*Note – Shortly after this article was published, Ocala Post contacted several hospitals in the area; however, Ocala Post could not locate anyone to confirm his story. Schmitt-Matzen has refused to provide the name of the nurse and hospital. Even though Schmitt-Matzen stands by his story, there is no actual proof that the incident occurred.*
A knoxville, Tennessee, man by the name of Eric Schmitt-Matzen, who is a professional Santa Claus, was called to a hospital to grant the last wish of a terminally ill 5-year-old boy.
“The telephone rang. It was a nurse I know who works at the hospital. She said there was a very sick 5-year-old boy who wanted to see Santa Claus,” Schmitt-Matzen told the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Schmitt-Matzen didn’t hesitate. He grabbed a gift for the child and made his way to the hospital.
Schmitt-Matzen recalled his accounts:
“When I walked in, he was laying there, so weak it looked like he was ready to fall asleep. I sat down on his bed and asked, ‘Say, what’s this I hear about you’re gonna miss Christmas? There’s no way you can miss Christmas! Why, you’re my Number One elf!
“He looked up and said, ‘I am?’
“I said, ‘Sure!’
“I gave him the present. He was so weak he could barely open the wrapping paper. When he saw what was inside, he flashed a big smile and laid his head back down.
“‘They say I’m gonna die,’ he told me. ‘How can I tell when I get to where I’m going?’
“I said, ‘Can you do me a big favor?’
“He said, ‘Sure!’
“When you get there, you tell ’em you’re Santa’s Number One elf, and I know they’ll let you in.
“He said, ‘They will?’
“I said, ‘Sure!’
“He kinda sat up and gave me a big hug and asked one more question: ‘Santa, can you help me?’
“I wrapped my arms around him. Before I could say anything, he died right there. I let him stay, just kept hugging and holding on to him.
Schmitt-Matzen said, “I cried all the way home. I was crying so hard, I had a tough time seeing good enough to drive.”
Schmitt-Matzen told the Knoxville News Sentinel that the ordeal was so heartbreaking for him that, for a split second, he considered hanging up his Santa suit. But, he said after he thought about it he realized his role is important to children.
Marion County — One teen is dead and another was critically injured following a Sunday evening traffic crash.
The accident happened at approximately 6:11 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Romario Fuenes-Salazar, 19, and his passenger, 18-year-old Guaruin Funes-Herrera, were traveling southbound on Northwest 115th Avenue in a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire while approaching the intersection of County Road 464B.
A 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, driven by Toni Rebustillo, 41, was traveling eastbound on County Road 464B while approaching the same intersection.
FHP troopers say Salazar ran the stop sign and slammed into the front of Rebustillo’s Hyundai.
Salazar’s vehicle then traveled onto the eastbound grassy shoulder, hit a stop sign, and slammed into a utility pole.
Herrera was pronounced dead at the scene. Salazar was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition.
Troopers said that Herrera was not wearing a seatbelt.
Rebustillo received minor injuries. His passenger, James Ausherman, 37, was not injured.
Herrera’s mother, who lives in California, was located and notified at 1 a.m.
Ocala, Florida — Three juveniles, a black male and two black females — all under the age of 13 — found themselves in a dangerous situation early Sunday morning.
For about a week, residents in the Raven Glen Subdivision, Ocala, had been experiencing random doorbell rings and knocks on the door at all hours of the night.
Residents told police that they would answer the door, but no one would be there.
On Saturday, at approximately 11:20 p.m., two homeowners heard someone, later identified as kids, ring the doorbell. Again, when they answered, no one was there.
Approximately 20 minutes later, the kids came back. This time, they knocked on the door.
The husband then canvassed the area while the wife called the Ocala Police Department.
Ocala Police responded to the 2700 block of Northeast 24th Place, but did not observe any suspicious activity. The officer told the homeowners that he would patrol the area nightly, and instructed them to call OPD if the incident occurred again.
At approximately 1 a.m., the kids rang the doorbell three times really fast. Then, 10 minutes later the homeowners said the kids came back. This time, they said it sounded like the kids kicked the door.
Fed up, the wife retrieved a handgun. She and her husband then unlocked the front door and waited.
The homeowners waited about 10 minutes when the kids knocked at the door, at which time the homeowners opened the door and greeted the three kids with the handgun.
The three kids took off running and were seen going into the house right next door.
The homeowners told police that they were surprised to see that the culprits were so young. And even more surprising, was the fact that two of the kids were their neighbors.
The homeowners went next door to speak with the kids’ parents, and when no one came to the door, the homeowners called the police back out.
While waiting for the police, the father finally came to the door. When the homeowners explained the situation, the father denied that his children had done anything wrong.
A short time later, police arrived and questioned the kids.
According to reports, the kids denied the incident at first, but later confessed.
The officer told the children that their actions were extremely dangerous and that they could have been seriously injured.
On Sunday, Ocala Post reached out to the homeowners.
The homeowners said, “The kids’ mother brought them over today and they apologized. We appreciated the apology. As far as we are concerned, the issue has been resolved.”
Jayvon Joachin [left] and Deshawn MillerKendra La Sheka Lewis [deceased]The crime streak of two juveniles came to an end when they decided to steal a car in Polk County.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the duo was also wanted for a homicide they committed in Orange County.
PCSO deputies arrested Jayvon Joachin, 16, of 5205 Macadamia Court, and 17-year-old Deshawn Miller of 7421 Penrill Court, both from Orlando.
These two career criminals were wanted for a shooting that took place on December 7, 2016.
Investigators said that 27-year-old Kendra La Sheka Lewis was sitting in her car at a Citgo gas station on Pine Hills Road , Orange County, when one of the teens walked up and shot her in the face. Lewis’ 5-year-old daughter was sitting in the back seat and witnessed her mother being shot.
Wednesday evening, Lewis was removed from life support and died from her injuries.
At approximately 12:50 p.m., Saturday, December 10, 2016, a Polk County resident went into a convenience store, located at 2600 Havendale Boulevard, and left his 2013 Dodge Charge “running”.
The man told deputies that “two black kids just walked out of the store” and stole his car.
Through surveillance footage, investigators were able to identify the two kids as Joachin and Miller.
According to reports, Joachin and Miller arrived at the convenience store in a maroon four-door Nissan Murano, which they had recently stolen from a Winter Haven apartment complex.
As the investigation continued, investigators learned of the Orange County Homicide. At that time, additional PCSO units, which included air support and K-9, responded to assist in the search.
Same day
Shortly after 6 p.m., investigators spotted Joachin and Miller traveling west on I-4. Immediately, the decision was made to deploy stop sticks in the area of Highway 557. At approximately 6:21 p.m., Joachin, who was driving the stolen car, hit the sticks and crashed the Charger in a ditch.
With weapons drawn, deputies moved in and arrested the two juveniles.
Joachin, was found to be in possession of three Swiss-Tech window punches. This is a common tool used to shatter windows during vehicle thefts and burglaries.
When Miller was arrested, deputies found a handgun on the passenger side of the vehicle where [he] was seated. A computer search revealed that the gun had been reported stolen from Tampa Arms Company Gun Shop following a November 29, 2016, burglary.
Joachin and Miller were taken to The Heart of Florida Hospital, treated, and released.
They are being held at the Polk County Juvenile Assessment Center.
According to investigators, Joachin confessed to killing Lewis and stealing the vehicles.
Joachin was charged with Homicide, Fleeing to Elude, Possession of Burglary Tools, Driving without a Valid Driver’s License, Armed Burglary of a Conveyance, and Grand Theft Auto.
Miller was charged with Homicide, Grand Theft of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Possession of Ammunition by a Felon, Armed Burglary of a Conveyance, and Grand Theft Auto. He also had warrants for Dealing is Stolen Property, Grand Theft, and Grand Theft Auto.
The two also have a lengthy criminal record.
Miller (17 years old):
20 felony charges
11 misdemeanor charges
Arrests beginning in 2013:
Battery DV
Burglary (multiple)
Grand Theft (multiple)
Vehicle Theft (multiple)
Criminal Mischief (multiple)
Obstructing Justice
Robbery w/ Firearm
Resisting w/out Violence (multiple)
Disorderly Conduct
Trespass in Conveyance
Violation of Probation (multiple)
Jayvon Joachin (16 years old):
7 felony charges
2 misdemeanor charges
Arrests beginning in 2014 for:
Failure to Appear
Criminal Mischief
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
Carrying Concealed Firearm
Armed Burglary
Family members of the two teens posted on Facebook that [they] are good kids who are just misunderstood. In those same comments, someone wrote “free my cuz.”
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said, “These kinds of people are dangerous and they must be kept behind bars.”
According to reports, Neither Joachin or Miller have displayed any remorse for their crimes.
The 5-year-old was not injured during the shooting. She is in good health and has been placed with a family member.
Marion County – A rumor making its rounds Wednesday had many parents concerned for the health of their children.
The panic was due to an article that was shared on Facebook from the website of a local doctor. The article stated that there was a norovirus outbreak in Marion County.
However, parents did not realize that the article, published without a date, was actually from 2013.
To be sure, Ocala Post reached out to health officials for answers.
Florida Department of Health public Information Officer, Craig Ackerman, said, “We have had zero reports of any norovirus outbreaks in Marion County. If there were numerous outbreaks in a specific area, doctors would be required to report it.” He added, “However, we are at the peak of the FLU season, which could also produce gastrointestinal issues.”
Ackerman said it is not too late for citizens to get a FLU shot.
“This is the time of year when people travel, visit with family, hug and kiss…germs are definitely spread a lot faster this time of year,” Ackerman said.
He said many people make the mistake of solely relying on hand sanitizer instead of washing their hands.
Ackerman said, “Most hand sanitizers contain alcohol, which does kill germs. But, it doesn’t kill all germs 100 percent of the time. There is no substitute for washing your hands with a good antibacterial soap and warm water. I recommend washing the germs down the drain, and not covering them up with hand sanitizer.”
Norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach, intestines, or both. This is called acute gastroenteritis.
The most common symptoms—
diarrhea
throwing up
nausea
stomach pain
Other symptoms—
fever
headache
body aches
A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days.
If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill and throw up or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses.
Symptoms of dehydration—
decrease in urination
dry mouth and throat
feeling dizzy when standing up
Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.
Sources: CDC, Florida Department of Health in Marion County
Florida – The recreational harvest season for snook closes December 15 in Atlantic state and federal waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River.
The season will remain closed through January 31, 2017, and reopen for harvest on February 1, 2017.
Anglers may continue to catch and release snook during the closed season.
Gulf state and federal waters, including Monroe County and Everglades National Park, closed on December 1 and will reopen for harvest March 1, 2017.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said this and other regular season closures are designed to help protect the species during vulnerable times, such as cold weather.
Antonio Morales-Perez [First domestic violence arrest]Antonio Morales-Perez [Second domestic violence arrest]Ocala, Florida — A Good Samaritan saved a woman from being strangled to death after she refused to have sex with her ex-boyfriend.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office was notified after a victim was brought into a local emergency room with injuries consistent with domestic abuse.
The victim told the responding deputy that her ex-boyfriend, Antonio Morales-Perez, 24, had an injunction filed against him after he had beaten her in November.
According to reports, the victim had terminated the relationship with Morales-Perez, and they were no longer living together.
The victim stated that on December 3, Morales-Perez demanded that she have sex with him.
When the victim refused, the two began to argue.
According to reports, Morales-Perez became enraged at the victim’s refusal, and with an open hand, slapped her across the face.
The victim told the deputy that [he] continued to slap her as she was screaming.
The victim then ran out of the back door of the residence, but Morales-Perez followed her.
The deputy said the victim tried to run; however, Morales-Perez grabbed her, balled up his fist, and punched her multiple times on the nose and face. He then grabbed the victim’s throat with both hands and choked her to the point where she could not breathe.
That’s when a woman heard screams, ran out of a house, and pulled Morales-Perez off of the victim.
The witness told the deputy that Morales-Perez had the victim in a “choke-hold” when she fought to pull him off of the victim.
The witness then drove the victim to a local hospital.
After interviewing the victim and witness, Morales-Perez was located and arrested.
Morales-Perez does not speak English and was provided with an interpreter prior to being questioned. When asked what had taken place between he and the victim, Morales-Perez refused to answer any questions. He told a Marion County Jail nurse that he did not remember.
Morales-Perez was arrested and charged with Domestic Battery by Strangulation and Violation of a Domestic Violence Injunction.
Morales-Perez is no stranger to law enforcement. OPD, MCSO, and state officials reported that Morales-Perez is an illegal immigrant from Mexico. He entered the United States as a felon with ties to the drug trade and has been in trouble multiple times since his entry.
Morales-Perez was arrested on December 3. According to officials, on December 6, while at the jail, he was re-arrested and charged with Cocaine Sales (x2), Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell (x2), and Trafficking in Cocaine.
Information about the circumstances surrounding these charges has not yet been released.
The charges are in addition to the felony domestic battery charges.
Morales-Perez is now being held at the Marion County Jail on no bond. His next court dates are scheduled for December 14, December 27, and January 3, 2017.
MCSO filed a SHIELD (Surviving Harmful Interactions through Electronic Location Devices) Victim Contact/Exclusion Zone Form on behalf of the victim.
On the form it reads: “This program allows low risk, court ordered, pre-trial defendants to be mapped and tracked with a GPS ankle monitor.”
###
[If] a judge were to consider Morales-Perez a low risk and order him into the program, he would be released from jail after having already violated the conditions of an injunction order issued on November 8.
According to investigators, the victim suffered “heavy bruising to her nose and areas of her face,” “multiple lacerations on her face,” and “multiple scratches and heavy bruising around her neck.”
Her injuries were photographed and placed into evidence.
(Victim beaten, nearly strangled to death for refusing sex, witness saved her) Suspect was in the U.S illegally….
Eureka — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office made an arrest in an alleged November 21 armed robbery with shots fired.
Timeline of events
On November 21, deputies responded to the Eureka West Boat Ramp, located at 15399 Northeast 152nd place, after a man, later identified as Bryan Scott Taylor, 26, reported that he had been robbed and shot at.
During the investigation, deputies were told that Taylor had met up with Thomas James Thorne, 25, at the boat ramp to buy marijuana.
Instead of receiving marijuana, Taylor told deputies that Thorne snatched $125 from his hand and ran off.
According to reports, Taylor followed Thorne and watched him get into the passenger side of a car. Taylor told the deputies that Thorne then pointed a gun at him and fired one shot.
Deputies reported that Taylor was also able to identify the driver of the vehicle.
On December 1, a deputy made contact with the driver.
The driver told the deputy that Taylor and Thorne had met for a drug deal. The driver stated that the two had an altercation, but denied that Thorne had snatched any money or fired a gun.
On December 2, Deputy R. Johnson arrested Thorne during a traffic stop.
Thorne told investigators that he and Tayor had met up, but said Taylor’s version of the story was not exactly what had happened.
According to the arrest affidavit, Thorne sold Taylor narcotics, or what was supposed to be narcotics, in exchange for $15.
Thorne told investigators that he had actually taken a rock from the ground and placed it in a plastic baggie in an attempt to pass it off as a narcotic. He said Taylor became angry when he realized the supposed narcotics were not the kind of “rock” he was looking for.
Thorne said Taylor then tried to reach into [his] pocket to take the money back.
Thorne stated that he did not have a gun and did not snatch $125 from Taylor. Thorne told investigators that Taylor gave him $15 voluntarily.
Thorne was charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Robbery by Sudden Snatching, and Violation of Probation for various felony convictions in Hillsborough County.
Both Taylor and Thorne have previously been convicted of multiple felonies.
Investigators never recovered a weapon. Witnesses at the scene stated that they did not see Thorne with a gun, but thought they “heard a loud sound that could have been a gunshot.” However, witnesses did report that they saw Thorne snatch money from Taylor.
Ocala, Florida — A man got more than he bargained for when he decided it was time to end his relationship with his girlfriend of three and a half years.
Ocala police say the man broke off his relationship with the woman near the end of November.
On December 3, the man returned home from work to find that his ex-girlfriend, later identified as Melissa N. Ostrander, 22, had made entry to his home and was waiting for him.
According to reports, Ostrander’s sole intention was to argue with the man about him leaving her.
The man told police that he did not want to argue or discuss the relationship with Ostrander. Instead, the man left his residence and drove to his sister’s house.
While visiting with his family at his sister’s house, he heard a car pull up in the driveway.
Seconds later, Ostrander barged into the house and began to yell at the man about their break-up.
Ostrander then grabbed the man by his shirt and attemted to pull him to the floor. That’s when the man’s sister grabbed Ostrander by her throat, and shoved her outside.
The family said it appeared that Ostrander was going to leave, but she ran toward the house and tried to regain entry.
An unidentified person then pushed Ostrander, which kept her from entering the home.
Ostrander then went back to her vehicle.
Thinking Ostrander was leaving, the man exited the residence and began talking with someone at the rear of his vehicle.
That’s when Ostrander positioned her vehicle in their direction, revved up her engine, and accelerated toward them.
The man, along with the person he was talking with, were able to jump out of the way before Ostrander slammed into the man’s car.
The impact caused the man’s car to propel forward and hit the residence.
Ostrander then “threw” her vehicle into reverse, accelerated, and struck another car that had arrived at the residence. She then fled the scene.
Police said that there was a juvenile sitting in the passenger seat of that vehicle, but he was not injured.
Police made contact with Ostrander at her residence a short time later.
Ostrander told police that she argued with her ex-boyfriend because they “have to raise a child together,” and got upset that he had broken off the relationship.
According to reports, when Ostrander’s ex-boyfriend left his residence to go to his sister’s house, she left too.
Ostrander told police that she had intended to “go get gas”, but the more she thought about the break-up, the more angry she became. She said she then made the decision to drive to [his] sister’s house to confront him.
Ostrander was arrested and charged with Burglary with Domestic Battery, Domestic Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault, and Felony Criminal Mischief.
She was released on a $11,000 bond. Her next court date is slated for January 3, 2017.
On April 29, 2014, Ostrander was arrested for Domestic Battery. Five months later, she was arrested a second time and charged with Domestic Battery and two counts of Domestic Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Ocala, Florida — The annual Ocala Christmas Parade will take place on December 10, 2016.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
This year the theme is a ‘Star-Spangled Christmas’.
VIP bleacher seating may still be available. Tickets are available for $10, and must be presented at the parade.
The tickets can be purchased on-line. Just fill in your information, and your tickets will be e-mailed to you for your convenience. All you have to do is print them out and present them on the day of the parade.
Ocala, Florida — A woman will spend the next four years of her life in prison for her involvement in a July attempted armed robbery of a fireworks tent .
On July 4, Quinnesha Roberts, 20, and Anquan Rashard Everett, 14, attempted to rob the fireworks stand in the 7100 block of Maricamp Road.
During the armed robbery, Everett shot the security guard in the shoulder. Both of the suspects fled, but returned moments later to “finish the job” and shot the guard again — this time in the left leg.
Deputies were able to locate the suspects the same night.
During the investigation, deputies learned that the gun Everett used had been stolen from Roberts’ grandmother.
Everett’s mother, who is also a felon, told her son not to cooperate with investigators. Roberts also refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Both suspects were arrested and charged with one count each of Attempted Felony Murder and Attempted Robbery with a Firearm.
Anquan Everett, 14
Everett was also arrested in April for Felony Possession of a Firearm.
On November 29, Roberts plead guilty to one count of Attempted Felony Murder with a Firearm and one count of Attempted Armed Robbery.
Judge Jonathan Daniel Ohlman sentenced Roberts to four years in prison on each count. She will serve that sentence concurrently, not consecutively. Therefore, she will only serve four years in prison instead of eight.
Once Roberts is released, she will be placed on felony probation for two years. During that time, she will also be required to wear an ankle monitor and complete 120 hours of community service.
She is being held at the Marion County Jail while waiting to be released into the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, Everett has a status hearing slated for January 5, 2017.
Marion Oaks — A pregnant woman had to seek medical treatment after she was battered by her boyfriend.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the victim was resting when her boyfriend, Isaac Velazquez-Aponte, 27, returned home. The victim stated that Velazquez-Aponte entered the bedroom and wanted to have sex.
According to the victim’s statement, she told her boyfriend that she was not in the mood and she wanted to be left alone.
Velazquez-Aponte then became angry and started arguing with the victim, at which point the victim yelled and told him to leave the room. The victim then got up out of bed and slammed the bedroom door.
Velazquez-Aponte then opened the door and stated, “There will be no slamming of doors in [my] home.”
The victim told a deputy that her boyfriend then grabbed her by her arms from behind and dragged her to the front door of the residence.
According to reports, Velazquez-Aponte then released the victim and she fell to the floor.
The victim then left the residence and went to her mother’s house.
The deputy located Velazquez-Aponte at Palm Chevrolet on Southwest College Road where he worked.
Velazquez-Aponte admitted that he had argued with his girlfriend and grabbed her, but denied that he dragged her through the house.
Velazquez-Aponte was arrested and charged with Aggravated Battery on a Pregnant Woman. He was released on a $2,500 bond.
The dog was located and is currently being treated at UF Pet Emergency Treatment Services in Ocala.
Ocala Post spoke with UF, however, citing confidentiality laws they refused to provide any information about the dog’s condition.
UPDATE – Nov. 30, 2:45 p.m.
On Wednesday, the Humane Society of Marion County said that the dog, whose name is Yoshi, is in stable condition.
OPD officials said that Officer Brendan Ferguson plans to adopt Yoshi. Ferguson is also the same officer who found the dog.
Original story
Ocala, Florida — The search is on for an injured dog after a man threw it in front of several moving vehicles Tuesday evening.
Fran Ann says she was near the Wal-Mart on Easy Street when she made a left-hand turn onto the road that runs between Grand Reserve and Wal-Mart.
She said when she made the turn, a man stepped out of the darkness and threw a dog in front of her car. She said it was apparent that the man was trying to kill the dog.
Ann said, “I know I hit the dog, but it was still alive.”
She said she turned her vehicle around and returned to the scene, but the man had already retrieved the dog from the street.
“He kept trying to throw the dog in front of other oncoming cars,” Ann said. She went on to say, “This has to be one of the worst things I’ve ever experienced.”
A short time later, Ocala police arrived and arrested Michael Britton, 55.
Britton was uncooperative and fought with police officers as they attempted to arrest him.
Britton was charged with Aggravated Animal Cruelty, Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, and Resisting Arrest.
Britton has previous arrests for Battery (x2), Violation of Probation (x2), and Domestic Battery.
The dog was hit by at least one other vehicle, but was able to wander from the scene.
The dog is described as a gray and white collie-type dog with long fur. The dog weighs approximately 30 pounds. It also had a blue leash attached to its collar.
It was last seen in the 2800 block of Southwest 24th Avenue.
If you see this dog, please call the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP. Tipsters can also visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Ocala, Florida — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1300 block of Northwest 35th Street Sunday in reference to an alleged battery that had occurred two days prior.
Upon arrival, a woman told the deputy that she and a man, later identified as Christopher Shuhart, 32, had been involved in an altercation. She said Shuhart was angry because she was “seeing someone else.”
The woman stated that while the two of them were arguing, Shuhart told her he would kill the other guy. She said he grabbed a knife immediately after making the statement.
According to reports, the woman then pushed Shuhart and cut herself on the knife he was holding. She told the deputy she pushed him because she was scared.
The deputy asked the woman why she waited two days to report the incident; to which she replied, “I was not thinking.”
The deputy said he then left the residence and made contact with Shuhart.
According to the arrest affidavit, Shuhart told the deputy that he had returned home to find the woman in bed with another man.
Shuhart said he did not know that the woman had been cut with a knife. He told the deputy that if [she] had been cut with a knife, it was not intentional.
MCSO did not disclose the relationship of Shuhart to the woman.
Due to the woman’s statement and an injury to her hand, Shuhart was arrested and charged with Aggravated Battery. He was released on a $500 bond.
[Last updated on November 29, 2016, at 6 p.m., to include a statement from the Marion County Public Schools system.]
Ocala, Florida — An Osceola Middle School student said she was targeted Monday by two men as she waited for her mother to pick her up after school.
Ocala police said the girl was sitting at the northwest corner of 520 Southeast Sanchez Avenue waiting for her mother.
The girl said that she waits for her mother at the location every day and that, there are usually other students with her. However, she was alone on Monday.
According to reports, at approximately 2:15 p.m., a silver four-door car was driving south on Southeast Sanchez and stopped at the stop sign.
Police said the driver, a white male with blonde hair and a short beard, who was also wearing square-rimmed reading glasses, began to stare at the student.
The girl told police that the man asked her if she was bored; to which she replied, “No”.
The man then asked her if she needed a ride.
The girl replied, “No, I am waiting for my mom.”
The girl told police that after she told him “no” the second time, he just kept staring at her.
The report states that the girl told the man, “You can leave now.”
The man then replied, “Get in the Car.”
The girl then got up and began to walk southbound on the western sidewalk of Southwest Sanchez Avenue.
She then stated to the driver, “I am calling my mom.”
The man then turned east on Southeast 6th Street and circled back around.
According to reports, the man pulled up behind the girl and began to follow her while talking on his cell phone.
When the girl reached Southeast 8th Street on Sanchez Avenue, she saw a blue four-door vehicle traveling eastbound on Southwest 8th Street.
She said the second vehicle abruptly pulled in front of her and cut her off.
The girl told police that the driver, a white male, was also on his cell phone.
Moments later, the man in the silver car exited his vehicle and began chasing the girl as she ran away. She said the man in the blue car stayed in his vehicle.
According to police, the girl ran westbound on Southeast 8th Street towards Eighth Street Elementary.
The girl said that when she arrived at the school, the man disappeared.
She told police that she then walked back to Osceola Middle School, where she called her mother.
Police canvassed the area, but did not locate any suspects. Police also questioned residents to see if anyone had witnessed the incident, but were met with negative results.
Police said the silver vehicle might have a pink license plate border around the tag.
Marion County Public Schools Public Information Officer, Kevin Christian, stated the following in an e-mail to Ocala Post:
Ocala Police are aware of the incident which happened a few blocks away from the Osceola Middle School campus.
Principal Suzette Parker sent a Skylert (automated) phone, email & text message to all parents giving them a heads up and encouraging them to talk with their children.
We obviously want parents to be cautious of this incident and hope they will urge their kids not to interact at all with strangers. The safest place for students to wait after school is on campus where supervision is provided. Parents can use the well-established car line to remain in a safe position to pick up their kids.
The following is the e-mail that was sent from the school to parents:
Article continued below
Following the incident, many parents expressed their concern with how the situation was explained to them.
Ashley Boutwell wrote, “Why is this story changing so much from what the school reported to the parents yesterday?? I think we are entitled to know the details up front.”
OPD told Ocala Post that they have increased surveillance in the area where the incident occurred.
The investigation is ongoing.
If you have any information, please call the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP. Tipsters can also visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Ocala, Florida — Ocala Police Department detectives are searching for two suspects who robbed a GameStop employee at gunpoint.
On Sunday, Ocala police responded to the GameStop, located at 4920 East Silver Springs Boulevard, after an employee reported that he had been robbed.
The employee had just closed the store for the night when he was approached by two individuals — one male and one female — in the parking lot.
The employee told police that he had just entered his vehicle when a car with the two occupants pulled up.
According to reports, the female suspect exited the car and approached the driver’s side window of the victim’s car. She then pulled out a handgun and ordered the victim to exit his vehicle.
Once outside the vehicle, the suspect forced the man to empty his pockets.
The female the grabbed the man’s wallet, returned to her vehicle, and the two suspects drove off.
The male suspect was described as a heavyset Hispanic, approximately 5 foot 9 inches tall and weighed approximately 215 pounds. He is possibly in his early to mid 20’s. He has short black hair and was wearing a blue shirt.
The female was described as white, heavyset, in her late 40’s, and had shoulder length blonde hair. She was wearing a black and white checkered flannel hooded jacket.
Ocala police would not release a description of the vehicle at this time.
If you have any information, please call the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP. Tipsters can also visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
A Port Orange man faces two counts of attempted murder after he stabbed his parents on Thanksgiving day.
The incident occurred in the 2300 block of Costa Del Sol Drive.
Volusia County deputies say 34-year-old Edwin N. Daugherty became “irate” after his mother, Patsy Daugherty, told him to be quiet.
According to reports, when Patsy “shushed” Edwin, he began arguing with his mother and, the argument became physical when Edwin walked over to his mother and placed her in a headlock.
Then, when his father, Thomas J. Daugherty, came to her rescue, Edwin placed Thomas in a headlock.
During the scuffle, Edwin pushed his father to the ground, grabbed a steak knife with a 4-inch blade, jumped on top of Thomas, and stabbed him multiple times in the chest.
When Edwin’s mother tried to help her husband, Edwin stabbed her three times.
Edwin the fled the scene.
The mother and father were rushed to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach.
Thomas is listed in serious-to-critical condition, while Pasty is listed in serious condition.
Witnesses who were sitting at the dinner table told deputies they saw Edwin stab his parents before leaving the residence.
Deputies found Edwin walking down the street from his parents’ house.
Deputies also recovered the knife from some bushes about a block away from the house.
According to reports, Edwin told deputies that he was “trying to stab his father in the heart.”
Edwin was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail. He is being held without bond.
Dexavion J’Neil Brown [left] and Levon BuckhanonOcala, Post — Two teens were arrested Tuesday after they lead Ocala police on a short high-speed chase.
Ocala police detectives received an anonymous tip that a silver Chevy Avalanche, which had been reported stolen, was seen traveling in the vicinity of Northwest 10th Street and Northwest 7th Avenue.
Upon seeing the vehicle, an OPD K-9 officer, who was driving an unmarked car equipped with lights and sirens, pulled behind the Avalanche and attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the 400 block of Northwest 9th Avenue.
The vehicle then fled at a high rate of speed.
The chase lasted for approximately two miles before the driver, later identified at Dexavion J’Neil Brown, 16, and the passenger, Levon Buckhanon, 18, jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot.
While officers who responded to the area chased Brown, the K-9 officer pursued Buckhanon.
Buckhannon ran toward the 2000 block of Southwest 8th Place and cut through the back yard of the residence.
The officer yelled for Buckhannon to stop or [he] would release the K-9.
As Buckhannon continued to run, he crashed into a fence and fell to the ground. He then yelled out “I give up, don’t let the dog go.”
The K-9 officer then drew his taser and moved in.
During Buckhanon’s arrest, the officer discovered that the suspect was armed with a Ruger LCP. Buckhannon also had a fanny-pack that contained more than 28 grams of marijuana, credit cards, a small scale, and other property.
While the K-9 officer detained Buckhannon, the other Ocala police officers apprehended Brown.
The 16-year-old confessed to stealing the Avalanche from a Food Mart on November 19. Additionally, he confessed to two armed robberies.
Armed robbery of the Kwik King located at 3685 Southwest 20th Street on November 21.
Armed Robbery of the Boost Mobile located at 2076 West State Road 40 on November 21
In both robberies, Brown had an armed accomplice.
It is not yet know if Buckhanon participated in any of the robberies.
Brown was charged with Grand Theft Auto, Robbery with a Firearm, Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement, and Resisting Arrest.
He was also arrested on September 16, 2016, and charged with Home Invasion Robbery with a Firearm.
Buckhanon was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of A Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, and Resisting Arrest.
The investigation is ongoing.
If you have any information, please call the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP. Tipsters can also visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
A woman and her 14-year-old nephew are in stable condition after their car crashed into a home Tuesday morning.
The driver, Janice Porter, was traveling east on Southeast 108th Street when she had a seizure and lost control of her 2014 Ford Fusion.
Marion County Fire Rescue said both occupants were transported to Munroe Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.
According to Belleview police, the vehicle ran off the roadway and slammed into a telephone pole that snapped in half. The vehicle then went approximately seven feet into the air, struck a tree, and a basketball hoop. The vehicle rolled over and came to its final resting place up against the front door and windows of a residence.
Porter will not face any charges.
The home was occupied, but no injuries were reported.
![Kendra La Sheka Lewis [deceased]](https://www.ocalapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Kendra-La-Sheka-Lewis-300x170.jpg)
Norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach, intestines, or both. This is called acute gastroenteritis.
