OKEECHOBEE — Fifteen people were arrested this week by the Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force for reportedly selling drugs during a recent ongoing undercover drug operation staged in Okeechobee County.

According to arrest reports, all 15 sold narcotics to confidential sources during the operation. Task force detectives then applied for and received arrest warrants. Those warrants were then executed Dec. 20 and Dec. 21.

Sheriff-elect Major Noel Stephen, of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, said he plans to continue the battle against illegal narcotics the same as retiring sheriff Paul May promised he would do throughout his tenure.

“I’m going to continue to fight the war on drugs into the future,” said Maj. Stephen, adding that drugs are the number-one threat to the community and the youth of Okeechobee County.

All of those arrested were booked into the Okeechobee County Jail.

Arrested were:

• Leonard Alexander, 61, N.E. 13th Ave., Okeechobee. He was charged with the sale of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to sell. He was released on his own recognizance.

• Jayme Lee Casanova, 26, N.E. 34th St., Okeechobee. He was charged with sale of a controlled substance (marijuana) and possession of marijuana with intent to sell. He is being held on $60,000 bond.

• Damon Lee Cook, 37, N.W. 38th Ave., Okeechobee. He was charged with sale of a controlled substance (hydromorphone) and possession of a controlled substance (hydromorphone) with intent to sell. He is being held on $50,000 bond.

• Tony Allen Harlow Jr., 35, N.W. 36th St., Okeechobee. He was charged with sale of a controlled substance (hydromorphone) and possession of a controlled substance with (hydromorphone) with intent to sell. He is being held on $60,000 bond.

• Derrick James Hollis, 48, N.E. 16th Ave., Okeechobee. He was charged with two counts of sale of a controlled substance (hydromorphone). He is being held on $50,000 bond.

• Mark Bailey Harrell, 52, S.W. Second St., Okeechobee. He was charged with sale of a controlled substance (hydromorphone) and possession of a controlled substance (hydromorphone) with intent to sell. He is being held on $60,000 bond.

• James David Hatfield, 51, N.E. 11th Court, Okeechobee. He was charged with sale of a controlled substance (hydromorphone) and possession of a controlled substance (hydromorphone) with intent to sell. He is being held on $50,000 bond.

• Jose Luis Hernandez-Dominguez, 50, N.W. 35th Ave., Okeechobee. He was charged with sale of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to sell. He is being held on $50,000 bond.

• Teresa Marie Holloman, 48, N.W. 36th Terrace, Okeechobee. She was charged with two counts of sale of a controlled substance (hydromorphone). She is being held on $50,000 bond.

• Aaron Jay Locklear, 28, N.W. 47th Terrace, Okeechobee. He was charged with sale of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to sell. He is being held on $70,000 bond.

• Lougene Mack, 54, N.E. 13th Ave., Okeechobee. He was charged with two counts of sale of a controlled substance (cocaine) and two counts of possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to sell. He is being held on $100,000 bond.

Terry Terrill McQueen Jr., 29

• Terry Terrill McQueen Jr., 29, N.E. Second St., Okeechobee. He was charged with the sale of a controlled substance (cocaine) within 1,000 feet of a park and possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a park. He is being held on $150,000 bond.

• Erica Inez Seals, 36, S.E. 34th Lane, Okeechobee. She was charged with the sale of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to sell. She is being held on $35,000 bond.

• Randale Lee Wilkinson, 32, S.E. 23rd Court, Okeechobee. He was charged with the sale of a controlled substance (hydromorphone) and possession of a controlled substance (hydromorphone) with intent to sell. He is being held on $60,000 bond.

Three people were also arrested on probable cause charges while task force detectives were serving their arrest warrants.

In the case of Damon Cook, when detectives entered the home to arrest him they found him asleep in the bed. He was wearing a T-shirt and jeans. When they escorted him outside the home and searched him one of the detectives reportedly found a small metal container. Inside that container the detective allegedly found a small plastic baggie that held a substance that turned out to be meth.

That suspected meth weighed .6 grams, stated an arrest affidavit.

Cook was charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and his bond on that charge has been set at $5,000.

Detectives apparently also found a controlled substance on Tony Allen Harlow, stated an arrest report.

As Harlow was being arrested, a task force detective was searching him for weapons when he allegedly found two pink pills that were identified as morphine.

He was then charged with possession of a controlled substance (morphine) without a prescription and carrying a medication outside a prescribed container, which is a misdemeanor.

Harlow’s bond on those two charges has been set at $5,500.

In a third case, James David Hatfield Jr. was allegedly getting ready to “shoot up” when a task force detective saw him sitting in a van outside the home of his father — James David Hatfield Sr. — for whom detectives had an arrest warrant.

According to the detective’s arrest report, the younger Hatfield was seen “… with a black eyeglass case, a metal spoon, cut straw, a bottle cap with water, a syringe and a large rubber band in his lap.”

The detective went on to point out he reportedly found a white powder inside the cut straw. That powder was tested and that test indicated a positive result for the presence of morphine, continued the arrest report.

Hatfield Jr., 24, of a N.E. 30th Ave. address in Okeechobee, was arrested on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance (morphine), and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He is being held in the county jail on a $5,500 bond.

To those selling drugs in Okeechobee, Maj. Stephen offered this warning: “It’s not a matter of if you will be arrested, but when.”

OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) K-9 Magnum not only played a big part in finding a fleeing burglary suspect, but also in convincing him to surrender to law enforcement officers.

That suspect, Billy Gene Garmany, was initially arrested on a misdemeanor charge of resisting a law enforcement officer without violence because he allegedly tried to run from officers.

He was booked into the Okeechobee County Jail on a bond of $1,000.

Billy Garmany

Garmany, 33, Lago Mesa Way, Kissimmee, was later arrested on a Department of Corrections felony warrant that charged him with violation of probation – burglary of a dwelling, violation of probation – possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and violation of probation – possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone).

He is being held without bond on those felony charges.

OCSO Deputy Brian Cross stated in his report that he was contacted around 11:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, by officers with the Okeechobee City Police Department (OCPD) about a man trying to break into a car in the 500 block of N.W. Ninth Avenue.

The suspect started running and was seen about 30 minutes later in the area of Race Trac Petroleum, 1596 S.R. 70 E., by Deputy Chris Botarri, a member of the OCSO auxiliary. However, the man again took off running in a southerly direction on S.E. 16th Avenue.

Deputy Cross then pointed out that fellow deputies and OCPD officer set up a perimeter from S.E. 10th Avenue to S.E. 16th Avenue.

Once the perimeter was established, Deputy Cross removed Magnum from his patrol unit and tasked him to start tracking the suspect.

OCSO Deputy Kristin Gray then saw the man, later identified as Garmany, running on S.E. Second Street and S.E. 15th Avenue. The law enforcement perimeter was then moved to “… lock the suspect in,” stated Deputy Cross’ report.

Soon, Magnum picked up the man’s scent and led his handler into some dense vegetation.

Deputy Cross and K-9 Magnum

“K-9 Magnum stood up on his hind legs and barked and came down working the ground through the heavy brush. K-9 Magnum pulled me approximately 15 feet to the south and I observed the suspect lying in the brush, approximately 3 feet away,” stated Deputy Cross.

According to the deputy’s report he then told the suspect to show his hands, but Garmany did not comply. At that point Deputy Cross told Magnum to apprehend the suspect.

“K-9 Magnum engaged the suspect’s left rib area and re-engaged on his left upper shoulder. I called K-9 Magnum off after the suspect began moving,” noted the deputy.

Deputy Cross again ordered the man to show his hands, but again, Garmany did not comply, pointed out the report.

So the deputy once again commanded Magnum to apprehend the suspect and when the K-9 engaged the man’s left arm Garmany reportedly “… began to scream: OK! OK!” stated Deputy Cross.

Garmany then showed the deputy his hands and Magnum stood over him while Deputy Jonathon Gove handcuffed him.

The man was then taken to the emergency room at Raulerson Hospital for treatment of “minor lacerations,” offered Deputy Cross.

After Garmany was treated, he was taken to the county jail without further incident.

OKEECHOBEE — Local law enforcement agencies are looking for a black Ford Mustang automobile that was last seen Christmas eve in the area of a S.R. 70 East business where a man was attacked and gun shots were heard.

That victim, stated a report by Deputy Timothy Porter, was taken to Raulerson Hospital for treatment of a head wound.

Deputy Miller, of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), stated in his report that he was putting fuel in his patrol unit around 2:40 a.m. Saturday when he heard what sounded like a gun shot. The suspected shot was followed by a woman’s scream, continued the deputy’s report.

The deputy went on to point out that while he was filling up at Racetrac Petroleum, 1596 S.R. 70 E., Sergeant Justin Bernst and Officer Cesar Romero, both from the Okeechobee City Police Department (OCPD), were there with him. They, too, heard the gun shots, added the deputy.

As the law enforcement officers went to investigate they noticed a group of people at Duffy’s Tavern, 1849 S.R. 70 E. As they approached the scene, Deputy Miller said he saw a black Mustang “… quickly driving away” from Duffy’s. It was here the officers found a Hispanic male bleeding from a cut behind his right ear, and from an unspecified injury to his right index finger.

The 40-year-old victim reportedly told the officers he was attacked by six Hispanic males and hit in the head with a beer bottle. However, continued the deputy’s report, the victim did not mention anything about a gun or hearing gun shots.

According to the deputy’s report the only information he could get about the alleged attackers is that one was a Hispanic man wearing a striped shirt and a cowboy hat. He also had a small beard.

The attackers left the area in a black Ford Mustang, similar to one seen by the officers as they approached the scene.

Another witness stepped forward and said he heard two gun shots. After hearing the shots, the 27-year-old witness said a black Mustang drove off.

“(He) said he did not know what was going on or why they attacked (the victim),” offered Deputy Porter’s report.

If you have any information regarding this case or the black Ford Mustang, contact the sheriff’s office at 863-763-3117.

OKEECHOBEE — A police detective has two open theft cases that occurred at Walmart this month and he is asking the public’s help in identifying the suspects.

Detective Jack Boon, of the Okeechobee City Police Department (OCPD), was quick to point out that the two cases are not connected, other than they both took place at the department store on South Parrott Avenue.

In the first case, the detective is trying to identify two Hispanic men who walked into the back of the store on Dec. 7, picked up a $500 television then walked out of the store without paying for the TV.

Once they reached the parking lot the men put the television in a black Ford F-150 Supercab pickup truck. The detective said the truck may well be a late 1990s model.

According to the detective each man appears to be around 5-feet-8-inches tall and around 150 pounds in weight. He went on to say the men look to be in their late 20s or early 30s.

“One was wearing a flowered shirt and the other was wearing a gray sweatshirt,” he said.

In the second case, a white male standing at least 6-feet tall and weighing around 200 pounds stole a woman’s wallet. That wallet — a flowered Vera Bradley tri-fold pocketbook — contained $1,500 in cash along with a credit card and the woman’s check book.

This incident, said Detective Boon, took place on Dec. 16.

After stealing the wallet the man got into a dark-colored sedan and left the parking lot.

This man was clad in brightly colored shorts and flip flops and looks to be bald. He also has tattoos on both arms, and possibly more tattoos on his legs.

If you have any information regarding either or both of these cases, call Detective Boon at 863-763-9786.

OKEECHOBEE — A detective with the sheriff’s office is asking the public for information regarding a stolen Ford F-250 gold on black pickup truck.

The 2001 dually was apparently taken from the 4200 block of S.E. 27th Street between the hours of 10 p.m. on Dec. 17 and 8 a.m. on Dec. 18, said Detective Bryan Lowe of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO).

According to the detective the four-wheel drive Lariat model should be displaying a Florida license tag. That tag number is 9890TF.

The truck’s vehicle identification number (VIN) is: 1FTWW33FX1EB60501.

Other notable features on the two-tone truck are: stock chrome wheels; a white storage box in the bed; and, the truck has no damage.

If you have any information regarding this case, contact Detective Lowe at 863-763-3117, ext. 5110.

Although not the actual stolen truck, this photo looks much like the pickup that was stolen.

OKEECHOBEE — A local woman lost over $3,000 in a worker’s compensation scam after she was urged to jump on their offer by someone she thought was a Facebook friend.

The 68-year-old victim reportedly told Deputy Jessica Francis, of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), she was first contacted by Facebook messenger around Dec. 10. The man claimed to be a representative from a worker’s compensation appeals board and he had a settlement for her of $40,000.

According to the deputy’s report the victim thought this was a scam so she ignored the message.

However, the woman apparently got to thinking about an injury she received in 2000 and thought the settlement offer may have to do with that incident.

She began conversing with the purported representative and was told all she had to do to get her money was to send him $700.

Next, the victim heard from a friend on the messenger site. That friend told the victim she, too, had been contacted by worker’s comp people and to do what they said.

The friend went on to tell the woman that’s what she did and “… she received all kinds of money owed to her.”

After hearing from her friend, noted the deputy’s report, the victim went to Walmart and sent $700 to Yvonne Pries in Amarillo, Texas.

In about three days the victim was again contacted by the appeals board rep who told her he was ready to deliver the money to her, but she needed to pay $3,000 in taxes first.

“(She) again thought this was a scam, but he reassured her it wasn’t,” noted Deputy Francis.

So, the victim returned to Walmart and sent the man $3,000.

On Dec. 27 the man again contacted the victim. This time, he told her the courier had been stopped by the border patrol and her money had been seized. Now, they needed $5,000 to release her funds.

“This is when (she) finally called law enforcement,” stated the deputy’s report. “She also made a phone call to her friend who had sent the messages on Facebook, but (the friend) had no knowledge of any messages or of a worker’s compensation board.”

After taking the victim’s complaint she and the deputy went on the Facebook messenger site to view the conversations between the victim and the worker’s compensation representative and her friend.

“The profile that sent the messages to (the victim), using the name of (her friend), had been deleted,” noted the deputy.

Deputy Francis also noted the area code from which the alleged representative was calling was actually a Montana area code, not Texas.

OKEECHOBEE — Dense fog has been listed as the cause of an early-morning traffic accident Thursday on U.S. 441 North that claimed the life of a 71-year-old Michigan man.

A Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) press release indicated William Jefferson Leavitt of Allen, Mich., was pronounced dead at the scene.

The FHP release stated 49-year-old Rodney Robbins of Okeechobee was eastbound on N.W. 208th Street around 7:30 a.m. when he reached that street’s intersection with U.S. 441 North.

Due to the heavy fog, Mr. Robbins reportedly did not see the 2008 Honda Goldwing motorcycle ridden by Mr. Leavitt approaching from the south and turned his 2003 Dodge Dakota pickup truck into the northbound lane.

When the pickup pulled into the northbound lane it was directly in the path of the oncoming motorcycle, stated the release. The front of the Honda reportedly struck the right rear of the Dodge pickup.

“Vehicle 2 continued northbound and entered the path of vehicle 3,” noted the release. “The front right of vehicle 3 struck the right side of vehicle 2.”
The third vehicle was a 2016 Ford F-250 pickup truck driven by Stanley M. Weese, 66, of Gallatin, Tenn.

Neither Mr. Robbins nor Mr. Weese were injured.

The FHP release does not indicate if either of the pickups sustained any damage as a result of the accident.

According to the release the crash is still under investigation.

OKEECHOBEE — A police report details how a local man led an officer on a pursuit in the southwest section of the city Wednesday, then ran into another vehicle carrying two young children.

The report by Sergeant P.C. Eddings, of the Okeechobee City Police Department (OCPD), noted the children and the driver of that second vehicle escaped without serious injury.

Arrested Jan. 4 was Edward Allan Lamarr Pickett, 23, U.S. 441 N.,  on a felony charge of fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer and a misdemeanor charge of no valid driver’s license.

Edward Pickett

Pickett is being held in the Okeechobee County Jail on a bond of $16,500.
According to the officer’s arrest report the incident began while he and other OCPD officers were directing traffic at the traffic light on South Parrott Avenue at the entrance to Walmart.

While they were handling this situation, OCPD dispatchers told officers about a retail theft at Walmart. They were told to watch for a Chevrolet Impala, four door.

Sgt. Eddings noted another OCPD officer told him a car matching that description had just pulled out of the Walmart parking lot and turned north on Parrott Avenue. The sergeant got behind the car and stopped it in the 100 block of S.W. 17th Street.

The driver of this Chevrolet Impala was arrested after he tried to elude police Wednesday, Jan. 3, and ran into a pickup truck occupied by an adult and two young children after running a stop sign. The driver of the Impala — Edward Allan Lamarr Pickett — is charged with fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer and for not having a valid driver’s license. Photo by OCPD/Bill Saum.

After initially stopping, the driver of the car put his car in gear and sped away, stated the report.

It was later learned the driver of the car was Pickett, noted the report.
Sgt. Eddings then saw the Chevrolet Impala turn left onto S.W. Third Avenue.

“(With) lights and siren activated, and traveling at speeds well over the posted speed limit of 25 mph, I pursued the vehicle southbound. The suspect vehicle did not stop at the stop sign at S.W. Third Avenue and S.E. 21st Street and continued south at a very high rate of speed,” explained Sgt. Eddings.

As the Impala approached the stop sign at S.W. 28th Street, the sergeant noted there was a vehicle already stopped at that traffic device.

“The suspect vehicle exited his lane of travel and went around the stopped vehicle on the left side, entering the intersection and violating the right of way of (another) vehicle — a 2013 Chevrolet truck,” noted Sgt. Eddings.

The pickup was westbound when the Impala, reportedly driven by Pickett, collided with the truck. The truck was reportedly damaged on the right side and right rear by the impact of the car. After the collision, Sgt. Eddings indicated he went to the Impala and helped Pickett out of the car and placed him in handcuffs.

He then focused his attention on the driver of the truck and the two small children in that vehicle. The report does not state the age of the children, and only described them as small.

Emergency medical personnel was called to the scene, where they examined everyone involved in the crash. No one needed to be taken to a hospital, offered Sgt. Eddings.

The OCPD sergeant went on to point out that the theft case at Walmart is under investigation by OCPD Officer Aurelio Almazan and the accident, which happened in the county, is being investigated by Deputy Joseph Hall of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office.

OKEECHOBEE — A 16-year-old teen being held in the county jail on adult charges is said to be in critical condition at a West Palm Beach hospital after he apparently tried to commit suicide in his cell.

Kendrick Mitchell Renick was found by detention deputies around 11 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, with a bedsheet around his throat, said Michele Bell, Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) public information officer.

Mrs. Bell said due to disciplinary reasons, Renick was being held in a cell by himself but was not in solitary confinement and was still in a juvenile area of the jail.

“Detention deputies found him after other juvenile inmates started throwing water into Renick’s cell,” she said.

The deputies removed the bedsheet and immediately began cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until medical personnel arrived.

Renick was first taken to Raulerson Hospital then later transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in West Palm Beach.

Mrs. Bell said the teen was not on suicide watch.

Renick, a client at the Okeechobee Juvenile Offender Correctional Center, was arrested Nov. 10, 2016, after he reportedly attacked a teacher.

A report by OCSO Deputy Jonathon Gove indicated Renick was in a classroom when he got up from his desk and walked into a dayroom to dispose of a napkin. He then went to his bedroom and when he returned to the classroom he was carrying a black sock filled with desk parts, continued the report.

He then began to attack the 69-year-old male teacher, noted the deputy.
According to the deputy’s report the teacher had “… numerous red and bleeding scratches on the back of his head and neck.”

Deputy Gove stated the teacher also had a swollen left hand.

Renick was arrested on a felony charge of aggravated battery on a public/private education employee and booked into the county jail.

On Dec. 16, 2016, the office of the state’s attorney dropped that charge and issued an arrest warrant for Renick that charged him with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was now charged as an adult and his bond was set at $75,000.

The last suicide at the county jail was just a few days past one year ago, when a 48-year-old Hispanic man was found around 5 a.m. Dec. 28, 2015, with a bedsheet around his neck. The sheet was attached to his bunk.

The man was taken to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Fort Pierce, where he died Dec. 30, 2015.

Unofficially, since 1992 six people have committed suicide while incarcerated in the county jail.

OKEECHOBEE — To pursue; or, not to pursue? That is the question.
And the answer to that question varies with each law enforcement agency.

Case in point: On Jan. 4 Sergeant P.C. Eddings, from the Okeechobee City Police Department (OCPD) stopped a vehicle being driven by a man who was a suspect in a misdemeanor retail theft case at Walmart. The sergeant stopped the vehicle on S.W. 17th Street, in front of Domino’s Pizza. As Sgt. Eddings was walking up to the vehicle the driver, later identified as Edward Allan Lamarr Pickett, put the car in gear and sped off.

Edward Pickett

By the time the veteran police officer got back to his patrol vehicle, Pickett was turning south onto S.W. Third Avenue. The sergeant then gave chase, all be it a very brief chase.

The pursuit ended some 11 blocks later when Pickett allegedly ran a stop sign and crashed into a Chevrolet pickup truck at the intersection of S.W. Third Avenue and S.W. 28th Street.

It should also be pointed out that when Pickett approached the stop sign at S.W. 28th Street, there was another vehicle already stopped at the control device. Instead of stopping, Pickett reportedly swerved around that stopped vehicle, entered the intersection and struck the truck.

Should Sgt. Eddings have pursued the suspect over a possible misdemeanor charge of retail theft?

OCPD Chief Bob Peterson said yes.

“He (Sgt. Eddings) did not violate any department procedure,” said the chief.

“We don’t distinguish between misdemeanors and felonies.”

Chief Peterson and OCPD Major Donald Hagan both agreed that when Sgt. Eddings saw Pickett, 33, run a stop sign at S.W. Third Avenue and S.W. 21st Street, the sergeant felt it was time to break off the pursuit through the residential neighborhood. At that point, explained Maj. Hagan, the sergeant knew Pickett wasn’t going to stop and the safest thing to do was to break off the chase.

Officers or their supervisors can break off the chase at any point and will do so, said the chief.

“Sgt. Eddings was considering calling it (the pursuit) off but, before he could, it was over,” explained Chief Peterson. “The pursuit was over so quickly, that it was over before the officer could make a decision.”

After checking on the man and two small children in the pickup, Sgt. Eddings arrested Pickett.

Pickett, U.S. 441 N., Okeechobee, is charged with one felony count of fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer and one misdemeanor count of no valid driver’s license.

Department of Corrections (DOC) records show Pickett has served three stints in prison. His latest came in 2008 when he was convicted in Glades County on felony charges of burglary and grand theft. He was released from prison in November of 2009.

Interestingly, he was sentenced to prison in 2004 after being found guilty in Okeechobee County of high speed fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer. He was released in 2005 after serving nine months.

So, what is the city’s policy on pursuits?

“The decision to initiate pursuit must be based on the pursuing officer’s conclusion that the immediate danger to the officer and the public created by the pursuit is less than the immediate or potential danger to the public should the suspect remain at large,” states the OCPD policy.

That policy goes on to point out: “Any law enforcement officer in an authorized emergency vehicle may initiate a vehicular pursuit when the suspect exhibits the intention to avoid apprehension by refusing to stop when properly directed to do so. Pursuit may also be justified if the officer reasonably believes that the suspect, if allowed to flee, would present a danger to human life or cause serious injury.”

While making the decision to pursue, the policy says the officer shall take into consideration: road, weather and environmental conditions; population density and vehicular and pedestrian traffic; the relative performance capabilities of the pursuit vehicle and the vehicle being pursued; the seriousness of the offense; and, the presence of other persons in the police vehicle.

As mentioned above, the pursuit policy of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) differs from that of the police department.

The OCSO policy states: “Deputies shall only initiate a vehicle pursuit to apprehend a fleeing forcible felony offender when the subject poses an immediate and significant threat that endangers human life and immediate apprehension is necessary to protect the public against this threat.”

Some examples of offenses that justify pursuit, according to the OCSO policy, are: carjacking, burglary, aggravated assault, aggravated stalking, aircraft piracy, sexual battery, robbery, kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, arson and any violent crime to a person.

That policy goes on to require deputies to contact their on-duty supervisor upon initiating a pursuit to get the OK to continue. If that supervisor cannot be contacted or does not immediately give the OK, the pursuit must be stopped.

Also, the forcible felony “… or immediate, specific and continuing threat to the public’s safety used to justify a pursuit must be articulated by the facts or circumstances that are known or reasonably believed prior to the initiation of the pursuit.”

The OCSO policy goes on to note that continuation of the pursuit will be continually evaluated and can be stopped at any point by the appropriate supervisor.

“An order by the on-duty supervisor to terminate the pursuit will be followed immediately and without question,” dictates the policy.

So, there you have it: Two agencies and two different policies.

As for who is responsible for what happened, Chief Peterson said the accident was caused by Pickett and that the “… city is not responsible.” He went on to point out the victims in this accident will have to pursue Pickett in civil court.

The accident is under investigation by OCSO Deputy Joseph Hall.

According to OCSO public information officer Michele Bell, at this point it does not appear as if Deputy Hall is going to file any additional charges against Pickett.

The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) is seeking the public’s help in identifying a man who apparently threw a small puppy over a fence at the animal control office.

As a result of throwing the animal over the fence, the 6-month old puppy apparently suffered a broken leg. The injury required surgery and the 6-month old female cur mix was picked up by Nalas New Life Rescue in Palm City and relocated for the surgery.

According to information released by the sheriff’s office the incident occurred Tuesday, Jan. 3, around 4:55 p.m. A dark blue/gold bottom Ford F-150 four-door crew cab backed up to the fence at the animal control compound.

Surveillance video shows a stocky Hispanic man climbing into the bed of the truck and picking up the puppy. He then threw her over the 6-foot high fence that has three strands of barbed wire along the top.

The sheriff’s office is seeking information into the identity of the man in the pickup.

If you have any information regarding the man’s identity or this case, contact OCSO Deputy Rusty Hartsfield at 863-763-3117.

OKEECHOBEE — An Okeechobee man has been arrested for allegedly throwing a 6-month-old puppy over a 7-foot fence at the Okeechobee Animal Control office, then leaving it there over 14 hours with a broken leg, no food or water and no way to stay warm.

Jorge Samuel Hernandez, 34, S.W. 15th St., was arrested Thursday, Jan. 12, on a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty and misdemeanor charges of obstruction by a disguised person and no valid driver’s license.

Hernandez has yet to go before a first appearance judge so his bond had not been set as of newspaper deadline.

An arrest report by Deputy James Hartsfield, of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), indicated Hernandez — who initially gave the deputy the name of Eleazar Ramirez-Avila — said the brindle cur puppy was a stray and he was concerned the dog would become aggressive to children in his neighborhood.

According to the deputy’s report a man in a blue F-150 pickup truck could be seen on surveillance video backing up to the fence at the animal control facility Tuesday, Jan. 3, around 4:57 p.m. The man then got into the back of the truck, removed the 35-pound dog from a tether and threw it over the fence.

That fence, stated Deputy Hartsfield, is 6 foot in height with three strands barbed wire on top of it for a total height of 7 feet.

A surveillance camera captured images of a man, later identified as Jorge Hernandez, backing a pickup truck up to the fence at Okeechobee County Animal Control and throwing a puppy over the fence.

When the dog landed on the ground it fractured its right rear leg, noted the report.

“The surveillance video shows the dog limp and then lay down,” added the deputy.

The man then left the injured dog without food, water or medical treatment for at least 14 hours.

When Deputy Sergeant Arlene Durbin, who runs the facility for the sheriff’s office, arrived for work the next morning around 6:30 to 7 a.m. she found the injured dog. She then made arrangements for an emergency visit to North Lake Animal Hospital where x-rays confirmed the dog had a broken leg.

She then contacted Nalas New Life Rescue in Palm City who volunteered to treat the animal.

“The dog had the surgical procedure and the bones have been pinned back together,” noted Deputy Hartsfield.

So far, continued the report, the cost of treatment for the puppy is $1,016.

Hernandez reportedly told the deputy he would pay the medical costs.

“While typing this report I was contacted by (Detention Deputy) Corporal Kyle Schoonmaker of the Okeechobee County Jail. Cpl. Schoonmaker advised me he has fingerprinted Eleazar Ramirez-Avila through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and the fingerprints came back to Jorge Hernandez,” Deputy Hartsfield stated.

Hernandez, added the deputy, was also found to have an  active Okeechobee County arrest warrant charging him with failure to appear – driving while license suspended, which is a misdemeanor.

OKEECHOBEE — Daylight burglars made off with over $10,000 worth of jewelry last week when they broke into a Four Seasons Estates home between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5:35 p.m.

The residents of the home found the break-in when they returned home Friday, Jan. 6, to find the back door of their home standing open.

A report by Deputy Timothy Porter, of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), stated the couple immediately called the sheriff’s office and waited outside their home until deputies arrived.

Deputy Porter pointed out in his report that he and OCSO Deputy Matt Crawford entered the home and found some of the rooms had been ransacked.

“After further investigation of the residence, it was apparent that someone had been inside the home,” noted Deputy Porter. “(The female victim’s) bedroom was in disarray, along with a portion of the living room.”

When the deputies had finished clearing the home and OCSO crime scene technicians had completed their work, the couple was allowed to enter their home.

The couple verified for the deputies that several pieces of expensive jewelry had been stolen along with a jewelry box, valued at $100, and $600 in cash.

Deputy Porter’s report indicated the stolen jewelry was valued at $10,400.

“Deputy Crawford spoke with the surrounding neighbors. All stated they had not seen any strange activity,” Deputy Porter stated.

The case has been assigned to OCSO Detective Corporal Ted Van Deman.

OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office has asked the public to help them identify the individuals in these photos.

If you know the identity of any of these subjects, contact Detective Sport Pickering at 863-763-3117, Ext. 5117.

OKEECHOBEE — A local construction company lost over $48,000 in tools, tires and wheels when thieves entered the property on Jan. 14 by cutting the lock on the front gate.

Deputy Devon Satallante, of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), indicated in his report that when the owners of the company showed up for work around 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, they found the open gate.

The next thing they noticed were two dump trucks, a pickup truck and a tractor semi were sitting on blocks because all of the wheels and tires had been stolen.

According to Deputy Satallante the thieves made off with 26 tires and wheels that were valued at approximately $600 each.

The owners also found some very expensive tools and equipment had been stolen from a pickup truck and a trailer parked on the property.

In all, the company’s estimated loss totaled $48,166.99.

One of the owners reportedly told the deputy he left the business around 7:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13.

Deputy Satallante estimated the theft occurred during the early morning hours of Jan. 14.

OCSO crime scene technicians were able to photograph some tire impressions leading to a trailer, as well as some shoe prints.

“All four trucks, along with the trailer, were processed for fingerprints,” pointed out Deputy Satallante.

The thieves apparently were trying to steal the trailer but couldn’t due to a flat tire, added the deputy’s report.

Twelve of the stolen tires and wheels were taken off a privately-owned dump truck.

The case has been assigned to OCSO Detective Howard Pickering.

If you have any information regarding this case, contact Detective Pickering at 863-763-3117.

OKEECHOBEE — Two one-ton Ford pickup trucks were stolen from two different local motels early Wednesday and a local detective is asking the public’s help in finding the thieves.

According to information disseminated by the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) both vehicles were stolen Jan. 18 between 2:30 and 3 a.m.

A 1999 gold Ford F-350 cab-and-chassis truck was stolen from the parking lot of the Flamingo Motel, 4101 U.S. 441 S. The truck is described as a 4×4 with a diesel Power Stroke engine. It will have a black steel flatbed and there will be a Big Blue welder with black welding leads on the bed of the truck. The serial number on the welder is MG411041R.

The truck should display an Ohio license tag. That tag number should be GWW 7334.

Reports indicate the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) is 1FTSX31FXXEE24565.

A report by OCSO Deputy Jonathon Gove indicated the truck was parked on the south side of the motel.

Surveillance video showed what appeared to be a man wearing a light-colored jacket get out of a white four-door pickup around 3:02 a.m. The man got into the F-350  and drove the vehicle out of the parking lot and turned right onto U.S. 441 S.

The stolen vehicle was followed by the white pickup.

Deputy Gove’s report stated the value of the truck was estimated to be $10,000, while the value of the welder was set at $20,000.

In the other theft, OCSO Deputy Bart Potter stated in his report the stolen 2006 white Ford F-350 belongs to K&K Pipeline Services Inc. The crew operating the vehicle does lawn maintenance all over Florida for the pipeline company.

The truck, stolen from the parking lot of the Best Western Motel at 3975 U.S. 441 S., will be displaying a Florida license tag with the number GABU57. The truck’s VIN is 1FDWW37P76ED72603.

When thieves stole the truck with dual rear wheels they also took a large number of tools and equipment valued at $3,911, stated the deputy’s report.

Besides a white fuel tank filled with 100 gallons of diesel fuel, the thieves made off with: two black toolboxes; a Stihl chainsaw; two Stihl weed eaters; two gas cans; and, a 45-quart Yeti cooler.

Also missing was an assortment of wrenches, a bolt cutter, a shovel and a Craftsman socket set.

Motel security video shows a dark-colored large sports utility vehicle — possibly a Ford Expedition or a Lincoln Navigator — pull into the motel parking lot around 2:38 a.m. The exact model year is not known, but it is believed to be prior to 2000.

After pulling into the parking lot three men, who appear to be white, got out of the SUV and the truck was stolen at 3:01 a.m.

If you have any information regarding these thefts, contact OCSO Detective Sergeant Jimmy Mills at 863-763-3117, ext. 5116. Refer to cases 17SO1253 and 17SO1256.

GLADES COUNTY — An accident involving a school bus  sent 25 people to area hospitals Friday, Jan. 20.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol report,  the accident happened at 7:54 p.m. on U.S. Highway 27, about 5 miles north of State Road 29.

FHP Trooper A. Botello, crash investigator, stated that Thomas Edward Chism, 45, of Lauderhill, Fla., was driving a 1997 GMC Bluebird school bus northbound in the inside lane on U.S. 27 North, north of SR 29 just before the accident. Passengers included 16 children and two adults, Romone Ottey, 19 and Sherry Nelson Fiddler, 48, of Fort Lauderdale. The bus was from Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sunrise, Fla., according to reports.

Jorge Ernesto Leyva-Joya, 48, of Miami, was driving a 2010 International semi, southbound in the outside lane on U.S. 27. Lisisleydi Marrero Fuentes, 27, of  Culter Bay was a passenger in the vehicle.

Michael David Black, 42, of Jupiter, driving a 2015 Dodge 2500 SLT, was southbound in the outside lane, directly behind the International semi. Passengers in the Dodge included  Kimberly Black, 47, of Jupiter, and four children.

Luis Felipe Arevalo Tur, 66, of Hialeah, was driving a 2004 Freightliner semi was southbound in the outside lane, directly behind the Dodge.

According to the FHP report, the school bus turned left through the paved medium and executed a U-turn to travel south on U.S. 27. In doing so, the bus entered the U.S. 27 southbound outside lane, traveling into the path of the International semi. The driver of the semi turned left, attempting to avoid a collision with the bus. The front of semi struck the left rear of the bus.

Mr. Black slowed his Dodge due to the collision of the school bus and the first semi. The semi driver behind him failed to slow in time and the right front of the second semi struck the rear of the Dodge.

The school bus rotated clockwise and exited the paved portion of the roadway on the right and overturned, coming to final rest on its left side, facing north. The International semi, traveled across the grassy median and the northbound lanes of U.S. 27, and collided with a fence and buses on the U.S. 27 east shoulder, coming to a final rest facing south.

The Dodge overturned and came to a final rest on the west shoulder of U.S. 27  on its left side, facing north.

The second semi traveled onto the median and burst into flames, coming to final rest in the US 27 median, facing south.

In total, 25 persons were transported to various hospitals including Florida Hospital, Hendry Regional Hospital, Highlands Regional Hospital and Raulerson Hospital.

OKEECHOBEE — At first, Shannon Davis thought to herself: “What is this man doing in my house?”

Then, when Mark J. Saunders put his gun to the head of Albert Davis, Shannon’s husband, she feared something very bad could soon happen.

“He (Saunders) seemed to be agitated. I thought he was going to shoot him in the head,” she told jurors during the first day of testimony at Saunders’ trial.

Mark J. Saunders, 35

Saunders, 35, is facing a number of felony charges including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, home invasion robbery with a firearm, fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer, possession of a bulletproof vest, grand theft-auto and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

As the trial got under way Tuesday morning, Jan. 24, the six-member jury heard how Saunders broke into the home of a former deputy with the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) on May 12, 2015. From that home he reportedly stole an OCSO polo shirt and hat, along with a bulletproof vest.

He then walked across the street and into the Davis home where Albert was sitting at his computer, which is located near his home’s front door.

“He (Saunders) didn’t knock. He just walked right in,” assistant state attorney Don Richardson told jurors during his opening statement.

When asked, Mr. Davis testified he heard the front door open. But, he didn’t think anything about it because he thought it was his son coming home from school.

Then, when he looked up, there was a man standing before him wearing an OCSO shirt and cap and a bulletproof vest. The man was also armed with a handgun.

“Why did you walk into my house?” Mr. Davis asked the intruder.

Saunders then put the gun to the man’s head and responded: “This is why.”

“I will shoot you in the back of the head if you do anything,” Saunders allegedly said to Mr. Davis.

Saunders then demanded the keys to the blue 2008 Ford F-250 pickup truck sitting in the driveway of the Davis home. The truck belonged to Frank DeCarlo III who was at the home spending time with his girlfriend Naomi Stevens, Mr. and Mrs. Davis’ daughter.

After he was got the keys to the truck, Saunders sped away.

Not willing to lose his $30,000 truck, Mr. DeCarlo grabbed the keys to his girlfriend’s car and gave chase. That chase continued along U.S. 441 North to Orange Avenue (S.R. 68), where Saunders allegedly turned in an easterly direction.

It was at this point OCSO Deputy Lieutenant Lester Yeates got involved.

The veteran deputy told jurors during direct examination by assistant state attorney Ashley Albright that he was returning to Okeechobee County after taking some OCSO radios to Vero Beach when he heard dispatcher disseminate information about the stolen truck.

He soon saw the blue truck.

With his emergency lights flashing and the siren on his white OCSO F-150 pickup blaring, Lt. Yeates started to chase the blue pickup. When asked, the lieutenant said the top speed on his half-ton pickup is in the mid-90s, “… and he was pulling away from me.”

For safety’s sake, Lt. Yeates slowed his vehicle but tried to stay close enough to keep the blue Super Duty in sight.

When Saunders reached the Triple S Ranch he left the paved highway and turned onto a private drive. Lt. Yeates, along with then-Detective Shane Snyder who had joined in the chase, both followed Saunders down that drive.

Saunders passed a barn, slammed on his brakes and turned the blue Ford so that its passenger side was facing Lt. Yeates.

The lieutenant stopped and for a split second, the two men sat there.

Lt. Yeates then told the jurors how Saunders gunned the engine of the blue pickup, which threw dirt and sod into the air with the spinning rear tires as Saunders started driving toward the deputy. Soon, he plowed into the front of the white OCSO pickup.

“He hit me and the airbag deployed. I was fighting the airbag and I was trying to get out of the truck,” Lt. Yeates testified under direct examination.

“I was able to get clear of my truck while he was still accelerating and pushing me backward.”

According to testimony Saunders pushed the lieutenant’s truck backward some 15 feet.

Fearing for his life, Lt. Yeates fired his .40 caliber Glock handgun at the blue Ford. Between Lt. Yeates and now-Lieutenant Snyder, 10 founds were fired into the F-250. None of those rounds struck Saunders.

Saunders gave in and slowly stepped out of the truck. As soon as he did, he was taken to the ground and handcuffed.

Lt. Yeates then looked into the cab of the truck and there, on the driver’s seat next to where Saunders was sitting, was a semi-automatic handgun. That gun, testified Lt. Yeates, was not loaded.

The lieutenant went on to tell jurors the front ends of the two pickups were locked together.

“Two tow trucks were used to pull them apart,” explained the lieutenant.
Lt. Yeates told jurors he only received some minor injuries from the collision.

Testimony will continue Wednesday morning in courtroom A of the Okeechobee Judicial Center. Circuit Court Judge Dan Vaughn is presiding.
Saunders is being represented by Alexander Nelson from the District 19 public defender’s office.

Original story   “County jail inmate caught trying to escape”

OKEECHOBEE — A police detective is asking for the public’s help in identifying a white male who tried to steal almost $1,000 worth of merchandise from Walmart.

Detective Jack Boon, of the Okeechobee City Police Department (OCPD), said the man was caught shoplifting around 2:20 a.m. on Nov. 20, 2016. The unidentified man tried to walk out of the store with a crossbow, arrow heads and a number of other items.

As the man was heading toward the exit a floor manager stopped him and asked to see his sales receipt. At this point the man dropped the items, calmly walked out of the store, then ran to his car.

When asked if anyone got the license tag on his light-colored, four-door vehicle, the detective said no.

“He backed out of the parking lot, all the way to the street so no one could see the tag,” offered Detective Boon.

The detective described the man as being of average build, weighing 150-160 pounds and standing 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8. His eyes are slightly crossed and his teeth are crooked.

At the time of the theft attempt he was wearing a long-sleeved pullover shirt that was either light green or green in color, and had the words ‘salt life’ on the sleeves.

The man’s age is unknown.

If you have any information regarding this case or the man’s identity, contact Detective Boon at 863-763-2626.

OKEECHOBEE — After being found guilty on eight felony charges Wednesday afternoon, Mark Saunders could now spend the rest of his life in prison.

A six-member jury spent just over 40 minutes to find Saunders, 35, guilty of home invasion robbery with a firearm, grand theft-auto, fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, unlawful possession of a bulletproof vest, burglary of a dwelling while armed and grand theft.

Once the jury had finished their deliberation, they were told they still had one more decision to make.

Mark J. Saunders, 35

Because Florida law will not allow prosecutors to mention the fact that Saunders has a long history of felony convictions, the state asked the jury to find him guilty on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Before the jury started their deliberation, assistant state attorney Don Richardson put Jackie Moore on the witness stand. Mrs. Moore, a crime scene technician and fingerprint expert at the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), was called on to verify that she had taken Saunders’ fingerprints Tuesday.

She was then asked to testify that those prints matched the prints attached to certified copies of Saunders’ felony convictions in Leon, Okeechobee and Wakulla counties.

After hearing Mrs. Moore’s testimony, it took the jury less than five minutes to find Saunders on that eighth count.

Saunders has felony convictions on such charges as grand theft, dealing in stolen property, fraudulent use of a credit card, grand theft-firearm, felony battery, giving false information to a pawnbroker and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Assistant state attorney Ashley Albright pointed out Saunders was last sent to prison in 2008 when he was convicted in Okeechobee County on charges of grand theft-firearm, grand theft and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to a term of eight years on March 7, 2008.

He was then released from prison Sept. 16, 2014.

On May 12, 2015, Saunders burglarized the home of a former OCSO deputy and stole a bulletproof vest, an OCSO polo shirt and hat, and some of the deputy’s credit cards. That deputy currently works for the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

During his testimony Thursday morning, the deputy told Mr. Albright that when he came home he found his whole house had been ransacked. Also, there were several guns lying on a love seat that Saunders was apparently going to come back and steal, along with a box full of other items.

Also found in the deputy’s home was a plastic gun case for a 9mm handgun which, said the deputy, did not belong to him.

When Saunders realized he couldn’t carry everything, he saw an F-250 pickup parked across the street, pointed out Mr. Albright.

“He gathered up what he wanted and put them by the door to steal,” said the prosecutor to the jury during his closing argument. “He saw the F-250 across the street and said ‘Here’s my opportunity.’ He planned on going back to take the other things from the (deputy’s) house.

“But, when he encountered resistance he ran,” added Mr. Albright.

Testimony in the two-day trial described how Saunders walked into the home of Albert and Shannon Davis, put his 9mm handgun to the head of Mr. Davis and demanded the ignition keys to the blue 2008 F-250 parked in the driveway.

That truck was owned by Frank DeCarlo III who was at the Davis home visiting his girlfriend.

Now, Saunders had to change his plans. As he sped away in the pickup, Mr. DeCarlo grabbed the keys to his girlfriend’s Volkswagen and gave chase.

When Saunders reached the intersection of U.S. 441 North and Orange Avenue, OCSO Deputy Lieutenant Lester Yeates fell in behind the fleeing F-250. As the two trucks drove east on the two-lane highway Saunders was driving at speeds in excess of 100 mph.

Lt. Yeates had testified Tuesday that he slowed his OCSO white F-150 and just tried to keep Saunders in sight.

Saunders soon left the highway and turned onto a private drive at Triple S Ranch, with the lieutenant and now OCSO Detective Shane Snyder behind him.

The chase ended when Saunders turned around and drove head-on into the lieutenant’s truck.

After Saunders had been taken into custody a 9mm handgun was found in the driver’s seat next to him. The gun was not loaded.

Mr. Albright told the jury the serial number on that gun matched the serial number on the gun case found in the deputy’s home. And the deputy’s credit cards were found in the man’s wallet.

Saunders also left a black duffel bag in the deputy’s home that contained several personal items, including a toothbrush.

The toothbrush was seized as evidence and sent to the Indian River Crime Lab in Fort Pierce and handed over to forensic DNA analyst Julie Casals.

During direct examination by Mr. Richardson, Ms. Casals testified she was able to test four out of 15 locations on a strand of DNA. That test indicated the DNA on that toothbrush matched a known standard given by Saunders to the extent that, among the Caucasian population, 1 in 97,370,000 would have the same DNA profile.

Among the Southeastern Hispanic population 1 in 18,920,000 would have the same profile, she said, and among the black population 1 in 92,510,000 would have the same profile.

It should be noted that during their testimony, both Mr. and Mrs. Davis initially described the man who entered their home as being short and of either white or Mexican ethnicity.

But, during their testimony Tuesday defense attorney Alexander Nelson tried to drive home the point it wasn’t his client who entered their home because he is white, and not Mexican.

When Mr. Nelson brought that up to Mr. Davis, he testified that the man sitting at the defense table was “… quite a bit paler” than he was on May 12, 2015.

Saunders has been in the county jail since his arrest on that date.

Because Saunders had only been out of prison for a few months before he was again arrested on felony charges, Mr. Albright said he will ask the court to classify Saunders as a prison releasee reoffender. This means with the Saunders’ convictions on home invasion robbery, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and burglary of a dwelling he could receive mandatory life sentences on each of those charges.

Saunders will learn his fate at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23 when he will go before Circuit Judge Dan Vaughn for sentencing.