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Gopher Tortoise in 5-Gallon Bucket Lands Eustis Man in Jail

EUSTIS, Florida—A Eustis man was arrested by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Saturday morning for possessing a gopher tortoise—a threatened wildlife species— he was keeping in a five-gallon bucket, according to an arrest affidavit. FWC received a call that a person on McDonald Street in Eustis was in possession of a possible gopher tortoise. An FWC officer responded to the apartment and Edrick L. Acres, 53, admitted he had the tortoise and showed the officer a five-gallon bucket that contained the tortoise, the affidavit states. FWC took possession of the tortoise to return it to the wild […]

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Orange County Wanted Suspect Taken Into Custody in Eustis Saturday Night Following Pursuit

EUSTIS, Fla.—A suspect wanted by Orange County Sheriff’s Office was taken into custody Saturday night in Eustis. Law enforcement sources told Inside Lake the suspect was in a stolen vehicle when OCSO pursued him into Lake County, traveling all around Mount Dora and Eustis around 8:30 p.m. Saturday night. After a pursuit that lasted more than 30 minutes, the suspect bailed on foot near Trout Lake and was taken into custody about 15 minutes after he bailed, sources said. Eustis Police Department, Mount Dora Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office all assisted in the apprehension. This is a

Orange County Wanted Suspect Taken Into Custody in Eustis Saturday Night Following Pursuit Read More »

Suspect in Stolen Vehicle Flees, Rams LCSO Cruiser, Strikes Multiple Stop Sticks, Flees on Foot, Apprehended by K9 Murphy in Leesburg Sunday

LEESBURG, Fla.—A Mount Dora man is facing a slew of charges after ramming a stolen vehicle into a Lake County Sheriff’s Office cruiser, fleeing to Sumter County, striking multiple stop sticks and fleeing back into Lake County where he was finally apprehended Sunday afternoon. Henry Lee Gamble-Coleman, 26, was spotted around 5 p.m. in Leesburg by LCSO deputies in a vehicle stolen from Eustis, according to an arrest affidavit. Deputies attempted to pull Gamble-Coleman over near the intersection of South 14th Street and South Street and Gamble-Coleman “rapidly” accelerated and struck the passenger side of a K9 cruiser. He fled

Suspect in Stolen Vehicle Flees, Rams LCSO Cruiser, Strikes Multiple Stop Sticks, Flees on Foot, Apprehended by K9 Murphy in Leesburg Sunday Read More »

Operation Poison Control Results in 21 Arrest Warrants, 50 Charges

TAVARES, Florida—A six-month long undercover drug investigation targeting fentanyl traffickers has wrapped up with the arrests of 15 people and six more are on the run, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. A joint operation between LCSO’s Special Investigations Bureau, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the City County Investigation Bureau— which includes police officers from Clermont, Eustis, Leesburg and Mount Dora—uncovered a variety of illegal narcotics being distributed throughout the county, including trafficking amounts of deadly fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA.   Law enforcement developed information from the public to aid in the

Operation Poison Control Results in 21 Arrest Warrants, 50 Charges Read More »

Teen Found with Gun at Eustis vs. Leesburg Football Game Thursday Night

EUSTIS, Fla.—An Orlando teen was arrested at Thursday night’s Eustis High School football game after Eustis Police Department school resource officers recognized him from a prior incident and then found him with a gun, according to EPD Chief Craig Capri. Officers recognized J’son Rashad Cyprian, 18, when he entered the EHS campus for its game against Leesburg High School Thursday and approached him to speak with him about the February incident. Cyprian allegedly lied about his name and date of birth and upon searching Cyprian, officers found a loaded Ruger .380 with a scratched-off serial number, according to an arrest

Teen Found with Gun at Eustis vs. Leesburg Football Game Thursday Night Read More »

Eustis Man Convicted in Orange County ’96 Cold Case Murder Solved Using Genetic Genealogy

Editor’s note: The following story contains crime scene photos some may consider graphic. Viewer discretion is advised.  ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.—A Eustis man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted earlier this month in the brutal cold case murder of a gas station manager in 1996. Terence “Terry” Paquette was 31 years old when he was stabbed 73 times and found dead in the bathroom of Lil’ Champ, 4510 Clarcona Ocoee Road, Orlando in northwest Orange County on Feb. 3, 1996. The store is now a Kwik Stop. “It was a horrific crime scene with blood

Eustis Man Convicted in Orange County ’96 Cold Case Murder Solved Using Genetic Genealogy Read More »

Homeland Security Investigation Reveals Eustis Man’s Possession of Child Pornography

EUSTIS, Florida—A Eustis man out on bond for a prior arrest for possessing child pornography has been arrested again after he allegedly received child pornography in an online chat room being monitored by an undercover Homeland Security agent. Eric Allen Bozeman, 42, who was arrested in 2021 for four counts of possessing child pornography, was arrested again Tuesday at his job, Advance Auto Parts, 2505 South Bay Street, Eustis, by Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents. He refused to speak with agents and invoked his right to an attorney, according to an arrest affidavit. He was arrested for two counts

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Leesburg Man Accused of Fraudulently Selling Another Man’s Home while Victim was in Jail

EUSTIS, Florida—A Leesburg man is facing several charges for fraudulently selling a mobile home he claimed another man had “abandoned,” according to an arrest affidavit. In late June, the victim went to Eustis Police Department and reported Michael Anthony Pachetti, 65, sold his mobile home, located in Southern Palms RV Resort in Eustis while he was incarcerated in New York, forging the victim’s name and using an old driver license, according to the affidavit. The victim told police was arrested in Orange County in September 2022, later transferred to the Lake County Jail and finally extradited to Niagara County, New

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Charges Upgraded in Case Against Man Accused of Attacking Woman and Trying to Run Down Eustis Cop

TAVARES, Florida—The Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office (SAO) has upgraded charges against a man suspected in the attacks of three women and trying to run over a Eustis Police officer earlier this year. Late last month, the SAO dropped stalking and resisting an officer with violence charges against Jephson Seguin, 20, and upgraded the charges to attempted sexual battery and attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, according to documents filed in the case by prosecutor Thomas Wieczorek. Seguin, of Eustis, is accused of attacking two women in the spring and a third woman on June 27

Charges Upgraded in Case Against Man Accused of Attacking Woman and Trying to Run Down Eustis Cop Read More »

Man Captured on Dashcam Shooting Vehicle in Eustis Identified and Arrested

EUSTIS, Florida—The man captured on dashcam video shooting the trunk of a vehicle earlier this month has been identified and arrested, according to Eustis Police Sgt. Paul Barnett. Kenneth R. Brown, 21, of Winter Garden, was arrested Friday at Eustis Police Department for the incident that occurred on Grove Street Aug. 1. Police say the victim was driving northbound on Grove Street when a group of people were crossing the road. The victim honked at the group and as the victim drove away, Brown fired a single shot at the vehicle and struck the trunk. The victim was not injured.

Man Captured on Dashcam Shooting Vehicle in Eustis Identified and Arrested Read More »

Suspect Photos Released in Eustis Gas Station Robbery

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department has released two photos of the suspect who robbed a Eustis gas station Wednesday night. The manager of Bay Street Food Mart, formerly known as Kars Mart, 1212 South Bay Street, was outside closing up at around 11 p.m. when the robber ran up, held the victim at gunpoint and went back into the business. The victim opened the cash register, and the suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash from the register and fled the scene on foot. Video surveillance captured the incident, and the photos accompanying this article were taken from that video. The

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Eustis Store Manager Held at Gunpoint, Store Robbed of Cash Wednesday Night

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department is hunting for an armed robber after the manager of a busy gas station was held at gunpoint late Wednesday night as he closed the store. The manager of Bay Street Food Mart, formerly known as Kars Mart, 1212 South Bay Street, was outside closing up at around 11 p.m. when the robber ran up from the north side of the building, pulled a gun from his jacket pocket and demanded money, EPD said in a press release. The victim and the suspect went back into the business and the victim opened the cash register. The

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Man Arrested for Murder Last Week by Eustis Police Stabbed by Inmate also Being Held for Murder

TAVARES, Florida—Austin Hill, the man arrested last week in the murder of Wseni “Haitian Black” Laguerre, was stabbed multiple times by another inmate at the Lake County Jail Sunday; and the man accused of stabbing him is well-known to Lake County law enforcement. Around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, a Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective responded to the jail after detention staff reported an inmate had been stabbed. Hill, 26, was stabbed multiple times in the back, neck and face and video surveillance clearly showed his attacker was Dustin “Chico” Perdue, 27, according to an arrest affidavit. Only Inside Lake extensively covered

Man Arrested for Murder Last Week by Eustis Police Stabbed by Inmate also Being Held for Murder Read More »

Arrest Made in Eustis January Murder

EUSTIS, Florida—An arrest has been made in the January murder of a Eustis man, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri announced Thursday morning. Austin Lashay Hill, 26, of Tangerine was taken into custody at the Lake County/Orange County line Tuesday on a warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, improper exhibition of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Those crimes were also committed in Eustis. On Wednesday, several more charges were added to Hill, including premeditated murder, discharging a firearm in public and an additional charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Arrest Made in Eustis January Murder Read More »

Groveland Police Officer Under Investigation and on Leave After Arrest for Domestic Incident at Mount Dora Restaurant

MOUNT DORA, Florida—A Groveland Police Department officer is under internal investigation and on paid administrative leave after he was arrested last week for felony domestic battery by strangulation. Joshua Allen Somers, 48, a six-year veteran of GPD and a school resource officer at South Lake High School, was arrested after an altercation with his wife that was captured on surveillance video at a popular restaurant and bar in Mount Dora. The video captured him grabbing her by the hair, striking her head against a wooden guardrail and putting his hand around her neck, according to an arrest affidavit. On July

Groveland Police Officer Under Investigation and on Leave After Arrest for Domestic Incident at Mount Dora Restaurant Read More »

Name of Deceased and 9-1-1 Call Released in Eustis Love Triangle Shooting, Witness Speaks Only to Inside Lake

EUSTIS, Florida—The name of the man shot and killed in Eustis Wednesday morning has been released. Eddie Alexis Vazquez Muniz, 47, succumbed to gunshot wounds after being transported to a local hospital Wednesday following the altercation. According to Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri, Muniz had been in an ongoing dispute with the shooter for several months over a woman and was waiting for the shooter to walk out of his apartment at about 7 a.m. Wednesday. Muniz put his two young children in a vehicle and set up a tripod with his phone to record the altercation and attacked the

Name of Deceased and 9-1-1 Call Released in Eustis Love Triangle Shooting, Witness Speaks Only to Inside Lake Read More »

Eustis Love Triangle Leaves One Man Dead Wednesday

EUSTIS, Florida—A man has died following an altercation over what police believe is a love triangle, according to Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri. EPD responded to Devonshire Apartments, 1799 North 19A, Eustis around 7 a.m. Wednesday and found a man, 47, who had been shot multiple times. Emergency responders rendered aid to the man and transported him to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds, Capri said. The shooter is in custody, and police have recovered the firearm, but EPD is not calling him a suspect yet because the investigation is still ongoing and active, and it may

Eustis Love Triangle Leaves One Man Dead Wednesday Read More »

Eustis Man Killed in Volusia County Crash, Boy, 5, and Infants Unhurt

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Florida—A Eustis man who had two 3-month-old infant boys and a 5-year-old boy in a pickup truck with him was killed Tuesday morning when he crashed into a utility pole attached to a tractor-trailer, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The Eustis man, 34, was driving a 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 eastbound on State Road 44, near Paradise Drive, close to the Lake County/Volusia County line when he attempted to pass a commercial vehicle and a tractor-trailer at the same time, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. “Due to oncoming traffic in the westbound lane

Eustis Man Killed in Volusia County Crash, Boy, 5, and Infants Unhurt Read More »

6-Year Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering Investigation Results in 17 Federal Indictments

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—A six-year, multi-state drug trafficking investigation has resulted in the indictments of 17 people—most with ties to Lake County. According to the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating Dudzinski Poole, aka “Zink” aka “Dirty” who they say is responsible for trafficking thousands of kilograms of methamphetamine and fentanyl on commercial planes, trains and through the mail, according to a press release. The defendants in the case played different roles in the drug trafficking organization, including suppliers, distributors, couriers and courier coordinators. Each defendant is charged with drug trafficking

6-Year Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering Investigation Results in 17 Federal Indictments Read More »

Lottery Lucky Streak Continues in Lake County

EUSTIS, Florida—A Winter Park woman has claimed a $1 million prize from the Florida Lottery she won from a ticket she purchased in unincorporated Eustis, according to the Florida Lottery. Mary Walker, 56, of Winter Park, bought the $10 DIAMOND MINE 20X ticket at Circle K, 31734 East State Road 44, in the Pine Lakes area of unincorporated Eustis and recently claimed her prize. She chose to take her winnings in a one-time lump sum payment of $695,000 and claimed it at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Circle K may be the lucky spot. A sign was spotted at the store

Lottery Lucky Streak Continues in Lake County Read More »

Multitude of Crashes Keeps Law Enforcement Busy Saturday

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—It was a busy Saturday for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol. Deputies and troopers responded to a multitude of vehicle crashes in the Eustis, Paisley and Umatilla areas Saturday, according to LCSO Lt. Fred Jones. At County Road 42 and Deerhaven Road, a truck flipped and before deputies arrived, the driver fled the scene. “The bloodhound and helicopter conducted an extensive search. The driver was not located,” Jones told Inside Lake. The second crash was at County 437, south of State Road 44 in Eustis. The driver left the road, struck an oak

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Man Arrested at Downtown Eustis Park Less than 12 Hours After He was Trespassed

EUSTIS, Florida—An Altoona man remains in the Lake County Jail after trespassing at a downtown Eustis park less than 12 hours after he was told to stay away by Eustis Police Department. EPD officers trespassed Wayne Anthony Sarlo, 47, from Ferran Park in downtown Eustis at 8:45 p.m. Friday and around 8:30 a.m. Saturday an EPD sergeant spotted Sarlo and thought he looked suspicious. Upon checking Sarlo’s name, the sergeant found Sarlo had just been trespassed from the park the night before. Sarlo was arrested and transported to LCJ, where he is being held on $1,000 bond.

Man Arrested at Downtown Eustis Park Less than 12 Hours After He was Trespassed Read More »

Eustis Convicted Felon Shoots Stolen Gun at Man During Argument, Arrested on Multiple Charges

EUSTIS, Florida—A Eustis man is being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond after firing a shot at another Eustis man Saturday and punching him in the face after the man threw him out of his house following an argument, according to an arrest affidavit. Albert Watkins III, 61, was at an unidentified man’s home in Eustis when the man began talking about someone close to the victim. Due to Marsy’s Law, the victim’s name and the name of the person who Watkins was talking about are redacted from the affidavit. The victim, upset about what Watkins was

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Ham Radio Field Day at Lake County Institute of Public Safety Showcases Lake Amateur Radio Association’s Ham Communication

TAVARES, Florida—The Lake Amateur Radio Association (LARA) hosted its annual Ham Radio Field Day event June 24 and 25 at the Lake County Institute of Public Safety, drawing enthusiasts from far and wide. The event, captured in a captivating photo, featured the club’s president, Glenn Casselman, and his spouse, Laura, who is also a Ham radio enthusiast. The picturesque location provided the perfect backdrop for a day filled with showcasing mobile command vehicles from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Fire Rescue, and, of course, the Lake Amateur Radio Association. Established in 1952 by a group of Lake County/City

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Man Found Dead Monday Identified as 1981 Super Bowl Winner

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department has released the name of the man who was found dead near a cell phone tower off David Walker Drive Monday morning. Joseph Campbell, 68, was reported missing by a friend to Tavares Police Department prior to being found by a passerby around 8 a.m. Monday, TPD Chief Sarah Coursey told Inside Lake.   EPD is investigating the death, but it does not appear to be suspicious, EPD Capt. Ken Toler said Monday. Campbell was a former NFL player and played for the Oakland Raiders in 1981 when they won the Super Bowl, according to Raiders.com.

Man Found Dead Monday Identified as 1981 Super Bowl Winner Read More »

Long Arm of the Law Catches Up with Umatilla Murder Suspect

UMATILLA, Florida—The third man suspected in the 2022 murder of a Umatilla man has been apprehended in Georgia, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Marvin Habakkuk Ellison, Jr., 40, of Orlando, was taken into custody at an apartment complex in in DeKalb County, Georgia on Friday morning and a search warrant was executed where he was staying, LCSO said. A warrant was issued for Ellison’s arrest earlier this year and he was located by LCSO detectives, investigators from the Orlando Police Department and U.S. Marshals; he may be involved with other cases, according to LCSO.   Ellison and two

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Man’s Body Found in Eustis Monday Morning, Does Not Appear to be Suspicious, Police Say

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department is investigating after a man’s body was found by a passerby Monday morning. “It appears to be a natural death,” EPD Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. The man’s body was found off David Walker drive near a cell tower, said Capt. Ken Toler. “We’re still investigating,” Toler said, “but nothing stands out (as suspicious.) We’re awaiting the medical examiner.” Police have identified the man but are not releasing his name until his next of kin has been notified.

Man’s Body Found in Eustis Monday Morning, Does Not Appear to be Suspicious, Police Say Read More »

Body Cam Footage Released of Capture of Suspect in Eustis Jogger Attacks

The following video is body cam footage released Thursday from the apprehension of Jephson Seguin on June 29. The video contains some graphic language and images of Seguin’s bullet wounds. Viewer discretion is advised. EUSTIS, Florida—Only Inside Lake has obtained body cam footage from the moments a suspected serial attacker was taken into custody last week. Jephson Seguin, 20, was apprehended June 29 after his parents called police and he fled out the back door of their home on Marietta Lane in Eustis. He is accused of trying to run a police officer over and attacking two women in the

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Man Accused of Attacking Women and Trying To Run Down Cop Released on Bond  

EUSTIS, Florida—Jephson Seguin, the man suspected in the attacks of three women and trying to run over a Eustis Police officer has been released on bond. Seguin, 20, was apprehended Thursday afternoon after his parents called police and he fled out the back door of their home on Marietta Lane in Eustis. He is accused trying to run a police officer over and attacking two women in the spring and a third woman Tuesday night after he followed her on foot and in the black Cadillac Escalade EXT he was driving. When he tried to run the officer over, the

Man Accused of Attacking Women and Trying To Run Down Cop Released on Bond   Read More »

Man Suspected in Attacks on 3 Women Booked into Jail, Bond Set at $26,500

EUSTIS, Florida—The man suspected in the attacks of three women and trying to run over a Eustis Police officer has been booked into the Lake County Jail. Jephson Seguin, 20, is accused trying to run a police officer over and attacking two women in the spring and a third woman Tuesday night after he followed her on foot and in the black Cadillac Escalade EXT he was driving, according to an arrest affidavit. After following the victim both on foot and in the Escalade, a witness told an EPD detective Seguin was peeping through his kitchen window on Morningview Drive

Man Suspected in Attacks on 3 Women Booked into Jail, Bond Set at $26,500 Read More »

Man Accused of Attacking 3 Women in Eustis in Custody, Now Being Treated for Gunshot Wound

EUSTIS, Florida—The man accused of attacking three women in Eustis since April is in custody. Jephson Seguin, 20, was apprehended Thursday afternoon around 3 p.m. as he ran out the back door of his parents’ house in the 800 block of Marietta Lane in the Hillcrest at Lake Nettie subdivision, Eustis Police Department Capt. Jon Fahning said. Inside Lake was the first media organization to break Seguin was in custody, the only media on the scene of the latest incident Tuesday night on Morningview Drive and the only media on scene at Seguin’s house after he was captured. Two EPD

Man Accused of Attacking 3 Women in Eustis in Custody, Now Being Treated for Gunshot Wound Read More »

Suspect in Eustis Tuesday Night Attack Believed to be Responsible for April Attacks, Body Cam Released, $5k Reward Offered

EUSTIS, Florida—The man who grabbed a woman, groped her and threw her to the ground before trying to run over a Eustis Police officer is believed to be responsible for two attacks in April, according to EPD Capt. Jon Fahning. Shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday, the suspect, described as a black male, late teens to early 20s, approximately 6 feet tall, with a thin build and wearing a grey hoodie, black pants and a surgical mask, grabbed a woman jogging on Morningview Drive near Eustis High School, groped her and threw her to the ground.  She was not injured and

Suspect in Eustis Tuesday Night Attack Believed to be Responsible for April Attacks, Body Cam Released, $5k Reward Offered Read More »

Photos Released in Search for Man Who Attacked Woman in Eustis Tuesday Night

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department has released still photos taken from surveillance videos that captured the suspect and his vehicle in the attack of a female jogger Tuesday night. The suspect is described as a black male with a thin build, approximately 6 feet tall and was wearing a grey hoodie, black pants and a surgical mask, according to EPD Capt. Jon Fahning. The man ran up behind a woman around 9 p.m. on Morningview Drive, near Eustis High School, grabbed her, groped her and threw her to the ground. It is unclear who called in the attack, but two officers

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Suspect in Officer-Involved Shooting Attacked Woman Prior to Call, Police Say

EUSTIS, Florida—More details were released in the Eustis Police Department officer-involved shooting shortly after midnight Wednesday morning. The suspect, described as a black male with a thin build, approximately 6 feet tall and was wearing a grey hoodie, black pants and a surgical mask, according to EPD Capt. Jon Fahning. The man ran up behind a woman around 9 p.m. on Morningview Drive, near Eustis High School, grabbed her, groped her and threw her to the ground. It is unclear who called EPD, but two officers responded and as one officer pulled up, the suspect returned to his vehicle and

Suspect in Officer-Involved Shooting Attacked Woman Prior to Call, Police Say Read More »

Eustis Police Officer Shoots at Suspect Accused of Driving Toward Him Tuesday Night

EUSTIS, Florida—Only Inside Lake was on the scene of an officer-involved shooting late Tuesday night. EPD responded to Morningview Drive near Eustis High School on a report of a fight between a male and a female around 9 p.m., EPD. Capt. Jon Fahning said on scene. As one officer pulled up, the suspect returned to his vehicle and got inside; a second officer arrived and was outside of his patrol unit approaching the suspect when he ducked below the steering wheel and then accelerated toward the officer who was on foot. The officer opened fire, Fahning said. It is unknown

Eustis Police Officer Shoots at Suspect Accused of Driving Toward Him Tuesday Night Read More »

Eustis Man Arrested for Painting Heart on Leesburg Bar Parking Lot

LEESBURG, Florida—A Eustis man is facing a felony criminal mischief charge after admitting he painted a heart on the parking lot of a Leesburg bar, according to an arrest affidavit. Timothy Scott Bombard, 36, was captured on video painting a white heart on the parking lot of Dirty South Saloon, 1850 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg on June 16 and he was easily identified because he had previously applied for a job at the bar, the manager told a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy. Bombard apparently asked if the bar would keep a heart that was already painted there after the

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Multi-Agency Pursuit Reaches Speeds of 100+ MPH Overnight

MOUNT DORA, Florida—Two people are in the Lake County Jail following a tussle with Mount Dora Police Department and a multi-agency pursuit across Lake County Friday. Shortly after midnight, MDPD responded to Perkins, 17080 U.S. Highway 441, Mount Dora on a report of a verbal argument. Officers found a black Ford F-150 with two occupants inside and identified the pair as Larissa Molina, 22 of Franklin, North Carolina and Adrian Delgado, 22, of Kissimmee. Officers ran the VIN of the truck and found it was possibly stolen out of Orange County, according to Delgado’s arrest affidavit. Delgado apparently had a

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Teen Gang Members, Well-Known to Law Enforcement, Arrested Again

EUSTIS, Florida—Three teens, who are documented gang members and well-known to local law enforcement were arrested again last week, this time for burglarizing vehicles, according to several arrest affidavits. On May 30, Eustis Police Department responded to a call about three suspicious males in black hoodies and masks on Beaumont Lane in the Arbor Hills neighborhood and found three males matching the description in the area of Waycross Avenue and Abrams Road around 3:30 a.m. The trio, later identified as Gyrice Trayvon Foster, 18, Kristine Morell Morris, 15, and Artavious Jamarr Williams, 17, all of Eustis, tried to run but

Teen Gang Members, Well-Known to Law Enforcement, Arrested Again Read More »

Man Arrested Numerous Times in Lake and Orange Counties Arrested Again for Trafficking in Fentanyl

LEESBURG, Florida—A man arrested, but never convicted, numerous times for a variety of offenses including vehicular manslaughter, witness tampering, trafficking in drugs and battery on a pregnant female in both Orange County and Lake County, has been arrested yet again, this time for trafficking in fentanyl, according to an arrest affidavit. Emmanuel Cazeau, 39, of Eustis, was pulled over early Friday morning by Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies for a minor traffic offense as he pulled out of Circle K, at the corner of County Road 44 and County Road 473 in unincorporated Leesburg, according to an arrest affidavit. Deputies

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Law Enforcement Agencies Need Your Vote for K9 Grant

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—Several local law enforcement agencies are counting on the public to help them grow their K9 units with a grant from a national biohazard clean-up company. Five agencies in Lake County are competing for a $2,500 grant that can be used for their K9 units, such as purchasing equipment and other needs for their pups. The grant will be provided by Aftermath Service LLC, a national company that provides biohazard clean-ups from incidents such as crime scenes and unattended deaths. Eustis Police Department, Fruitland Park Police Department, Lady Lake Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Tavares Police

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Second Arrest Made in 2022 Umatilla Murder

TAVARES, Florida—A second man has been arrested in the 2022 murder of a Umatilla man. Deandre Bernard Anderson, 32, of Leesburg, was booked into the Lake County Jail on a warrant for first degree murder Friday, accused of killing Antwain “Lil Daddy” Hart, 31, on Nov. 8, 2022. Hart was found with at least one gunshot wound in front of a home in the Southside area of unincorporated Umatilla and died during transport to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake last year. Only Inside Lake was on the scene following the shooting.

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Eustis Police Chief Finds Man Suspected of DUI in Grocery Store Parking Lot with Bottle of Vodka Next to Him

EUSTIS, Florida—A man who was apparently stumbling and staggering around a local grocery store and parking lot was busted for DUI Sunday after Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri found him sitting in his car with a bottle of vodka lying next to him. Capri was in the area Sunday around 8:15 p.m. when he heard a call go out about a possible drunk person stumbling around and trying to leave in a white Dodge Challenger in the Woodland Center plaza, 1930 North State Road 19, which houses Publix, according to an arrest affidavit. Capri spoke only with Inside Lake about

Eustis Police Chief Finds Man Suspected of DUI in Grocery Store Parking Lot with Bottle of Vodka Next to Him Read More »

Tavares Police Searching for Woman Missing Since Saturday

UPDATE: Celia Schwinden has been found safe. TAVARES, Florida—Tavares Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a woman who was last seen at her home in the area of Dora Avenue Saturday. Celia Schwinden, 67, is known to frequent Tavares, Eustis and Leesburg on foot and may be carrying bags with her. TPD is utilizing the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Crime Center, bloodhounds and pinged her cellphone with negative results. TPD has also issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) and reached out to surrounding law enforcement agencies, TPD Chief Sarah Coursey told Inside Lake. “We

Tavares Police Searching for Woman Missing Since Saturday Read More »

Person Airlifted After Being Rescued from Fire Sunday Night, Deputy Transported

ALTOONA, Florida—One person was rescued and airlifted for treatment and a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy was transported to the hospital following a structure fire Sunday night, according to Umatilla Fire Department. Numerous agencies responded to the fire in addition to UFD and LCSO, including Eustis Fire Department, Leesburg Fire Department, Lake County Fire Rescue, Marion County Fire Rescue and Lake EMS, a UFD social media post stated. An exact address for the fire was unavailable at press time, but numerous social media posts and comments said the fire was in the Shockley Heights area. UFD was first on the

Person Airlifted After Being Rescued from Fire Sunday Night, Deputy Transported Read More »

Substitute Teacher Arrested For Child Abuse After Letting 7th Grader Hit Vape In Class. “I Was Just Trying To Fit In.”

EUSTIS, Florida—A substitute teacher was arrested Friday for child abuse after letting a 7th grade student hit a vape pen, because she was just trying to fit in, according to an arrest affidavit. The student told the Eustis Police Department school resource officer (SRO) he and his friend were talking in their last class period Tuesday when the friend made a comment about vaping and Jennifer Gaine Hale, 50, of Mount Dora said she had one, the affidavit states; Hale was substituting at Eustis Middle School and in charge of the class. The boy walked up to her desk and

Substitute Teacher Arrested For Child Abuse After Letting 7th Grader Hit Vape In Class. “I Was Just Trying To Fit In.” Read More »

Fourth Annual Lake County Back the Blue Walk Scheduled for Saturday

TAVARES, Florida—Law enforcement and supporters will join forces for the fourth annual Lake County Back the Blue Walk at Wooton Park Saturday morning. Scheduled for 9 a.m., this is one of many law enforcement events around Lake County held in May during Law Enforcement Appreciation Month. In its fourth 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

Fourth Annual Lake County Back the Blue Walk Scheduled for Saturday Read More »

Details Released After Fugitive Taken Into Custody Nearly 2 Months After Skipping Out on DUI Manslaughter Trial

MOUNT DORA, Florida— The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released details about the apprehension of Zachery Waldo Wednesday. Waldo, 36, was tracked down by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force that includes a deputy from LCSO, LCSO Lt. Fred Jones told Inside Lake. He was found at Lakeside Inn, 100 Alexander Street, a popular downtown Mount Dora hotel, shortly before 11 a.m.   “They boxed him in, in the parking lot,” Jones said. A $10,000 reward was being offered for information leading to Waldo’s capture, but no one will be getting the reward because the Marshals developed information on their

Details Released After Fugitive Taken Into Custody Nearly 2 Months After Skipping Out on DUI Manslaughter Trial Read More »

Lady Lake Names New Police Chief

LADY LAKE, Florida—The Town of Lady Lake has named a new police chief after former Chief Robert Tempesta returned to his former rank of lieutenant, according to Lady Lake Director of Communications Elisha Pappacoda. Steven W. Hunt will officially begin as his role as interim police chief Monday, according to a press release. Hunt, of Eustis, has more than 35 years of law enforcement experience and most recently served as a detective for the State of Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative & Forensic Services, Bureau of Insurance. Hunt began his career in law enforcement at 18 years

Lady Lake Names New Police Chief Read More »

Rollover Crash Kills Eustis Man Friday Morning

UMATILLA, Florida—A rollover crash killed a Eustis man just before daylight Friday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 41-year-old man was driving a 1997 Chevy GMT-400 northbound on State Road 19 near Baker Road just outside of Umatilla, when he lost control for an unknown reason while negotiating a lefthand curve around 6:35 a.m., FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The Eustis man overcorrected, causing the truck to overturn multiple times and come to a final rest on the west shoulder of State Road 19, Crescenzi said. He was pronounced deceased on the scene. The

Rollover Crash Kills Eustis Man Friday Morning Read More »

Man Attempts to Drive Himself to the Hospital Following Shooting Thursday Afternoon

EUSTIS, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred Thursday, according to LCSO Lt. Fred Jones. A male was shot at a home on Southland Road in unincorporated Mount Dora around 4:15 p.m. Thursday during a dispute, Jones said. The man attempted to drive himself to the hospital and had two small children in his vehicle, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. His vehicle came to a rest in the parking lot of Golden Corral, 15810 U.S. Highway 441, Eustis and EPD officers responded and rendered aid, Capri said. The male was later airlifted to

Man Attempts to Drive Himself to the Hospital Following Shooting Thursday Afternoon Read More »

Late Night Head-On Crash Kills Eustis Man and Altoona Woman Saturday

TAVARES, Florida—Two people are dead following a head-crash on a busy Tavares Road Saturday night. Shortly before 10:45 pm. Tavares Police Department responded to a report of a crash near County Road 561 and Lona Street. According to witnesses and evidence on scene, a 2019 black Nissan Sentra being driven by Scott Alexander Sawyer, 29, of Eustis, was speeding northbound on County Road 561 and attempted to pass vehicles on a double yellow line. He struck a 2008 gray Mazda Tribute head-on being driven southbound by Lindsay Marie Baker, 26, of Altoona, TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan told Inside

Late Night Head-On Crash Kills Eustis Man and Altoona Woman Saturday Read More »

Man Accused of Robbing Downtown Eustis Business has Lengthy Criminal History

EUSTIS, Florida—The man Eustis Police say robbed a downtown business Friday has a lengthy prison history and served his first prison sentence nearly 20 years ago, according to court records. Jacob Thomas Parrish, 36, of Umatilla, was arrested shortly after 3 p.m. Friday after employees of Wells Fargo Advisors, 127 North Bay Street, in the heart of downtown Eustis, called 9-1-1 and reported Parrish entered the business armed with a knife. EPD Capt. Jon Fahning told Inside Lake Friday. Police believe Parrish thought the location was a bank; the building, at the corner of Bay Street and McDonald Avenue houses

Man Accused of Robbing Downtown Eustis Business has Lengthy Criminal History Read More »

Man in Custody After Entering Downtown Eustis Building Armed with Knife

EUSTIS, Florida—A man is in custody after entering a downtown Eustis building armed with a knife Friday afternoon. Jacob Parrish, 36, of Umatilla entered Wells Fargo Advisors, 127 North Bay Street around 3 p.m. Friday armed with a knife while three employees, two females and a male were in the building, Eustis Police Department Capt. Jon Fahning told Inside Lake, the only media on the scene. The three employees barricaded themselves in a room and Parrish refused to let them out and they called police, Fahning said. Parrish locked himself in the building at the corner of Bay Street and

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Female Jogger Fights Off Attacker with Water Bottle in Eustis Friday Morning

EUSTIS, Florida—A woman who was jogging on Country Club Road in Eustis Friday morning was grabbed from behind by a man in what police describe as a “bear hug” and she fought him off with a water bottle, police say. The woman was jogging northbound around 10:30 a.m. when the man came up behind her and grabbed her in a “bear hug” and thrust his hips into her in an aggressive and sexual manner, Eustis Police Department Capt. Jon Fahning told Inside Lake. The victim hit the unidentified man with a water bottle, and he fled southbound on Country Club

Female Jogger Fights Off Attacker with Water Bottle in Eustis Friday Morning Read More »

Accused Mother-Daughter Fraudsters Facing More Than 250 Charges

EUSTIS, Florida—A report of identity theft at a Eustis bank last year launched a seven-month investigation that unraveled a mother-daughter Medicaid fraud scheme that culminated in a search warrant and an arrest earlier this month, according to an arrest affidavit. In September 2022, Eustis Police Department responded to Wells Fargo, 16949 U.S. Highway 441 after a man reported his identity had been stolen and used to open a bank account. A lengthy investigation revealed the account was used to funnel money to Heather Linette Steverson, 55, and her daughter, Jessica Linette Chechile, 34, for alleged rides they gave to Medicaid

Accused Mother-Daughter Fraudsters Facing More Than 250 Charges Read More »

Boy, 12, Arrested for Threatening School Shooting After Classmate’s Mom Intercepts Group Text Message

EUSTIS, Florida—A 12-year-old boy was arrested Monday night after a mom alerted her child’s principal to group text messages between several Faith Lutheran School students that included a student threatening to shoot some of his classmates. Inside Lake is not naming the boy due to his age.    Eustis Police Department responded to Faith Lutheran School, 2727 South Grove Street after the principal reported he had received an email from a parent of a student at the school. The principal said the parent stated she had received text messages on her child’s phone that contained threats to “shoot up the

Boy, 12, Arrested for Threatening School Shooting After Classmate’s Mom Intercepts Group Text Message Read More »

Orlando Man Arrested for 2022 Umatilla Murder

UMATILLA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in the murder of a man in Umatilla last year.   Only Inside Lake was on the scene after Antwain “Lil Daddy” Hart, 31, was found suffering at least one gunshot wound Nov. 8. 2022 in front of a home on Merrell Avenue in the Southside area of unincorporated Umatilla. He was transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares by Lake EMS, but died during transport, LCSO Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake last year. Hart’s rental vehicle, a 2022 white Jeep Cherokee, was stolen at the time of his murder

Orlando Man Arrested for 2022 Umatilla Murder Read More »

Dry Conditions Force Countywide Burn Ban

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—Lake County officials imposed a burn ban effective Friday that will last indefinitely, according to a press release. The burn ban is in effect for all of Lake County and prohibits the burning of yard debris, land and recreational fires but does not include outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills and barbecue pits that have a total fuel area of 3 feet or less and 2 feet or less in height. Dry conditions forced the move by county officials and surrounding counties have enacted similar bans. For more than three weeks, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) rating has exceeded 500

Dry Conditions Force Countywide Burn Ban Read More »

Stolen $100K SUV Spotted by Deputy at Gas Pump

EUSTIS, Florida—A $100,000 stolen SUV spotted at a gas pump by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy landed a Eustis man in jail Sunday on multiple charges, including trafficking in heroin. Shortly after 1:45 p.m. Sunday the deputy was patrolling the area of Orange Avenue and Abrams Road when he saw a 2024 white Mercedes SUV that matched the description of an SUV recently stolen from Tavares at a gas pump. The SUV is valued at $100,000 according to the affidavit. LCSO pulled into Circle K, 2754 East Orange Avenue, and observed a man, later identified as Trevon Markques Williams,

Stolen $100K SUV Spotted by Deputy at Gas Pump Read More »

Marion County Man Accused of Child Sex Crimes in Eustis

TAVARES, Florida—A Marion County man taken into custody by U.S. Marshals last week in Marion County on a warrant for sex crimes against a young child in Eustis has been transferred to the Lake County Jail. William Grady Keel, 26, was picked up by U.S. Marshals on a warrant for sexual battery on a child under 12 and lewd or lascivious molestation on a child under 12 on Thursday, Eustis Police Department Capt. Dave Carney told Inside Lake. According to the address listed for Keel on LCJ’s online booking records, Keel lives in the Umatilla area of Marion County. The

Marion County Man Accused of Child Sex Crimes in Eustis Read More »

Eustis Crash Kills Ohio Man Saturday Night, Mount Dora Man Airlifted

EUSTIS, Florida—A man has died following a crash that shut down U.S. Highway 441 near the Eustis/Tavares line Saturday night. Only Inside Lake was on scene of the crash at U.S. Highway 441 and Dillard Road that occurred shortly before 8:30 p.m. Saturday. After receiving a 9-1-1 call, Eustis Police Department arrived at the scene and found two heavily-damaged vehicles, a grey 2001 Jeep SUV and red 2020 Chevrolet Corvette that were approximately 150 feet away from each other. Police are investigating a motorcycle’s possible involvement in the crash, EPD Chief Craig Capri said. The crash shut down U.S. Highway

Eustis Crash Kills Ohio Man Saturday Night, Mount Dora Man Airlifted Read More »

Suspect Who Surrendered to LCSO SWAT Team Monday was Wanted for Attempted Murder, Separate Shooting

EUSTIS, Florida—The man who surrendered to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team Monday afternoon was wanted for numerous charges stemming from two separate shootings this month, including attempted murder. Eduardo “Gordo” Ramirez, 24, of Mascotte was wanted in the shooting of a man on Bay Lake Road in Groveland Monday, according to an arrest affidavit. LCSO deputies responded to Bay Lake Road Monday at an unknown time, and the victim, who was shot in his left leg, told deputies Ramirez shot him during an argument. The victim said Ramirez was in the driver’s seat of a white SUV, later identified

Suspect Who Surrendered to LCSO SWAT Team Monday was Wanted for Attempted Murder, Separate Shooting Read More »

Where’s Waldo? LCSO Increases Reward for Missing Fugitive to $10,000, Girlfriend Arrested

TAVARES, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has increased the reward for a man who ditched his DUI manslaughter trial earlier this month and arrested his girlfriend for assisting him. Zachery Maurice Waldo, 36, was on trial earlier this month for killing Christopher Smith, 44, his wife, Jessica Smith, 35, and their daughter Hailey Smith, 13, all of Eustis, more than three years ago. Their son Hunter, just 11 years old, was the sole survivor in the vehicle his family was riding in. Christopher and Jessica died on the scene of the Christmas Eve 2019 crash and Hailey died on Christmas

Where’s Waldo? LCSO Increases Reward for Missing Fugitive to $10,000, Girlfriend Arrested Read More »

Shooting Suspect Taken into Custody by LCSO Monday

EUSTIS, Florida—Only Inside Lake was on the scene in a normally quiet neighborhood that saw a lot of excitement as the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team moved in on a wanted shooting suspect Monday afternoon Deputies were attempting to locate Eduardo Ramirez, a suspect in a case the criminal investigations bureau was working, LCSO Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake as the SWAT Team and marked units staged at an undisclosed location. LCSO moved in on the home at the corner of Washington Avenue and Ohio Boulevard—just one half of a mile from Eustis High School as school let

Shooting Suspect Taken into Custody by LCSO Monday Read More »

Umatilla Man Arrested for DUI Manslaughter in Death of Sorrento Woman Last Year

EUSTIS, Florida—A Umatilla man has been arrested for the April 2022 death of a Sorrento woman who was killed in a motorcycle crash in Eustis less than two weeks after her 28th birthday.   Edgar Wesley Tello, 65, had an alcohol level of .017—more than twice the legal limit at the time of the crash, according to medical records subpoenaed by Eustis Police Department following the crash. On April 24, 2022 Rebekah Jo Towner, 28, was a passenger on 2006 Harley Davidson being controlled by Tello, northbound on Grove Street, when he struck a curb, rode on the grass and

Umatilla Man Arrested for DUI Manslaughter in Death of Sorrento Woman Last Year Read More »

Leesburg Police Department and U.S. Marshals Search Home Tuesday Morning for Missing Suspect, Nobody Home

LEESBURG, Florida—Leesburg Police Department and the U.S Marshals served a search warrant Tuesday morning in their quest to find a man who left court last week in the middle of his trial, but came up empty, LPD Capt. Joe Iozzi told Inside Lake. LPD and the U.S. Marshals searched the home on East Street, near Dixie Avenue, but nobody was home, Iozzi said.  The scene caused a commotion and garnered several posts on popular Facebook word of mouth groups Tuesday morning. “The (U.S.) Marshals task force acquired a search warrant for the house,” Iozzi said in a text. Zachery Maurice

Leesburg Police Department and U.S. Marshals Search Home Tuesday Morning for Missing Suspect, Nobody Home Read More »

Man, 28, Arrested for Grabbing 81-Year-Old Man Who Ducked his Punch at Eustis Grocery Store

EUSTIS, Florida—A 28-year-old man is being held in the Lake County Jail on $5,000 bond after video surveillance showed him grabbing an elderly man and attempting to punch him at a Eustis grocery store Thursday afternoon., according to an arrest affidavit. The victim, 81, told Eustis Police Department that a man, later identified as Jason David Payne, of Eustis, came into Winn-Dixie, 1995 North State Road 19 around 5 p.m. Thursday, “acting strange.” Payne was in and out of the store yelling and then threw down a display rack that struck the victim’s wife’s foot, the victim told police. The

Man, 28, Arrested for Grabbing 81-Year-Old Man Who Ducked his Punch at Eustis Grocery Store Read More »

Hours After Alleged Crime, Eustis Attempted Rape Suspect Bitten by LCSO K9 and Taken into Custody Thursday

EUSTIS, Florida—The man accused of attempting to rape a woman at a Eustis massage business was bitten by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9 and taken into custody just hours after the crime, according to Eustis Police Department Capt. Dave Carney. Surveillance video from a nearby business clearly showed the license plate of the vehicle the suspect was driving, and he was quickly identified as Timothy Paul Taylor, 35, by EPD. They went to his last known address in Eustis and neighbors told police he moved to Palmetto Street. Officers arrived at the home he shares with his mother and

Hours After Alleged Crime, Eustis Attempted Rape Suspect Bitten by LCSO K9 and Taken into Custody Thursday Read More »

Eustis Police Searching for Armed Suspect Accused of Assaulting and Battering Woman Thursday

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department is searching for an armed man, accused of assaulting and battering a woman at massage business Thursday morning. A “younger” white male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches, wearing tan pants, a black hoodie, a red medical mask and armed with a gun entered the back door of A-1 Massage and Spa, 1316 South Bay Street, Thursday morning, EPD Capt. Dave Carney told Inside Lake. He pulled his pants down, grabbed a female employee by the hair, put the gun to her head, pushed her head down and demanded a sex act. The woman was able to

Eustis Police Searching for Armed Suspect Accused of Assaulting and Battering Woman Thursday Read More »

Man Accused of Killing Family in 2019 DUI Christmas Eve Crash Leaves Trial for Lunch and Never Comes Back, Found Guilty in Absentia

TAVARES, Florida—A man on trial this week for killing three members of the same family on Christmas Eve 2019 is on the run after leaving his trial during a lunch break and never coming back—and was convicted the same day, according to Lake County Clerk of Court docket information. Zachery Maurice Waldo, 36, is accused of killing Christopher Smith, 44, his wife, Jessica Smith,35, and their daughter Hailey Smith, 13, all of Eustis. Their son Hunter, just 11 years old, was the sole survivor in the vehicle his family was riding in. Christopher and Jessica died on the scene of

Man Accused of Killing Family in 2019 DUI Christmas Eve Crash Leaves Trial for Lunch and Never Comes Back, Found Guilty in Absentia Read More »

Man Swerves to Avoid Vehicle Sunday morning, Crashes Through Eustis Guardrail

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department is investigating a crash that sent a vehicle into a ditch near David Walker Drive and U.S. Highway 441 Sunday morning. Yash Patel told Eustis Police Department he was traveling down U.S. Highway 441 when a vehicle pulled out in front of him from the 7-Eleven/Dunkin Donuts exit, and he swerved to avoid it. He lost control, crashed through the guardrail and went down the embankment. He was not injured. He told EPD the other vehicle fled towards Tavares, and a description of the vehicle was not available. If you have information on Sunday’s crash, call

Man Swerves to Avoid Vehicle Sunday morning, Crashes Through Eustis Guardrail Read More »

Deputies Shut Down State Road 44 After Tragic Incident Monday Afternoon

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated the incident happened on Tuesday; the incident happened on Monday and the story has been corrected. Publisher’s Note: The following story contains details about an incident involving a suicide on State Road 44 Tuesday afternoon. Inside Lake determines if we will cover a suicide on a case-by-case basis. Generally, we only cover a suicide if it is in a public place, as in this case. We also want to share resources that are available to our readers if they need help. Locally, the M.I.K.E. Endowment is available, visit https://www.themikeendowment.org/ and the National

Deputies Shut Down State Road 44 After Tragic Incident Monday Afternoon Read More »

Hundreds of People Come Out for Eustis African American Heritage Celebration

EUSTIS, Florida—The crowds were large Saturday and the weather was beautiful for the 28th Annual Eustis African American Heritage Celebration. Beginning with a parade of nearly 150 entries, paradegoers were treated to candy and appearances by Parade Marshal Verma Evans, the Eustis African American Heritage Festival Committee, Eustis Junior Panthers players and cheerleaders, Magic Boyz, along with Eustis City Commissioners, Eustis Police Department, Eustis Fire Department and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. For the second year running, Inside Lake participated in the parade. The fragrance of all the scrumptious food available at the festival wafted through the air during the

Hundreds of People Come Out for Eustis African American Heritage Celebration Read More »

Fundraiser Created for Man, 71, Left Paralyzed from January Head-On Crash

ORLANDO, Florida—A fundraiser has been created for the elderly man who was airlifted following a head-on collision in January at a Eustis intersection notorious for crashes. A 19-year-old Leesburg man was driving a Dodge Ram south on County Road 452 when he attempted to make a left turn on County Road 44 and turned into the path of a black Toyota sedan being driven by Bernard Perry, 71, of Zellwood around 6:30 a.m. Jan. 19. The front of the truck struck the front of the sedan, seriously injuring Perry and he was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center, Eustis Police

Fundraiser Created for Man, 71, Left Paralyzed from January Head-On Crash Read More »

Sorrento Woman Killed, Eustis Man Seriously Injured in Volusia County Crash

De LEON SPRINGS— A Sorrento woman was killed Thursday afternoon after the car she was riding in rear-ended a Ford F-350 on U.S. Highway 17 in Volusia County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 2013 Hyundai Elantra being driven by a 41-year-old Eustis man, was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 17 approaching West Davis Street near De Leon Springs in Volusia County, when he failed to slow for a Ford F-350 pickup truck shortly after 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The Hyundai rear-ended the Ford, seriously injuring the Eustis man. His passenger, a 40-year-old woman from Sorrento, was transported to AdventHealth

Sorrento Woman Killed, Eustis Man Seriously Injured in Volusia County Crash Read More »

Leesburg Man Arrested After Fleeing Eustis Valentine’s Day Crash and Critically Injuring Man in Second Crash  

EUSTIS, Florida—A man without a license who police say fled a chain-reaction crash he caused, ran two stop signs and then slammed into the side of a Ford Focus on Valentine’s Day is facing three charges related to the crashes, according to an arrest affidavit. Gustavo Miguel Garcia, 29, of Leesburg was driving a white Ford flatbed pickup truck when he rear-ended a black Dodge SUV at Grove Street and Floral Avenue and fled the scene just before 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, witnesses told Eustis Police Department. The witnesses followed Garcia and he turned onto Wilt Avenue, and ran the stop

Leesburg Man Arrested After Fleeing Eustis Valentine’s Day Crash and Critically Injuring Man in Second Crash   Read More »

K9 Sniffs Out More Than a Pound of Meth Monday Afternoon

EUSTIS, Florida— Two people are in the Lake County Jail on more than $100,000 bond for drug charges, including trafficking in methamphetamine, after Eustis Police Department’s K9 Mya sniffed out more than a pound of the drug. Shortly after 2:45 p.m. Monday, Jamie Leigh Gregory, 36, drove past EPD on South Bay Street with her passenger, Robert L. Mullins, 48; Mullins was not wearing his seatbelt. Officers pulled the red pickup truck over and it stopped in the parking lot of a nearby funeral home, according to an arrest affidavit. Gregory, of Eustis, and Mullins, of Dona Vista, abruptly jumped

K9 Sniffs Out More Than a Pound of Meth Monday Afternoon Read More »

Woman Flees Deputies in Stolen Car, Drives Herself to the Lake County Jail  

TAVARES, Florida—An Astor woman is in the Lake County Jail after fleeing deputies in a stolen car in unincorporated Leesburg and ending her escapade outside the sallyport doors at the jail Saturday night, according to an arrest affidavit. An LCSO deputy observed a gray car roll the stop sign at Harbor Shores Road and Pine Island Drive and attempted to perform a traffic stop, the affidavit states. The car, being driven by Connie Ellene Adams, 31, passed another deputy who was outside his vehicle and failed to follow his commands to stop, fleeing at a high rate of speed. The

Woman Flees Deputies in Stolen Car, Drives Herself to the Lake County Jail   Read More »

Marion County Deputy Flips Stolen Truck with PIT Maneuver, Finds 2 Eustis Teens Inside

OCALA, Florida—Two Eustis teens, well-known to Lake County law enforcement were arrested Wednesday after fleeing from a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy in a truck stolen from Lake County earlier this week. Robert “Swag” Sharp, 16, was driving the stolen 2010 white Ford F150 truck when a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy located it near Dogwood Road and Southeast 58th Avenue Wednesday night. The truck, reported stolen from Grand Island, contained a firearm, according to MCSO. The deputy attempted to pull the truck over, and Sharp fled, running several stop signs and red lights and driving into oncoming traffic. The

Marion County Deputy Flips Stolen Truck with PIT Maneuver, Finds 2 Eustis Teens Inside Read More »

Memorial Planned for Well-Known Homeless Man Who Passed Away Last Month

EUSTIS, Florida—A memorial has been set for a well-known homeless man who passed away last month. Clyde “Eddie” Brooks, a loyal Dallas Cowboys fan, was found unresponsive Jan. 10 in Tavares by a mail carrier and transported to AdventHealth Waterman, where he died from an apparent medical episode. Known to most as “Clyde” he was well-liked and an earlier story about his death was shared more than 100 times and dozens of people commented and shared personal stories about Clyde. “There were many people who touched his life, and he touched ours,” Jan Glessner told Inside Lake. Glessner was a

Memorial Planned for Well-Known Homeless Man Who Passed Away Last Month Read More »

Man Murdered During Confrontation Identified, Eustis Police Announce $10K Reward

EUSTIS, Florida—The man shot in Eustis Monday night has been identified. Wseni “Haitian Black” Laguerre, 39 was shot multiple times around 8:20 p.m. Monday following a confrontation with an unknown individual, Eustis Police Department Chief Craig Capri said. EPD responded to the shooting at 202 Palm Ave near Grove Street and found Laguerre with multiple gunshot wounds. Witnesses told police an individual had some sort of confrontation with Laguerre and then shot him multiple times and fled the scene. Detectives are currently interviewing witnesses and following up on leads, Capri said. Laguerre was transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, causing

Man Murdered During Confrontation Identified, Eustis Police Announce $10K Reward Read More »

Man Dies After Being Shot in Eustis Monday Night

EUSTIS, Florida—The man shot in Eustis Monday night has died. Eustis Police Department responded to a shooting on Palm Ave near Grove Street, just before 8:30 p.m. Monday, EPD Police Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. The man was rushed to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, causing the hospital to be placed on lockdown, standard procedure when a victim of violence is brought in for treatment. He was pronounced dead a short time later, according to Capri. His name has not been publicly released. It appears the man was targeted, and there was no information available on a suspect at press

Man Dies After Being Shot in Eustis Monday Night Read More »

BREAKING NEWS: Man Shot in Eustis Monday Night

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department is on the scene of a shooting on Palm Ave near Grove Street, EPD Police Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. One man was shot and was rushed to a local hospital around 8:30 p.m. Monday. EPD detectives are enroute and road patrol officers are securing the crime scene, Capri said. There was no information available on the suspect(s) at press time. Capri is headed to the scene and will update Inside Lake as soon as more information is available. This is a developing story.

BREAKING NEWS: Man Shot in Eustis Monday Night Read More »

Eustis Man Nabbed After Exposing and Touching Himself at Laundromat While Watching 8-year-old Girl, Police Say

EUSTIS, Florida—A Eustis man is in the Lake County Jail accused of masturbating while watching a young girl as her mother did laundry late Friday night, according to an arrest affidavit. Just before midnight Saturday morning, a woman called Eustis Police Department and reported a man was masturbating while looking at her daughter at Spin City, 320 Ardice Avenue, Eustis. The girl’s father told police he was sitting in his vehicle while his wife and daughter – who is only 8 years old – were inside doing laundry. He said his daughter was playing near the vending machines when he

Eustis Man Nabbed After Exposing and Touching Himself at Laundromat While Watching 8-year-old Girl, Police Say Read More »

Wrong-Way Crash Just North of Eustis Sends 2 to the Hospital Friday

DONA VISTA, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate a serious crash that occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Friday night. A Nissan Versa being driven by a 37-year-old Leesburg man was traveling southbound on State Road 19 in the northbound inside lane, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi told Inside Lake.   As he approached Orange Avenue, a 36-year-old Umatilla man driving a Ford Taurus southbound on State Road 19 attempted to make a left turn on Orange Avenue and the front of the Nissan struck the left side of the Ford at 9:50 p.m., Crescenzi said. The Umatilla man was airlifted

Wrong-Way Crash Just North of Eustis Sends 2 to the Hospital Friday Read More »

Ocoee Man Killed in Astatula Head-On Crash Friday, Man and Young Girl in Stable Condition

ASTATULA, Florida—A head-on crash killed an Ocoee man Friday afternoon and sent a 7-year-old Eustis girl and a 36-year-old Eustis man to the hospital, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 50-year-old Ocoee man was driving a grey Toyota Tacoma southbound on County Road 561, near Georgia Avenue in Astatula, when he traveled into the northbound lane and struck a white Dodge Ram being driven by a 36-year-old Eustis man around 4:15 p.m., FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said in a press release. The Ocoee man was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased, Taylor said. The

Ocoee Man Killed in Astatula Head-On Crash Friday, Man and Young Girl in Stable Condition Read More »

Eustis Head-On Collision Sends Man, 71, to the Hospital

EUSTIS, Florida— Only Inside Lake was on the scene of a head-on crash that injured a 71-year-old man early Thursday morning. A Dodge Ram being driven by a 19-year-old Leesburg man collided with a black Toyota sedan being driven by a 71-year-old Zellwood man around 6:30 a.m. Thursday. The report was unavailable at press time, it is unknown how the crash occurred, and the drivers’ names were not released. The Zellwood man was seriously injured and airlifted to a local hospital; he is expected to survive, Eustis Police Department Capt. Jon Fahning told Inside Lake. The driver of the truck

Eustis Head-On Collision Sends Man, 71, to the Hospital Read More »

Former Police Chief Arrested for Aggravated Stalking of a Child, Facing Child Rape Charges in Sumter

TAVARES, Florida—The former police chief of Center Hill, arrested last month for raping a 14-year-old girl in Sumter County while holding her at gunpoint, is now facing stalking charges in Lake County. William Ray Pruitt, 56, of Weirsdale, was arrested early Friday morning for stalking and aggravated stalking, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office online booking records. Pruitt served as Center Hill Police chief in 1998 and 1999 and currently owns Pruitt Water in Leesburg, according to his booking information. Pruitt is accused stalking the girl beginning in October 2021, when she was just 15 years old and continuing for

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“You’ll Remember This,” Granddaughter Tells Grandfather After Setting her Mattress Ablaze, Causing Fire that Destroyed Eustis Home

EUSTIS, Florida—A woman, apparently angry at her grandfather after an argument about money, set her mattress on fire Monday and almost set a vehicle on fire, but changed her mind, she told Eustis Police Department, according to an arrest affidavit. Shortly before 6 p.m. Monday, EPD and Eustis Fire Department responded to a house fire at 2220 Titcomb Street; the victim told EPD he was sitting on the porch following an argument with granddaughter, Autumn Rose Walker, 22, when she came outside and said, “You’ll remember this,” and ran off down the road, the affidavit states. The victim looked inside

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Accused 2020 Light-Up Eustis Shooter Now Accused of Pushing Woman, 76, and Snatching Her Purse

CASSELBERRY, Florida—The teenager accused of opening fire at the Light-Up Eustis event in 2020 is in the Seminole County Jail, accused of pushing an elderly woman to the ground and snatching her purse, according to affidavit filed by Casselberry Police Department in Seminole County earlier this month. Brycen Williams, 19, is accused of following a 76-year-old woman out of a device repair store on Howell Branch Road in Casselberry, pushing her to the ground and snatching her purse around 6:45 p.m. Dec. 30. The elderly woman suffered cuts to her thumb and arm and was bleeding when Casselberry Police Department

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State Attorney Creates Animal Cruelty Task Force

OCALA, Florida—In an effort to streamline delivering justice to those who hurt animals, State Attorney Bill Gladson has created an Animal Cruelty Task Force for the Fifth Judicial Circuit that includes Lake, Citrus, Hernando, Marion and Sumter counties, his office said in a press release last week. The task force includes the Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC,) county animal services, and local law enforcement agencies and the goal is for law enforcement, animal services and animal protection organizations to work together to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty crimes throughout the circuit, according

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Leesburg Man Dead After Striking Guardrail on SR 429, Eustis Woman Seriously Injured

ORANGE COUNTY, Florida—A Leesburg man is dead after running off the road, striking a guardrail and overturning in the truck he was driving Sunday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 77-year-old man was driving a 2022 Toyota Tundra southbound on State Road 429, when he lost control for an unknown reason at mile marker 28, shortly before 10:30 a.m. Sunday. He ran off the road, struck a guardrail and overturned, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. He and his 73-year-old passenger, a Eustis woman, were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where the man was

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Windchills in the 20s and 30s Expected this Weekend, Cold Weather Shelters Activated

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—For the second time in less than a month, Lake County is scheduled to open two cold weather shelter locations in anticipation of this weekend’s near-freezing temperatures. Both locations open Friday; Trinity Assembly of God, 200 Urick Street, Fruitland Park will open at 5:30 p.m. and remain open through 7 a.m. each day, Friday through Sunday, and LifePointe Church, 3551 East Orange Avenue will be open 5 p.m. through 8 a.m. each day through Sunday, according to Lake County Emergency Management. A warming shelter will also be open from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Salvation

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Homeless Man Known to Many Passes Away Earlier this Week

TAVARES, Florida—A homeless man known to many in Eustis and Tavares and described as a “nice guy” has passed away. Clyde Edmond Brooks, 60, was well known to law enforcement and had been trespassed from many businesses but he was a “nice guy,” several law enforcement officers in Lake County told Inside Lake. When in Eustis he often could be seen in the area of the post office and officers said even when they had to arrest Clyde for trespassing after warning, he never gave them trouble and was always polite. Known to many as just “Clyde,” he loved football,

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Police Identify Man Found Dead in Parking Lot Over the Weekend

EUSTIS, Florida—The man found dead of a suspected overdose in a car Sunday afternoon has been publicly identified. William Woodruff, 32, was found around 2 p.m. Sunday in a car at Walgreens, 101 West Ardice Avenue, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. EPD officers found drugs and drug paraphernalia with Williams and his death appeared to be an overdose. There was no evidence of foul play, according to Capri.

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Body Found in Car at Eustis Business Sunday, No Foul Play, Police Say

EUSTIS, Florida—A man was found dead in a vehicle Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of a Eustis business, and it appears to be a drug overdose Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. The white male in his 30s, was found around 2 p.m. in a car at Walgreens, 101 West Ardice Avenue, Capri said. A family member of the man asked for a well-being check earlier in the day and EPD officers spotted the vehicle but were unable to pull it over and the car was later found in the parking lot. Drugs and drug paraphernalia were

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“Arctic Blast” Arrives Just in Time for Christmas, Cold Weather Shelters to be Activated

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—In anticipation of this weekend’s chilly weather, Lake County will open two cold weather shelter locations Friday afternoon. Both locations will open at 5:30 p.m. Friday; Trinity Assembly of God, 200 Urick Street, Fruitland Park will stay open 24 hours a day through Tuesday, and LifePointe Church, 3551 East Orange Avenue will be open 5:30 p.m. through 8 a.m. each day until Tuesday, according to Lake County Emergency Management. A warming shelter will also be open from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday at the Salvation Army, 2605 South Street, Leesburg,   Lake Xpress will provide

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BREAKING NEWS: Car Drives Into Eustis Building

EUSTIS, Florida—Patients and visitors to a local healthcare facility got a quite a scare Wednesday morning when a car drove into the building, according to Eustis Police Department. Only Inside Lake was on scene just after a 79-year-old Tavares woman told police she was “trying to park and the car lunged forward,” at AdventHealth Well 65+, 2906 David Walker Drive, Eustis around 9 a.m. She was not injured. The Suzuki sedan entered the building in a conference room where a man was on a Zoom call and he saw the car coming at him in the camera, EPD said. He

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Umatilla Teen Involved in Crash that Severed Motorcyclist’s Leg Arrested for Being Under the Influence of Marijuana at the Time of the Crash

EUSTIS, Florida—A teenager involved in a crash earlier this year that severed a motorcyclist’s leg has been arrested for DUI—driving under the influence of marijuana—according to a probable cause affidavit. Witnesses told Eustis Police a motorcycle was traveling 70 to 80 miles per hour shortly before 9:30 p.m. March 19, near State Road 19 and U.S. Highway 441, when the yellow Honda motorcycle attempted to pass a white Nissan Altima being driven by Stefon Shawn Seepersad, 19, of Umatilla. Seepersad turned on his blinker to turn right just as the motorcycle attempted to pass him and they collided, according to

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