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

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

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

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

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

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Family Seeking Answers After Woman Found Dead in Astor Sunday

ASTOR, Florida—The family of a woman found dead Sunday afternoon wants answers about her death and is urging anyone with information to come forward. Tracy Nicole Beckwith, 40, of Mount Dora, was found dead in her on again/off again boyfriend’s vehicle around 3 p.m. Sunday after she failed to return the vehicle, according to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office report. The vehicle’s owner installed a GPS tracker on the vehicle prior to the incident and used it to find her location. His son found the vehicle in the 18700 block of State Road 40 and Beckwith was inside, deceased. LCSO

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

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

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Chain Reaction Crash Kills Leesburg Man, Seriously Injures Good Samaritan

LEESBURG, Florida—A motorcyclist was killed late Saturday night after he was thrown from his motorcycle in one crash and then struck by his motorcycle after a second vehicle hit it and propelled into him and a good Samaritan near Leesburg, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 57-year-old Leesburg man was riding a 2016 Harley Davidson Street Glide in the inside lane northbound on County Road 473 approaching California Street when a 2004 Toyota Tacoma traveling southbound on County Road 473, attempted to make a left turn into a gas station parking lot and struck the motorcycle.  The motorcyclist was

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Busy Intersection Still Blocked Due to Diesel Cleanup After Fatal Crash Near Okahumpka

OKAHUMPKA, Florida—A fatal crash that caused a diesel spill closed a busy intersection for most of the day Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.    A 33-year-old Bradenton man was driving a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander eastbound on County Road 470 approaching County Road 33 near Okahumpka when he ran a red light and struck the right side of a 2021 semi-truck being driven by a 43-year-old Brandon man. The impacted killed the 25-year-old Outlander passenger of Sarasota; he was not wearing a seatbelt and the driver was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. Both occupants of

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FHP On Scene of Fatal Crash

Update at the bottom of this story. OKAHUMPKA, Florida— The intersection of County Road 470 and County Road 33 in Okahumpka is shut down due to a fatal crash that occurred around 8:45 a.m. Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash involves a 2021 semi-truck and a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander; the passenger in the Outlander was killed, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said. The driver of Outlander, a 33-year-old Bradenton man, was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries and the driver of the semi, a 43-year-old man of Brandon, was not injured. Troopers are on scene

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LCSO and Lake County Office of Emergency Management Partner to Battle Astor Flooding, Area Closed to Non-Residents

ASTOR, Florida—In an effort to monitor and manage the flooding caused by Hurricane Ian along the St. Johns River in Astor, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Lake County Office of Emergency Management to set up a unified command center and has closed the area to non-residents, according to an LCSO press release.   The areas adjacent to the St. Johns River are still being accessed and at press time, the following areas were impacted the most: Several roads are underwater, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said, and more flooding is likely in the coming days. Residents who

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Alabama Man Charged in Altoona Double Murder

TAVARES, Florida—An Alabama man already in the Volusia County on unrelated charges has been arrested in the murders of two men, one month and one day after they were found. Roger Myles Gilbert, 35, is accused of killing Shane Eugene Clements, 41, of Altoona and David Thomas Mikell, 34, at Mikell’s home located at 45918 Pennsylvania Avenue in Altoona. The two men were found dead of gunshot wounds around 9 p.m. Aug. 25, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell. LCSO has not released a motive for the slayings. Just a day after the murders, Gilbert was arrested

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Tavares Police and LCSO Join Forces for Operation Aware

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

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Unborn Baby Killed in Head-On Collision Late Tuesday Night

EUSTIS, Florida—A head-on collision killed an unborn baby late Tuesday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 19-year-old Leesburg woman was westbound in a 2007 Cadillac DTS on County Road 44 near Sparrow Lane around 10: 45 p.m. Tuesday when a 2017 Ford Transit van traveling eastbound entered her lane. The van, being driven by a 34-year-old Eustis man, struck the left front of the Cadillac, causing critical injuries to the teenage driver, who was 30 weeks pregnant. The unborn child did not survive. The woman was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center for treatment and the driver of

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2 Students Arrested for Making Threats Monday in Separate Incidents

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

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Man, 28, Killed Walking Across Turnpike Earlier This Month

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

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

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

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

Name of Man Killed in Armed Confrontation with LCSO Released

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

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Leesburg Woman Killed, and Man Seriously Injured in Hit-and-Run Crash Sunday, FHP Searching for Vehicle

LADY LAKE, Florida—A 40-year-old woman was killed, and a 31-year-old man was seriously injured when a vehicle, possibly a Jeep Cherokee, struck the pair while they were walking northbound on Rolling Acres Road, south of West Lakeview Street just after 9:45 p.m. Sunday, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi. The pair, both of Leesburg, were walking on the grass shoulder of Rolling Acres Road, when the vehicle ran of the road and struck them, Crescenzi said in a press release. The vehicle fled the scene. The woman was pronounced dead, and the man was airlifted to Ocala Regional

Leesburg Woman Killed, and Man Seriously Injured in Hit-and-Run Crash Sunday, FHP Searching for Vehicle Read More »

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

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

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Woman Turns Herself In for Killing Relative, Held on No Bond

FRUITLAND PARK, Florida—A woman is being held in the Lake County Jail on a charge of second-degree murder after killing a male relative, due to a “longstanding grudge,” according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Jesse James McParlin, 39, was walking down Pine Street in unincorporated Fruitland Park around 10:20 a.m. Saturday, when the woman saw him, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. She began yelling at him and chased him down the street and shot him with a handgun, witnesses told LCSO. Detectives later learned there was a longstanding grudge between the two, Herrell said. McParlin went to his

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

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

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

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

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Missing Man Found Dead in Marion County, “Maniac” Arrested and Held on No Bond

LEESBURG, Florida—A man reported missing Wednesday has been found dead in Marion County and a Wildwood man has been arrested in his death, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. On Wednesday, a friend of Casey Dean’s told LCSO they heard Dean had been killed and was last seen with Matthew Luke “Maniac” Allen, 26, on Sunday riding with Allen and unidentified person in a red 2015 Dodge Ram. Deputies went to a home on Misty Meadows Drive in attempt to find Dean, Allen or the truck and were unsuccessful. They found the door to the guest house on the

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

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

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Man arrested for double murder, sexual battery at Clermont RV Resort

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

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

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

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Second Person of Interest in Altoona Slayings Found Dead Friday, Ormond Beach Police Say

ORMOND BEACH, Florida—The female person of interest in last week’s double homicide in Altoona died Friday, just a day after the slayings, according to Ormond Beach Police Department. Samantha Butler, age unknown, and Roger Myles Gilbert, 35, fled a traffic stop in Ormond Beach shortly before noon Friday and crashed in an Ormond Beach KFC parking lot. Butler was found dead in the white Volvo and Gilbert fled on foot and was captured in a nearby store. Butler was a person of interest in the deaths of David Thomas Mikell, 34 of Umatilla, and Shane Eugene Clements, 41, of Altoona.

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Person of Interest In Altoona Double Homicide Booked Into the Volusia County Jail

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Florida—A person of interest in the killings of two Lake County men has been booked into the Volusia County Jail and is being held on no bond. Roger Myles Gilbert, 35 of Alabama, was arrested by Ormond Beach Police Department Friday “after an encounter with Ormond Beach police officers,” Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell said early Friday evening. Gilbert was arrested on charges of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, grand theft of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm and resisting an officer without violence, according to Volusia County Corrections online booking records. Inside

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Persons of Interest in Altoona Double Shooting Involved in “Encounter” with Ormond Beach Police Friday, Few Details Released

ORMOND BEACH, Florida—The two persons of interest in an Altoona double homicide Thursday night were involved in an incident with Ormond Beach Police Department Friday, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell. Herrell did not release many details Friday night and an email to Ormond Beach Police Department was unanswered at press time Friday. Rogers Myles Gilbert, age unknown, of Alabama, is in custody in Volusia County on unrelated charges “after an encounter with Ormond Beach police officers,” Herrell said. The second person of interest is a female whose name has not been released and her status is

Persons of Interest in Altoona Double Shooting Involved in “Encounter” with Ormond Beach Police Friday, Few Details Released Read More »

LCSO Investigating Double Homicide in Altoona

ALTOONA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office in investigating a double homicide that occurred around 9 p.m. Thursday, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. LCSO responded to 45918 Pennsylvania Road on a report of two people shot and found David Thomas Mikell, 34 of Umatilla, and Shane Eugene Clements, 41, of Altoona, dead from apparent gunshot wounds, according to Herrell. Neither one of the men live at the home, and the shootings were not a random act, Herrell said. No one has been arrested for the crime and detectives are working leads and following up on information. No further details are

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Man Arrested in Attempted Murder of Security Guard Wednesday

UMATILLA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has made one in arrest in the attempted murder of a security guard during an armed robbery earlier this week. Travontae Shavar Harley, 33, of Mount Dora is accused of entering Hot Spot, 37415 State Road 19, Umatilla shortly before 6:30 p.m. Wednesday with an unidentified black male. The security guard of the internet gaming location, commonly known as “fish games” immediately engaged the pair and the security guard was shot. He was airlifted to a local hospital and his condition is unknown. The pair of robbers fled the scene in a dark-colored pickup

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LCSO Searching for 2 Suspects After Security Guard was Shot in Attempted Robbery Wednesday Night

Story has been updated with 911 calls added. DONA VISTA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two black males who shot a security guard during an attempted robbery at an internet gaming location Wednesday night, according to newly-released information. Two black males entered Hot Spot, 37415 State Road 19, Eustis around 6:30 p.m. and fired an undisclosed number of shots, striking the security guard, LCSO Lt. Fred Jones said.  The victim was airlifted to a local hospital; his condition is unknown at this time.   The pair of would-be robbers, described only as black males, fled the scene

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One Person Shot in Attempted Armed Robbery

DONA VISTA, Florida—One person was shot Wednesday night during an attempted robbery at a popular internet gaming location, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Fred Jones. A black male entered Hot Spot, 37415 State Road 19, Eustis around 6:30 p.m. and fired an undisclosed number of shots, striking one person, Jones said.  The victim was airlifted to a local hospital. The suspect was not apprehended. LCSO, Eustis Police Department, Umatilla Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol all responded and a perimeter was set up; officers from several agencies were posted on State Road 19 and County Road 19A

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LCSO Sergeant Paid Prostitute $80 for Trysts, Unsealed Court Documents Reveal

TAVARES, Florida—A Lake County Sheriff’s Office sergeant arrested last month for soliciting prostitution paid the person $80 per encounter, according to a probable cause affidavit unsealed by County Judge Sarah Jones earlier this month. LCSO was tipped off to Sgt. Scott Stone’s activities by a woman who told an LCSO captain and a detective her friend of four years confided in her that a “Sgt. Stone” with LCSO was paying the friend to have sex with him in public places. The friend is not named in the affidavit and is referred to as he/she or “the source” throughout the affidavit.

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More Charges For Armed Robbery Duo

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

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

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

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Justice for Justis, Man Convicted of Murdering Girlfriend’s Teenaged Daughter in 2018

DeLAND, Florida—The man accused of raping and killing a Mount Dora High School student in 2018 was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life in prison Monday, according to 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza’s office. Justis Marie Garrett, 16, was reported missing April 13, 2018, after she failed to return home from Mount Dora High School that day, according to a charging affidavit. Her mother’s boyfriend, Robert Nixon Kern Jr. told his girlfriend and police that he took Justis from her home in Sorrento and dropped the girl off at school, but she never made it to

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

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

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DeLand Man Killed When SUV Overturns

DeLAND, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed a DeLand man early Friday morning. The 47-year-old man was driving an SUV westbound on County Road 42, near the Lake County-Volusia County line shortly before 2 a.m. when he left the roadway for unknown reason, FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said in a press release. The SUV overturned and the man was pronounced dead on the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt. The crash remains under investigation.

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Social Media Sleuth Identifies Suspected Thief

MOUNT DORA, Florida—A man captured on video stealing nearing $500 worth of items from a home improvement store couldn’t escape being identified by a social media sleuth on a Mount Dora Police Department Facebook post earlier this month. On July 21, MDPD posted an “attempt to identify” on its Facebook page of two men accused of stealing tools from Lowe’s, 18795 U.S. Highway 441, Mount Dora on June 3. According to the post, a man with a long red beard was captured on video selecting a drill valued at $219 and tool set valued at $239, placing it into his

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Monday Morning Crash Claims Life of Clermont Man

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

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Altoona Man Flees LCSO in Stolen Truck, Apprehended by K9

ALTOONA, Florida—A man released from prison just three months ago is back behind bars after fleeing from a Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective in a stolen truck Tuesday, according to an arrest affidavit. An LCSO detective went to a home on Lake King Road in Altoona Tuesday morning to interview Dennis James Imhoff, 36, about his involvement in a vehicle burglary. When the detective arrived, Imhoff was unloading items from a white Chevy truck, later determined to be stolen, the affidavit states. The detective identified himself and Imhoff got in the truck and backed through the yard in a “reckless

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Explosive Devices, Anti-Semitic Literature and “Copious” Amounts of Guns and Ammunition Found In Royal Trails Home

EUSTIS, Florida—A Eustis man is facing 10 serious charges after the Lake County Sheriff’s Office found numerous homemade bombs in his home in Royal Trails in unincorporated Lake County Saturday. On Friday, LCSO received a tip from a witness who said Markus Fricke, 55, had built several devices recently with the intent of “blowing up the residence” and was waiting for a shipment of chemicals to finish, according to an arrest affidavit. The witness saw a shipment arrive marked “Ammonium Nitrate” weighing about 50 pounds; The shipment, along with statements made by Fricke scared the witness and she fled the

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Roommate Arrested in Death of Altoona Man who Suffered before Dying

TAVARES, Florida—A man already in the Lake County Jail for moving a man’s body and covering it with a sheet and couch cushions has been charged in his death, according to a probable cause affidavit. Jesse “Cracker” Franklin Hill, 42, was arrested May 27 on a charge of tampering with evidence and is now facing a manslaughter charge, in the death of his roommate, Ernie Wayne Wilburn, 44, in Altoona in May. On May 4, Hill made two “cryptic” emergency calls to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and deputies responded to 19331 East Altoona Road and found Wilburn covered in

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EXCLUSIVE: Fiancé of Man Killed Last Month Says, “My Father was No Hero.”

LEESBURG, Florida—“It feels like I’m in hell.” Lauren Carlton spoke exclusively to Inside Lake this week about the death of her fiancé, Austin Graham, at the hands of her father, James Carlton last month. Carlton was accused of shooting Austin in the head and killing him after Austin stopped to talk to Carlton in the middle of Whitney Road in unincorporated Leesburg June 22. Austin, 26, recognized Carlton’s truck, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Fred Jones said last month, and stopped to talk to the grandfather of his children. After a brief conversation, Carlton, who was known to carry a

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Man Accused of Pointing Gun at Trio, “I’m Going to Cap All 3 of Y’all!”

UMATILLA, Florida—A man who allegedly threatened a group of people with a gun scaring a woman so much she urinated on herself, is being held in the Lake County Jail on $26,000 bond. Jeremy Forest Mitchell, 29, is accused of accosting the woman about some money she allegedly owed him Saturday, according to an arrest affidavit. The woman told a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy she was riding her bicycle with her friend on State Road 19 Saturday night when Mitchell came up on his skateboard asking about the money. Her boyfriend apparently saw the altercation, approached Mitchell, and asked, “Why

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Man Accused of Murdering Daughter’s Boyfriend Dies of Suspected Medical Issue Thursday

TAVARES, Florida—The man accused of killing his daughter’s boyfriend last month has died. James M. Carlton, 57, was accused of shooting Austin Graham, 26, in the head and killing him on June 22 after the pair stopped to talk to each other on Whitney Road in unincorporated Leesburg. Graham was Carlton’s daughter’s boyfriend, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Fred Jones told Inside Lake. Carlton, of Fruitland Park, fled the scene and was arrested for murder later that day at a bar in Marion County and held in the Marion County Jail until he was transferred to the Lake County Jail

Man Accused of Murdering Daughter’s Boyfriend Dies of Suspected Medical Issue Thursday Read More »

More Charges Added to Suspected Eustis Vehicle Burglars

EUSTIS, Florida—A pair of teenagers arrested last month for several vehicle burglaries are facing more charges. Matthew Hanners, 18, of Eustis, was arrested twice this week, first on Wednesday and again on Thursday, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office online booking records. In June, numerous neighborhoods on the east side of Eustis were hit with thieves, including, but not limited to, Blue Lake Estates, Misty Oaks, Summer Glen, Brookshire, Horizon Oaks and Hillcrest over the past few weeks, EPD Capt. Jon Fahning told Inside Lake last month. Hanners and Casey C. Johnson, 19, of Leesburg, are accused of stealing many

More Charges Added to Suspected Eustis Vehicle Burglars Read More »

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

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

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

Lake County Firefighter Fighting for his Life After 2 Masses Found on his Brain

PAISLEY, Florida—A Lake County Fire Rescue firefighter is fighting for his life after two masses were found on his brain after being rushed to the hospital earlier this month. Blake Kocielko, 28, of Deltona, was rushed to Central Florida Regional Medical Center in Sanford after experiencing blurred vision and sudden dizziness while at home on June 19, according to a GoFundMe started by his brother Colton. Colton also works for Lake County Fire Rescue and is currently working on his firefighter certification, he told Inside Lake. Blake went through testing and two masses were found and one was determined to

Lake County Firefighter Fighting for his Life After 2 Masses Found on his Brain Read More »

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

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

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

Man Accused of Killing Daughter’s Boyfriend Wednesday Held on No Bond

LEESBURG, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the man killed in Leesburg Wednesday afternoon. Austin Graham, 26, was shot in the head by James Carlton, 57, of Fruitland Park. Graham was Carlton’s daughter’s boyfriend, LCSO Lt. Fred Jones told Inside Lake. Shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday, Graham and a witness were driving down Whitney Road near State Road 44, when the victim recognized Carlton’s vehicle. The two vehicles stopped, and Graham got out to greet Carlton and had a short conversation with him, the witness told LCSO. After the brief conversation, Carlton shot Graham and fled

Man Accused of Killing Daughter’s Boyfriend Wednesday Held on No Bond Read More »

Man Shot in the Head in the Middle of the Road by a Man he Stopped to Greet; Suspect Flees and is Arrested at Marion County Bar

LEESBURG, Florida—A man was shot in the head and left on the side of the road in unincorporated Leesburg Wednesday, and the suspect fled to a Marion County bar, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Fred Jones. At 2:50 p.m., the 26-year-old victim and a witness were driving down Whitney Road near State Road 44, when the victim recognized James Carlton’s vehicle. The two vehicles stopped, and the victim got out to greet Carlton and had a short conversation with him, the witness told LCSO. Inside Lake After the brief conversation, Carlton 57, shot the victim and fled the

Man Shot in the Head in the Middle of the Road by a Man he Stopped to Greet; Suspect Flees and is Arrested at Marion County Bar Read More »

Man who Reportedly Jumped from Tavares Bridge Identified

TAVARES, Florida—The man who was found dead Wednesday after apparently jumping from Dead River Bridge has been identified by Tavares Police Department. Michael Wayne Newman, 50, of the Bassville Park area of Leesburg was found after a witness reported seeing him jump from the bridge around 5 p.m. Wednesday, TPD Lt. Sarah Coursey told Inside Lake.   First responders used sonar technology to quickly find Newman after receiving the report. There is no known cause of death at this time, “We are awaiting results from the medical examiner’s office,” Coursey said. The case remains under investigation.

Man who Reportedly Jumped from Tavares Bridge Identified Read More »

Motorcyclist Killed in Umatilla Saturday Morning

UMATILLA, Florida—A 64-year-old DeLand man was killed when he failed to negotiate a curve on County Road 450 Saturday morning, the Florida Highway patrol said Saturday. Shortly before 10:45 a.m., the man was traveling eastbound on a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he failed the negotiate a curve on County Road 450, also known as East Collins Street, near 9th Avenue, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The motorcycle left the roadway and overturned; the man was pronounced dead on the scene. He was not wearing a helmet. The crash remains under investigation.

Motorcyclist Killed in Umatilla Saturday Morning Read More »

Eustis Police Saturate Areas Targeted in Vehicle Burglaries, Arrest 3 Suspects, on the Hunt for More

EUSTIS, Florida—In response to an uptick in vehicle burglaries over the last several weeks, Eustis Police Department saturated the targeted areas of the city with officers over the last week and busted three burglars and they are on the hunt for a fourth, EPD Capt. Jon Fahning told Inside Lake Friday afternoon. Numerous neighborhoods in both EPD jurisdiction and Lake County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction in Grand Island have been hit with thieves, in addition to several neighborhoods in the city, including, but not limited to, Blue Lake Estates, Misty Oaks, Summer Glen, Brookshire, Horizon Oaks and Hillcrest over the past

Eustis Police Saturate Areas Targeted in Vehicle Burglaries, Arrest 3 Suspects, on the Hunt for More Read More »

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

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

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

Young Woman Killed in State Road 44 Crash Identified

EUSTIS, Florida—The woman killed in a crash Tuesday morning in unincorporated Eustis has been identified as Rebecca Daily, by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 60. In a Facebook post Wednesday, LCSO Explorer Post 60 stated, “We are heartbroken today as we let our supporters and past members and friends know of a big loss to our post family. Rebecca Daily, a post member for 5 years died tragically in a vehicle accident yesterday in Eustis. Rebecca was 21 years old. Prayers for her family, and friends as we all grieve this unbelievable loss.” According to the Florida Highway

Young Woman Killed in State Road 44 Crash Identified Read More »

Eustis Woman Accused of Stealing from her Leesburg Job and a Retail Store in Mount Dora During March Crime Spree

MOUNT DORA, Florida—A Eustis woman with a lengthy criminal history including numerous narcotics and theft charges dating back to 2009, was picked up on two warrants last week, one accusing her of stealing from her job in Leesburg and another accusing her of failing to pay for her items at a store’s self-checkout in Mount Dora. Brenna Lee Harmon, 34, is accused of stealing nearly $450 during two server shifts at City Star Diner, 10322 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg on March 12 and March 13, according to a probable cause affidavit. The owner of the diner told Leesburg Police Department

Eustis Woman Accused of Stealing from her Leesburg Job and a Retail Store in Mount Dora During March Crime Spree Read More »

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

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

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

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

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

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

Man Dropped Off at Hospital with Multiple Gunshot Wounds Lied About His Identity, Police Say

EUSTIS, Florida—The man who was dropped off at AdventHealth Waterman Hospital early Sunday lied to police about who he was and where the shooting happened, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri said late Monday. Sherrod Lequan Whiley, 30, gave police a different name after they responded to AdventHealth Waterman Hospital in the early morning hours Sunday. Two females dropped Whiley off after he suffered a beating and four gunshot wounds, Capri told Inside Lake. The incident caused the hospital to be placed on lockdown for nearly an hour, Tavares Police Department Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan told Inside Lake Sunday. Whiley,

Man Dropped Off at Hospital with Multiple Gunshot Wounds Lied About His Identity, Police Say Read More »

Paisley Man Killed Early Sunday after Crashing into Tree

ALTOONA, Florida—A 36-Paisley man was killed early Sunday morning after crashing into a tree, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The man was traveling northbound on State Road 19 around 2 a.m., when the sedan he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree near County Road 445, FHP Lt. Kim Montes said in a press release. He was pronounced dead on the scene, and he was not wearing a seatbelt. The crash remains under investigation.

Paisley Man Killed Early Sunday after Crashing into Tree Read More »

Sorrento Man Wanted for Setting Shed Ablaze, Beating Man with Pipe, Turns Himself in

SORRENTO, Florida—A man accused of attacking another man with a metal pipe and setting his shed ablaze, turned himself in at the Lake County Jail Monday and was released a few hours later. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a home on County Road 437 near State Road 46 around 11:15 p.m. April 29 in reference to an aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to a probable cause affidavit. The male victim told LCSO, Shane L. Poole attacked him with a metal pipe, striking him all over his body and then set fire to a sheet that was

Sorrento Man Wanted for Setting Shed Ablaze, Beating Man with Pipe, Turns Himself in Read More »

Clermont Woman Ejected, Dies in Crash

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

Clermont Woman Ejected, Dies in Crash Read More »

Woman Stabs 2 People Sunday, Both Victims Airlifted

ALTOONA, Florida—A woman who told Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective she found the largest knife she could and “I never said it was self-defense” was arrested Mother’s Day for two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after stabbing two people, according to an arrest affidavit.  Shortly after 3:15 p.m. Sunday, LCSO responded to 20304 Green Wing Road in reference to a stabbing and found a large butcher knife with a blue handle, blood, and two victims; a female with a stab wound to her back and a man with a stab would to his left bicep, according to

Woman Stabs 2 People Sunday, Both Victims Airlifted Read More »

Paisley Man Killed After SUV Strikes Tree Friday

DeLAND, Florida—A Paisley man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Friday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 52-year-old man was westbound shortly after noon Friday on County Road 42, near State Road 44 in the DeLand area of unincorporated Lake County, in a 2007 Mazda CX-7 when he left the roadway for an unknown reason a struck a tree, FHP Lt. Kim Montes said in a press release. The man was pronounced dead on the scene, and he was wearing his seatbelt, Montes said; the crash remains under investigation.

Paisley Man Killed After SUV Strikes Tree Friday Read More »

Third Annual Back the Blue Walk Scheduled for Saturday

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

Third Annual Back the Blue Walk Scheduled for Saturday Read More »

LCSO Treating Suspicious Death in Altoona as a Homicide

ALTOONA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspicious death it is treating as a homicide, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. LCSO responded to 19331 East Altoona Road on a report of a dead man Wednesday and upon arrival found Ernie Wayne Wilburn, 44, deceased. Witnesses failed to provide an explanation as to what happened to Wilburn, Herrell said in a press release. The circumstances surrounding Wilburn’s death are “suspicious,” and his cause of death is not being released at this time, according to LCSO detectives. 

LCSO Treating Suspicious Death in Altoona as a Homicide Read More »

Tavares Man Accused of Trying to Open Patrol Car Door and Take Deputy’s Gun

TAVARES, Florida—A man is being held in the Lake County Jail on $26,000 bond after getting into his neighbor’s vehicle, trying to get into a Lake County Sheriff’s Office patrol car and telling a deputy, “give me your gun, sir,” and trying to fight him for it, according to an arrest affidavit. LCSO deputies responded to the 12000 block of Lona Street around 6 p.m. Saturday, after receiving a report of a physical altercation. When the first deputy arrived and began to walk to the door of the residence, Jordan Michael Lanier, 32, started actively pulling on the door handle

Tavares Man Accused of Trying to Open Patrol Car Door and Take Deputy’s Gun Read More »

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

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

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

Trio in Car Accused of Trying to Run Deputy Over Facing Litany of Charges

LEESBURG, Florida—The trio accused of being in a car that attempted to run over a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy are facing a litany of charges, according to several booking sheets. Jeffrey Elijah Gilbert, 20, of Orlando is facing the most serious charge, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle, after being accused of being the driver in Monday’s incident. According to LCSO, a deputy attempted a traffic stop near Water Oak Country Club Estates on a white Dodge Charger believed to be involved in a shoplifting incident at Walmart, 2501 Citrus Boulevard, Leesburg. Gilbert, along

Trio in Car Accused of Trying to Run Deputy Over Facing Litany of Charges Read More »

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

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

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

Two Suspects Shot After Driving Towards LCSO Deputy

LEESBURG, Florida—Two people were shot by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy after the vehicle they were in drove towards him when he was outside of his vehicle, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. LCSO deputies were looking for a suspect vehicle after a stolen credit card was used at Walmart, 2501 Citrus Boulevard, Leesburg. Deputies spotted the vehicle in Lady Lake and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled, Herrell said in a press release. “At some point during the chase, the deputy, after getting out of his vehicle, reportedly fired shots at the suspect vehicle as it

Two Suspects Shot After Driving Towards LCSO Deputy Read More »

Leesburg Man Dies in Crash With School Bus

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—A Leesburg man was killed in a crash Wednesday after he collided with a school bus carrying 17 children and ended up in a retention pond, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A Lake County Schools bus, being driven by a 64-year-old Bushnell man was eastbound on Great Egret Drive around 6:40 a.m. when it attempted to make a left turn on U.S. 27. A sedan, being driven by a 36-year-old Leesburg man, collided with the back of the bus and the impact sent the sedan into a retention pond, FHP Lt. Kim Montes said in a press

Leesburg Man Dies in Crash With School Bus Read More »

Man Found Alive After 2-Day Search Effort at Alexander Springs

ALTOONA, Florida—The man who went missing during a canoe trip Easter Sunday has been found alive, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Davidson Anjab. 39, was reported missing after a canoe overturned; the two men Anjab was with were able to get back into the canoe and Anjab swam to shore and said he would walk back. He was reported missing when he failed to meet his party. LCSO and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers found Anjab while they were searching on foot, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said. He was found one-tenth of a mile from

Man Found Alive After 2-Day Search Effort at Alexander Springs Read More »

Search Underway at Alexander Springs for Missing Man

ALTOONA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service are working together searching for a man who went missing on a canoe trip Easter Sunday. Davidson Anjab, 39, was canoeing with two men Sunday afternoon when the canoe overturned; two of the men got back into the canoe, but Anjab was unable to, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said. The man swam back to shore and yelled he would walk back and meet his party, but he never made it. The U.S. Forest Service has closed the day-use area of Alexander Springs because it is being used as a

Search Underway at Alexander Springs for Missing Man Read More »

Free Sealing and Expungement Clinic Scheduled for Saturday

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

Free Sealing and Expungement Clinic Scheduled for Saturday Read More »

Tragic Easter Weekend: Groveland Child Dies After Being Struck in Driveway

GROVELAND, Florida—A 7-year-old girl has died after being run over in a driveway Easter Sunday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 70-year-old Groveland woman was parked in a driveway dropping off family members at a home on County Road 48 near County Road 33 at 4:30 p.m. The woman put the van in “drive” and failed to realize her 7-year-old granddaughter was in front of the van, and she was struck, FHP Lt. Kim Montes said in a press release. The girl, also of Groveland, was transported to UF Health Leesburg, where she later died. The crash remains

Tragic Easter Weekend: Groveland Child Dies After Being Struck in Driveway Read More »

Two Leesburg Toddlers Killed, One Airlifted in Fiery Easter Eve Crash that Shut Down SR 46

SORRENTO, Florida—A 4-year-old boy and a 2-year-old boy were killed in a late afternoon crash Saturday and a 1-year-old boy was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries—and at least two of the boys were not in car seats, it is unknown if the surviving toddler was restrained, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Witnesses told FHP a 20-year-old man of Leesburg, was driving a 2011 Kia westbound on State Road 46 near Bear Pond Access Road and passing other traffic in a no-passing zone. A 2011 Toyota Pickup truck being driven by a 44-year-old Lake Mary man was eastbound

Two Leesburg Toddlers Killed, One Airlifted in Fiery Easter Eve Crash that Shut Down SR 46 Read More »

Double Traffic Fatality Closes S.R. 46

SORRENTO, Florida—A double fatality has closed a major roadway when many are traveling for the Easter holiday. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash that occurred shortly before 5:45 p.m. Saturday at State Road 46 and Bearpond Access Road. Two people were pronounced dead, one person was flown to a local hospital for treatment, and there are two trauma patients, said FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi. State Road 46 is closed, and drivers are asked to use an alternate route. This is a breaking story.

Double Traffic Fatality Closes S.R. 46 Read More »

Umatilla Man Accused of $20K Theft from Electrical Substation

UMATILLA, Florida—A Umatilla man who was already in the Lake County Jail on theft charges was served with another warrant accusing him of stealing $20,000 worth of copper materials from Duke Energy and then selling them to a recycling plant, according to an arrest affidavit. Luchious Myron Clayton, 64, of Umatilla, was arrested April 2 at his home on a warrant accusing of him of burglary and grand theft—and the victim was his cousin. In that case, the victim, Clayton’s cousin, left for work on March 28, and got an alert from his home surveillance system. He began watching the

Umatilla Man Accused of $20K Theft from Electrical Substation Read More »

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

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

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

One Dead Following Confrontation at Four Corners Apartment, LCSO Investigating

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

One Dead Following Confrontation at Four Corners Apartment, LCSO Investigating Read More »

Head-On Crash Kills Sanford Man, Shuts Down State Road 44

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—A 22-year-old Sanford man was killed Tuesday night in a three-vehicle crash that shut down State Road 44 near Eustis, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The man, who was not wearing his seatbelt, was driving a 2005 Nissan Altima westbound around 6:10 p.m. on State Road 44 near Donna Vista Place when he crossed over the center line and sideswiped a 2014 Honda Accord being driven eastbound by a 30-year-old Sorrento woman, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The Altima then struck a 2006 Chevy Silverado head-on being driven by a 56-year-old Eustis man.

Head-On Crash Kills Sanford Man, Shuts Down State Road 44 Read More »

Women Arrested for Burglary After Being Found Naked In Homeowner’s Bathtub

UMATILLA, Florida—A Umatilla woman was arrested by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office after being found naked in a whirlpool tub by the owner of the home around 1:15 a.m. Tuesday. The victim told LCSO she awoke to find lights on in her kitchen and heard her whirlpool tub running at her home on Lake Smith Road in unincorporated Umatilla early Tuesday morning. She opened the door to her bathroom and found Amanda Nicole Toler, 32, naked, inside her bathtub. The victim asked Toler who she was and what she was doing and she reportedly said, “I’m Amanda, I have nowhere

Women Arrested for Burglary After Being Found Naked In Homeowner’s Bathtub Read More »

Dispensary Employees’ “Clogged Machine” Theft Scam Foiled by Tipster, 2 People Arrested  

MOUNT DORA, Florida—Two employees of a local marijuana dispensary were arrested Monday after an anonymous caller tipped their employer off to ongoing thefts according to their arrest affidavits. Hector Alexander Valle Roman, 24, and Danielle Caitlynn Eiler, also 24, were both arrested by Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives after the security manager of Curaleaf Dispensary, 4149 Britt Road, Mount Dora reported multiple thefts of “flower.” Flower is a term for marijuana in its natural bud form. The security manager told LCSO the security manager at their Gainesville location received a call from an anonymous tipster alleging that three people at

Dispensary Employees’ “Clogged Machine” Theft Scam Foiled by Tipster, 2 People Arrested   Read More »

Porch Pirate Caught on Camera, Suspected of Stealing in Several Counties, Busted by LCSO

LEESBURG, Florida—A man suspected of numerous burglaries in at least four counties was released on $5,500 bond Monday after he was served with a Lake County warrant Friday charging him with burglary and petit theft stemming from an incident in unincorporated Leesburg March 2, according to a probable cause affidavit. John Francis Thomas, 56, of Silver Springs, is facing charges in Lake County, in addition to being suspected of crimes in Sumter, Bradford and Hernando counties, the affidavit states. The victim told a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy he was alerted to a package delivery and found that it was gone

Porch Pirate Caught on Camera, Suspected of Stealing in Several Counties, Busted by LCSO Read More »

Newlywed Charged with Battering 70-year-old Husband

LEESBURG, Florida—A 66-year-old woman was arrested Saturday after scratching her 70-year-old husband because she thought he hid her phone and cigarette lighters, according to an arrest affidavit. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a home on Crossways Drive shortly after 7 a.m. Saturday on a report of a domestic disturbance. The victim told LCSO his wife, Mary Louise Anderson—who he married earlier this month—is an alcoholic and had gotten drunk. She became angry with him over the phone and lighters and scratched his arm and caused multiple abrasions, the affidavit states. A deputy tried to speak with Anderson, “but

Newlywed Charged with Battering 70-year-old Husband Read More »

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

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

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

Bicyclist Killed Thursday Afternoon In South Lake

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

Bicyclist Killed Thursday Afternoon In South Lake Read More »

Man Out On Bond For Child Molestation Arrested After Firing Two Shots Near Woman Who Did Not Want Him Around Her Daughter

UMATILLA, Florida—A man out on bond for molesting a 5-year-old girl in 2020, was arrested Saturday after firing two shots near a woman who did not want him around her daughter, according to an arrest affidavit. Around 9 p.m. Saturday, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Tropical Whisper mobile home park in unincorporated Umatilla in reference to a battery. The victim told LCSO she went to her neighbor’s house to retrieve her daughter, who was with Joshua “Boops” Leon Redmond Dudley, 28, and his girlfriend. Dudley is facing several sex-related charges involving a minor;  the victim’s daughter’s age

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Spring Break Tragedy: Teenager Killed In Single-Vehicle Crash, 4 Children Sent To The Hospital

SORRENTO—A 16-year-old boy was killed, and his four passengers sent to the hospital following a single-vehicle crash in Sorrento on the night before Spring Break begins for Lake County Schools, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The teenager, of Sorrento, was driving a 2008 Ford Expedition northbound on County Road 437, approaching Plymouth Hollow Circle, around 10:20 p.m. Thursday, FHP Lt. Kim Montes said in a press release. He lost control of the SUV and struck a light pole on the north shoulder of Plymouth Hollow Circle; the SUV collided with hedges at 2400 Plymouth Hollow Circle and continued until

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Two Lake County Motorcyclists Injured In Volusia County Crash Saturday Night

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Florida— A man and woman are dead, and two men are recovering from injuries after a car hit two motorcycles Saturday night near DeLand and a third man suffered minor injuries when he laid his motorcycle down to avoid the crash. Shortly after 10:30 p.m. a 41-year-old male of Orlando was eastbound on State Road 44 near Eau Claire Avenue in a Toyota Corolla, when he traveled into the westbound lane for an unknown reason, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Kim Montes. The Corolla struck two motorcycles, one being ridden by a 38-year-old Mount Dora man, and

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Woman Susepected Of Overdosing While Driving On CR 437, Arrested For DUI

SORRENTO, Florida—A woman found unresponsive in the driver’s seat of a car on the side of a popular highway, was given a dose of Narcan, cleared by hospital staff, and arrested for DUI last week, according to an arrest affidavit. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Lake County Fire Rescue responded to a call from a passenger in a Toyota Camry who believed the driver overdosed while driving on County Road 437, north of State Road 44. Emergency personnel found Kaley Noel Barber, 31, of Orlando unresponsive with the car running. She was removed from the vehicle and regained consciousness

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Man Confronted By Homeowner As He Attempts To Steal ATV, Runs Out Of His Slides and Drops His Phone. Text Messages Reveal His Plan

SORRENTO, Florida—A burglary suspect who was being chased by the homeowner he attempted to steal an ATV from, dropped his phone and ran right out of his slides last week; and the found phone led to the capture of both him and his partner in crime, according to an arrest affidavit.  Before daylight Thursday, a Sorrento resident observed a male, later identified as Tyler Ray Trapp, 22, enter her back porch and take an ATV. The woman woke her husband, who went outside and confronted Trapp. As Trapp attempted to leave the property, the male victim yelled and Trapp took

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Second Person Identified In Shooting Near Leesburg, No Other Details Released

LEESBURG, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s has released the identity of the man found dead in a home in Leesburg Wednesday morning, but still has not released any details about what may have happened. Jamari DeAndre Jones, 20, of Summerfield in Marion County, was found dead in the home at 804 Montclair Road in unincorporated Leesburg around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday and Jammy Casteel, 41, was found shot on the front porch of the home, by LCSO deputies who were responding to a report of a shooting, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said. Casteel, who lived at the home, was transported to UF

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

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

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Two People Dead Following Shooting Call, LCSO Investigating

LEESBURG, Florida—Two people are dead following a shooting early Wednesday morning, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell. LCSO responded to a report of a shooting around 4:30 a.m. at 804 Montclair Road and found an injured male on the front porch of the home, Herrell said in a press release. A second person was found dead inside, “…And at least one person, at this point, has been found deceased inside the home,” Herrell said. The injured male was transported to UF Health Leesburg, where he succumbed to his injuries. LCSO had not released the identities of either

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Woman Reports Being Robbed At Knifepoint, Goes To Jail For Driving Stolen Vehicle, Alleged Robbers Also Arrested

EUSTIS, Florida—A woman driving a stolen car called 9-1-1 as she followed the pair of teenagers she accused of robbing her at knifepoint late Sunday night and Lake County Sheriff’s deputies arrested all three of them. Hannah Hofmann, 20, called Eustis Police Department and said she was following the two males who robbed her at a home on Goose Prairie Road in unincorporated Leesburg. Hofmann said she was staying at a friend’s house and asked Jacob Riley Belanger, 18, and Christopher Sanders, 17, to help her bring her belongings into the home from her vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit.

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Man Arrested For DUI With 5 Children in Vehicle

LEESBURG, Florida—A 20-year-old Orlando man is facing five counts of child neglect and DUI after he was pulled over for speeding late Saturday night. A Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy was parked in the median on U.S. Highway 27 near Plantation Boulevard shortly before midnight Sunday, according to an arrest affidavit. The deputy observed a vehicle traveling 83 mph in a 55-mph zone and quickly turn when the deputy turned on his headlights. The vehicle turned around in an open grassy area and reentered the roadway without its headlights on. The vehicle continued down the road in the wrong direction

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