Florida

PHOTO: Eustis Police Department

Eustis Convicted Felon Shoots Stolen Gun at Man During Argument, Arrested on Multiple Charges

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By

EUSTIS, Florida—A Eustis man is being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond after firing a shot at another Eustis man Saturday and punching him in the face after the man threw him out of his house following an argument, according to an arrest affidavit.

Albert Watkins III, 61, was at an unidentified man’s home in Eustis when the man began talking about someone close to the victim. Due to Marsy’s Law, the victim’s name and the name of the person who Watkins was talking about are redacted from the affidavit. The victim, upset about what Watkins was saying, told him to leave and Watkins became argumentative and reportedly said, “I’m going to (expletive) you up!”

The victim told police he grabbed a pole and again told Watkins to leave his home and Watkins walked out, followed by the victim, who dropped the pole. Watkins then said, “Alright then, we can fight like men,” and pulled out a Remington 1911 .45 caliber handgun and fired one round in the direction of the victim. He missed, punched the victim in the face and fled the scene.

Eustis Police Department responded and found Watkins nearby on Danvers Street and took him into custody. He denied shooting at the victim and said the victim threatened him with the pole and he left the scene and walked to a friend’s house. While officers were looking for the gun used in the shooting, a citizen approached them and said they saw someone hiding an object in the brush and leaves under a tree and EPD found the loaded gun; the imprints on the rounds matched a shell casing found where the shooting occurred. Police ran the serial number on the firearm and found it was stolen out of Eustis in 2022.

Watkins was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, discharging a firearm in public, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and grand theft of a firearm. EPD requested Watkins be held on no bond and the request was granted.

Eustis Convicted Felon Shoots Stolen Gun at Man During Argument, Arrested on Multiple Charges Read More »

PHOTO: Florida Highway Patrol

Mount Dora Man Killed in Crash After Fleeing Citrus County Deputies Early Saturday Morning

Inside Scoop, Mount Dora / By

CITRUS COUNTY, Florida—A 41-year-old Mount Dora man is dead after fleeing a traffic stop, striking stop sticks and crashing into a concrete wall early Saturday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Mount Dora man was driving a Jeep Cherokee westbound on State Road 44 near Colonade Street when he sped away from a traffic stop by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said in a press release.

CCSO deputies deployed stop sticks around County Road 491, the Cherokee struck the stop sticks, continued fleeing, crossed a median and collided with a light post. The Cherokee then struck a concrete sign at the Crystal Oaks subdivision and caught fire. The driver, who was not identified by FHP, died at the scene, Gaskins said. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

Mount Dora Man Killed in Crash After Fleeing Citrus County Deputies Early Saturday Morning Read More »

PHOTO: Clermont Police Department

Search Warrant Nets Trafficking Amounts of MDMA, Cocaine; Squatter Arrested

Clermont, Inside Scoop / By

CLERMONT, Florida—A squatter is in the Lake County Jail after Clermont Police Department executed a search warrant at a vacant home Thursday.

After receiving a report of suspicious activity at the vacant home located at 657 Winding Lake Drive, CPD responded to the home and found several individuals who could not provide proof they lived in the home, including D’angel Terry Pugh, 20, according to CPD.

Officers spotted narcotics and a gun in plain view and the CPD Crime Suppression Unit secured a search warrant for the home. During their search they found copious amounts of drugs, including 361 grams of MDMA, 62 grams of cocaine, 150 grams of marijuana and a small amount of prescription pills, in addition to the gun and a pill press, CPD said in a social media post.

Multiple bags of pills and loose pills were found spread out on a dining room table with a “Joker” imprint, along with the pill press and a hammer with a colorful residue that appeared to be used to crush pills, the affidavit states. A clear bag with 62 grams of cocaine was also found on the table, and a pink HP laptop displaying a “transaction page” on the screen was also found and when officers put the laptop in standby mode, they found the name “D’angel,” according to an arrest affidavit.

CPD found evidence Pugh was staying in a bedroom and in that bedroom, they found a small baggie of mushrooms, stuffed in a white shoe, and a cell phone. Pugh did not take ownership of the drugs, but did admit the laptop was his, “However, everything located on the table was in plain view and it would be impossible to say that one did not observe the narcotics at and around the table due to the volume,” the arresting detective noted in the affidavit.

Pugh was arrested for trafficking in MDMA, trafficking in cocaine and possession of paraphernalia. He is being held in LCJ on $301,000 bond.

Search Warrant Nets Trafficking Amounts of MDMA, Cocaine; Squatter Arrested Read More »

PHOTO: Mark O'Keefe/Special to Inside Lake

Ham Radio Field Day at Lake County Institute of Public Safety Showcases Lake Amateur Radio Association’s Ham Communication

Astatula, Clermont, Eustis, Features, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Howey-in-the-Hills, Inside Scoop, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Mascotte, Minneola, Montverde, Mount Dora, Tavares, Umatilla / By

TAVARES, Florida—The Lake Amateur Radio Association (LARA) hosted its annual Ham Radio Field Day event June 24 and 25 at the Lake County Institute of Public Safety, drawing enthusiasts from far and wide. The event, captured in a captivating photo, featured the club’s president, Glenn Casselman, and his spouse, Laura, who is also a Ham radio enthusiast. The picturesque location provided the perfect backdrop for a day filled with showcasing mobile command vehicles from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Fire Rescue, and, of course, the Lake Amateur Radio Association.

Established in 1952 by a group of Lake County/City radio amateurs, LARA has steadily grown over the years and now boasts a membership of more than 130 dedicated individuals. Not only do they own their own property, but they have also constructed a state-of-the-art clubhouse onsite. LARA’s primary focus lies in the fun hobby of Ham radio and service to the community. Furthermore, the club’s three VHF repeaters and three UHF repeaters, some of which are linked to Echolink, DMR and the IRLP network, enable worldwide communications, amplifying the club’s impact and reach.

PHOTO: Mark O’Keefe/Special to Inside Lake

The Ham Radio Field Day event at the Lake County Institute of Public Safety serves as a testament to LARA’s commitment to promoting the invaluable role of amateur radio in emergency situations. The event not only highlighted the association’s advanced communication capabilities but also fostered a sense of camaraderie among radio enthusiasts and local public safety agencies. As LARA continues to expand its membership and community involvement, their dedication to serving as a vital link during times of crisis remains unwavering. For more information, visit www.k4fc.org

Ham Radio Field Day at Lake County Institute of Public Safety Showcases Lake Amateur Radio Association’s Ham Communication Read More »

PHOTO: Montrose Street Market

Minneola Man Captured on Video Stealing from Several Downtown Clermont Businesses

Clermont, Inside Scoop, Minneola / By

CLERMONT, Florida—A Minneola man is behind bars after video surveillance captured him stealing from several businesses at the Montrose Street Market early Monday.

Clermont Police responded to 793 West Montrose Street after the victim reported his security cameras caught a man, later identified as Michael Jacob Mathis, 21, entering the business around 2:30 a.m. through a door that was accidentally left unlocked by a cleaner, according to an arrest affidavit.

Mathis, wearing a white hoodie and dark pants, did not cover his face or wear gloves as he made his way through the market, which houses several vendors. He stole multiple items, including two iPhones, one from Design Sushi and a second one from Brave Burger; he also stole a tip jar from Brave Burger that contained approximately $10. He stole 50 cents from The Tasty Crepes and dropped a soda can, he then grabbed a drink and a tip jar that contained $70 from Pico Bistro, the affidavit states.

The video also showed Mathis wearing “very noticeable” tan work boots and carrying a black bag with a red stripe during his crime spree.

Later the same day, the complainant’s assistant reported seeing Mathis walking down Lake Minneola Shores Road in Minneola wearing the same boots and carrying the same bag, according to the affidavit. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped Mathis and upon running his name, they found he had a Marion County warrant for failure to appear for petit theft.

Mathis was searched and he was found with a small bag of methamphetamine, a glass pipe with residue, a cut straw and several small baggies that contained residue; he also had a small bag of marijuana, according to the affidavit.

Mathis denied being in the market but was found with the phone the belonged to Design Sushi and $72 in small denominations that would be consistent with cash in a tip jar. Mathis was arrested for burglary, four counts of petit theft, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. His bond on those charges is $18,000 but he is being held on a detainer for the Marion County warrant.

Minneola Man Captured on Video Stealing from Several Downtown Clermont Businesses Read More »

Man Found Dead Monday Identified as 1981 Super Bowl Winner

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department has released the name of the man who was found dead near a cell phone tower off David Walker Drive Monday morning.

Joseph Campbell, 68, was reported missing by a friend to Tavares Police Department prior to being found by a passerby around 8 a.m. Monday, TPD Chief Sarah Coursey told Inside Lake.  

EPD is investigating the death, but it does not appear to be suspicious, EPD Capt. Ken Toler said Monday. Campbell was a former NFL player and played for the Oakland Raiders in 1981 when they won the Super Bowl, according to Raiders.com. The team is now known as the Las Vegas Raiders.

In 2007, Campbell was struck by a pickup truck while riding his bicycle in Pennsylvania and suffered serious injuries, including a head injury. He recovered and moved to Eustis in 2010 and could often be seen riding his bicycle around the city.

PHOTO: Raiders.com

Man Found Dead Monday Identified as 1981 Super Bowl Winner Read More »

In this file photo, LCSO investigates after a man was found shot in unincorporated Umatilla in 2022. PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake

Long Arm of the Law Catches Up with Umatilla Murder Suspect

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By

UMATILLA, Florida—The third man suspected in the 2022 murder of a Umatilla man has been apprehended in Georgia, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Marvin Habakkuk Ellison, Jr., 40, of Orlando, was taken into custody at an apartment complex in in DeKalb County, Georgia on Friday morning and a search warrant was executed where he was staying, LCSO said.

A warrant was issued for Ellison’s arrest earlier this year and he was located by LCSO detectives, investigators from the Orlando Police Department and U.S. Marshals; he may be involved with other cases, according to LCSO.  

Ellison and two other men, Deandre Bernard Anderson, 32, of Leesburg and Undray Tony Benson, 51, of Orlando are accused of murdering Antwain “Lil Daddy” Hart, 31, on Nov. 8, 2022. Hart was found with at least one gunshot wound in front of a home in the Southside area of unincorporated Umatilla and died during transport to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake last year.

Antwain “Lil Daddy” Hart was murdered in Umatilla in 2022. Deputies have arrested three men for his murder. PHOTO: Hart Family

Only Inside Lake was on the scene following the shooting. Hart’s rental vehicle, a 2022 white Jeep Cherokee, was stolen at the time of his murder and found about 12 hours later behind the First Church of God Eustis, 1550 North Highway 19, by Eustis Police Department. The church is just 3.7 miles from the murder scene.

PHOTOS: Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Earlier this year, Benson and Anderson were arrested in Orange County, accused of Hart’s murder after LCSO developed leads in the case, but details of the murder and a motive are unclear because the probable cause affidavit in the case is sealed, according to Lake County Clerk of Court online records.

Anderson and Benson are both being held at LCJ on no bond and Ellison is awaiting extradition to Lake County. Ellison’s mugshot was not available at press time.

Long Arm of the Law Catches Up with Umatilla Murder Suspect Read More »

PHOTO: Jolie Fowler/Inside Lake

Man’s Body Found in Eustis Monday Morning, Does Not Appear to be Suspicious, Police Say

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department is investigating after a man’s body was found by a passerby Monday morning.

“It appears to be a natural death,” EPD Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake.

The man’s body was found off David Walker drive near a cell tower, said Capt. Ken Toler.

“We’re still investigating,” Toler said, “but nothing stands out (as suspicious.) We’re awaiting the medical examiner.”

Police have identified the man but are not releasing his name until his next of kin has been notified.

Man’s Body Found in Eustis Monday Morning, Does Not Appear to be Suspicious, Police Say Read More »

“Bad Choice” and Lake County Arrest Leads to Orange County Deputy’s Termination

Clermont, Groveland, Inside Scoop / By

GROVELAND, Florida—An Orange County deputy sheriff has been fired after getting arrested by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy Wednesday.

Juan Alberto Morales-Padilla, 44, of Groveland, was arrested after fleeing an LCSO deputy when the deputy attempted to stop him on his yellow motorcycle on State Road 50 in Clermont, around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest affidavit.

The deputy was behind the motorcycle when it passed a vehicle in the median and the deputy attempted a traffic stop. Padilla failed to slow down, and the deputy activated his sirens and Morales-Padilla turned around and looked at him and sped off, he noted in the affidavit.

The deputy went to Morales-Padilla’s home in Groveland, knocked on his door several times and finally went around to the back of the home where he could see Padilla standing by a door with a phone in his hand. Padilla, who was wearing the same clothes, walked to the rear of the home and the deputy shined his flashlight on him. Morales-Padilla reportedly waved at the deputy and walked down a hallway, emerging soon after with different clothes on, according to the affidavit.

Morales-Padilla then opened the front door, came outside and began actively resisting a second deputy. He was secured and as they walked to a patrol unit, an LCSO deputy asked Morales-Padilla if he was a law enforcement officer.

“You wanna run?”

“Yeah”

“Seriously? Are you a cop? Are you a cop?

“I, uh, yeah.”

“Yes? So, you know better.”

Morales-Padilla also told deputies he made a “bad choice.” He was arrested for fleeing and eluding  and resisting arrest without violence. He was later released from the Lake County Jail on $3,000 bond.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina PHOTO: Orange County Sheriff’s Office

Orange County Sheriff John Mina fired Morales-Padilla, who worked for OCSO for less than one year.

“These are serious allegations, and I have been clear that there will be no tolerance for criminal behavior involving deputies,” Mina said in a statement. “At the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, we hold our deputies to the highest ethical standards whether they are on duty or off duty.”

“Bad Choice” and Lake County Arrest Leads to Orange County Deputy’s Termination Read More »

Leesburg Man Accused of Robbing 2 Seminole County Banks in Less than 2 Hours Wednesday

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Florida—A Lake County man is in the Seminole County Jail after deputies say he robbed two banks Wednesday in under two hours—and it is not the first time he has been accused of the same crimes.

Duwane Edward Gilmore, who turns 36 years old in five days, is accused of attempting to rob SeaCoast Bank, 2695 West State Road 434 in Altamonte Springs just before 1:15 p.m. Wednesday. According to a probable cause statement, Gilmore entered the bank and handed a teller a note demanding money, he then said he wanted $10,000 and the grabbed at his waistband as if he had a gun and reportedly said, “You’re gonna make me.”

The teller ducked down and pushed a panic button and Gilmore left the scene with the note. He did not get away with any cash.

Just one hour and 25 minutes later Gilmore went to Bank of America, 5320 State Road 46, Sanford and passed a note to the teller, but before she could read it Gilmore demanded money, told her not to push any buttons and not to do anything stupid, according to the statement. The teller gave him more than $3,000 and he left the bank with the note and the money.

Still images taken from bank surveillance video Wednesday. PHOTOS: Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

Surveillance video at a nearby Publix showed Gilmore pulling into the parking lot in a 2014 Ford Escape and walking toward the Bank of America. A short time later the video shows Gilmore running from the area of Bank of America and leaving in the Ford Escape. Gilmore drives to Lake Forest Boulevard and the camera at the guard shacks captures clear video of the SUV’s tag.

During its investigation, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office tracked down the registered owner of the Escape and found she shares a child with Gilmore, and he matched the description of the suspect in several surveillance videos. Later Wednesday, SCSCO found the SUV at Microtel Inn & Suites, 9700 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg and soon took Gilmore into custody. He was transported to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford, where he is being held on $35,000 bond.

In 2014, Gilmore was accused of robbing a bank in Orange County and one in Seminole County. Gilmore was arrested for both of those crimes, but both of those cases were later dropped.

Leesburg Man Accused of Robbing 2 Seminole County Banks in Less than 2 Hours Wednesday Read More »

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