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Local/State News for week ending 4/4/2008
Interstate
Traffic Stop Results In
Palmetto Man's Arrest; Holding
10 Grams of Heroin
SARASOTA, Florida [NMT] -- A traffic stop by a Sarasota County Sheriff's Deputy working narcotics operations in the Interstate Crime Enforcement Unit stopped a vehicle on I-75 on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008, at about 11:00 p.m. and found the driver, a Palmetto man, Michael Brooks, 26, holding 10 grams of heroin.
Above, Michael Brian Brooks
According to the arrest report, Sarasota County Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Jernigan spotted a vehicle with a tag light out and the license plate partially covered. He was on I-75 at mile marker 206. Sgt. Jernigan started to run the tag when the vehicle exited at mile marker 205.
Shortly afterward, Sgt. Jernigan spotted the same vehicle, a Cadillac, reenter I-75 at mile marker 204. It had not been long enough for the driver to use restroom facilities or for any other purpose. Jernigan stopped the vehicle.
While explaining to Michael Brooks, who initially gave his name as Robert Magwood, 24, why he had been stopped, Sgt. Jernigan and another deputy who had arrived noticed Brooks appeared more nervous than the usual person stopped for a tag light problem.
A pat-down was conducted and something was felt in Brooks' waistband. Brooks said it was an ounce of "weed," meaning marijuana. Then Brooks said it was a "dime bag."
Brooks' belt was loosened and the object fell into Brooks' shorts. When Brooks' clothing was shaken by one of the deputies, a baggie fell onto the ground.
Brooks admitted it was heroin. It weighed out to 10.5 grams, with packaging.
Brooks said he is a heroin dealer and has been for about two years. He said he sells $2-3,000 dollars worth of heroin per day. He said the bag found by deputies was valued at $2,000 dollars, which would make Brooks about $800 dollars in profit.
Brooks said he was glad he was stopped because he needed to stop selling heroin.
Brooks was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Heroin.
Deputies recovered $2085 dollars from Brooks and from Brooks' Vehicle.
Newspaper Delivery Man
Threatened By Man with
Handgun; Man Arrested
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008, at about 3:00 a.m., a newspaper delivery man was threatened by a man with a handgun, according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
Favio Duran
According to an arrest report, the newspaper delivery man was delivering newspapers at Bayshore on the Lakes apartments, located in the 3900 block of 24th Street West.
Three White males were on the second floor of the building where the papers were being delivered.
They picked up a paper and he confronted them, telling them to return the paper.
At this point, two of the men walked away and one of them, later identified as Favio Duran, 19, of 5437 Lorraine Road, in East Manatee County, turned and pointed a black revolver at the unidentified newspaper man.
Then Duran allegedly cocked the revolver and said, "Do you want some of this?"
The newspaper man got into his van and drove away. Then he called the sheriff's office.
As he was driving away, his 15-year-old daughter, who also witnessed the incident, saw the three men go into one of the apartments and identified it to deputies.
Duran was located in that apartment and identified by both the newspaper man and his daughter.
Duran was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Firearm.
Two Caught Siphoning Gas
from East Manatee Box Truck
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- When a Manatee County Sheriff's Deputy on patrol came across a vehicle with two people inside parked next to a box truck outside a closed business, he knew something was up.
Above, L to R, Thomas Branch and Steven Paige
According to a report from the sheriff's office, Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Deputy Robinson spotted the unusual situation at 6304 17th Street Circle East. The two men were inside a maroon-colored Dodge pickup truck. They were parked alongside the box truck belonging to Premier Performance Interiors. The business was closed; it was midnight.
The deputy radioed for assistance. Other deputies arrived to assist.
Further investigation showed that Thomas Branch, 41, and Steven Paige, 37, had climbed under the box truck, cut the fuel line and inserted a white hose into the 35 gallon tank, siphoning 10 gallons of gas.
Deputies located 2 five gallon plastic gas cans, full of gasoline, and a matching white hose in the bed of the Dodge pickup.
Both Branch and Paige had a strong odor of gasoline about their persons.
Flashlights, crow bars, a long pry bar, bolt cutters and other cutting devices were also found inside the cab of the pickup.
The owner of Premier Performance Interiors, James Cowan, was contacted and he responded to the scene. He told deputies he did not know Branch or Paige and he did not give them permission to take gas from his vehicle.
The siphoned gas was returned to Cowan; he was instructed to call a sheriff's office crime scene officer when the cans were empty so they could be placed into evidence.
Branch and Paige were arrested and charged with Burglary to a Conveyance and Possession of Burglary Tools.
Manager Rents Man's Apartment
While Man in Jail; Items Missing
BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- Bradenton Police have arrested the manager of an apartment building in the 1200 block of 21st Avenue West, after the manager rented a man's apartment while the man was in jail; the rent had been paid by the man in jail.
Roderick C. Davis
According to an arrest report from BPD, the unnamed victim had paid his rent, which was on a weekly basis, up to April 4, 2008.
The man went to jail for unknown reasons.
Then, on April 1st, while the man was still in jail, the manager removed 3/4 of the man's belongings, leaving 1/4 in the apartment, and rented the apartment to another person for the night.
On April 2nd, the victim got out of jail and returned to find his apartment broken into.
When the manager of the unit, Roderick C. Davis, 43, was questioned by Police, he admitted that he did those things and also admitted using the victim's property, like watching DVDs on the victim's TV.
When the victim's property was returned to him, he discovered some items were missing: $4,500 dollars, some food, some electronics and a bicycle.
Davis was arrested and charged with Burglary.
Man Causes Disturbance on
MCAT Bus; Later Arrested
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A man on an MCAT bus at about 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, caused a disturbance and grabbed one man by the throat, according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
Daniel L. Hain
Deputies reported Daniel L. Hain, 25, who later admitted to deputies he had been drinking alcohol, was on the bus with his friend. Also on the bus were two other men and three juveniles. Everyone was coming from the beach.
Hain made a reference to a 16-year-old juvenile girl and began making "kissing" sounds.
Two of the men began a verbal confrontation to defend the girl's honor.
Hain stood up and grabbed one of the men by the throat and yelled at him.
One of the juveniles punched Hain in the left eye.
At the next stop, in the 4600 block of Manatee Avenue West, the bus driver kicked them all off the bus.
Deputies arrived at the location and got everyone's story.
Hain was arrested and charged with Battery.
Drive-By Shooting Early
Thursday Evening
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Thursday, at about 7:05 p.m., there was a drive-by shooting in the 300 block of 58th Avenue East, according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's report said unknown subject(s) fired what witnesses described as 4 rounds in the direction of a residence in the 300 block 58th Ave. East.
Two of the unknown caliber rounds struck the inside of the carport. One round hit just below a window and the other round struck about a foot to the right of the window.
The resident, Erica Williams, 27, was not at the home at the time of the shooting.
The area was canvassed, no shell casings or rounds could be located, and none of the neighbors saw anything, but heard 4 rounds being fired.
Nobody was struck with any projectile, and there were no injuries.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .
Callers to the Crime Stoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Seafood Shack Visitors, Others
Must Deal with Detour
Beginning April 7th
CORTEZ, Florida [NMT/AMI] -- Cortez residents, Islanders and visitors to Anna Maria Island, along with dining guests of the Seafood Shack, will have a bridge closure to deal with in the very near future -- April 7.
Above, the humback bridge on 127th Street West
(Photo by Rick Catlin, The Islander)
It’s not the Anna Maria Island Bridge that’s closing, it’s the humpback bridge on 127th Street West, just a few yards north of the Cortez Road intersection.
The project is not being done by the Florida Department of Transportation, but the currently under-construction Bradenton Boat Club on Cortez Road.
Bradenton Boat Club owner Norman Burke said boats that will be stored at his facility need the additional clearance for safety. Additionally, the structure is in dire need of rehabilitation.
Although the DOT has noted that the bridge needs replacement, neither it nor the Manatee County Public Works Department currently have any plans for its rehabilitation. Rather than wait for government action, Burke decided to do the job himself, with the blessings of the DOT and Manatee County.
"Our concern was that the county would take way too long to get the project up on its priority list. The county did not even have it listed for renovation,” said Burke, although the DOT has the project No. 8 on its priority list of area bridges to renovate.
Burke said the bridge will close April 7 for an estimated 90-120 days. The cost of the project was put at between $750,000 and $1 million.
The closing will directly affect access to businesses and homes on 127th Street, most notably the Seafood Shack. Patrons of the restaurant will have to detour onto 119th Street West to reach the establishment. Residents living on the north side of the bridge will also have to utilize the 119th Street detour.
Customers can still reach businesses on the waterfront on the west side of 127th Street before the bridge. Those include Annie’s Bait and Tackle, YOLO Parasail and Florida Watersports and Manatee Marine Service.
The DOT will post a number of detour signs on Cortez Road and surrounding streets to alert motorists to the closure and alternate routes.
J.D. Allen Construction of Naples is renovating the bridge and building the Bradenton Boat Club, said Burke.
[Ed. Note: The article above was written by Rick Catlin, reporter for the Anna Maria Islander. The Islander is a news partner of NewsManatee's; we frequently share stories.]
Manatee County Sheriff's Office:
Get a FREE Home Security Survey
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has an offer for you that may save you from harm, or worse, and it won't cost you a cent.
The Crime Prevention Unit is offering FREE home security surveys.
Deputies will come to your home and give you suggestions on making your home more secure.
If you would like this free service, call (941) 747-3011, ext. 2500, to schedule a day and time.
Sarasota Emergency Management
Conducts Disaster Exercise
SARASOTA COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Sarasota County Emergency Management, in conjunction with county Public Works, Fire Department, Florida Power & Light, K9 Search & Rescue, Sheriff's Office, School Bus Operations, and the cities of Sarasota, Venice, and North Port, conducted a disaster exercise on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until approximately 2:00 p.m.
Above, First Responders at the Disaster Exercise
(Photo by Rob Day, SCEM)
The exercise was held at the landfill at the end of Knights Trail Rd in Nokomis, east of I-75 and north of Laurel Rd.
The exercise tested the capabilities of the Tactical First-In Teams (TFIT) who will be tasked with clearing critical routes after a hurricane impact.
Robert Day, Operations Chief for Sarasota County Emergency Management, said about 100 responders participated in the multi-disciplinary task force teams and learned from each other as subject-matter experts in their various fields.
The Sarasota chapter of the American Red Cross prepared food for the responders and the Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) provided ham radio communications.
Baby Dies After Being
Left in Hot Car
MARION COUNTY, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- A 8-month-old girl died after police said she was left in a hot car by her 17-year-old mother and 26-year-old father, according to Orlando television station WKMG.
A neighbor found the girl unconscious in a car Wednesday night outside the family's home on Northwest 4th Avenue in Marion County.
The parents told police that they thought the other had taken the girl out of the car seat.
It was at last two hours before they realized the child was missing.
WKMG reported that the parents could be charged in the case.
An autopsy was to be performed Thursday.
~ THURSDAY'S LOCAL/STATE NEWS ~
Manatee
County Detectives:
Limousine Passenger Busted
for Scamming Limo Company
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Detectives have arrested a man for scamming a limousine company recently.
Brian S. Taulman
On the heels of an arrest by the Bradenton Police Department for a similar crime, on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, detectives arrested Brian S. Taulman, 43, of 901 Casey Key Road, in Sarasota.
Detectives reported on March 20, 2008, the Town and Country Limousine Service, located at 5640 14th Street West, was called for a would-be celebrity pickup from Dolphin Aviation at the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport. The limousine was to be at Dolphin Aviation at 9:00 a.m. to allegedly pick up mystery writer Steven King and his assistant.
Upon arrival of the limousine at the location, the airport received a call from the alleged assistant, informing them that his airplane was delayed and his rental car was broken down and wanted the limo driver redirected to the 7-11 convenience store at 57th Avenue West and 14th Street West. The limo driver went there and located the alleged assistant, now known to be Brian Taulman.
Taulman, pretending to be Steven King's assistant, had the driver make several stops in the Sarasota area, allegedly running errands for Mr. King. Taulman later told the driver that the plane was further delayed until 2:00 p.m. and then again until 6:00 p.m.
At approximately 3:50 p.m., on the way to the airport, Taulman told the driver that he had received a phone call and that Mr. King had arrived, but was to be picked at the 7-11 at 57th Avenue West and 14th Street West. So, the driver took Taulman to that location.
Upon arrival at the 7-11, Taulman told the driver Mr. King would be arriving shortly, and went inside the 7-11 to buy cigarettes. He never returned.
The total amount of the unpaid fare was $660 dollars. The limo company, Town and Country, filed a complaint with the sheriff's office.
Detectives investigated and learned of Taulman's previous arrest by Bradenton Police and found Taulman still at the Manatee County Jail.
The limo driver was shown a photo lineup and picked Taulman out of it.
Detectives went to the Manatee County Jail armed with a warrant for Taulman's arrest on charges of Grand Theft.
Taulman's previous arrest by the Bradenton Police Department was on March 24, 2008, for Hiring a Rented Vehicle with Intent to Defraud.
Sheriff's Office Arrests 2nd Teen
in Red Barn Gun Shop Heists
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Detectives have arrested a second teenager in connection with burglaries and thefts of guns from the Red Barn Gun Shop, 5233 14th Street West, on March 8th and March 22nd, 2008.
Above, Faheen X. Nelson and Jesse Barnes
Detectives say Faheen X. Nelson, 15, was arrested on Tuesday, April 1st, 2008. Nelson faces charges of two counts of Armed Burglary, two counts of Grand Theft of a Firearm, two counts of Criminal Mischief and one count of Dealing in Stolen Property.
Detectives say Nelson and Jesse Barnes, 17, broke into the Red Barn Gun Shop on both nights by removing a soffit outside the rear of the gun shop, climbing into the ceiling and then down into the store.
Barnes was also arrested on Tuesday for the burglaries and thefts, which included two AK-47 assault rifles and a couple of other rifles.
Barnes was captured after escaping from the courthouse and being chased down Manatee Avenue West by Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies and a sheriff's K-9 unit.
At approximately 12:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, a detective was interviewing Barnes at the Manatee County Courthouse. The detective knew the 17-year-old was going to be at the courthouse for an unrelated matter.
After interviewing Barnes for several minutes, the detective left the room to talk to Barnes' mother. Barnes then climbed up into the ceiling area and eventually got out of a window and scaled down the building.
Deputies chased Barnes westbound on Manatee Avenue and captured him in the 1500 block of Manatee Avenue West. During the apprehension, Barnes hit a K-9 over the head with a rock. The K-9 proceeded to bite Barnes on the leg. He was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital, treated and released to authorities.
Barnes, who was also charged with two counts of Armed Burglary, two counts of Grand Theft of a Firearm, two counts of Criminal Mischief, and two counts of Dealing in Stolen Property, was also charged with K-9 Battery and Resisting Without Violence in connection with Tuesday's incident.
Detectives have recovered three firearms believed to have been taken during the gun shop burglaries.
Bradenton Police Arrest Man
for Injuring Another; Forced
Three to Strip in Search of
Missing Money
BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- Bradenton Police have arrested Gregory Thompson, 43, of 1203 21st Avenue West, Bradenton, after a man told Police Thompson hit him with a pipe.
Gregory Thompson
A BPD arrest report said on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at about 6:45 p.m., officers came upon a man at 1205 21st Avenue West who was sleeping outside. When they woke him up, the man said Gregory Thompson hit him with a pipe on Sunday, March 30, 2008, at about 3:00 p.m.
Police observed a head wound which was a 1-inch gash that appeared to be down to the bone. They also observed the man's left hand appeared to be severely swollen and his upper right arm had some swelling.
The man said Thompson had approached him looking for $1,200 dollars that was missing. Thompson believed the man had something to do with it, the man said. The man also told police Thompson made him and two other men strip, looking for his missing money.
Police located Thompson and arrested him. When Thompson asked for his shoes and a shirt and gave police consent to go into his residence to get the items, police found what appeared to be the pipe used in the attack sticking out from the covers near the end of Thompson's bed.
Thompson was charged with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon.
Man Tasered, Arrested;
Struck Deputy, Fled
Following Traffic Stop
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A Manatee County Sheriff's Deputy was forced to use his Taser on a man after the man struck the deputy and attempted to flee following a traffic stop on Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
Antonio Nunez
An arrest report said Antonio Nunez, 20, was driving in the area of the 2000 block of 2nd Street East, in Palmetto, at about 9:30 p.m.
A deputy, who knew Nunez did not have a driver's license, attempted to stop Nunez.
Nunez stopped his vehicle in the driveway of a residence in that block and exited his vehicle.
The deputy located Nunez and attempted to place him in custody, but Nunez pushed the deputy, punched him in the chest, then started running away.
The deputy deployed his Taser, striking Nunez in the left buttocks.
Nunez was incapacitated and arrested.
He was charged with Operating a Vehicle without a Valid Driver's License, Resisting Arrest with Violence and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer.
Burglar Steals $24 Grand in
Jewelry, Electronics
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- According to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, a burglar stole about $24,000 dollars in property from a home in South Manatee County on Tuesday.
The report said on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, sometime between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., unknown persons entered the victim's residence in the 100 block of North Isles Drive and absconded with approximately $24,000 in jewelry and electronics.
A majority of the theft's value is expensive jewelry, the report said.
There are no suspects at this time.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .
Callers to the Crime Stoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Sarasota County Detectives
Arrest Man for Counterfeit
Traveler's Check Scheme
SARASOTA COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Between March 28 and March 31, 2008, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement intercepted two packages coming into the United States from Nigeria through France into Newark, New Jersey. Inside these packages was over $100,000 of counterfeit traveler’s checks. The destination of these packages was to a local “Mail Pac ‘N Fax” in Sarasota County, Florida.
Timothy S. Albritton
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents contacted the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau and turned over the counterfeit traveler’s checks for further investigation.
On April 1, 2008 the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau conducted an operation which led to the arrest of Timothy S. Albritton, a/k/a Shane Albritton, 36, of 338 East Bay Road in Osprey.
Albritton
was taking the counterfeit travelers checks to stores that would exchange
them for gift cards and Western Union Money Orders. Albritton would
then wire 60% of the money to
Nigeria and keep 40% as payment.
Albritton was arrested for Possession of Counterfeit Checks, Scheme to Defraud, and bringing Forged Counterfeit Checks into the State of Florida.
The investigation is ongoing.
Man Arrested for Theft from
Bealls of $8,000 in Jewelry
SARASOTA COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On April 1st, 2008, Sarasota Sheriff’s Detectives arrested Nathan M. Hublick, 23, of 1415 E. Manasota Beach Road, in Englewood, at Bealls Department Store at 5451 Palmer Crossings, Sarasota on 4 counts of Grand Theft and one count of Petit Theft totaling $8,623.97 from various Bealls Department Stores in Sarasota County.
Nathan M. Hublick
Hublick entered the stores and removed jewelry from their respective jewelry boxes and concealed the jewelry on his person before leaving. His activities were observed on the stores’ security cameras.
Hublick is currently being held at the Sarasota County Jail on $4,120.00 bond.
The investigation is ongoing.
Police: Man Sought Sex
with 7-Year-Old Girl, Mother
ORLANDO, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- Orlando television station WKMG reported a Connecticut man was taken into custody after flying to Orlando to have sex with what he thought was a 7-year-old girl and her mother, according to investigators.
Police said Leonard Shuster, a father of three children, flew into Orlando International to meet the young girl.
The 46-year-old was immediately taken into custody by deputies.
Shuster faces 120 sex-related charges in connection with the incident.
Detectives said they have been communicating with him since January, WKMG reported.
~ WEDNESDAY'S LOCAL/STATE NEWS ~
Bradenton
Police Arrest Woman
for Choking Daughter, 12, Pulling
Her Hair Over Unclean Room
BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- Margie Lynn Stratton, 52, of the 2700 block of 6th Avenue West, Bradenton, was arrested Monday, March 31, 2008, at about 1:30 p.m., after getting angry with her daughter for not cleaning her room.
Margie Lynn Stratton
An arrest report from the Bradenton Police Department said Stratton's daughter told Police her mother got angry with her when she didn't clean her room.
When her mother came after her, she locked herself in a room to get away from her mother.
But the mother used a butter knife to pry open the locked door, then hit her daughter with the butt end of the butter knife, the report said.
Then Stratton allegedly pulled the girl's hair and at one point got on top of the juvenile and choked her with both hands.
Police observed scratches and small bruises on the child's arms, but saw no injuries on Stratton.
At first, Stratton told Police the child abused her, but then changed her story and said she has Bipolar Disorder, has flashbacks and may have blacked out.
The report also says Stratton admitted shoplifting with her daughter present at Bealls department store.
Stratton was arrested and charged with Child Abuse.
Man Arrested for Second
Armed Home Invasion
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Detectives have arrested Joshua Hunter, 23, of 7607 119th Avenue Drive East, Parrish, for his involvement in a second home invasion robbery.
Joshua Hunter
Detectives say Hunter, who is currently incarcerated in the Manatee County Jail after being arrested on March 21, 2008, was arrested on Monday, March 31, 2008, for an armed home invasion at 210 58th Avenue East, in South Manatee County.
The victim of that crime, Angel Aguilar Ramirez, immediately picked Hunter out of a photo pack that detectives showed him. Ramirez said Hunter was one of the men who barged into his home and robbed him of $120 dollars on February 27, 2008.
In the March 21st incident, Hunter was one of three men in an armed home invasion who broke up a card game being played by seven men. The incident occurred in the 3800 block of 10th Street Court East.
Hunter was charged with several counts of Armed Robbery in that incident. Hunter was also charged with Attempted Murder for firing at a bystander in an escape attempt from the house that was being robbed.
Hunter denied the February incident, saying he only did one armed home invasion robbery -- the one on March 21st.
Hunter is suspected of several other armed home invasions with a similar M.O., detectives said.
Vehicle Burglarized in
Hospital Parking Lot;
Burglar Arrested
BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- The Bradenton Police Department has arrested Christian K. Crawford, 28, of 6403 1st Avenue West, after Crawford was caught with a CD player stolen moments before in the parking lot of Manatee Memorial Hospital.
Christian K. Crawford
The unnamed victim told police he had a verbal argument with Crawford on Saturday, March 29, 2008, at about 5:00 p.m. in the parking lot. Crawford told the victim he better not leave his car in the parking lot.
When the victim got into his girlfriend's car, he saw Crawford walking toward his car.
The victim drove off in the girlfriend's car, but returned less than 5 minutes later and saw his car had been broken into and his CD player was missing, so he called Police.
Crawford was observed in the general area by a Police Officer, walking along the street, carrying a CD player.
The victim was brought to the location and identified the CD player as his and identified Crawford as the man he had seen near his vehicle.
Crawford was arrested and charged with Burglary to an Unoccupied Vehicle.
The CD player was returned to the victim.
Deputies Arrest Man for
Animal E.R. Burglary,
Vehicle Burglary
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies arrested a man for burglary after they found him hiding in a shed behind an animal emergency room at 8237 Cooper Creek Blvd., in South Manatee County near University Blvd. and I-75.
Sean K. Dunham
Sean K. Dunham, 36, of 5700 Bent Grass Drive, Sarasota, entered the storage shed attached to the animal E.R. by breaking a window.
Dunham was discovered in the shed by an employee of the animal emergency room when the employee opened the locked door to the shed with a key; the sheriff's office was immediately called.
Deputies found Dunham crouched down in the shed. The interior of the shed had been ransacked. The incident occurred on March 29, 2008, at about 2:15 a.m.
In a separate incident that occurred at about 1:45 a.m. on the same day, a vehicle was burglarized at 8201 Cooper Creek Blvd.
After deputies arrested Dunham for the break-in at the storage shed, they questioned him about the vehicle burglary.
Dunham told them that he drove his girlfriend's car to the area and ran out of gas.
Items stolen in the vehicle burglary were found in the girlfriend's car, recovered and returned to the victim.
Dunham said a friend who came with him had broken the glass on the vehicle and burglarized it, but couldn't identify the alleged friend or describe him.
Dunham was arrested and charged with two counts of Burglary.
Palmetto Police Arrest Man
for Gas Station Burglary
PALMETTO, Florida [NMT] -- Palmetto Police have arrested Gregory Johnson, 45, of 2760 Bahia Vista, Sarasota, currently in the Manatee County Jail on unrelated charges.
Gregory Johnson
An arrest report from PPD said on December 28, 2007, at about 2:30 a.m., Johnson burglarized the Shell gas station located at 301 8th Avenue West, in Palmetto, by breaking out the bay window.
On March 28, 2008, detectives met with Johnson at the jail and confronted him about the crime.
Apparently, detectives were able to link Johnson to the burglary because Johnson left his wallet behind at the gas station after the burglary.
Johnson told detectives he was living on the street at the time and had a drug habit. He admitted to the burglary to feed his habit.
Johnson told detectives he took cases of soda and beer from the Shell gas station.
Johnson was charged with Burglary.
$10,000 Value Copper Wire
Stolen from Sweetbay
Construction Site
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office reported a burglary that occurred sometimes between Friday night, March 28, 2008, and Monday morning, March 31, 2008, at a Sweetbay grocery store construction site.
The construction site is located on the west side of U.S. 41 (5800 14th Street West) at an address that would be the 200 block of 58th Avenue West.
There was a fence around the construction site and some of the construction trailers were located inside the fences and had alarms on them.
However, the burglar(s) entered the security fence and went directly to a locked refrigeration trailer, which had no alarm.
The suspect(s) spent approximately two hours ripping the copper wire out of the trailer, the report said.
The total value of the stolen copper wire was estimated at $10,000 by the job site contractor Harkins Construction, from Tarpon Springs.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .
Callers to the Crime Stoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Civil War Re-Enactment Event
at Florida Railroad Museum
PARRISH, Florida [NMT] -- April is here which means the Florida Railroad Museum will be hosting the popular Civil War Re-enactment.
Book your tickets now for this exciting re-creation of American History taking place on April 12 and 13.
This is their last big event until October.
Tickets for the event on April 12th and 13th can be purchased under the Civil War event on the calendar at the Railroad Museum's website.
Please note, you must print these tickets from your computer and bring them with you. Will-Call is not available for General Admission.
The website for the Florida Railroad Museum is: http://www.frrm.org/
Bradenton Woman Arrested for
$402,500 Dollar Embezzlement
from Sarasota Company
SARASOTA, Florida [NMT] -- Sarasota County Sheriff's Detectives have arrested Annique V. Lesage, 29, of 4203 14th Avenue East, Bradenton, for theft of $402,526.82 dollars from Brenton, USA, a company operating at 1753 Northgate Blvd., in Sarasota.
Annique V. Lesage
Detectives say Lesage was employed as an accountant with Brenton, USA.
From October 1st, 2007, until March 28, 2008, Lesage wrote 78 checks to herself from the Brenton, USA, bank account. Lesage forged each of the checks with the vice president's authorizing signature and made each of the checks payable to her.
Lesage disguised the checks as being paid to various legitimate companies, then Lesage deposited the checks into her personal checking account.
Lesage also used the company's American Express credit card "reward dollars" to purchase jewelry totaling $2,040 dollars, which she had shipped to her home address.
The discrepancies were discovered during an internal audit.
Lesage was arrested on Monday, March 31, 2008, and charged with Grand Theft, 78 counts of Uttering a Forged Check and two counts of Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card.
Lesage is currently being held at the Sarasota County Jail on $1,002,000.00 bond.
The investigation is ongoing.
Women Arrested in
Massage Parlor Raids
LONGWOOD, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- Orlando television station WMKG is reporting three women were arrested and five others face criminal charges after police in Longwood raided five massage parlors looking for prostitutes, according to investigators.
Officers said the women were arrested for giving unlicensed massages and using their places of business for prostitution.
The women are connected to the Angel Spa, Longwood Massage and Tanning Studio an East-West Massage businesses.
All of the salons are located on state Road 434.
Longwood police said the raids were the result of two years of complaints, WKMG reported.
~ TUESDAY'S LOCAL/STATE NEWS ~
Beach
Police Arrest Man After
Elderly Woman Stops Bandit
on Anna Maria with Yo-Yo
ANNA MARIA, Florida [NMT] -- When vacationer Myrtle Vitachek, 73, of Igagik, Alaska, stepped out of her car at the beach on Anna Maria Island to go sun-bathing, she expected to have a nice day. Her expectations were soon foiled.
Harvey M. Wallbanger
Myrtle was approached by a man asking for a handout. So, Myrtle began searching her purse for loose change.
Then the man tried to snatch Myrtle's purse. But Myrtle had another plan for the man.
She quickly whipped a yo-yo out of her purse, slipped it on her finger and began hitting the crook with well-targeted slings of the yo-yo.
Amid screams of "OWW!!" and "STOP IT!!" the would-be bandit went to the ground.
Myrtle's last shot with the yo-yo knocked the man's front tooth out.
Nearby beach Police Officers quickly came to Myrtle's rescue and slapped handcuffs on the man.
In an attempt to identify the culprit, Police said the man, slurring his speech, said his name was Harvey M. Wallbanger.
Of course, Police didn't believe him, so he was taken to jail for fingerprinting and further identification, charged with Attempted Strong Arm Robbery.
One beach Police Officer later told NewsManatee, "That sweet old lady stopped a yo-yo with a yo-yo. Our hat's off to her!"
Myrtle, who won the 1950 World Yo-Yo Championship at the age of 15, said, "I always knew it would come in handy some day."
[Ed. Note: NewsManatee publisher Mike Quinn, a yo-yo expert himself in many ways, was later quoted as saying, "By the way, this story is pure fiction...April Fool...!"]
Teen Fights With, Injures Girl;
Later Arrested by BPD
BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- Bradenton Police arrested Christopher M. Tuttle, 18, of 1112 20th Street West, after Tuttle allegedly injured a girl during an altercation on Saturday, at about 1:30 a.m.
Christopher M. Tuttle
The arrest report said Tuttle and the unnamed female victim were involved in a verbal argument at the above location.
Tuttle grabbed a triple blade knife and said, "I'm not messing around."
The girl and Tuttle then got into a physical altercation, resulting in internal chest injuries to the girl and minor injuries to Tuttle, the report said.
The girl said she was in fear for her life when Tuttle showed the knife.
The girl requested EMS for her injuries; Tuttle declined treatment for his injuries.
Tuttle was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (knife).
Man Breaks Into Neighbor's
Apartment, Steals Computer
BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- Bradenton Police have arrested Dean M. Reardon, 45, of 602 26th Street West, after Reardon was spotted breaking into a neighbor's compartment.
Dean M. Reardon
A BPD arrest report said on Sunday, March 30, 2008, at about 4:45 p.m., a witness looked out his window and saw a man, later identified as Reardon, walk onto the front porch of 608 26th Street West. Reardon was carrying a black plastic bag and he had a small towel wrapped around his hand.
The witness watched as Reardon punched the glass on the front door and enter the residence. The witness called police.
As police officers arrived, Reardon was walking off the porch and north across the front lawn. He was detained and the black plastic bag he was carrying was searched.
Inside was a laptop computer that was later identified by the resident of the apartment that had been broken into as hers. The computer was valued at $250 dollars.
Reardon was arrested and charged with Burglary and Grand Theft.
Palmetto Police Arrest Man
for Striking Two Elderly People
PALMETTO, Florida [NMT] -- Palmetto Police have arrested Rafael R. Tamayo, 46, of the 500 block of 10th Street West, Palmetto, after Tamayo allegedly battered two elderly victims on Saturday, at about 2:45 a.m.
Rafael R. Tamayo
According to the arrest report from PPD, a 70-year-old man asked Tamayo if he could have a beer. Tamayo then put his hands around the man's neck and began choking him.
Another victim, a woman, tried to stop Tamayo and Tamayo struck her on the head and then pulled her hair.
Tamayo was arrested and charged with Battery on a Person Over 65 and Battery (on the woman).
Peek-A-Boo Lounge Burgled;
Safe Cracked; $11,500 Stolen
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies reported the Peek-A-Boo Lounge, located at 5412 14th Street West, was burglarized Sunday between 3:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Then the safe was opened and a large sum of money was stolen.
According to the report, unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the north side employee door and forced open the office door.
The safe door was removed but the safe had no forced entry to open it.
$11,500 was removed from the safe.
There are no suspects at this time.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .
Callers to the Crime Stoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Pipe Bomb Blows Up
Mailbox, Report Says
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad was called out early Sunday morning for an exploded mailbox in the 4300 block of 83rd Street West, according to a report from the sheriff's office.
The report said between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m., unknown person(s) blew up the victim's cast aluminum mailbox.
On the ground near the pieces of the mailbox was an unexploded pipe bomb made of galvanized pipe and end caps. The fuse was gone or burnt from the fuse hole.
Members of the bomb squad responded and recovered the unexploded bomb.
A second device may have discharged and put out the fuse on the unexploded device, the report said.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .
Callers to the Crime Stoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Drive-By Shooting Into
Vehicle, Mobile Home
Early Monday Morning
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Shots were fired Monday morning, March 31, 2008, at about 3:00 a.m. at a vehicle and a mobile home, according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
Manatee County Sheriff's Deputy Stuteville heard gunshots being fired in the area of 9th Street East and US Hwy 301 Blvd. East. Stuteville was on scene within several seconds and observed a dark colored vehicle, possibly a Chrysler 300, fleeing the area at a high rate of speed. Stuteville called out the incident and attempted to catch up to the fleeing vehicle, but lost sight within a few seconds.
As another deputy arrived on scene, he observed a vehicle with a leaking radiator and a flat tire. The victim of the vehicle shot at was hurriedly trying to repair the tire; two other victims were exiting a nearby store.
The victim with the now disabled vehicle advised they were just shot at. None of the occupants of the vehicle could give any description of the vehicle or suspects.
Dispatch then advised they had just received a 911 call advising of a random shooting near that location where deputies were on scene. The complainant also advised they heard 2 distinct guns being fired.
Eight 7.62 X .39 shell casings were located in the roadway. A laser sight and two fired bullets were located on the ground around the victim's vehicle. There was a hole in the right front quarter panel of the vehicle and another through the left front tire. The occupants in the vehicle were very uncooperative with deputies and were in a hurry to clear the scene.
While conducting the investigation, dispatched received a second call related to the shooting at 4530 9th Street East, Lot 28. One of the 7.62 X .39 rounds had hit the side of a mobile home owned by another victim, went through the wall, and landed on the bed where that victim was sleeping.
Yet a third deputy responded and obtained the information from the victim in the mobile home and secured the bullet.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .
Callers to the Crime Stoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Man Punched, Robbed
of Cigarette Money
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A man was punched and robbed of cigarette money early Monday morning at about 2:45 a.m. outside the Walgreens store located at 5945 U.S. 301 North, in Ellenton, according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
The report said the victim, Michael Wilkes, 22, the 2900 block of 72nd Street East, Ellenton, drove to Walgreens to buy cigarettes.
As Wilkes exited his vehicle and began counting his money, a White male wearing a gray sweatshirt approached him and said "Give me your money!"
The suspect then punched Wilkes in the face and took the three dollars in Wilkes' hand.
The other two suspects stood nearby and watched the robbery occur.
All three suspects fled south behind Walgreens and disappeared.
K-9 responded and a perimeter was quickly established but the suspects were not located.
Wilkes sustained minor swelling above his right eye and denied treatment by EMS.
The robbery team was only described as:
Suspect 1) White male in his 20s, wearing a gray sweatshirt and faded blue shorts.
Suspect 2) & 3) White males in their 20s, wearing dark shirts.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .
Callers to the Crime Stoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Holmes Beach Fire Damages
Duplex, No Injuries; Dogs
Revived with ManaTEEN Mask
HOLMES BEACH, Florida [NMT/AMI] -- The Anna Maria Islander reported an accidental fire on Sunday, March 30, damaged a Holmes Beach duplex, but the occupants escaped safely.
West Manatee Fire Rescue District officials estimated damages at about $40,000 at the duplex in the 200 block of Haverkos Court, said Capt. Tom Sousa, the public information officer for WMFR.
Emergency officials received the fire call at about 6:02 p.m. March 30. First responders arrived at 6:07 p.m. and saw flames and smoke coming from one of the apartments in the duplex owned by Jeanette Frint. Firefighters had the blaze under control by 6:35 p.m.
Eventually 22 personnel were dispatched to the scene, including emergency workers with WMFR, Longboat Key Fire, Manatee County Emergency Medical Services and Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach police departments. BBPD assisted with traffic on Gulf Drive, which closed for about 90 minutes.
Terry and Mike Cappello live in the east apartment. Terry was at home visiting with her sister when the fire began, apparently on the lanai of unit B. "We’d just gone inside and my husband, who was outside, came through the front door, yelling to us to get out. 'There’s a fire in back,' he said."
In addition to the occupants who took flight for safety, several pets were evacuated from the structure. An EMS technician rescued a cat from under a bed and WMFR administered oxygen to two rescued English bulldogs in the west unit. Their owners were absent when the fire broke out, and on arrival at the scene, took their pets to an emergency veterinary hospital in Sarasota.
The Cappello’s Labrador retriever was also treated by firefighters with oxygen and “snapped” right up, said Deputy Fire Marshal Kurt Lathrop, who also heads up the district’s arson dog program.
The oxygen mask used on the dogs had been supplied by the ManaTEENS last year -- it was specially designed for use on dogs.
The fire was determined to be accidental.
[Ed. Note: The Anna Maria Islander is a news partner of NewsManatee.com -- we regularly share articles.]
Sarasota County Sheriff's
DUI Checkpoint Results
SARASOTA COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- In lieu of a DUI Safety Checkpoint, on Friday March 28th, 2008 the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Traffic and DUI Units conducted a saturation patrol of central Sarasota County.
During the night’s operation, there were 4 DUI arrests, 2 felony drug arrests, and 4 misdemeanor arrests.
In addition, there were sixty-one traffic citations issued for various violations.
HATE CRIME: 2 Disabled Men,
Woman Beaten Over Not
Paying 'Fee' for Being White
ORLANDO, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- Orlando television station WKMG reported four men in Orlando were charged with a hate crime after they pummeled a 62-year-old woman and her two mentally-challenged companions at a public park after they didn't pay a "fee" for being White, police said.
Investigators said the victims were walking into a Kaley Park when they were confronted by Black males Christopher Colbert, Erick Golden, Willie Pritts and Antoniette Boone.
Police said the victims were told that since they are White, they had to pay a fee to be in the park.
When the three didn't pay, the men beat them, officers said.
One of the victims was held up with a knife, a police report said.
Deputies stopped the men a few miles from the park and they were taken into custody.
The men face several charges in connection with the incident.
~ MONDAY'S LOCAL/STATE NEWS ~
Career
Criminal Finally Arrested
for Two Armed Robberies
Committed Last Year
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A man who previously served two stints and 14 years of hard time for armed robberies committed in Miami-Dade County in the late 80s and early 90s, was released in 2003, and then moved to Manatee County, only to commit two more armed robberies here, has finally been arrested for those crimes. Moreover, he is due to stand trial for even more armed robberies in Sarasota County after the two he committed in Manatee County.
Marte Delvon Ragan
Marte Delvon Ragan, 34, was released from state prison in 2003 and moved to Manatee County.
In 2004, according to Manatee County court records, he had some traffic infractions and was ordered to appear in Domestic Relations court, but that hearing was canceled. In 2005, he was arrested for Retaliating Against a Witness, but those charges were dropped. In 2006, Ragan was arrested for Aggravated Domestic Battery, but failed to appear in court; a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. He was also arrested in 2006 for Grand Theft Auto, but again failed to appear; another bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
In early 2007, Ragan allegedly committed an armed robbery of the Subway restaurant in the 6000 block of 26th Street West, and allegedly committed an armed robbery of the Sweetbay liquor store in the 5800 block of Manatee Avenue West.
He was not arrested at the time. However, Manatee County Sheriff's Detectives found sufficient evidence to obtain arrest warrants for four counts of Armed Robbery against Ragan. But they couldn't locate him.
Shortly after the armed robberies in Manatee County, Ragan moved his crime spree into Sarasota County, where he allegedly committed even more armed robberies. This time he was arrested.
Ragan has been in the Sarasota County Jail ever since.
On Wednesday, March 26, 2008, Ragan was scheduled to appear in court on those Sarasota Armed Robbery charges. That hearing was canceled.
Ragan was immediately picked up by Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies at the Sarasota County Jail the next day, Thursday, March 27, 2008, and transported to the Manatee County Jail, where he was charged with four counts of Armed Robbery for the Subway and Sweetbay armed robberies from last year; he was also served with the bench warrants for his arrest in the 2006 Aggravated Domestic Battery and Grand Theft Auto charges. In addition, he was also arrested on another Robbery charge.
The Armed Robbery charges are 1st degree felonies for which Ragan could serve life in prison, if convicted. There are eyewitnesses to those crimes who identified Ragan as the perpetrator.
He'll also have to eventually face the Sarasota Armed Robbery charges.
Ragan remains in the Manatee County Jail on bail bonds totaling $325,000 dollars.
Marte Ragan isn't likely getting out of jail any time soon, if ever.
Another MC Stupid Criminal:
Man Breaks Into Residence,
Drinks 2 Bottles of Booze,
Showers, Plays Music,
Calls Ex-Girlfriend;
She Calls Cops
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County seems to have its share of stupid criminals lately.
Nicholas Pursifull
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Nicholas Pursifull, 35, after they found Pursifull lying on the floor of the lanai of a residence in the 7800 block of 38th Court East, in South Manatee County, with a stereo playing music...apparently passed out.
The story gets a whole lot better.
Apparently, on Thursday, March 27, 2008, at or before 7:00 p.m., Pursifull climbed a fence that was padlocked and made entry to the house through a sliding glass door that he pulled up to unlock the door.
He didn't live there, never has and nobody ever gave him permission to be in the house.
Pursifull then went inside the residence and drank two bottles of booze valued at $50 dollars.
After that, Pursifull took a shower.
Then he called his ex-girlfriend, told her he broke into the house and asked her to come pick him up.
The ex-girlfriend, being apparently a bit smarter than Pursifull, called the cops.
Deputies found him lying on the floor of the lanai.
Pursifull refused to answer any questions...not that he could, after drinking $50 bucks worth of booze.
He was charged with Burglary and Petit Theft.
Man Robbed at Gunpoint,
Shot in Motel Parking Lot
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Craig Williams, 25, who lives at the Deluxe Inn, 8071 North Tamiami Trail, in South Manatee County, was robbed at gunpoint, then shot on Friday at about 11:00 p.m., according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
On Friday, March 28, 2008, Williams was walking in the parking lot at the above location. He was approached by 2 Black males who had their T-shirts pulled up covering their mouth and noses.
One of the men, who was armed with a small pistol, demanded Williams' money and necklace. Williams advised them he only had the necklace, but told them they could have it and he took it off.
Williams told deputies he went to give it to one of them and it fell on the ground. Williams said the man with the gun bent down to pick it up and his T-shirt pulled off of his face. Williams said out loud to the man, "I think I know who you are."
The man then said, "Dog, You gotta die now," and shot Williams in the leg.
Then the robbers fled the area in a black older SUV, possibly a Buick.
Williams said he was picked up by an unknown passerby and driven to Manatee Memorial Hospital and dropped off.
Upon deputies' arrival at the hospital, Williams was medicated and they were only able to get a brief description of the event from Williams. He did manage to say that one of the robbers had a skull patch on a pants leg.
Violent Crimes Task Force detectives arrived at the hospital and the crime scene and took over the investigation.
Williams' status was unknown at the time of the writing of the report from the sheriff's office.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .
Callers to the Crime Stoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Woman Held at Gunpoint
During Home Invasion
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Robin McDonough, 36, of the Harbor Pointe apartments, in the 4500 block of 71st Street West, was held at gunpoint while three men ransacked her home Friday evening, March 28, 2008, at about 9:30 p.m.
A report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office said McDonough was at home alone when she heard a noise in the bedroom. McDonough went to the room and saw a man coming through an open window, followed by the two other suspects.
The first man pushed McDonough down and demanded that McDonough tell her where the guns were. McDonough told the men they didn’t have any guns and the men then demanded her money.
McDonough gave the men the money that she had.
The men then let McDonough move to the living room couch where the second man held a gun to her head while the other two men ransacked the apartment, taking items and piling them by the front door.
After about 15 minutes, the men left, taking the items.
McDonough ran to a neighbor and had them call 911.
McDonough was uninjured.
The invaders were described as follows:
#1) Hispanic Male, early 20s 6' tall, 180 pounds, black hair, wearing a dark shirt pulled over his face and a black ball cap.
#2) Black male, 5' 6" tall, 140 pounds, wearing a black hoodie sweatshirt with the hood up. He was armed with a rifle.
#3) Black Male, 6' tall, 150 pounds, wearing a black T-shirt pulled over his face and a black ball cap. He was armed with a pistol.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .
Callers to the Crime Stoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Robber Threatens To Tase
Woman, Steals Three Guns
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Friday, at about 8 a.m., a man barged into a woman's home in the 1600 block of 30th Avenue East, said he had a Taser and threatened to use it if she didn't cooperate, a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office said.
The man and his female victim then went to the bedroom and the man ransacked the room and located three firearms:
Smith &
Wesson .38 caliber revolver
Beretta .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun
Bryco Arms .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun
The invader was also carrying a water pistol, which apparently had bleach mixed with water. He squirted the victim's clothing with it, leaving bleach marks.
The victim was unharmed.
The robber fled in an unknown direction.
He was described as a White male, 5' 6" tall, skinny, wearing a stocking mask and a hoodie.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .
Callers to the Crime Stoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Martial Arts Expert Foils
Attempted Armed Robbery
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A man trained in Taekwondo foiled an attempted armed robbery early Friday morning at about 12:30 am. in the parking lot of Health Care America, 3600 Cortez Road West, according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
Andres H. Acuna, 42, was in the parking lot of Health Care America when a dark colored, possibly blue, Honda pulled up and all three occupants got out and approached him. They were two Hispanic males and one Hispanic female.
The Hispanic female pointed a black gun at Acuna and demanded his jewelry.
Acuna pushed the gun away and, as he is a trained Taekwondo expert, he kicked the female in the face and then fled across the street to the Shell gas station where he called 911.
The suspects got into the car and followed Acuna over to the gas station and then fled East on Cortez Road.
Bradenton Police Department patrol units responded to the 911 call; they contacted the sheriff's office to handle the robbery report.
Upon arrival of deputies, Acuna was interviewed and a BOLO was put out for the suspects and the vehicle.
The suspects did not get anything from Acuna, and there were no shots fired nor were there any injuries reported.
The Violent Crimes Task Force responded and were apprised of the situation.
The hoodlums were described as 2 unknown Hispanic Males wearing gloves and a Hispanic female with long black curly hair, approximately 5-4" tall and skinny, armed with a black semi automatic handgun.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .
Callers to the Crime Stoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Armed Robbery with Injuries
Reported in South Manatee
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Sunday, at a couple of minutes past midnight, a Hispanic man was robbed at gunpoint and slugged by two other Hispanic men at University Parkway and Nasby Court in South Manatee County, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office reported.
The victim, Geraldo Bernabe-Sanchez, 31, was driving Northbound on 15th Street East, just south of Tallevast Road, when a red unknown type Pontiac pulled up next to him.
The passenger of the Pontiac pointed a handgun at Sanchez and in Spanish, ordered the victim to pull over. Sanchez pulled into a driveway at the above location and the suspects physically pulled him out of the vehicle.
One of the suspects then struck Sanchez in the head, knocking him to the ground, with what Sanchez believed to be one of the guns.
The two suspects then demanded, again in Spanish, the Sanchez's wallet. Sanchez immediately gave them his wallet. The suspects then stole Sanchez's shoes and cell phone.
Sanchez then got up and took off running away from them. He later located and flagged down an EMS coach and the Sheriff's Office was soon notified.
A search of the area was done and Sanchez's vehicle was located at the listed location with the radio stolen.
Sanchez received a large gash type cut to the side of his head where he had been struck. EMS transported Sanchez to the hospital where he received an unknown amount of stitches.
It is unknown if the same suspects stole the vehicle's radio, by what means of travel they fled, or in which direction.
The robbers were not further described.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .
Callers to the Crime Stoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Woman Ambushed Getting
Sunday Morning Paper
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A woman was ambushed and hit on the head Sunday morning at about 6:30 a.m. in the 2000 block of Cortez Road West after she got her Sunday morning newspaper, according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
The report said Kathryn Jean Stone, 60, was walking back to her residence from the nearby Site Food store after purchasing a paper, as she does every morning.
She heard footsteps come up behind her and then she got struck on the back of the head with an unknown item.
She fell to the ground and the suspect took her purse, then fled the area on foot in an unknown direction.
EMS transported Ms. Stone to Blake Medical Center Emergency Room, due to the fact that she may have been "knocked out." She had a "medium size" bump on the back of her head where she was hit.
Deputies checked the area and located her wallet containing her money, ID and bank card. The purse and cell phone that was inside could not be found.
The robber was not described.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, .
Callers to the Crime Stoppers tip line and Tipsters who submit e-Tips by computer will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Reverse Prostitution Sting
Nets Nine "Johns"
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Friday, March 28, 2008, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Division Tactical Unit conducted a Reverse Prostitution Sting in the 3300 block of 14th Street West. The operation was conducted from 3 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
They were able to effectively arrest nine men for Solicitation for Prostitution. In addition to the prostitution charge, three men were arrested for No Valid Driver’s License. One other man was arrested during the operation for Attempted Purchase of Rock Cocaine.
1. David Chapman, White male, 36
2. Robert Hewins, White male, 68
3. Chad Sayers, White male, 35
4. Osvaldo Godoy, Hispanic male, 40
5. Edward Prall, White male, 31, also NVDL
6 Tomas Gonzalez, Hispanic male, 22, also NVDL
7. Carmelo Franco, Hispanic male, 49
8. David McClellan, White male, 49
9. Arturo Perez, Hispanic male, 23, also NVDL
10. Richard Hopkins, Black male, 29, only charged with Attempt. Purch. of Rock Cocaine
Two Men Argue, One Man
Possibly Stabbed
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A man was possibly stabbed by another following an argument on Friday, March 28, 2008, at about 10:00 p.m., according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
The report said the victim, Pedro Abarca, 53, and the suspect, Gabriela Jaimez, 66, began to have a verbal altercation at their residence in the 6000 block of 3rd Street East, in front of their roommate, Lidia Nunez, 40.
Nunez walked into her bedroom and the victim and suspect were in the living room still arguing.
When Nunez returned to the living room she saw the victim bleeding. The victim stated that he had fallen down and received his injury, which was a small puncture to his left chest.
Nunez later stated that from outside the front window she saw the suspect holding a kitchen butcher-type knife.
The suspect refused to cooperate and no weapon matching the roommate’s description could be located.
Driver Arrested After Striking
Pedestrian, Fleeing Scene
MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Aaron D. Varicella, 26, of Bradenton, after Varicella struck a pedestrian and left the scene without stopping to render aid. The incident occurred on Friday at 10:40 p.m.
According to a report from FHP, Varicella was eastbound on Cortez Road West, traveling in the right lane.
Guy Bastarache, 33, was crossing southbound on Cortez Road West, at 59th Street West, in the crosswalk, but against the pedestrian's walk signal. Bastarache crossed into the direct path of Varicella's vehicle.
Varicella's vehicle's right front struck Bastarache. The vehicle left 87 feet of skid marks after colliding with Bastarache. Varicella then fled the scene eastbound on Cortez Road.
Several witnesses followed Varicella to the 2700 block of 51st Street West, where Varicella was arrested and charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
Bastarache was flown to Bayfront Medical Center with serious injuries.
FHP characterized the accident as alcohol-related.
Pair Arrested by Palmetto PD
for Leaving Child in Hot Car
PALMETTO, Florida [NMT] -- According to a report from the Palmetto Police Department, a man and a woman were arrested on Thursday afternoon, March 27, 2008, for leaving a 5-year-old girl in a hot car.
Above, L to R, Cathlene Perkins and Steven Gould
Palmetto Police arrested Cathlene Perkins, 27, and Steven Gould, 22, both of Palmetto, for "willfully and intentionally" leaving the child in a vehicle for about 15 minutes. The time of day was shortly before 1:00 p.m. The temperature was 70 degrees Fahrenheit and it was a sunny day.
Police observed only one window in the back of the car halfway down and all doors were locked. The child was inside, sweating profusely and crying.
The child told Police Gould slapped her in the face for misbehaving.
Police said Gould and Perkins failed to provide the child with the necessary care and supervision to maintain the child's safety.
A search incident to their arrest revealed Gould had two marijuana glass pipes in his possession.
Perkins was charged with Child Neglect.
Gould was charged with Child Neglect, Child Abuse and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
The report did not say what became of the child.
Man Chews Up Money, Drugs
To Hide Evidence from Narcs
PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida [NMT] -- Detectives of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit conducted an undercover operation Thursday, March 27, 2008. Money for drugs was exchanged and the suspect chewed up the $100 buy money and marijuana as evidence.
Above, L to R, Gregory Pascal and Talesha Kinsey
Detectives said Gregory Pascal, 22, 5710 Gallatin Lane, North Port, met with undercover detectives in Port Charlotte and exchanged $100 for Crack Cocaine. Pascal and the driver, Talesha Amber Kinsey, 24, of the same North Port address, drove away, only to be stopped at U.S. 41 and Midway Blvd.
Pascal was searched and marijuana and paper was found in his mouth. Detectives said the $100 buy money had not been recovered, and the paper appeared to be the chewed up money mixed with marijuana. Pascal told detectives he swallowed narcotics but would not specify what.
EMS responded and transported Pascal to Peace River Regional Medical Center. He was medically cleared then taken to the Charlotte County Jail.
Pascal was charged with Sale and Delivery of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Crack Cocaine, Tampering with Evidence, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Kinsey was charged as being Principle in the First Degree Sale & Delivery of Crack Cocaine. \
Anyone having narcotics information can call the Narcotics Unit at 941/575-2157.
Allegedly 'Hawk-Snatched' Dog
Found Safe Near School
OVIEDO, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- A Papillon dog that vanished after the manager of a doggie day care claimed a hawk carried her off was found wandering at a nearby school Thursday afternoon, Orlando television station WKMG reported.
The Gusler family recently dropped off their 3-pound dog, May, at the Pet Lodge on Tuskawilla Road in Oviedo before they went on vacation.
The manager at the Pet Lodge said the dog was left in a fenced back yard for only a couple of minutes by a dog walker and vanished.
The manager said there was no way the dog could have escaped the secure facility and that one of the hawks in the area carried the dog off.
However, Thursday, the missing Papillon was found near a school. It was not known how the dog got there.
The pet was found not seriously injured and reunited with her owner, WKMG reported.
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