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 eyes and dragged her to a bed, where he tore her clothes off and raped her repeatedly and placed a zip tie around her neck. Jones told her to “relax” because it would be “more enjoyable.” She asked to get dressed at one point and he did untie her and allow her to put clothes on, the affidavit states.
The rape victim tried to leave, and he blocked her and tied her up again with zip ties. She asked to watch television and removed the ties and blindfold but placed another zip tie around her neck while she watched television. She asked to use the restroom and escaped and called for help, according to the affidavit.
Law enforcement saturated the area and found Jones’ SUV with Michigan tags in the Publix parking lot at 4351 U.S. Highway 27 and Jones was spotted walking southbound on U.S. Highway 27. He was taken into custody and transported to the LCSO South Lake District Office in Clermont.
While detectives were investigating, they found a second body, identified as Jones’ wife, Sandra Gaudino 38.
Detectives interviewed Jones and he admitted killing his wife with a mallet and putting her in a trash bag underneath the travel trailer at 244 Jewelfish Road, in unincorporated Clermont, he then beat Finister, his stepson, to death with the mallet and placed a plastic bag over his head. He also confessed to raping the female in the home.
Jones was arrested for two counts of domestic first degree murder, one count of domestic sexual battery and domestic false imprisonment. He is being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond.
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 sex crime.
Jones’s SUV was later spotted in the parking lot of Publix at the corner of U.S. Highway 27 and Hartwood Marsh Road in Clermont, and he was seen running on foot at a nearby Walgreens. He was apprehended and taken into custody and was being interviewed at press time.
During their investigation, detectives found a second body in the travel trailer at Thousand Trails Resort off U.S. Highway 27, according to Herrell. The identity of that person and Jones’ stepson have not been confirmed by LCSO.
Jones is facing two first degree murder charges, along with kidnapping and sexual battery, Herrell said.
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.
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 a bat, causing him to die. They told CPD Finnley had bitten their mother in the past and becomes territorial when someone would go near his food or try to pet him while he was sleeping.
Their mother, who was crying and asking police not to take Rumler, 62, to jail, said she did not see Finnley bite Rumler, but the dog was extremely violent and had bitten her before, leaving a scar.
Rumler told CPD Finnley bit his hand and had a history of being aggressive towards him, including a bite that required six stitches in May. He did not report that incident, he told police, because he had just started dating his girlfriend the month before. However, he gave conflicting statements to Animal Services when they interviewed him, the arresting officer noted in the affidavit.
Rumler claimed he was sitting on the couch when Finnley came up to him, bit him and walked off. Rumler then went to the garage with Finnley following behind, grabbed a red and gold baseball bat and struck Finnley in the head, killing him. Rumley then wrapped the dog’s body in a blue tarp.
After speaking with Animal Services, they determined Rumler was not acting in self defense and was taken into custody and arrested for aggravated animal cruelty. He was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was released on $2,000 bond.
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 the robbers grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash and tried to flee through the Golden Ox Bar that was filled with patrons. They realized their mistake and fled through the front door, according to a report.
Patrick Brown, left; Dustin Perdue PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Perdue and Brown have been charged in four robberies, including stores Clermont, Mount Dora, unincorporated Mount Dora and Tavares. They are being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond.
Perdue is also suspected of murdering Alejandro “Alex” Garcia at Caroline Court Apartments in Tavares on April 8.
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 Circle K, 190 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont, and demanding money just before 11 p.m. Aug. 3. The clerk opened two registers and the suspects stole cash and change, some of it rolled, totaling $134 according to an arrest affidavit.
The red Volkswagen Beetle they were riding in was pulled over for an equipment violation by Astatula Police Department and a gun was spotted in plain view. Upon searching the car, police found a second gun, clothes and rolled change consistent with the robbery. The pair were arrested and held in the Lake County Jail on $101,000 bond. Inside Lake is not naming the driver of the car because she has not been charged with a crime. She is cooperating with law enforcement, according to affidavits in the case.
On Tuesday, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office added an armed robbery to charge to the pair, stemming from a robbery in unincorporated Mount Dora Aug. 2. LCSO responded to Triangle Food Mart, 3865 North Highway 19A on a report of an armed robbery.
The victim told deputies two black males wearing masks, hoodies and gloves entered the store, brandished handguns and made threats. They took $200 worth of Newport cigarettes, $40 and one of the victim’s cell phones. They fled the store and got into a red Volkswagen Beetle.
Patrick Brown, left; Dustin Perdue PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Also on Tuesday, Mount Dora Police Department charged the pair in connection with a robbery in its city. According to that affidavit, on July 30, Perdue and Brown robbed Little Sammy’s, 446 North Highland Street. In that case, the pair is alleged to have entered the store armed with their faces covered and demanded money from the two clerks. They took cash from the registers and several cartons of Newport cigarettes and demanded the clerks open the safe. The clerks said they had no way to open the safe and one of the robbers jiggled the handle with his bare hand, according to the affidavit. MDPD collected DNA evidence from the handle and are awaiting results from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Both suspects saw one of the clerks attempt to push the panic button on his belt and they fled the store. As they ran out, one of them, later identified as Perdue, struck the victim across the face with his gun. The entire incident was captured on the store’s video surveillance system. One suspect was wearing a pair of black Nikes with red soles and the shoes were later tied to Brown.
In the case, Perdue and Brown are each facing an additional armed robbery charge and Perdue is also facing a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Detectives with MDPD, LCSO and Tavares Police Department interviewed the driver of the Beetle earlier this week and she admitted to being the driver in five armed robberies with Perdue and Brown—three in Tavares, in addition to both robberies in Mount Dora. She said she never profited from the crimes and was only the driver. She also gave detectives details about the crimes and identified Brown’s shoes, according to the affidavit. She is being treated as a witness at this time, but may be charged later, detectives told her.
Image of some of Dustin Perdue’s tattoos. PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Perdue soon may have a much more serious charge to face. TPD Lt. Sarah Coursey told Inside Lake he is a suspect in double shooting that killed a man in April. Alejandro “Alex” Garcia Jr., 29, was killed around 8 p.m. April 8 at Caroline Court Apartments, 1000 East Caroline Street. Another man was shot multiple times and survived his wounds.
Garcia’s murder was just two months after Perdue was released from state prison after serving nearly 10 years for burglary and theft charges.
Brown also recently served time in state prison; he was released just over three months ago after serving just under two years for burglary and grand theft charges out of Polk County. He was released after Garcia’s murder and is not a suspect.
Perdue and Brown are both being held in LCJ on no bond. If you have any information on Garcia’s murder or any of the robberies, call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
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 the scene for a safe location.
CPD responded and took fire from the man and a CPD officer returned fire and struck the suspect. CPD has not released how many times he was shot. Wainwright stopped firing and officers began rendering aid to him; his wife was not injured.
Wainwright was transported to a local trauma center and remains in stable condition. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating and CPD continues to cooperate, CPD said in a statement.
The officer who shot Wainwright is on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation. An FDLE investigation and administrative leave is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.
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 responded and took fire from the man; a CPD officer returned fire and struck the suspect. CPD has not released how many times he was shot. He stopped firing and officers began rendering aid to the man; his wife was not injured.
He was transported to a local trauma center and is in stable condition. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating and the officer who fired his weapon is on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation. An FDLE investigation and administrative leave is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.
CPD Chief Chuck Broadway said he is thankful all the first responders are safe and able to return home to their families. “This is a stark reminder of the inherent dangers that all first responders encounter on a daily basis,” he said in a statement.
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 store clerk and demanded money. The clerk opened two registers and the suspects stole cash and change, some of it rolled, totaling $134 according to the affidavit.
The suspects, one tall and thin, the second shorter with a medium build, both pointed handguns at the clerk and one of them put a red bag on the counter that was used to collect the money, video surveillance shows. One of the suspects appeared to have a tan-colored hoodie on underneath his dark shirt, with the hoodie covering his head. The pair fled on foot and a K9 tracked the scent to a nearby business plaza and stopped, indicating the duo got into a vehicle and fled the scene, the affidavit states.
Perdue is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds; Brown is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds, according to LCJ online records.
Twenty-three minutes after the robbery, a vehicle was pulled over in Astatula for an equipment violation and Perdue and Brown were found in the vehicle, along with a female driver. Inside Lake is not naming the driver because she has not been charged with a crime. Twenty-three minutes is consistent with the amount of time it would take to drive from the robbery scene to the location of the traffic stop, a Clermont Police detective noted in the affidavit.
A handgun was spotted in plain view in the front passenger floorboard at Brown’s feet, along with a bag of marijuana in his lap, according to the affidavit.
Astatula Police searched the vehicle and found a red backpack that contained gloves, dark-colored pants, long sleeve shirts, a tan hoodie, loose and rolled change, in addition to a second handgun, according to the affidavit.
Brown and Perdue were placed under arrest for armed robbery, two counts of possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and petit theft. and transported to LCJ. The CPD detective asked both defendants be held on a “no bond” status, however each defendant’s bond is set at $101,000.
Sources have told Inside Lake the duo is suspected of multiple armed robberies and other crimes in several cities and LCSO’s jurisdiction. Inside Lake will be following these cases closely and will publish a follow-up if more charges are added.
Purdue was released from prison in February after serving nearly 10 years for a variety of burglary and grand theft charges; Brown was released from prison just over three months ago after serving just under two years for burglary and grand theft charges out of Polk County.
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, slowed and turned sideways. The sergeant exited his vehicle and the driver, later identified as Darnell Lanier Hill, 27, of Eustis, looked directly at the sergeant, put his hands up and sped through the parking lot while dozens of people, including children, were at the park, according to the affidavit.
Hill left the park and turned onto Johns Lake Road and CPD did not pursue the Infiniti, the affidavit states. Six minutes later, another CPD officer spotted the cat at State Road 50 and Magnolia Point Boulevard. The officer activated his lights and approached the Infiniti and Hill jumped out the car with a black backpack and fled on foot, the affidavit states.
Darnell Hill, 27, of Eustis. PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office
CPD pursued Hill on foot, and he tossed the backpack and ran up the exterior staircase of a building located at 17320 State Road 50, Clermont and CPD established a perimeter around the building. A citizen and their son reported seeing Hill throw the backpack and officers found it under a truck.
About 12 minutes later, Hill exited the building and began vomiting. He was taken into custody and officers searched the backpack and found a cache of drugs. Inside the backpack, officers found a loaded 9mm handgun, four large bags of drugs, a scale and numerous small empty baggies, commonly used for the sale of narcotics, according to the affidavit.
Two bags of a crystal substance weighing a total of 677.5 grams were field-tested and found to be methamphetamine, a bag with pink powdered substance and a bag with a white powdered substance were found to be cocaine and weighed a total of 73.3 grams, according to the affidavit.
CPD searched the Infiniti and found three cell phones, a scale, $994 cash and multiple bags of marijuana weighing 88.6 grams. Hill has a revoked driver license for fleeing and eluding and a warrant out of Citrus County for failure to appear for armed burglary, according to the affidavit.
Hill was arrested for armed trafficking of methamphetamine, armed trafficking of cocaine, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, flee to elude, resisting without violence, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while license revoked. He was transported to LCJ, where he is being held on $199,500 bond for the current charges and he has a detainer (no bond) regarding the failure to appear warrant in Citrus County.
