Friday, May 17, 2013
His death is now classified as a homicide that Pasco deputies believe is connected to a marijuana grow house operating out of the Connerton subdivision in Land O’ Lakes.
The 26-year-old man found early Friday morning at a 7-Eleven in Land O’ Lakes has died from a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Pasco County deputies have classified the death as a homicide and say the shooting appears to be drug-related. “Detectives believe the shooting took place at 8003 Sequester Loop in Land O' Lakes,” wrote Doug Tobin, sheriff’s office spokesman, in an email to media. “A marijuana grow house was located inside the residence.” The man, who has not been identified, was discovered by deputies early Friday morning at the 2400 U.S. 41 7-Eleven. He was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital-North where he was pronounced dead, Tobin said. Stay with Land O’ Lakes Patch for updates as they become available.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Truck owners might want to keep their eyes out for thieves that want to spoil their parties.
If you’re a pickup truck owner in the Land O’ Lakes area, you might want to pay attention. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is reporting an increase in tailgate thefts throughout the county. A total of eight tailgates have been stolen truck owners in communities throughout Pasco since February, according to the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page. The thieves seem to have a preference, too. “Suspects are targeting full-size Chevrolets and Fords, such as F-150's,” the sheriff’s office wrote on its Facebook page. Deputies say a tailgate can be swiped in less than 30 seconds. It’s recommended that tailgates be left locked if there’s a factory-installed lock available. “Additionally, parking as close to an object or structure as you can prevents…
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Pasco Deputies raided three stores in Pasco Tuesday, and state Attorney General Pam Bondi joined one of the visits.
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office has been warning convenience store owners it was serious about cracking down on the sale and use of synthetic drugs. Deputies proved their point Tuesday, May 14 when they visited three stores with search warrants in hand, making four arrests in the process. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi even came along for the ride to witness one of the busts in person. Deputies had made undercover purchases of synthetic drugs from the three stores in West Pasco between late January and May. Those purchases enabled them to get search warrants. Armed with warrants, deputies returned to those three stores Tuesday to conduct searches and make arrests as part of Operation Consequences. The following stores were searched …
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Authorities were called early Saturday morning about the deceased man.
A Land O' Lakes man was found dead in the lake behind his home early Saturday morning, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Authorities suspect the man drowned. The body of Mark Newman, 57, was found in a lake behind his home at 1240 Wisper Run Court in Land O' Lakes. Authorities were called at 12:19 a.m. Saturday, May 11 about the body. Foul play is not suspected, according to a media release issued by the sheriff's office. The cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies say the same man who is accused of shooting three people and killing two in Citrus Park over the weekend also broke into two homes in Odessa on Sunday, May 5.
Jason Mark Burnett turned 37 on Saturday, May 4. He is accused of spending the very next day breaking into three homes, killing two people and injuring a third. That’s according to Pasco and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies who say Burnett began a home invasion spree in Odessa in the early morning hours of May 5 that ended with three shootings and one death in Citrus Park. The first incident began around 9:45 a.m. May 5 when Pasco deputies say Burnett went to a home at 14339 Tifton Lane in Odessa and entered through an unlocked door. He walked into the home’s bedroom and demanded money from a woman. He left with the woman’s cell phone. At 10 a.m., deputies say Burnett paid a visit to a home at 1518 Rowland Drive. This time he forced …
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with state regulators to crack down on contractors who have been performing work illegally.
Armed with Craigslist postings, Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies set out this past weekend to catch unlicensed contractors in the act. When all was said and done, nine arrests were made that the sheriff’s office said serve as a reminder for residents to be careful when selecting people to perform construction work on their homes. “The purpose of the operation is to protect consumers from the dangers of working with unlicensed individuals, which may result in personal or financial harm, and to protect properly licensed professionals from unfair competition by unlicensed individuals,” a media release about the arrests stated. With help from several state agencies, including the Florida Department of Financial Services, the sheriff’s office …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Pasco deputies are asking for help to find a man they say has three warrants out for his arrest after violating probation. He was originally convicted on theft charges.
Editor’s note: As the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office turns to the Internet to help it find fugitives with outstanding warrants, Land O' Lakes Patch is pitching in to help by reposting the information on the agency’s Fugitive of the Day Facebook feature. Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies are asking Land O’ Lakes residents to keep their eyes open for a man they say violated probation. Henry Sizemore, 32, of the Port Richey area has three felony warrants out for his arrest in relation to the probation violations. His original charges included robbery, burglary and dealing in stolen property. Have you seen Sizemore? If so, the sheriff's office asks that you post information to its online tips page. Keep up with what's happening in town by signing…
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
A roundup of recent crime reported in and around Land O' Lakes.
Teens burglarized a vacant Newhall Pass Lane home in Wesley Chapel and apparently urinated and defecated inside of it, authorities said. Patrol deputies found a group of individuals at the home April 23, including some who were walking from the abode’s rear where a broken window was discovered, according to Pasco County Sheriff’s Office report. Authorities found one of the person’s cellphone inside the home, the report stated. There was also an odor of excrement and a puddle of suspected urine. Two teens were arrested and taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center, the report stated. It is unclear whether the others involved were arrested as well. *** A man in group confinement at Land O’ Lakes Jail struck a fellow inmate and was charged with…
Monday, April 29, 2013
The incident occurred around 4:39 a.m. April 29.
Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a stabbing that took place around 4:39 a.m. April 29 in Land O’ Lakes. Deputies say the incident happened in the area of 21143 Little Lake Thomas Road. A man was stabbed in the back, but few other details are available at this time. The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, deputies said in a media release. The investigation continues. Stay with Patch for updates as they become available. Keep up with what's happening around town by signing up for the Land O' Lakes Patch newsletter!
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Capt. Mike Ferrantelli lifted 578.8 pounds to win the gold at the 2013 Masters Bench Press World Championship.
Pasco County Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Ferrantelli went to the Czech Republic earlier this month hoping to beat his last performance in the International Powerlifting Federation Masters World Bench Press Championships. The last time he took part in the international event in 2007, he was able to bench press 551 pounds – so topping that mark was a lofty goal. Not only did Ferrantelli manage to best his prior performance, he brought home a gold medal for the United States. The event was staged April 18-21, drawing powerlifters from all over the world. “A great big congratulations to our own Captain Mike Ferrantelli for winning the 2013 Masters Bench Press World Championship,” the sheriff’s office wrote on its Facebook page , announcing the win. …
Greg Reaster
10:26 am on Thursday, May 16, 2013
Additional tip, if you do etch a VIN number on a painted surface, be a good idea to spray a taped off area with clear spray paint! more ›