EUSTIS, Florida—The woman Tavares Police Department was searching for has been found safe. Celia Schwinden, 67, was found Tuesday afternoon in downtown Eustis by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy, TPD Chief Sarah Coursey told Inside Lake. She was found in good health and is with her family, Coursey said.
UPDATE: Celia Schwinden has been found safe. TAVARES, Florida—Tavares Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a woman who was last seen at her home in the area of Dora Avenue Saturday. Celia Schwinden, 67, is known to frequent Tavares, Eustis and Leesburg on foot and may be carrying bags with her. TPD is utilizing the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Crime Center, bloodhounds and pinged her cellphone with negative results. TPD has also issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) and reached out to surrounding law enforcement agencies, TPD Chief Sarah Coursey told Inside Lake. “We
Tavares Police Searching for Woman Missing Since Saturday Read More »
SORRENTO, Florida—A Sorrento man is facing a manslaughter charge and an aggravated battery charge after shooting a man and killing him Friday night, according to an arrest affidavit. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Quaker Ridge Avenue on a report of a person being shot, and when they arrived, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares where he succumbed to his injury and was pronounced deceased. The victim’s name is redacted from the affidavit. The investigation revealed Wallace Mannin Kirkland, 59, had shot the man once
Sorrento Man Facing Multiple Charges After Shooting, Killing Man Friday Night Read More »
ALTOONA, Florida—One person was rescued and airlifted for treatment and a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy was transported to the hospital following a structure fire Sunday night, according to Umatilla Fire Department. Numerous agencies responded to the fire in addition to UFD and LCSO, including Eustis Fire Department, Leesburg Fire Department, Lake County Fire Rescue, Marion County Fire Rescue and Lake EMS, a UFD social media post stated. An exact address for the fire was unavailable at press time, but numerous social media posts and comments said the fire was in the Shockley Heights area. UFD was first on the
Person Airlifted After Being Rescued from Fire Sunday Night, Deputy Transported Read More »
TAVARES, Florida—An Apopka man has been released from the Lake County Jail after two elderly women accused him of rubbing up against them while he was aroused in a Tavares store Saturday, according to an arrest affidavit. Tavares Police Department responded to the area of Banning Beach Road and U.S. Highway 441 Saturday morning on a report of man masturbating at the register of a nearby business. Inside Lake is not naming the business because it may identify one of the victims. A TPD corporal spotted a man fitting the complainant’s description of the suspect and carrying a bag from
Apopka Man Accused of Rubbing Up Against 2 Elderly Women in Tavares Saturday Read More »
MARION COUNTY, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for an SUV that hit a Umatilla bicyclist early Friday morning, killing him. The 44-year-old man, identified by his sister as Patrick Williams, was riding in an unknown direction in the outside southbound lane of U.S. Highway 441 near Del Webb Boulevard in an unknown direction, when he was struck by an SUV traveling south. The SUV struck the bicycle and fled the scene; the bicycle was not equipped with illumination devices, FHP said. Williams was pronounced deceased on the scene by Marion County Fire Rescue shortly before 5 a.m. Friday. FHP
FHP Searching for Hit-and-Run Driver Who Killed Umatilla Man in Marion County Read More »
CLERMONT, Florida—A man accused of exposing himself to a teenager last year when she dropped off a food delivery turned himself in on a warrant Thursday. Last May, a 17-year-old girl was helping her mom deliver food for a delivery service when they went to an apartment at Sundance at Clermont Apartments on Johns Lake Road. The girl went upstairs to deliver an order to a customer named “Cody,” according to a probable cause affidavit. The man, later identified as Cody Ray Baker, 28, opened the door and took the food from the girl and she noticed his penis sticking
Clermont Man Accused of Exposing Himself to Teen Last Year Turns Himself In Read More »
TAVARES, Florida—A late night motorcycle crash killed a Leesburg man and injured a Leesburg woman Wednesday night, according to Tavares Police Department. A TPD officer was parked in the parking lot of the Tavares Recreational Park (TRP) boat ramp off U.S. Highway 441 and witnessed a 2007 Harley-Davidson with two riders appear to lose control near the entrance shortly before midnight, Courtney Sullivan, TPD Public Information Officer, told Inside Lake. Gerald Hoffman, 48, was pronounced deceased on the scene and Laura Hoffman, 47, was transported to a local trauma center and suffered minor injuries. Neither rider was wearing a helmet
Motorcycle Crash Kills Leesburg Man, Injures Leesburg Woman Read More »
ORANGE COUNTY, Florida—An Astatula man was killed Tuesday night when he entered the northbound outside lane of U.S. Highway 441/Orange Blossom Trail, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 62-year-old man was walking in a westerly direction and entered the northbound lane of U.S. Highway 441/Orange Blossom Trail near Stoneybrook Hills Parkway around 11:30 p.m., Trooper Migdalisis Garcia said in a press release. The man, who was not in a marked crosswalk, was struck by a van being driven by a 62-year-old Altamonte Springs woman; he suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of the
Astatula Man Killed Tuesday Night While Walking on U.S. Highway 441 in Orange County Read More »
EUSTIS, Florida—A substitute teacher was arrested Friday for child abuse after letting a 7th grade student hit a vape pen, because she was just trying to fit in, according to an arrest affidavit. The student told the Eustis Police Department school resource officer (SRO) he and his friend were talking in their last class period Tuesday when the friend made a comment about vaping and Jennifer Gaine Hale, 50, of Mount Dora said she had one, the affidavit states; Hale was substituting at Eustis Middle School and in charge of the class. The boy walked up to her desk and
SORRENTO, Florida—An Apopka man was killed Friday night after he rode his bicycle into the path of a pickup truck Friday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Shortly before 10:30 p.m., a 28-year-old Apopka man was driving a 2006 Ford F-150 westbound on State Road 46 east of Deal Drive when a westbound bicyclist, a 36-year-old Apopka man, began traveling southwest and entered the direct path of the truck, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The bicyclist was pronounced deceased on the scene and the pickup driver and his passenger, a 2-year-old boy, were not injured,
TAVARES, Florida—Law enforcement and supporters will join forces for the fourth annual Lake County Back the Blue Walk at Wooton Park Saturday morning. Scheduled for 9 a.m., this is one of many law enforcement events around Lake County held in May during Law Enforcement Appreciation Month. In its fourth year, the walk began in 2019 to show support for law enforcement during a time when the “defund the police” movement was making its way across the country, event organizer Shannon Cook told Inside Lake. Representatives from several law enforcement agencies and numerous public officials are expected to be in attendance. “The good
Fourth Annual Lake County Back the Blue Walk Scheduled for Saturday Read More »
MOUNT DORA—A Leesburg woman was arrested Wednesday after an anonymous email was sent to her place of employment advising she was abusing an elderly patient and posting it on social media, according to an arrest affidavit. Mount Dora Police Department responded to an assisted living facility in the city after an employee reported receiving the email that included a video posted to TikTok showing Gabriel V. Woods, 34, wearing a green work shirt and black pants, with “extremely distinct” gold and silver bracelets dancing to a song. The video was captioned “Nurse: The resident fell out of bed…Me: but this
CNA Admits to Abusing Elderly Woman and Posting it to Social Media to Get “Likes” Read More »
MOUNT DORA, Florida— The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released details about the apprehension of Zachery Waldo Wednesday. Waldo, 36, was tracked down by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force that includes a deputy from LCSO, LCSO Lt. Fred Jones told Inside Lake. He was found at Lakeside Inn, 100 Alexander Street, a popular downtown Mount Dora hotel, shortly before 11 a.m. “They boxed him in, in the parking lot,” Jones said. A $10,000 reward was being offered for information leading to Waldo’s capture, but no one will be getting the reward because the Marshals developed information on their
MOUNT DORA, Florida— The man who left for lunch during his DUI manslaughter trial in March was taken into custody Wednesday morning. Zachery Maurice Waldo, 36, was on trial for killing Christopher Smith, 44, his wife, Jessica Smith, 35, and their daughter Hailey Smith, 13, all of Eustis, more than three years ago. Their son Hunter, just 11 years old at the time, was the sole survivor in the vehicle his family was riding in. Christopher and Jessica died on the scene of the Christmas Eve 2019 crash and Hailey died on Christmas Day 2019. As his trial was underway
LEESBURG, Florida—A speeding SUV that caught the attention of a Leesburg Police officer resulted in eight charges for a Leesburg man Monday. An LPD officer was patrolling the area of Tuskegee Street shortly before 2 p.m. Monday when he noticed a black Chevy Equinox speeding and swerving, according to an arrest affidavit. The Chevy turned onto Harlem Avenue and then Georgia Avenue and the officer drove parallel to the SUV and found it on Waitman Avenue and watched it back into a driveway on Waitman Avenue, the affidavit states. The officer initiated a traffic stop and smelled a strong odor
Traffic Stop Nets 2 Guns, 1 Stolen; Crack Cocaine, THC Wax, Marijuana Read More »
LADY LAKE, Florida—The Town of Lady Lake has named a new police chief after former Chief Robert Tempesta returned to his former rank of lieutenant, according to Lady Lake Director of Communications Elisha Pappacoda. Steven W. Hunt will officially begin as his role as interim police chief Monday, according to a press release. Hunt, of Eustis, has more than 35 years of law enforcement experience and most recently served as a detective for the State of Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative & Forensic Services, Bureau of Insurance. Hunt began his career in law enforcement at 18 years
SUMTER COUNTY, Florida—A Mascotte mom and her 7-month-old daughter were tragically killed Monday morning after the mom ran a stop sign, struck a car and then a tractor-trailer, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Just before 9:15 a.m., the Mascotte mom was driving a sedan eastbound on County Road 476 in Sumter County when she ran a stop sign at the intersection of State Road 471 and struck another sedan being driven by a 32-year-old Mascotte woman. The second sedan rotated and came to a stop on the west shoulder of State Road 471. The woman driving the second sedan
Tragic Crash Claims Lives of Mascotte Mom and Baby Monday Read More »
SUMTER COUNTY, Florida—Four people were seriously injured in an early morning crash near The Villages, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 35-year-old Leesburg man was driving a sedan eastbound on State Road 44 when he sped through a red light and collided with an SUV being driven by a 32-year-old Wildwood woman that was traveling southbound on Morse Boulevard, FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said in a press release. Both vehicles rotated and came to a final stop on the south shoulder of State Road 44, while the front axle of the sedan and the engine block of the SUV
Sumter County Crash Seriously Injures 3 Leesburg Residents, Wildwood Woman Read More »
TAVARES, Florida—Two 13-year-old girls were arrested Thursday after Tavares Middle School (TMS) students reported finding a threat written on a mirror in one of the girls’ bathrooms on campus, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The TMS school resource deputy (SRD) quickly identified two female students who might be responsible from video surveillance at the school and deputies searched their backpacks and found markers that matched the writing on the mirror, LCSO said. Grace Edge, of Mount Dora admitted to writing part of the threat and said her friend Amiya Walker, wrote the second half of the message. Walker
2 Tavares Middle School Students Arrested Thursday for Threatening School Shooting Read More »
UMATILLA, Florida—A rollover crash killed a Eustis man just before daylight Friday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 41-year-old man was driving a 1997 Chevy GMT-400 northbound on State Road 19 near Baker Road just outside of Umatilla, when he lost control for an unknown reason while negotiating a lefthand curve around 6:35 a.m., FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The Eustis man overcorrected, causing the truck to overturn multiple times and come to a final rest on the west shoulder of State Road 19, Crescenzi said. He was pronounced deceased on the scene. The
EUSTIS, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred Thursday, according to LCSO Lt. Fred Jones. A male was shot at a home on Southland Road in unincorporated Mount Dora around 4:15 p.m. Thursday during a dispute, Jones said. The man attempted to drive himself to the hospital and had two small children in his vehicle, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. His vehicle came to a rest in the parking lot of Golden Corral, 15810 U.S. Highway 441, Eustis and EPD officers responded and rendered aid, Capri said. The male was later airlifted to
Man Attempts to Drive Himself to the Hospital Following Shooting Thursday Afternoon Read More »
LEESBURG, Florida—Shoppers have a new place in town to hunt for bargains. The first of its kind in Lake County, Bin Pickin, 1015 West North Boulevard, Leesburg, is a new concept for the area, Jennifer Wooten, who owns the store with her husband, Jamie, told Inside Lake this week. The Wootens purchase truckloads of overstock and returns from Amazon, Kohl’s and CVS Pharmacy and offer all the items for one price three days a week, Wooten said. Fridays, each item is $10, Saturdays, items are $7 and Mondays, they are just $3. Items are placed on large tables and shoppers
CLERMONT, Florida—A Clermont man claimed a $1 million prize from a winning scratch-off ticket, the Florida Lottery announced Tuesday. John McPherson, 38, bought his $50 winning ticket, 500X THE CASH at Publix, 4351 South U.S. Highway 27, Clermont and chose to take his winnings in a one-time, lump sum payment of $820,000, the Florida Lottery said. The Publix location will receive $2,000 bonus commission for selling the ticket. This is the fourth $1 million dollar winning scratch-off ticked purchased in Lake County this year.
LAKE COUNTY, Florida—A Georgia man turned himself in at the Lake County Jail Saturday, accused of scamming nine people out of thousands of dollars for fences he failed to deliver. Christopher Michael Graver, 42, of Cumming, Georgia is accused of taking down payments on fences from nine people for a total of more than $25,000, according to a probable cause affidavit. Graver, who is the chief executive officer of Allstate Fence & Rail collected 50 percent down payments for fences between March 2021 and June 2021 and gave his customers numerous excuses as to why he could not install the
LCSO: Georgia Man Took $25K from Customers in Fence Scam Read More »
TAVARES, Florida—A Tavares High School student was found with a gun on campus Monday, according to an arrest affidavit. Freddy Adams, 16, was pulled out of class around 12:30 p.m. Monday because he and two other students were believed to be under the influence of the drugs, the affidavit states. Adams’ backpack was searched by an assistant principal and he found a small black bag that contained a Remington Arms R51 9mm. The names of the other two students were not released. The gun was not loaded, but the AP found a magazine that contained six 9mm rounds in the
Tavares High School Student Busted with Gun on Campus Monday Read More »
LEESBURG, Florida—Leesburg Police Department is investigating a crash that killed a Crystal River man Sunday night. Shortly after 8:15 p.m. Sunday, LPD responded to a crash between a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a Kia SUV near State Road 44 and Euclid Street, LPD Capt. Joe Iozzi said in a press release. According to the preliminary investigation, Rodney J. Balderas, 41, of Crystal River was westbound on a black 2013 Harley-Davidson when he collided with a 2016 black Kia SUV being driven by John R. O’Steen, 73, of Leesburg. Balderas was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his
Leesburg Crash Claims Life of Motorcyclist Sunday Night Read More »
TAVARES, Florida—Two people are dead following a head-crash on a busy Tavares Road Saturday night. Shortly before 10:45 pm. Tavares Police Department responded to a report of a crash near County Road 561 and Lona Street. According to witnesses and evidence on scene, a 2019 black Nissan Sentra being driven by Scott Alexander Sawyer, 29, of Eustis, was speeding northbound on County Road 561 and attempted to pass vehicles on a double yellow line. He struck a 2008 gray Mazda Tribute head-on being driven southbound by Lindsay Marie Baker, 26, of Altoona, TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan told Inside
Late Night Head-On Crash Kills Eustis Man and Altoona Woman Saturday Read More »
MARION COUNTY, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed a 41-year-old Mount Dora man near Ocala Saturday afternoon. The man was driving a pickup truck at a high rate of speed southbound on U.S. Highway 441 approaching Northwest 77th Street, when he failed to slow and rear-ended a tractor-trailer, just after 3:15 p.m. Saturday, troopers said. The Mount Dora man was trapped inside the truck and later pronounced deceased on the scene by Marion County Fire Rescue. The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 32-year-old Jacksonville woman, suffered minor injuries, according to FHP.
LAKE COUNTY, Florida—A Delray Beach man was killed Saturday night on Florida’s Turnpike after the SUV he was driving struck a tractor-trailer, a concrete barrier and the tractor-trailer again, causing the SUV to overturn and eject him, according to the Florida Highway Patrol The 44-year-old Delray Beach man was driving a BMW X3 shortly before 10 p.m. Friday southbound on Florida’s Turnpike near mile marker 276 when he made an improper lane change, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The right side of the BMW struck the left front of a tractor-trailer and the Delray Beach man
Man Ejected and Killed in Friday Night Turnpike Crash Read More »
EUSTIS, Florida—The man Eustis Police say robbed a downtown business Friday has a lengthy prison history and served his first prison sentence nearly 20 years ago, according to court records. Jacob Thomas Parrish, 36, of Umatilla, was arrested shortly after 3 p.m. Friday after employees of Wells Fargo Advisors, 127 North Bay Street, in the heart of downtown Eustis, called 9-1-1 and reported Parrish entered the business armed with a knife. EPD Capt. Jon Fahning told Inside Lake Friday. Police believe Parrish thought the location was a bank; the building, at the corner of Bay Street and McDonald Avenue houses
Man Accused of Robbing Downtown Eustis Business has Lengthy Criminal History Read More »
EUSTIS, Florida—A man is in custody after entering a downtown Eustis building armed with a knife Friday afternoon. Jacob Parrish, 36, of Umatilla entered Wells Fargo Advisors, 127 North Bay Street around 3 p.m. Friday armed with a knife while three employees, two females and a male were in the building, Eustis Police Department Capt. Jon Fahning told Inside Lake, the only media on the scene. The three employees barricaded themselves in a room and Parrish refused to let them out and they called police, Fahning said. Parrish locked himself in the building at the corner of Bay Street and
Man in Custody After Entering Downtown Eustis Building Armed with Knife Read More »
EUSTIS, Florida—A woman who was jogging on Country Club Road in Eustis Friday morning was grabbed from behind by a man in what police describe as a “bear hug” and she fought him off with a water bottle, police say. The woman was jogging northbound around 10:30 a.m. when the man came up behind her and grabbed her in a “bear hug” and thrust his hips into her in an aggressive and sexual manner, Eustis Police Department Capt. Jon Fahning told Inside Lake. The victim hit the unidentified man with a water bottle, and he fled southbound on Country Club
Female Jogger Fights Off Attacker with Water Bottle in Eustis Friday Morning Read More »
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Florida—A fatal crash shut down the southbound lanes of Florida’s Turnpike at mile marker 285 in the Howey-in-the Hills area for nearly nine hours Friday morning, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi. Shortly before 3 a.m. Friday, a 2018 Kia Sorrento was traveling southbound in the inside lane and rear-ended a 2003 Buick Century, killing the woman driving the Buick. The driver of the Kia, a 39-year-old Orlando man, was transported to South Lake Hospital in Clermont with serious injuries and is in stable condition. The woman was pronounced dead on the scene and troopers are awaiting
Rear-End Crash Kills Unidentified Woman on Florida’s Turnpike Early Friday Morning Read More »
EUSTIS, Florida—A report of identity theft at a Eustis bank last year launched a seven-month investigation that unraveled a mother-daughter Medicaid fraud scheme that culminated in a search warrant and an arrest earlier this month, according to an arrest affidavit. In September 2022, Eustis Police Department responded to Wells Fargo, 16949 U.S. Highway 441 after a man reported his identity had been stolen and used to open a bank account. A lengthy investigation revealed the account was used to funnel money to Heather Linette Steverson, 55, and her daughter, Jessica Linette Chechile, 34, for alleged rides they gave to Medicaid
Accused Mother-Daughter Fraudsters Facing More Than 250 Charges Read More »
MOUNT DORA, Florida—A 67-year-old woman is in the Lake County Jail after a man told a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy she hit him on the head with a frying pan while he was sleeping Thursday. Around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, an LCSO deputy responded to a home on Westland Road in Mount Dora on a report of a battery. A witness told the deputy she arrived at the residence and Janet Daubenmire Harley, who lives at the home, reportedly said, I’m going to kill that (expletive) or I will pay somebody to kill for me and that,” her arrest affidavit
Woman Accused of Hitting Sleeping Man with Frying Pan Read More »
Update 11:54 a.m.: The southbound lanes have been reopened. The on-ramp from U.S. Highway 27 to Florida’s Turnpike remains closed. HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Florida—A fatal crash has shut down the southbound lanes of Florida’s Turnpike at mile marker 285 in the Howey-in-the Hills area, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi. Shortly before 3 a.m. Friday, a 2018 Kia Sorrento rear-ended a 2003 Buick Century, killing the woman driving the Buick. The woman had not been identified at press time. The driver of the Kia, a 39-year-old Orlando man, was transported to South Lake Hospital in Clermont with serious injuries. He
Fatal Crash Shuts Down Southbound Lanes of Turnpike Friday Morning Read More »
DeLAND, Florida—A failure to use a turning signal and following too closely led to the arrest of a Paisley man after he was found with a brick of fentanyl under the hood of the truck he was driving in the DeLand area of Lake County Tuesday night, according to an arrest affidavit. A deputy with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office spotted a white Ford pickup truck tailgating a car near the River Forest Campground around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday shortly after another deputy saw the truck turn on County Road 42 from State Road 44 without using a turning signal. Deputies
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Florida—A Leesburg man is being held in the Osceola County Jail on no bond, accused of shooting a truck that contained a 5-year-old child in a road rage incident on Florida’s Turnpike Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi. A trooper was conducting traffic enforcement in the median of Florida’s Turnpike near Kenansville shortly before 6:30 p.m. Sunday when he observed a white sedan driving recklessly and changing lanes around a white pickup truck in the northbound lanes. The trooper made his way into traffic and watched the white car continue to improperly change lanes
MOUNT DORA, Florida—Four suspected vehicle burglars were nabbed after a resident notified Mount Dora Police Department his home security system captured them checking the door handles of at least six vehicles early Sunday morning. MDPD responded to the area of Mount Dora Apartments, 3001 Northland Road just before 5 a.m. Sunday after receiving a 9-1-1 call from a resident who said his cameras captured four teens in an older red Toyota sedan checking door handles, according to several arrest affidavits. An officer located the suspected vehicle nearby at Epic Theaters, 2300 Spring Harbor Boulevard and blocked it in and attempted
4 Teenagers Arrested Sunday After Mount Dora Resident Catches Their Misdeeds on Camera Read More »
OCALA, Florida—A Leesburg man who was apprehended near a Tavares motel more than a year ago has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Timothy Eric “Tater” Evans, 41, was taken into custody March 3, 2022 near La Bella Inn, 101 West Burleigh Boulevard by multiple agencies on a federal warrant issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) stemming from an incident that occurred in Tavares on May 21, 2021. In May 2021, Evans was found with a stolen vehicle and an officer with
TAVARES, Florida—A Tavares woman admitted she was drinking a beer when she slammed into the back of another vehicle stopped at a traffic light Wednesday night—right in front of a Tavares Police officer. The TPD officer was sitting at the traffic light at U.S. Highway 441 and Huffstetler Drive shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday when she saw a white car slam into the back of a black Chevy at an estimated 50 miles per hour, according to an arrest affidavit. The officer requested EMS and then approached Mary Gwendolyn Bollinger, 64, who was stumbling outside of her car while she
EUSTIS, Florida—A 12-year-old boy was arrested Monday night after a mom alerted her child’s principal to group text messages between several Faith Lutheran School students that included a student threatening to shoot some of his classmates. Inside Lake is not naming the boy due to his age. Eustis Police Department responded to Faith Lutheran School, 2727 South Grove Street after the principal reported he had received an email from a parent of a student at the school. The principal said the parent stated she had received text messages on her child’s phone that contained threats to “shoot up the
UMATILLA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in the murder of a man in Umatilla last year. Only Inside Lake was on the scene after Antwain “Lil Daddy” Hart, 31, was found suffering at least one gunshot wound Nov. 8. 2022 in front of a home on Merrell Avenue in the Southside area of unincorporated Umatilla. He was transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares by Lake EMS, but died during transport, LCSO Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake last year. Hart’s rental vehicle, a 2022 white Jeep Cherokee, was stolen at the time of his murder
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
LEESBURG, Florida—For the third month in a row, a Lake County resident has claimed a $1 million prize from a Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket, the Florida Lottery announced Friday. Leesburg resident Edward Haggerty purchased the $20 GOLD RUSH LIMITED ticket Circle K, 2211 North Citrus Boulevard, Leesburg and chose to take his prize as a one-time, lump sum payment of $795,000, officials said. The store that sold the ticket will receive a $2,000 bonus. In February, Cynthia Jackubowski, of Groveland claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket she purchased in Leesburg and last month, William Rundall, 69, of Astatula
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
UMATILLA, Florida—A father and son are both facing charges stemming from an incident that started at a home in Umatilla and ended at Gwinn Cadwell Park Thursday afternoon. Just before 2:45 p.m. Thursday, a Umatilla Police Department officer responded to a battery call on Lakeside Avenue in Umatilla, according to an arrest affidavit. Tracey Todd Baker, 55, told the officer his son, Stacey Reese Baker, 19, had gotten into an argument with his girlfriend and took off on foot. While at that location, the officer heard on the radio UPD Chief Adam Bolton was out with Stacey Baker at Gwinn
EUSTIS, Florida—A $100,000 stolen SUV spotted at a gas pump by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy landed a Eustis man in jail Sunday on multiple charges, including trafficking in heroin. Shortly after 1:45 p.m. Sunday the deputy was patrolling the area of Orange Avenue and Abrams Road when he saw a 2024 white Mercedes SUV that matched the description of an SUV recently stolen from Tavares at a gas pump. The SUV is valued at $100,000 according to the affidavit. LCSO pulled into Circle K, 2754 East Orange Avenue, and observed a man, later identified as Trevon Markques Williams,
SUMTER COUNTY, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol has identified a pedestrian killed on County Road 470 Saturday night. Troopers were unable to identify the man following the crash and released a photo of his tattoo Sunday. He has now been identified as a 25-year-old Bushnell man, according to FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins. A 42-year-old Bartow woman was driving an SUV westbound on County Road 470, west of County Road 533, around 11:30 p.m. Saturday when the man walked into the path of the SUV, Gaskins said in a press release. The man was transported to a local hospital where he died
Troopers Identify Pedestrian Killed in Sumter County Crash Saturday Read More »
TAVARES, Florida—A Marion County man taken into custody by U.S. Marshals last week in Marion County on a warrant for sex crimes against a young child in Eustis has been transferred to the Lake County Jail. William Grady Keel, 26, was picked up by U.S. Marshals on a warrant for sexual battery on a child under 12 and lewd or lascivious molestation on a child under 12 on Thursday, Eustis Police Department Capt. Dave Carney told Inside Lake. According to the address listed for Keel on LCJ’s online booking records, Keel lives in the Umatilla area of Marion County. The
Marion County Man Accused of Child Sex Crimes in Eustis Read More »
EUSTIS, Florida—A man has died following a crash that shut down U.S. Highway 441 near the Eustis/Tavares line Saturday night. Only Inside Lake was on scene of the crash at U.S. Highway 441 and Dillard Road that occurred shortly before 8:30 p.m. Saturday. After receiving a 9-1-1 call, Eustis Police Department arrived at the scene and found two heavily-damaged vehicles, a grey 2001 Jeep SUV and red 2020 Chevrolet Corvette that were approximately 150 feet away from each other. Police are investigating a motorcycle’s possible involvement in the crash, EPD Chief Craig Capri said. The crash shut down U.S. Highway
Eustis Crash Kills Ohio Man Saturday Night, Mount Dora Man Airlifted Read More »
SUMTER COUNTY, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking assistance in identifying a male who was killed on County Road 470 in Sumter County Saturday night. A 42-year-old Bartow woman was driving an SUV westbound on County Road 470, west of County Road 533, around 11:30 p.m. Saturday when a male walked into the path of the SUV, FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said in a press release. The male was struck by the SUV transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. The Bartow woman and her passenger, a 42-yeqar-old Haines City man, were not injured. FHP has
Troopers Seeking Assistance with Identifying Pedestrian Killed In Sumter County Crash Read More »
TAVARES, Florida—The Sorrento man who barricaded himself in a shed Wednesday night requiring a response from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team is now facing four charges for sex-related crimes, according to LCSO online booking records. Gregory Tippett, 62, was in an altercation with multiple juveniles Wednesday night at his home on Swan Road in Sorrento, according to a report. He later armed himself and fired several shots, shooting himself in the leg, and then barricaded himself in a shed on the property. After first refusing to come out, he surrendered to LCSO’s SWAT Team and was transported to
Barricaded Sorrento Man Now Accused of Sex Crimes Read More »
Update: It was later determined the incident occurred in the city limits of Apopka and Apopka Police Department took over the investigation. ORANGE COUNTY, Florida—The southbound lanes of State Road 429 near Plymouth-Sorrento Road are shut down while the Florida Highway Patrol investigates a pedestrian fatality, FHP. Lt. Channing Taylor said. Just before 10:30 p.m. Saturday, the pedestrian was struck by at least one vehicle and possibly multiple vehicles, Taylor said. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on the scene. No other information was available. MAP: Florida Highway Patrol
Pedestrian Killed Saturday Night, Southbound Lanes of SR 429 Shut Down Read More »
SORRENTO, Florida—The man who fired several shots and barricaded himself in a shed Wednesday night is being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond. According to a heavily-redacted report, a juvenile at the home on Swan Road was upset and Gregory Tippett, 62, who lives at the home, went outside and grabbed melatonin container and threw it at an undisclosed person. Tippett then said he was going to leave and went to get something out of the refrigerator, a witness told the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The relationship between Tippett, the witness and the juveniles was not available
ALTOONA, Florida—The teenage boy tragically killed Thursday afternoon on State Road 19 has been identified on social media by his family. Dylan Kelley, 13, was riding his bicycle southbound on the paved shoulder of State Road 19 when he veered into the path of a Ford F-250 for an unknown reason near Shockley Trail Road and his home in Altoona, shortly after 5 p.m. He was pronounced deceased on the scene, Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Channing Taylor said Thursday. Dylan, described as outgoing and loving, always took care of his family, a post on a gofundme account states. Dylan’s family
ALTOONA, Florida—A 13-year-old Altoona boy was killed Thursday afternoon when the bicycle he was riding veered into the path of a truck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The boy was riding his bicycle southbound on the paved shoulder of State Road 19 when he veered into the path of a white Ford F-250 also traveling southbound on State Road 19 at 5:10 p.m. near Shockley Trail Road, FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said in a press release. The teen was pronounced deceased on the scene. The 33-year-old Oxford man driving the truck was not injured and remained on scene, Taylor
ALTOONA, Florida–The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatality that occurred Thursday afternoon. The crash killed a bicyclist, possibly a juvenile, just before 5: 15 p.m. Thursday, FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said. State Road 19 is shut down at Shockley Trail Road. This is a developing story.
FHP Investigating Bicycle Fatality in Altoona, SR 19 Shut Down Read More »
SORRENTO, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has taken a man into custody after he was barricaded in a home on Swan Road in Sorrento Wednesday night. The incident started as a domestic situation and the suspect barricaded himself in the home and became suicidal, LCSO Lt. Fred Jones told Inside Lake. The man was taken into custody shortly after 9:30 p.m. No other details were available at press time.
Man Taken into Custody After Barricading Himself in Sorrento Home Read More »
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
TAVARES, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has increased the reward for a man who ditched his DUI manslaughter trial earlier this month and arrested his girlfriend for assisting him. Zachery Maurice Waldo, 36, was on trial earlier this month for killing Christopher Smith, 44, his wife, Jessica Smith, 35, and their daughter Hailey Smith, 13, all of Eustis, more than three years ago. Their son Hunter, just 11 years old, was the sole survivor in the vehicle his family was riding in. Christopher and Jessica died on the scene of the Christmas Eve 2019 crash and Hailey died on Christmas
EUSTIS, Florida—Only Inside Lake was on the scene in a normally quiet neighborhood that saw a lot of excitement as the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team moved in on a wanted shooting suspect Monday afternoon Deputies were attempting to locate Eduardo Ramirez, a suspect in a case the criminal investigations bureau was working, LCSO Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake as the SWAT Team and marked units staged at an undisclosed location. LCSO moved in on the home at the corner of Washington Avenue and Ohio Boulevard—just one half of a mile from Eustis High School as school let
Shooting Suspect Taken into Custody by LCSO Monday Read More »
EUSTIS, Florida—A Umatilla man has been arrested for the April 2022 death of a Sorrento woman who was killed in a motorcycle crash in Eustis less than two weeks after her 28th birthday. Edgar Wesley Tello, 65, had an alcohol level of .017—more than twice the legal limit at the time of the crash, according to medical records subpoenaed by Eustis Police Department following the crash. On April 24, 2022 Rebekah Jo Towner, 28, was a passenger on 2006 Harley Davidson being controlled by Tello, northbound on Grove Street, when he struck a curb, rode on the grass and
Umatilla Man Arrested for DUI Manslaughter in Death of Sorrento Woman Last Year Read More »
CLERMONT, Florida—A Miami Beach man was killed when the SUV he was driving crashed head-on into an RV early Sunday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 35-year-old man was driving a grey Mitsubishi SUV westbound on County Road 474 when he made a wide right turn on State Road 33, and crossed the center line, striking an RV head-on in unincorporated Clermont just after 3 a.m. Sunday, FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said in a press release. The Miami Beach man was pronounced dead on the scene by Lake County Fire Rescue, Taylor said. The driver of the RV,
Early Morning Clermont Head-on Collision Kills Man, 35 Read More »
LADY LAKE, Florida—A Lady Lake man has been in the Lake County Jail for a week after being arrested for throwing a Dr. Pepper can at his grandma and spitting on her and a police officer, according to an arrest affidavit. When Lady Lake Police Department officers responded to the home on Cierra Oaks Circle the afternoon of March 18, Larry Alan Reed, 27, “assumed a boxer stance with his fists balled up” and reportedly said, “Come on,” to a pair LLPD officers. One officer unholstered his taser and pointed at Reed, who complied and was taken into custody. While
Lady Lake Man Arrested for Throwing Soda at His Grandma and Spitting on Her and Cop Read More »
LEESBURG, Florida—A Leesburg man was arrested last week after he was caught on video cutting wires at his former home earlier this month. On March 10, the owner of the home reported his former tenant, Frank Kendle Collins, 60, was captured on video cutting wires from a power pole to the home on Rancho Drive in the Bassville Park area of unincorporated Leesburg, causing $5,000 worth of damage. Collins also cut wires under the home and on the air conditioning unit, the homeowner told the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. LCSO reviewed the surveillance video and Collins can be seen cutting
Leesburg Man Caught on Video Cutting Wires and Stealing from His Former Home Read More »
SUMTER COUNTY, Florida—An 80-year-old bicyclist was killed after a golf cart turned into his path Friday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The Villages man was riding his bicycle westbound on the Hillsborough Trail shortly before 8:30 a.m. when a golf cart being driven by a 69-year-old woman of Rochester, New York, turned left at the intersection of Ichabod Way, directly in his path. The golf cart driver was unable to see the man due to the glare of the early morning sun, FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said in a press release. The bicyclist struck the golf cart, was
Collision with Golf Cart Kills Villages Bicyclist in Sumter County Read More »
CLERMONT, Florida—A 7th grade Lake Pointe Academy student was arrested Wednesday after a deputy at a rival school received a tip he threatened to “shoot up” Windy Hill Middle School, according to an arrest affidavit. Inside Lake is not naming the 13-year-old boy due to his age. Windy Hill Middle School’s (WHMS) school resource deputy (SRD) received a tip and screenshot of a snap the Lake Pointe Academy (LPA) student posted on his Snapchat account that reportedly said, “Windy to be shoot up.” The WHMS SRD contacted the LPA SRD and sent her the screenshot, according to the affidavit. The
Boy, 13, Threatens to “Shoot Up” Rival Lake County School on Snapchat Read More »
TAVARES, Florida—A man accused of breaking his neighbor’s window and causing chaos in a convenience store Tuesday morning is in the Lake County Jail being held on $2,000 bond. A neighbor of Damon Hamilton Fish, 45, told Tavares Police Department before sunrise Tuesday that Fish was outside of his own home on Willow Court throwing a large trash can at his windows. Fish then walked into her yard and threw a bar of soap in a “sack” through her 14-year-old daughter’s bedroom window, causing $1,000 in damage, she told TPD. Fish left and apparently went to Circle K, 439 South
LEESBURG, Florida—Leesburg Police Department and the U.S Marshals served a search warrant Tuesday morning in their quest to find a man who left court last week in the middle of his trial, but came up empty, LPD Capt. Joe Iozzi told Inside Lake. LPD and the U.S. Marshals searched the home on East Street, near Dixie Avenue, but nobody was home, Iozzi said. The scene caused a commotion and garnered several posts on popular Facebook word of mouth groups Tuesday morning. “The (U.S.) Marshals task force acquired a search warrant for the house,” Iozzi said in a text. Zachery Maurice
LEESBURG, Florida—An Ocala woman was killed early Monday morning when the car she was riding in crashed into a pole, according to Leesburg Police Capt. Joe Iozzi. Around 12:45 a.m. Monday, LPD responded to a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and U.S. Highway 441. Police believe Enock Sulfa, 40, of Ocala was traveling north on U.S. Highway 27 in a 2012 Hyundai when he lost control and struck a power pole, Iozzi said. Sulfa, and his passengers, Larousse Telfort, 64, and Maria Seraphin-Telfort, 66, both of Ocala, were transported to UF Health Leesburg, where Seraphin-Telfort succumbed
Ocala Woman Killed in Early Morning Leesburg Crash Read More »
EUSTIS, Florida—A 28-year-old man is being held in the Lake County Jail on $5,000 bond after video surveillance showed him grabbing an elderly man and attempting to punch him at a Eustis grocery store Thursday afternoon., according to an arrest affidavit. The victim, 81, told Eustis Police Department that a man, later identified as Jason David Payne, of Eustis, came into Winn-Dixie, 1995 North State Road 19 around 5 p.m. Thursday, “acting strange.” Payne was in and out of the store yelling and then threw down a display rack that struck the victim’s wife’s foot, the victim told police. The
TAVARES, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has arrested three people and is looking for a fourth person, it says conspired to smuggle drugs into the Lake County Detention Center, better known as the Lake County Jail or LCJ. LCSO announced Friday it arrested Victoria Morrison, 24, of Lady Lake, Robert Morrison, 28, of Leesburg, and Anthony Arnold, 37, of Fruitland Park and a warrant has been issued for the arrest Patrick White, 40, of Okahumpka, according to a press release. Victoria Morrison and Robert Morrison are brother and sister, LCSO Lt. Fred Jones told Inside Lake. According to LCSO, Victoria
PAISLEY, Florida—A Daytona Beach man was killed Thursday afternoon when the motorcycle he was riding drifted into oncoming traffic and struck a car head-on, seriously injuring a Paisley woman, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 72-year-old man was riding a 2007 Harley-Davidson eastbound on County Road 42 west of 4th Street when he entered the westbound lane and struck a 2017 Hyundai Veloster being driven by a 23-year-old woman shortly before 2 p.m. The impact caused the Hyundai to run off the road and strike several trees, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The motorcycle rider
Motorcyclist Killed in Head-On Crash, Paisley Woman Airlifted Thursday Read More »
EUSTIS, Florida—The man accused of attempting to rape a woman at a Eustis massage business was bitten by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9 and taken into custody just hours after the crime, according to Eustis Police Department Capt. Dave Carney. Surveillance video from a nearby business clearly showed the license plate of the vehicle the suspect was driving, and he was quickly identified as Timothy Paul Taylor, 35, by EPD. They went to his last known address in Eustis and neighbors told police he moved to Palmetto Street. Officers arrived at the home he shares with his mother and
EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department is searching for an armed man, accused of assaulting and battering a woman at massage business Thursday morning. A “younger” white male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches, wearing tan pants, a black hoodie, a red medical mask and armed with a gun entered the back door of A-1 Massage and Spa, 1316 South Bay Street, Thursday morning, EPD Capt. Dave Carney told Inside Lake. He pulled his pants down, grabbed a female employee by the hair, put the gun to her head, pushed her head down and demanded a sex act. The woman was able to
TAVARES, Florida—A man on trial this week for killing three members of the same family on Christmas Eve 2019 is on the run after leaving his trial during a lunch break and never coming back—and was convicted the same day, according to Lake County Clerk of Court docket information. Zachery Maurice Waldo, 36, is accused of killing Christopher Smith, 44, his wife, Jessica Smith,35, and their daughter Hailey Smith, 13, all of Eustis. Their son Hunter, just 11 years old, was the sole survivor in the vehicle his family was riding in. Christopher and Jessica died on the scene of
MOUNT DORA, Florida—A Mount Dora man is being held on no bond after a woman told Mount Dora Police he shot her at least twice Sunday night, according to an arrest affidavit. Shortly before 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Mount Dora Police Department responded to the 1500 block of Pine Avenue in reference to a shooting and when they arrived they found a woman in a 2010 Nissan passenger vehicle suffering from at least two gunshot wounds. The victim told police “Jason,” later identified as Jason Jameel Ganga shot her while she was attempting to leave and he was inside. There were
Mount Dora Police Arrest Armed Man Accused of Shooting Woman Twice Sunday Night Read More »
ASTATULA, Florida—An Astatula man is more than $800,000 richer after claiming a $1 million prize on a scratch-off ticket, the Florida Lottery announced Tuesday. William Rundall, 69, claimed the prize at the Florida Lottery’s Orlando District Office and chose a one-time, lump sum payment of $820,000, lottery officials said. Rundall bought the 500X THE CASH ticket for $50 at Food Mart, 13512 Georgia Avenue, Astatula; the store will receive $2,000 bonus commission for selling the ticket. Just last month, Cynthia Jackubowski, 56, of Groveland claimed her $1 million prize from a ticket she purchased in Leesburg. She also chose a
Another $1 Million Scratch-Off Ticket Sold in Lake County Read More »
LADY LAKE, Florida—A woman is in the Lake County Jail after leaving two children overnight with a gas station employee she did not know, according to an arrest affidavit. Around 6 a.m. Sunday, Lady Lake Police Department responded to Circle K, 3 La Grande Boulevard, Lady Lake on a report of two abandoned children. When they arrived, an employee told officers an unknown woman, later identified as April Maxwell, 39, came into the store around 10 p.m. Saturday and left the children, aged 7 and 13. The employee said he believed the woman was under the influence of narcotics due
Woman Arrested For Neglect After Leaving 2 Children with Store Employee Overnight Read More »
CLERMONT, Florida—An 8-year-old boy was arrested Saturday after his foster brother told deputies he choked him and swung a kitchen knife at his throat, cutting his neck, according to an arrest affidavit. Inside Lake is not naming the boy due to his age. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at a home in unincorporated Clermont after receiving a weapons complaint shorty before 4:30 p.m. Saturday. When they arrived, a witness said the boy cut another child’s throat and was outside without the knife. Deputies found the boy outside banging on the front door of the home, “emotionally crying” and stating
8-year-old Arrested for Cutting Foster Brother’s Throat, Kicking Deputy in the Stomach Read More »
EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department is investigating a crash that sent a vehicle into a ditch near David Walker Drive and U.S. Highway 441 Sunday morning. Yash Patel told Eustis Police Department he was traveling down U.S. Highway 441 when a vehicle pulled out in front of him from the 7-Eleven/Dunkin Donuts exit, and he swerved to avoid it. He lost control, crashed through the guardrail and went down the embankment. He was not injured. He told EPD the other vehicle fled towards Tavares, and a description of the vehicle was not available. If you have information on Sunday’s crash, call
Man Swerves to Avoid Vehicle Sunday morning, Crashes Through Eustis Guardrail Read More »
TAVARES, Florida—A Clermont woman wanted for grand theft of a cosmetic procedure she received more than two years ago was finally picked up on the warrant in Hillsborough County and transferred to Lake County last week. In November 2020, The Spa at South Lake, 1900 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont performed a cosmetic procedure on Eboni Nykia Wheeler, 41, and when it was time to pay the $1,098 bill, Wheeler said she did not have her credit card with her and gave The Spa a backup credit card number. Wheeler did not give employees the actual card, a Clermont Police Department
MONTVERDE, Florida—A Montverde man is being held on no bond after a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) resulted in a search warrant that revealed more than 1,000 digital child pornography images, some with children younger than 4 years old, according to a probable cause affidavit. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) began investigating Joseph A. Greene, 64, after NCMEC reported Greene had uploaded approximately 500 child pornography images to his Google account between Feb. 18, 2022 and Oct. 25, 2022. FDLE executed a search warrant for his account and found graphic images depicting
CLERMONT, Florida—After a months-long investigation by Clermont Police Department, two men were arrested this week after scamming an elderly man out of his home and selling it late last year. According to a probable cause affidavit, in November 2022, the victim’s niece filed an online complaint with Clermont Police Department stating she believed her uncle was a victim of foreclosure fraud and she found his house was for sale, which was impossible because he is mentally and physically impaired and was admitted to a rehabilitation facility. She also stated she and her husband had power of attorney (POA) over most
Accused Fraudsters Scam Elderly Man and Sell His Clermont Home, According to Police Read More »
CLERMONT, Florida—A Clermont woman was arrested after a neighbor’s Ring camera captured a violent altercation between her and another set of neighbors, according to an arrest affidavit. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Moonflower Court in unincorporated Clermont on a report of a battery shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday and spoke with a man who said an altercation had occurred between him and his neighbors. The man told a deputy he saw his son get shot in the face by his neighbor’s son with a Nerf gun from about 6 inches away and he walked over
LADY LAKE, Florida—Lady Lake Police Department continues to investigate a shooting that left a man dead early Tuesday morning. In a press release late Wednesday afternoon, LLPD Deputy Chief Jason Brough said a man, identified as Dishaun Marquis Hudson, 38, of Leesburg was seated outside at a patio table with a group of people at Applebee’s, 1009 Bichara Boulevard, Lady Lake. Hudson walked into the parking lot where at least three gunshots were fired and vehicle left. After the shots were fired, several customers of the restaurant fled out the back door and Hudson walked around to a side door
Lady Lake Police Release More Details in Applebee’s Shooting, Victim Identified Read More »
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated the incident happened on Tuesday; the incident happened on Monday and the story has been corrected. Publisher’s Note: The following story contains details about an incident involving a suicide on State Road 44 Tuesday afternoon. Inside Lake determines if we will cover a suicide on a case-by-case basis. Generally, we only cover a suicide if it is in a public place, as in this case. We also want to share resources that are available to our readers if they need help. Locally, the M.I.K.E. Endowment is available, visit https://www.themikeendowment.org/ and the National
Deputies Shut Down State Road 44 After Tragic Incident Monday Afternoon Read More »
LADY LAKE, Florida—Lady Lake Police Department is investigating an incident that left a man dead early Tuesday morning, according to LLPD Deputy Chief Jason Brough. The man, who has not been identified, arrived at Applebee’s, 1009 Bichara Boulevard just after 1 a.m. Tuesday and was involved in an altercation outside, where at least three gunshots were fired, Brough said in a press release. Employees of the restaurant locked the doors and called 9-1-1. The man attempted to enter through the front door, found it locked, and a female who was inside the restaurant opened a side door and let him
Unidentified Man Dead After Multiple Altercations at Lady Lake Restaurant Read More »
LEESBURG, Florida—A man is custody after Leesburg Police Department found him running several blocks from a busy bank that was robbed Monday morning, according to LPD Capt. Joe Iozzi. Brandon J. Hooks, 38, of Lady Lake is accused of giving a teller a note indicating he was robbing Wells Fargo, 2271 Citrus Boulevard just after 9:30 a.m. Monday. Hooks, who was wearing all black, did not brandish a gun, Iozzi said. The teller complied and LPD responded to the scene after receiving multiple robbery alarms and confirming the robbery with a bank employee by phone. Hooks fled the scene
Accused Bank Robber Nabbed by Leesburg Police Several Blocks from the Scene of the Crime Read More »
TAVARES, Florida—A man is in custody after he fired shots in the backyard of a home on Pineway Street, according to Tavares Police Department Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan. TPD responded to the 1000 block of Pineway Street around 7 p.m. Friday night on a report of shots fired, Sullivan told Inside Lake. Officers arrived and found the shooting occurred in the backyard of a home and after a foot pursuit, took Craig Austin Campbell, 31, of Weirsdale into custody. No one was injured in the shooting. Campbell complained he had a medical issue and was transported to AdventHealth Waterman
Tavares Police: Man in Custody After Firing Shots in Tavares Backyard Read More »
FRUITLAND PARK, Florida—A new, daytime monthly market is set to begin this Friday in Fruitland Park. Orange Blossom Market Co. has partnered with the City of Fruitland Park to create the Fruitland Park First Friday Market. The market is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Friday of each month at Fruitland Park City Hall, 506 West Berckman Street and will run through May, taking a break during the sweltering summer months and kicking back off in September, Orange Blossom Market Co. Founder and Organizer Sheena Willis told Inside Lake. “The market will be a place where locals
Fruitland Park First Friday Market Set to Begin this Week Read More »
TAVARES, Florida—Last August, only Inside Lake uncovered a man accused of multiple armed robberies across Lake County was suspected in the murder of Alejandro “Alex” Garcia. On Thursday, Dustin “Chico” Perdue was charged with his murder; and on Monday night his nephew, Octavious Marquis Reed was nabbed by U.S. Marshals and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit, Tavares Police Detective Courtney Sullivan told Inside Lake. Perdue, 27, and Reed, 23, are accused of shooting Garcia, 29, and Darnell Lester, 31, April 8, 2022 at Caroline Court Apartments, 1000 East Caroline Street in Tavares. Garcia, of Mount Dora, succumbed
Armed Robbery Suspect and Nephew Charged in 2022 Tavares Murder Read More »
LEESBURG, Florida—A man apparently angry that a pair of Uber delivery drivers would not take him anywhere, slapped a deputy’s hand, got tased and went to jail Saturday night, according to an arrest affidavit. A Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy was flagged down in the 11000 block of Huggins Street in the Bassville Park area of Leesburg by two females around 10:30 pm. Saturday. The pair told the deputy they arrived at a home on Huggins to pick up a package and they were approached by Jemerh Tyrik Cosby, 26, who lived at the home. Cosby, who they said appeared
Man, Angry Over a Ride, Accused of Slapping Deputy’s Hand and Disorderly Intoxication Read More »
FRUITLAND PARK, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol has released information on the crash that killed a suspect and sent three people to the hospital Saturday afternoon. A 35-year-old Orlando man driving a black Hyundai Elantra fled Lady Lake Police Department just after 4 p.m. Saturday and “due to its recklessness and speeds Lady Lake PD lost sight of (the car,) FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said. The Hyundai continued to drive recklessly and began driving southbound in the northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 27/441 near 466A in Fruitland Park. The Hyundai struck a silver Kia Sportage being driven by a 43-year-old woman
LEESBURG, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating an ATV crash that killed a Leesburg man Saturday afternoon. The 21-year-old man struck a pole while riding an ATV around 5:15 p.m. and was pronounced dead on the scene at Veech Road and Pruitt Street near Leesburg, FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said in a press release. It is unknown if the man was riding the ATV on the roadway, or if he was wearing a helmet. There was no other information available at press time because FHP’s traffic homicide investigator was sent to additional fatal crashes that occurred soon after the ATV
FRUITLAND Park, Florida—A theft suspect is dead after fleeing from Lady Lake Police Department Saturday afternoon, crashing into an unsuspecting vehicle and sending three people to the hospital, according to Fruitland Park Police Chief Erik Luce. FPPD was notified that Lady Lake Police Department was pursuing a vehicle into the city limits of Fruitland Park after a LLPD officer stated on the radio a suspect attempted to use their vehicle to run into an officer, Luce said in a press release. The officer was investigating a theft at Home Depot, 871 U.S. Highway 27, Lady Lake when the incident
TAVARES, Florida—The woman accused of brutally stabbing an elderly Mount Dora couple in their Waterman Village home may pay for the crimes with her life. On Thursday morning, Assistant State Attorney Jamie McManus e-filed a “notice of intent to seek the death penalty,” in the case against Vickie Lynn Williams, 50, for the murders of Darryl Getman, 83, and Sharon Getman, 80. The married couple was murdered in their home sometime between the hours of 11 p.m. Dec. 30, 2022, and 2 a.m. Dec. 31. The Getmans’ bodies were found by Mount Dora Police officers after they received two 9-1-1
State to Seek Death Penalty in Brutal Murders of Elderly Mount Dora Couple Read More »
LEESBURG, Florida—An ATV crash has killed at least one person Saturday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers are investigating the crash at Veech Road and Pruitt Street that occurred around 5:20 p.m., FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said in an email; no other information has been released. There is a roadblock in the area. This is a developing story.
Troopers Investigating Fatal ATV Crash Near Leesburg Read More »
