A Volusia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 was fatally shot Tuesday evening while chasing down an armed suspect who had fled and fired at deputies in Deltona.
K-9 Forrest was rushed to DeLand Animal Hospital following the shooting. He passed away shortly after arrival.
According to a press release, Forrest was shot at about 7:16 p.m. near Vann Park after the suspect opened fire on deputies who were searching for him in a wooded area.
Deputies responded to Wing Terrance after receiving a Crime Stoppers tip about a wanted fugitive.
While they were at the location, a man rode by on a dirt bike in a reckless manner.
According to reports, when a deputy tried to stop him, the suspect fled.
Deputies did not pursue the suspect at that time.
A short time later, the man brazenly drove by recklessly again. The dirt bike was later found abandoned nearby.
When deputies made contact with the individuals inside the house where the fugitive was believed to be staying, deputies heard someone jumping over fences.
Deputies set up a perimeter, and the Sheriff’s Office Air One helicopter spotted the suspect in a nearby wooded area.
K-9 Forrest had started tracking the suspect when he opened fire and shot the dog.
Deputies then returned fire.
As of 10:54 p.m., the suspect was still surrounded by law enforcement in the area of Vann Park.
Additional updates will be provided as they become available.
[Last updated at 10:26 p.m. on November 21, 2016. Incident occurred at approximately 9:45 p.m., not 8:45 p.m. as originally reported.]
Marion Oaks — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a suspicious incident in Marion Oaks.
At approximately 9:45 p.m., Monday, a black female wearing black pants and black hoodie approached a home and rang the doorbell.
When the homeowners approached the door, the female had the hoodie pulled up over her head and was faced away from the door so that the homeowners could not see her face.
When the homeowners answered the door with their handguns; the woman hesitated for a moment and then stated that her child was sick. She stated that she needed money to get him to the hospital.
The male homeowner then told the woman that he did not carry cash.
The homeowners said the woman then walked to the edge of their yard, grabbed her bicycle, and rode off.
The homeowner stated that he did not know the woman’s intent, but with the recent robberies and home invasions that have taken place, he felt the incident should be reported.
The incident occurred in the 14600 block of Southwest 35th Terrace Road.
Ocala, Florida — An alleged shooting led to the arrest of a sexual predator who is infected with HIV.
Officers with the Ocala Police Department were conducting an investigation near the 2800 block of West Silver Springs Boulevard after a caller reported a shooting.
While investigating, officers learned of a sexual battery allegation against a teenage girl.
According to reports, Jose A. Garcia, 30, had offered to give the teen a ride home after a group of friends had been hanging out together.
The group was supposed to be traveling in the same direction, but at some point, Garcia took a detour down a gravel road and parked his car.
Once parked, the victim stated that Garcia reached over, put his hand up her dress, and told her to “suck his d*ck.”
The victim stated that she screamed for him to stop, at which point Garcia told her to get out of the car.
The victim said that she told Garcia it was too cold, so she got into the backseat and told Garcia to drive her home.
Instead, police say Garcia got into the back seat and forced himself onto the victim while she was screaming “no”.
According to the arrest affidavit, Garcia then dropped the girl off to her friends. Once he drove off, the teen started crying and told everyone what had happened.
Police say that is when the group got a gun and began the manhunt. During the search, someone fired several rounds into the air. That is when police received the 911 call.
Police located Garcia, however he refused to cooperate and requested an attorney.
During the investigation, a family member advised police that Garcia had tested positive for HIV.
It was later confirmed that Garcia is HIV positive and that, he knew he was HIV positive at the time he sexually assaulted the teen.
Garcia was arrested and charged with two felonies — Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor and Unlawful Sexual Activity while Infected with HIV.
He is being held on a $10,000 bond.
Garcia has previous arrests for Aggravated Assault, Battery, Resisting Arrest, Criminal Mischief with Property Damage (x2), and Obstructing Justice.
His next court appearance is slated for December 20.
Marion Oaks — The Florida Highway Patrol made an arrest after an April 14 crash left a teenage girl dead.
The accident happened on Marion Oaks Boulevard near Southwest 145th Place Road.
On November 19, following a seven-month long investigation, Ethan Ruiz, 19, was arrested and charged with Vehicular Homicide.
During the initial investigation, evidence suggested that two vehicles, which were allegedly street racing, were traveling south on Marion Oaks Boulevard when Ruiz lost control of his blue Honda, veered off the road, and slammed into a concrete light pole. The impact snapped the pole in half, and nearly split the car into two pieces.
The concrete pole ripped through the passenger side of the vehicle and made contact with the female passenger, Charisma Francisco, 17. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Marion County Fire Rescue crews had to extricate both occupants from the vehicle.
Ruiz, was airlifted to Ocala Regional Medical Center. He had been listed as critical, but recovered from his injuries.
FHP Public Affairs Officer Lieutenant Patrick V. Riordan said, “The estimated speed by several witnesses was 75-80 mph; the FHP Investigator calculated the speed at 91 [mph]. And again, according to witness testimonies, there were at least two vehicles engaged in a speed or acceleration competition, just prior to the collision.”
The second vehicle fled the scene.
Francisco was in her junior year at West Port High School.
Marion County – At 12 a.m., Nov. 19, the Florida Highway Patrol announced that State Road 40 is closed at County Road 314A and State Road 19, due to a wildfire.
The fire is in the Mill Dam area of the Ocala National Forest (Southeast 180th Avenue).
According to FHP, traffic traveling east on State Road 40 will be detoured north onto CR314A to CR314 to State Road 19, and then south on SR19 to State Road 40.
Traffic traveling west on SR40 will be detoured north on State Road 19 to CR314 then
south to either CR314A or CR314 to State Road 40.
Motorists are advised to drive with their headlights on low beam and drive with extreme caution.
Smoke and fog conditions related to the wildfire may extend north and south of SR40 on secondary roadways.
FHP said these conditions have reduced
visibility to zero in areas in the vicinity of the wildfire, and to less than 500 feet in other areas.
Drivers should exercise caution while traveling on secondary roads in the area of the wildfire.
Ocala, Florida — A Building Blocks daycare teacher was arrested after an investigation revealed she had been physically abusing a juvenile who was living with her.
Ocala Police Department investigators received a call about a juvenile female who had been battered.
Upon arrival, police realized that the victim only spoke Spanish and requested an interpreter.
The victim told investigators that she was raised by her grandparents in Puerto Rico, and had only been living with the suspect, Denisse M. Garcia, 36, for approximately eight months.
The victim said that on November 10 [she] was “highly upset” and had expressed that she wanted to go back to Puerto Rico. She said that’s when Rondell McClinton, whose relationship to the juvenile was not disclosed, grabbed her by the shirt and escorted her outside. She said he then slammed the door and locked her out.
Approximately 15 minutes later, the victim was allowed to reenter the house, but was told to stand in a corner with her arms above her head.
According to the arrest affidavit, approximately 40 minutes after the juvenile was told to stand in the corner, Garcia arrived home.
The report states that Garcia walked into the house, sat down on the couch, and then instructed the victim to sit in front of her on the floor.
The victim told police that as soon as she sat down, without warning, Garcia punched her in the mouth.
During the course of the interview with the juvenile, investigators learned that she had sustained multiple injuries over the course of an eight month period.
Investigators reported that the victim had multiple bite marks about her body — all in various stages of the healing process.
In September, the juvenile had been bitten so hard that she missed an entire month of school while waiting for the injuries to heal.
To make matters worse, investigators said Garcia tried to conceal the juveniles bite marks by scalding the injured area with boiling hot water.
During questioning, Garcia denied abusing the juvenile.
Garcia was arrested and charged with Aggravated Child Abuse. She was released on a $5,000 bond.
Ocala Post reached out to Building Blocks daycare, but was unsuccessful.
Garcia’s relationship to the juvenile was not disclosed.
Ocala, Florida — Ocala police arrested a woman they say made threats to her boyfriend and children not related to her.
While police were enroute to 2008 Southwest 2nd Street in response disturbance call, they found a woman, later identified as Maria Baker, 28, standing in the middle of the road screaming obscenities to other females who were standing in front of a residence located at 2067 Southwest 2nd Street.
According to the arrest affidavit, there were multiple articles of clothing and paperwork scattered across the street and a neighbors front yard.
When the officer approached the woman, and before he could say anything, Baker stated, “Yeah, this is my sh*t. I threw it, what does it matter?”
When the officer told Baker that she would have to pick up her belongings from the street, baker replied, “No, I am not going to pick it up. Arrest me, you f*cking cracker.”
According to reports, while Baker continued to yell profanities, the officer questioned witnesses at the residence.
A man told the officer that Baker was pregnant with his brother’s child. Baker had been homeless and the brother had gotten her pregnant, therefore the family had been letting Baker live with them.
The man stated that Baker and his brother had been arguing and she was angry with him. He said she was walking around the house kicking doors and calling his brother a ni**er.
The man then told Baker that she should leave.
The man said Baker then pulled out a gun, pointed it at him, and stated, “This is not over.”
With that, the officer walked over to Baker and began to read Miranda Rights to her.
As he was doing so, Baker screamed, “F*ck you, you f*cking ni**ers. All of you are ni**ers, you black pieces of sh*t.”
As Baker continued to scream, the officer quickly handcuffed her and placed her in the back of his patrol car.
While finishing the investigation, the officer also learned that Baker had threatened the lives of children who lived at the residence.
The officer searched the area for the handgun, but could not locate it.
According to reports, while Baker was being transported to the Marion County Jail she told the officer that if he would agree to arrest her boyfriend, she would tell the officer where she hid the gun.
The officer then told Baker she was going to be charged with Aggravated Assault either way.
Baker asked, “Why?” She then stated, “It didn’t even have bullets in it.”
Baker was charged with Aggravated Assault, Disorderly Conduct, and Littering.
Silver Springs Shores — Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives say one man was shot to death and another one was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
Deputies were dispatched to 309 Oak Track Radial after someone called 911 and reported shots fired.
At approximately 6:18 p.m., a deputy arrived on scene and found that a man, later identified as Marcus Lee Rodriguez, 37, had been shot to death. A second gunshot victim, also a male, was also located on the scene. He was transported to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition.
According to the sheriff’s office, gunfire was exchanged between Rodriguez, who was inside the house, and a man who was walking back to a vehicle that was parked outside. Officials said that the driver of that car sped off after he fired shots at Rodriguez.
Detectives are still sorting through the details.
A description of the vehicle has not yet been provided.
The investigation is in the early stages and more information will be released as it comes in.
Anyone with information can call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Ocala, Florida — Hundreds of shoppers came out Thursday to welcome the opening of the new ALDI store on State Road 200.
Customers from neighboring communities were so eager to see “their” new store that they began to line up for the grand opening event at 6 a.m. By 8 a.m., the crowd of shoppers was enormous and every parking space had been filled.
ALDI Operations Director Jamie McFadden said, “It is a great turnout. And because the crowd was so big, we opened the doors approximately 45 minutes early. We didn’t want our customers to have to wait outside.”
Normal business hours for the store are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
As customers entered the store, they began commenting on how much they thought the store differed from other locations.
Most notably, is the size of the shopping aisles.
Flo, who lives in the nearby On Top of the World community, said, “I have been looking forward to the opening of this store. It’s about time. I hate taking that long drive into Ocala to shop at the other [location].”
When asked what she like about the new store, Flo said, “I immediately noticed that this store looks bigger and brighter. The aisles just look bigger.” She went on to say, “And of course, I love the prices. When you are on a fixed income, well, hey, every penny counts.” She continued, “Umm…and I don’t want to be negative, but the quality of produce, the cereals, and my favorite snack bars are much better here than Wal-Mart. And like I said, more affordable too.”
John S. said, “You cannot beat these prices. I buy a lot of cereal for my grand kids. At first, my grand kids said they did not want “generic” cereals. So, I played a little joke on them.”
“I bought a box of Cap’n Crunch from Publix and replaced the cereal with ALDI’s version of Cap’n Crunch. I waited until they finished their cereal…he chuckled…and two bowls later, they could not tell the difference. Same taste, if not better, for a heck of a lot cheaper.” He added, “I am not talking pennies, I am talking dollars.”
The inside of the store is noticeably different from surrounding ALDI stores, and there is a reason for that.
ALDI Construction Manager Butch Erwin said, “This location is a prototype as to what new stores will look like.”
Erwin told Ocala Post that the aisles are wider because they added approximately 1,500 square feet to the sales floor.
“In the next few years, the two other locations in Ocala will be remodeled,” said Erwin.
McFadden said the wider aisles will improve customer flow and allow room for new products to be introduced in the future.
“We are happy that the community is so excited about the new store,” said McFadden.
At 9:30 a.m., there was still a line at the entrance of the store.
[last updated on November 16, 2016, at 11:58 a.m.]
Citra, Florida – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Fire Rescue, and HAZMAT are onsite of a two-train derailment, in which more than 4,000 gallons of fuel spilled.
The crash happened at approximately 4:20 a.m. Wednesday, in the vicinity of Northeast 175th Street Road and Northeast 23rd Terrace, Citra.
One of the CSX trains was traveling north and the other was traveling south when they collided. The reason for the collision is not yet known.
MCFR said that at approximately 20 train cars and three engines were derailed in the accident.
According to CSX, two CSX employees suffered minor injuries and two others were not injured.
The CSX environmental team is surveying the damage and will determine the best plan of action for cleanup.
Along with the wreckage cleanup, environmental experts are concerned about the more than 4,000 gallons of spilled fuel.
Investigators still do not know why the trains collided.
Drivers should avoid Pine Church Road and 2500 Northeast 175th Street due to the road being blocked by a train car.
ALDI will open a new store, located at 7579 Southwest Highway 200 this week.
To celebrate the opening of the new Ocala store, ALDI will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, November 17.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony and tour the new store.
Guests will also be given a chance to win a year’s supply of ALDI produce.
“We are pleased to bring this store to Ocala to help customers get high-quality products at everyday low prices,” said Dave Rinaldo, Haines City division vice president for ALDI. He added, “We challenge shoppers to switch from national brands to our high-quality exclusive brands and stretch their dollars without compromising quality. As important as price is, the only way to attract and keep shoppers is to have quality products.”
Representatives said that ALDI saves shoppers money by keeping stores open during prime shopping times.
The newest location will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Over the next several years, ALDI plans to add an average of 130 new stores each year, expanding the ability to bring grocery savings to more people every day.
As of this year, ALDI has 1,600 stores in 34 states.
According to representatives, ALDI is known for high-quality grocery items at incredibly low prices.
Employment
ALDI offers employees generous wages and benefits that are higher than the national average for the retail industry. Part-time staff averaging 25 hours per week receive full health insurance benefits and dental coverage and all ALDI employees are invited to participate in the 401(k) program.
[Updated on November 16, 2016, at 10:06 a.m., to include a statement from PepsiCo.]
During the DealBook Conference in New York Thursday, November 10, PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, an India-born, naturalized American, was asked, “How did you feel on Wednesday morning?”
Nooyi then asked, “Do you have a box of tissues here?”
Nooyi said that she believes Hillary supporters should “mourn”.
She said many of her employees expressed fear following Trump’s election.
Nooyi said, “Our employees are all crying. And the question that they’re asking, especially those who are not white: ‘Are we safe?’ Women are asking: ‘Are we safe?’ LGBT people are asking: ‘Are we safe?’ I never thought I’d have had to answer those questions.”
Many consumers took her statements to mean that the company employees illegal immigrants.
“A lot of what should have been said during the elections, I don’t think were said,” said Nooyi.
President-Elect Donald Trump has spoken openly about changes he would make to the U.S involving issues such as Immigration, Healthcare Reform, and Trade & Veteran Affairs. However, Nooyi stated that Trump did not speak about these issues.
“Forget the Pepsi brand – how dare we talk about women that way? Why do we talk that way about a whole group of citizens.” She said that she did not think there was a place for the type of language that has sometimes been dismissed as “locker room talk,” Nooyi said in response to recent domestic violence cases within the NFL and issues on Trump’s campaign.
She went on to say, “Not in locker rooms, not in football players’ homes, not in any place.”
However, in February of 2012, Nicki Minaj signed a promotional deal with Pepsi, and a commercial was released with her hit single “Moment 4 Life”. In that same year, Nicki Minaj’s album Pink Friday:Roman Reloaded, was released.
The album included a song called “Sex In The Lounge,” where Minaj (Featuring Lil Wayne & Bobby V) talk about having sex in a lounge. Lyrics from the song include “Sit that p***y on my bottom lip, then after that you know we gotta’ switch”.
Following Nooyi’s statement, many said that it sounded like the PepsiCo company has contrasting principles.
Nooyi said she is an advid Hillary supporter, but wishes Trump success.
The CEO of GrubHub condemned its employees. GrubHub sent a letter to employees stating that if they were Trump supporters, they could find a job elsewhere.
Many have turned to social media in hopes consumers would boycott both GrubHub and PepsiCo products. People want to boycott PepsiCo over concerns that the company may have been employing illegal immigrants.
Consumers are targeting GrubHub due to the fact that employees were harassed based on their political beliefs.
PepsiCo brand trademarks include Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Quaker Oats, Tropicana, Naked Juice, Rockstar Energy drink and many more.
Ironically, in 1988, President-elect Donald Trump was the face for Diet Pepsi commercials.
According to records, in 2014, the Clinton Foundation received a donation from PepsiCo for more than $100,000.
Update
In the days following Nooyi’s interview, analysts said the hashtag #boycottPepsi quickly spread across social media. PepsiCo is now doing damage control.
The company released the following e-mail statement.
“Mrs. Nooyi misspoke. She was referring to the reaction of a group of employees she spoke to who were apprehensive about the outcome of the election. She never intended to imply that all employees feel the same way. We are incredibly proud of the diverse views and backgrounds across our workforce, and we are united in our desire for a brighter future,” a PepsiCo spokesperson wrote in an e-mail.
The spokesperson also said that Nooyi never implied that “Trump supporters should take their business elsewhere.”
After many, many residents expressed their concerns to the Marion County Board of County Commissioners about the moratorium on medical marijuana, commissioners reached out to try and clarify their actions.
Marion County commissioners say they do not want the public to panic over the 180-day moratorium (temporary prohibition) of medical marijuana dispensaries that fall under Amendment 2.
The Amendment, passed on November 8, 2016, allows medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not immunize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.
In a November 10 e-mail to Ocala Post , Marion County Public Information Officer, Elaine DeIorio McClain, wrote, “During a public hearing at the Nov. 1 BCC meeting, the commission discussed implementing a 180-day moratorium (temporary prohibition/ban) on new medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated Marion County.”
On November 14, Marion County Public Information Director Nick Zoller told Ocala Post that the moratorium is not directly aimed at Amendment 2, but rather “temporarily delaying the issuance of approvals to open medical marijuana dispensaries,” which falls under Amendment 2.
Zoller said, “The [180-day temporary delay] is related to an issue with zoning regulations which have to be updated to accommodate a new type of business that Florida voters have created through approval of Amendment 2. This is in no way a temporary ban on the amendment, but rather a procedural necessity to ensure effective services to citizens and business owners who will be interacting with these new establishments.”
McClain said that the discussion would continue at a second BCC public hearing slated for November 15. The commission meeting will begin at 9 a.m. The public hearing will begin at 10 a.m. The meeting will take place at the McPherson Complex, located at 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala, FL 34471.
“It would only temporarily prevent the filing of applications for new medical marijuana dispensing facilities,” said Zoller.
The BOCC said once it is prepared by updating all zoning regulations, it has every intention of upholding Amendment 2.
Zoller said, “The county does and will continue to follow the laws of the state of Florida.”
[Last updated on November 14, 2016, at 5:14 p.m. In a previous version of this article, FHP had reported that Philip Catalano was also 17. FHP says they made a mistake on the report, as Catalano is actually 72.]
Marion County – A teen’s family is devastated after Nickolas L. Watke, 17, a Lake Weir High School student, was killed in a crash.
On Sunday, Watke was riding his 1997 Yamaha motorcycle in the left lane of County Road 464, also known as Maricamp Road, approaching the intersection of Bahia Road.
A 2013 Hyundai Accent, driven by Philip Catalano, 72, was traveling westbound on County Road 464 in the left turn lane approaching the same intersection.
The Florida Highway Patrol said that Catalano turned left onto Bahia Road as Watke passed through the intersection.
Subsequently, Watke’s motorcycle struck the front of the Accent, at which time Watke was thrown from the motorcycle, and onto the grassy shoulder of the intersection.
Watke was then transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center.
At approximately 4:34 p.m., Watke was pronounced deceased by Dr. Mohammad Siddiqui.
Catalano was transported to Munroe Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.
According to a FHP report, Watke had not been drinking and was wearing a helmet.
On Monday evening, FHP said blood alcohol toxicology reports for Catalano were negative.
Those who knew the 6 foot 7 inch tall teen said Watke was an outgoing person who always had a smile on his face. They said he was definitely known for his height and will be greatly missed.
LWHS Principal Jennifer Beasley, said, “Nick was well liked by his fellow students and teachers at Lake Weir High. He was charismatic and liked to make people laugh. He impacted our JROTC program and planned to enlist after graduation. His death is a loss for our school, our community, and our military.”
On the Lake Weir High School Soccer Team Face book page, Melvin Valenzuela, wrote, “Death has no age, to our Lake Weir Hurricane student body, staff and the young man’s family my deepest condolences on the passing of Nick Watke. May he now be by God’s side.”
Fox News reports that colleges are offering students “trauma treatment” after President-elect Donald Trump won the election.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Thursday that Millennial protesters who flooded college campuses over Hillary’s loss “are a bunch of spoiled crybabies.”
Hundreds of students stormed UCLA early Wednesday, after it became clear Trump had won the White House. Later, dozens of students attended a “cry-in” on the campus of Cornell University.
Students with the University of Texas said they were too upset to attend the school’s inaugural ball, which is a high-profile event for the school. Instead, many students sold their tickets.
Another student made a video and threatened to kill herself if the government didn’t “fix this sh*t right now.” (video below)
A temporary ban on medical marijuana could be possible
Marion County — On November 8, 2016, millions of Floridians exercised their right to vote to ensure that the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, or Amendment 2, passed.
Amendment 2 ballot summary
“Allows medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not immunize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.”
This amendment passed on November 8, with a vote of 71.3% for, and 28.7% against.
Many counties in Florida had already prepared because officials knew there was a high probability the Amendment would receive more than enough votes.
Marion County, however, did not.
The day after the election, Marion County citizens contacted Ocala Post. Citizens stated that they had heard rumors, which lead them to believe Marion County would not recognize Amendment 2.
Ocala Post then questioned the Board Of County Commissioners to find out if the rumors were true.
As it turns out, on November 1, 2016, seven days before Amendment 2 was passed, the BOCC discussed a temporary ban on the Amendment.
In an e-mail to Ocala Post , Marion County Public Information Officer, Elaine DeIorio McClain, wrote, “During a public hearing at the Nov. 1 BCC meeting, the commission discussed implementing a 180-day moratorium (ban) on new medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated Marion County.”
McClain said that the discussion would continue at a second BCC public hearing slated for November 15. The commission meeting will begin at 9 a.m. The public hearing will begin at 10 a.m.
“The temporary moratorium will enable the county to study zoning regulations for this new type of business,” McClain said.
Unlike other cities in Florida, Marion County officials have also refused to decriminalize marijuana.
We want to hear from you. What do you think about the “temporary ban?” Do you think commissioners should have planned in advance?
Robbery suspect Traquail Fort arrested in McIntosh robbery. File photo from a Marion Oaks robbery. Not the actual store robbed in McIntosh.
[Last updated on November 8, 2016. MCSO arrest affidavit stated the robbery occurred in Micanopy, but it’s actually McIntosh]
McIntosh, Florida — A suspect was booked into the Marion County Jail early Tuesday following the robbery of a McIntosh Dollar General.
On November 7, Marion County sheriff’s deputies responded to the Dollar General, located at 19998 North Highway 441, McIntosh, in response to an Armed Robbery.
The assistant manager and store manager stated that right before they closed the store they were standing outside in front of the business when they were approached by two black males.
Both suspects were wearing all dark clothing and camouflage masks.
The suspects then forced both victims into the store at gunpoint. Once inside the store, one of the managers was forced to lock the front doors.
According to reports, the armed robbers told the managers to fill a black duffel bag with the cash from the registers.
The victims stated that the two robbers threatened to kill them if they did not comply.
After the registers were emptied, the robbers demanded that the time-delayed safe be open.
The store manager explained that the safe could not be open because it was on a time delay. However, the robbers demanded that they open the safe.
At that time, one of the robbers forced the assistant manager into the stock room. He then bound her hands and feet with duct tape.
Once the safe opened and the cash was removed, the manager was forced into the stock room. She, too, was bound with duct tape.
The robbers then took [their] cell phones and ordered them not to call police.
The robbers then fled on foot.
While searching the area, a K-9 located the black duffel bag filled with money. One of the suspects had dropped it while fleeing the scene.
A short time later, a 2016 Chevy Malibu was seen parked on the shoulder of the roadway, which was approximately 300 yards from the Dollar General.
Article continued below
2016 Chevy Malibu that Fort was driving.
According to reports, the windows were fogged, but the silhouette of someone inside the car was visible.
When deputies approached the vehicle, they found a naked man, later identified as Traquail Fort, 19, sitting in the driver’s seat.
Fort was sweating profusely, and had vomited on himself and in the vehicle.
Upon searching the car, deputies found underwear and a pair of black pants on the driver’s side floor board of the car. The clothing was lodged under the brake pedal. Additionally, deputies found a pair of Nike shoes, a camouflage mask, and gloves.
Fort was then transported to the MCSO for questioning.
Fort told investigators that he had traveled from Gainesville after visiting a female friend. He said that he became sick because he had taken too many Xanax and had to pull over of the side of the road. He stated that he had been parked there for several while sleeping.
Fort did admit that the items found in the car were his.
Fort was arrested and charged with Robbery with a Firearm, Kidnapping-False Imprisonment, Possession of a Weapon by a Delinquent, and Tampering with a Witness.
He is being held without bond.
Fort has previous arrests for Failure to Remain at a Crash, Reckless Driving, Driving without a License, Grand Theft Auto, Failure to Appear (x2), Burglary, and Giving a False Name to Law Enforcement.
Fort had five felony convictions before the age of 18.
Fort’s accomplice is still one the run and the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information can call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Marion County sheriff’s deputies Sunday arrested a suspect who was wanted for carjacking a Pizza Hut delivery driver.
On Saturday, November 5, MCSO deputies responded to Lake Tropicana in Dunnellon, after a female Pizza Hut delivery driver was carjacked at gunpoint.
At that time, the suspect, later identified as Keefer Jordan Nicolo Shubert, got away with the woman’s 2003 White Pontiac Vibe.
According to reports, on November 6, MCSO received an anonymous tip advising that the stolen car had been spotted at the Wal-Mart, located at 4980 East Silver Springs Boulevard.
Deputies quickly arrived on scene and waited for air support before engaging the suspect.
As additional patrol units arrived on the scene, the suspect fled, which started a high speed chase.
At times, the chase exceeded speeds of 100 mph.
During the chase, Deputy Jeremy Nix performed the PIT maneuver on the vehicle. Shubert then fled on foot and attempted to steal three other semi trucks.
When Shubert attempted to gain access to one of the vehicles, the victim quickly locked the doors.
Shubert then attempted to enter another semi by pulling a knife on the victim. As with the first victim, he was able to prevent Shubert from entering his semi.
Subsequently, Shubert was located and arrested in the parking lot of the Pilot, located at 4225 West Highway 326.
The stolen vehicle was occupied by a 17-year-old, a 14-year-old, and other adult passengers. Their names are not being released pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation into their backgrounds.
Shubert was charged with Child Neglect (x2), Driving while License REvoked, Fleeing and Eluding, Robbery-Armed Carjacking, and Burglary of an Occupied Vehicle.
Lil’Derricyhan Jackson [left] and Dajour HutchinsonMarion Oaks — Two suspects wanted for an armed robbery were arrested Sunday in Marion Oaks.
On November 1, a man was walking his dog in the 3900 block of Southeast 15th Street and 39th Court, when he heard tires squeal from behind him.
The victim stated that the vehicle, a gold Pontiac Sunfire, was occupied by two black males. He said the car pulled up beside him, but the occupants did not say anything.
The vehicle then drove down the street, made a U-turn, and drove back to where the victim was standing.
The victim stated that the passenger, who was wearing a clown mask, pointed and gun at him and sated “give me your wallet right now or I will shoot your ass.”
The passenger then snatched the man’s wallet, which contained $40, and drove away.
On November 6, Marion County sheriff’s deputies responded to 294 Marion Oaks lane after a caller reported seeing a black man with a gun at the basket ball courts.
When deputies arrived, they saw a black male, later identified as Dajour Hutchinson, 18, holding a clown mask and a black handgun. Hutchinson was with another male, identified as Lil’Derricyhan Jackson, also 18.
The two teens stated that they had driven to the basket ball courts in a Gold Pontiac Sunfire, which was still parked at the scene.
During the investigation, it was determined that the two suspects were the same men who had robbed the victim on November 1.
The victim was able to identify the car and the mask.
The gun was later determined to be a BB gun, which looked like a Colt 1911 handgun.
The two suspects also made jokes about their felonious deeds on social media and did not display any remorse at the time they were arrested.
Both teens were arrested and charged with Armed Robbery. They are being held on a $50,000 bond, each.
Detectives will now determine if the suspects have been involved with other robberies that have occurred in the area.
