Groveland

Groveland Man Arrested for 2nd DUI in a Week, 4th in 2 Years

GROVELAND, Florida—A Groveland man is behind bars accused of DUI for the second time in a week and the fourth time since 2021.

Shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday, Groveland Police Department responded to the area of State Road 50 and State Road 33 on a report of man leaving a residence drunk. The complainant told GPD what the man was driving and that he had been arrested the week before for DUI. An officer spotted the red Hyundai Daniel Joseph Smrekar, 59, was driving leaving a nearby gas station and began following it.

The Hyundai had faulty brake lights and was missing its front bumper; when GPD ran the tag, the officer found Smrekar, the registered owner, had a suspended driver license and was wanted for a bond revocation, according to an arrest affidavit.

GPD initiated a traffic stop near Michigan Avenue and Beach Street and Smrekar came to a final stop in the driveway of his home on Beach Street. Smrekar, who had glassy, watery, bloodshot eyes, agreed to field sobriety exercises and was unsteady on his feet, the arresting officer noted. The officer believed Smrekar was drunk, and he was arrested and taken to the police department where he refused to submit to a breath test.

This was Smrekar’s second arrest for DUI in a week and fourth since 2021. He was arrested for DUI on July 23 and in August 2022 by GPD, and in 2021 by Clermont Police Department.

He was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on no bond due to the bond revocation for the 2022 DUI.

Groveland Man Arrested for 2nd DUI in a Week, 4th in 2 Years 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 18, MDPD responded to Frogger’s Bar and Grill, 4931 Lake Park Court after a report of a fight. The manager said at around 6:25 p.m. he was made aware of a fight on the patio and when he walked out, no one was fighting but there was a lot of yelling between a customer he knew as Joshua and someone else whose name is redacted from the affidavit. Although the victim’s name is redacted from the affidavit due to Marsy’s Law, it does state she later told MDPD officers she has been married to Somers for about 10 years. The pair left before the manager could talk to them about what happened, but the video confirmed the allegations and the manager told employees to call police, according to the affidavit.

Somers was identified by full name through his credit card receipt and officers found he worked for GPD during a social media search. Officers then confirmed his employment with GPD.

MDPD spoke to several witnesses and also viewed the video that showed the victim sitting on the patio, near wooden guardrails. In the video, Somers, who appeared to be angry, approached the victim and had what police believe was a brief conversation with her; the video did not capture audio from the incident. Somers then walks toward the side entrance, abruptly stops and walks back over to the victim, the affidavit states.

Somers is seen placing his ear directly in front of the victim’s mouth “in an apparent attempt to intimidate her from speaking,” he then grabs her hair and forcibly hits her head against the railing and finally places his hand around her neck “in a fashion consistent with strangulation,” the arresting officer wrote in the affidavit.

MDPD found that Somers lives in Eustis and contacted the Eustis Police Department road patrol sergeant on duty who approved MDPD to respond to the home. Accompanied by EPD officers, MDPD spoke with Somers, who said he was at Frogger’s with the victim and said he was in an argument with her but was “adamant” he had “simply” grabbed her hair and not battered her in any other manner. “During this conversation it was evident that Joshua was heavily intoxicated and likely not going to provide any further pertinent information regarding the investigation,” the arresting officer noted in the affidavit.

Police spoke with the victim, who was also heavily intoxicated and “extremely hesitant” to speak to them about the incident but did say he grabbed her by the hair. Officers explained they had watched a video of the altercation and she became upset and stopped providing information to the officers who observed minor redness around her neck. Somers was arrested for battery by strangulation and transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was later released on $2,000 bond.

Inside Lake reached out to GPD to ask about the arrest and status of Somers’ employment.

“On Wednesday, July 19, 2023, the Groveland Police Department was informed that one of our officers had been arrested for a domestic violence-related offense. The charges are concerning and do not reflect our values or the high level of service and conduct to which we hold our employees, both on and off-duty. Per department policy, the officer was immediately placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation to be conducted by Mount Dora Police Department and any subsequent internal administrative investigation to be concluded by members of the Groveland Police Department. All charges against our employees – especially those of this nature – are taken very seriously and every member of our team will be held accountable for their actions,” GPD said in a statement.

Somers has not had any previous disciplinary actions during his employment at GPD.

 

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

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 radio amateurs, LARA has steadily grown over the years and now boasts a membership of more than 130 dedicated individuals. Not only do they own their own property, but they have also constructed a state-of-the-art clubhouse onsite. LARA’s primary focus lies in the fun hobby of Ham radio and service to the community. Furthermore, the club’s three VHF repeaters and three UHF repeaters, some of which are linked to Echolink, DMR and the IRLP network, enable worldwide communications, amplifying the club’s impact and reach.

PHOTO: Mark O’Keefe/Special to Inside Lake

The Ham Radio Field Day event at the Lake County Institute of Public Safety serves as a testament to LARA’s commitment to promoting the invaluable role of amateur radio in emergency situations. The event not only highlighted the association’s advanced communication capabilities but also fostered a sense of camaraderie among radio enthusiasts and local public safety agencies. As LARA continues to expand its membership and community involvement, their dedication to serving as a vital link during times of crisis remains unwavering. For more information, visit www.k4fc.org

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

“Bad Choice” and Lake County Arrest Leads to Orange County Deputy’s Termination

GROVELAND, Florida—An Orange County deputy sheriff has been fired after getting arrested by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy Wednesday.

Juan Alberto Morales-Padilla, 44, of Groveland, was arrested after fleeing an LCSO deputy when the deputy attempted to stop him on his yellow motorcycle on State Road 50 in Clermont, around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest affidavit.

The deputy was behind the motorcycle when it passed a vehicle in the median and the deputy attempted a traffic stop. Padilla failed to slow down, and the deputy activated his sirens and Morales-Padilla turned around and looked at him and sped off, he noted in the affidavit.

The deputy went to Morales-Padilla’s home in Groveland, knocked on his door several times and finally went around to the back of the home where he could see Padilla standing by a door with a phone in his hand. Padilla, who was wearing the same clothes, walked to the rear of the home and the deputy shined his flashlight on him. Morales-Padilla reportedly waved at the deputy and walked down a hallway, emerging soon after with different clothes on, according to the affidavit.

Morales-Padilla then opened the front door, came outside and began actively resisting a second deputy. He was secured and as they walked to a patrol unit, an LCSO deputy asked Morales-Padilla if he was a law enforcement officer.

“You wanna run?”

“Yeah”

“Seriously? Are you a cop? Are you a cop?

“I, uh, yeah.”

“Yes? So, you know better.”

Morales-Padilla also told deputies he made a “bad choice.” He was arrested for fleeing and eluding  and resisting arrest without violence. He was later released from the Lake County Jail on $3,000 bond.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina PHOTO: Orange County Sheriff’s Office

Orange County Sheriff John Mina fired Morales-Padilla, who worked for OCSO for less than one year.

“These are serious allegations, and I have been clear that there will be no tolerance for criminal behavior involving deputies,” Mina said in a statement. “At the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, we hold our deputies to the highest ethical standards whether they are on duty or off duty.”

“Bad Choice” and Lake County Arrest Leads to Orange County Deputy’s Termination Read More »

Mascotte Teen Accused Shooting Man in the Foot

MASCOTTE, Florida—A teeneger suspected of firing multiple shots at a Mascotte residence and shooting a man in the foot earlier this month was arrested Friday, according to an arrest affidavit.

Shortly before 10:45 p.m. June 8, Mascotte Police Department responded to the 300 block of Betty Lane on a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the foot and multiple witnesses came forward and identified the shooter as Luis Antonio Lopez, 19, of Groveland, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The investigation revealed a fight occurred between multiple people and as the fight was ending, Lopez went to a silver Nissan Altima, retrieved a gun, and fired it multiple times at the home. The victim began running from the scene, tripped and fell to the ground. While on the ground, the victim heard another gunshot and felt a bullet strike his foot. It is unclear what started the altercation.

Video backed up the victim’s claims and showed Lopez firing two shots from outside the Altima and entering the passenger seat. As the Altima accelerated on Betty Lane, Lopez fired multiple shots and an unidentified person began shooting at the Altima as it fled the scene. At least one bullet struck a home on Betty Lane, entering through the garage and eventually stopping in the master bedroom, where a man was sleeping. The homeowner was also inside the residence watching a movie with her daughter, according to the affidavit. The people inside the home were not injured.

Lopez was picked up Friday in Mascotte on the warrant for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, shooting into an occupied dwelling and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; he was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on $60,000 bond.

This is the second time in 18 months Lopez has been charged in a shooting. In November 2021, Lopez was accused of shooting at another home in Mascotte; a shot grazed one man, and another struck a juvenile male in the lower calf. The juvenile told MPD that shooting was over a girl and possibly a fight between older family members. One of the victims positively identified Lopez as the shooter and he was charged a few days later with attempted felony murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm in public. In another case in November 2022, Lopez was arrested for four counts of tampering with or harassing a witness and one count of assault in a separate case, all the charges in both cases were later dropped.

Mascotte Teen Accused Shooting Man in the Foot Read More »

Pickup Truck Hits Tractor-Trailer and Asphalt Truck Head-on Friday Morning, Killing 3 Mascotte Residents

CLERMONT, Florida—Three Mascotte residents were killed early Friday morning after the pickup truck they were in struck a tractor-trailer and an asphalt truck head-on, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A 21-year-old woman was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado southbound on State Road 33 near Bakers Lane shortly after 5:30 a.m., when it entered the northbound lane and struck a 1999 Freightliner tractor-trailer head-on, causing the tractor-trailer to run off the road and overturn on its right side, FHP Trooper Migdalisis Garcia said.

The Silverado continued to travel in the northbound lane and struck a 2018 Kenworth asphalt truck head-on, causing the asphalt truck to leave the roadway, collide with trees and overturn on its right side.   

The driver of the Silverado and her passengers, a 50-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man, all of Mascotte, were pronounced deceased on the scene. None of the occupants of the Silverado were wearing a seatbelt, according to Garcia.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 57-year- Kissimmee man and the driver of the asphalt truck, a 53-year-old man of Wimauma, Illinois suffered minor injuries and were transported to Orlando Health South Lake Hospital in Clermont. Lake County Fire Rescue and Groveland Fire Department also responded to the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

Pickup Truck Hits Tractor-Trailer and Asphalt Truck Head-on Friday Morning, Killing 3 Mascotte Residents 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 ones needed to know they were appreciated,” Cook said.

Cook has always had respect for law enforcement officers and the job they do, she said. Her close friend, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Wayne Koester, was killed in the line of duty Feb. 9, 2005. Koester, who was 33 at the time, and two other deputies were ambushed while responding to a domestic violence call. All three deputies were shot, and Koester succumbed to his injuries; the other two deputies recovered. Jason Wheeler was shot and paralyzed during his capture and convicted in Koester’s death. Cook was also close to Chris Daniels, who was serving as Lake County Sheriff when he was tragically killed in a charity bus race in 2006 on his birthday.

Shannon Cook shows off one of the many gifts she has for the law enforcement officers who attend the walk Saturday. PHOTO: Shannon Cook

Cook told Inside Lake it is important the community show its support for all of the good officers and those who were lost in the line of duty. Usually a one-woman show, Cook has some help this year from Wayne Koester’s brother, Victor Koester, Jolie Fowler, owner of The Car Doctor Automotive Specialist Inc., in Eustis, Lt. Kristin Thompson of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Nina Rosania, who is very active in the community, especially in her efforts helping out small businesses in Lake County.

Participants will meet a 9 a.m. at Wooton Park, 100 East Ruby Street, Tavares. The first stop will be the Lake County Administration Building, then a stop at the Tavares Public Safety Complex and the walk will end at Kalua Beach Bar with lunch. Donuts will be provided before the walk by Lake Tire & Auto in Tavares, and a hot dog lunch will be available at Kalua Beach Bar, provided by the restaurant and Duct-Man Mechanical LLC in Eustis.

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

Marion County Teen Suspected of Killing 3 Taken Into Custody near Groveland Saturday Night

GROVELAND, Florida—The teen wanted in connection with the murders of three teenagers last month in Marion County was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Saturday, south of Groveland, according to a Facebook post by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Inside Lake was tipped off Tahj Brewton, 16, was in custody, but LCSO was “unable to confirm,” shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday.

On Friday Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods announced Brewton was wanted and two other juveniles had been arrested in the murders of Layla Silvernail and Camille Quarles, both 16. A 17-year-old boy was also murdered, but his name has not been publicly released. All three teens were found shot to death in Marion County between March 30 and April 1. Silvernail and the boy were found shot on the side of different roads, several miles away from each other. Quarles was found in the trunk of Silvernail’s car, a white Chevy Cruze, that was found dumped in a pond near Ocklawaha April 1.

Woods said deputies believe all three teens were murdered at the same time, even though they were found in different locations, he said in a press conference Friday.

Robert Le’Andrew Robinson, 17, and Christopher De’l Atkins. 12, have been arrested and charged in the murders; Brewton was picked up on outstanding juvenile pickup orders for armed carjacking, aggravated assault, grand theft auto, fleeing and eluding and tampering with an electronic monitoring device. A juvenile pickup order is the equivalent of an arrest warrant for an adult. More charges are forthcoming for Brewton, according to the Facebook post.

Marion County Teen Suspected of Killing 3 Taken Into Custody near Groveland Saturday Night 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 and the ban is necessary for public safety, the press release stated.

When the KDBI rating falls below 500 for seven consecutive days, the county will lift the ban.

Dry Conditions Force Countywide Burn Ban 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 as a Nissan Murano, when they began arguing and Ramirez produced a pistol and shot him in the upper left leg area. The victim went in the house and Ramirez fled the scene with an unknown male. A family member of the victim called 9-1-1 and he was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment, according to the affidavit.

Multiple public safety agencies stage in an undisclosed location before LCSO SWAT moved in on a home where they found a man wanted for a shooting. PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake

The victim’s father told LCSO Ramirez was staying at 605 Ohio Boulevard in Eustis and he was found to have an active warrant for another shooting earlier this month. Numerous deputies, including the SWAT team responded to the home on Ohio Boulevard and Ramirez surrendered peacefully, LCSO Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake Monday. Only Inside Lake was on scene.

The law enforcement activity created concern for residents in the neighborhood that is just a half of a mile from Eustis High School.

Eduardo Ramirez PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office

In the other incident, Ramirez is accused of shooting at a man who was following a vehicle he believed his fiancé’ may be in on State Road 50 in Groveland March 3. According to that probable cause affidavit, a man was concerned about his fiancé, who had not been home in two days. He went to look for her and saw her friend’s car at a nearby convenience store. The man followed the car and Ramirez, who was in the car, pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots at the man. The man pulled out his own gun and fired shots back. He was not injured, but multiple bullets struck his truck, flattening the left front tire and damaging the engine block.

The victim’s fiancé’ returned home after the shooting and told Groveland Police Department “Gordo,” shot her fiancé;’ she later identified him in a photo lineup.  

Ramirez is facing a litany of charges in both cases, including attempted murder with a firearm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, two counts of shooting a weapon from a vehicle, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and felony criminal mischief. He is being held in the Lake County Jail on $120,000 bond.

Members of LCSO’s SWAT team leave a home on Ohio Boulevard in Eustis after an attempted murder suspect surrendered Monday afternoon. PHOTO: Jolie Fowler/Inside Lake
Shooting Suspect Taken into Custody by LCSO Monday

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

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