GILROY – A young Gilroy woman is free of a man authorities say trafficked and physically abused her over a period of five years.

Andre William Furtado 

On Aug. 1, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Andre William Furtado, 32, of Watsonville, on felony charges including human trafficking, pimping and kidnapping.
Furtado started dating the victim in 2014 and quickly convinced her to work for him as a prostitute, said Deputy Michael Low in a news release Tuesday afternoon. The suspect showed the victim how to post ads online, as well as “educated her about the life of prostitution and instructed her on the prices she should charge,” according to Low.
The alleged physical abuse began a month after the victim agreed to work for Furtado.
“Furtado would instruct the victim to engage in acts of prostitution and then become upset with her due to the fact that he believed she was enjoying her acts of prostitution,” Low said.
The victim was “beaten countless times” and even ended up in the hospital, according to Low.
Low said things finally came to a head when Furtado allegedly threatened to harm the victim’s father.
The victim showed detectives recent scratches and bruises, as well as dozens of photographs of injuries she said she suffered at the hands of Furtado, according to Low. In addition, she provided texts and messages in which Furtado allegedly threatened to harm her.
Low said detectives also listened in on a telephone call between Furtado and the victim.
“Detectives witnessed Furtado admitting to physically abusing the victim in the past, apologizing to the victim for physically abusing her and negotiating with the victim as to what days she would have to engage in prostitution if she was to come back to him,” Low said.
Online jail records show Furtado is being held without bail at the Santa Clara County Main Jail in San Jose. His next court appearance is scheduled for 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7.
Anyone with information about the case can contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office at 408-808-4500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call 408-808-4431.


Surveillance footage shows several youth misbehaving at a Walgreens store in Philadelphia, on July 4, 2019. (Courtesy of Philadelphia Police Department)
Surveillance footage shows several youth misbehaving at a Walgreens store in Philadelphia, on July 4, 2019. (Courtesy of Philadelphia Police Department)
CRIME AND INCIDENTS

Police Look for Mob of 60 People Who Raided Walgreens Pharmacy on July 4

BY RICHARD SZABO
July 11, 2019 Updated: July 11, 2019
About 60 people are wanted for questioning after the large group raided a drug store in Pennsylvania on July 4, say police.
The Philadelphia Police Department is searching for the male and female suspects, including teens, who could be seen on video storming the Walgreens store at about 10 p.m. local time in the Graduate Hospital area.
Police released the surveillance video footage showing dozens of youth crowding through the store entrance, running through shopping aisles, knocking health and beauty items off the shelf, removing entire trays of products, and throwing products across the store, before dashing back outside.
“Once inside, the group ran around knocking items off of the shelves and running out of the store without paying for merchandise,” police wrote on YouTube. “Some members in the group threw merchandise at store employees, resulting in injuries.”
The group is also accused of hitting and injuring a 46-year-old man with a glass bottle, CBS3 reported.
Philadelphia Police Captain Sekou Kinebrew confirmed a cashier who tried to intervene was hit on the head with the bottle, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The stolen items and damaged property are expected to cost between $6,000 and $7,000 in damages for the store, Kinebrew said.
The group was spotted earlier stopping road traffic while running along South Street, a busy thoroughfare with several shops and restaurants, according to AP.
The same group is also suspected of vandalism to other nearby businesses on Independence Day. Witnesses told CBS3 the group was originally from Penn’s Landing and grew in numbers as it traveled up South Street.
“If you see these suspects do not approach [them], contact 911 immediately,” police said on YouTube.
Anyone with information about the incident and suspects is invited to contact Detective Duffy #741 at the South Detective Division by calling 215-686-3013/3014 or text message 773847.
“All tips will be confidential,” police said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.