Florida Man

Suspect in Stolen Vehicle Flees, Rams LCSO Cruiser, Strikes Multiple Stop Sticks, Flees on Foot, Apprehended by K9 Murphy in Leesburg Sunday

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Leesburg, Mount Dora / By

LEESBURG, Fla.—A Mount Dora man is facing a slew of charges after ramming a stolen vehicle into a Lake County Sheriff’s Office cruiser, fleeing to Sumter County, striking multiple stop sticks and fleeing back into Lake County where he was finally apprehended Sunday afternoon.

Henry Lee Gamble-Coleman, 26, was spotted around 5 p.m. in Leesburg by LCSO deputies in a vehicle stolen from Eustis, according to an arrest affidavit. Deputies attempted to pull Gamble-Coleman over near the intersection of South 14th Street and South Street and Gamble-Coleman “rapidly” accelerated and struck the passenger side of a K9 cruiser. He fled westbound on State Road 44 under the watchful eye of Eagle One, LCSO’s helicopter and traveled into Sumter County into a neighborhood on Heritage Boulevard.

Deputies again tried to stop Gamble-Coleman and he fled again, striking stop sticks with both passenger-side tires. He continued to flee and struck stop sticks on the driver’s side and turned back onto State Road 44, where he fled toward Lake County, the affidavit states.

Gamble-Coleman continued to flee at a low speed and deputies, fearing he would wreck, shut down the intersection of State Road 44 and County Road 468 and Gamble-Coleman turned onto Weber Avenue, a dead-end street, according to the affidavit.

He pulled into a parking lot on Weber Avenue, exited the stolen vehicle and fled on foot. A K9 handler released K9 Murphy and Gamble-Coleman was apprehended and taken into custody. He refused to identify himself but was later identified using “law enforcement resources” according to the affidavit.

He was arrested for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, grand theft auto, fleeing to elude, resisting without violence, driving while license suspended and failure to identify to law enforcement. He was transported to the Lake County Jail where he was booked for at least the 13th time since 2019. He is being held on $16,000 bond.

 

K9 Murphy is seen here with his handler LCSO Deputy Corey Lebrecque, earlier this year when they were honored as K9 of the Year by the Eustis Elks Lodge. PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Suspect in Stolen Vehicle Flees, Rams LCSO Cruiser, Strikes Multiple Stop Sticks, Flees on Foot, Apprehended by K9 Murphy in Leesburg Sunday Read More »

File photo

Gas Station Argument Escalates to Stabbing, Victim Airlifted, Suspect Jailed

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By

LEESBURG, Florida—A argument outside a Leesburg gas station Thursday afternoon escalated to a stabbing and landed one man in jail and another in the hospital, according to an arrest affidavit.

Leesburg Police Department responded to a stabbing report at Sunoco, 1200 West Main Street and found the victim responsive, but in a lot of pain and “clearly in need of medical attention,” the affidavit states. He was transported to a local hospital and then airlifted to a trauma center for the stab wound on the top, left side of his rib cage. He was not publicly identified.

A witness told LPD the victim was cursing at “Baxter,” later identified as Baxter Marc Rishell, 61. The pair began to argue, the witness said, and Rishell pulled out a black and green pocketknife and “poked” the victim in the side of his body.  The witness said Rishell, of Leesburg, then threw the knife into the grass near the side of the building; LPD located the knife with “fresh blood” on the blade.

Baxter Mar Rishell PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office

A second witness refused to give police a statement and Rishell, who appeared to be heavily intoxicated, told police he was near the incident when it happened and he was “unsure if the suspect was Hispanic or white,” the affidavit states.

Rishell was taken into custody and arrested for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.  He is being held in Lake County Jail on $10,000 bond.

Gas Station Argument Escalates to Stabbing, Victim Airlifted, Suspect Jailed Read More »

Man Accused of Biting One Officer, Kicking Another on Traffic Stop

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By

EUSTIS, Florida—A traffic stop for an expired tag ended in a trip to jail for a Eustis man after he bit one police officer in the groin area and kicked another one in the chest several times early Monday morning.

Around 2:45 a.m. a Eustis Police officer spotted a white SUV with an expired tag near State Road 19 and County Road 452, he initiated a traffic stop near County Road 44 and the vehicle finally came to a stop near Pine Meadows Golf Course Road, according to an arrest affidavit.

The driver, identified as Michael Lloyd Rodebush, 35, of Eustis, appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance, and told the officer he did not stop right away because he believed he was impersonating an officer, the affidavit states. The officer was driving a fully-marked patrol unit. Rodebush handed over his voided license, said it was suspended and made statements that did not make sense, the officer noted in the affidavit.

Officers arrived as backup, including a K9 handler with K9 Hulk and he alerted on the vehicle, giving officers probable cause to search. Officers found methamphetamine under Rodebush’s seat and ammunition in the passenger door pocket; Rodebush is a convicted felon, according to the affidavit.

Rodebush was taken into custody and placed into the back of a patrol car; an officer opened the back door to talk to Rodebush and he immediately tried to exit the patrol car and was acting “erratic,” the affidavit states.

Officers tried to put him back in the vehicle and he became “extremely aggressive,” biting one officer in the groin area and kicking another officer several times in the chest. He was placed into a five-point restraint and redirected back into the patrol car. Rodebush was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, resisting with violence and driving on a suspended license. He transported to the Lake County Jail, where a nurse stated he need to be transported to the hospital. After he was cleared at AdventHealth Waterman, he was transported back to LCJ, where he is being held on $23,000 bond.

Man Accused of Biting One Officer, Kicking Another on Traffic Stop Read More »

Brian Rumler PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff's Office

Man Arrested for Killing Finnley the Dog with Baseball Bat

Clermont, Inside Scoop / By

CLERMONT, Florida—A Clermont man is facing a charge of aggravated animal cruelty after allegedly beating his girlfriend’s dog to death with a red and gold baseball bat, according to an arrest affidavit.

Clermont Police Department responded to a home on Hurston Watch Lane shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday in reference to a dog being beaten to death and when officers arrived, a pair of brothers were waiting and one of them told police when he arrived home, his mother told him their dog, Finnley, bit her boyfriend, Brian Keith Rumler. He said Rumler hit the dog in the head with a bat, causing him to die. They told CPD Finnley had bitten their mother in the past and becomes territorial when someone would go near his food or try to pet him while he was sleeping.

Their mother, who was crying and asking police not to take Rumler, 62, to jail, said she did not see Finnley bite Rumler, but the dog was extremely violent and had bitten her before, leaving a scar.

Rumler told CPD Finnley bit his hand and had a history of being aggressive towards him, including a bite that required six stitches in May. He did not report that incident, he told police, because he had just started dating his girlfriend the month before. However, he gave conflicting statements to Animal Services when they interviewed him, the arresting officer noted in the affidavit.

Rumler claimed he was sitting on the couch when Finnley came up to him, bit him and walked off. Rumler then went to the garage with Finnley following behind, grabbed a red and gold baseball bat and struck Finnley in the head, killing him. Rumley then wrapped the dog’s body in a blue tarp.   

After speaking with Animal Services, they determined Rumler was not acting in self defense and was taken into custody and arrested for aggravated animal cruelty. He was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was released on $2,000 bond.

Man Arrested for Killing Finnley the Dog with Baseball Bat Read More »

“Don’t Tread on Me,” Florida Man Says as He Takes His Vehicle From Tow Yard Without Paying His Bill

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By

EUSTIS, Florida—A man who apparently did not want to pay his tow bill caused around $8,000 damage to two vehicles, a fence and a gate when he took his vehicle without paying, according to an arrest affidavit.

Eustis Police Department responded to Bay Street Paint & Body, 151 West Lemon Avenue just before 6 p.m. Thursday on a report of a verbal altercation and damage to vehicles and a gate. A witness told EPD William Cameron Laforge, 28, had stopped by earlier to retrieve his vehicle that was towed for EPD earlier in the day. The witness said they offered Laforge a 50 percent discount on the tow bill due to him not having much money; Laforge left the area and returned several hours later after the business closed with a gas can, according to the affidavit.

Laforge went to his vehicle, started it and attempted to leave by driving into two vehicles, causing a total of $5,000 worth of damage to the vehicles. The witness attempted to stop Laforge, and he drove the vehicle straight toward the witness, he told officers. The witness fired two rounds into the ground from his Glock 43 handgun when Laforge was about 3 to 5 feet away from him, he told police.

Laforge continued to drive off and drove through a gate, damaging it and the fence to the tune of $3,000.  

EPD canvassed the area and found Laforge’s vehicle at his home, less than a mile away on Citrus Avenue and found Laforge on foot near the corner of South Eustis Street and Mills Avenue, according to the affidavit.

Laforge told officers his vehicle ran out of gas at a local gas station, and he left it there to go get money. He returned and found it had been towed. He went to Bay Street Paint & Body and was given a price for the vehicle and told he could not pick it up until he paid. He left, came back with a gas can and while he was putting gas in the vehicle, someone told him he could not be on the property, and he had to leave. He told the witness, “Don’t tread on me,” and continued what he was doing, the affidavit states.

Laforge then told officers he tried to leave, and a block was thrown in front of his truck and his tire was shot. He said he drove off with it because he was not allowed to leave without paying, but then changed his story and said he meant he was never told.  

Laforge was taken into custody and arrested for burglary, aggravated assault, grand theft, criminal mischief and leaving the scene of a crash. He was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on $17,000 bond.

“Don’t Tread on Me,” Florida Man Says as He Takes His Vehicle From Tow Yard Without Paying His Bill Read More »

Mark Banks PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff's Office

Eustis Man Accused of Exposing Himself to Neighborhood

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By

EUSTIS, Florida—A man who neighbors say has been standing at his doorway masturbating multiple times a week for six months, was arrested for exposure of sexual organs Saturday, according to an arrest affidavit.

Friday, a neighbor told Eustis Police Department, he has witnessed Mark Ronald Banks, 53, standing at his doorway naked, masturbating while facing Glover Street on numerous occasions. The neighbor explained he has observed Banks masturbating naked two to three times a week at 7 a.m. for the past six months, the affidavit states.

A maintenance man for the apartment complex nearby Banks’ home told police he installed a fence panel to try to block Banks from view and the maintenance man said while he had never seen Banks masturbate, he had seen him stand naked in his doorway several times a week, according to the affidavit.

On Saturday, EPD officers attempted to talk to Banks at his home and he was not there, according to the affidavit. A neighbor tipped officers to Banks’ location and officers found him at the front of a nearby store. An officer explained there were some complaints about his sexual behavior, and he immediately said, “I don’t do that,” the affidavit states. He appeared nervous and again said, “I don’t do that.” He was questioned about both standing at his door naked and masturbating and repeated, “I don’t do that.”

Banks was arrested for exposure of sexual organs and transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was released on $1,000 bond.

Eustis Man Accused of Exposing Himself to Neighborhood Read More »

PHOTO: Marion County Sheriff's Office

Altoona Man Arrested Less than 10 Minutes After Robbing Marion County Bank, Police Say

Inside Scoop / By

BELLEVIEW, Florida—Crime did not pay for an Altoona man Monday after he was arrested less than 10 minutes after allegedly robbing a Belleview bank, according to Belleview Police Department (BPD) in Marion County.

BPD responded to Wells Fargo, 5407 Southeast 11th Street Monday on a report of a bomb threat; when they arrived, they were notified the bank had been robbed by a white male seen leaving on foot.

A BPD corporal searched the area and located John Lloyd Henderson-Winfield, 21, of Altoona. Henderson-Winfield refused to stop, fled again on foot, and was quickly found behind a home on Southeast 55th Avenue, BPD said.

Bank employees told BPD Henderson-Winfield asked for money and said the bank was surrounded by bombs, a statement found to be untrue after the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad responded and determined the building was clear.

Henderson-Winfield agreed to speak with a BPD detective, and he admitted he robbed the bank and mentioned a bomb, BPD said.

Henderson-Winfield was arrested for robbery, false report of a deadly explosive, grand theft and resisting arrest. He is being held in the Marion County Jail; his bond information was not available at press time. 

Altoona Man Arrested Less than 10 Minutes After Robbing Marion County Bank, Police Say Read More »

PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff's Office

Rumor Leads to Restaurant Employee Getting Busted with Gun in his Pocket at Work

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By

EUSTIS, Florida—A rumor that an employee was carrying a weapon at work turned out to be true after Eustis Police found a gun in his right pocket Saturday afternoon, according to an arrest affidavit.

A manager at Sonny’s 15800 U.S. Highway 441, Eustis told EPD he heard rumors Zachary Steven Rose, 21, of Paisley, was carrying weapon after drug deal went bad, according to the arrest affidavit. The manager said Rose was going to be written up for a prior incident but felt unsafe and wanted officers to check him for a weapon.

EPD went to the kitchen at the restaurant and asked Rose if he had a weapon and he confirmed he did and officers located the loaded .380 Ruger in his right pocket, and he was secured in handcuffs. Rose does not have a concealed weapons permit. Officers also found a THC vape pen. Rose told officers he had the gun for protection, and he has never sold drugs at work, the affidavit states. Rose said he bought the gun from “someone” and it was not reported stolen.

Rose was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm and possession of THC oil. He was transported to the Lake County Jail where he is being held on no bond due to a recommit from a previous charge.

In March, Rose was arrested by EPD for possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia after the vehicle he was riding in was stopped for not having a license plate. K9 Mya found 13.1 grams of meth and Rose admitted it was his, according to that arrest affidavit. That case is still pending.

Rumor Leads to Restaurant Employee Getting Busted with Gun in his Pocket at Work Read More »

PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff's Office

Man Accused of Battering Pregnant Woman and Her Grandma During Argument Over Air Mattress

Fruitland Park, Inside Scoop / By

FRUITLAND PARK, Florida—An argument over an air mattress that led to a man allegedly battering a pregnant woman and her elderly grandmother landed the Fruitland Park man in jail early Thursday morning, according to an arrest affidavit.

Fruitland Park Police responded to an apartment shortly before 2 a.m. on Urick Street on a report of a domestic disturbance. When the officer arrived, Charles Levi Brown Jr., 36, was throwing an inflatable mattress outside of the home, while two women, one in her third trimester of pregnancy and the other, 65 years old, were trying to obtain the mattress.

Brown, who is on crutches due to being shot earlier this year in Orlando, was secured and the pregnant victim told police she came to the home to pick up a child she shares with Brown. She was getting her belongings together, which included the air mattress, when Brown became very upset, ran to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and stabbed the mattress to deflate it, according to the affidavit.

The victim said she told Brown the mattress could be deflated outside, and Brown declined and tried to throw the mattress out. The woman tried to pull it back inside and Brown began to hit her and her 65-year-old grandmother. Brown also took the pregnant victim’s keys and threw them. They were later found damaged across the street.

The pregnant victim had a small bruise on her arm consistent with being grabbed; the elderly woman did not have any bruises, the officer noted in the affidavit.

Brown told police the pregnant victim hit him, and he had injuries, but the officer could not find any. He said it was two against one and he was trying to escape the grasp of the two women, but when the officer arrived neither woman was holding onto him, according to the affidavit.

Brown was arrested for aggravated battery on a pregnant woman and battery on a person 65 or older. He was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on $7,000 bond.

Man Accused of Battering Pregnant Woman and Her Grandma During Argument Over Air Mattress Read More »

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