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Account Created to Support Family of High School Student Tragically Killed Thursday

MONTVERDE, Florida—A GoFundMe has been created to help provide financial support to the family of  the Lake Minneola High School freshman who was tragically killed in a hit and run crash Thursday. The account, created by family friend Derek Kelley, describes 14-year-old Owen Wells as “always smiling” and “always on some adventure” “Owen had a love of God and a love of life,” Kelley wrote. “Owen had a deep love for his parents. And definitely loved the occasional harassment of his two younger brothers. The funds collected are slated to pay for Owen’s funeral expenses and to give Owen’s parents, […]

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FHP Arrests Man in Hit and Run Death of Teenager

TAVARES, Florida—The man accused of hitting a Lake Minneola High School freshman and leaving the scene shortly before daybreak Thursday has been arrested, the Florida Highway Patrol said Thursday night. Enrique Ramirez, 57, of Winter Garden was arrested by FHP for leaving the scene of a crash involving death, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said. The boy, whose name was not released, was walking across the lanes of County Road 455 near Willow Pines Lane just before 6:30 a.m. Thursday when he entered the path of a 2007 Pontiac G6 being driven by Ramirez and was struck by the front left

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2 Killed in Turnpike Crash Early Thursday, Including Tow Truck Driver

ORANGE COUNTY, Florida—A Groveland man and a tow truck driver are both dead following a crash on Florida’s Turnpike early Thursday morning as Hurricane Nicole made its way across Orange County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. An FHP trooper and a tow truck were working a single-vehicle crash, facing southbound on the inside shoulder, around 5:45 a.m. Thursday; the tow truck, being driven by a 42-year-old Poinciana man, was parked in front of the marked cruiser and both vehicles had their emergency lights activated, near mile marker 266, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. A Groveland

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Incident Involving Man Who Told Boy to Get in His SUV Near Clermont Bus Stop Last Week was a Misunderstanding, Deputies Say

CLERMONT, Florida—Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives have located a man who approached a 12-year-old boy last week near County Road 455 and 3rd Avenue in unincorporated Clermont and they say it was a misunderstanding and not an attempt to kidnap the boy. The East Ridge Middle School student was walking to his bus stop around 8:30 a.m. Thursday when an older white male driving a silver SUV with tinted windows approached him. “According to the student, the driver knew his name and instructed the student to get in his car, to which the student refused. The student stated he then called

Incident Involving Man Who Told Boy to Get in His SUV Near Clermont Bus Stop Last Week was a Misunderstanding, Deputies Say Read More »

Deputies Step Up Patrols After Unidentified Man Told Tween Boy to Get in His SUV at Bus Stop Thursday Morning

CLERMONT, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has stepped up patrols at bus stops around County Road 455 and 3rd Avenue in unincorporated Clermont after a 12-year-old boy said a stranger called him by name and told him to get in his SUV, according to LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon. The East Ridge Middle School student was walking to his bus stop around 8:30 a.m. Thursday when an older white male driving a silver SUV  with tinted windows approached him. “According to the student, the driver knew his name and instructed the student to get in his car, to which the student

Deputies Step Up Patrols After Unidentified Man Told Tween Boy to Get in His SUV at Bus Stop Thursday Morning Read More »

Man Arrested for Sexual Battery, Traveling to Meet 13-year-old Boy, Released on $29,000 bond

CLERMONT, Florida—A doorbell camera that alerted a woman to a suspicious vehicle in front of her house helped nab a man who picked up a boy for sex acts after meeting the boy on a social media app earlier this month, according to an arrest affidavit. On Oct. 2, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a home in Clermont after the woman called about someone walking back and forth to the suspicious white dually pickup truck in front of her home. The street address is redacted because the incident involves the victim of a sex crime.    When deputies

Man Arrested for Sexual Battery, Traveling to Meet 13-year-old Boy, Released on $29,000 bond Read More »

Tavares Police and LCSO Join Forces for Operation Aware

Operation Aware will provide wristbands and a database for first responders and the special needs community. TAVARES, Florida—Two law enforcement agencies have joined forces to provide a new tool to the community that will give first responders valuable information when responding to calls for service in the special needs community. Nearly a year in the making, Tavares Police Department began its Operation Aware initiative in November 2021 and has since teamed up with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to provide wristbands to members of the community that may require a different response from law enforcement. “We are big on community

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2 Students Arrested for Making Threats Monday in Separate Incidents

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—A little more than a month into the new school year and two more Lake County Schools students have been arrested for threats, according to two arrest affidavits. Christopher Joseph Wallace, 17, of East Ridge High School and Braedyn A. Auker, 16, of Tavares High School are each facing a felony charge of written threats to kill after they were arrested in separate incidents Monday. A student came forward Monday morning at East Ridge High School in Clermont about some concerning texts Wallace had allegedly sent Friday, according to the affidavit. The student said Wallace sent texts that

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Man, 28, Killed Walking Across Turnpike Earlier This Month

CLERMONT, Florida—A 28-year-old Orlando man was killed earlier this month after he crashed vehicle on County Road 455 and walked across several lanes of Florida’s Turnpike, where he was struck by an SUV. According to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi, the man, whose name is not being released due to Marsy’s Law, crashed his 2015 Acura into an embankment on County Road 455. He exited the vehicle and walked across the southbound lanes of Florida’s Turnpike, crossed the concrete median and entered the northbound inside lane near mile marker 276, where he was struck by a 2020 Kia Soul

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LCSO Negotiating with Barricaded Subject in RV, U.S. Highway 27 Shut Down in Both Directions at Lake Louisa State Park

8 a.m. Update: One northbound lane of U.S. Highway 27 is shut down; the remaining lanes are open. CLERMONT, Florida— At least one barricaded subject in an RV has shut down U.S. Highway 27 in both directions early Wednesday morning. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to pull over an RV stolen out of Flagler County and had to utilize stop sticks on U.S. Highway 27 near Lake Louisa State Park, according to LCSO Lt. Fred Jones. After the RV stopped the blinds were closed and it is unknown how many occupants are in the vehicle. This is a developing

LCSO Negotiating with Barricaded Subject in RV, U.S. Highway 27 Shut Down in Both Directions at Lake Louisa State Park Read More »

Name of Man Killed in Armed Confrontation with LCSO Released

CLERMONT, Florida—The name of the man killed in an armed confrontation with deputies Sunday has been released. James Edward Vought, 49, died Sunday after confronting a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy armed with a rifle, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell.  LCSO responded to 10630 Reagans Run Drive, Clermont just after 5 p.m. Sunday on a report of a suicidal man armed with a rifle. A deputy encountered Vought and during the confrontation, the man was fatally shot by the deputy, Herrell said.  The shooting is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and deputy has been placed

Name of Man Killed in Armed Confrontation with LCSO Released Read More »

Suicidal Man Armed with Rifle Fatally Shot By LCSO During Confrontation, Deputies Say

CLERMONT, Florida—A man is dead following an armed confrontation with a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy Sunday afternoon, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. LCSO responded to 10630 Reagans Run Drive, Clermont just after 5 p.m. on a report of a suicidal man armed with a rifle. A deputy encountered the 49-year-old man and during the confrontation, the man was fatally shot by the deputy, Herrell said.  The man’s name is not being released at this time.    The shooting is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and deputy has been placed on administrative leave, standard procedure

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Violent End to August as LCSO Investigates 5 Homicides in 6 Days

LAKE COUNTY, Florida— It was a bloody and violent end to August in Lake County, as the sheriff’s office continues to investigate five homicides that occurred in just six days from one end of the county to the other. Numerous sources have told Inside Lake there was yet another homicide in unincorporated Fruitland Park Saturday, but LCSO did not respond to an email or a text all day Sunday to confirm. Altoona, Aug. 25 Around 9 p.m. Aug. 25, Shane Eugene Clements, 41, of Altoona, and David Thomas Mikell, 34, of Umatilla were found dead at a home at 45918

Violent End to August as LCSO Investigates 5 Homicides in 6 Days Read More »

Florida Woman Arrested for Stabbing Uncle after Argument and Spraying Each Other with Kitchen Faucet

CLERMONT, Florida—An 18-year-old woman apparently mad at her uncle for being drunk and sleeping on the floor stabbed him with a kitchen knife, grazing his liver, an injury serious enough to require him to be transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) as a trauma alert, according to an arrest affidavit. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Lake Ridge Circle in unincorporated Clermont after South Lake Hospital reported the victim of a stabbing left the emergency room without receiving treatment early Wednesday morning. When deputies arrived at the home, they found the victim sitting in a recliner sweating profusely

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Man Confesses to Killing Wife, Stepson and Raping Female in Travel Trailer Wednesday

CLERMONT, Florida—The man accused of killing his wife and stepson and raping another female confessed his crimes to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective, according to an arrest affidavit. The female rape victim told LCSO that between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Wednesday, she heard Ty Finister, 17, screaming and found Justin Lamar Jones—his stepfather— on top of him striking him with either a hammer or a knife. She screamed for Jones, 41, to stop and he slammed her to the ground, according to the affidavit. She told deputies Jones, of Michigan, then duct taped her ankles, wrists, mouth, and

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Man Accused of Murdering His Stepson and Unidentified Person, and Raping Female Repeatedly Wednesday at RV Resort

CLERMONT, Florida—A man has been arrested for killing his stepson, and a second unidentified person and he is accused of kidnapping and raping a female in his home. Justin Lamar Jones, 41, is accused of murdering his stepson at 244 Jewelfish Lane in unincorporated Clermont in a travel trailer Wednesday morning. Jones then tied up a female and raped her throughout the day until she was able to escape, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell. The female’s identity and relationship to Jones and the murder victims will not be released because she is the victim of a

Man Accused of Murdering His Stepson and Unidentified Person, and Raping Female Repeatedly Wednesday at RV Resort Read More »

Male Found Dead in RV Resort, Suspect in Custody, LCSO Says

CLERMONT, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide after a body was found in unincorporated Clermont Wednesday. LCSO received a call just after 2 p.m. that an alleged homicide had occurred at 244 Jewelfish Road in Thousand Trails Resort off U.S. Highway 27, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. Deputies responded and found a deceased male, Herrell said. A suspect is in custody and detectives are continuing to investigate. Inside Lake will have an update if more details become available.

Male Found Dead in RV Resort, Suspect in Custody, LCSO Says Read More »

Man Arrested for Killing Finnley the Dog with Baseball Bat

CLERMONT, Florida—A Clermont man is facing a charge of aggravated animal cruelty after allegedly beating his girlfriend’s dog to death with a red and gold baseball bat, according to an arrest affidavit. Clermont Police Department responded to a home on Hurston Watch Lane shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday in reference to a dog being beaten to death and when officers arrived, a pair of brothers were waiting and one of them told police when he arrived home, his mother told him their dog, Finnley, bit her boyfriend, Brian Keith Rumler. He said Rumler hit the dog in the head with

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More Charges For Armed Robbery Duo

TAVARES, Florida—Two men facing numerous charges for robbing three stores in Lake County have now been charged with robbing one more.  Dustin “Chico” Perdue, 27, of Tavares and Patrick “YG” Brown, 22, were arrested early Aug. 5 after an Astatula traffic stop led to evidence in a robbery of a Clermont gas station just 23 minutes before the stop. They now stand accused of robbing Golden Ox Liquors 305 East Burleigh Boulevard, Tavares around 10 p.m. June 30. Perdue and Brown are accused of approaching the cash register, pointing guns at the victim and demanding money. The victim complied and

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Pair of Accused Robbers Facing More Charges, One Suspected of Tavares Murder, Police Say

MOUNT DORA, Florida—The duo accused of robbing a Clermont gas station last week are facing more charges in connection with robberies in the City of Mount Dora and unincorporated Mount Dora and Tavares Police say one of the men is a suspect in a murder. Dustin “Chico” Perdue, 27, of Tavares and Patrick “YG” Brown, 22, were arrested early Aug. 5 after an Astatula traffic stop led to evidence in a robbery of a Clermont gas station just 23 minutes before the stop.    In that case, Perdue and Brown stand accused of pointing guns at a store clerk at

Pair of Accused Robbers Facing More Charges, One Suspected of Tavares Murder, Police Say Read More »

Man Accused of Shooting at Clermont First Responders Identified

CLERMONT, Florida—The man accused of shooting at first responders Friday has been charged with several crimes, according to Clermont Police Department. Wallace Sims Wainwright, 81, is charged with attempted felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, CPD said in a statement Saturday afternoon. Around 8:15 p.m. Friday, Wainwright’s wife made a call for medical assistance and Wainwright fired shots at Clermont Fire Department and Lake EMS after they arrived to help at the Emerald Lakes Mobile Village on State Road 50 in Clermont. No one was injured, and first responders left

Man Accused of Shooting at Clermont First Responders Identified Read More »

Man, 81, Opens Fire on First Responders, Shot by Clermont Police

CLERMONT, Florida—An 81-year-old man who shot at responding medical personnel was shot by a Clermont Police officer Friday night, according to Clermont Police Department. The man’s wife made the medical call for assistance and the man began firing shortly after the arrival of Clermont Fire Department and Lake EMS around 8:15 p.m. Friday at Emerald Lakes Mobile Village in the 1400 block of State Road 50. The couple’s names have not been released. No one from CFD or Lake EMS was injured, and they left the scene for a safe location while they awaited the arrival of law enforcement. CPD

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Pair of Armed Robbers Suspected in Multiple Crimes Arrested, Police Say

CLERMONT, Florida—Two men suspected in multiple armed robberies, who were both released from state prison this year, are behind bars on $101,000 bond, according to Lake County Jail online booking records. Dustin “Chico” Perdue, 27, of Tavares and Patrick “YG” Brown Jr., 22, of Auburndale were arrested early Thursday morning following an armed robbery at Circle K, 190 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont just before 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to their arrest affidavits. Two black males with their faces covered were wearing dark clothes and gloves when they entered the store near the corner East Grand Highway, pointed guns at the

Pair of Armed Robbers Suspected in Multiple Crimes Arrested, Police Say Read More »

Eustis Man Accused of Fleeing Clermont Police, Speeding Through Busy Park and Tossing Backpack Containing Nearly 700 Grams of Meth and Over 70 Grams of Pink and White Cocaine

CLERMONT, Florida—A Eustis man accused a fleeing a Clermont Police officer on a traffic stop, running on foot and tossing a backpack full of drugs is facing numerous charges and is being held on no bond for failure to appear in court in a neighboring county. According to an arrest affidavit, a sergeant with Clermont Police Department attempted to stop a silver Infiniti for an expired tag shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday on U.S. Highway 27 near Johns Lake Road. The Infiniti turned onto Johns Lake Road and into the parking lot of Lake Felter Park, 1750 Johns Lake Road,

Eustis Man Accused of Fleeing Clermont Police, Speeding Through Busy Park and Tossing Backpack Containing Nearly 700 Grams of Meth and Over 70 Grams of Pink and White Cocaine Read More »

Monday Morning Crash Claims Life of Clermont Man

CLERMONT, Florida—The crash that closed the eastbound lanes of Hammock Ridge Road for several hours Monday claimed the life of Clermont man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 2017 Mack box truck was disabled in the eastbound outside lane of Hammock Ridge Road shortly before 9:30 a.m. Monday with its hazard lights on and traffic warning triangle markers placed in the roadway, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. A 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, being driven by a 37-year-old Clermont man, was traveling in the same lane and attempted to switch lanes to avoid the disabled box

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FHP Investigating Fatal Clermont Crash

CLERMONT, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is on the scene of a fatal crash on Hammock Ridge Road in Clermont, according to FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi. The crash happened around 9:20 a.m. Monday and involved a 2003 Dodge Ram 1550 and a 2017 Mack truck on eastbound Hammock Ridge Road near Fox Chase Drive. The driver of the Ram was pronounced dead on the scene and is pending identification, Crescenzi said. The driver of the Mack, a 49-year-old male, was not injured and remained on scene. FHP is still investigating and has released any other information. The eastbound lanes of Hammock

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Woman Killed After Walking into Path of Camaro Early Sunday Morning

FOUR CORNERS, Florida—A 37-year-old Davenport woman was killed shortly before 4:30 a.m. Sunday when she walked into traffic, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 2014 Chevy Camaro being driven by a 21-year-old Davenport woman was westbound on U.S. Highway 192, also know as West Irlo Bronson Highway near Town Center Boulevard, when the 37-year-old woman began walking south across the westbound lanes of traffic, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The pedestrian, who was not in a marked crosswalk, was struck by the right front of the Camaro and pronounced dead on the scene. The driver,

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Back to School Events Around Lake County

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—The first day of school, scheduled for Aug. 10 for Lake County Schools, is fast approaching and with increased prices for gas, food and many other essential items, many families are in need of back-to-school supplies or some fun to have with the kiddos before they hit the books. We have compiled of list of events around Lake County that include supply giveaways and fun and informative events for the kids. Cities are listed in alphabetical order, scroll down until you find an event near you. Clermont Saturday, July 30, 9 a.m. to noon. Project Kid Connect presented

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High School Band Booster President Admits to Stealing Funds

CLERMONT, Florida—The president of a local high school’s band booster association turned herself in to the Lake County Jail on a warrant after admitting to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective she stole nearly $7,500 because she was struggling with monthly bills. Officials with Clermont’s East Ridge High School and Lake County Schools (LCS)contacted LCSO in early May with concerns about East Ridge High School’s Band Booster Association’s financial records and expenditures after LCS received an anonymous tip, according to a probable cause affidavit. LCSO began investigating and found that the booster’s association’s president, Denise June McLeod of Minneola, altered

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Team Effort in Operation Sneak-A-Peek Nets Largest Fentanyl Haul in County History

TAVARES, Florida—Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell has a message for those dealing drugs in Lake County…to be continued. Announcing the largest fentanyl haul in Lake County history at a press conference Thursday, Grinnell spoke to members of the media about a 4-month operation that resulted in 27 people facing drug-related charges after detectives with multiple agencies targeted three high-level drug traffickers and their associates across the county. Cliff “Sneak” Johnson, 40, Andrew “Smurf” Woodruff, 37, and Charles, “Cuz” Carter, 50, who have collectively been arrested 75 times for felonies, were the main targets of “Operation Sneak-A-Peek” Grinnell told reporters Thursday

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Witness Tells FHP Bicyclist was Struck by at Least 1 Vehicle after Hit and Run Crash

FOUR CORNERS, Florida—A 35-year-old Lakeland man was killed in the early morning hours Friday as the result of a hit and run and at least one vehicle running him over, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The man was riding a bicycle southbound at 4:45 a.m. on U.S. Highway 27 near U.S. Highway 192 in the bicycle lane when an unknown vehicle failed to maintain the outside lane and struck the bicyclist, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The impact ejected the bicyclist and he landed in the outside lane, where a witness saw at least one

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Teenager Arrested for Crashing into Patrol Car while Trying to Flee Deputies

CLERMONT, Florida—A teenager is facing four criminal charges after crashing a stolen car into the back of a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s patrol car while trying to flee around 4 a.m. Tuesday, according to an arrest affidavit. LCSO received information a stolen white Dodge Dart was entering Lake County and located it around State Road 50 and East Avenue and several deputies attempted a rolling roadblock. The 16-year-old driver veered across State Road 50 and crashed into a deputy’s marked cruiser, according to the affidavit. The Orlando boy fled into a nearby parking lot and performed a U-turn and

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Registered Sex Offender Accused of Exposing Himself to 2 Teenagers at Park Last Weekend

CLERMONT, Florida—A 74-year-old registered sex offender was nabbed at Clermont’s Waterfront Park Saturday after being accused of exposing himself to two teenagers, according to an arrest affidavit. Clermont Police responded to the park around 5 p.m. Saturday and the two victims, approximately 13 years old, said a man, later identified at Victor Manuel Nieves-Mendez, watched them from across the park and then unzipped his pants and exposed himself, according to the affidavit. The victims’ guardian yelled at Nieves-Mendez and said she was going to call law enforcement. Nieves-Mendez fled and ran into Lake Minneola and hid under a boat dock,

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Clermont 5-year-old and 3 Adults Killed in Early Morning Crash, CR 561 Shutdown, Troopers Say

CLERMONT, Florida—A 5-year-old girl and three adults were killed just after midnight Wednesday when the Dodge Durango they were traveling in left the roadway and struck a tree, Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The 2008 Durango being driven by a 24-year-old Orlando man was traveling southbound on County Road 561 when it failed to negotiate a curve near Florida Boys Ranch Road in unincorporated Clermont. The Durango ran off the road and struck a tree. The driver, a 48-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, all of Orlando and a 5-year-old Clermont girl were all

Clermont 5-year-old and 3 Adults Killed in Early Morning Crash, CR 561 Shutdown, Troopers Say Read More »

Man Causes $50K Damage to Clermont Business, Bites Groveland Police Officer

CLERMONT, Florida—A Clermont man already in the Lake County Jail facing serious charges now stands accused of driving through a rollup door and causing $50,000 damage to a local business last month. Adaly Flores Flores, 30, of Clermont, was arrested shortly before 8 p.m. May 26 after allegedly striking multiple vehicles in Groveland’s Cypress Oaks neighborhood, striking a portable potty, light poles and finally crashing into a retention pond, before charging toward a witness and running through a retention pond into a marshy area, according to an arrest affidavit. Groveland Police officers and a Florida Highway Patrol trooper located Flores

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“Irate” Woman Upset about the Care of her Animals Accused of Pepper Spraying Child, 3 Adults

CLERMONT, Florida—A Davenport woman apparently upset about the way someone was caring for her animals, pepper sprayed three adults and a child last week and is now facing three counts of battery, one count of child abuse and one county of burglary, according to an arrest affidavit. Dominique M. Glaspey, 19, was “extremely upset” that the woman who was caring for her animals left one inside of a vehicle while she went into a local business, according to the affidavit. Glaspey went to the woman’s home on Greater Groves Boulevard in unincorporated Clermont Saturday night and wanted her animals back,

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Lake County Sheriff’s Office Detective Fired Following Internal Investigation into 2 Off-Duty Traffic Stops

TAVARES, Florida—A Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective was fired earlier this month following an internal affairs investigation into two separate traffic stops by Eustis Police Department. Kejuan Monroe was a backseat passenger in a vehicle pulled over for speeding on Bay Street on Feb. 26, according to the internal affairs report. When the EPD officer activated her emergency lights, the car, being driven by a friend of Monroe’s failed to immediately stop and continued for nearly half of a mile before finally pulling over. When the EPD officer approached the car, Monroe stuck his LCSO identification card out of the

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Clermont Woman Ejected, Dies in Crash

CLERMONT, Florida—A Clermont woman died in a single-vehicle crash shortly after midnight Wednesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 32-year-old woman was driving a 2015 Mercedes Benz SUV northbound on County Road 561 near Cypress Cove Lane when she lost control and left the roadway at 12:19 a.m. Wednesday, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The woman collied with a tree stump, causing the SUV to overturn and eject her. She was pronounced dead on the scene, and she was not wearing a seatbelt. The crash remains under investigation.

Clermont Woman Ejected, Dies in Crash Read More »

Couple’s Raunchy Escapade at Community Pool Lands Them in Jail

CLERMONT, Florida—A couple who apparently could not keep their hands off each other at a neighborhood pool and in the backseat of a patrol vehicle are each facing three counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition charges after Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies busted them in the act. A mom of three children, aged 4, 7 and 10 asked her friend to call LCSO around 7:45 p.m. Sunday, after she and her children witnessed Steven John Angrignon, 58 and Michelle Lynn Austin Lewis, 49, both of Clermont, involved in sexual activities at the community pool on Golden Eagle Boulevard in the

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Third Annual Back the Blue Walk Scheduled for Saturday

TAVARES, Florida—Hundreds of people are expected to attend the third annual Lake County Backs the Blue Walk scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at Tavares’ Wooton Park. In its third year, the walk began in 2019 to show support for law enforcement during a time when the “defund the police” movement was making its way across the country, event organizer Shannon Cook told Inside Lake. Representatives from several law enforcement agencies and numerous public officials are expected to be in attendance. “The good ones needed to know they were appreciated,” Cook said. Cook has always had respect for law enforcement officers

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Man Arrested for Molestation the Day after Touching Teenage Girl at Local Store

CLERMONT, Florida—A man who smacked a 14-year-old on the buttocks as she walked through a local Walmart with her family was arrested for lewd or lascivious molestation Friday. The girl’s father told a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy that a man, later identified as Derik Manuel Bonet-Rodriguez, 28, of Clermont, walked past his wife, daughter and an unnamed female and swung his right arm back and “intentionally struck the buttocks of the 14-year-old with an open hand,” at Walmart, 550 U. S. Highway 27, Clermont around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, the arrest affidavit states. The man then left on a bicycle

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Clermont Woman Arrested and Held on $50K Bond for Shooting Husband in March and Leaving Him in Vegetative State

CLERMONT, Florida—A Clermont woman who shot her husband last month and left him in a vegetative state was arrested on a warrant for attempted murder Wednesday and is being held on $50,000 bond. Teresa Marie Kemme, 57, stands accused of shooting her husband during an altercation on March 27 at their home on Lake Katherine Circle. According to a probable cause affidavit, a witness told Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Kemme’s husband, who is not named, attempted to start a physical fight with Kemme’s son and Kemme walked into the home. The witness then walked the victim into the house

Clermont Woman Arrested and Held on $50K Bond for Shooting Husband in March and Leaving Him in Vegetative State Read More »

Free Sealing and Expungement Clinic Scheduled for Saturday

TAVARES, Florida—Lake County residents with minor criminal histories have a unique opportunity to quickly and efficiently expunge or seal their record Saturday if they qualify, at the first-ever Sealing and Expungement clinic offered here. Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida is teaming up with the Lake County Bar Association and Lake Young Lawyers Division to offer this free 4-hour clinic scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Lake County Courthouse, 550 West Main Street, Tavares. Lawyers and representatives from numerous government agencies will be on hand to help participants navigate through the process, which often can be difficult

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Shooting that Left Man Dead Still Under Investigation, Shooter’s Name Released

FOUR CORNERS, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a shooting that left a man dead Tuesday and have released the shooter’s name. Christopher Darrick Deloatch, 36, shot Dejuan Dior McWilliams, 31, around noon Tuesday when he tried to enter Deloatch’s apartment uninvited, LCSO Lt. Fred Jones said. McWilliams was found deceased on the third floor of an apartment building at Cagan Crossings, 16343 Cagan Crossing Boulevard in the Four Corners area, also known as Citrus Ridge. Jones said the pair were involved in a confrontation at Deloatch’s doorway. The investigation is ongoing.

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LCSO Identifies Man Killed Tuesday

FOUR CORNERS, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the man shot at an apartment complex Tuesday. Dejuan Dior McWilliams, 31, was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon after a confrontation at the doorway of an apartment at 16343 Cagan Crossings Boulevard in the Four Corners area, also known as Citrus Ridge. McWilliams was found dead around noon Tuesday by Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies, on the third floor of an apartment building, LCSO Lt. Fred Jones said. The shooter’s name has not been released and LCSO is still investigating. Jones said McWilliams and the shooter knew each

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One Dead Following Confrontation at Four Corners Apartment, LCSO Investigating

FOUR CORNERS, Florida—A person was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon after a confrontation at the doorway of an apartment at Cagan Crossings in the Four Corners area The black male, whose identity has not been released, was found deceased around noon Tuesday by Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies, on the third floor of an apartment building LCSO Lt. Fred Jones said. Detectives have found the shooter and the deceased male knew each other and a confrontation occurred at the doorway of the apartment at 16343 Cagan Crossings Boulevard. The Four Corners area is also known as Citrus Ridge. No other

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Unlicensed Contractor Served with Lake County Warrant While Locked Up in Pasco Jail

CLERMONT, Florida—A man who pleaded guilty to several counts of contracting without a license, grand theft, and failure to obtain workers compensation insurance in Pasco County early this month was served with a Lake County warrant Friday while serving his sentence, charging him with two of the same crimes. Eric Lee Manning, of Dade City, was served with the warrant for contracting without a license and grand theft just two days before his 34th birthday after being accused of swindling a Clermont woman out of more than $4,000 dollars in 2021, according to a probable cause affidavit. Manning is alleged

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Bicyclist Killed Thursday Afternoon In South Lake

CLERMONT, Florida—A bicyclist was killed Thursday after he was struck by a car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Witnesses told FHP the bicyclist, a 45-year-old Clermont man, was eastbound on the bike trail on State Road 50 and County Road 455, when he ran the stop sign and entered the direct path of a sedan that was southbound on County Road 455 at 3:30 p.m. near Clermont, FHP Lt. Kim Montes said in a press release. The impact killed the cyclist, who was wearing a helmet. The 16-year-old Montverde girl driving the sedan was not injured.   The crash

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Man Who Had “Lapse In Judgment” Turns Himself In After FDLE Agents Find Child Pornography On His Phone

TAVARES, Florida—A Windermere man who lived in Clermont in October turned himself in at the Lake County Jail Thursday on a warrant for two counts possession child pornography. According to a probable cause affidavit, Timothy Ray Holmes, 37, messaged a Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) detective who was acting as an underage decoy on the app, Whisper on Oct. 14. Holmes asked the detective for a photo, and she sent him a photo of an employee who was 14 or 15 years old at the time the photo was taken and told Holmes she was 13. Holmes advised he was

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Man Driving Tractor-Trailer Sideswipes Truck In Apparent Road Rage Incident

CLERMONT, Florida—A Wildwood man was arrested for aggravated battery after purposely causing a collision during an apparent road rage incident earlier this month while he was driving a tractor-trailer for his job, according to a Florida Highway Patrol arrest report. FHP responded to a crash shortly after 4:30 p.m. Feb. 9 on U.S. 27 near Scholfield Road and found that a collision occurred between Christopher Terrence Brooks, 46, who was driving a Peterbilt tractor-trailer and another man, who was driving a Ford F150. The man told troopers he and Brooks were in their respective vehicles driving northbound on U.S. Highway

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Wheelchair-Bound Woman Found Living In Deplorable Conditions After She Reports Being Left Alone Near Clermont, Grandson Arrested

CLERMONT, Florida—A man was arrested Saturday for neglect of an elderly disabled person after he left his wheelchair-bound grandmother without help in deplorable conditions, according to an arrest affidavit. Michael Dale Plant’s grandmother called the Lake County Sheriff’s Office twice Saturday morning and reported Plant had not come home the night before. The woman, who suffers from dementia and recently been released from the hospital, told LCSO she feared something may have happened to Plant responder her home. Deputies made entry into her home due to her being immobile and in a wheelchair, the affidavit states. When a deputy entered

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Friends and Colleagues Remember Judge T. Michael Johnson

TAVARES, Florida— “A friend for the ages, for a lot of people.” That is how retired Public Defender Howard “Skip” Babb describes his longtime best friend and former coworker T. Michael Johnson, who passed away Monday after suffering a heart attack. Well known and well-respected, Johnson, who served as a circuit judge was appointed to the bench in 1995 by then-Gov. Lawton Chiles, and served until his retirement in 2011, and was a senior judge at the time of his passing. He presided over many trials in Lake County, including the first murder trial this reporter covered at the beginning

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Accused Rapist Facing More Charges, Bond Increased To $100K

CLERMONT, Florida— Two more charges were added Wednesday, increasing his bond to $100,000, to a man accused of raping an 18-year-old student last week as she walked to her bus stop.   Brian Terick Wilkerson, 18, of Clermont is facing a charge of attempted kidnapping and assault with intent to do violence, in addition to sexual battery, kidnapping and false imprisonment charges he was originally arrested for on Monday by Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives. Wilkerson is accused of raping a woman as she walked to her school bus stop at Carrington at Four Corners apartments in unincorporated Clermont around

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Four Corners Area Rapist Held on $45,000 Bond

CLERMONT, Florida—A man accused of raping an 18-year-old student Wednesday as she walked to her bus stop has been arrested just five days after the attack. Brian Terick Wilkerson, 18, of Clermont is facing a charge of sexual battery, kidnapping and false imprisonment after he was identified as the man who raped one victim and accosted two more, according to a probable cause affidavit. The first victim told police she was walking to her bus stop at Carrington at Four Corners apartments in unincorporated Clermont around 6:20 a.m. Wednesday when a man, later identified as Wilkerson, approached her from behind,

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Man Steals Car, Breaks Into Home With Sleeping Infant, Claims His Drink Was Drugged

CLERMONT, Florida—A man who claimed he stole a car and broke into a home because he believed he was drugged at a bar is facing a trio of felonies after residents of the burglarized home detained him and called the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Early Saturday morning, LCSO responded to a report of a stolen car at McDonald’s, 16832 Corner Center Drive, Clermont and found that the victim left his car running in the parking lot. A man, later identified as Larry Lopez-Santana, 35, was captured on video at 2:15 a.m. walking up to the red Ford Focus, getting in

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Umatilla Man Busted For Buying Vehicles With Bum Checks in 2021, Tries Again With Stolen Credit Card

CLERMONT, Florida— A man arrested last year for scamming two local automobile dealerships has been arrested again for attempting a similar scam. Prestin S. Carroll, 20, of Umatilla was arrested on warrant issued by Clermont Police Department Wednesday after a man complained his credit card was used fraudulently to charge $2,500 towards the purchase of a new vehicle, at Napleton Clermont Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM , 15859 State Road 50, Clermont, according to a probable cause affidavit. CPD investigated and found that Carroll, who was employed at the dealership as a detailer, was captured on video using the card to

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Scheduled Holiday Closings And Modified Garbage Pickup

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—Many local government offices are scheduled to close this week in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Lake County Government offices will be closed Thursday and Friday and county garbage pickup regularly scheduled for Thursday will be Friday and regularly scheduled pickup for Friday will be Saturday. This includes Altoona, Astor, Ferndale, Grand Island, Okahumpka, Paisley, Sorrento and Yalaha. For more information, visit  https://lakecountyfl.gov/trash-recycling. Most city government and town halls will be closed Thursday and Friday; this includes Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Howey-In-The-Hills, Leesburg, Mascotte, Mount Dora, Tavares and Umatilla. Astatula, Lady Lake and Minneola are scheduled to

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Clermont Teenager Accused of Killing Family Dog With Sword

CLERMONT, Florida—A 17-year-old boy with a “history of violence” is accused of killing the family dog with a sword Saturday and leaving it in the woods near his house. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a home in unincorporated Clermont over the weekend on a report that Avery Featherston, 17, had killed the family dog with a sword and buried it in the woods. Deputies found a sword in the boy’s bedroom that still had animal hair on it, according to an arrest affidavit.  The boy’s stepfather showed deputies where he believed the dog may be and they found

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Clermont Teenager Killed in Head-On Crash

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Florida—A head-on crash claimed the lives of two teenage boys Wednesday and sent a 27-year-old woman to the hospital, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.  Around 4:30 p.m., a 17-year-old Clermont boy was driving a sedan northbound on Pleasant Hill Road near Kissimmee, when he overcorrected and traveled into the southbound lane, striking another sedan head-on, FHP Lt. Kim Montes said in a press release. The first vehicle then hit a pole.  The boy was killed, along with his passenger, also a 17-year-old boy, of Kissimmee. Both boys were wearing their seatbelts. The driver of the second car,

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Clermont Man Accused Of Plying Three Sisters With Alcohol And Marijuana

CLERMONT, Florida—A 41-year-old Clermont man is facing several counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of lewd and lascivious conduct after being accused of giving three minor sisters alcohol and marijuana and behaving inappropriately. Edwin Ivan Cuevas Quinones, of Clermont, is accused of plying the three girls with marijuana and alcohol in June while they were in Florida for a visit, according to a probable cause affidavit. Due to heavy redaction in the affidavit, it is unclear what Quinones’ relationship to the children is. The victims’ mother contacted the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in early

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Clermont Man Tells Boy, ‘Go Get Your Father So I Can Kill Him With My Bare Hands’

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News. CLERMONT, Florida — “Legends has not seen anything yet and just wait,” a man who repeatedly threatened to kill his neighbor told a Clermont Police officer on his way to jail over the holiday weekend, according to an arrest affidavit. On Saturday, CPD responded to a home on Legendary Boulevard after the victim reported Daniel L. Boyan, 63, his neighbor, was threatening to kill him— again. The victim said Boyan’s behavior was becoming “too much” and explained that Boyan was driving past his home daily and yelling obscenities and just

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Clermont 7-Eleven Employee Accused Of Erasing Transactions From Cash Register’s “Memory”

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News. Clermont, Florida — An employee of a local gas station is facing grand theft and scheming to defraud charges after he was found stealing cash from the business. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to 7-Eleven, 1635 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont Wednesday after a man reported he was reviewing transactions and video surveillance from January through March and found that an employee was stealing. According to the complainant, Luis Miguel Martinez-Rivas, 30, was captured on video on multiple occasions ringing a customer up and putting the transaction into “memory” instead

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“Lyla” The Dog Dead Following Botched Amateur C-Section In Clermont Home

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News. CLERMONT, Florida — A TikTok video of an amateur botched C-section that killed a white French bulldog landed two men behind bars Friday, according to a probable cause affidavit. Larry Colon, 50, is alleged to have paid a man $650 to perform a c-section on his pregnant dog, Lyla, in Colon’s living room while Colon’s teenage daughter filmed the horrific surgery and posted it on the popular app TikTok Feb. 9. The video shows Colon holding Lyla down on a metal table while Frankie Huertas-Rivera, 33, cuts Lyla open. Lyla

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Arrest Warrant Executed — Clermont Man Arrested In Odd Case Of Exposure Of Sexual Organs

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News CLERMONT, Florida — A man accused of masturbating over children’s toys in December was arrested Saturday for exposure of sexual organs, according to an arrest affidavit and probable cause affidavit. On Dec. 11, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to East Chester Street and South Bloxam Avenue in Clermont on a report of a man exposing his genitals. When LCSO arrived at the scene, the victim said a man later identified as Nicholas Peter DeSalvo, 36, had been masturbating over children’s toys with his genitals exposed, according to the probable

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Clermont Man Allegedly Tried To Break Child’s Arm Because Child Reached For Slice Of Pizza

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News. CLERMONT, Florida — A man is in the Lake County Jail after being arrested for domestic child abuse Saturday. According to an arrest affidavit, Brian Lanier King, 43, of Clermont, tried to break a child’s arm when the child attempted to get a slice of pizza; King then slammed the child’s head into a dishwasher and then the floor. The child suffered “several deep scratches,” to both forearms, the booking sheet states. King was “extremely intoxicated” due to drinking several beers throughout the day, the arresting Lake County Sheriff’s deputy

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Ford of Clermont Body Shop Manager Accused of $500,000 Embezzlement

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News. CLERMONT, Florida – A Clermont man is facing scheme to defraud and grand theft charges after a nearly year-long investigation by Clermont Police revealed he stole more than half a million dollars from his place of employment, according to a probable cause affidavit.   Michael Deardoff, owner of Ford of Clermont, and another individual went to Clermont Police Department in October 2018 to report he suspected his body shop manager, Thomas Joseph Pritchard, 60, was misappropriating funds and claimed he had documentation to prove it. He also told police several employees

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