Armed Robbery

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Fruitland Park man admits to robbing grandparents at knifepoint

Fruitland Park, Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By

FRUITLAND PARK, Fla.—A Fruitland Park man remains in the Lake County Jail on $28,500 bond, accused of robbing his grandparents and threatening to slice their throats.

Shortly before 4 p.m. Sunday, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a home in unincorporated Fruitland Park on a report of a robbery that occurred Friday night. Richard French told a deputy his wife, Shirley, had just left the home with his grandson Kyle Davis Blowers, 36, to get gas. French said around 9 p.m. Blowers came into their bedroom, approached them with a knife and reportedly said, “I want the money, I need your debit card now, or I am going to slice your throats.” In fear for their lives, according to Richard French, Shirley French retrieved the debit card, gave it to Blowers and he left, according to an arrest affidavit.

Blowers’ grandfather went on to tell the deputy his grandson had brandished a weapon and demanded money multiple times and it was an “ongoing issue.” He said his grandson had been diagnosed with a mental health condition and stopped taking his medication last week.

On Sunday, Blowers demanded the debit card again and his grandmother told him she would go with him to get money and they left together in a blue Dodge Ram. A family member told LCSO Blowers has a history of stealing money from his grandparents, and she fears he will kill them. She provided Shirley French’s location through a tracking app and Fruitland Park Police Department assisted LCSO and responded to Walmart, 2501 Citrus Boulevard and pulled the Dodge Ram over as it exited the parking lot, the affidavit states.

Shirley French told deputies her grandson demanded she buy a $400 Apple gift card, and she bought it because she fears him, and she told deputies three months ago, he placed his hands around her neck and she was sore after, but she never lost her ability to breathe. She said her grandson has taken money from her on numerous occasions, totaling more than $1,000, and she fears he will kill her and her husband if he is released from jail.

Blowers admitted to deputies he did brandish a knife while demanding money from his grandparents, and he was arrested and transported to the Lake County Jail. He is facing charges of robbery with a weapon, battery on a person 65 or older and grand theft. Blowers is a registered sex offender, stemming from a 2008 conviction of sexual misconduct with a minor in Jay County, Indiana, according to his Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sexual Offender Flyer. He was 20 years old at the time of his conviction.

Fruitland Park man admits to robbing grandparents at knifepoint Read More »

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Victim uninjured after armed robbery in parking lot of Mount Dora store

Inside Scoop, Mount Dora / By

MOUNT DORA, Fla.—Mount Dora Police Department is investigating after a woman was robbed of her purse at gunpoint in a parking lot late Saturday afternoon.

The victim told police a black male, dressed in all black, wearing a ski mask and armed with a silver semi-automatic firearm, approached her as she was about to enter her vehicle in the parking lot of Viva Liquor 1 , 101 South Highland Street, around 5:40 p.m., according to MDPD.

The suspect took the woman’s purse and demanded her phone, but she refused to give it to him. He threatened to shoot her and then fled west on 1st Avenue toward Clayton Street in a silver SUV.

If you have information, call MDPD’s Criminal Investigations Unit at 352-735-7130.

Previous story: Mount Dora police searching for suspect who robbed customer at liquor store Saturday – Inside Lake

Victim uninjured after armed robbery in parking lot of Mount Dora store Read More »

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Mount Dora police searching for suspect who robbed customer at liquor store Saturday

Inside Scoop, Mount Dora / By

MOUNT DORA, Fla.—Mount Dora Police Department is searching for an armed robber who robbed a customer at a liquor store late Saturday afternoon.

A suspect wearing all black and a ski mask robbed a customer at Viva Liquor 1, 101 South Highland Street, around 5:40 p.m. Saturday and fled the scene in a silver SUV. No other details were released Saturday night and police were still on scene investigating.

If you have information, call MDPD at 352-735-7130.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information that the store was robbed. 

Mount Dora police searching for suspect who robbed customer at liquor store Saturday Read More »

Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies are searching for this man, who they say robbed a South Lake Walgreens Tuesday morning. PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Deputies searching for man accused of robbing South Lake pharmacist at gunpoint

Clermont, Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By

CLERMONT, Fla.—Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies are searching for a man who robbed a pharmacist of prescription pills at gunpoint in the Four Corners area of unincorporated Clermont Tuesday morning.

The suspect, described as a white male, weighing 170 to 180 pounds, with balding red hair and a beard, entered Walgreens,1600 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont, shortly before 9 a.m. and went to the pharmacy area of the store. He displayed a gun and robbed the pharmacist of prescription pills, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said.

No one was injured, and the man, who had tattoos on at least one of his arms, fled the store in an unknown direction. If you have information on the suspect’s identity or his whereabouts, call LCSO at 352-343-2101 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS; Crimeline callers may be eligible for a reward.

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Accused murderer back in Lake County

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Leesburg, Unincorporated Lake / By

TAVARES, Fla.—The man police believe is responsible for the murder of a Leesburg store owner was booked into the Lake County Jail Friday morning.

Alex Lopez, 25, is facing charges of premeditated murder, armed robbery and two other weapons offenses, and is being held on no bond.

Lopez was on the run for nearly a month, while Leesburg Police Department worked with state, federal and local agencies to track him down and finally located him at a motel in Kissimmee around 7 p.m. Wednesday, Leesburg Police Department Sgt. Shannon Walsh said. He was taken into custody by the FDLE/Orlando – Violent Crime Task Force.

“We located him using collaborative investigative measures,” Walsh told Inside Lake.

Lopez is accused of gunning down father of five, Raied “Ray” Shihadeh, 51, at Fast Stop Superette, 3702 Picciola Road, on May 30 during an armed robbery of the store. LPD will not confirm how much money was taken in the robbery, but a post created by Shihadeh’s wife, Monique, on a fundraising platform states it was less than $100. In the same post, Monique also stated her husband was killed on their daughter’s 16th birthday, making an already tragic situation much more heartbreaking.

Raied “Ray” Shihadeh. Photo courtesy of Monique Shihadeh

Inside Lake spoke with Monique by text Thursday and she said, “Our family is happy about his capture. We are preparing for this continuous and long journey that we will be on but praying for strength.”

Monique posted about her husband in numerous Facebook groups throughout the last few weeks asking for help locating Lopez and informing the public of a reward offered by Crimeline, in addition to money raised and added to the reward by her family.

Lopez grew up in Eustis and Sorrento, several sources have told Inside Lake. His next court date is scheduled for July 22.

Previous story: Leesburg murder suspect captured in Kissimmee – Inside Lake

Photos courtesy of Monique Shihadeh

Accused murderer back in Lake County Read More »

Leesburg murder suspect captured in Kissimmee

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By

LEESBURG, Fla.—The man accused of gunning down a Leesburg store owner late last month is in custody, according to Leesburg Police Department.

Alex Lopez, 25, of Wildwood, was captured in Kissimmee by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Violent Crimes Task Force, LPD Sgt. Shannon Walsh said.

On the run for nearly a month, Lopez is accused of killing Raied Shihadeh, 51, at Fast Stop Superette, 3702 Picciola Road, on May 30 and fleeing the scene. Shihadeh was airlifted to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, where he died from his injuries, Walsh said last month.

Lopez is facing charges of premeditated murder, armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and using a firearm during a felony.

Previous stories: Leesburg police identify murder suspect, need public’s help finding him – Inside Lake

Leesburg robbery and shooting victim dies overnight, suspect on the run – Inside Lake

VIDEO: Leesburg Police release surveillance video of store robbery – Inside Lake

One shot in robbery at Leesburg store Thursday night, Leesburg Police searching for suspect – Inside Lake

Leesburg murder suspect captured in Kissimmee Read More »

Leesburg police identify murder suspect, need public’s help finding him

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By

LEESBURG, Fla.—Leesburg Police Department has identified the man they believe is responsible for a murder and armed robbery Thursday night.

A warrant has been issued for Alex Lopez, 25, of Wildwood for premeditated murder, armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and using a firearm during a felony.

Shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday, a man believed to be Lopez, entered Fast Stop Superette, 3702 Picciola Road, and shot Raied Shihadeh, 51. He was airlifted to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, where he died from his injuries, LPD Sgt. Shannon Walsh said.

The suspect, now identified as Lopez, fled the scene and despite an extensive search by K9 units and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office aviation unit, they were unable to apprehend him, Walsh said.

“Officers and detectives have attempted to locate Lopez since he was identified as a suspect with negative results.  We are now working with local, state, and federal authorities to locate and arrest Lopez,” Walsh said in a press release.

Lopez may be armed and dangerous and police are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to call them at 352-787-2121 or call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477.) Crimeline callers may be eligible for a reward.

Leesburg police identify murder suspect, need public’s help finding him Read More »

Still shot taken from surveillance video of a Leesburg robbery Thursday night. Leesburg Police Department is searching for this man, who they say robbed and shot a Fast Stop Superette employee. If you have information, call LPD at 352-787-2121.

VIDEO: Leesburg Police release surveillance video of store robbery

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story described the possible race of the suspect, Leesburg Police Department has since stated the suspect’s race is unconfirmed. 

LEESBURG, Fla.—Leesburg Police Department has released store surveillance video of an armed robbery and shooting Thursday night.

Police have not identified the man who entered the Fast Stop Superette, 3702 Picciola Road, Leesburg and shot an employee shortly before 9:30 pm. LPD is looking for a male wearing an orange shirt and had his face covered with a pink shirt. The victim was airlifted to a local hospital and the victim’s condition was unknown late Thursday night.

If you have information on the suspect’s identity, call LPD at 352-787-2121.

See video below:

VIDEO: Leesburg Police release surveillance video of store robbery Read More »

Leesburg Police Department is searching for this man, who they say robbed and shot a Fast Stop Superette employee Thursday night. If you have information, call LPD at 352-787-2121.

One shot in robbery at Leesburg store Thursday night, Leesburg Police searching for suspect

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story described the possible race of the suspect, Leesburg Police Department has since stated the suspect’s race is unconfirmed. 

Update: VIDEO: Leesburg Police release surveillance video of store robbery – Inside Lake

LEESBURG, Fla.—Leesburg Police Department is searching for a suspect who robbed and shot a store employee Thursday night.

Details were limited at press time, “It’s a very active scene,” LPD Sgt. Shannon Walsh told Inside Lake.

Shortly before 9:30 p.m., Fast Stop Superette, 3702 Picciola Road, Leesburg was robbed, and one person was shot. The victim was airlifted to an area hospital for treatment, Walsh said.

LPD is looking for a male wearing an orange shirt and he also had a pink shirt covering his face.

If you have information, call LPD at 352-787-2121.

 

One shot in robbery at Leesburg store Thursday night, Leesburg Police searching for suspect Read More »

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Tracking App Helps Nab Accused Umatilla Teenaged Armed Robber

Inside Scoop, Lady Lake, Umatilla / By

UMATILLA, Fla.—A tracking app helped nab an accused teenaged armed robber earlier this week, according to an arrest affidavit.

Juan “Slugga” Gomez Jr., 16, of Umatilla, is accused of robbing two victims of $500 on Orange Circle in Lady Lake Sunday. The victims told Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies a masked male suspect pointed a gun at them and demanded money, and a second male who was not wearing a mask helped him, the affidavit states.

The victims identified Gomez through social media and LSCO found that he attended Umatilla High School. Gomes was secured and detained at UHS Monday, where he was interviewed by an LCSO detective. He denied being in Lady Lake and taking part in the robbery and refused to give the detective a DNA sample, according to the affidavit.

Gomez’ father responded to the school and told LCSO he has a tracking app and it showed Gomez was in Lady Lake around the time of the robbery. Gomez then confessed to the crime but said he did not get any money; he refused to identify he accomplice. Gomez was arrested for armed robbery and turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Tracking App Helps Nab Accused Umatilla Teenaged Armed Robber Read More »

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