December 2009.
  • Highway Mail, 20 December 2009.
  • The Mercury, 4 January 2010.
  • Highway Mail, 15 January 2010.
  • Sunday Tribune, 17 January 2010.
  • Highway Mail, 31 January 2010.
  • Highway Mail, 5 February 2010.
  • Highway Mail, 12 February 2010.


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