Tyrell Barr

PALM BEACH COUNTY — Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County needs your help in locating Tyrell Barr, 29, black, male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 170 pounds, black hair, brown eyes, and he has multiple tattoos.

His last known address was on Northwest Tenth Street in Belle Glade.

Barr is wanted on a warrant for violation of probation for felony battery.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-458-TIPS (8477), or remain anonymous by downloading the new app “Connect & Protect,” “See Something Say Something” for any Apple or Android smartphone.

OKEECHOBEE — A local woman and her young son were reportedly robbed at gun point as they were loading groceries into the rear of their vehicle in the Walmart parking lot on Sunday, Jan. 20, at approximately 9:20 p.m. The victim reported that as she was putting the groceries into her SUV, a male approached her, pointed a hand gun at her head, began yelling obscenities at her and told her to give him her purse. The victim said she was terrified and screamed for her young son to run. He ran and hid under another vehicle, and the victim told the man she did not have a purse but gave him her Coach wallet. She said the man then got back into a silver car and left the parking lot. The victim said the man was wearing dark clothing with a black hoodie type jacket with the hood pulled over his head.

Two witnesses confirmed the victim’s account of the incident and added that the male was the passenger in the silver car, a Nissan Altima. One of the witnesses also reported hearing a woman’s voice from inside the silver car and believed a woman was driving.

The Walmart security officer, Joyce Teich, was able to supply security footage which showed the robbery and confirmed the victim’s statement.

Enroute to the scene, OPD Sgt. Aurelio Almazan noticed the car sitting at a red light and activated his overhead lights, made a U-turn and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. At that point, the vehicle reportedly drove through the red light and continued on until turning in to the Utah Apartment complex on Northeast 11th Street. The suspect then reportedly fled into an apartment, barricading himself inside with four small children, ages 3 months, 5 years, 6 years and 7 years.

A perimeter was established around the building, and the SWAT team along with a hostage negotiator was called. The suspect, Johnny Lewis Hunter, Jr., 27, of Northwest Fourth Street, finally surrendered on Jan. 21 at approximately 12:24 a.m. He was arrested and charged with robbery with a firearm. No bond has been set.

Johnny Lewis Hunter, Jr. 27

The driver of the vehicle, Brunesha Bruce, 24, from Belle Glade, was also charged with armed robbery. Her bond was set at $150,000.

Brunesha Bruce, 24

A passenger in the vehicle was questioned and released.

SEBRING — An armed man entered SunTrust Bank in Sebring on Wednesday, Jan. 23 shortly after noon and according to Sebring Police Chief Carl Hogan, immediately after contacting the four employees and one customer inside, he shot them. After the shooting, the gunman reportedly called 911 and told the dispatcher he had just shot five people. Chief Hogan said the dispatcher was able to keep the gunman on the line until responders arrived at the bank

The sheriff’s department and police department arrived within minutes of each other and as soon as a crisis negotiator arrived, they began crisis negotiation. SWAT team was also called, and soon, explained Chief Hogan,it became apparent the gunman was not planning to surrender. At that point, the SWAT team entered by crashing through the front of the building with their vehicle and captured the gunman who was identified as 21-year-old Zephen Xaver of Sebring.

Zephen Xaver

At that time, said Chief Hogan, they discovered all of the victims had succumbed to their injuries. The victims have been identified as Cynthia Watson, a customer, and bank employees: Marisol Lopez, Debra Cook, Jessica Montague and former Okeechobee resident, Ana Piñon-Williams, who had only been working at the bank for a few months. Mrs. Williams and her husband have seven children between them.

Mrs. Williams’ brother-in-law Tim Williams said, “Her life was truly a light in this world.” He offered condolences to all the other families of the victims. “We do not understand the this darkness,” said Mr. Williams, “but with God’s help, we will overcome it. There is no law that can change the human heart, but there is a God who can. Ana found her life when she surrendered it to Jesus Christ, and we know that she did not die in that bank. We know that she’s alive today with her Savior. We are determined to let Ana’s memory be marked by the life she lived, the people she loved and the difference she made.”

It is not known whether the shootings began as a robbery. The investigation is ongoing. SunTrust Bank is meeting with employees and their families and trying to help and offer support in any way they can. They issued the following statement.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at our Sebring, Florida branch this afternoon. We are working with officials and dedicating ourselves to fully understanding the needs of all the individuals and families involved. Our entire team mourns this terrible loss.

Xaver was hired by Avon Park Correctional Institute as a trainee in Nov. 2018 but resigned on Jan. 9. He was charged with five counts of first degree murder and was denied bond. He was appointed a public defender.

Sheriff Paul Blackman of Sebring said the entire community is grieving and asks for prayers as they recover from this tragedy.

OKEECHOBEE – Brandie Dailey – who was 18 in April 2017 when 60-year-old Robert Curtis Joiner was brutally murdered – accepted a plea deal on Friday, Jan. 25. She pleaded guilty to second degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years. She also pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and received five years. The terms are to be served concurrently, and she will get credit for the two years she has already served.

According to Assistant State Attorney Don Richardson, Mr. Joiner was strangled to death with a belt in his Okeechobee home.

Mr. Richardson said Mr. Joiner, who was a small man and only weighed about 120 lbs., was sitting in his recliner when Dailey reportedly sneaked up behind him and started strangling him with a belt.

At some point, Mr. Joiner got out of the recliner and onto the floor, where reports indicate Dailey got on his back and continued to strangle him until he died, according to the report.

Brandie Ariel Dailey, 2017 photo

Mr. Joiner was a life-long resident of Okeechobee, suffered from Cerebral Palsy and, according to Mr. Richardson, his health was failing. Dailey and her boyfriend, Michael Raulerson, lived in his home in exchange for housekeeping and cooking for about a year before the murder occurred.

According to the Okeechobee Police Department report, in April 2017, Mr. Joiner’s sister called police because she was concerned when the family had not heard from her brother in several days. Detective Bill Saum responded to the call by going to Mr Joiner’s Southeast Fourth Street home where he was reportedly invited in by Dailey who also gave him and the officers with him permission to search the property.

The report continues, a short time later a call came in about a body found a short distance away on Southeast 32nd Avenue. “I and others at that scene recognized the deceased as Robert ‘Bobby’ Joiner. Mr. Joiner was tied up, hands behind his back and feet tied together. He was wrapped in a blanket,” the report states. At that time, Dailey was arrested and charged with first degree murder with a weapon and tampering with evidence.

Michael James Raulerson,21, and Michael Wayne Jacobs, 35, were also arrested in connection with the murder and were charged with accessory to first degree murder and tampering with evidence. The report states Michael Raulerson is believed to have been in the house at the time of the murder but is not believed to have assisted in the murder. Both men are believed to have helped dispose of the body. Neither has been tried yet.

According to Mr. Richardson, the reason Dailey was offered a plea was because the defense had filed several motions to suppress her statements, including her confessions, and unfortunately, those motions would likely have been granted due to some mistakes made during the investigation. Rather than take a chance on letting her escape with no punishment at all, he decided to take 20 years so some justice would be served.

LABELLE Hendry County Investigators are looking into a suspicious death that was reported in the evening hours of Monday, Jan. 29. Investigators found 66 year old Brenda Hill lying on the floor of her home in LaBelle.

Investigators are continuing to follow up on all leads. They believe this homicide is an isolated incident and that residents are not in danger.

Anyone who has information on this crime is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS(8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.

Yasmany Acosta Sanchez

PALM BEACH COUNTY — Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County needs your help in locating Yasmany Acosta Sanchez, 31, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 170 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes, and he has multiple tattoos.

His last known address was on S.E. Third Street in Belle Glade.

Sanchez is wanted on a warrant for cruelty to animals.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-458-TIPS (8477), or remain anonymous by downloading the new app “Connect & Protect,” “See Something Say Something” for any Apple or Android smartphone.

The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office’s traffic unit dates back to 1998, when OCSO was awarded a grant to start one. It originally consisted of two deputies, then grew to three; however, in 2010, through promotions and loss of the grant, the unit was reduced to one deputy. That one deputy is Deputy Adrian Rogers. He spends anywhere from eight to 10 hours at a time on his motorcycle in all weather conditions, all year long.

Recently, the Okeechobee Police Department created a traffic unit, operated by Officer Ryan Holroyd. Officer Holroyd will be attending an intense and specialized two-week police motorcycle training course where safety and defensive tactics are stressed.

OCSO and OPD have recently purchased “Smart Machines.” You’ve probably seen these machines on the roads. They are machines that show your speed as you approach them. These machines enable law enforcement to identify the problem areas in neighborhoods, on the roadways and the time of day that speed is increased.

Special to the Lake Okeechobee News/OCSO
OPD Chief Bob Peterson, Officer Ryan Holroyd, OCSO Deputy Adrian Rogers and Sheriff Noel Stephen pose with one of the new “smart machines.”

The motorcycle units’ primary assignments are traffic enforcement, their goal being to facilitate and promote the safe movement of traffic throughout Okeechobee County. They will also participate in numerous other events including parades, VIP escorts, funeral escorts, displays and other community events.
Deputy Rogers and Officer Holroyd will train monthly with other law enforcement agencies.

City Police Chief Bob Peterson stated: “As anyone who lives or works here knows, the amount of traffic, and traffic-related complaints, have increased significantly over the years. As a consequence we have implemented, using only existing resources and money, a full-time traffic unit, which now includes a police motorcycle, the first of its kind at the Police Department. We are looking forward to working with the Sheriff’s Office traffic unit toward making Okeechobee a safe place to drive.”

Sheriff Noel E. Stephen stated: “One of our major complaints to date is in reference to traffic speed on our roadways. The continued collaboration between Chief Peterson and I will focus on this issue. It is not our intent to cost our citizens additional expense but to make them aware of their speed while they are headed to their respective destinations. Our community is growing and we have a lot of people traveling through our community all day and night. Coupled with our Northern guests, these things cause considerable congestion to our roadways. We are also aware of the many distractions within our vehicles that cause focus to be taken off the road in front of us. We want our motoring public to be aware and safe. We ask everyone to assist us to achieve this goal.”

Okeechobee is in the midst of an epidemic, but this epidemic does not involve coughing or sneezing or an upset stomach. This epidemic has to do with pedestrians and bicyclists involved in car accidents. In the last two weeks alone, six people have been struck by cars in this small town, and contrary to what most might assume, local law enforcement said most of the recent accidents were caused, not so much by distracted driving as they were by distracted walking or biking.

Community Relations Deputy Jack Nash said it is important for people to remember to walk toward traffic, whereas bikes are supposed to go with the traffic, and vehicles have the right of way on a roadway. Deputy Nash said the reason for these rules is to give vehicle drivers more time to react because they can see you coming

Sheriff Noel Stephen said they have seen so many traffic violations in people walking, and people just do not understand how dangerous it can be. Another thing to think about, he said, is your clothing. If you are walking at night, wear light-colored clothing so you can be seen.

Deputy Adrian Rogers explained that people are constantly crossing in the middle of the block rather than going to the crosswalk. They think they have enough time to make it across, but they misjudge it and they get hit. “You only have the right of way in the crosswalk, and even then you need to take precautions. You don’t want to be dead, and have someone say, ‘But, he had the right of way.’”

Sheriff Stephen said bikes have as much right on the roadway as any other vehicle, but they need to stay in the outside lanes.

Deputy Rogers said another problem is people do not pay attention to cars backing up in parking lots and alleys and driveways.

If you are going to be out on the street, you have to pay attention to everything around you. You cannot wander around looking at your phone and expect the drivers of the cars to dodge around you. There is only so much a driver can do to avoid hitting something. You have to do your part, too.

According to the Institute of Police Technology and Management, it is illegal to stand in the portion of the roadway paved for vehicular travel, whether it be for solicitation of a ride or employment or for any other reason. If there is a pedestrian control sign present, legally you must obey it. It is not just a suggestion. If you cross in the middle of the block, it is the pedestrian who must yield. It is always a driver’s duty to avoid hitting a pedestrian, but that does not mean you should not exercise defensive walking just as you would defensive driving. You can’t put your life in someone else’s hands completely. A bicyclist may not wear a headphone or headset of any kind.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) said 49 percent of bicyclists are hit by cars when crossing roadways, and Florida ranks first in the nation for bicycle fatalities. Florida ranks second in the nation in pedestrian fatalities, and 95 percent of pedestrians fatally injured in Florida were Florida residents.

In past years, according to the FDOT, approximately 500 pedestrians per year were killed in traffic accidents and 1,600 were seriously injured in the entire state of Florida. In just the first two weeks of January this year, Okeechobee has already has six pedestrian-vs.-vehicle accidents. Things have gotten out of hand, and people need to pay more attention to what they are doing when they are out in public whether they are driving, walking or biking.
Deputy Nash explained, “If we don’t respect these laws and adhere to them, people are going to get hurt.”

Mark
Deschamps

State Attorney asked jury for
first degree murder conviction in connection with 2016
stabbing death of Flavia Munoz

After five hours of deliberation, an Okeechobee jury decided on Thursday, Jan. 31, that Mark Deschamps Sr. was guilty of manslaughter rather than the sought-after verdict of murder in the first degree in the 2016 death of Flavia Munoz.

Four charges were brought before the jury: Count one was first-degree murder in the death of Flavia Munoz; count two, attempted first-degree murder of Duane Thomas; count three, assault with a deadly weapon (against Duane Thomas); and count four, assault with a deadly weapon (against Flavia Munoz).

On count one, the jury found the defendant guilty of manslaughter. On count two, they found him guilty of aggravated battery. On count three, they found him guilty of improper use of a firearm, and on count four, they found him guilty of aggravated assault with a firearm.

The charges stem from events that occurred in October 2016. Mark Deschamps made a 911 call, in which he allegedly said he had just killed everyone, then said he stabbed them. At that time, Deschamps was living in the home of Duane Thomas along with a new girlfriend, 23-year-old Flavia Munoz. Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office reports state when Lt. Shane Synder (at that time sergeant) arrived on the scene, he found Flavia Munoz inside the doorway of the home, already deceased, with a knife wound to her chest.

Deschamps’ trial began on Monday, Jan. 28, with the jury selection going on long after the courthouse normally closes for the night. On Tuesday morning, Assistant State Attorney Don Richardson made the opening statement to the jury, He told them Flavia Munoz was 23 years old when Deschamps took a hunting knife and stabbed her through the heart. He said they had surveillance video showing a heated argument between the defendant and Ms. Munoz and Mr. Thomas. He said the video would show Deschamps picking up the shotgun and threatening her with it and that they would then see him pick up the knife and stab Mr. Thomas in the face with it. He told them they would see the defendant go back later, pick the knife up again and walk across the room and out of the camera’s view, and 27 seconds later they would see Ms. Munoz run out of the house and fall down and die. He told them they would also hear the defendant make a 911 call telling the dispatcher he killed everyone in the house.

Following Mr. Richardson’s opening statement, Deschamps’ attorney Donald Chinquina had his turn in front of the jury. He told them he believed the investigation began and ended with that 911 call. He explained his client was in shock when he made the call and did not mean he killed them physically but that he felt responsible for the death because he had put Ms. Munoz in danger. He also said his client had never seen a dead body before and was confused. He wasn’t sure who had killed her at that point. He said he wanted the jury to pay close attention to the video because when his client hits Mr. Thomas, he was not stabbing him; he was punching him. He said he believed if they watched carefully they would see the two men go outside and when they came back in, the jury would see Mr. Thomas was the one who was angry, not Deschamps.

After opening statements, the jury was given the chance to listen to the 911 call and hear the defendant say, “I just killed everybody in the house.”
When asked, “who did you shoot?” he replied, “I stabbed them.”

Lt. Snyder testified when Deschamps came out of the house he said: “She’s dead. I killed her.”

The state showed the jury the video taken from the surveillance equipment in the home.

Kathleen Watson, OCSO crime scene technician, testified they found three knives on the scene. The hunting knife was approximately five inches long, she said, and the folding pocket knife was about three inches long. Mr. Chinquina said, “It’s not about three inches, is it? And Ms. Watson replied, “It’s three and a quarter inches.”

Dr. Roger Mittleman, district medical examiner, performed the autopsy and it was his opinion that the hunting knife was the murder weapon. He said he believed the other two knives were too short to have created the path of the wound.

Mr. Chinquina asked him if his method of pushing the skin back together to see if the knife fit was an exact science, and Dr. Mittleman said it was something he had taught himself over the years.

Deschamps was the only witness for the defense. He explained he had been awakened from a sound sleep by screaming coming from the living room. He said he went out there and found Ms. Munoz on the floor on her hands and knees with Mr. Thomas standing over her yelling at her. He claimed he saw Mr. Thomas wearing his class ring and that made him angry, and he went back into his bedroom where he discovered his wallet out and several hundred dollars missing. He then went out and began yelling at them both to return his money.

He said he brandished the shotgun at them but that it was broken and everyone knew it was broken. He said eventually Ms. Munoz gave him back his money and then he was no longer angry, but then Mr. Thomas was mad because she gave it to him and he kept trying to get the money back. Deschamps said he was holding a knife in his right hand as he counted the money and when Mr. Thomas came in and tried to grab the money, he punched him with his right hand. He said he didn’t realize Mr. Thomas was badly hurt until later. He claimed he and Ms. Munoz were going to leave the house but he saw Mr. Thomas at the back door and realized he was bleeding, so he went and brought him in to get cleaned up. As they were coming in the door, he noticed Mr. Thomas had his pocket knife out so he sent Ms. Munoz in the bathroom to help him get cleaned up while he got his knife. While he was getting his knife, he said he heard yelling and went back to the bathroom where he and Mr. Thomas began fighting. Then he heard Ms. Munoz yelp, and she went out the door saying, “You killed me.” He said he did not believe she was really hurt and he is not sure if she was stabbed then or if Mr. Thomas stabbed her later when he went outside alone.

State Attorney Ashley Albright and Mr. Chinquina each had a chance to sway the jury with their closing arguments, and then Judge Michael Heisey finished up by reading 40 pages explaining the definitions of the different charges and the possible lesser charges before finally sending them off to deliberate at 12:45p.m.

Mr. Albright said, “There’s no such thing as a slam dunk.” He is just relieved Deschamps was found guilty on all charges even if they were lesser charges. “That’s why we have juries,” he said. “They can weigh the evidence. I’m disappointed, but we respect whatever verdict the jury ultimately returns.”

Deschamps’ children, Mark Jr. and Chelsea, were in the courtroom every day during the trial and said their thoughts and prayers have and will continue to be with the family of the innocent young woman.

Mr. Albright said Deschamps could face a total of up to 70 years on the four convictions, if sentences are served consecutively.
Dechamps still faces a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentencing date for all charges will be set after the outstanding charge is resolved.

OKEECHOBEE — Acting on behalf of the Coquina Water Control District (CWCD), the Owens Law Group sent registered letters Jan. 25, to the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Department, Okeechobee County Administrator and Okeechobee County Attorney informing them of the termination of the Interlocal Agreement entered into by Okeechobee County and CWCD in June of 2017.

One of the things the letter mentions is traffic control. It states, “A county may exercise jurisdiction to control traffic over any private roads, if the county and a Special District owning or controlling such roads provide for county traffic control jurisdiction by a written agreement approved by the governing board of the county.”

The letter also states the agreement has a cancellation clause built into it. “This agreement may be terminated by either the county or CWCD upon providing written notice of termination to the other party, not less than 90 days prior to the expiration of the initial term or succeeding term or terms.

Arguments over the Interlocal Agreement out on the Prairie have been going on since it was signed. The purpose, was to help the community with traffic enforcement and with crime in general, but some claimed the agreement was signed without permission of the landowners. Some feel the sheriff and his deputies are too harsh in enforcing traffic laws, and some are happy to have them out there and feel things have improved with the presence of law enforcement.

According to James Griffith, co-chairman of the Prairie Landowners Steering Committee, more trouble started when, after the agreement was signed, rather than cracking down on things like speeding, reckless driving, vandalizing roads or running four-way stops, the sheriff announced at an Okeechobee Board of County Commissioners meeting that he was shutting down all use of ATVs on the Prairie roads. Mr. Griffith said: “You don’t stop bank robberies by shutting down banks. It works, but it’s not right.”

According to the county staff report, for years, the sheriff’s office has provided patrols within the Viking/Prairie area and, when necessary, issued citations for violation of the State Uniform Traffic Control Law (Chapter 316, Florida Statutes). In part, this was based upon written request by the Coquina Water Control District. Florida law also provides that counties have original jurisdiction over streets and highways outside of a municipality and not under the ownership or control of the state. A street is defined as “the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic.”

This jurisdiction can extend to private streets provided they are “open to the public.” However, whether a particular street, road or road network is open to the public is a mixed question of law and fact that would have to be ultimately decided by a court if there was no other guidance or statute on the issue. Fortunately, the staff report explains, to try to address some of these issues while at the same time not lessening or qualifying the jurisdiction already vested in counties over streets and highways, Section 316.006(3) was enacted, which explicitly grants counties authority to enter into agreements with the parties owning or controlling private roads to extend traffic control jurisdiction to such roads. This section specifically references and approves agreements with “districts” such as Coquina.

Sheriff Noel Stephen stated, “The current Coquina board has notified the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners and me of their desire to rescind the current Interlocal agreement. This agreement was an attempt at a cooperative arrangement between the sheriff’s office, the county and the Coquina board to address a number of issues, including traffic enforcement within the Prairie/Viking subdivision. There is and has been a difference of opinion between the current Coquina board and me, especially relating to traffic enforcement. Efforts to achieve common ground have been unsuccessful to date. Nevertheless, Florida law clearly grants me, as sheriff, authority to enforce the traffic laws upon any roads in Okeechobee County where the public has the right to travel by motor vehicle. As the public has ready access and nothing prohibits anyone from driving upon the roads within this subdivision, even though they may be privately owned, I will continue to enforce these laws until otherwise ordered by a court of law or the Legislature changes the law.”

Kent Malinowski, co-chairman of the Prairie Landowners Steering Committee said, “The clause was executed. If he (the sheriff) says the law doesn’t apply to him. That’s on him.”

SOUTH BAY — A Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office press release stated that at 10:15 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 1, deputies responded to a vehicle accident in the 800 block of N.W. First Street in South Bay. Upon arrival deputies located an adult male, Ahmad McAllister, 32, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

Detectives from the violent crimes division and crime scene investigators arrived on the scene to investigate further.

The male was transported to a medical examiner’s office where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

No suspect or motive was known at the time of the press release. Detectives are investigating this incident as a homicide.

GLADES COUNTY — Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrived at the scene of a traffic crash at 1:21 p.m. on Feb. 6, involving two semi-trailer trucks on U.S. 27 north of West Yaun Road in Glades County.

During the course of the crash, one semi, transporting several thousands of pounds of molasses, overturned. Subsequently a large quantity of the molasses and fuel from the semi spilled onto the roadway.

Northbound lanes of U.S. 27 were closed immediately, and traffic was still being diverted onto State Road 80 in late afternoon Wednesday. Emergency crews were on scene attempting to expedite the cleanup process. There were no injuries involved in the incident.

U.S. 27 was still reported to be closed to northbound traffic at 4:15 p.m.

Commuters can call 511 from their cellphone for updates or visit FL511.com.

OKEECHOBEE — A local woman and her young son were reportedly robbed at gun point as they were loading groceries into the rear of their vehicle in the Walmart parking lot on Sunday, Jan. 20, at approximately 9:20 p.m. The victim reported that as she was putting the groceries into her SUV, a male approached her, pointed a hand gun at her head, began yelling obscenities at her and told her to give him her purse. The victim said she was terrified and screamed for her young son to run. He ran and hid under another vehicle, and the victim told the man she did not have a purse but gave him her Coach wallet. She said the man then got back into a silver car and left the parking lot. The victim said the man was wearing dark clothing with a black hoodie type jacket with the hood pulled over his head.

Two witnesses confirmed the victim’s account of the incident and added that the male was the passenger in the silver car, a Nissan Altima. One of the witnesses also reported hearing a woman’s voice from inside the silver car and believed a woman was driving.

The Walmart security officer, Joyce Teich, was able to supply security footage which showed the robbery and confirmed the victim’s statement.

Enroute to the scene, OPD Sgt. Aurelio Almazan noticed the car sitting at a red light and activated his overhead lights, made a U-turn and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. At that point, the vehicle reportedly drove through the red light and continued on until turning in to the Utah Apartment complex on Northeast 11th Street. The suspect then reportedly fled into an apartment, barricading himself inside with four small children, ages 3 months, 5 years, 6 years and 7 years.

A perimeter was established around the building, and the SWAT team along with a hostage negotiator was called. The suspect, Johnny Lewis Hunter, Jr., 27, of Northwest Fourth Street, finally surrendered on Jan. 21 at approximately 12:24 a.m. He was arrested and charged with robbery with a firearm. No bond has been set.

Johnny Lewis Hunter, Jr. 27

The driver of the vehicle, Brunesha Bruce, 24, from Belle Glade, was also charged with armed robbery. Her bond was set at $150,000.

Brunesha Bruce, 24

A passenger in the vehicle was questioned and released.

HENDRY COUNTY — Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has received a number of complaints from people who are reporting scam calls.

Callers advised that they are receiving phone calls from phone number 863-674-4060 and caller ID identified that number as the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. The caller is identifying himself as either Sergeant Mike Taylor or Clifton Green. They are telling individuals that they are calling from the Hendry County Sheriff‘s Office and that they have warrants for their arrest or have missed jury duty and asking for payment over the phone.

Please know that the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office will never call you asking for payment over the phone.

THIS IS A SCAM!!! DON’T FALL FOR IT!!

PALM BEACH COUNTY — Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County needs your help in locating Richard Wayne Powell, 34, white, male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 150 pounds, brown hair, blue eyes, and he has multiple tattoos.

His last known address was on East Second Street in Pahokee.

Richard Powell

Powell is wanted on a warrant for violation of probation for charges of dealing in stolen property, false verification of ownership – second hand dealer, and possession of oxycodone.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-458-TIPS (8477), or remain anonymous by downloading the new app “Connect & Protect,” “See Something Say Something” for any Apple or Android smartphone.

SEBRING — An armed man entered SunTrust Bank in Sebring on Wednesday, Jan. 23 shortly after noon and according to Sebring Police Chief Carl Hogan, immediately after contacting the four employees and one customer inside, he shot them. After the shooting, the gunman reportedly called 911 and told the dispatcher he had just shot five people. Chief Hogan said the dispatcher was able to keep the gunman on the line until responders arrived at the bank

The sheriff’s department and police department arrived within minutes of each other and as soon as a crisis negotiator arrived, they began crisis negotiation. SWAT team was also called, and soon, explained Chief Hogan,it became apparent the gunman was not planning to surrender. At that point, the SWAT team entered by crashing through the front of the building with their vehicle and captured the gunman who was identified as 21-year-old Zephen Xaver of Sebring.

At that time, said Chief Hogan, they discovered all of the victims had succumbed to their injuries. The victims have been identified as Cynthia Watson, a customer, and bank employees: Marisol Lopez, Debra Cook, Jessica Montague and former Okeechobee resident, Ana Piñon-Williams, who had only been working at the bank for a few months. Mrs. Williams and her husband have seven children between them.

Mrs. Williams’ brother-in-law Tim Williams said, “Her life was truly a light in this world.” He offered condolences to all the other families of the victims. “We do not understand this darkness,” said Mr. Williams, “but with God’s help, we will overcome it. There is no law that can change the human heart, but there is a God who can. Ana found her life when she surrendered it to Jesus Christ, and we know that she did not die in that bank. We know that she’s alive today with her Savior. We are determined to let Ana’s memory be marked by the life she lived, the people she loved and the difference she made.”

It is not known whether the shootings began as a robbery. The investigation is ongoing. SunTrust Bank is meeting with employees and their families and trying to help and offer support in any way they can. They issued the following statement.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at our Sebring, Florida branch this afternoon. We are working with officials and dedicating ourselves to fully understanding the needs of all the individuals and families involved. Our entire team mourns this terrible loss.

Xaver was hired by Avon Park Correctional Institute as a trainee in Nov. 2018 but resigned on Jan. 9. He was charged with five counts of first degree murder and was denied bond. He was appointed a public defender.

Sheriff Paul Blackman of Sebring said the entire community is grieving and asks for prayers as they recover from this tragedy.

PALM BEACH COUNTY — Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County needs your help in locating Everon Morgan, 28, black, male, 6 feet 2 inches tall, 190 pounds, black hair, brown eyes and he has multiple tattoos.

Everon Morgan

His last known address was on S.W. 13th Street in Belle Glade.

Morgan is wanted on a warrant for burglary of a conveyance and grand theft.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-458-TIPS (8477), or remain anonymous by downloading the new app “Connect & Protect,” “See Something Say Something” for any Apple or Android smartphone.

David
Emrick

A sexual predator was arrested Monday, Feb. 11, and charged with failing to register his whereabouts. According to the arrest report issued by the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), David Emrick, 60, had absconded from his last known address in rural Branford and moved to Okeechobee without notifying law enforcement or the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

According to John Born, Emrick’s brother, Emrick came to Okeechobee to visit him in September 2018 but then never left town. Claiming he was having health problems and needed to be hospitalized, Emrick was transported to Raulerson Hospital via Okeechobee County Fire Rescue on Feb. 6, and Mr. Born later received texts claiming Emrick was being transferred to JFK Hospital in Atlantis, but he did not know if this was true. Mr. Born told Deputy Tyler Ott he believed Emrick would stay in a motel near the center of town if he were still in the area, but none of the motels had anyone of that name registered there.

On Feb. 11, the OCSO received information that Emrick could be found at a home on Northwest 39th Circle, and Cpl. Kristin Gray found him at that address and placed him under arrest. At that time, he complained of chest pain and was transported to Raulerson Hospital for treatment.

Emrick was originally arrested in 1988 in Collier County and convicted of sexual battery/coercion of a child by an adult. He was released from the Glades Correctional Institution in January 2000 and first registered in Okeechobee County in February 2004, where according to Public Information Officer Michele Bell, they never had any trouble with him until November 2007 when he was arrested in Clanton, Ala., after being caught there with a 15-year-old runaway girl from Levy County, Fla.

In that case, Emrick was charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious battery on a child and one count of interference with child custody. According to the arresting officer, Lt. Evan Sullivan, it appeared Emrick and the young girl had been chatting through a Boost chat program for about five months leading up to her running away and meeting up with Emrick.

After his discharge from the hospital, Emrick will be transported to the jail for booking. His bond was set at $5,000.

A grand jury determined on Wednesday, Feb. 13, that law enforcement officers were justified in their actions on Aug. 6, 2018, says 19th Circuit State Attorney Ashley Albright. The grand jury was convened on Tuesday to hear testimony and review evidence regarding their use of deadly force.

The case in question involved a domestic violence situation to which the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office responded. According to Sheriff Noel E. Stephen, the suspect armed himself with a firearm and fled from the deputies; after which a low-speed chase took place, ending near the Oak Lake Villas on Southwest 28th Street.

Sheriff Stephen said, “At this point, the armed suspect confronted my deputies while he held a firearm to his own head. OCSO deputies started communicating with the armed suspect while they secured the other residents within the area. My Crisis Negotiation Team and my Special Response Team, comprised of OCSO deputies and members of the Okeechobee Police Department, were summoned to the scene to assist with the situation.

“On the same date, at approximately 11 p.m., the armed suspect chose to approach OCSO deputies while still armed. Several ‘less than lethal’ rounds were fired upon the armed suspect but were unsuccessful in ceasing the armed suspect’s advancement towards the deputies. Lethal force then had to be applied, and the armed suspect was subdued. He was later pronounced deceased by Okeechobee County Fire Rescue.”

The case was turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office for further investigation at that time and the officers involved were temporarily placed on paid administrative leave.

The case is now considered closed.

Mauro Esparza
Becerra

OKEECHOBEE — After being arrested on DUI charges Saturday, Feb. 16, a man was found to have seven aggressive roosters caged in the bed of his truck, and he was later charged with seven counts of the sale, possession of or use of animals to fight or bait. He was also charged with one count of the sale, possession or use of the equipment for animal fighting.

Mauro Esparza Becerra, 48, Center Street, was arrested at approximately 10 p.m. after Sheriff’s Deputies Matt Crawford and Steven Pollock responded to a report claiming a red pickup truck was seen weaving all over the road near the 1800 block of State Road 710.

Deputy Crawford stated that when he arrived in the area, he saw a red truck parked on the shoulder of the road and noticed the driver’s door was open. He said the driver was sitting with his feet hanging out of the door and it appeared as if he had been vomiting. He turned around to check on the driver and as he approached the vehicle, he reported the driver got out of his truck and almost fell over.

At that time, Okeechobee City Auxiliary Police Officer Manny Cisneros arrived to help with translation, and because there was reportedly a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, Becerra was asked if he would be willing to consent to a field sobriety test. Becerra allegedly failed the sobriety test and was arrested and charged with DUI.

While completing an inventory of Becerra’s vehicle, K-9 Deputy Matt Crawford, who was assisting in the arrest, found what appeared to be some type of jewelry box inside the truck. This box reportedly contained 15 clean metal spurs and 12 bloody metal spurs, two pens, rolls of some sort (possibly felt), electrical tape, three leather pieces, two possible sheaths, three rubber bands and a Post-It pad. In the back of the truck were seven roosters and two hens, each caged separately.

All of the roosters showed signs they had been used for cockfighting, such as clipped combs, waddles and spurs. Some reportedly had other signs as well.

Bond for the cockfighting charges was set at $20,000, and bond for the DUI was set at $750.