Astor

The Lake County Sheriff’s and the Florida Gaming Control Commission search an internet gaming facility in unincorporated Umatilla June 13. PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake

Information finally released following search warrants executed on gaming facilities earlier this month

Inside Scoop, Tavares, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By

LAKE COUNTY, Fla.—Only Inside Lake was on the scene earlier this month as Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives, in conjunction with the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) searched an internet gaming facility in unincorporated Umatilla, and LCSO has finally released information regarding that search warrant and three more.

On June 13, 2024, four search warrants were executed at different illegal gaming establishments in Lake County. Detectives with the Leesburg, Clermont, Eustis, and Mount Dora police departments also assisted with the investigation that stemmed from continued concerns that illegal gambling throughout Lake County leads to an increase in law enforcement calls for service, criminal activity, and other threats to public safety, LCSO spokesperson Chanel Martin said.

The Umatilla location was the site of an attempted armed robbery in August 2022; in that a incident a security guard was shot. No arrests have been made in that case.

“Illegal gambling establishments operate outside the legal, regulated market to exploit vulnerable Floridians. They are usually associated with organized crime, do not generate state tax revenue, and do not provide the same consumer protections or safeguards as legal gaming operators,” said Lou Trombetta, FGCC Executive Director.

Detectives seized approximately 170 gaming machines and approximately $211,000 from the Hot Spot,11145 U.S HWY 441, Tavares; Hot Spot, 11203 U.S. HWY 441, Tavares. Cyber Monkey. 23505 State Road 40, Astor and Hot Spot II, 37415 SR 19, Umatilla, according to Martin.

Detectives seized all illegal gaming devices and issued misdemeanor notices to appear in lieu of physical arrests to six operating employees. The citations were issued with reference to Florida State Statue 849.01, which states it is illegal to keep or maintain a gambling house.

Previous stories: Law enforcement investigating internet gaming facilities in unincorporated Umatilla and Tavares – Inside Lake

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

Information finally released following search warrants executed on gaming facilities earlier this month Read More »

File photo

FHP identifies Umatilla man killed in Astor early Wednesday

Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By

ASTOR, Fla.—The Florida Highway Patrol has identified the man killed in Astor early Wednesday morning.

Robert Sangster Jr., 26, of Umatilla, was standing in the westbound lane of State Road 40, near Blue Creek Lodge Road shortly after 4 a.m. when he was struck by a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee being driven by a 58-year-old Polk City woman. The woman swerved to avoid Sangster Jr., but the right side of the SUV collided with him. He was pronounced deceased on the scene. The woman was not injured and remained on scene, FHP said.

The crash closed State Road 40 for approximately five hours.

FHP identifies Umatilla man killed in Astor early Wednesday Read More »

File photo

Umatilla man killed in Astor early Wednesday morning; SR 40 shut down

Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By

Update: FHP identifies Umatilla man killed in Astor early Wednesday – Inside Lake

ASTOR, Fla.—A 26-year-old Umatilla man was killed Wednesday after he was struck by an SUV on State Road 40 in Astor, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Umatilla man was standing in the westbound lane of State Road 40 shortly after 4 a.m. when he was struck by 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee being driven by a 58-year-old Polk City woman.

The woman swerved to avoid the man, but the right side of the SUV struck him, killing him. His next of kin has not been notified. The Polk City woman was not injured and remained on scene, FHP said.

State Road 40 west of Blue Creek Lodge Road remained shut down in both directions at press time while troopers conduct their investigation.

Umatilla man killed in Astor early Wednesday morning; SR 40 shut down Read More »

PHOTO: Dollar General/Facebook

Astor Store Manager Arrested for Refund Scam

Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By

ASTOR, Fla.—The manager of a Dollar General store is facing a felony theft charge after being arrested by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for a refund scam, according to an arrest affidavit.

On Friday, LCSO responded to Dollar General, 24150 State Road 40, Astor on a report of a theft. When the deputy arrived, a loss prevention director told the deputy she began investigating Nancy Marie McDonald, 51, of Astor, for an unusual amount of refunds totaling $925 that were processed in July and August.

The loss prevention director said McDonald admitted to taking items of the shelves, processing refunds and pocketing the cash. McDonald said she had been doing it since March and provided the loss prevention director with a written statement, according to the affidavit. Video surveillance also showed McDonald’s scam.

McDonald admitted her misdeeds to the deputy and said she gave the money to a former employee, but the former employee did not know where the money was coming from. McDonald was arrested for grand theft and transported to the Lake County Jail, where she was released on $2,000 bond.

Astor Store Manager Arrested for Refund Scam Read More »

PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff's Office

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

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Tavares, Unincorporated Lake / By

TAVARES, Florida—An Astor woman is in the Lake County Jail after fleeing deputies in a stolen car in unincorporated Leesburg and ending her escapade outside the sallyport doors at the jail Saturday night, according to an arrest affidavit.

An LCSO deputy observed a gray car roll the stop sign at Harbor Shores Road and Pine Island Drive and attempted to perform a traffic stop, the affidavit states.

Connie Adams PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office

The car, being driven by Connie Ellene Adams, 31, passed another deputy who was outside his vehicle and failed to follow his commands to stop, fleeing at a high rate of speed. The car fled to County Road 44 and County Road 452 and through the city limits of Eustis, running numerous traffic lights. Adams continued to drive into Tavares and “came to a rest outside of the Lake County Jail’s sallyport doors,” the affidavit states.

Adams was taken into custody and the car was found to be stolen from Marion County. Adams, who has multiple driver license suspensions, was arrested for fleeing and eluding, driving while license suspended, grand theft auto and attaching tag not assigned. She was walked into LCJ, where she is being held on $9,000 bond.

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

Family Seeking Answers After Woman Found Dead in Astor Sunday

Inside Scoop, Mount Dora, Unincorporated Lake / By

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 Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake Monday it is just too early in the investigation to tell if foul play was involved and the cause of death was unknown at press time; deputies and Beckwith’s family are awaiting a report from the medical examiner.

Tracy Beckwith and her 4-year-old son, Spencer. PHOTO: Courtesy of the Beckwith family

A member of Beckwith’s family reached out to Inside Lake Monday and said the circumstances of Beckwith’s death are suspicious and they want answers. Beckwith was the mother of a 4-year-old boy and has struggled with some personal issues recently and had been known to hang out with at least one man with a violent history. Inside Lake is not naming him at this time because he has not been charged with a crime.

Beckwith’s family is asking anyone who has information on her death, or her whereabouts over the weekend prior to her death, to come forward. If you have information, call LCSO at 352-343-2101 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS, Crimeline callers can remain anonymous.

Family Seeking Answers After Woman Found Dead in Astor Sunday Read More »

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