Weird Florida Crime News Monthly Recap: May 2017
By Space Coast Daily // May 30, 2017
Crimes Reported Across Florida
FLORIDA – Crime reports across Florida in May 2017 featured gator poachers, a gun-wielding joker impersonator and a nude man suspected of stealing a swan sculpture. Below is a list of nationally-covered crimes reported throughout the Sunshine state during the past month.
Naked Man Suspected of Stealing $25,000 Swan Statue & Truck
LAKELAND, FLORIDA — A unique swan sculpture valued at $25,000 was recovered in Hillsborough County after it was allegedly stolen by suspect Ronald Thompson.
According to police arrest reports, the Swan was stolen from a facility in located at 4100 Frontage Road South in Lakeland known as Lakeland Cold Storage during the evening hours of May 18-19, 2017.
Following the burglary, Polk County Sheriff’s Office posted surveillance footage believed to show Thompson entering the facility unclothed and exiting the facility driving a stolen Ford F-150 containing “Aspyre” the swan.
One week later, the swan was recovered after a fisherman noticed it near a small pond off Old Tampa Hwy in Lakeland.
DUI suspect arrested after crashing into new ‘don’t drink and drive’ patrol car
CITRUS COUNTY, FLORIDA — Paul M. Wilkins, 63, of Crystal River, was arrested and charged with DUI after he crashed into “Don’t Drink and Drive” patrol car at a traffic control point at US 19 and Citrus Ave during Pirate Fest.
According to Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, Wilkins drove through cones striking a CCSO detective’s vehicle and pushed it about 30 feet into our newly unveiled “don’t drink and drive” patrol car. Both patrol vehicles were parked with red and blue lights flashing. Wilkins claimed he did not see the vehicles or the emergency lights warning drivers about the congested area.
Florida Highway Patrol responded to work the crash and arrested Wilkins for DUI. Thankfully, there were no injuries. Wilkins was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility in the back of the newly unveiled and now damaged “a cop or a cab, you decide” vehicle.
Tattooed ‘Joker’ accused of pointing gun at traffic in Miami
MIAMI, FLORIDA — A man with tattoos resembling Heath Ledger’s character in “The Dark Night” and Jared Leto’s character in “Suicide Squad”, allegedly pointed a gun at passing cars on Southwest 104th St. in Miami.
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department’s arrest report, police were informed of a man with green hair and face tattoos pointing a gun at passing cars, reports NBC 6 Miami.
At one point Sullivan told the officer “I don’t have a permit cause it’s too expensive,” the report said. He spoke to NBC 6 after he bonded out of jail, disputing the charges.
“The gun’s in my name, it’s not a dirty gun. Why they gonna charge me with a felony?” Sullivan said.When the reporter answered, “But, you don’t have a permit,” Sullivan yelled, “F**ck the permit. We live in America.”
According to the Miami-Dade Corrections. Sullivan was arrested, charged with carrying a concealed firearm, and held on $5,000 bond at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
FWC Uncovers Alligator Poaching Ring
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers arrested nine suspects for violations of Florida’s laws pertaining to possession of American alligator, alligator egg harvesting, interstate transport of alligator eggs and hatchlings, falsifying official records, dealing in stolen property, conspiracy to commit racketeering, racketeering and other wildlife violations.
Read the full article on Space Coast Daily HERE.
Sebastian man arrested after allegations of urinating in a neighbor’s mailbox
SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA — David Bender was arrested and charged with criminal mischief after Sebastian Police responded to a multiple calls from a neighbor.
According to the arrest report, Bender’s neighbor told responding officers that Bender came over to the victim’s home and pointed his middle finger, urinated in the neighbor’s mailbox, and shattered the neighbor’s bamboo planter.
