Manatee County Florida News Archive for week ending 6/21/2008

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Local/State News for week ending 6/21/2008

Manatee Tow Truck Family
Arrested for Grand Theft Auto,
Illegal Towing, Other Charges

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Four members of a Manatee County tow truck family and one other person have been arrested on charges they allegedly illegally towed about 300 vehicles for scrap charges they could receive, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Above, L to R, Larry McDonald, Sr., Debra McDonald, Larry McDonald, Jr.,
Mark McDonald and Richard Trout

On Wednesday, June 18, 2008, Larry McDonald, Sr., and wife Debra McDonald were arrested for the theft of a Dodge Dakota pickup truck from the parking lot of 2704 14th Street West, in Bradenton. The theft occurred in January of 2008, when the McDonalds towed the vehicle from the parking lot without following the wrecker laws set forth in the Florida Statutes, a sheriff's report said. They completed a fraudulent owner/seller affidavit which allowed them to scrap the vehicle for $310. Both McDonalds were booked into the Manatee County jail Jail on Wednesday with $50,000 bonds.

Also arrested Wednesday was Richard Trout, who aided the McDonald family in the salvaging of stolen vehicles.

On May 27, 2008, brothers Larry McDonald, Jr., and Mark McDonald were arrested for the same type of thefts. Mark McDonald is in the Sarasota County jail.

Dave Bristow, spokesman for the sheriff's office told NewsManatee, "They target older cars that appear to be abandoned."

This investigation began approximately six weeks ago. Detectives believe numerous vehicles were stolen and scrapped by the McDonald family.

The investigative lead came on this case while assisting the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office with a salvage yard inspection at Glueck's Auto Salvage in Osprey, Florida. During that inspection, paperwork was located that was completed by Larry McDonald, Sr., when he scrapped the vehicle.

The investigation is ongoing and other arrests and charges are pending.

LARRY McDONALD, SR., 62, Grand Theft Auto (Manatee County charge), Warrants (Sarasota County charges)

DEBRA McDONALD, 61, Grand Theft Auto (Manatee County charge), Falsifying Affidavit (Manatee County charge)

LARRY McDONALD, JR., 36, Dealing in Stolen Property (Manatee County charge), Falsifying Affidavit (Manatee County charge), Warrants (Sarasota County charges)

MARK McDONALD, 38, Various charges (Sarasota County)

RICHARD TROUT, 46, False or Fraudulent Acknowledgement by Notary (Manatee County Charge)

Detectives Arrest Man, 28, for a
Kidnapping, Sexual Battery
2004 Incident of Girl, 14

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Detectives have arrested Ira Brown, 28, after DNA evidence pointed to Brown for a kidnapping and sexual battery incident that occurred in 2004. The victim was 14 years old at the time. She was traveling from Chicago through Bradenton with her parents, en route to Key West, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Ira Brown

Ira Brown was arrested on Thursday, June 19, 2008, and charged with Kidnapping and Sexual Battery.

In March of 2004, the unnamed victim was kidnapped and sexually battered while walking back to her hotel with a friend.

The suspect was unknown at the time but DNA evidence was sent to FDLE as a part of the investigation.

Recently, Ira Brown was required to submitt his DNA to FDLE after he was arrested and convicted on drug charges.

FDLE entered the DNA into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). They received a match to the DNA evidence submitted in the 2004 case.

Man Who Stole Scooter from
Woman at Knifepoint Busted

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A man who stole a scooter from a woman at knifepoint on Thursday, June 12, 2008, was arrested on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, by Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies.

Jorge A. "New York" Mercado

According to NewsManatee archives, the victim, Felicia Deason, 47, of the 1100 block of 53rd Avenue East, told deputies that she was out riding her scooter, a Honda Elite valued at $1000, at the above date/time when she passed by a friend's house at 1017 59th Avenue Drive East and saw that the front door was open.

She pulled up into the carport just to say "hi" to her friends, she told deputies. At this time, a man who had been visiting her "friend" was preparing to leave.

The man asked Deason to give him a ride, and since he had been visiting her friend, he must be okay, she thought, so she agreed.

As Deason and the man were traveling down the 500 block of 58th Avenue Drive East, Deason asked the man to get off.

The man apparently got angry and struck Deason, knocking her off her scooter, she told deputies. He then threatened her with a knife he had in his pocket and took off on her scooter.

Deason had no injury other than a minor scrape to her face.

Deason's "friend" claimed he only knew the suspect as "New York."

"New York" was described as a Hispanic male, 20-30 years old, 5'5" tall, stocky build, with tattoos on both arms.

Three people identified Jorge A. Mercado, 38, the man known as "New York," from a photo pack. A warrant for Armed Carjacking was then issued.

On Wednesday, Mercado was spotted walking in the 2000 block of 10th Street East. He fled, but was captured. During the chase, Mercado was seen tossing a crack pipe.

Mercado was arrested on the Armed Carjacking warrant, as well as Resisting Arrest without Violence and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

16-Year-Old Arrested on
Robbery Charges

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested Javarris Hunte, 16, for striking a Hispanic man and taking his bike.

Shelton Javarris Hunte

On Thursday, at about 4:45 p.m., the victim Pablo Mijia, 22, was riding his bike in the 200 block of 60th Avenue West when he was approached by four Black males.

One of them, Shelton Javarris Hunte, hit Pablo in the back of the head and then took his bike.

Deputy Moreland was on scene interviewing Pablo when Hunte could be seen in the distance.

Deputy Dolgos was directed to Hunte and the other three Black males, making contact and temporarily detaining them so Pablo could be brought closer to get a better look for positive identification.

Pablo positively did identify Shelton Javarris Hunte as the one who hit him and took his bike.

Shelton Javarris Hunte was in possession of Pablo's bike when deputies made contact with him.

Pablo was given his bike back and refused medical attention.

Shelton Javarris Hunte was arrested and charged with Robbery.

Man, Evicted from Home,
Breaks Back In; Arrested

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Anthony P. Capoccia, 48, was arrested by Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies after he broke into a home from which he was previously evicted.

Anthony P. Capoccia

According to the arrest report, on June 17, 2008, Capoccia was legally evicted in a Manatee County court from a Pescara Lake Mobile Home Park home, located at 570 57th Avenue West.

On Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at about noon, Capoccia cut a screen to the lanai. Once inside the porch area, he used a chain and broke the glass of the entry door to get into the home. He then entered a bedroom he had previously rented.

When the owner of the home, Angela McGinnis, returned home, she found Capoccia in his previous room and called the sheriff's office.

When Deputy Glenn Cline arrived, he found Capoccia lying on the bed, looking at the ceiling.

Capoccia told the deputy that the eviction was not legal and that it was "just a bunch of bullshit from the attorneys and the judge."

Capoccia was arrested and charged with Burglary.

Two Kentucky Fugitives
Found in Holmes Beach
Busted on Rape Charges

HOLMES BEACH, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Detectives arrested two men found in Holmes Beach at a residence in the 300 block of 62nd Street. Detectives say the two men are fugitives from Kentucky, wanted on charges of raping two underage girls.

Above, L to R, Michael L. Bruce and Benjamin Best

According to the arrest warrants from Hardin County, Kentucky, Michael L. Bruce, 28, is charged with raping and sodomizing a 15-year-old girl, Unlawful Transportation of a Minor and smoking marijuana with her. The other man, Benjamin Best, 24, is charged with raping a 16-year-old girl, Unlawful Transportation of a Minor and smoking marijuana with her.

The two men were arrested on Tuesday, June 17, 2008, and have been wanted since May, when the warrants for their arrest were issued.

Both men are being held in the Manatee County jail without bond and will be extradited to Kentucky soon.

Drive-By Shooting Reported
in West Manatee County

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Several shots were fired at a residence in the 5000 block of 18th Street West early Thursday morning at about 4:00 a.m., according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The report said neighbors of the victims across the street from the targeted residence heard several shots and called 911. They said they didn't see any vehicles in the area.

Arriving deputies discovered that one round hit the trunk of a victim's car parked in the carport, which subsequently punctured the gas tank and shattered the back window.

Two rounds hit the residence. One went in the front wall into the storage room of the duplex. The other round hit the front window and lodged in the ceiling inside the residence. This round was recovered.

In the street, deputies recovered 11 shell casings in front of the residence and in front of the neighbor to the south. Casings were found on both sides of the road, indicating there may have been more than one shooter.

Nobody saw anything and there were no injuries.

The victims said they had a confrontation with some subjects at the Paper Moon a couple of nights ago, but other than that, they do not know who might have done the shootings.

The victims ranged in age between 18 and 25 years.

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.

Attempted Armed Robbery
of Man on Bicycle

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Wednesday, at about 9:40 p.m., a Black male stuck a gun to the head of Ronald Beckley, 44, and attempted to rob him.

According to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Beckley was riding his bicycle from the Racetrack store at State Road 64 and 65th Street East to his house in the 400 block of 65th Street East.

Two blocks from his house and two blocks from the store, a Black male grabbed Beckley by his shirt and pointed the gun at his head, saying, "Give it up."

Beckley dropped his 12-pack of beer and ran up the driveway to his home.

He saw the man run north with two other men.

Beckley then returned to the scene to retrieve his beer. Then he called the sheriff's office.

K-9 tracked to a grassy spot about 4 blocks from the scene. The report said the men likely left in a vehicle.

Nothing was taken from Beckley.

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.

Closed Dairy Queen Robbed
of $50-50M in Equipment

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office reported the Dairy Queen restaurant at 7715 State Road 70 East was the victim of a burglary recently; the day and time are unknown.

According to the victim, owner Marwan Sahoury, sometime within the last 2 weeks unknown person(s) entered the Dairy Queen restaurant and absconded with between $50,000 and $60,000 worth of kitchen equipment.

The restaurant has been closed for the past few months.

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.

Bradenton Man Arrested for
Siesta Key Concessions
Vending Machine Thefts

SARASOTA COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has announced the arrest of Jared M. Partin, 23, of 5310 26th Street West, in Manatee County, in connection with several vending machine thefts.

Jared M. Partin

Jared Partin was arrested for 9 counts of Crimes Against Vending Machines and two counts of Grand Theft. The victim in this case was Sunrise Sunset Concessions located at the Siesta Key Public Beach Concession Area, 948 Beach Rd., Sarasota, Florida.

During the overnight hours of June 3rd through June 4th, 2008, five vending machines were forcibly entered and the currency located inside was removed. During the overnight hours of June 7th through June 8th, 2008, four of the same vending machines were forcibly entered and the currency located inside was removed again.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau has been investigating the above events and developed probable cause to arrest Jared Partin. Arrest Warrants were then constructed and signed by a Sarasota County Circuit Judge. Jared Partin was then located by Criminal Investigations Bureau detectives on June 19, 2008, at 5310 26th Street West Apt. 2806 in Bradenton, Florida.

Anyone with further information are encouraged to contact Det. Mark Micale with the Sarasota County Criminal Investigations Bureau at (941) 861-4933 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at (941) 366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.

Deputies Reprimanded After
One Was Bitten by Alligator

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- Three Central Florida deputies are being reprimanded after an officer was bitten and hospitalized by an 8-foot alligator, according to Orlando television station WKMG.

Deputy Keith Baughman, 39, responded to calls of a large alligator loose in the parking lot of the Brightside Apartments located on Caribbean Street in May.

Baughman and other deputies found the alligator roaming the area.

Witnesses said the deputy threw a towel on the alligator, jumped on its back and tried to wrestle it. Baughman was thrown off the gator's back and then bitten, witnesses said.

"His pants ripped up and blood was gushing out and everything," witness Carlos Martinez said.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office said a second officer, Deputy Jason Stickles, 27, shot the alligator repeatedly.

The alligator was hit but did not die and continued to roam the apartment complex.

A trapper eventually came out and killed the animal with a bang stick.

Officials said Baughman and the other officers received the reprimand for not following policy, WKMG reported

~ THURSDAY'S LOCAL/STATE NEWS ~

Manatee Sheriff's Detectives
Arrest Ellenton Man, 64, for
Possession of Child Porn

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Tuesday, June 17, 2008, Edward Garvey, 64, of 948 Siesta Drive, in Ellenton, was arrested and charged with Possession of Child Pornography following a nine month investigation.

Edward F. Garvey

The arrest report said in July of 2007, Garvey suffered a stroke and was hospitalized as a result. While hospitalized, he asked an unnamed person to go to his residence to clean and dispose of all pornographic material located inside.

While doing Garvey's bidding, the unnamed woman found a white plastic garbage bag in the back bedroom closet containing several thousand sheets of paper with images of nude children and adults. She also found other boxes of material and found several VHS tapes with obvious pornographic labeling, the report said.

Alarmed by what she found, she contacted the Crimes Against Children Unit of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives with that unit located 18 images of prepubescent females in suggestive poses.

On September 2nd, 2007, a search warrant was executed on Garvey's residence. An additional 288 images of prepubescent juveniles in suggestive poses were located. Fifty-Eight (58) of those images were classified as "known" images by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Garvey was interviewed by detectives on May 8, 2008, and admitted that the images were his and that he must have downloaded them if detectives found them in his house.

Garvey was arrested on Tuesday and charged with Possession of Child Pornography.

Hispanic Man Arrested for
Trying to "Cut" Woman

BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- Bradenton Police have arrested Jose Agosta, 27, of 1818 Martin Luther King Avenue East, in Bradenton, after Agosta allegedly attempted to "cut" a woman with a knife.

Jose Agosto

The BPD arrest report said on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at about 12:40 a.m., an officer was dispatched to 930 15th Street East, reference a fight.

Upon arrival, the officer saw about 5 people standing in the roadway.

When he exited his vehicle, the five people began to yell that a man, later identified as Agosto, had a knife on him and was trying to "cut" a woman.

Agosto put his hands up when he was told to do so. During a pat-down of Agosto, he told the officer he had a knife in his pocket. The officer found the knife.

The female victim told the officer that was the knife Agosto allegedly used to threaten her.

Agosto denied using the knife and said he carried it for protection.

Agosto was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Carrying a Concealed Weapon.

Deputies Arrest Two Men
in Mobile Home Break-In

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested Machell White, 25, and Charles Carver, 22, both of 2615 Cortez Road West (Orange Grove Mobile Home Park) after the pair was seen burglarizing a mobile home at the same location.

Above, L to R, Machell White and Charles Carver

The arrest report said on Sunday, June 15, 2008, at about 10:30 p.m., a witness saw the men kick in the door of a mobile home, followed by the sound of breaking glass.

The witness told deputies the men exited the trailer carrying something, but was told "You didn't see anything" by one of the men.

When deputies attempted to place White in a patrol car, White refused and had to be sprayed with pepper spray to get him to comply.

Both men were arrested and charged with Burglary of a Dwelling. White was additionally charged with Obstructing an Officer without Violence.

According to Manatee County court records, this is White's first arrest in Manatee County; it is Carver's second arrest in the county. In 2005, Carver was arrested for Possession of Marijuana.

East Manatee County Man
Dies in Head-On Collision

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Florida Highway Patrol reported a deadly head-on collision on Tuesday, at about 2:30 p.m., on 34th Street West at 51st Avenue Terrace West.

FHP said Michael Piergrossi, 25, of 310 136th Court East, in East Manatee County, was traveling northbound on 34th Street West in the left lane, approaching the intersection of 51st Avenue Terrace West.

Helen McGarry, 81, of 3206 Cambridge Avenue, was traveling southbound on 34th Street West in the left lane approaching the same intersection.

For unknown reasons, Piergrossi began to drift across the roadway to the west.

The front of his vehicle struck the front of Ms. McGarry's vehicle.

Piergrossi died at the scene.

Ms. McGarry suffered minor injuries and was transported to Blake Medical Center for treatment.

Investigation of the incident is ongoing.

It is unknown if alcohol was involved in Piergrossi's death. However, he was not wearing his seat belt, FHP reported.

Teen, 16, Arrested After
Business Burglary

PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida [NMT] -- Deputies of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office arrested 16-year-old Stephen Eugene Caporaletti of 361 Camillia Lane, Port Charlotte, early Wednesday morning, June 18, 2008, following a business burglary.

Stephen Eugene Caporaletti

The CCSO was notified about an alarm call around midnight at Sandwich Land at 320 Tamiami Trail. Deputies responded and found a rear window broken out with a rock. They found shoe prints outside and a backpack left inside by the broken window.

K-9 units were called out, along with backup deputies and detectives. A deputy spotted Caporaletti walking on Bamboo Dr., not far from the burglary scene. Deputies said he appeared nervous, was sweaty and was carrying a flashlight and had black cloth gloves. His shoes matched those found outside Sandwich Land.

Deputies picked up the boy’s mother and met with her son at the Sheriff’s mid-county office. Sheila Caporaletti said she had told her son she lost her job, they were running out of food and may soon lose their apartment. Stephen admitted to breaking into Sandwich Land for the purpose of stealing food. He said he used a rock to smash the window and put his backpack inside. When the alarm sounded, and he ran from the area.

Caporaletti was arrested and charged with felony Burglary of a Structure. He was taken to the Charlotte County Jail, and then released to the custody of his mother with a pending court date.

Venice Man Arrested in
Crack Cocaine Sting

PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida [NMT] -- Detectives of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit set up a sting operation on Tuesday morning, June 17, 2008, around 10:30 a.m. in the Target parking lot in Port Charlotte that resulted in one arrest.

Detectives met with Terrence Devon Reed, 40, of 42 Grove St., Venice, to purchase crack cocaine.

Reed, while in his Ford F-150 pickup, got suspicious during the deal and threw his pickup truck in reverse. He tried to leave the area but was stopped at Savon Furniture next to Target by Traffic Units and Narcotics detectives.

Reed was taken to the Charlotte County Jail and charged with Conspiracy Sale and Delivery of Crack Cocaine; Possession of Controlled Substance Oxycodone, and Destruction of Evidence. He was also issued a citation for Fleeing to Elude, and Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (Habitual). No bond was set.

Anyone having narcotics information can call the Narcotics Unit at 941-575-2157.

Police: Disney Worker Had
Child Porn on Computer

ORLANDO, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- A Disney employee is accused of having child pornography on his personal computer, according to Orlando television station WKMG.

Investigators said Charles Hurrey of Clermont was taken into custody and posted bond Tuesday night.

Hurrey worked backstage at Disney's Hollywood Studios. He was in charge of trouble-shooting equipment as well as deploying photographers into the park.

Hurrey was placed on administrative leave while an investigation is launched, WKMG reported.

Computer Laptop Thief Guilty
of Nationwide Crime Spree,
Including in Tampa

TAMPA, Florida [NMT] -- On Wednesday, United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announced that Eric Brandon Almly, 34, of Miami, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.

The maximum penalty Almly faces is ten years' imprisonment, a $304,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

According to the plea agreement, Almly stole laptops from California to Florida and many points in between, often walking into businesses (often corporate headquarters) and taking their laptops to then sell on eBay. He collected more than $154,000.

On March 28, 2007, Almly stole eleven laptops from Outback Steakhouse's corporate office in Tampa, which he then resold around the United States and around the world.

Other headquarters and businesses targeted by Almly included Federal Express (FedEx) in Miami, Burger King's corporate headquarters in Miami, Health Management in Naples, World Fuel Services in Doral, Florida, Lennar Corporation in Florida, Callaway Golf in Carlsbad, California, and Taylor Made Golf in Carlsbad, California.

The case was investigated by United States Secret Service, the Tampa Police Department, the Miami-Dade Police Department, the Chandler Police Department (Arizona), and the Phoenix Police Department (Arizona). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas N. Palermo.

~ WEDNESDAY'S LOCAL/STATE NEWS ~

Holmes Beach Man, Young Woman
Arrested in Connection with
Several Home Burglaries

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Detectives and Bradenton Police Detectives have arrested Matthew Thomas Miller, 22, of 6401 Marina Drive, in Holmes Beach, and Kelli Marie Hogan, 20, whose addresses were listed as 3609 21st Avenue West and 3205 14th Street West, in Manatee County.

Above, L to R, Matthew Thomas Miller and Kelli Marie Hogan

Detectives say the pair were involved in several burglaries in the Bradenton/Manatee County area.

On June 6, 2008, the pair forcefully entered a residence in the 7800 block of Portosueno Avenue West, in the Palma Sola area of Manatee County, and stole jewelry, several firearms, a hunting bow and collector coins. The monetary loss was estimated at $8,100 dollars. They later admitted to the burglary. According to the report, Hogan assisted Miller in loading the stolen items into a waiting vehicle and then fled the scene, their arrest reports said.

Then, On June 8, 2008, at about 11:30 a.m., Miller burglarized a house in the 5000 block of 19th Avenue West. He took a coin collection and jewelry. A witness jotted down the tag number to a white Chevy S-10 pickup that Miller used and a BOLO was put out, but the car was not found at that time.

On June 9, 2008, at about 1:30 p.m., a residence in the 7500 block of 27th Avenue West was burglarized by Miller. In that burglary, a TV, jewelry box, DVDs and watch were taken.

On June 10, 2008, a residence in the 7800 block of 24th Avenue West was burglarized by Miller. During that burglary, a bracelet and necklace was taken.

On June 11, 2008, Miller was stopped by the Bradenton Police Department driving his white Chevy S-10 pickup truck. Hogan was a passenger. Located inside were several pieces of jewelry.

Miller was arrested for Driving on a Suspended License. Hogan was detained for questioning.

Miller admitted to all the burglaries, and Hogan admitted to the burglary on June 6th. Miller and Hogan agreed to drive detectives around and point out the homes that had been burglarized.

Miller told detectives that Hogan did not assist him with the burglaries other than the June 6th burglary and that Kelli tried to get him to stop doing them.

The pair admitted to having a drug habit and stole to fuel the habit.

Several of the firearms have been recovered. The jewelry and other items were pawned.

Kelli Hogan was charged with Armed Burglary and Dealing in Stolen Property.

Matthew Miller was charged with Armed Burglary, six counts of Burglary, and 3 counts of Dealing in Stolen Property, along with the Driving on License Suspended charge.

Both were charged on Friday, June 13, 2008.

Teenager Arrested for Threats
with Assault Rifle

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A Manatee County Sheriff's Office Deputy has arrested Anthony Louis Allen, 19, of 1401 3rd Street West, Bradenton, after Allen allegedly threatened another person with an assault rifle.

Anthony Louis Allen

The arrest report said on Monday, June 16, 2008, at about 9:00 p.m., Allen had a friend drive him to a parking lot on 53rd Avenue East, where he pulled alongside a person named Miller.

According to the report, Miller and Allen have had an ongoing problem with each other.

Once in position, about 20 feet from Miller, Allen pulled out an assault rifle, held it out the window and pointed it at Miller.

Allen removed the magazine of the rifle to show Miller it was loaded, put it back in and pulled the slide back.

A family nearby witnessed the incident and when Allen saw that, he had his friend drive away.

Allen was found at his residence an hour and a half later and arrested. He tried to pull away from Deputy Mark Pearson, but Pearson sprayed him with pepper spray and took him into custody.

Allen was charged with Aggravated Assault and Resisting Arrest without Violence.

Parrish Man Arrested for
Burglary, Possession of Pot

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Shad A. Dehart, 32, of 770 Spencer Parrish Road, in Parrish, was arrested by Manatee County Sheriff's Deputy Steve Rupert on Saturday, June 14, 2008, at about 6:00 p.m. and charged with Burglary and Possession of Marijuana.

Shad A. Dehart

The arrest report said Dehart was seen in the K-Mart parking lot, in the 6000 block of U.S. 301, pulling on door handles of vehicles in the lot.

He found the back of a camper top open on one vehicle. He started loading items from the vehicle into a shopping cart.

When a deputy showed up, Dehart told the deputy he was just loading the truck.

Subsequent to his arrest, found in Dehart's possession was a small amount of marijuana.

Dehart told the deputy, "Every red-blooded American smokes pot."

Hispanic Man, 27, Boy, 7, Struck
By Bullets During Attempted
Armed Burglary By Two
Black Males

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- According to a report by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, a 27-year-old Hispanic man and a 7-year-old Hispanic boy were both struck by bullets fired by two Black males during an Attempted Armed Burglary on Sunday, June 15, 2008, at about 9:15 p.m.

The incident occurred in the 900 block of 21st Street East, in Palmetto, at the Oakwood Estates apartments.

The report said Juan Ramirez-Quezada was told by his daughters that someone was trying to get into the window at the rear of the residence.

Juan walked out of his front door to investigate and as he was walking around the side of the home, he heard a gunshot. He was struck in the side of the head. Juan walked back to his front door and heard three more shots, but did not see the shooter.

Then Oscar Vasquez, 33, opened his front door after he heard the gunshots and saw two Black males running north from Juan's home. The two Black males fired three shots in Oscar's direction, one of which hit the inside of the open front door.

The bullet ricocheted off the door and struck the 7-year-old boy in the leg, but did not cause any injury to the boy.

Juan was transported to Manatee Memorial Hospital, where his injuries were determined to be superficial.

K-9 responded and tracked the shooters north, but was unable to locate them.

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 Armed Bank Robbery
on Monday Reported By SPD

SARASOTA, Florida [NMT] -- The Sarasota Police Department is investigating the armed robbery of the Liberty Savings Bank located at 1950 S. Tamiami Trail.

At about 4:10 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2008, just prior to the robbery, a witness saw a White male in his 20s exit a parked red "Blazer type vehicle"and put on a wig. The man walked one block north to the bank and committed the robbery. He was seen displaying a handgun as he fled.

Before the suspect got back to his vehicle, a dye pack from the bank exploded and the suspect dropped some, possibly all, of the money on the ground. He then got in his vehicle and fled westbound on Datura Street.

Detectives interviewed bank employees and other witnesses. Crime scene technicians processed the scene.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Sarasota Police Department or Crime Stoppers.

Jr. ROTC Instructor Charged
with Lewd and Lascivious
Acts with Second Boy, 15

SARASOTA, Florida [NMT] -- Sarasota Police Department Detectives have charged Demetrius Busby, 45, a former Jr. ROTC instructor for Sarasota High School, with Lewd and Lascivious Acts and two counts of Distribution of Obscene Material to a Minor in a second case involving Busby after another victim came forward.

Demetrius Busby

Detectives say Busby had a 15-year-old boy over to his house in March of 2008 and at that time showed the boy a pornographic movie involving a man and a woman. Busby allegedly masturbated during the movie. When the boy left, Busby gave the boy a pornographic movie and three tubes of lubricant to take home with him, the report from SPD said.

Originally, NewsManatee reported on June 3, 2008, that Sarasota Police Department detectives arrested Busby on May 29, 2008, on two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Acts on a Child and one count of Showing Obscene Material to a Minor.

At that time, Busby was located by detectives at the Sleep Inn on University Parkway.

The victim was a 15-year-old male student. One crime occurred at Busby's house, 2330 Tamisola St., and two of the crimes occurred at the school.

SPD detectives obtained a search warrant for Busby's residence. Busby's computer was also seized and a search warrant was obtained for it.

The Sarasota County School Board Police are assisting in the investigation.

There is no bond on any of the charges.

Any persons who may have also been a victim or have information about the case are asked to call the SPD Criminal Investigations Division at 954-7070. Any person who may have been a victim but does not want to talk to a detective is encouraged to call the SPD Victim Advocate at 954-7021 for counseling or other assistance.

Charlotte Detectives Investigating
Man's Decomposed Body, Found
in Swimming Pool

EAST ENGLEWOOD, Florida [NMT] -- Detectives of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit are investigating the death of an unidentified man whose badly decomposed body was found in a swimming pool in East Englewood.

The CCSO got a call at 5:16 p.m. Monday concerning a body floating in the pool at 7294 Snow Dr.

The body was removed from the pool and taken to the Charlotte County Medical Examiner’s Office in Murdock for an autopsy and identification.

It was reported the body may have been in the pool for several days.

No other details are available at this time, pending further investigation, and the ME’s report.

Women Dressed as Nurses
Targeting Elderly Shoppers

SANFORD, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- A gang of female bandits dressed in nursing costumes is stalking and targeting women and elderly shoppers at Central Florida businesses, Orlando television station WKMG reported.

Investigators said the band of women has been active in several communities, with the latest attack happening at a Sanford Wal-Mart.

In the most recent case, a 74-year-old woman was leaving a store and a group of women were spotted following her. One of the women then grabbed the victim's purse and jumped into a silver four-door car.

"These women have been striking in Altamonte Springs and in Orlando," Sanford police Jeffery Sabounji said. "They target elderly people and other females. They even dressed up as nurses to get people to relax so they think they are not going to do anything."

Investigators said several women are involved in the theft ring but they are looking for one specific woman. She is a heavy-set woman with very short hair and can be mistaken for a man, detectives said.

Officers also said the woman is around 21 years old and apparently lives in Sanford, WKMG said.

Anyone with information concerning this crime is urged to call Orange County's Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

~ TUESDAY'S LOCAL/STATE NEWS ~

Manatee County Sheriff's Deputy
Arrests Man for Child Abuse After
Father, Son Charged with Burglary

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A man and his 14-year-old son were arrested and charged with Burglary and the father was charged with Child Abuse after a Manatee County Sheriff's Deputy's investigation.

Fred V. Gentle

According to an arrest report from the sheriff's office, Deputy Kevin Vreeland spotted Fred V. Gentle, 40, and his son, also named Fred Gentle, 14, walking through the parking lot of Ryder Bike in the 2000 block of Cortez Road on Friday, June 13, 2008, at about 1:00 a.m.

The father was carrying a six pack of beer and the boy was carrying a weed eater.

With assistance from other deputies and a statement from the boy, deputies located the owner of the weed eater, whose house was in the 5000 block of 19th Street West, in the Holiday Heights section of Manatee County.

The victim said he was missing a weed eater and identified the weed eater as his. He said it was located in a partly enclosed carport, up against a wall behind other items.

Investigation showed the burglars had crushed a cardboard box and stepped on other items during the theft.

The boy told deputies he took the weed eater while his father acted as his lookout.

The father was arrested and charged with Burglary and Child Abuse.

The boy was charged with Burglary and Violation of Probation.

The weed eater was valued at $100 dollars.

Man Arrested for Threatening
to Kill Man with Machete,
Carrying Concealed Gun

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A Manatee County Sheriff's Deputy has arrested Luis Miguel Diaz, 23, of 309 60th Avenue Terrace West, after Diaz threatened to kill another man and pulled a machete on the other man. The incident occurred on Sunday, June 15, 2008, at about 12:30 a.m.

Luis Miguel Diaz

The arrest report said Diaz approached Porfirio Gonzalez-Diaz and asked for a beer. Porfirio told Luis no, whereupon Luis pulled a machete from his pants and threatened to kill Porfirio.

As Luis began walking away, he made statements that he would be back with some friends to kill Porfirio, the report said.

The sheriff's office was called to the scene. As a deputy was gathering information, Luis began walking toward them. Porfirio identified Luis as the man who had threatened him.

Luis was ordered to raise his hands and get on the ground, which he did.

A search of Luis produced a two foot machete from his pants and a loaded .22 caliber handgun from his right jacket pocket.

Luis was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault, Carrying a Concealed Firearm and Carrying a Concealed Weapon.

Oriental Man Arrested for
Threatening to Kill Lawn
Care Worker with Knife,
Hammer

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- When a lawn care worker agreed with a landlord to clean up a lot, he didn't realize the person who lived there would threaten to kill the lawn care worker.

Huang Anguyen

An arrest report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office said James Kyle went to 407 301 Blvd. East, in Manatee County, in his USA Fencing truck. He was there to clean up the lot at that location, per the landlord, Shannon Glasgow.

But when he arrived, Huang Anguyen, 47, would not allow Kyles in the fenced area and a verbal argument ensued.

When Kyles tried to leave, Anguyen followed after him with a knife in one hand and a hammer in the other. He told Kyles he would kill Kyles, the report said.

Kyles told a deputy Anguyen was about 2 feet away when the threats were issued, putting Kyles in fear for his life.

Anguyen was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault.

The incident occurred on Friday, June 13, 2008, at about 9:20 a.m.

Bradenton Police Arrest Man
for Armed Robbery

BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- Bradenton Police have arrested Curtis Lamark Brown, 32, of 1818 Martin Luther King Avenue East, in Bradenton, after Brown allegedly robbed a man using a knife.

Curtis Lamark Brown

Brown's arrest report said an officer was dispatched to the above location on Saturday, June 14, 2008, at about 3:45 a.m., regarding a robbery.

Terry Barley told the officer that Brown pulled a knife on him and demanded Barley's money and bracelet.

Barley told the officer he and Brown argued and Barley said he was in fear for his life.

The officer was unable to located a knife at the scene.

Brown was arrested and charged with Robbery with a Weapon.

Two Arrested in Residential
Burglary, Criminal Mischief

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies Alan Judy, Deputy Sutton and Kevin Pease have arrested two men involved in a residential burglary on June 13, 2008, at a few minutes past midnight in the 500 block of 64th Avenue East.

Above, L to R, Kyle Sell and Yousell Suarez

The arrest report said a nearby witness had just stepped outside to smoke a cigarette and heard glass breaking and people yelling at the residence listed above.

The witness watched Kyle Sell, 20, of 3115 Bayshore Gardens Parkway, in Manatee County, Yousell Suarez, 21, of 335 48th Street Court West, in Palmetto, and a juvenile, Lacey Graham, 16, enter and exit the residence several times.

The witness said Sell then fled in a silver 4-door vehicle and Suarez and Graham fled on foot.

When Deputy Judy arrived, he saw the front door was kicked in. He and Deputy Sutton cleared the house and talked with witnesses.

The vehicle Sell was in was stopped on 9th Street East. K-9 tracked Graham and Suarez to a location two blocks south of the crime scene. They were hiding in the back yard of 616 65th Avenue East, behind a boat.

Witnesses positively identified the three as being at the house where the burglary occurred.

Sell was arrested and charged with Burglary and Criminal Mischief. Suarez was arrested and charged with Burglary, Criminal Mischief and Loitering and Prowling. Graham was not arrested, but the sheriff's office said she was given a juvenile referral.

Bradenton Man Dies After
Running Red Light

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Florida Highway Patrol reported an accident that occurred on Monday, June 16, 2008, at 11:05 a.m. at the intersection of 9th Street East and 26th Avenue East, in which a Bradenton man died after being transported to a local hospital.

FHP said a van being driven by Christina Sanchez, 36, of Bradenton, was westbound on 26th Avenue East approaching the intersection of 9th Street East facing a green traffic signal.

A Ford F-150 pickup truck being driven by Daniel Mann, 40, of Bradenton, was northbound on 9th Street East approaching the intersection of 26th Avenue East facing a red traffic signal.

Mr. Mann failed to stop for the red traffic signal and continued into the intersection of 26th Avenue East. The van's front struck the right side of Mann's pickup truck.

After the van hit the truck, the truck rotated clockwise and came to final rest overturned north of the intersection on 9th Street East.

The van also rotated clockwise and to final rest north of the intersection on 9th Street East.

Mr. Mann and the right front passenger of the pickup truck, Matthew Lochner, 20, of Bradenton, were transported to Manatee Memorial Hospital with injuries they sustained in the crash.

Mr. Mann expired at Manatee Memorial Hospital from injuries he sustained in the crash.

Mr. Lochner sustained minor injuries in the crash.

Ms. Sanchez sustained minor injuries in the crash and remained at the crash scene
.
If anyone has information about this crash, please contact Cpl. Ron Highsmith of the Florida Highway Patrol at 941-751-7647 Ext 131.

Deputies: Man Falls 12 Feet
Down Elevator Shaft

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies reported a man fell 12 feet down an elevator shaft in a construction site accident on Sunday, June 15, 2008, at about 7:10 p.m.

The report said Joel Cortez-Martinez, 25, was working on the second floor of a two story house that was under construction in the 4500 block of 7th Street Court East, in Ellenton.

Somehow, Marinez got too close to the empty elevator shaft and fell 12 feet down to the bottom floor.

It is currently not know why or how Martinez fell, but when deputies arrived on scene, Martinez had already been take by Bayflight to Bayfront Medical for treatment.

The last update on Martinez was that he was in fair but stable condition.

Man Arrested in Holmes Beach
Charged in Road Rage Incident;
Passenger Flown to Hospital

HOLMES BEACH, Florida [NMT/Islander] -- A Palmetto man was arrested in Holmes Beach in a road rage incident on Saturday, June 14, 2008, according to the Anna Maria Islander newspaper.

Andrew Lavers

The incident began on Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach and concluded at about 3:30 p.m. at the Kingfish Boat Ramp and resulted in charges of Aggravated Battery and Hit-and-Run against Andrew B. Lavers, 37, of Palmetto.

Jason Benn said Lavers was driving recklessly and attempted to strike his vehicle intentionally numerous times as he proceeded northbound on Gulf Drive.

He told police he was worried for the safety of his fiance and their child, both in his vehicle, and he tried to avoid Lavers by turning left at the light at East Bay and Gulf Drive.

Then when Benn turned north on Manatee Avenue/State Road 64, the driver in the white pickup truck swerved into his path near Sixth Avenue and struck his vehicle.

(Photo by Bonner Joy, The Islander)

Also in the incident, Manatee County Emergency Medical Services personnel prepared a patient for Bayflite helicopter medical transport to the trauma center at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg Saturday, June 14.

The medical emergency came about when Lavers' passenger, Benjamin Hampton, 32, of Cromwell, Indiana, became agitated while seated in the vehicle in which the driver, Lavers, was arrested for the road rage incident.

According to the Holmes Beach Police report, Hampton broke out the vehicle’s windshield with his feet and was "so intoxicated that he was foaming at the mouth and slumped on the floorboard."

EMS arrived and found Hampton to be comatose and called Bayflite for helicopter transport to a trauma center.

[Ed. Note: The report above comes from the Anna Maria Islander, a news partner of NewsManatee's.]

Holmes Beach Man Busted
for Burglaries, Theft of
"Beanie Baby"

HOLMES BEACH, Florida [NMT] -- The Holmes Beach Police Department has arrested Michael Lee Brown, 36, of 6401 Marina Blvd., Holmes Beach. Officers said Brown burglarized a vehicle and a residence in the 300 block of 65th Street, in Holmes Beach.

Michael Lee Brown

Brown's arrest report said the burglaries occurred on Saturday, June 14, 2008, at about 6 p.m.

Brown allegedly called the female victim to say he had going into her house without her knowledge.

When an officer questioned Brown about that, at first he refused to talk with him.

However, the next day, Sunday, June 15, 2008, Brown went to the police station and said that he had taken a "Beanie Baby" from the victim's vehicle, which he believed belonged to him.

Inside the residence, he broke a lizard decoration, he told Officer Michael Leonard.

Brown was arrested and charged with Burglary to a Dwelling and Burglary to a Vehicle.

SPD Arrests Man for Trying
to Burn Down a Church

SARASOTA, Florida [NMT] -- Sarasota Police say Joel Lee York, 55, of Sarasota, tried to burn down a church on Saturday, June 14, 2008.

Joel Lee York

According to an SPD press release, a zone officer pulled into the parking lot of the Faith Presbyterian Church, 1201 North Beneva Road just as York had retrieved a can of gasoline from the trunk of his vehicle.

York was arrested and charged with Attempt to Firebomb a Church, Threatening and Harassing Phone Calls and Attempted Arson.

Charlotte Detectives Search for
Missing, Endangered Man, 23

PUNTA GORDA, Florida [NMT] -- Detectives of the Charlotte County Sheriff's District-3 Office are asking the public's help in locating Danny Paul Mordenti, 23, a missing endangered person, who was last seen May 22.

Danny Paul Mordenti

Mordenti has been staying with his 86-year-old grandmother, Ethel-Jo A Kerwer, in the Pirate Harbor community at 24057 Jolly Roger Blvd., south of Punta Gorda. Mordenti had previously lived in Spring Hill, Florida, but has not been see there either.

Mordenti has various medical issues and has not been seen or heard from the past three weeks. His grandmother said when he left, he did not take his medications, his cell phone, has not used credit cards, and was very active with his e-mail and My-Space site but there has been no activity since he disappeared. Mordenti is a white male, black hair, brown eyes, goatee, 5 foot 8 inches tall, 135 pounds and has multiple tattoos on both shoulders.

The day he disappeared, a CCSO K-9 bloodhound followed a track about a quarter mile but it ended. Deputies and the CCSO helicopter also searched the area which turned up nothing. Mordenti was entered as an endangered missing adult into the state and national systems. Detectives have been checking with friends and acquaintances and none reported seeing or hearing from him. Mordenti was arrested May 20 on a charge of Loitering and Prowling on Eifel Terrace in Port Charlotte after calls of someone attempting to break into vehicles. Mordenti was taken to the Charlotte County Jail and bonded out May 21. He reportedly had become very depressed and disappeared the next day.

Anyone who may have information concerning Mordenti since his disappearance May 22 is asked to call Detective Dwayne Tucker at the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office at 941-639-0013.

Two Boys Play with Gun,
One, 10, Shot in Head

PUTNAM COUNTY, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- Orlando television station WKMG reported a 10-year-old was critically injured Sunday when he was accidentally shot in the head by a friend, police said.

Investigators said the shooting happened Sunday at about 12:30 a.m. at a home on County Road 207A in Putnam County.

The boys were apparently playing with a pistol when it went off.

It was not known who owns the gun or how the children got their hands on the weapon.

Police are investigating the shooting, WKMG reported.

~ MONDAY'S LOCAL/STATE NEWS ~

Daring Daylight Armed Home
Invasion, Robbery Reported;
Intruder Previously Arrested
for Arson of Residence,
Assault of Woman

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A woman was ambushed at her residence by a man with a gun who robbed her on Friday afternoon, June 13, 2008, at about 2 p.m., according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. The man was later arrested.

Stanley Rhoden

The report said the victim, Megan Cagne, 22, of the 1000 block of 61st Avenue Terrace East, reported that she was attempting to enter her residence when a man came up behind her and placed a handgun to her head.

He pushed his way into her residence, where he took $800 from her pockets, ripped jewelry from her neck, and took her cell phone. He threatened to hurt her and then fled from the scene.

Cagne did not report the incident until approximately 3:55 p.m., when she called 911 stating she was across the Suburban Lodge at 7251 North Tamiami Trail, where she saw the robber in his vehicle. She had attempted to follow him but lost sight of him at US 41 and Tallavast as he was going eastbound.

The victim knew the man's first name, as he was an acquaintance of her ex-boyfriend and positively identified Stanley Rhoden, 24, from a photo pack.

Rhoden was later arrested at the Suburban Lodge.

Several cell phones and pieces of jewelry were seen in plain view in his hotel room.

The investigation is ongoing and no injuries were reported.

Rhoden was charged with Armed Home Invasion Robbery. More charges are expected to follow.

Rhoden already faces charges of Aggravated Assault, Arson and Felony Criminal Mischief from an incident in March.

According to NewsManatee archives, Rhoden was upset with Diane Spees, 30, of 2810 38th Avenue East, who tried to get him to leave her house. He threw several items and broke them and attempted to torch her house. She escaped and was able to call for help. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze before it spread.

Rhoden's bail in this latest incident was set at $50,000 dollars.

Burger King Victim of Robbery
Sunday Morning; Man Later
Arrested

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Burger King restaurant at 6722 14th Street West, in South Manatee County, was robbed Sunday morning, June 15, 2008, at about 8:10 a.m., according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Scott Casey

The report said a White male entered the Burger King, approached the clerk at the counter and handed her a note, demanding all their money from the top drawer.

The clerk hesitated, called her manager over and pointed to the note.

The manager gave the suspect $69 dollars from the drawer.

As the robber left, he took the note and exited out the east door. He was last seen jogging towards the nearby Quality Inn and headed east thorough their parking lot on foot.

The robber was described as an unknown White male, 25-35 years of age, 5'09"-6'0" tall, 200 pounds, with a stocky build and bald. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with blood on it, black shorts and a jean vest.

Then, at approximately 11:49 a.m., deputies responded to 6513 14th Street West in reference to the robbery suspect from earlier, travelling northbound on 14th Street West.

Deputies Kelly and Ragoonanan located the subject in front of the Checkers restaurant and initiated a stop.

Identified at the stop was Scott Casey, 39, of 6551 274th Street East, in Myakka City.

In a post Miranda interview, Casey admitted to committing the robbery from earlier.

The money taken the robbery was located in the suspect’s pocket, as well as the note which he used to commit the robbery.

He was arrested, charged with Robbery and was taken to the Manatee County Jail without incident.

Man Arrested for Stalking,
Throwing Deadly Missile

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Michael Floyd Koppus, 43, of 1208 57th Avenue East, after they say he threw feces at his girlfriend, threatened her with a knife and threw a rock threw another person's window, injuring a little girl.

Michael Floyd Koppus

A sheriff's arrest report said on Wednesday, June 11, at about 9:00 a.m., Koppus got into a verbal argument with his unnamed girlfriend, which escalated to a physical altercation when Koppus threw feces on her body.

Then he threatened her with scissors, holding them in her direction in a threatening manner. He then punched her several times so she could not leave the residence.

The report said Koppus has called the woman's friend over 17 times and left threatening messages, which were recorded.

Then, on Thursday, June 12, 2008, at about 4:00 a.m., Koppus allegedly went to the friend's house on 48th Avenue Circle on a bicycle and threw a 4-inch rock through a window.

The rock caused the glass of a bedroom to break. Inside the bedroom, a juvenile girl was sleeping and the rock caused a cut to her lower right leg.

Koppus was arrested shortly after noon on Thursday and charged with Aggravated Domestic Battery, False Imprisonment, Stalking, Throwing a Deadly Missile and Violation of Probation.

Deputies Arrest Sexual Predator
for Violation of Probation Terms

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Thursday, June 12, 2008, Manatee County Sheriff's Detectives arrested Hirum E. Croxall, 49, of 1280 Whitfield Avenue, in South Manatee County, on a probation violation.

Hirum Croxall

Croxall is designated as a Sexual Predator. He was released from prison on June 10, 2008, after serving 14 months of a 5-year sentence for Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Minor. He moved into the above listed location that night.

He failed to abide by his requirements as a Sexual Predator with the Florida Department of Corrections and a warrant was issued by his Probation Officer for Violation of Probation.

Croxall was also charged with Failing to Register as a Sexual Predator with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

He was located at approximately 9:40 p.m. at his listed address by patrol deputies and subsequently arrested for the two listed charges.

Manatee County Sheriff's Detective Kim Zink, of the Sexual Offender Unit, coordinated the effort.

This Week's Stupid Criminal
in Manatee County...So Far

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County has racked up another stupid criminal, it seems. A man stole three jars of shrimp cocktail sauce from a Sweetbay supermarket, even though he had $100 dollars in his pocket at the time.

Aaron R. Dulka

An arrest report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office said Aaron R. Dulka, 26, of 2808 40th Avenue West, entered the Sweetbay store at 2501 Cortez Road West on Thursday, June 12, 2008, at about 7:00 p.m.

Dulka then proceeded to select 3 12-packs of soda. He then went to the aisle with the shrimp cocktail sauce and concealed three jars of the sauce in his back pockets.

He went to the cashier and paid for the soda, but failed to pay for the cocktail sauce and exited the store.

A loss prevention person working for Sweetbay confronted Dulka outside and brought him back into the store, where Dulka admitted to taking the cocktail sauce, which was all caught on surveillance video.

The cocktail sauce was valued at $11.97.

Dulka later told a deputy he was stupid. He said he was going out with friends that night and did not want to break a $100 dollar bill, which he had in his possession at the time.

Dulka was arrested and charged with Retail Theft.

Holmes Beach Man Robbed
at Gunpoint By Black Male

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office reported a Holmes Beach man was robbed at gunpoint by a Black male while he was visiting a friend in the 5300 block of 8th Street Court West on Friday, at about 1:50 a.m.

The sheriff's office report said deputies responded to 5326 9th Street Court West in Manatee County in reference to a robbery that had just occurred.

Upon arrival, they found the victim, Mark Venable, 38, of 129 52nd Street, in Holmes Beach, along with the resident of the house, "Steve Russo," a Black male, and Angela Murray, 41, a White female. Russo gave his name, with the aka of "Preacher," and stated that "Chris" did it, and then wouldn't talk to deputies any more and went inside.

Murray, Venable's girlfriend, stated that she had been inside and didn't see anything.

Venable claimed that he and Murray came to "Preacher's" house to hang out. He had been there earlier in the day and at some point met "Chris."

Venable continued to say that he went outside to smoke and was approached by "Chris," who pointed a gun at Venable's face and said, "Give me the money."

Venable stated he took steps toward "Chris," who struck him twice in the head with the handgun and told him that he would kill him.

Venable attempted to punch "Chris" and as he was swinging "Chris" fired a shot which didn't hit anything.

"Chris" then ran north on 8th Street Court West.

Venable suffered a 2-inch laceration on his forehead and some scratches on his face but refused treatment by EMS.

Nothing was taken.

A shell casing and a cell phone possibly owned by the suspect were recovered at the scene.

"Chris" was described as a Black male, in his 30s, last seen wearing dark clothing with a white rag on his head, and was armed with an unknown type 9mm semi-automatic handgun.

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.

Hispanic Shot, Another Robbed
By Two Black Males

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Early Saturday morning, June 14, 2008, at about 3:35 a.m., a Hispanic man was shot and another was robbed, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

A sheriff's office report said Doroteo Benitez, 26, Gilberto Jimenez, 25, and Pedro Santiago, 33, were walking home from the Sante Fe Bar.

When they got to the 4800 block of 9th Street East, a small light blue 2-door vehicle stopped at the 4900 block of 9th Street East. Two Black males got out and approached the three. One of the Black males pulled a black revolver and pointed it at the three who were walking.

Benitez started to run, and one of the Black males shot at him with the revolver, striking him in the lower back. The two then took the wallet from Gilberto Jimenez, which contained cash, and ripped a gold chain from his neck.

The two Black males then ran back to the blue car and fled south to 53rd Avenue and then went west.

A BOLO was put out for the suspects and the vehicle.

EMS responded and transported Benitez to a landing zone for BayFlight, where Benitez was taken to Bayfront Medical Center. Benitez was in stable condition when he left the crime scene with EMS.

The suspects did not get anything from Benitez or Santiago and there were no other injuries to anybody other than Benitez.

The robbers were described as 2 unknown Black males, both wearing white tank tops, one carrying a black revolver, driving a blue small 2-door vehicle. Both were about 6'00 tall and both had long dreadlocks.

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.

Hispanic Man Leaving Bar
Robbed By Group of Four

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office reported a man leaving El Paisano's bar at 5801 15th Street East was robbed by a group of two White females and two Hispanic males early Friday morning at about 1:00 a.m.

The report said Benito Ortiz, 39, of the 4900 block of 18th Street West, left El Paisano's Bar and was walking to his truck at the far end of the parking lot.

As he approached his truck, two females approached him, asking for a ride. He refused and continued.

As he attempted to enter his truck, the two females grabbed his shirt.

At that time, two Hispanic males got out of a small white car and knocked Ortiz to the ground.

While on the ground, the robbers took his wallet and jewelry valued at approximately $680.

Ortiz was not injured other than some bruising on his arms and face.

After the robbers left, Ortiz drove himself home before calling the sheriff's office.

The robbers were described as two White females, 18-22 years old. One was 5'06" tall, and weighed about 230 pounds; the other was 5'07" tall and weighed about 160 pounds. The two Hispanic males were only described as both being about 18-20 years old.

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.

Multiple Burglary Investigation
Leads to Arrest of 16-Year-Old

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- After a week-long joint investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on multiple charges. On Friday, June 13, 2008, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Braxton Pierson, a 16-year-old White male juvenile was located at his mother's residence in the 38000 block of SR 64 East and arrested. The investigation was conducted by The Criminal Investigation Division Property Section and the COPS Central units.

Braxton Pierson

Braxton was developed as a suspect in numerous daytime burglaries back in May of 2008 and has been the subject of an ongoing surveillance operation.

On Friday, June 6, 2008, at approximately 12:15 p.m., COPS Central resumed surveillance and observed Braxton leaving his residence located in the 5700 block of 7th Street East, Bradenton, carrying a white garbage bag full of items, a 19" flat panel TV, riding a green-colored Schwinn bicycle.

A traffic stop was conducted for a bicycle violation. The stop resulted in Braxton being arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Giving a False Name and Possession of Burglary Tools.

Braxton was found to be in possession of a stolen bicycle, an imitation Rolex watch, a woman’s tennis bracelet, an I-Pod, an Xbox 360, a pair of black gloves with a chisel and screwdriver, 1.7 grams of marijuana with digital scales and baggies.

Members from the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division Property Section and COPS Central obtained a search warrant for Braxton's residence. The search of the residence yielded several items of evidence taken from numerous residential burglaries.

As a result of this search warrant and the joint investigation, Braxton was charged with 10 felonies to include the Armed Burglary and Theft of 2 handguns. Other charges included multiple Burglary and Grand Theft charges, and Forgery.

The investigation will be ongoing in an effort to identify any other daytime burglaries committed by Braxton and identify the victim's belonging to the property recovered from B.P's residence.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 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.

Chain Ripped from Man's Neck;
No arrests

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A gold necklace was ripped from the man's neck on Saturday, a few minutes past midnight, but nobody was arrested, according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The report said Melvin C. Lewis, 34, of 5811 8th Street Court East, went to 5816 8th Street Court East and asked a resident there, Abundto Hernandez-Betanza, 20, for a beer.

Betanza said no, so Lewis ripped a gold chain from Betanza's neck, then walked back to the residence.

Upon arrival of deputies, Betanza stated he didn't want to press charges; he just wanted his gold necklace back.

Lewis went back into the residence and got the necklace and gave it back to Betanza.

Man Hides in Store Until Closing,
Then Steals Narcotics

SARASOTA COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Sarasota County Sheriff’s Detectives are investigating a burglary that occurred at CVS Pharmacy located at 2811 Clark Road in Sarasota on Friday, June 13, 2008, at 1:30 a.m.

The suspect entered the pharmacy during normal business hours and hid there until it was closed.

An undisclosed amount of narcotics were then stolen.

He is described as a White male, wearing a light-colored shirt, tan shorts and a dark colored baseball cap.

Anyone with any information regarding this case should contact the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office District II Criminal Investigations Bureau at (941) 861-4900 or Detective LeFebvre at (941) 861-4932, reference case #08-47623. They may also leave anonymous information on the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (941) 366-TIPS (8477) or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.

Sarasota County Sheriff's Detectives
Investigate Death of Man, 46,
Found on Railroad Tracks

SARASOTA COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Sarasota County Sheriff’s Detectives are investigating the death of a homeless man who was found unconscious on the railroad tracks north of 17th Street on Thursday, June 12, 2008.

The victim, Mark Spellmeyer, 46, a White male was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Mr. Spellmeyer was removed from life support, and pronounced dead at 11:28 a.m. on Friday, June 13, 2008.

The incident is being investigated by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident should contact the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office District I Criminal Investigations Bureau at (941) 861-4900. They may also leave anonymous information on the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (941) 366-TIPS (8477) or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.

Police: Woman Walked In On
Boyfriend Raping Boy

MARION COUNTY, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- Orlando television station WKMG reported a 20-year-old man was arrested and charged with rape after his girlfriend reported she walked in on him with a 9-year-old boy, police said.

James Cooper
(Mug shot courtesy WKMG)

Marion County investigators said James Michael Cooper, of Umatilla, admitted he raped the boy more than once.

Police said Cooper's girlfriend caught him with the boy.

In police reports, Cooper admitted to sodomizing the boy at least two times.

Cooper faces five counts of Capital Sexual Battery, WKMG reported.

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