CRIME & SAFETY
Shootings and stabbing reported in SW and NW Ocala over the weekend
The Ocala Police Department is investigating at least two recent cases of violence that resulted in injuries. Two people suffered what OPD Public Information Officer Jeffrey Walczak described as “non-life threatening” injuries during a shooting that occurred in southwest Ocala the evening of April 21. The victims were...
Marion County residents react to Belleview shooting
BELLEVIEW, Fla. (WCJB) -The two victims killed in a shooting in Belleview on Sunday have been identified as 37-year-old Erica Brooks and 64-year-old James Marean. Neighbors reported multiple gunshots on Southeast 32nd Court near County Road 484 around 8 a.m. When deputies arrived, they found a man and woman shot...
Wife of 89-year-old N.J. man found tied to chair at Brownwood Hotel
An 89-year-old New Jersey man was arrested after a maid found his wife tied to a chair in a guest room at the Brownwood Hotel & Spa in The Villages. The member of the housekeeping staff found the woman tied to a chair Thursday afternoon, according to an arrest report from the Wildwood Police Department. The woman, who was alone in room, was “extremely disheveled and confused.” A white belt had been used to secure her left arm to the chair. White trash bags had been used to tie each of her feet to the chair.
84-year-old Spruce Creeker arrested after violating judge’s order
An 84-year-old Spruce Creek South man was arrested after violating a judge’s order. Frederick Hugler Moore, who has been temporarily living at Villa De La Mesa in the Village of Rio Grande, was driving a white 2021 Kia Sportage Friday when he failed to stop at a stop sign, according to an arrest report from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Two die in traffic crash in SE Marion County
Two people died and another was seriously injured April 19 when an SUV pulled into the path of a motorcycle in southeast Marion County, the Florida Highway Patrol reports. According to the FHP press release, a 25-year-old man from Ocklawaha, who was driving the motorcycle, and his passenger, a 22-year-old woman from Anthony, both died in the crash. The driver of the SUV, a 52-year-old woman from Belleview, was seriously injured.
Florida man's pickle jar dispute leads to Vicodin bust: deputies
OXFORD, Fla. - A Florida man was arrested after a physical attack led to the discovery of drug possession, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. David Cimini, 34, was arrested and charged with resisting an officer, battery and drug possession after the incident that unfolded in Oxford on Thursday, according to an arrest affidavit.
Parents of overdose victims stop in Marion, Lake counties to discuss dangers of drugs
Two mothers who have each lost a child to drug overdose and have long been on the front lines of educating parents, children and the community on the dangers of drugs, continue to spread that message. Michelle Pepin and Lisa Bolton, joined by Kelly Powers Timbrell, Susan Schmidt and Leslie...
Loud exhaust leads to Florida man's arrest
OXFORD, Fla. - A Florida man found himself behind bars after a traffic stop that stemmed from loud exhaust and careless driving, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. Deputies stopped 22-year-old Edwin Feliciano on County Road 466 in Oxford on Thursday because of "careless driving" and "excessive noise" coming...
Driver asleep at wheel arrested in running car in construction zone
A driver who was asleep at the wheel was arrested in a car with its engine running while stopped in a construction zone. Angel Luis Rodriguez Jr., 55, of Ocala, was found in a silver Hyundai Thursday stopped in a construction zone at County Road 25 at U.S. Hwy. 27/441, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department. He was slumped forward and when a police officer realized the car’s engine was running, the officer yelled at Rodriguez and ordered him to put the vehicle in park. Rodriguez claimed he “just drifted off the road.”
Traveling nurse working at Villages hospital gets break in DUI case
A traveling nurse from Illinois working at UF Health-The Villages Hospital has gotten a break in a drunk driving case. Kathy Roth, 60, of Mokena, Ill., pleaded no contest earlier this month in Lake County Court to a charge of reckless driving, reduced from a charge of driving under the influence. She was placed on probation for one year and ordered to perform 25 hours community service. She can “buy out” of community service at a rate of $10 per hour.
Driver suffering medical episode crashes through garage at home in The Villages
A driver suffering a medical episode crashed through the garage at a home in The Villages. The man was at the wheel of a vehicle at about 10 a.m. Sunday, heading down a hill on Kim Lane when he suffered the medical episode and crashed through the garage door of a home at 1410 Lester Drive on the Historic Side of The Villages.
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