Kissimmee Archives - Inside Lake

Leesburg murder suspect captured in Kissimmee

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By Marilyn M. Aciego

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Woman Takes Daughter, 12, on Shoplifting Spree at Clermont Walmart

Clermont, Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By Marilyn M. Aciego

CLERMONT, Florida—A Kissimmee woman is accused of shoplifting numerous items, some she returned with a found receipt— and she had her 12-year-old daughter with her, according to an arrest affidavit.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to Walmart, 550 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont on a report of a woman shoplifting with her daughter around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday. A deputy arrived and he and a loss prevention officer took Charlene Melissa Hollister, 32, of Kissimmee, into custody, along with her young daughter.

The loss prevention officer told LCSO Hollister walked around the store and selected multiple items, concealing many of them in her purse. She went to the self-checkout, bought a candle and continued to the service desk where she returned multiple items she stole with a receipt she found on the ground, the affidavit states.

Hollister received a gift card worth $102.48 and was apprehended as she made her way to the grocery exit. She was also found with additional merchandise worth $111.24.

The Department of Children and Families was notified, and the girl was turned over to a friend. Hollister was arrested for dealing in stolen property and petit theft. She is being held in the Lake County Jail on $2,000 bond.

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Herman McClenton was last seen around 4 p.m. Thanksgiving day in Kissimmee.

“We just want him home.” Eustis Man Reported Missing in Kissimmee on Thanksgiving Day

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By Marilyn M. Aciego

KISSIMMEE, Florida—The family of a missing Eustis man stood with Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez Saturday to ask for the public’s help finding him.

Herman McClenton, 73, went for a walk in Secret Key Cove in Kissimmee, where he and his family were visiting for Thanksgiving, around 4 p.m. Thursday. McClenton, who suffers from dementia, Lopez said, did not return from his walk.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) has utilized aviation and bloodhounds in their search, along with a computer-aided system to track grid searches to make sure they are thorough, Lopez said.

*The family of Herman McClenton joined Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez Saturday at a press conference asking for the public’s help locating him.*

“We suspect no foul play at this time,” Lopez said. “We do have some video of him running behind houses, walking behind houses.”

McClenton’s daughter, Beverly Porter, spoke at the press conference and said, McClenton is the father of 13, and “We just want him home.”

“We’ve exhausted a lot of efforts,” Lopez said. “Now we’re asking for help from the media. McClenton was last seen wearing a red hat with a religious quote, a plaid shirt, jeans and black shoes. He is black, 6 feet, 1 inch tall, has black hair, brown eyes and weighs 197 pounds. If you have information on McClenton’s whereabouts, call OCSO at 407-348-2222 or call 9-1-1.

“We just want him home.” Eustis Man Reported Missing in Kissimmee on Thanksgiving Day Read More »