Sorrento

Benefit for LCSO Deputy Diagnosed with Cancer Scheduled for Saturday

EUSTIS, Fla.—An event to benefit a Lake County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputy who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year is scheduled for Saturday.

What started as chest pain in 2022 turned into a terrifying diagnosis last summer for LCSO Cpl. Adam Tytler. In November 2022, Tytler went to a cardiologist for ongoing chest pain, and after a EKG showed his heart was in good shape, the cardiologist told him the pain was likely gastrointestinal. The next month, on Christmas Eve, Tytler discovered a swollen lymph node on his neck and by February the lymph node had not gotten any better. He was also suffering from a sinus infection at the time and went to his primary care doctor for treatment and mentioned the lymph node. The doctor chalked it up to the infection, but during the spring Tytler’s chest pain continued and had also moved to his back, and then he began to find swollen lymph nodes on his chest.

Tytler went through a battery of tests and upon reviewing the results, his doctor said it was likely cancer. Tytler sought a second opinion from the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and his fears were confirmed when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma in June 2023.

Tytler, his wife Tiffany, and two daughters, Shay 17, Lily, 14, are currently splitting their time between Mount Dora and Tampa for treatment and it is taking a financial toll on the family while already dealing with an emotional roller coaster. Tytler said he came forward with his struggle because cancer affects millions of people and often they go through it alone.

“I would have given up if it weren’t for my faith, my family and the support from the school resource deputy unit,” Tytler said. “I only wanted for those who are struggling to know they are not alone. Not now. Not ever and to never give up.”

Tytler’s struggle inspired Shannon Cook, organizer of Lake County’s annual Back the Blue Walk, and LCSO Lt. Kristin Thompson to create the benefit scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at That Place, 925 North Bay Street, Eustis.

Dinners will be available for purchase, along with an auction of numerous items, including a Back the Blue basket with items from multiple Lake County law enforcement agencies, tickets to various events, like New Kids on the Block concert tickets and Richard Petty Driving Experience, along with a Yeti cooler packed with alcohol, various craft items made by local residents, a high-end fishing pole and numerous other items. A poker scramble is also scheduled to start at 9 a.m. at Gator Harley-Davidson, 1745 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg, and will include five stops, ending at That Place, Cook told Inside Lake.

Tytler has spent nearly his entire adult life at LCSO, and most recently worked as a corporal in the school resource deputy unit. He prevented a shooting on the Eustis High School campus during the 2018-2019 school year and was awarded the Lake County Officer of the Year in 2019 for his efforts.

He said he is excited he has only one treatment left, and it has been a difficult journey. “Truthfully, it’s been challenging and difficult treatment-wise, not just for me but my family also,” Tytler said.

He will have to wait until after the new year to find out if he is cancer-free, he said.

Tytler told Inside Lake saying thank you to all those who have helped him, and contributed to the benefit will never be enough.

“My family and I are so appreciative and overwhelmed of the outpouring of love and support from everyone. Especially from people I’ve never met,” he said.

For more information on the benefit, visit Corporal Adam Tytler Benefit.

Benefit for LCSO Deputy Diagnosed with Cancer Scheduled for Saturday Read More »

Suspected Thief Nabbed at Sorrento Home Where Explosives were Found Last Month

SORRENTO, Fla.—A suspected thief was arrested on Halloween after a victim located his belongings on Craigslist for sale and sent the Lake County Sheriff’s Office photos of his items with the suspected thief in front of a Sorrento home, according to an arrest affidavit.

After receiving the photos, LCSO detectives responded to 31624 Orange Street in Sorrento—the same home where explosives were found last month in the case against David Flores. Flores was arrested near that home after being on the run for several days stemming from an incident that began with an armed sexual battery.

When detectives arrived at the home, they found the stolen items—a carved wooden fish and a cypress table—in plain view in front of the home and interviewed Brian Powell, 33, the same man in the photos sent by the victim, and a resident of the home. Powell told LCSO he purchased the items from his roommate for $150. A detective asked Powell if he knew where his roommate got the items and if he knew how much they were worth. Powell said he did not know where the roommate obtained the items and after researching the items online, he knew they were expensive, the affidavit states. Inside Lake is not naming the roommate because he has not been charged with a crime in this case.

Powell consented to a search of the Orange Street home and detectives found numerous other items belonging to the victim, including four fishing poles, an outboard, tools and decorations. Powell was arrested for dealing in stolen property and dealing in stolen property via the internet.

He was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on $7,000 bond.

 

Previous story:   Bulletproof Vest, Explosive Devices, Guns and Drugs Found During Search Warrant, Suspect Now Facing Federal Charges

Suspected Thief Nabbed at Sorrento Home Where Explosives were Found Last Month Read More »

Bicyclist Dies from Injuries Months After Sorrento Hit-and-Run Crash

SORRENTO, Florida—A Sorrento bicyclist has died from injuries he sustained in a hit-and-run crash in July, the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed to Inside Lake.

Only Inside Lake reported on the crash that seriously injured Richard “Rick” McPhee, 59, of Sorrento around 5:45 a.m. July 26. McPhee was riding a bicycle eastbound on Wolf Branch Road approaching Stone Meadow Court on his way to work when a vehicle, possibly a 2014 -2018 Kia Soul, struck McPhee from behind, according to FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi.

 

McPhee’s bicycle had proper lighting and he was wearing a reflective vest.

Richard “Rick” McPhee’s bicycle following a hit-and-run crash. Photo courtesy of John Conley

The impact threw McPhee to the south shoulder of the road and the unknown vehicle fled eastbound down Wolf Branch Road. McPhee was transported to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford with serious injuries. He died Oct. 26, Trooper Migdalisis Garcia told Inside Lake.

“The Trooper investigating this crash found a car part on-scene for a vehicle that could possibly be involved in this crash. The car part was a piece of the front headlight assembly from possibly a white in color vehicle,” Crescenzi said in an email. “The evidence is consistent with a Kia Soul between the years of 2014 – 2018.  The suspect vehicle should have damage to the front right.”

John Conley spoke with Inside Lake Wednesday night and said McPhee was his dad’s friend “for as long as he could remember.”

“He was a good friend and my coworker for many years. He looked forward to his yearly trip to Maine, where he would spend a week at his brother (Lee’s) home vacationing. Rick also enjoyed going mudding with his other brother Lance and his son at Hogwaller Mud Bog,” Conley said.

McPhee leaves behind two children, a daughter, Amanda, who is expecting his first grandchild, and a son, RT.

Richard “Rick” McPhee, right, and his brother Lee. McPhee always looked forward to his annual trip to his brother’s house in Maine,” longtime friend John Conley said. Photo courtesy of John Conley

“Hopeful that someone knows something or that the person turns themselves in so everyone can get some closure. It’s just an awful thing to do,” Conley said. “Rick was a good guy; he didn’t deserve to be left for dead on the side of the road.”

FHP is asking anyone with information on the crash, including body shops or mechanics that may have worked on the vehicle involved, to contact them at 407-737-2213 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.  

Two angles of the same vehicle part that was found on the scene where Richard “Rick” McPhee was hit on his bicycle in July. PHOTOS: Florida Highway Patrol

Bicyclist Dies from Injuries Months After Sorrento Hit-and-Run Crash Read More »

Connecticut Crash Claims the Lives of 2 Sorrento Women and Virginia Man, 3 Children Hospitalized

WETHERSFIELD, Conn.—A Connecticut crash claimed the lives of two Sorrento women and a Virginia man Sunday and sent three Sorrento children to the hospital, according to the Connecticut State Police (CSP.)

Shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday, Kory Watson, 40, of Hillsville, Va., was driving a 2003 Lincoln Aviator on Interstate 91 South when he veered into the right lane for an unknown reason and collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer parked on the right shoulder near Exit 25.

Watson, and one of his passengers, Lacey Marie Price, 32, of Sorrento, were pronounced deceased on the scene. Passenger Rebecca Marie Schutte, 36, was transported to Hartford Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries and three children, all of Sorrento, were transported to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center with “suspected minor injuries,” according to CSP. The relationship between the women and the children was not released. The tractor-trailer driver, Kiran Johns, 26, of Fairless Hills, Pa., was not injured.

The crash closed Interstate 91 South for several hours Sunday and remains under investigation.

Connecticut Crash Claims the Lives of 2 Sorrento Women and Virginia Man, 3 Children Hospitalized Read More »

Bulletproof Vest, Explosive Devices, Guns and Drugs Found During Search Warrant, Suspect Now Facing Federal Charges

SORRENTO, Fla.—Only Inside Lake reported on a search warrant that was executed on a home connected to David Flores Thursday afternoon and now the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has revealed what was found.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives (ATF,) and LCSO’s SWAT Team, Hazardous Device Team (bomb squad,) detectives and crime scene investigators searched the home located at 31624 Orange Street, Sorrento Thursday afternoon and into the early evening hours.

“During the search, detectives located firearms, a ballistic vest, fentanyl, and other drugs. The vest that was collected matches the description of the one the victim claimed Flores had in his possession on Sunday. Two improvised explosive devices were also located and collected by ATF, who will be adding additional federal charges to Flores. The two devices were very similar to those collected at the Eustis home on Wednesday,” LCSO Lt. John Herrell said in an email.

 

 

Flores was arrested early Wednesday morning after fleeing deputies at the home on Orange Street. LCSO K9 Ex apprehended and bit Flores on a nearby property, and he was taken into custody and booked into the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on no bond.

Flores is now facing federal charges, in addition to the litany of state charges he is facing stemming from an incident on Bates Avenue in Eustis Sunday afternoon. One other person was arrested during the search warrant for violation of a domestic no-contact order after he was found at the home with his alleged victim, Herrell told Inside Lake.

Previous stories: Large Law Enforcement Presence at Home Where Wanted Man Found in Sorrento Earlier this Week – Inside Lake

VIDEO: LCSO K9 Takes a Bite Out of Crime and Apprehends Suspect Wanted Since Sunday – Inside Lake

Captured: Man who was Subject of Extensive Search in Eustis Sunday Night Taken into Custody – Inside Lake

After Extensive Search Sunday Night in Eustis, Wanted Suspect Still on the Lam – Inside Lake

LCSO and EPD Search for “Possibly Armed” and “Dangerous” Suspect – Inside Lake

 

Bulletproof Vest, Explosive Devices, Guns and Drugs Found During Search Warrant, Suspect Now Facing Federal Charges Read More »

Large Law Enforcement Presence at Home Where Wanted Man Found in Sorrento Earlier this Week

SORRENTO, Fla.— Numerous law enforcement officers were at the home Thursday night where a wanted man was apprehended earlier this week conducting a “follow-up investigation”, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake.

Multiple sources reached out to Inside Lake Thursday evening and said law enforcement officers from multiple agencies were at the home at 31624 Orange Street in Sorrento, including LCSO and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office around 6:30 p.m. This is the same home David Flores, 37, fled from early Wednesday morning after being on the run from deputies for more than two days.

Courtesy photo

Flores was apprehended by K9 Ex on a nearby property, was treated for his injuries and transported to the Lake County Jail. Neighbors told Inside Lake the residence is a “known drug house,” and law enforcement officers could be heard announcing a search warrant. Several people could be seen in front of the home handcuffed. They said, along with LCSO and OCSO, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was on scene.  Inside Lake was unable to confirm with LCSO if a search warrant was being served at the Orange Street home, and unable to confirm if ATF was on scene, but LCSO stated in a social media post Wednesday they were investigating an allegation Flores had explosives at the home on Bates Avenue in Eustis where the original crimes Flores was wanted for occurred.

Law enforcement officers can be seen here at a home on Orange Street in Sorrento. COURTESY VIDEO

 

Flores is now facing additional charges, including armed sexual battery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, battery by strangulation, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and petit theft. He continues to held in LCJ on no bond.

Previous stories: VIDEO: LCSO K9 Takes a Bite Out of Crime and Apprehends Suspect Wanted Since Sunday – Inside Lake

Captured: Man who was Subject of Extensive Search in Eustis Sunday Night Taken into Custody – Inside Lake

After Extensive Search Sunday Night in Eustis, Wanted Suspect Still on the Lam – Inside Lake

LCSO and EPD Search for “Possibly Armed” and “Dangerous” Suspect – Inside Lake

Large Law Enforcement Presence at Home Where Wanted Man Found in Sorrento Earlier this Week Read More »

VIDEO: LCSO K9 Takes a Bite Out of Crime and Apprehends Suspect Wanted Since Sunday

SORRENTO, Fla.—A tip to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the apprehension of the man who was the subject of an extensive search in Eustis Sunday night.

LCSO responded to a home on Orange Street in Sorrento just after midnight Wednesday and began searching the property for David Flores, 37, and he fled on foot, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said.

“A sheriff’s K-9 located him shortly thereafter hiding in a hole where it appeared trees had been cleared,” Herrell said in an email.

K9 Ex bit Flores and he was treated for minor injuries and later transported to the Lake County Jail. He was served a warrant revoking his bond for prior grand theft and criminal mischief charges and is facing a new charge of resisting arrest for fleeing deputies before he was apprehended early Wednesday. LCSO body cam video shows Flores getting bit and screaming.

LCSO body cam shows the apprehension of wanted suspect David Flores. 

 

Additional charges are likely, Herrell said.

Flores is  suspected of committing an aggravated assault that occurred in the county portion of Bates Avenue around 5:30 p.m. Sunday, deputies and Eustis Police Department officers searched for Flores for more than five hours by ground and by air Sunday night, causing concern for residents in the area. The victim of the aggravated assault told LCSO Flores was armed and in possession of a bulletproof vest, Herrell told Inside Lake Monday. Flores fled into a wooded area and slipped the perimeter set up by law enforcement.

K9 Ex PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office

 

Previous stories: Captured: Man who was Subject of Extensive Search in Eustis Sunday Night Taken into Custody – Inside Lake

After Extensive Search Sunday Night in Eustis, Wanted Suspect Still on the Lam – Inside Lake

LCSO and EPD Search for “Possibly Armed” and “Dangerous” Suspect – Inside Lake

 

VIDEO: LCSO K9 Takes a Bite Out of Crime and Apprehends Suspect Wanted Since Sunday Read More »

Crash Shuts Down SR 44 in Pine Lakes Area Wednesday Morning

PINE LAKES, Fla.—State Road 44 is shut down in both directions in the Pine Lakes area as the Florida Highway Patrol investigates a crash, according to FHP.

The crash occurred shortly before 8:30 a.m. near the intersection of State Road 44 and Spruce Drive, and near a Circle K and a Dollar General.  Inside Lake reached out to FHP for details and was awaiting a response at press time.

This is a developing story.

MAP: Florida Highway Patrol

Crash Shuts Down SR 44 in Pine Lakes Area Wednesday Morning Read More »

Head-On Collision Kills Umatilla Man, Shuts Down SR 46 Friday

SORRENTO, Fla.—The Florida Highway Patrol is on scene of a crash that killed a Umatilla man and shut down State Road 46 in both directions.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 2009 Hyundai Sonata being driven by a 42-year-old Umatilla man was traveling westbound on State Road 46 near Wekiva Pines Boulevard around 5:40 p.m. when he veered into the eastbound lane and collided with 2022 Ford E-350 being driven by a 49-year-old Deltona man, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said.

The Umatilla man was transported to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford, where he was pronounced deceased. The Deltona man and his passenger, a 14-year-old male, were also transported to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The crash shut down State Road 46 between County Road 46A and Osprey Hammock Trail and it was still shut down at press time.

Head-On Collision Kills Umatilla Man, Shuts Down SR 46 Friday Read More »

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 Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford with serious injuries and remains in stable condition, Crescenzi said. There were no known witnesses to the crash and troopers are asking anyone with information to contact Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.

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

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