Tavares

“I Stole it, Just Like I’m About to Steal Yours,” Man Tells Tavares Police Officer Moments Before Attempting to Steal Patrol Car

TAVARES, Florida—A Tavares man who attempted to steal a Tavares Police car Monday morning was quickly tased by a TPD officer while he was sitting in the driver’s seat and taken into custody, according to an arrest affidavit.

TPD responded to Ace Hardware, 509 South Duncan Drive around 6:15 a.m. Monday on a report of a suspicious person and found John Fulbright Jr., 42, of Tavares, who immediately blurted out, “Take me to jail, I did it all,” the affidavit states.

When an officer asked Fulbright to elaborate, he reportedly told the officer he stole a vehicle, stole several items from Circle K a few blocks away and was loitering at Ace Hardware, while a second officer went to investigate a heavily damaged vehicle nearby, according to the affidavit.

While speaking with the officer, Fulbright claimed he could not breathe, admitted ingesting methamphetamines and asked for water. When the second officer returned from investigating the damaged vehicle, the first officer went to his patrol car to get water. Shortly after, he heard Fulbright scream and found a freshly-tased Fulbright in the driver’s seat of the second officer’s patrol car.

John Fulbright PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Fulbright was taken into custody and handcuffed, and the second officer advised she was questioning Fulbright about the heavily-damaged Honda SUV he crashed, and he said, “I just stole it, like I’m about to steal yours,” and ran over to the officer’s car, jumped in driver’s seat and attempted to drive away. The officer deployed her taser and was able to stop Fulbright, according to the affidavit.

Tavares Fire Department and Lake EMS arrived on scene and removed the taser probes from Fulbright and upon searching him, officers found a syringe with a brown residue in his left pocket. The residue was not enough to test, the officer noted.

Fulbright told officers he stole the SUV from his “baby mama” and they determined he stole it from a residence on Rosewood Lane, where he was staying on the back porch. He said he crashed the blue SUV into a tree, causing approximately $6,000 in damages.

Fulbright was arrested for burglary of an authorized emergency vehicle, resisting arrest without violence, criminal mischief, grand theft auto and possession of paraphernalia. He transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was tased again for resisting with violence, and is being held on $11,000 bond.

“I Stole it, Just Like I’m About to Steal Yours,” Man Tells Tavares Police Officer Moments Before Attempting to Steal Patrol Car Read More »

“Arctic Blast” Arrives Just in Time for Christmas, Cold Weather Shelters to be Activated

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—In anticipation of this weekend’s chilly weather, Lake County will open two cold weather shelter locations Friday afternoon.

Both locations will open at 5:30 p.m. Friday; Trinity Assembly of God, 200 Urick Street, Fruitland Park will stay open 24 hours a day through Tuesday, and LifePointe Church, 3551 East Orange Avenue will be open 5:30 p.m. through 8 a.m. each day until Tuesday, according to Lake County Emergency Management.

A warming shelter will also be open from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday at the Salvation Army, 2605 South Street, Leesburg,  

Lake Xpress will provide free transportation to cold weather shelters for those who need assistance traveling to a shelter Saturday and Sunday. Schedules are available on Lake Xpress’ website.

Residents who do not have access to a Lake Xpress fixed route must call 352-742-2612 by 1 p.m. Friday to arrange transportation. Clermont Police Department will check for those in need at Florida Citrus Tower, 141 South U.S. Highway 27, Clermont between 4:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Friday; if no one is on site, a bus will not be dispatched, according to officials.

According to the U.S. National Weather Service Melbourne, temperatures are expected to be at or below freezing with the wind chill in the 20s in Lake County. Officials are urging residents to make sure pets have a warm place to stay with plenty of food and water, cover exposed pipes, and cover or in bring in sensitive plants.

GRAPHIC: U.S. National Weather Service Melbourne

“Arctic Blast” Arrives Just in Time for Christmas, Cold Weather Shelters to be Activated Read More »

Tavares Police Officer OK After Exposure to Fentanyl Causes Her to Overdose

TAVARES, Florida—A Tavares Police officer is OK after being exposed to fentanyl and overdosing around midnight Tuesday.

Officer Courtney Bannick was exposed to the lethal drug during a traffic stop where she found various narcotics on a passenger in the vehicle. She placed the suspect into custody and as she attempted to leave the scene, TPD Cpl. Cullen O’Shea heard Bannick breathless and choking on the radio and went to check on her, TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan said.

Body cam video showing Tavares Police Officer Courtney Bannick overdosing after being exposed to fentanyl. (part 1)

When O’Shea approached Bannick’s vehicle, he found her drifting in and out of consciousness and she was removed from her vehicle. TPD Sgt. Jason Mahaney and Astatula Police Lt. Rodney Brown assisted with caring for Bannick while she continued to drift in and out of consciousness and she required three doses of Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, Sullivan said.

She (Bannick) is one of our most proactive officers,” Sullivan said. “She’s eager to get back to work.”

Bannick took precautions on the stop, including wearing gloves, and TPD is reminding its officers and the public to be careful, Sullivan said. “Tavares Police Department is thankful for the continuous training and quick response of the officers on scene that were able to assist Officer Bannick. Tavares Police Department recognizes that this day could have ended differently if our officers did not react the way they did.”

Tavares Police Officer Courtney Bannick

Bannick spoke exclusively with Inside Lake Tuesday afternoon.

“I remember starting to talk and inform dispatch I was leaving the scene with the female arrestee. As I put my car in drive and began to talk. I started to choke and feel lightheaded,” Bannick said. “I kept trying to talk on the radio and I wasn’t breathing and could tell I was fading. I kept telling myself to put the car in the park repeatedly. Then I saw O’Shea coming in the mirror.”

Bannick said she does not know how it happened.

“I don’t know how I was exposed, I did search the vehicle prior to searching her so I could’ve been exposed in there,” she told Inside Lake.

Bannick is feeling better, “I feel okay today, I have a headache which they said would be expected due to the Narcan.”

Officers perform traffic stops and find deadly drugs nearly every day; they use precautions, but can be exposed very easily.

“I’m thankful I had immediate help,” Bannick said. “I highly suggest never searching a vehicle or person alone. Always have that back up. If I didn’t have back up there last night, I wouldn’t be here today to talk about it. I hope people take this as a lesson. I’ve done this 100 times before. I search cars every night at work. You never know how strong the drugs really are.

The individuals involved in the traffic stop are facing felony charges, but have not been charged at this time, Sullivan said. The drugs that were found have been sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for testing.

Body cam video showing Tavares Police Officer Courtney Bannick overdosing after being exposed to fentanyl. (part 2)

Tavares Police Officer OK After Exposure to Fentanyl Causes Her to Overdose Read More »

Veteran Cop Accused of Excessive Force, Tavares Police Chief Recommends Termination

TAVARES, Florida—Body cam footage released by Tavares Police Department Friday shows a 14-year veteran Tavares Police officer using excessive force on a Eustis man during a consensual encounter and Tavares Police Chief Sarah Coursey has recommended he be fired over the incident, according to a press release.

“Officer (Jason) Baugh acted outside of policy and standard practice. When we learned of this incident, we took immediate action to rectify it,” Coursey said. “His actions are not indicative of how our officers act towards our community in which we serve and protect.”

Baugh, who started with TPD in 2008, was captured on body cam tasing Jaylin McMullen, 26, after chasing him inside a house in Tavares and then pointing his service weapon at McMullen, according to an internal affairs investigation. McMullen was arrested for resisting an officer without violence, and a violation of probation but the charges were dropped six days later.

Baugh spotted Jaylin McMullen driving down U.S. Highway 441 on Aug. 6 with a broken windshield, but did not perform a traffic stop, according to the report.

“I wasn’t in proximity to conduct a traffic stop,” Baugh told the internal affairs investigator, but he did attempt to locate the vehicle and found it with the engine running at a home in the 700 block of St. Clair Abrams Avenue, ran the tag and found that it came back to McMullen, who has a Eustis address. Baugh exited his patrol vehicle, spotted McMullen in the backyard of the home and ordered McMullen to come talk to him.

The exchange between Baugh and McMullen can be heard on body cam and is as follows:

McMullen: Yes, sir?

Baugh: How you doin’?

McMullen: Good.

Baugh: Your car?

McMullen: Yes.

Baugh: You just driving it?

McMullen: Yes, sir.

Baugh: Cool, come here and talk to me.

McMullen: OK, hold on, let me go (McMullen trails off as he is also talking on the phone.)

Baugh: Come talk to me.

Baugh: Come here.

Baugh: Come here.

(Baugh uses radio to make a transmission.)

Baugh: Come here.

(McMullen turns to enter the home, walking at a normal pace, not running.)  

Baugh: Stop!

Baugh: Right now!  

Approximately two seconds after Baugh yelled, “Stop!” he deployed his taser and strikes McMullen as he enters the home. The taser deployed a second time, rendering it useless and Baugh held McMullen at gunpoint while he removed the taser probes and handcuffed him. McMullen’s grandmother was in the room, and his sister and grandfather were in another room.

McMullen explained in a later interview that he was uncomfortable talking to Baugh in the backyard alone and was going into the house to get a family member.

A TPD lieutenant, who is now a captain, reviewed the Response to Resistance (use of force) report and the body cam and noted in the internal affairs report, “I had several concerns after reviewing the documentation and body camera footage and declined to sign off until further review with the chief of police.”

The lieutenant provided the documentation and footage to then-Chief Stoney Lubins, who also had several concerns, the report states. Lubins instructed that lieutenant and then-Lt. Coursey to meet with the State Attorney’s Office to review the case and the criminal charge against McMullen.

Assistant State Attorney Chad Monty said his office would not be prosecuting McMullen, and he was released from jail the same day, he spent a little more than six days in jail.

Baugh was demoted from sergeant to officer earlier this year after a separate internal investigation found that he violated TPD’s pursuit policy. Two other officers were also punished in that incident.

Baugh has until Dec. 9 to appeal the decision to terminate him.

Veteran Cop Accused of Excessive Force, Tavares Police Chief Recommends Termination Read More »

Doorbell Camera Alerts Tavares Mom to Prowler

TAVARES, Florida—A Tavares mom on her way to work was alerted by her doorbell camera to a man trying to break into her house while her daughter was inside, and he was quickly apprehended by Tavares Police officers earlier this month, according to an arrest affidavit.

Jess Hubbard, 36, who has been booked into the Lake County Jail 17 times on a variety of charges including trespassing, possession of methamphetamine and violation of probation, was captured on video ringing the doorbell at a home on Palm Way in Tavares around 4:30 a.m. Nov. 8, according to the affidavit.

When no one answered the door, Hubbard tried to get into the home by repeatedly twisting and pushing the doorknob, prompting the woman’s daughter to call 9-1-1 and then her mom. Her mom immediately turned around and went back home just in time to see a shadow moving on the eastern side of her property. The woman screamed at Hubbard to get away from her house several times and after stating law enforcement had been called, Hubbard fled westbound down Palm Way.

Hubbard attempted to hide behind a home about a block away and was located by a TPD officer, according to the affidavit. He was taken into custody and arrested for loitering and prowling and transported to the Lake County Jail, where he remains on $1,000 bond.

Doorbell Camera Alerts Tavares Mom to Prowler Read More »

Fiery Crash Kills Tavares Woman in Umatilla Thursday Night

UMATILLA, Florida—A 39-year-old woman was speeding before she crashed her car into a tree and it burst into flames in unincorporated Umatilla, witnesses told the Florida Highway Patrol.

Around 9 p.m. Thursday, the Tavares woman was driving a 2009 Chevy Malibu northbound on West 4th Avenue approaching West 7th Street when she lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a tree, causing the car to become engulfed in flames, according to FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi. Witnesses told troopers the woman was speeding before the crash.

PHOTO: Sean Curry

She was transported to Central Florida Regional Medical Center in Sanford, where she later died, Crescenzi said.

This was second Lake County resident killed in traffic crash in less than 16 hours. Shortly before 6 a.m. Thursday, a crash on Florida’s Turnpike in Orange County killed a tow truck driver from Poinciana and a Groveland man as Hurricane Nicole made its way across Orange County.

Both crashes remain under investigation, Crescenzi said.

2 Killed in Turnpike Crash Early Thursday, Including Tow Truck Driver

Fiery Crash Kills Tavares Woman in Umatilla Thursday Night Read More »

Low Bond on DUI Charge was an Error, Troopers Say. Suspect Turns Himself in on Upgraded Charge

TAVARES, Florida—The man accused of possessing cocaine and driving drunk in a crash that killed a 5-year-old boy turned himself in at the Lake County Jail Wednesday on a DUI manslaughter charge.

Daksh Wadhwa, 30, of Tavares, turned himself in just before 11 a.m. Wednesday after troopers issued a warrant for his arrest in the boy’s death Tuesday afternoon.  He is being held on $30,000 bond but sources close to the investigation told Inside Lake he is already in the process of bonding out. Turning in his passport was a condition of the bond, and it was turned in to the Lake County Clerk of Court Wednesday morning.

Wadhwa was driving a 2022 BMW 740I westbound on County Road 448 near Shirley Shores Road at 8:30 a.m. Saturday when he veered into the eastbound lane and both he, and the driver of a 2008 Honda Civic swerved to the left to avoid a collision. The right front of the BMW struck the right side of the Honda, Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release.

The driver of the Honda, a 29-year-old Mount Dora woman, was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries; her passenger, a 5-year-old boy identified as her son in social media posts, was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children with critical injuries. He succumbed to his injuries late Sunday night, Crescenzi said.

Wadhwa, who was unsteady on his feet and had alcohol emanating from his breath, according to the arrest report, provided a breath sample and his BAC was .189, more than twice the legal limit of .08. He has extensive traffic citation history; according to Lake County Clerk of Court online records Wadhwa has had 18 tickets since 2010.

He was arrested for DUI with serious bodily injury, possession of cocaine and smuggling contraband into a correctional facility. He was released on $3,000 bond Saturday.

Our trooper completed a thorough investigation, determined impairment, obtained a breath test result of 0.189, and charged the driver appropriately for DUI and possession of cocaine. After the crash investigation, the driver was immediately booked into the Lake County Jail,” Crescenzi said.

Many of our readers questioned why the bond was so low.

“The trooper errantly entered the original bond amount on the arrest report for the initial DUI charge. It was not reported as an error until the driver had already bonded out. Training has been completed with the trooper to provide the correct bond schedule,“ Crescenzi told Inside Lake.

Low Bond on DUI Charge was an Error, Troopers Say. Suspect Turns Himself in on Upgraded Charge Read More »

Drunk Driver Caused CR 448 Crash that Left 5-year-old in Critical Condition Saturday Morning, Troopers Say

TAVARES— The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash they say was caused by a drunk driver Saturday morning.

Daksh Wadhwa, 30, of Tavares, was driving a 2022 BMW 740I westbound on County Road 448 near Shirley Shores Road at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. He veered into the eastbound lane, and both he and the driver of a 2008 Honda Civic both swerved to the left to avoid a collision, and the right front of the BMW struck the right side of the Honda, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release.

The driver of the Honda, a 29-year-old Mount Dora woman, was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries; her passenger, a 5-year-old boy, also of Mount Dora, was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children with critical injuries.

Wadhwa provided a breath sample, and his BAC was .189, above the legal limit of .08. He was arrested for DUI with serious bodily injury, possession of cocaine and smuggling contraband into a correctional facility. He is being held in the Lake County Jail on $3,000 bond.

Drunk Driver Caused CR 448 Crash that Left 5-year-old in Critical Condition Saturday Morning, Troopers Say Read More »

Jeep Fire Spreads to Eustis Home Late Friday, Displaces Residents

EUSTIS, Florida—A vehicle fire that began late Friday night destroyed two vehicles and spread to a home on South Exeter Street leaving the home uninhabitable, sources told Inside Lake.

Eustis Fire Department, Mount Dora Fire Department, Tavares Fire Department and Lake County Fire Rescue battled the blaze throughout the early morning hours beginning around 11:30 p.m. Friday and continuing until 4 a.m. Saturday, a source told Inside Lake. Lake EMS also responded to the scene.

When fire crews arrived at the home at 573 South Exeter Street, near Eustis High School, a jeep was fully involved, and the fire spread to the roof of the home. No one was injured, but the home is uninhabitable. The cause of the fire was unknown at press time.

Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo

Jeep Fire Spreads to Eustis Home Late Friday, Displaces Residents Read More »

Tavares Police and LCSO Join Forces for Operation Aware

Operation Aware will provide wristbands and a database for first responders and the special needs community.

TAVARES, Florida—Two law enforcement agencies have joined forces to provide a new tool to the community that will give first responders valuable information when responding to calls for service in the special needs community.

Nearly a year in the making, Tavares Police Department began its Operation Aware initiative in November 2021 and has since teamed up with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to provide wristbands to members of the community that may require a different response from law enforcement.

“We are big on community policing,” TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan told Inside Lake last year. “There are always ways we can be better,” she said, “and there are always opportunities for the community to teach us how to better serve them.”

Operation Aware is a “total approach” to the issues facing the special needs community and will provide education, outreach and follow up,” Sullivan said.

Newly-appointed Tavares Police Chief Sarah Coursey worked with Sullivan to get this program up and running. “Operation Aware is near and dear to my heart; it gives us the opportunity to serve our community in a unique way when our response requires a different approach,” Coursey told Inside Lake.

The wristbands are available for community members who have intellectual and developmental disorders, including, but not limited to, autism, dementia. PTSD and Alzheimer’s, according to Sullivan. Loved ones and caregivers are encouraged to reach out to TPD or LCSO and register special needs individuals to get them a wristband and enter them into the database.  

The bright blue wristbands will immediately let law enforcement officers know they are interacting with an individual with special needs, and provide them with vital information including names, addresses, emergency contacts and medical conditions. Officers and dispatchers will have access to the information and individual addresses will be flagged so the officer is aware of any special circumstances before they arrive to the call. Officers will know if the individual is non-verbal, has a sensitivity to lights and sirens and any other pertinent information that would be helpful to officers. They will also help reunification by giving officers and deputies information immediately that can be shared with media outlets and on social media, Sullivan said.  

The wristbands will also be a tool for the public; they will have a number and a QR code that can be scanned and will inform the public to call 9-1-1. The wristband never needs to be charged.    To register, please visit https://tavares.org/1327/Operation-Aware or https://lcso.org/oa/

People Helping People, Tavares Police Department Creates Special Needs Database

Tavares Police and LCSO Join Forces for Operation Aware Read More »

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