Manatee County Florida News Archive for week ending 8/2/2008

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Local/State News for week ending 8/2/2008

Man Shot, Killed in City
of Bradenton Was 2nd
2008 Homicide in City,
8th Overall in County

BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- According to the Bradenton Police Department, Officers responded to a shooting at RJ’s bar, located at 720 Martin Luther King Blvd. West at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

Byron Lazier, deceased

Officers found a Black male lying in the street nearby on Martin Luther King Blvd.

EMS responded and transported the man to Manatee Memorial Hospital, where he later died at 2:17 a.m. from a single gunshot wound.

The man's name was Byron Lazier, 25.

According to a NewsManatee source, the shooting incident was allegedly over a spilled drink.

Major J.J. Lewis, of the Bradenton Police Department told NewsManatee on Thursday that Detectives are following up leads for a possible suspect.

As of Thursday night, Police were searching for Theodore W. Simmons, 23, according to a NewsManatee source. The source said he is "a person of interest" and Police just want to talk with him. Simmons' last known address, according to Manatee County court records was 1101 10th Avenue West, in Bradenton.

This is the City of Bradenton's 2nd homicide of 2008; the 8th overall in Manatee County.

Previously, there were 5 homicides in Manatee County in 2008, 1 in Bradenton and 1 in Palmetto.

Anyone with information can contact Detective Greg Price at 932-9300 ext. 355, 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 Picks Up Hooker,
Other Man Tries to Sell
Him Drugs, Punches First
Man When He Refuses Drugs

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- It's a convoluted story, but we'll try to put it in perspective.

Rosby Peterson

On Wednesday, July 30, 2008, a man identified as Kevin Townsley drove to Palmetto to pick up a hooker.

He was approached by Rosby Peterson, 30, of 207 12th Street West, in Palmetto, who tried to sell Townsley crack cocaine.

Townsley refused and tried to drive off, he told deputies later, at which time Peterson reached into the vehicle and tried to take the keys.

Townsley kept driving with Peterson hanging on. When Townsley finally stopped, Peterson slugged him in the jaw.

Townsley drove off toward Bradenton. Meanwhile, Peterson ran to his car and began following Townsley.

When Townsley reached 1st Street and U.S. 301 Blvd. West, in Bradenton, he flagged down a deputy and told the deputy what happened.

The deputy followed Peterson to 607 Orlando Avenue. Peterson got out of his vehicle and the deputy ordered him to the ground and handcuffed him.

Townsley had followed the deputy to the Orlando Avenue address to give the deputy a full report.

The deputy found several pieces of crack cocaine on the ground near Peterson, but since he had not seen Peterson get rid of it, he could not be charged with possession of crack cocaine.

A female passenger who was in the car with Townsley -- possibly the alleged hooker Townsley had picked up -- said she didn't see anything, but heard the punch and heard Townsley say "ouch."

Peterson was arrested and charged with Burglary to an Occupied Conveyance with Battery, Giving a False Name to Law Enforcement and Driving with License Suspended with Knowledge.

Two Juvies Arrested After
Fleeing Stolen Vehicle

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested two juveniles who fled from a stolen vehicle early Thursday morning at about 2:00 a.m.

Above, L to R, Tarvin Martin and Antonio Washington

A sheriff's office report said while driving on 14th Street West around the 5700 block, a deputy observed a 2000 Green Chrysler Mini Van driving in a reckless manner. The Deputy turned around in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

The vehicle turned into the 7-11 at 5700 14th Street West and all of the occupants jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot.

The vehicle turned out to be stolen and witnesses at the scene gave deputies a complete description of the suspects and all signed witness affidavits.

A K-9 unit tracked and located 2 of the suspects under a tree on the side of a house at 1502 55th Ave. West, Bradenton.

One suspect received a minor scratch on his right upper thigh which could be from a K-9 bite where the dog grabbed onto his shorts when he refused to comply with orders; however, he had several scratches on him from jumping over fences and other such things while fleeing from deputies.

He was treated by deputies at the scene and photos were taken by the K-9 deputies.

The other suspect was not injured.

Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.

Arrested were Tarvin Martin, 15, and Antonio Washington, 16. Martin was charged with Grand Theft Auto and Resisting Arrest without Violence. Washington was charged with Burglary to a Conveyance.

The report said the stolen vehicle belonged to Joseph Dercile, 41, of the 2900 block of 31st Avenue East.

Deputies Arrest Man for
Grand Theft Cattle

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested Oscar B. Crosby, 45, of 4915 E. 17th Street, in Palmetto. Deputies say Crosby stole 5 head of cattle and sold them at auction.

Oscar B. Crosby

The arrest report said Crosby stole the cattle from his place of employment at 14715 Mossy Hammock Lane, in Myakka City.

He then took the cattle to Polk County and sold them at auction for $3,259.62.

Crosby received $2,159 dollars from the sale and gave approximately $900 dollars to another person he talked into selling them under his name.

The unnamed victim identified the cattle and will be picking them up in Polk County, the report said.

This is Crosby's second offense of the same nature, according to the report.

Crosby was charged with 5 counts of Grand Theft Livestock.

Sex Offender Arrested for
Failure to Notify Authorities
of Change of Address

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested Alvhord Lee, 57, of the 2300 block of 9th Avenue East, in Palmetto, for failure to notify authorities of a change of address.

Alvhord Lee

Lee is a Registered Sexual Offender in Manatee County.

Deputy Kim Zink, of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Sex Offender Unit received a tip from another Deputy that Lee was living at another residence other than the location on his Florida ID.

Dep. Zink started an investigation and obtained a warrant for Lee for Failing to Notify DHSMV w/in 48 Hours (which is a third degree felony).

He was arrested at his residence on Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at about 6:00 p.m., without incident by deputies.

Sex Offender Arrested for
Failing to Obtain ID/DL

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Thursday, July 31, 2008, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office arrested Jonathan Abel, 46, registered sex offender and a transient, for failing to obtain a Florida ID card or Driver's License, as required by law.

Jonathan Abel

Abel registered as a Sexual Offender at the Manatee County Sheriff's Office in May of 2008. All of his obligations were explained to him at that time.

However, Abel failed to obtain a Florida ID card or driver's license.

He was located at the Manatee County Jail, after the Bradenton Police Dept. had arrested him on unrelated charges.

Abel was charged with Failing to Obtain a Florida ID/DL (Sex Offender Violation), which is a third degree felony.

Teenager, 16, Arrested for
Pride Park Rape of Girl, 16

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested a 16-year-old teenager in connection with the Wednesday, July 30, 2008, rape of a 16-year-old girl.

Emmitt Crawford

At approximately 12:50 Thursday afternoon, detectives arrested Emmitt Crawford, 16, and charged him with Sexual Battery and False Imprisonment in connection with the rape incident that occurred Wednesday at Pride Park.

Crawford, of the 5800 block of 11th Street East, in Bradenton, was arrested without incident at his residence.

Crawford is accused of sexually assaulting the unnamed 16-year-old girl in the 800 block of 63rd Avenue East, in Bradenton, at around 9:15 Wednesday morning.

Several leads were developed and detectives were able to identify Crawford as a suspect.

Crawford doesn’t know the victim, a sheriff's press release said.

Pizza Hut Delivery Driver
Robbed By Two Juvies

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office reported a Pizza Hut delivery driver was robbed shortly before midnight on Wednesday, July 30, 2008.

A report from the sheriff's office said the driver had gone to 814 58th Avenue Drive West with pizzas.

The driver, Andrew St. Arnauld approached the door and a Black female answered the door and took the pizzas. Then she yelled something back into the house, yelling for money.

Two Black males came up to the victim and demanded money, but the victim refused.

Then the Black males began beating St. Arnauld with a plastic PVC pipe. The robbers then ran away, obtaining the pizzas, but no money.

St. Arnauld was not injured.

The report said there were neighbors in the area who observed the robbery, but not would not identify and/or did not know the robbers, the report said.

Deputies and a sheriff's helicopter searched the area for the robbers to no avail.

The robbers were described as both being about 16 years of age, about 5'8" tall and weighing about 145 pounds. Both were wearing black shorts. The Black female was not further described.

Deputies determined that the house was vacant, unoccupied and unlocked.

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.

Manatee County Sheriff's Office:
FBI Warns of Storm Worm Virus

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Unit has released the following information about a computer virus by e-mail.

The FBI and its partner, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), have received reports of recent spam e-mails spreading the Storm Worm malicious software, known as malware. These e-mails, which contain the phrase “F.B.I. vs. facebook,” direct e-mail recipients to click on a link to view an article about the FBI and Facebook, a popular social networking website. The Storm Worm virus has also been spread in the past in e-mails advertising a holiday e-card link. Clicking on the link downloads malware onto the Internet connected device, causing it to become infected with the virus and part of the Storm Worm botnet.

A botnet is a collection of compromised computers under the remote command and control of a criminal “botherder.” Most owners of the compromised computers are unsuspecting victims. They have unintentionally allowed unauthorized access and use of their computers as a vehicle to facilitate other crimes, such as identity theft, denial of service attacks, phishing, click fraud, and the mass distribution of spam and spyware. Because of their widely distributed capabilities, botnets are a growing threat to national security, the national information infrastructure, and the economy.

“The spammers spreading this virus are preying on Internet users and making their computers an unwitting part of criminal botnet activity. We urge citizens to help prevent the spread of botnets by becoming web-savvy. Following some simple computer security practices will reduce the risk that their computers will be compromised,” said Special Agent Richard Kolko, Chief, FBI National Press Office.

Everyone should consider the following:

~ Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail.

~ Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as officials soliciting personal information via e-mail.

~ Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.

~ Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.

~ Validate the legitimacy of the organization by directly accessing the organization's website rather than following an alleged link to the site.

~ Do not provide personal or financial information to anyone who solicits information.

Sarasota Police Release
Name of Bicyclist Who
Died in Crash

SARASOTA, Florida [NMT] -- The Sarasota Police Department has released the name of the man who died in a fatal crash with a pickup truck last Friday. He was identified as Joshua R. Wagner, 23, a White male. His relatives have been notified.

The driver of the pickup truck that struck Wagner was Ethel M. Yoder. Yoder was not injured and there was minor damage to her truck.

NewsManatee had reported on Monday that the Sarasota Police Department was investigating a fatal crash that occurred on U. S. 41 in front of Chili’s Restaurant, 4141 S. Tamiami Trail at about 11:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2008, that killed a 23-year-old bicyclist.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the bicyclist was southbound on the sidewalk when he decided to cut across the northbound lanes of U.S. 41.

The bicyclist was struck by a northbound pickup truck, SPD reported.

The bicycle had no lights on it and the bicyclist was not wearing a helmet.

The male bicyclist was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital where he died.

The investigation is continuing.

Detective Arrests Man 2nd Time
for Stealing More Metal, Selling
to Recycling Business

PUNTA GORDA, Florida [NMT] -- On Tuesday, July 29, 2008, Charlotte County Sheriff’s detectives arrested Joseph Scott Palon, 38, 21459 Glendale Ave., Port Charlotte, for the second time in connection with theft of metals and selling to a recycle business.

Joseph Scott Palon

Palon was arrested on July 24th for stealing a dryer and refrigerator-freezer from a Port Charlotte home and selling to B&S Recycling, 19200 Peachland Blvd. in Port Charlotte. On Tuesday of this week, detectives solved another case and arrested Palon at the County Jail on two counts of Dealing in Stolen Property, Grand Theft and Child Neglect.

On June 16th, deputies responded to 24244 Corporate Court, Port Charlotte, concerning theft of metal roof trusses and beams taken from a construction site by a man and a small boy. A witness saw both loading the items onto a trailer pulled by a pickup truck about 1:30 p.m. Nothing was said at the time until the witness mentioned it to the contractor and the CCSO was called.

Detectives learned that Palon took the steel items to B&S Recycling on July 16th and 17th. A video captured Palon and a 10-year-old boy offloading the stolen items from the trailer. Palon was paid $524.40 for the stolen items valued at $5,500. Detectives presented a photo lineup to the witness who positively identified Palon as the person on the construction site who stole the metal trusses and beams. Due to the fact that Palon brought the boy into a posted construction site with total disregard for his safety and allowed the boy to believe he was allowed to take the metal items, he was charged with Child Neglect.

Last week, when detectives went to Palon’s home and arrested him for selling the stolen dryer and refrigerator, a search of Palon found 60 Oxycodone pills, a syringe and fresh needle marks on his arm.

Palon was previously in a state prison for dealing in stolen property.

The B&S Recycling manager said Palon has been coming into the center up to three times a day.

Detectives are continuing their investigation into the rash of thefts of items like steel, copper, bronze, air conditioner unit components, appliances, aluminum boats and other metals.

Woman, 35, Arrested for
Sex with Boy, 17

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- Orlando television station WKMG reported a 35-year-old woman was arrested in Seminole County Tuesday on 12 counts of Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor.

Kristie Mathis
(Mug shot courtesy WKMG)

Kristie Mathis was arrested after the parents of a 17-year-old boy told authorities they were concerned that Mathis been consuming alcohol with their son, keeping him out past his curfew and possibly having sexual relations with him, deputies said.

The teen admitted to investigators that he had sex with Mathis at least 12 times over the past three months, according to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. He also admitted to drinking alcohol with her on several occasions, and she bought alcohol for him in some instances, deputies said.

Deputies on Wednesday spotted Mathis and the boy in a vehicle and conducted a traffic stop after observing several traffic infractions, the sheriff's office said. The teen pulled over and exited the vehicle, but Mathis got into the driver's seat and drove off, deputies said.

She was later arrested on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude, WKMG said.

During an interview with investigators, Mathis said that she was a youth counselor for nine years and was only friends with the teen. She invoked her right to have an attorney present during the interview, so she was not questioned about the sex acts, deputies said.

Mathis was arrested and taken to the Seminole County Jail. Her bond was set at $12,000.

~ THURSDAY'S LOCAL/STATE NEWS ~

Manatee County Sheriff's Detective:
Young Man, 18, Arrested for Sex
with Girl, 14, Multiple Times

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A Manatee County Sheriff's Detective has arrested Andrew Clemons, 18, of 2910 42nd Street West, in Bradenton, after Clemons admitted to having sex with a girl who was 14 years old.

Andrew Clemons

According to an arrest report prepared by Detective Mike Jones, on July 26, 2008, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Clemons provided the unnamed victim with alcohol and marijuana.

Then the pair had unprotected consensual sex, the girl told Det. Jones.

She said she had vaginal sex and anal sex with Clemons.

The girl described Clemons kissing her neck and breast, leaving marks on her neck and left breast.

On July 27, 2008, Det. Jones met with the victim at the sheriff's office and a controlled phone call was set up between the girl and Clemons, using her mother's cell phone. During that call, Clemons allegedly admitted having sex with the girl.

On July 29, 2008, Det. Jones spoke with Clemons. He admitted to having sex with the girl on July 26th, early in the morning at a residence in Northwest Bradenton.

Clemons was arrested and charged with one count of Lewd and Lascivious Battery.

He was taken to the Manatee County Jail, where he remains on a $10,000 bond.

Argument Between Couple
Leads to Man's Arrest on
Six Charges

PALMETTO, Florida [NMT] -- According to an arrest report from the Palmetto Police Department, David Lamar Bailey, 28, of 1905 2nd Avenue East, Palmetto, was arrested on six charges, following an argument with a woman.

David Lamar Bailey

Palmetto Police were called to a residence in the 1000 block of 6th Avenue West on Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at about 9:30 p.m., for a disturbance.

Upon arrival, an unnamed woman at that location told officers Bailey had threatened her with a gun after they had argued.

While attempting to place Bailey under arrest, he ran from officers, but was captured a short distance later.

Officers found 12 pieces of crack cocaine and marijuana in Bailey's possession.

Bailey was charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Possession of Rock Cocaine, Possession of Rock Cocaine with Intent to Sell, Possession of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of a Church, Possession of Marijuana, and Resisting Arrest without Violence.

Two Men Arrested After 7-11
Cash-Snatch Robbery

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- According to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, two men were involved in a snatch and grab robbery at the 7-11 convenience store at 4905 U.S. 41 North at about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2008. Both men have been arrested.

Above, L to R, Joseph E. Branch and Steven G. Picciuto

Arrest reports said the clerk at the 7-11 was counting cash from a register, when Joseph E. Branch, 28, of Palmetto, grabbed $100 dollars from the counter.

Branch then got into a green Honda, driven by Steven G. Picciuto, 32, of Bradenton, and both fled the area in the Honda.

When deputies, who had been alerted by a BOLO, attempted to pull the Honda over in the 5300 block of Palmetto Point Drive, Picciuto tried to elude them and ran several stop signs, but eventually was pulled over two blocks away in the 5100 block of Palmetto Point Drive.

As they did, Branch fled the vehicle, ran across a yard and jumped into Terra Ceia Bay. However, Branch tired of swimming, had nowhere to go and deputies captured him.

Branch was charged with Larceny, two counts of Trespass and Resisting Arrest without Violence. Picciuto was charged with Reckless Driving.

According to Manatee County court records, Branch is currently awaiting trial on Burglary charges in a separate incident from May of 2008.

Girl, 16, Raped at Pride Park
By Black Teen, 16-18

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Manatee County Sheriff's Detectives are investigating the report of a sexual battery at Pride Park, located in the 800 block of 63rd Avenue East, in Bradenton. She had just taken two younger children to Daughtrey Elementary School, which is adjacent to the park.

According to the unnamed 16-year-old girl, she was at the park at around 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2008, when an unidentified suspect forced her into a bathroom and sexually assaulted her.

The victim then walked to her home and the sheriff’s office was notified.

Detectives have learned the suspect may have dropped off a young child, approximately 5-7 years old, at Daughtrey Elementary School at around 8:20 a.m. Wednesday morning. The child was described as a Black female with a pink shirt and braided hair. She could not be located at the school, which is located at 515 63rd Ave. E.

The victim described the suspect as a Black male, 16-18 years old, 5’3”-5’5” tall, 145 pounds, and was last seen wearing a yellow shirt, blue jean shorts and flip flops.

He possibly fled the area on a green bicycle, the sheriff's office reported.

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, 18, Knocked Out at Party,
Becomes Homicide Investigation
After Man Dies Wednesday

SARASOTA COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- An incident involving a man who was knocked out at a party has turned into a homicide investigation after the man died at Bayfront Medical Center.

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Detectives are aggressively investigating the homicide of Gregory Kennedy, 18, a White male, who was taken off life support at Bayfront Medical Center Wednesday.

Arrests are pending.

Kennedy had been involved in an altercation at 3533 Lalani Blvd. in Sarasota on July 29th, 2008, at approximately 12:25 a.m. During this altercation, Kennedy was struck in the head.

Responding deputies found Kennedy to be unresponsive. Deputies performed CPR until paramedics arrived on scene.

He was subsequently transported by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident should contact the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office District I Criminal Investigations Bureau at (941) 861-4900, or Detective Colonna on (941) 861-4915. They may also leave anonymous information on the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (941) 366-TIPS (8477) or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com/.

Young Englewood Man Busted
for Burglarizing Two Homes;
Caught 7 Minutes Later

PUNTA GORDA, Florida [NMT] -- The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office received a call on Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at 10:53 a.m., from a woman who said someone had just broken into her Englewood home.

Tony Fonseca

Deputies were given a BOLO description and at 11:00 a.m. a CCSO Traffic Unit in the area spotted the suspect, Tony Fonseca, 19, of 10140 Bay Ave., Englewood. Fonseca had an empty pillow case in his possession.

The victim, who lives at 9349 Fruitland Ave., Englewood, said someone rang her door bell and banged on the front door while she was in the shower. After she dried off, she saw Fonseca enter her rear lanai and called 9-1-1. She positively identified Fonseca as the man on her lanai.

Upon questioning, Fonseca said he left his vehicle in a wooded area off Fruitland Ave. and Gulfstream Blvd.

Detectives searched the vehicle and found cash, coins, a gold bracelet and padlock.

Fonseca admitted to also entering an unlocked side garage door at 7411 Clayton St., Englewood, earlier in the morning. He said he ransacked the home and took the items detectives found in his vehicle.

Detectives also found a digital scale and a wooden box in Fonseca’s vehicle; both tested positive for marijuana residue. Fonseca said he does use and sell marijuana.

Fonseca was charged with two counts of Burglary, two counts of Possession of Burglary Tools, Petit Theft, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was taken to the Charlotte County Jail and held on $19,000 bond.

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Arrests Man Who Brought Son,
2 1/2, to Undercover Crack Deal

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Tuesday night, July 29, 2008, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Narcotics detectives arrested an Englewood man who on July 21 brought along his 2½ year son in a crack cocaine purchase.

Douglas Andrew Sterrett

Another buy was set up Tuesday night, at a Port Charlotte restaurant parking lot to arrange a second drug deal; however the supplier never showed up. So, detectives arrested Douglas Andrew Sterrett, 48, 2061 Georgia Ave., Englewood, on charges related to the first drug buy when he brought along his son.

Because Sterrett passed a plastic baggie of crack cocaine in front of the toddler, detectives charged him with Possession of Crack Cocaine in the Presence of a Minor, Sale and Delivery of Crack Cocaine and Conspiracy to Sell and Deliver Crack Cocaine.

Sterrett was taken to the Charlotte County Jail and held on $11,000 bond pending first appearance.

This is Sterrett’s seventh arrest with 18 records related to drug and traffic offenses, Bob Carpenter, Public Information Officer for the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office said.

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

[Ed. Note: A new Florida law that went into effect on July 1st, 2008, makes it unlawful and a 1st Degree Felony to possess a controlled substance in "close proximity" of a minor. "Close proximity" was defined as having a controlled substance within his or her reach, without regard to whether the infant of toddler is likely to attempt to reach for the item. "Infant or toddler" was defined as any child from birth until the child's third birthday.]

Police Seek Bank Robbers
Who Fled in Vehicle with
Child Aboard

TITUSVILLE, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- Authorities in Brevard County are searching for a man and a woman -- last seen in a vehicle with a child -- wanted in connection with a Titusville bank robbery, according to Orlando television station WKMG.

The robbery occurred at about noon Tuesday at Community Educators bank, located at 3125 S. Washington Ave.

Titusville police said a woman passed a note to a teller and she and a man made off with an undisclosed amount of money. No weapon was used in the robbery, police said.

Brevard County sheriff's deputies said the couple was seen driving a white Chrysler four-door, newer-model vehicle northbound on Washington Street in Titusville after the robbery, WKMG reported.

A Titusville police officer said the man, who was driving, was wearing a gray sweatshirt and jeans with a baseball hat on his head.

The woman was wearing all white and has blond hair, police said.

There also was a child in the vehicle, according to police.

~ WEDNESDAY'S LOCAL/STATE NEWS ~

Manatee County Detective Arrests
Man for Capital Sexual Battery;
Used Sex Toy on Little Girl, 3

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Monday, July 28, 2008, a Manatee County Sheriff's Detective arrested Todd E. Bowman, 45, of the 3400 block of Whitfield Avenue, in South Manatee County.

Todd E. Bowman

An arrest report said on Thursday, July 24, 2008, Detective Jeffrey Bliss was contacted to respond to Sarasota Memorial Hospital in reference to a Capital Sexual Battery investigation involving a three-year-old victim.

The victim had disclosed to her mother acts of violent sexual abuse committed upon her by Bowman while she was in his care. The little girl's mother took the little girl to the hospital.

A forensic interview was conducted with the victim. During the interview, the victim disclosed the acts of sexual abuse committed on her by Bowman; her statements were consistent with those of the family members, the report said.

The report said on or about July 17, 2008, the 3-year-old girl was at her grandmother's house. There was nobody present except the little girl and Bowman.

Bowman is the live-in boyfriend of the grandmother; she calls him "poppy."

Information was developed that indicated Bowman had used a "purple sex toy" on the little girl's vagina and buttocks.

She told her mother that "Poppy" told her that if she told anyone she would go to jail.

On Friday, July 25, 2008, Detective Bliss obtained a search warrant for Bowman's residence and located the "purple sex toy."

A test on underwear worn by the little girl on July 24th proved positive for blood in the vaginal area of the underwear.

On Monday, Bowman was arrested and charged with one count of Capital Sexual Battery.

Bowman is being held at the Manatee County Jail without bond.

Man Broke Into Uncle's Home,
Stole Play Station, Cash;
Sold Game for Drugs

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A Manatee County Sheriff's Deputy has arrested Samuel J. Fuller, of 4507 9th Street West, in Bradenton.

Samuel J. Fuller

According to the arrest report, on Saturday, July 26, 2008, Fuller broke into his uncle's home in the 4600 block of 5th Street West, in Bradenton.

The burglary was committed by Fuller removing jalousie window panes and then entering the house.

At that time, he took his uncle's Play Station II and some cash.

He then sold the Play Station to a local game store for $32 dollars.

When confronted by his uncle, Fuller denied the theft.

But he later admitted to a deputy that he had a drug problem and stole the game to get drug money.

Fuller was arrested on Sunday, July 27, 2008, and charged with Burglary and Dealing in Stolen Property.

DNA Match Snags Burglar,
Already in Jail

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A Manatee County Sheriff's Detective has arrested Peter Edward Sampson, 35, of 4507 20th Street West, Bradenton, after a DNA sample matched that of Sampson, already in jail on unrelated charges.

Peter Edward Sampson

According to the arrest report, on June 3, 2008, a complainant reported someone had entered her residence in the 4500 block of 20th Street West between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and stole a Samsung digital camera.

Deputies learned entry was made through a bedroom window. The perpetrator had left a palm print on the inside pane of glass on the window.

A deputy was able to lift the print. A Manatee County Latent Print Examiner was able to match the palm print to Sampson.

On June 9, 2007, the victim called the sheriff's office to report a neighbor had told her Sampson, also a neighbor, had told her he was on probation and had been acting suspiciously since the burglary.

The Manatee County Detective checked and found that Sampson was, in fact, on probation and learned from Sampson's probation officer that Sampson was a direct neighbor of the victim.

Sampson was arrested at the Manatee County Jail and charged with Burglary and Grand Theft.

The camera was valued at $249 dollars.

This Week's Stupid Criminals:
Four Arrested -- Spray-Painted
Nicknames on Water Tower

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Friday, July 25, 2008, four young people were arrested for illegally climbing the county water tower at 59th Street West and Cortez Road West and spray-painting the nicknames of three of them on the tower.

Above, Jordan "Tiddy" Tidwell, Franky "The Tank" Koonz, Rhian "Spaz" Jenkins and Melissa Jenkins

According to the arrest reports of all four, deputies were dispatched to the location of the water tower. A citizen had called to report the four were up on the tower spray-painting.

Upon arrival, deputies found a pink rug had been thrown over the barbed wire at the top of a fence surrounding the tower. The area was clearly posted as a no-trespassing area.

Deputies called out and announced themselves and their announcement was met by a response from the top of the water tower.

Deputies commanded all four to come down, which they did.

Three of them, all male, told deputies they were up there spray-painting their nicknames on the tower. The fourth, a female, said she was up there with them, but had not participated in the spray-painting.

Jordan Tidwell, 18, had painted the name "Tiddy" on the tower. Franky Koonz, 18, had painted his nickname, "The Tank," on the tower. And Rhian Jenkins, also 18, had painted his nickname of "Spaz" on the tower. Melissa Jenkins, Rhuan's sister, who was 21, apparently didn't have a nickname.

All four were arrested and charged with Burglary and Criminal Mischief.

Ex-Anna Maria Commissioner
Linda Cramer Home Invasion
Trial Set for January

ANNA MARIA, Florida [NMT/Islander] -- According to the Anna Maria Islander newspaper, the jury trial of the two men charged in the April 17, 2008, home invasion in Anna Maria involving former City Commissioner Linda Cramer has been scheduled for Jan. 20, 2009.

Above, L to R, former Anna Maria City Commissioner Linda Cramer,
Michael Gambuzza and Christopher Dresher
(Cramer photo courtesy The Islander)

Michael Gambuzza and Christopher Drescher are charged with one count each of home invasion and robbery, a first-degree felony, and one count each of false imprisonment, a third-degree felony.

They allegedly stole valuables belonging to Cramer’s boyfriend, Joe Pandolph, the homeowner, who had been lured away from the home by the suspects with a well thought-out ruse.

Michael Gambuzza, 38, and Christopher Drescher, 29, were arrested at the Days Inn, 3506 First St., Bradenton, where they were found along with some of the items stolen from Pandolph and the white van they used to visit Anna Maria and commit the home invasion, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Drescher and Gambuzza have entered not guilty pleas to the charges.

The suspects remain in the Manatee County jail on a $175,000 bond each and Judge Janette Dunnigan has refused to lower the bail amount.

Drescher is represented by attorney Michael Reiter, while counsel for Gambuzza is John Fleck.

The case will come up for a docket sounding on Sept. 4.

[Ed. Note: The Anna Maria Islander is a news partner of NewsManatee's; we frequently share reports.]

Man Knocked Out at Party,
Sarasota Sheriff's Office Says

SARASOTA, Florida [NMT] -- The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office reported a man was knocked out at a party early Tuesday at about 12:30 a.m.

A Flash Report from SSO said on July 29, 2008, deputies responded to a disturbance in the 3500 block of Lalani Blvd.

Approximately 15-20 people who had been attending a party had become involved in an altercation.

During the altercation, Gregory Kennedy, 18, a White male, of Teakwood Lane in Sarasota, was struck in the head with a blunt object, possibly a baseball bat, and knocked unconscious.

When deputies arrived, they found Kennedy lying on the side of the road, unresponsive. They performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

Kennedy was flown to Bayfront Medical Center, in St. Petersburg, in serious condition.

Anyone with information regarding this case should contact the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Bureau at (941) 861-4900 or Crime Stoppers at (941) 366-TIPS (8477).

Man Arrested for Stealing Steel;
Tried to Sell It to Recycling Shop

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A Charlotte County Sheriff’s detective arrested a North Port man for stealing $5,000 worth of steel items at B&P Welding, 6483 San Casa Dr., in Englewood, Sunday night. Charged with Grand Theft was James Robert Tucker, 26, 3853 Lorton Ave.

James Robert Tucker

CCSO Communications received a call from a man who said he was following a suspicious pickup loaded with stolen red steel pipes headed to Allied Recycling in the Whidden Industrial Park, Charlotte Harbor. The owner of the missing steel earlier had called recycling centers asking them to watch for someone who might try to sell his red stolen steel items. When Tucker drove into Allied, he was told that they would not buy the steel because it was reported stolen. Tucker left and was stopped by detectives nearby at the Circle-K at Harbor View and Whidden boulevards.

The owner of B&P Welding responded to the scene and positively identified the steel items in the truck that were stolen from him. There were a dozen 10 foot round steel pipes with a steel plate on one end, and 40 feet of 3/8 inch by 5 inch square tubing. Tucker admitted to taking the steel and was taken to the Charlotte County Jail. He was released after he posted a $2,500 bond.

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office:
Carbon Monoxide Caused
Death of Elderly Couple

PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida [NMT] -- The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office released the cause of death of an elderly couple in Port Charlotte earlier this month.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit detectives closed the case of a Port Charlotte couple found dead in their home July 15 after the Medical Examiner issued his report of accidental death by Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

Guy R. Sabia, 76, his 74 year old wife Nanette Sabia, and their pet dog, were found dead by a neighbor who went to their home at 566 Azalea Ave.

MCU detectives contacted Charlotte County Hazmat for fans to air out the home before detectives were able to enter.

A Toyota minivan in the closed attached two-car garage had been left running accidentally.

Stripper Stabs Man
During Private Dance

ORANGE COUNTY, Florida [NMT/WKMG] -- Orlando television station WKMG reported a man who hired a stripper to dance for him at his Orange County apartment was stabbed by the woman after they got into an argument, deputies said.

Wesley Webb, 23, was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center after the incident, which took place Saturday at an apartment in the 11000 block of Westwood Boulevard.

According to Orange County sheriff's deputies, Webb contracted the services of the stripper and they got into an argument during her performance. The 36-year-old woman grabbed a knife, "defended herself" and stabbed Webb, deputies said.

Webb was identified as a suspect and the woman was identified as a victim in an Orange County sheriff's report.

Deputies said Webb's injuries do not appear to be life-threatening, WKMG reported.

No other details about the incident were released.

~ TUESDAY'S LOCAL/STATE NEWS ~

Manatee County Sheriff's Office:
Sex Offender Missing, Deputies
Want To Locate Him

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- According to Carroll Montague of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Sex Offender Unit, a registered sex offender is missing from where he was supposed to be living and deputies want to locate him for questioning.

James L. Thurston
(Prior mug shot)

James L. Thurston, 64, was arrested in May of this year for failing to register as a sex offender with authorities.

When he was released in June, he told the sheriff's sex offender unit he would be staying in the 1700 block of Cortez Road West, in Bradenton.

However, when deputies went to check on him on this past Friday, July 25, 2008, he wasn't there.

He is still missing.

According to the Florida Sex Offender website, Thurston was convicted in two separate cases out of Sarasota on Lewd and Lascivious Assault charges against a child under the age of 16 in April of 1996.

Thurston served 5 1/2 years in state prison on those charges.

He has also served two prior prison terms for the same crime.

Thurston is described as being 5' 8" tall and weighing 155 pounds.

Normally, Thurston has gray hair, but he recently died it black, as seen in the mug shot above from May.

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.

Twin Teens Disappear
During Investigation
of Man with Gun

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Two teenagers, both 16 years old, disappeared during an investigation by a Manatee County Sheriff's Deputy of an adult male with the same name who was brandishing a gun in the teenagers' presence.

Vernon Isham

On Saturday, July 26, 2008, at about 5:30 p.m., Deputy Lesselroth responded to a residence in the 400 block of 61st Avenue East, Bradenton, in reference to a 911 disturbance call.

Upon arrival, Deputy Lesselroth was advised by the two victims Lasheik Isham, and Raheam Isham, both 16 years old, that Vernon Isham, 58, had a gun and that they were in fear that he would shoot them.

Vernon was still in possession of the gun upon Deputy Lesselroth's arrival. Deputy Lesselroth placed Vernon under arrest.

The twin teens became upset, not wanting Deputy Lesselroth to arrest the Vernon. The victims refused to cooperate any further and would not complete affidavits.

The teens were advised that they needed to get a responsible adult, preferably a relative, to come take custody of them. The victims wanted to just leave and would not cooperate. After Dep. Lesselroth explained to them that the state would have to take custody of them if they could not find anyone, they began to make phone calls. They said that they had a cousin that was 25 and that they were going to her house. Dep. Lesselroth advised them that she would have to respond to the residence location so she could be evaluated as to her being responsible enough.

Dep. Lesselroth was standing outside, away from the front door, and then realized the teenagers were gone.

Dep. Lesselroth contacted the on-call Child Protective Services supervisor and explained the situation to her.

The abuse hotline was notified and both teenagers were listed as missing.

Vernon Isham was charged with two counts of Child Abuse for brandishing the gun in the presence of the teenagers.

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 Claims Was Knocked Out
at Local Wal-Mart, Debit Card
Missing, Later Used; She's
Busted for False Report

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office reported Kathryn N. Baker, 41, of Lakeland, Florida, said she was the victim of a robbery on Sunday, July 27, 2008, at about 5:30 p.m.

Kathryn N. Baker

Ms. Baker reported that she was walking in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart store at 6225 State Road 64 East, in Bradenton, when she was struck in the back of the head by an unknown person.

The next thing Ms. Baker said she remembered is waking up in her vehicle in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart at 5315 Cortez Road West, in Bradenton, around 8 p.m.

The victim found her boyfriend's debit card was missing.

Several charges were made on the card.

But Ms. Baker had no visible injuries.

Subsequent investigation has revealed that Ms. Baker made up story about being assaulted and robbed at Wal-Mart.

She was charged with Filing a False Police Report with other charges pending.

Deputies Arrest Woman on
Cultivation of Marijuana
Warrant, Find More Plants

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Friday, July 25, 2008, Manatee County Sheriff's Deputies attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Ann E. Wort, 53, of 14187 Cattle Egret Place, in East Manatee County, and found more marijuana plants being grown at the address.

Ann E. Wort

According to the arrest report, after deputies arrested Wort on the warrant, they found more marijuana plants being grown on the back porch of the residence.

Her husband, Williams, told deputies she had planted marijuana seeds there and "uses marijuana for her medical conditions."

The alleged medical conditions were not mentioned specifically in the sheriff's office report.

Deputies confiscated 20 marijuana plants, which weighed out to 23.6 grams of marijuana.

Wort was arrested and charged with a second count of Cultivation of Marijuana, in addition to the arrest warrant.

Two People Shot At for
Unknown Reasons
While Driving

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- According to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, two people were shot at while they were driving by three unknown men on Sunday, July 27, 2008, at about 4:00 a.m.

The report said while Christopher Strong, 25, and his sister Carolyn Strong, 28, both of the 2000 block of 56th Avenue Terrace East, in Bradenton, were traveling home from Sarasota they stopped at the 7/11 at Whitfield Avenue and U.S. 301. When they left the store, they drove westbound on Whitfield Avenue. They noticed that a white car, possibly a Ford Escort or Focus, with tinted windows (partial FL tag L11***) might be following them. The car was possibly occupied by three Black males.

Carolyn drove north on 15th Street East from Whitfield Avenue. They continued north to 63rd Avenue East and then to U.S. 301. They went north and the white car followed them north.

Christopher told Carolyn to stop in the middle of U.S. 301 to see if the car was in fact following them.

The white car slowed down and then went around Carolyn and Christopher. As the car drove by, the victims heard about eight shots.

They drove home and called police.

Deputies discovered a bullet had grazed the hood leaving a three inch long by 1 inch deep crease and hole. The rear vent window of the driver's side was shattered. A large caliber copper clad bullet was recovered from the vent molding. No shell casings were found.

No one was injured during the incident.

Neither victim knows of anyone that would want to harm 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.

Armed Robbery and Grand Theft
Auto Reported Early Monday

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A Manatee County Sheriff's Office report said a man was robbed at gunpoint early Monday, July 28, 2008, at about 4:00 a.m. and a car belonging to a girl who was apparently with him at the time was stolen. The incident occurred at the Days Inn, 3506 1st Street, in Bradenton.

The report said Clinton Josey, 25, alleges that he went to the car to get something. On the way back to the room, an unknown Black male came up to him and pointed a revolver at him telling him to get on the ground and "give him everything." The suspect then told Josey to take off his pants; Josey complied. In the pants pocket was the keys to the car and two cell phones. The Black male robber then fled on foot.

Josey went to the room where Lakresha Cunningham, 20, was sleeping and tried to use the phone to call 911 but it would not work.

When they went outside, they noticed that the car was gone.

They went to the front desk but no one was there.

Josey stated the he and Cunningham walked to his cousin's house to use the phone. When they arrived at his cousin's house, they got a ride to the Gates of Bradenton, in the 4500 block of 26th Street West (Cunningham's residence), which is where Dep. A. Hancock responded to.

Cunningham did not have any of the vehicle information so Dep. A. Hancock contacted the car dealer where it was purchased from.

The car dealer advised that the vehicle had Lo-Jack and activated it. Their system showed that the vehicle was located in the City of Sarasota off of Newtown Blvd.

Sarasota P.D. was contacted and recovered the vehicle without any occupants.

The clerk at the Days Inn told Dep. A. Hancock that the office does not open until 6:00 a.m., which indicates a (2) hour time span. Dep. A. Hancock also viewed the surveillance tape which showed the vehicle leaving around 4:15 a.m. The video was not clear as to who left with the vehicle.

The robber was described as an unknown Black male, wearing a red bandana across his face, black tank top, blue jean shorts, black & red sneakers, armed with a black revolver.

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 Claims Robbery, Struck
on Head at Circle K Store

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- William Frampton, 38, of 4926 12th Street West, in Bradenton, told deputies he went to the Circle K store at 3006 14th Street West early Sunday, July 27, 2008, at about 1 a.m., was struck in the head and robbed, according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Frampton said that he went to the Circle K to get a drink. As he was getting back into his vehicle, a tow truck, he was hit in the head by an unknown suspect(s).

Frampton stated that the suspect(s) went through his pockets and took a pack of cigarettes.

When he finally realized what had happened, he saw someone running westbound on 30th Avenue West.

Frampton was in pain so he drove himself to Blake Hospital. Doctors told Frampton that he had sustained a concussion and released him. Frampton went home and went to bed. He woke up that afternoon and went back to Blake Hospital because he still did not feel good. Frampton was released from Blake Hospital for the second time last night and went home and went to bed. When he woke up Monday morning, July 28, 2008, he called the sheriff's office.

Frampton sustained swelling and bruising to the left side of his face. A Crime Scene Technician responded and took photographs.

Dep. J. Carey obtained the surveillance tape from Circle K which shows a tow truck drive through the parking lot, but not park.

A short time prior to this, the tape shows deputies at the location in reference to a trespassing.

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, Necklace Stolen
By Hispanic Male

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Sunday, July 27, 2008, at about 4:45 a.m., Angel Martinez, 19, had his necklace stolen after he was punched by an unknown Hispanic man, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

A sheriff's office report said Angel Martinez was walking to car from the old Bennigan's building in the 300 block of Cortez Road West, Bradenton, when an unknown Hispanic male approached him and punched him in the head and nose.

The culprit then grabbed a gold necklace from around Martinez's neck and fled, getting into a yellow Nissan Xterra. The Xterra went west on Cortez Road, then north on 14th Street West.

There were no weapons, just the suspect's hands.

Martinez suffered a bloody nose and slight swelling to his head, not requiring medical treatment.

The only description of the robber was that he was wearing black clothing.

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 Police Arrest Three
for Armed Robbery

SARASOTA, Florida [NMT] -- The Sarasota Police Department has arrested two juveniles and an adult who robbed a Hispanic man of $400 dollars on Friday, July 25, 2008, at about 9:00 p.m.

Tony Nealy

The arrest report said Jorge Loverazarate, 25, of the 1000 block of Putnam Drive, in Sarasota, was returning from a corner store when he was confronted by about seven people, one of whom was armed with a handgun.

The man with the gun, Tony Nealy, 21, of 1536 30th Street, in Sarasota, put the gun in Jorge's face and told Jorge to give up his money.

Jorge threw his wallet on the ground.

At that time, one of the juveniles, Tabias Gilchrist, 14, knelt down and helped Nealy go through Jorge's wallet, removing $400 dollars. Then they all fled.

A short time later, five Black males were observed in the 4700 block of Royal Palm who fit the description of the robbery suspects.

They were stopped and brought to the crime scene for identification.

Jorge positively identified Nealy and Gilchrist, as well as Elijah Davis, 17, as those present during the robbery.

All three were arrested and charged with Armed Robbery.

Three Businessmen, One Attorney
From Tampa/Sarasota Charged in
$82.8 Million Mortgage Loan Fraud
in Manatee and Sarasota Counties

TAMPA, Florida [NMT] -- On Monday, July 28, 2008, United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announced the return of a 47-count Indictment against four individuals charging them with conspiracy, making false statements in connection with bank loans, a scheme to defraud seven FDIC-insured banks, and money laundering.

The indicted defendants are:

(1) NEIL MOHAMED HUSANI, age 38, formerly a resident of Sarasota, owner and principal officer of Capital Force, Inc., an entity which purportedly purchased and sold commercial real estate in Sarasota and Manatee Counties;

(2) MICHAEL A. TRINGALI, age 46, a resident of Sarasota, owner and principal officer of G & T Land Development, an entity which purportedly purchased and developed commercial real estate, primarily in Sarasota and Manatee Counties;

(3) JOHN A. YANCHEK, age 48, a resident of Sarasota, and a practicing attorney licensed by the State of Florida; and

(4) LARRY P. NARDELLI, age 49, a resident of Tampa, a businessman associated with Elba International LLC and other companies.

Defendant YANCHEK was arrested Monday morning without incident. He made his initial appearance Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. before the Honorable Mary S. Scriven, United
States Magistrate Judge. Defendants TRINGALI and NARDELLI are expected to surrender to the authorities on Tuesday. Defendant HUSANI's current whereabouts is unknown.

According to the allegations in the Indictment, the defendants conspired to obtain approximately $82,790,000 in loans from seven financial institutions in the Tampa/Sarasota area by making false statements to those banks.

~ MONDAY'S LOCAL/STATE NEWS ~

Three Ambushed in Armed Robbery;
K-9 Deputy Brady, K-9 "Rosco"
Credited for Two Arrests

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office reported an armed robbery of three people early Sunday, July 27, 2008, at about 3:00 a.m. Dep. David Brady and his K-9 Deputy "Rosco" were subsequently able to cause the surrender of the two armed robbers, who were from Naples, Florida.

Above, L to R, Dep. K-9 "Rosco," Javier Martinez and Daniel Contreras

A sheriff's arrest report said Claudia de Leon, 20, Robert Benavidez, 20, and Horacio Gonzalez, 39, dropped a friend off at a residence in the 2600 block of 5th Street West, in Bradenton. They were approached by two men, later identified as Javier Martinez, 29, and Daniel Contreras, 26, both from Naples, Florida.

The victims had never seen the suspects before this incident.

Contreras and Martinez forced their way into the black SUV the victims were in and both pointed pistols at de Leon, Benavidez and Gonzalez. Contreras and Martinez demanded all their money.

Gonzalez gave the suspects cash and Benavidez gave them his wallet and cell phone.

Benavidez was scared he was going to be killed so he put the SUV in gear and fled with the other two victims still in the vehicle along with the suspects.

While this was going on, Claudia de Leon called 911. The call was dispatched as a suspicious circumstances call where there were subjects with guns.

The sheriff's helicopter (watch unit) located the SUV not far from the incident location and directed patrol units to its location.

The SUV crashed into another car at about the 1600 block of 2nd Street West.

Martinez and Contreras fled from the SUV on foot and threw items taken from the robbery, along with the guns.

The watch unit continued to follow the suspects, calling out their location.

The suspects got into a silver Honda at the 1700 block of 1st Street East. They went to the 2600 block of 1st Street, then eastbound to 3rd Street East. The vehicle stopped at the dead end in the 2100 block of 3rd Street East.

K-9 Deputy Brady had the driver and back seat passenger surrender to his K-9 "Rosco." The back seat passenger fled eastbound from that location.

Dep. Brady and "Rosco" tracked and located the last suspect, Martinez, hiding in a shed a short distance away.

Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Operations Center.

Martinez and Contreras were each charged with 3 counts of Armed Robbery.

Man with Gun Attempting
to Come to Woman's
Rescue Arrested

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Donald Joseph Gualandri, Jr., 41, of 3917 37th Street East, in Bradenton, has been arrested by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Firearm.

Donald Joseph Gualandri, Jr.

According to the arrest report, on Thursday, July 24, 2008, at about 45 minutes past midnight, Christopher Rittmiller was driving north on 37th Street East, approaching the 3900 block, when his girlfriend, Crystal Brace, got sick.

Christopher pulled his vehicle to the side of the road just north of Gualandri's driveway.

Christopher exited his vehicle and walked over to the passenger side to assist Crystal. As Christopher opened the passenger door, Crystal fell out of the vehicle.

At that time, Gualandri began walking towards Christopher, who heard Gualandri cock his gun.

Christopher later told deputies that Gualandri said, "I have a 9mm gun. What the f*** is going on here?"

Christopher fled and telephone 911 from a nearby address.

A deputy later approached Gualandri and asked what was going on. Gualandri told the deputy he thought Christopher was harming Crystal.

The deputy wrote in his report that both Christopher and Gualandri had a strong odor of alcohol coming from their breath.

Gualandri was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Firearm.

Grandfather of Wanted Man
Arrested for Slugging Cop

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A Manatee County Sheriff's Deputy has arrested Benjamin Daker, 76, of 3113 Cortez Road West, after Daker pushed and slugged a deputy who was looking for his grandson for a Violation of Probation arrest warrant.

Benjamin C. Daker

The arrest report said on Thursday, July 24, 2008, shortly before 7 a.m., a deputy rang the doorbell of the mobile home at the above address. He was looking for Benjamin Sutherland, the grandson of Daker.

As Baker opened the door, the deputy saw someone go to the back of the mobile home, but couldn't tell who it was.

The deputy asked Daker if Sutherland was there and Daker said, "No, he went to Washington State."

The deputy asked again if Sutherland was there and Daker said, "He's not here, I told you."

The deputy said he needed to go inside and confirm that. Daker said the deputy wasn't going inside with a search warrant.

The deputy told Daker he didn't need a search warrant because Sutherland uses that address on his driver's license and with his probation officer.

Daker said, "Show me the warrant or you're not coming in."

The deputy attempted to walk past Daker, but Daker pushed the deputy in the chest, then struck the deputy on the right side of his face.

Ms. Daker rushed up and attempted to pull Mr. Daker away from the deputy, but another deputy was able to extract her from the situation, the report said.

Daker resisted arrest. After a struggle, he was finally place in the deputy's cruiser.

Sutherland was not located in the mobile home.

Daker was arrested and charged with Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and Resisting Arrest.

Two Young Men Arrested
for Attempted Burglary of
Boat's GPS Unit

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- Sean Palashoff, 18, of 5440 7th Avenue Circle West, in Bradenton, and Jeffrey R. Simms, 18, of 5208 1st Avenue Drive NW, in Bradenton, were arrested on Thursday, July 24, 2008, by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Above, L to R, Sean Palashoff and Jeffrey Simms

According to the arrest report, both lads had the intention of stealing a GPS unit from a boat near 103 Pearl Avenue, in South Manatee County.

At about 3:30 a.m. on the above date, a burglary surveillance was being conducted by several unmarked sheriff's undercover vehicles and the sheriff's helicopter.

During that operation, a gray Chevy S-10 pickup was seen driving through several residential neighborhoods, occupied by four individuals.

For some unknown reason, it stopped in the 100 block of Pearl Avenue and the occupants got out of the truck and loitered about the area.

At one point, Jeffrey Simms climbed a fence leading to a dock and the sea wall. There a boat was on a lift at the end of the dock. Simms took a lawn chair and walked back to his pickup truck and the other people loitering there.

The undercover units moved in and began questioning the four individuals.

During the investigation, it was determined that Simms and Palashoff had intended to steal the GPS unit from the boat on the lift at the end of the dock.

Palashoff had started to go with Simms but stopped before he went onto the private property. Even so, Palashoff's intention was to go with Simms to steal the GPS unit, the report said.

After speaking with the property owner, deputies learned that the GPS unit on the boat was actually locked up in a secure locker on the boat because of previous thefts.

The lawn chair, valued at about $30 dollars, was returned to the owner.

Simms and Palashoff were both charged with Burglary. Simms was additionally charged with Petit Theft.

The other two unnamed occupants of the pickup truck were not charged.

Hidden Camera Captures
Residential Burglary,
Man Later Arrested

BRADENTON, Florida [NMT] -- The Bradenton Police Department has arrested Lennie Lee Twenty, 50, of 305 15th Avenue West, in Palmetto, after Twenty was captured on video burglarizing a residence.

Lennie Lee Twenty

An arrest report from BPD said on July 9, 2008, a BPD Officer responded to a residence in the 1200 block of 7th Street East in reference to a past burglary.

Upon arrival, the officer was informed by the victim, Larry Ingram, that someone had broken into his residence through the back bedroom window and that it was all captured on video by a hidden camera. The victim identified Lennie Twenty as the person on the video tape.

On Thursday, July 24, 2008, Lennie Twenty was transported to BPD headquarters, where he first said he hadn't broken into the residence. But, when confronted with a photo from the video tape, Twenty admitted that was him in the photo.

Lennie Twenty was arrested and charged with Burglary.

Church Bookkeeper Arrested on
Embezzlement, Fraud Accusations

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested Margaret A. Carroll, 66, of Longboat Key. She was taken into custody on Friday, July 25, 2008. Detectives say Carroll stole nearly $330,000 from St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Florida, while she was a bookkeeper for the church.

Margaret A. Carroll

Investigators have charged Carroll with Grand Theft.

Detectives say Carroll was fired after theft allegations surfaced last year following an audit. Carroll allegedly spent thousands of dollars on home repair, bought a new car and wrote checks to family members.

She allegedly stole the money between January 2002 and June of 2007.

Carroll was employed with the church for 23 years. She was a bookkeeper for the last six of the 23 years of employment.

Carroll has admitted "borrowing" money without permission.

She has bonded out of jail on a $15,000 dollar bond.

Pizza Delivery Driver Robbed;
The Weapon: A Broom Stick;
The Residence: Vacant

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A Domino's Pizza delivery driver, Todd Lovely, 29, was robbed by a man carrying a broom stick after Lovely delivered pizzas to a vacant house on Saturday, July 26, 2008, shortly before 9:00 p.m., according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The report said Lovely went to 5739 7th Street Court East to deliver some pizzas from a Domino's Pizza store located at 14th Street and 57th Avenue West, in Bradenton.

Upon his arrival, an unknown Black male got the first load of pizzas and then another unknown Black male came and took the rest of the pizzas.

Then an unknown Black female came out of the house and asked how much for the pizzas, at which time a masked Black male came out of the house carrying a large broom stick, swung backwards and said, "Give me all your money."

Lovely asked, "Is this real?" The Black male said, Yes, this is real."

Lovely then gave the man his money.

All of the suspects ran into the house and Lovely ran to his car and went to 5800 7th Street East and called 911.

Upon arrival, deputies gathered the information and put out a BOLO for the suspects.

Deputies then went to the address where the robbery occurred and attempted to make contact with the occupants.

Deputies discovered the residence is vacant, with no electricity or running water and nobody resides there.

There were no injuries and the only weapon used was a broom stick.

The robbers were not further described in the report.

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.

Sheriff's Explorer Volunteer,
a 14-year-old Boy, Arrested
for Fondling Three Girls,
Ages 10, 9 and 9

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- On Thursday, July 24, 2008, a 14-year-old boy who was a member of the Sheriff's Office Explorer Program was arrested for fondling three girls, according to a report from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The boy, Joshua Belvin, was acting as a chaperone on a Police Athletic League field trip.

Belvin allegedly fondled the breasts of two 9-year-old victims and rubbed himself against another victim, who was 10 years old, in a sexual manner.

The field trip was part of the Police Athletic League Summer Program.

Belvin was charged with three counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.

A local report said parents of children in the PAL summer program will receive letters informing them of the incident, which is not expected to affect the future of the program.

Although Belvin, like all other volunteers, go through a background check, Belvin's background check failed to turn up a previous sex-related incident.

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.

FHP: Mother, Son Killed in Crash,
Father Stable Following Surgery

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- The Florida Highway Patrol reported a fatal crash that occurred on Thursday, July 24, 2008, on southbound U.S. 301, 200 feet north of 51st Street East, in Bradenton.

According to the highway patrol, a vehicle driven by Marquis Rigg, 42, of 5731 Ravenwood Drive, in Sarasota, and a vehicle driven by Essie Leach, 72, of 1014 7th Street East, in Bradenton, were both traveling southbound on U.S. 301 in the inside lane, just north of 51st Avenue East. Rigg's vehicle was behind Ms. Leach's vehicle.

A third vehicle, driven by Martin Anguiano Rios, 42, of 1026 2nd Street West, in Bradenton, was traveling northbound on U.S. 301 in the outside lane, just north of 51st Avenue East.

As the Riggs and Leach vehicles approached each other, Rigg's vehicle struck the rear of the Leach vehicle, causing Ms. Leach to lose control. The Leach vehicle veered left into the center median and began to overturn. The vehicle overturned twice, traveling through the center median and into the northbound lanes of U.S. 301.

As the vehicle entered the northbound lanes, both Ms. Leach and her son, George Leach, Jr., 40, were ejected. As George Leach, Jr., was ejected into the outside northbound lane, he was struck by the Anguiano-Rios vehicle and dragged northbound.

Ms. Leach, George Leach, Jr., and George Leach, Sr., 72, were all transported to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. Ms. Leach and George Leach, Jr., were pronounced deceased. George Leach, Sr., underwent surgery; at last report he he had been upgraded from serious condition to stable.

Nobody in the Leach family was wearing seat belts.

The accident is still under investigation.

Investigators are awaiting the results of a blood alcohol test on Riggs.

Charges are pending.

Hit and Run Crash Leaves
Bicyclist in Serious Shape;
Driver, Vehicle Sought

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- A bicyclist is in serious condition at Bayfront Medical Center, following a collision with an unknown vehicle on Friday, July 25, 2008, at about 11:20 p.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

An FHP report said Larry Pitluck, 68, of Sarasota, was northbound on the west shoulder of 15th Street East. An unknown vehicle was southbound on 15th Street East, approaching Pitluck.

Pitluck veered into the southbound lane of 15th Street East, entering the path of the unknown vehicle. The right side of the unknown vehicles truck the front of Pitluck's bike.

No skid marks were found at the scene.

There was no information as to the year, make or model of the unknown vehicle.

Anyone with any information as to the whereabouts of the unknown vehicle and/or its driver is asked to contact Trooper Kenneth Piegari, of the Bradenton Barracks of the Florida Highway Patrol at (941) 751-7647, ext. 420, 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 Arrested for Beating
Child, 7, with Electrical Cord

PALMETTO, Florida [NMT] -- Palmetto Police have arrested Maria Domingez, 28, of the 500 block of 10th Street West, after Domingez allegedly beat one of her children with an electrical cord.

Maria Domingez

An arrest report from PPD said Domingez beat her 7-year-old child about the neck, chest, arm and back with enough force to leave bruises and lacerations on the victim's chest.

The victim was in the care of Domingez at the time.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at about noon. Domingez was arrested on Thursday, July 24, 2008.

Taped statements were taken from Domingez' other children, who observed the incident. Photographs were taken of the injuries, the PPD report said.

The children were placed in temporary custody; the report did not say with whom.

Palmetto Police Arrest May
Robbery, Kidnapping Suspect

PALMETTO, Florida [NMT] -- The Palmetto Police Department has arrested Curtis Williams, 18, of Palmetto, suspected of a May 15, 2008, robbery and kidnapping incident.

A PPD press release said on May 15th of this year, a 12-year-old girl was abducted at gunpoint from the area around her residence.

The kidnapper led her into a nearby wooded area and held her for almost an hour.

While they were in the woods, the kidnapper made lewd comments to the girl, fondled her and robbed her of $10 dollars. He also fired his handgun into the ground.

The kidnapper eventually released the girl, unharmed.

PPD investigators identified the kidnapper as Curtis Williams, through a fingerprint he left on one of the victim's school books during the crime.

Wiliams was arrested at his home on Friday, July 25, 2008.

He was charged with Armed Kidnapping, Armed Robbery and Discharging a Firearm in Public.

Since Williams committed these crimes before he turned