CRIME & SAFETY
18-year-old shot in Daytona Beach while walking to school
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – An 18-year-old was shot Wednesday morning in Daytona Beach while walking to school, police said. The shooting happened around 9 a.m. near the intersection of Brentwood and Derbyshire roads. Daytona Beach police said the victim, whose name was not released, was shot in the leg...
Man allegedly tries to snatch husky dog, stop child outside Daytona Aquarium
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A man has found himself behind bars after he allegedly tried to snatch a husky dog and stop a child outside the Daytona Aquarium on Tuesday afternoon. Andrew Burnett was charged with battery, aggravated child abuse and larceny-grand theft after the incident that unfolded outside the Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure on International Speedway Boulevard at around 5:30 p.m., according to an arrest affidavit from the Daytona Beach Police Department. The 46-year-old man also violated his probation during this incident, police said.
Former Florida police officer accused of stealing over $50,000 worth of items from Volusia County home
DEBARY, Fla. - A Debary home burglary scheme engineered by a former Tavares police officer and the victim's grandson landed both of them in handcuffs, deputies said. Theodore Pearl, former Tavares police officer, was charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, grand theft of $20,000 or more, fraud to swindle and obtain property under $20,000, two counts of dealing in stolen property, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, an arrest affidavit shows.
Foul-mouthed deputy suspended for unleashing tirade of expletives at 17-year-old boy
A Volusia County sheriff's deputy was forced to serve an unpaid, eight-hour suspension in January after unleashing a tirade of expletives at a 17-year-old boy during a traffic stop as well as failing to turn his body camera on, Internal Affairs investigators said in a report. Deputy Douglas Meyer who was previously disciplined for being discourteous and failing to activate his body camera, also used foul language during a call with the boy's father, the report said. ...
Florida man will spend next 11 years in prison for home break-in and stabbing: Deputies
A Florida man was sentenced to prison for several drug charges and for breaking into a Bunnell home and stabbing someone inside, deputies said. Richard Westervelt, 32, was sentenced to 11 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. According to officials, Westervelt pleaded no contest to charges stemming from crimes in both Flagler and Volusia County.
Daytona Beach man who wore clown mask in murder reaches plea deal
A Daytona Beach man who wore a clown mask when he shot and killed a man during a robbery was sentenced to 45 years in prison, according to the 7th Circuit State Attorney's Office. Keylan Baker, 26, was scheduled to go on trial this week but, before jury selection began...
Dad, son out on a walk fight of attacker: 'A scary situation'
A father and his 4-year-old son had to fight off a man who attacked them while they were out on a walk with their dog in Daytona Beach. According to the police report, a man approached them, started yelling, and tried to take their dog. The man then allegedly tried to stop the boy from running to a nearby aquarium, where a quick-thinking employee helped the boy get to safety.
Quest for answers continues 30 years after Laralee Spear's death
DELAND, Fla. - The quest for answers in the tragic death of Laralee Spear, a Central Florida teenager, remains as urgent today as it was three decades ago. Laralee Spear was only 15 years old when she was fatally shot not far from her home in Volusia County shortly after stepping off her school bus. Her family continues to harbor hope for justice, even as the passage of time has failed to ease their anguish.
Missing Wisconsin teen caught speeding in Florida school zone in stolen car: deputies
PALM COAST, Fla. - A missing Wisconsin teenager was arrested after being pulled over for allegedly speeding in a school zone in Flagler County. The 17-year-old boy faces a grand theft auto charge because he was driving in a stolen car, deputies said. On Tuesday morning, a Flagler County deputy...
Palm Coast Professional Firefighters Endorses Sheriff Rick Staly for Re-election
BUNNELL – The Keep Rick Staly Our Sheriff Campaign announces another key endorsement for Sheriff Rick Staly’s re-election – Palm Coast Professional Firefighters, Local # 4807, says Keep Rick Staly Flagler County Sheriff. “…we have determined that you are the candidate best suited to represent public safety...
This Central Florida police department volunteer is still going at 100
PORT ORANGE, Fla. – Research says having friends and personal connections as you age could be keys to staying healthy. This next story may help confirm that. This week’s Getting Results Award winner has been volunteering with the City of Port Orange Police Department for decades. Mary Wittmeyer...
Subject of missing child alert, father found in North Port
NORTH PORT, Fla. (WWSB) - Two subjects at the center of the a missing child alert have been found in North Port, police confirm. An alert was issued for 2-year-old Rowan Renauld out of Volusia County. A warrant was issued for his father, Robert Renauld, who police say took Rowan in violation of a court order.
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