Florida

2 Suspects Located Following Incident at Unincorporated Leesburg Gas Station

LEESBURG, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released more details about an incident that occurred at a 24-hour gas station early Monday. Three male suspects entered Circle K, 10030 County Road 44, Leesburg and stole multiple items around 4:15 a.m. Monday, according to LCSO Cpl. Chanel Martin. “The employee did not observe a weapon, but it appeared that one of the suspects acted as if they were armed under their clothing,” Martin said in an email. The suspects fled the scene in a white car, and it was found after they abandoned it, Martin said. No one was injured. Two […]

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FHP Seeking Information on Hit-and-Run Crash that Seriously Injured Sorrento Bicyclist Wednesday Morning

SORRENTO, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a hit-and-run crash involving a bicyclist before daybreak Wednesday. A 59-year-old man of Sorrento was riding a bicycle with proper lighting eastbound on Wolf Branch Road approaching County Road 437 on the south edge of the road, possibly around 4:45 a.m. Wednesday, when he was struck by an unknown vehicle, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi told Inside Lake. The vehicle fled the scene and troopers found small debris that may belong to a white vehicle but were unable to determine the make or model of the vehicle. The bicyclist was transported to HCA Florida

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Arrest Made in Eustis January Murder

EUSTIS, Florida—An arrest has been made in the January murder of a Eustis man, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri announced Thursday morning. Austin Lashay Hill, 26, of Tangerine was taken into custody at the Lake County/Orange County line Tuesday on a warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, improper exhibition of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Those crimes were also committed in Eustis. On Wednesday, several more charges were added to Hill, including premeditated murder, discharging a firearm in public and an additional charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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Groveland Police Officer Under Investigation and on Leave After Arrest for Domestic Incident at Mount Dora Restaurant

MOUNT DORA, Florida—A Groveland Police Department officer is under internal investigation and on paid administrative leave after he was arrested last week for felony domestic battery by strangulation. Joshua Allen Somers, 48, a six-year veteran of GPD and a school resource officer at South Lake High School, was arrested after an altercation with his wife that was captured on surveillance video at a popular restaurant and bar in Mount Dora. The video captured him grabbing her by the hair, striking her head against a wooden guardrail and putting his hand around her neck, according to an arrest affidavit. On July

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Name of Deceased and 9-1-1 Call Released in Eustis Love Triangle Shooting, Witness Speaks Only to Inside Lake

EUSTIS, Florida—The name of the man shot and killed in Eustis Wednesday morning has been released. Eddie Alexis Vazquez Muniz, 47, succumbed to gunshot wounds after being transported to a local hospital Wednesday following the altercation. According to Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri, Muniz had been in an ongoing dispute with the shooter for several months over a woman and was waiting for the shooter to walk out of his apartment at about 7 a.m. Wednesday. Muniz put his two young children in a vehicle and set up a tripod with his phone to record the altercation and attacked the

Name of Deceased and 9-1-1 Call Released in Eustis Love Triangle Shooting, Witness Speaks Only to Inside Lake Read More »

Eustis Love Triangle Leaves One Man Dead Wednesday

EUSTIS, Florida—A man has died following an altercation over what police believe is a love triangle, according to Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri. EPD responded to Devonshire Apartments, 1799 North 19A, Eustis around 7 a.m. Wednesday and found a man, 47, who had been shot multiple times. Emergency responders rendered aid to the man and transported him to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds, Capri said. The shooter is in custody, and police have recovered the firearm, but EPD is not calling him a suspect yet because the investigation is still ongoing and active, and it may

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Eustis Man Killed in Volusia County Crash, Boy, 5, and Infants Unhurt

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Florida—A Eustis man who had two 3-month-old infant boys and a 5-year-old boy in a pickup truck with him was killed Tuesday morning when he crashed into a utility pole attached to a tractor-trailer, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The Eustis man, 34, was driving a 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 eastbound on State Road 44, near Paradise Drive, close to the Lake County/Volusia County line when he attempted to pass a commercial vehicle and a tractor-trailer at the same time, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. “Due to oncoming traffic in the westbound lane

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Man Admits Shooting Neighbor’s Dogs, Killing 1, Held on $150K Bond

An earlier version of this story misidentified the deceased dog due to an error in the arrest affidavit. The dog’s name is Mary. SORRENTO, Florida—A Sorrento man is in the Lake County Jail after he admitted shooting his neighbor’s dogs Saturday night, killing 13-year-old Mary, according to an arrest affidavit. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Holopaw Trail in Sorrento shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday after the victim reported her neighbor, Sheldon Keith Hayward, 65, had shot her dogs, killing one of them. The woman told LCSO she let the dogs out in her backyard and did not realize

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6-Year Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering Investigation Results in 17 Federal Indictments

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—A six-year, multi-state drug trafficking investigation has resulted in the indictments of 17 people—most with ties to Lake County. According to the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating Dudzinski Poole, aka “Zink” aka “Dirty” who they say is responsible for trafficking thousands of kilograms of methamphetamine and fentanyl on commercial planes, trains and through the mail, according to a press release. The defendants in the case played different roles in the drug trafficking organization, including suppliers, distributors, couriers and courier coordinators. Each defendant is charged with drug trafficking

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Lottery Lucky Streak Continues in Lake County

EUSTIS, Florida—A Winter Park woman has claimed a $1 million prize from the Florida Lottery she won from a ticket she purchased in unincorporated Eustis, according to the Florida Lottery. Mary Walker, 56, of Winter Park, bought the $10 DIAMOND MINE 20X ticket at Circle K, 31734 East State Road 44, in the Pine Lakes area of unincorporated Eustis and recently claimed her prize. She chose to take her winnings in a one-time lump sum payment of $695,000 and claimed it at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Circle K may be the lucky spot. A sign was spotted at the store

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Man Arrested at Downtown Eustis Park Less than 12 Hours After He was Trespassed

EUSTIS, Florida—An Altoona man remains in the Lake County Jail after trespassing at a downtown Eustis park less than 12 hours after he was told to stay away by Eustis Police Department. EPD officers trespassed Wayne Anthony Sarlo, 47, from Ferran Park in downtown Eustis at 8:45 p.m. Friday and around 8:30 a.m. Saturday an EPD sergeant spotted Sarlo and thought he looked suspicious. Upon checking Sarlo’s name, the sergeant found Sarlo had just been trespassed from the park the night before. Sarlo was arrested and transported to LCJ, where he is being held on $1,000 bond.

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Alligator Attack Closes Alexander Springs

ALTOONA, Florida—Alexander Springs, a popular swimming hole, closed unexpectedly Monday after a man was bitten by an alligator, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC.) The unidentified man was swimming near the spring head when the alligator bit his left arm and shoulder area Monday afternoon, FWC Officer Chad Weber told Inside Lake. An alligator that was 7 feet 6 inches long was captured by a trapper, but FWC is still investigating the incident, according to Weber. Earlier this month, Alexander Springs was closed for several days due to a female alligator and a nest that was

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Minneola Man Captured on Video Stealing from Several Downtown Clermont Businesses

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

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Man Found Dead Monday Identified as 1981 Super Bowl Winner

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.

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Long Arm of the Law Catches Up with Umatilla Murder Suspect

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Body Cam Footage Released of Capture of Suspect in Eustis Jogger Attacks

The following video is body cam footage released Thursday from the apprehension of Jephson Seguin on June 29. The video contains some graphic language and images of Seguin’s bullet wounds. Viewer discretion is advised. EUSTIS, Florida—Only Inside Lake has obtained body cam footage from the moments a suspected serial attacker was taken into custody last week. Jephson Seguin, 20, was apprehended June 29 after his parents called police and he fled out the back door of their home on Marietta Lane in Eustis. He is accused of trying to run a police officer over and attacking two women in the

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Crash Claims Life of Leesburg Motorcyclist

LEESBURG, Florida—A Leesburg motorcyclist was killed Sunday night after crashing into a tree, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 60-year-old man was riding 2019 Harley-Davidson Street Glide westbound on Plantation Boulevard approaching Old Plantation Boulevard in unincorporated Leesburg, when he ran off the road and struck a tree around 9 p.m. Sunday, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. He was transported to Orlando Health South Lake Hospital Emergency Room – Blue Cedar in Leesburg, where he was pronounced deceased. He was not wearing a helmet. This was the second fatal motorcycle crash in Lake County Sunday.

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Motorcyclist Killed in Umatilla After Attempting to Pass Pickup Truck in No-Passing Zone, Witness Speaks Only to Inside Lake

UMATILLA, Florida— A motorcyclist was killed Sunday afternoon after he attempted to pass a pickup truck in a no-passing zone as the truck was making a left turn, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 51-year-old Enterprise man was riding a 2019 Ducati Panigale motorcycle southbound on County Road 44A approaching Bill Collins Road in unincorporated Umatilla when he attempted to pass a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado towing a boat just after 1:30 p.m., FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in an email. As the 19-year-old Umatilla man driving the Silverado made a left turn onto Bill Collins Road, the motorcycle struck

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Man Accused of Attacking Women and Trying To Run Down Cop Released on Bond  

EUSTIS, Florida—Jephson Seguin, the man suspected in the attacks of three women and trying to run over a Eustis Police officer has been released on bond. Seguin, 20, was apprehended Thursday afternoon after his parents called police and he fled out the back door of their home on Marietta Lane in Eustis. He is accused trying to run a police officer over and attacking two women in the spring and a third woman Tuesday night after he followed her on foot and in the black Cadillac Escalade EXT he was driving. When he tried to run the officer over, the

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Lady Lake Shooting Victim Identified

LADY LAKE, Florida—The young man shot and killed early Friday morning has been identified. At 12:45 a.m. Friday, Lady Lake Police Department responded to a home in the 100 block of Caroline Street on a report of gunshots and found Bryson Leverette, 20, of Leesburg, with severe injuries from gunshot wounds, according to Elisha Pappacoda, Communications Director for the Town of Lady Lake. Leverette was pronounced deceased on the scene and a second person suffering from gunshot wounds approached officers and was transported to an area hospital for treatment, Pappacoda said. No other information has been released. If you have

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Lady Lake Police Investigating Shooting that Killed One Person and Injured Another Early Friday

LADY LAKE, Florida—Lady Lake Police Department is investigating after one person was killed and another person was shot in early Friday morning. At 12:45 a.m. Friday, LLPD quickly responded to a home in the 100 block of Caroline Street on a report of gunshots, according to Elisha Pappacoda, Communications Director for the Town of Lady Lake. “Officers were on scene within minutes and located a subject with severe gunshot injuries. They attempted to give first aid while awaiting the arrival of EMS,” Pappacoda said in an email. The individual was pronounced deceased on the scene. While securing the scene, a

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Man Suspected in Attacks on 3 Women Booked into Jail, Bond Set at $26,500

EUSTIS, Florida—The man suspected in the attacks of three women and trying to run over a Eustis Police officer has been booked into the Lake County Jail. Jephson Seguin, 20, is accused trying to run a police officer over and attacking two women in the spring and a third woman Tuesday night after he followed her on foot and in the black Cadillac Escalade EXT he was driving, according to an arrest affidavit. After following the victim both on foot and in the Escalade, a witness told an EPD detective Seguin was peeping through his kitchen window on Morningview Drive

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Detention Deputy Accused of Leaving Vape Cartridges in Trash Can at Jail

TAVARES, Florida—A Lake County Sheriff’s Office detention deputy was booked into the very jail he worked at, accused of leaving vape cartridges in a trash can accessible to inmates. Acting on a tip, LCSO began investigating Bailey Levi Lennon, 25, at the end of May and interviewed inmates and employees and found a cartridge that had been left by Lennon, according to a press release. Lennon denied leaving the vape cartridges for inmates but admitted he knew the trash can was accessible to them. A warrant was issued for his arrest for introducing contraband into a correctional facility Tuesday afternoon

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Suspect in Eustis Tuesday Night Attack Believed to be Responsible for April Attacks, Body Cam Released, $5k Reward Offered

EUSTIS, Florida—The man who grabbed a woman, groped her and threw her to the ground before trying to run over a Eustis Police officer is believed to be responsible for two attacks in April, according to EPD Capt. Jon Fahning. Shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday, the suspect, described as a black male, late teens to early 20s, approximately 6 feet tall, with a thin build and wearing a grey hoodie, black pants and a surgical mask, grabbed a woman jogging on Morningview Drive near Eustis High School, groped her and threw her to the ground.  She was not injured and

Suspect in Eustis Tuesday Night Attack Believed to be Responsible for April Attacks, Body Cam Released, $5k Reward Offered Read More »

Photos Released in Search for Man Who Attacked Woman in Eustis Tuesday Night

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department has released still photos taken from surveillance videos that captured the suspect and his vehicle in the attack of a female jogger Tuesday night. The suspect is described as a black male with a thin build, approximately 6 feet tall and was wearing a grey hoodie, black pants and a surgical mask, according to EPD Capt. Jon Fahning. The man ran up behind a woman around 9 p.m. on Morningview Drive, near Eustis High School, grabbed her, groped her and threw her to the ground. It is unclear who called in the attack, but two officers

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Suspect in Officer-Involved Shooting Attacked Woman Prior to Call, Police Say

EUSTIS, Florida—More details were released in the Eustis Police Department officer-involved shooting shortly after midnight Wednesday morning. The suspect, described as a black male with a thin build, approximately 6 feet tall and was wearing a grey hoodie, black pants and a surgical mask, according to EPD Capt. Jon Fahning. The man ran up behind a woman around 9 p.m. on Morningview Drive, near Eustis High School, grabbed her, groped her and threw her to the ground. It is unclear who called EPD, but two officers responded and as one officer pulled up, the suspect returned to his vehicle and

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Eustis Police Officer Shoots at Suspect Accused of Driving Toward Him Tuesday Night

EUSTIS, Florida—Only Inside Lake was on the scene of an officer-involved shooting late Tuesday night. EPD responded to Morningview Drive near Eustis High School on a report of a fight between a male and a female around 9 p.m., EPD. Capt. Jon Fahning said on scene. As one officer pulled up, the suspect returned to his vehicle and got inside; a second officer arrived and was outside of his patrol unit approaching the suspect when he ducked below the steering wheel and then accelerated toward the officer who was on foot. The officer opened fire, Fahning said. It is unknown

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Leesburg Man Accused of Torching Masonic Lodge Facing More Charges  

LEESBURG, Florida—A man who admitted setting the Leesburg Masonic Lodge ablaze is now facing more charges. Luke Pratt, 22, of Leesburg is facing five counts of manufacturing an explosive device with intent to harm after the devices were found in his home on Casteen Road, according to an arrest affidavit. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies and the Hazardous Devices Team responded to the home after Pratt’s mother reported finding the devices. Pratt, who was already a suspect in the arson and has since been arrested for the crime, is accused of making five devices from plastic, ammonium nitrate. aluminum powder

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Leesburg Man Accused of Torching Masonic Lodge Told Investigator He was Mad at What Lodge Stands For and Believed He was Being Followed

LEESBURG, Florida—A man who admitted setting the Leesburg Masonic Lodge on fire turned himself in late Thursday. Luke Scott Pratt, 22, of Leesburg told an investigator with the Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosive Investigations he was mad at what the lodge stands for and he believed “they” were following him, according to a probable cause affidavit. Pratt told the investigator he sat in the parking lot of a nearby bowling alley with binoculars and waited until everyone exited the building, located at 200 Richey Road, before smashing the front

Leesburg Man Accused of Torching Masonic Lodge Told Investigator He was Mad at What Lodge Stands For and Believed He was Being Followed Read More »

Eustis Man Arrested for Painting Heart on Leesburg Bar Parking Lot

LEESBURG, Florida—A Eustis man is facing a felony criminal mischief charge after admitting he painted a heart on the parking lot of a Leesburg bar, according to an arrest affidavit. Timothy Scott Bombard, 36, was captured on video painting a white heart on the parking lot of Dirty South Saloon, 1850 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg on June 16 and he was easily identified because he had previously applied for a job at the bar, the manager told a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy. Bombard apparently asked if the bar would keep a heart that was already painted there after the

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Multi-Agency Pursuit Reaches Speeds of 100+ MPH Overnight

MOUNT DORA, Florida—Two people are in the Lake County Jail following a tussle with Mount Dora Police Department and a multi-agency pursuit across Lake County Friday. Shortly after midnight, MDPD responded to Perkins, 17080 U.S. Highway 441, Mount Dora on a report of a verbal argument. Officers found a black Ford F-150 with two occupants inside and identified the pair as Larissa Molina, 22 of Franklin, North Carolina and Adrian Delgado, 22, of Kissimmee. Officers ran the VIN of the truck and found it was possibly stolen out of Orange County, according to Delgado’s arrest affidavit. Delgado apparently had a

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Man Arrested for DUI After Going to Police Department to Pick Up Public Records with His Young Son

MOUNT DORA, Florida—A man, believed to be drunk, went to Mount Dora Police Department to pick up a public records request Monday morning with his young son and was later arrested for DUI, according to an arrest affidavit. Around 11:30 a.m. Monday, an MDPD officer responded to the department to assist a man with a public records request. When the officer arrived, Alexander Joseph Robillard, 35, was in his vehicle while his 7-year-old son waited in the police department lobby. “As Alexander was walking towards the front door, he was unsteady on his feet and swaying his body from side

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Mascotte Teen Accused Shooting Man in the Foot

MASCOTTE, Florida—A teeneger suspected of firing multiple shots at a Mascotte residence and shooting a man in the foot earlier this month was arrested Friday, according to an arrest affidavit. Shortly before 10:45 p.m. June 8, Mascotte Police Department responded to the 300 block of Betty Lane on a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the foot and multiple witnesses came forward and identified the shooter as Luis Antonio Lopez, 19, of Groveland, according to a probable cause affidavit. The investigation revealed a fight occurred between multiple people and

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Teen in Stolen SUV Arrested After Trying to Run Over Tavares Police Officer Early Sunday Morning

TAVARES, Florida—A 15-year-old male is in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice after accelerating towards an officer in training in a stolen SUV and then fleeing Tavares Police Department, according to TPD. Shortly before 3:45 a.m. TPD responded to Atwater Apartments 2570 Ann Road, after receiving a call from a citizen concerned about two dark-colored vehicles traveling through the parking lot with occupants who appeared to be wearing ski masks, TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan said. One vehicle fled and was later located dumped off of Kurt Street in the City of Eustis. The occupants fled the

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Video Surveillance Captures Tavares Store Clerk Pilfering Cash and Lottery Tickets

TAVARES, Florida—A convenience store clerk is behind bars after surveillance video showed him stealing lottery tickets and cash from his job on three separate occasions earlier this month, according to an arrest affidavit. On June 11, Tavares Police Department responded to Circle K, 933 County Road 448, Tavares on a report of an employee stealing. The manager told police a total of $5,700 in cash and $1,700 in lottery tickets were missing and she planned to fire and trespass Ronald Lee Sain, 19, when he arrived for work that night. The manager said Sain, of Tavares, began working at the

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FHP Searching for SUV Involved in Hit-and-Run Crash that Seriously Injured 2, Including Tavares Woman

ORANGE COUNTY, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for an SUV that fled from a crash involving four other vehicles and pedestrian from Tavares. The crash occurred at 1:05 p.m. Tuesday at Paul Street and State Road 50, also known as Colonial Drive in Orange County and involved the white SUV, believed to be a Dodge Durango, four cars and a pedestrian. The pedestrian, a 64-year-old Tavares woman, was seriously injured, along with the driver of one the cars, a 19-year-old Orlando woman. The SUV was captured on video and troopers believe it has damage to its right front, consistent

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Woman Jailed After Dropping Towel in Parking Lot and Exposing Herself in Front of 2 Kids

MASCOTTE, Florida—A Mascotte woman clad only in a towel with a Four Loko in her hand was arrested Monday after exposing herself to two juveniles in the parking lot of a retail store, according to an arrest affidavit. Mascotte Police Department responded to Dollar General, 451 East Myers Boulevard and found Giselle Noemi Robinson, 36, wearing just a towel and holding a can of the malt beverage. During questioning, she told an officer walking around in just a towel in public is normal to her, the affidavit states. She was taken into custody and placed in the back of a

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Rush Hour Crash Kills 3 in Leesburg Wednesday Morning

LEESBURG, Florida—Three people were killed Wednesday morning in a crash that shut down U.S. Highway 441 for several hours, according to Leesburg Police Department. A blue 2020 Ford Mustang being driven by a 77-year-old male of Mount Dora was southbound on U.S. Highway 441 near Sleepy Hollow Road when it rear-ended a 2023 Hyundai Tucson being driven by a 69-year-old woman, just before 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, LPD Capt. Joe Iozzi said in an email. The Mustang then traveled over the center median into the northbound lanes where it struck a gray 2013 Hyundai Sonata being driven by a 42-year-old Umatilla

Rush Hour Crash Kills 3 in Leesburg Wednesday Morning Read More »

1.5 million Doses of Fentanyl Seized During Drug Operation in Lake and Volusia Counties

LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA— A multi-agency investigation culminated in the arrest of more than three dozen people from Lake and Volusia counties last week —and only Inside Lake covered the first arrest of the main target in April. “Operation Daly Dose” targeted the Drew Daly drug trafficking organization that was responsible for distributing multiple kilos of the deadly drug fentanyl in both Lake and Volusia counties, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said Tuesday, alongside Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell. Chitwood said the organization was distributing six to eight kilos of fentanyl across both counties each month since at least August 2022.

1.5 million Doses of Fentanyl Seized During Drug Operation in Lake and Volusia Counties Read More »

Leesburg Man Arrested After Leaving Infant in Hot Car at Tavares Grocery Store

TAVARES, Florida—A man who told police he left an infant in the car because he did not want the rain to get her wet, was arrested for child neglect after Tavares Fire Department rescued the baby from a car with only the windows cracked open. A man told Tavares Police Department he arrived at Publix, 2101 State Road 19, Tavares around 5:30 p.m. Sunday and parked next to a small, white car with the windows cracked open and noticed a baby in the car. He flagged down an employee who was gathering carts and she called 9-1-1, according to an

Leesburg Man Arrested After Leaving Infant in Hot Car at Tavares Grocery Store Read More »

2 Tavares Police Officers Suffer Minor Injuries Saturday while Taking Woman into Custody

TAVARES, Florida—A woman armed with a knife who barricaded herself in a home Saturday morning is receiving treatment at a local mental health facility, according to Tavares Police Department. Around 9:20 a.m. Saturday, TPD received a 9-1-1 call reporting a woman was experiencing a mental health crisis, according to TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan. Officers responded to the 1000 block of Magnolia Circle and found the woman barricaded in a bedroom, armed with a knife and a Lake County Sheriff’s Office hostage negotiator responded to the scene to assist with the incident. Two TPD officers suffered superficial cuts to

2 Tavares Police Officers Suffer Minor Injuries Saturday while Taking Woman into Custody Read More »

Pickup Truck Hits Tractor-Trailer and Asphalt Truck Head-on Friday Morning, Killing 3 Mascotte Residents

CLERMONT, Florida—Three Mascotte residents were killed early Friday morning after the pickup truck they were in struck a tractor-trailer and an asphalt truck head-on, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 21-year-old woman was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado southbound on State Road 33 near Bakers Lane shortly after 5:30 a.m., when it entered the northbound lane and struck a 1999 Freightliner tractor-trailer head-on, causing the tractor-trailer to run off the road and overturn on its right side, FHP Trooper Migdalisis Garcia said. The Silverado continued to travel in the northbound lane and struck a 2018 Kenworth asphalt truck head-on,

Pickup Truck Hits Tractor-Trailer and Asphalt Truck Head-on Friday Morning, Killing 3 Mascotte Residents Read More »

SR 33 Crash Kills 3 Early Friday Morning

CLERMONT, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed three people early Friday morning. The crash occurred at 5:36 a.m. at State Road 33 and Bakers Lane in unincorporated Clermont and involved an overturned asphalt truck; Lake County Fire Rescue has confirmed three fatalities on the scene, according to FHP Trooper Migdalisis Garcia. “There is currently roadblock in the area,” Garcia said in an email. This is a developing story.

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Fiery 2-Car Crash Critically Injures Teen and Elderly Woman  

TAVARES, Florida—Two people are in critical, but stable condition following a wreck that shut down U.S. Highway 441 for more than four hours Wednesday. Just before 2:10 p.m. Tavares Police Department responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting a crash near AdventHealth Waterman. The preliminary investigation revealed Carol Murphy, 77, was driving a silver 2013 Hyundai southbound on U.S. Highway 441 when she turned left on Waterman Way and was struck by a silver 2014 Ford Mustang being driven by a 17-year-old male who was traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 441, according to TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan. The front

Fiery 2-Car Crash Critically Injures Teen and Elderly Woman   Read More »

Tavares Police Awaiting Toxicology Tests in Suspicious Death of Woman Last Week

TAVARES, Florida—Tavares Police Department continues to investigate the death of a woman found by her roommate last week. Danielle DeCurtis, 29, was found unresponsive by her roommate around 10:15 a.m. May 31 and pronounced deceased at the scene by Lake EMS about 10 minutes after they responded to the call in 1000 block of Maplewood Street, TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan told Inside Lake. TPD responded to the scene after road patrol deemed the death suspicious and began investigating. Lake County Sheriff’s Office CSI responded to the scene to assist in the investigation, along with the Medical Examiner’s office. “There

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Teen Gang Members, Well-Known to Law Enforcement, Arrested Again

EUSTIS, Florida—Three teens, who are documented gang members and well-known to local law enforcement were arrested again last week, this time for burglarizing vehicles, according to several arrest affidavits. On May 30, Eustis Police Department responded to a call about three suspicious males in black hoodies and masks on Beaumont Lane in the Arbor Hills neighborhood and found three males matching the description in the area of Waycross Avenue and Abrams Road around 3:30 a.m. The trio, later identified as Gyrice Trayvon Foster, 18, Kristine Morell Morris, 15, and Artavious Jamarr Williams, 17, all of Eustis, tried to run but

Teen Gang Members, Well-Known to Law Enforcement, Arrested Again Read More »

Man Arrested Numerous Times in Lake and Orange Counties Arrested Again for Trafficking in Fentanyl

LEESBURG, Florida—A man arrested, but never convicted, numerous times for a variety of offenses including vehicular manslaughter, witness tampering, trafficking in drugs and battery on a pregnant female in both Orange County and Lake County, has been arrested yet again, this time for trafficking in fentanyl, according to an arrest affidavit. Emmanuel Cazeau, 39, of Eustis, was pulled over early Friday morning by Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies for a minor traffic offense as he pulled out of Circle K, at the corner of County Road 44 and County Road 473 in unincorporated Leesburg, according to an arrest affidavit. Deputies

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Law Enforcement Agencies Need Your Vote for K9 Grant

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—Several local law enforcement agencies are counting on the public to help them grow their K9 units with a grant from a national biohazard clean-up company. Five agencies in Lake County are competing for a $2,500 grant that can be used for their K9 units, such as purchasing equipment and other needs for their pups. The grant will be provided by Aftermath Service LLC, a national company that provides biohazard clean-ups from incidents such as crime scenes and unattended deaths. Eustis Police Department, Fruitland Park Police Department, Lady Lake Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Tavares Police

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Tavares Police Investigating Suspicious Death

TAVARES, Florida—Tavares Police Department is investigating the death of a woman it is calling suspicious. TPD responded to a medical call in the 1000 block of Maplewood Street around 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, along with Lake EMS, and less than 10 minutes later Danielle DeCurtis, 29, was pronounced deceased at the scene, TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan told Inside Lake. “(Her death) appears to be suspicious in nature,” Sullivan said. Detectives responded to the scene and secured a search warrant and were awaiting the Medical Examiner’s Office at press time. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office CSI also responded to the

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Leesburg Police Seeking Information on Crash that Killed Lady Lake Woman Earlier this Month

LEESBURG, Florida—Leesburg Police Department continues to investigate a crash that killed a pedestrian earlier this month. Shortly before 2:30 a.m. May 20, Erica L. Davis, 40, was crossing U.S. Highway 27, also known as North 14th Street at West Main Street when she was struck by a 2019 black Toyota Corolla being driven by Zachary Sents, 32, of Webster. Davis, of Lady Lake, was transported to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, formerly known as Ocala Regional Medical Center, with life-threatening injuries and later succumbed to her injuries. LPD is asking anyone with information about the crash to call the LPD Traffic

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Clermont Man Arrested for DUI Following Head-On Collision

CLERMONT, Florida—A man involved in a head-on crash at a busy intersection Saturday refused to participate in field sobriety exercises and was arrested for DUI, according to an arrest affidavit. Clermont Police Department responded to the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and Hammock Ridge Road around 8:30 p.m. Saturday on a report of a head-on collision and spoke to Adrian Sanchez, 42, of Clermont. Sanchez told police he was driving a silver Hyundai involved in the crash, but refused to speak with CPD any further, the affidavit states. Sanchez, who had his niece in the vehicle with him, had glassy

Clermont Man Arrested for DUI Following Head-On Collision Read More »

Second Arrest Made in 2022 Umatilla Murder

TAVARES, Florida—A second man has been arrested in the 2022 murder of a Umatilla man. Deandre Bernard Anderson, 32, of Leesburg, was booked into the Lake County Jail on a warrant for first degree murder Friday, accused of killing 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. Only Inside Lake was on the scene following the shooting.

Second Arrest Made in 2022 Umatilla Murder Read More »

Car Collides with 2 Trees, Killing Driver and Passenger Early Sunday

DeLAND, Florida—Two men were killed early Sunday morning after the car they were in crashed into two trees, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 2015 Honda Civic was eastbound on County Road 42 in the DeLand area of Lake County when it crossed the center line, went across the westbound lane, left the roadway and struck a tree, near Crows Bluff Road, shortly before 1:30 a.m., Trooper Migdalisis Garcia said in a press release. After striking the tree, the Honda continued in a northerly direction and struck a second tree; the crash killed the driver, a 23-year-old DeLand man

Car Collides with 2 Trees, Killing Driver and Passenger Early Sunday Read More »

Leesburg Man Dies From Crash Injuries

LEESBURG, Florida—A 73-old Leesburg man has died from injuries he suffered in a crash earlier this week, according to Leesburg Police Capt. Joe Iozzi. Shortly after 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, David Reno, 73, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet sedan north on U.S. Highway 441 when he attempted to make a left turn on Perkins Street and collided with a 2011 GMC pickup truck headed southbound and being driven by Terrin Lawson, 22, of Leesburg. Leesburg Police Department and Leesburg Fire Rescue responded to the crash scene. Reno, Lawson, and Lawson’s passenger, 18-year-old Taraya McBride, also of Leesburg, were all transported to

Leesburg Man Dies From Crash Injuries Read More »

Leesburg Police Investigating After 2 Teens Shot at Apartment Complex

LEESBURG, Florida—Leesburg Police Department is investigating after two teenagers were shot at an apartment complex Wednesday night, according to Leesburg Police Capt. Joe Iozzi. LPD Capt. Joe Iozzi told Inside Lake two 17-year-old males were shot at Lake Harris Cove Apartments, 32511 Lake Harris Cove Avenue, near Lowe’s, located at 9540 U.S. Highway 441 shortly before 8 p.m. One teen is being treated at AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, which caused the hospital to be placed on lockdown, Tavares Police Department Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan said. The second teen, who has a superficial wound to his finger, is in custody

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Eustis Police Chief Finds Man Suspected of DUI in Grocery Store Parking Lot with Bottle of Vodka Next to Him

EUSTIS, Florida—A man who was apparently stumbling and staggering around a local grocery store and parking lot was busted for DUI Sunday after Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri found him sitting in his car with a bottle of vodka lying next to him. Capri was in the area Sunday around 8:15 p.m. when he heard a call go out about a possible drunk person stumbling around and trying to leave in a white Dodge Challenger in the Woodland Center plaza, 1930 North State Road 19, which houses Publix, according to an arrest affidavit. Capri spoke only with Inside Lake about

Eustis Police Chief Finds Man Suspected of DUI in Grocery Store Parking Lot with Bottle of Vodka Next to Him Read More »

Lady Lake Woman Accused of Killing Woman and Seriously Injuring Man in 2022 Hit-and-Run Crash Turns Herself in to FHP Thursday

LADY LAKE, Florida—A Lady Lake woman turned herself in at the Lake County Jail Thursday after a warrant was issued for her arrest for hitting and killing a woman and seriously injuring a man last year and fleeing the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Tara Renee Schiessle, 31, is accused of striking the pair as they walked northbound on the grass shoulder of Rolling Acres Road near West Lakeview Street shortly before 9:45 p.m. Sept. 11, 2022. The impact killed the 40-year-old woman, and the 31-year-old man, identified as Jonathan Kirkland in a separate civil suit, was airlifted

Lady Lake Woman Accused of Killing Woman and Seriously Injuring Man in 2022 Hit-and-Run Crash Turns Herself in to FHP Thursday Read More »

Report Reveals Details in Child Neglect Case, Victim’s Mom Speaks Only with Inside Lake

UMATILLA, Florida—The young girl left in a sweltering hot van last summer for 1 hour and 22 minutes beat on the van’s windows and doors and honked the horn until she was rescued, and the adults in charge of her failed to call 9-1-1, according to the girl’s mom and a report obtained by Inside Lake. The girl, who was three weeks shy of her 7th birthday when the incident occurred in June 2022, fell asleep on a field trip to the Umatilla Public Pool and the adults who were responsible for her care failed to notice she was in

Report Reveals Details in Child Neglect Case, Victim’s Mom Speaks Only with Inside Lake Read More »

Owner of Popular Dance Studio Accused of Leaving Girl, 6, in Hot Vehicle Last Summer

UMATILLA, Florida—The owner of a popular dance studio with locations in Umatilla and Mount Dora was arrested at her home in Altoona Monday for child neglect, according to Lake County Clerk of Court Records. Jolene Amy Coates, 51, owner of Dance Depot was picked up on the warrant by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office stemming from an incident in June 2022. The warrant was a direct file from Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney William “Bill” Gladson’s office May 10. According to the information filed in the warrant, Coates, “while being responsible for the welfare of the (undisclosed victim)” left a

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Tavares Police Searching for Woman Missing Since Saturday

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 Man Facing Multiple Charges After Shooting, Killing Man Friday Night

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

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Person Airlifted After Being Rescued from Fire Sunday Night, Deputy Transported

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

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Apopka Man Accused of Rubbing Up Against 2 Elderly Women in Tavares Saturday

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 »

FHP Searching for Hit-and-Run Driver Who Killed Umatilla Man in Marion County

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

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Clermont Man Accused of Exposing Himself to Teen Last Year Turns Himself In

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 »

Motorcycle Crash Kills Leesburg Man, Injures Leesburg Woman

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

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Astatula Man Killed Tuesday Night While Walking on U.S. Highway 441 in Orange County

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 »

Substitute Teacher Arrested For Child Abuse After Letting 7th Grader Hit Vape In Class. “I Was Just Trying To Fit In.”

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

Substitute Teacher Arrested For Child Abuse After Letting 7th Grader Hit Vape In Class. “I Was Just Trying To Fit In.” Read More »

Late Night Crash Kills Bicyclist

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,

Late Night Crash Kills Bicyclist Read More »

Fourth Annual Lake County Back the Blue Walk Scheduled for Saturday

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

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CNA Admits to Abusing Elderly Woman and Posting it to Social Media to Get “Likes”

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

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Details Released After Fugitive Taken Into Custody Nearly 2 Months After Skipping Out on DUI Manslaughter Trial

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

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Where’s Waldo? In the Lake County Jail. Man Who Skipped Out on DUI Manslaughter Trial Apprehended Wednesday

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

Where’s Waldo? In the Lake County Jail. Man Who Skipped Out on DUI Manslaughter Trial Apprehended Wednesday Read More »

Traffic Stop Nets 2 Guns, 1 Stolen; Crack Cocaine, THC Wax, Marijuana

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

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Lady Lake Names New Police Chief

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

Lady Lake Names New Police Chief Read More »

Tragic Crash Claims Lives of Mascotte Mom and Baby Monday

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

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Sumter County Crash Seriously Injures 3 Leesburg Residents, Wildwood Woman

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

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2 Tavares Middle School Students Arrested Thursday for Threatening School Shooting

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 »

Rollover Crash Kills Eustis Man Friday Morning

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

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Man Attempts to Drive Himself to the Hospital Following Shooting Thursday Afternoon

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 »

“It is Black Friday Every Week,” at New Leesburg Store, the First of Its Kind in Lake County

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

“It is Black Friday Every Week,” at New Leesburg Store, the First of Its Kind in Lake County Read More »

Clermont Man Wins Big on Scratch-Off Ticket

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.

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LCSO: Georgia Man Took $25K from Customers in Fence Scam

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

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Tavares High School Student Busted with Gun on Campus Monday

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

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Leesburg Crash Claims Life of Motorcyclist Sunday Night

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

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Late Night Head-On Crash Kills Eustis Man and Altoona Woman Saturday

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

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Mount Dora Man Killed in Marion County Crash

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.

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Man Ejected and Killed in Friday Night Turnpike Crash

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

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Man Accused of Robbing Downtown Eustis Business has Lengthy Criminal History

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

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Man in Custody After Entering Downtown Eustis Building Armed with Knife

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

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Female Jogger Fights Off Attacker with Water Bottle in Eustis Friday Morning

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

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Rear-End Crash Kills Unidentified Woman on Florida’s Turnpike Early Friday Morning

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

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