Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Couple Arrested for Illegal Use of Credit Card




November 22, 2016

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division arrested Robert Carl Koppenhafer (6-10-68) on November 14, 2016 and his paramour Brandy Lee Seale (10-14-80) on November 21, 2016. A victim reported to the LCSO on November 7, 2016 that her phone, cash and debit card had been stolen. The investigation revealed Koppenhafer and Seale had been living with the victim and took these items from her purse one night after she had gone to bed. Koppenhafer and Seale went to multiple ATM’s and withdrew a total of $1,420 over a period of several days.

Investigators located and arrested Koppenhafer and Seale. Both admit the money taken from the ATM’s was used to pay off drug debts and to purchase more narcotics. Both are being held at the Levy County Detention Facility. Koppenhafer has been charged with multiple counts of fraudulent use of a credit/debit card and his bond has been set at $125,000. 00. Seale has been charged with scheme to defraud and her bond has been set at $45,000.00.
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Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Burglary Investigation - Information Needed



November 15, 2016

The LCSO responded to 3361 NE 167 Terrace in Williston Sunday morning at approximately 11:30 a.m. to a report of a burglary. Deputies arrived to find a very shaken homeowner. The homeowner told deputies he was working in his back yard when he heard a crash in the front yard of his home. He went to investigate the sound and found a car parked in his driveway and his front door open. The homeowner discovered the front door had been forced open and walked inside to investigate.

The homeowner told deputies when he walked inside, he announced his presence. This is when a man bolted out of his master bedroom area and ran to the awaiting car. The homeowner, who was carrying a concealed firearm, fired one round at the fleeing vehicle. The round entered the back passenger window of the car breaking the glass.

The vehicle is described as a dark in color four door sedan with dark tinted windows. The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 6’-0” tall with medium length dark hair.

Anyone who has information is asked to contact Investigator C.J. Perryman at 352-486-5111 ext. 276. You may be eligible for a reward. If you wish to remain anonymous you can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.
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Thursday, November 10, 2016

Suspicious Death Investigation





November 11, 2016

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 9830 NE 105th Avenue in Bronson, Fl late yesterday afternoon based upon a tip there were buried human remains on the property. Investigators from the LCSO, the District Eight Medical Examiner’s Office, specially trained K-9 Cadaver dogs and a team from the C. A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory at the University of Florida began searching in an unimproved area of this lot. The search continues today as these teams continue to dig in efforts to unearth the remains. 

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Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Anonymous Tip Leads to Burglary Arrests

 

                                                                   Hunter Gaston
                                                                 Annie Harknett
                                                                   Wesley Rizer


November 9, 2016

On November 3rd Levy County Investigators received an anonymous tip of a burglary that occurred at a vacant home in Morriston, Fl. The tipster told investigators at least four people broke into the home and took valuables and firearms. The following investigation verified that three adults and one juvenile entered a home located at 21530 SE 67th Place in Morriston several times and took tools, jewelry, a TV and guns.

Investigators located and arrested Hunter Gaston (3-3-94), Wesley Rizer (9-19-89) and Annie Harknett (10-6-97) on November 4th for burglary of a structure and grand theft of a firearm. Charges are still pending on the juvenile involved in this incident and the investigation is continuing. Investigators recovered two guns, a .22 caliber rifle and a .38 special handgun, as well as tools, the TV and jewelry at an estimated value of approximately $1,000.00.

The arrestees are being held at the Levy County Detention Facility. Hunter Gaston’s bond has been set at $225,000.00. Wesley Rizer’s bond has been set at $50,000.00 and Annie Harknett’s bond has been set at $20,000.00.

The LCSO and the home owner with our deepest gratitude say “Thank You” to the tipster in this case. Had it not been for your watchful eye and the civic duty you performed for your neighbors, this crime may have gone undetected for some time.
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Monday, November 7, 2016

House Party Turns Violent with Multiple Stabbings and Exchanges of Gun Fire




November 7, 2016

Multiple LCSO Deputies responded to a home located on NE 212 Court near the intersection of CR 318 in East Williston to reports of a large party around midnight on Saturday. As deputies were being dispatched, reports of a shooting were reported to 911 operators. Arriving deputies, reinforced by Williston Police Department Officers, found approximately 800 to 1000 people in attendance. The party, hosted by a home owner near this intersection, had spilled into the road and was blocking traffic. Deputies were able to disperse the unruly crowd but were unable to identify who shot or from where the shooting came. A majority of the party goers relocated to a local hang out known as Melvin and Alice’s at the intersection of CR 318 and CR 331A.

Deputies, along with Williston Police Officers and additional LCSO back up units were called to respond to Melvin and Alice’s at approximately 2 a.m. The large crowd had reorganized and Deputies found traffic was being blocked and loud music was disturbing local residents.
Deputies were attempting to disperse the crowd once again when shots rang out. Deputies were unable to determine the exact location of where the shots were coming from and took cover. The deputies reported the crowd panicked and began to run in all directions.

When the crowd cleared, deputies located approximately 35 spent shell casings in two different locations. This scene appeared to be a gun battle between multiple individuals. One vehicle parked nearby was struck multiple times. A home owner whose home is within the City Limits of Williston reported a stray bullet entered her bedroom window where her teenaged child was sleeping.  No report of any person being shot has been received by the LCSO or the Williston Police Department. Deputies spent the remainder of the night processing this scene, gathering evidence and attempting to identify the gunmen. The Williston Police Department investigators are working closely with the LCSO investigators as this investigation continues.

The LCSO received a call from the University of Florida Police Department (UPD) shortly after the crowd from the house party had been dispersed. UPD officer had been called to Shands at UF when two people arrived who were suffering from stab wounds. UPD was able to determine from victim’s statements that they had been stabbed at a party in East Williston. LCSO investigators responded to Shands and interviewed one of the victims. The other victim, admitted for treatment, was in critical condition and was being prepped for surgery. Investigators learned the identity of the stabbing suspect who lived in a group home near where the house party had been hosted.

Investigators and LCSO patrol units responded to the group home located at 21161 NE 35 Street at approximately 5 a.m. and located Martin W. Ward (3-3-92), the stabbing suspect. Ward was taken into custody and the knife used in the attack was recovered. Ward was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility and charged with two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon. He is being held on a $200,000.00 bond.

The LCSO is requesting any person in attendance at either party location that may have information to please contact us. Sergeant Mike Narayan is the investigator in charge of both these investigations and can be reached at 352-486-5111 extension 267. A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) involved in these potentially deadly incidents. Or, if a person wishes to remain anonymous he/she can call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.
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