Accidental Shooting

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                September 1, 2009

Time:                9:00 AM

 

Chiefland, Florida-On August 29, 2009 Detective Mike Narayan responded to North Florida Regional Medical in reference to a shooting victim.  Upon arrival Detective Narayan made contact with Jeremy Woodard.  Mr. Woodard stated he just purchased a .22 rifle and was target practicing with his family at 14331 NW 72 Terrace Chiefland. 

 

During target practicing, Mr. Woodard retrieved a .32 semi automatic pistol and attempted to clear a round from the chamber.  While ejecting the round Mr. Woodard stated the gun discharged and shot his right small finger.  Mr. Woodard had a family member drive him to the hospital where he later had surgery on his hand.

 

The investigation was ruled as an accidental shooting.  The Levy County Sheriff's Office would like to remind the public the following safety tips when handling firearms:

 

 

1.  Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

2.  Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use.

3.  Don't rely on your gun's safety.

4.  Be sure of your target and what's beyond it.

5.  Use proper ammunition.

6.  If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care.

7.  Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.

8.  Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting.

9.  Don't alter or modify your gun and have it serviced regularly.

10. Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using.

 

 

 

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Burglary Arrest In Morriston

MEDIA RELEASE

Date: August 26, 2009

Time: 2:00 PM

Morriston, Florida-On August 25, 2009 Detective Roger Bell arrested Ricky D. Crutcher for burglary and grand theft.

On August 20, 2009 the victims reported they left their residence at 3PM. When the victims were returning home at 4PM they saw Crutcher and Michael Kerklin driving a car in the neighborhood. The victims spoke with Crutcher and ask if he would mow their yard like he had done the previous month. Crutcher agreed to mow the yard the following weekend and drove away. Upon the victims returning home they discovered the front door kicked in and their television valued at $ 660.00 stolen.

The investigation led Detectives to Crutcher and Kerklin as being possible suspects in this case. Detective Bell interviewed Crutcher on August 21, 2009 and he lied about his involvement in the burglary. On August 24, 2009 Crutcher was re-interviewed and he stated that he drove Kerklin to the residence for the purpose of stealing the television. While Kerklin was committing the burglary Crutcher stated that he drove around in the neighborhood and approximately 5 minutes later he picked up Kerklin with the stolen TV. Crutcher stated that Kerklin later sold the TV for $100.00.

Kerklin is believed to have left Levy County. Detective Bell is in the process of obtaining an arrest warrant on Kerklin for burglary, grand theft and dealing in stolen property.

Defendant:

Ricky D. Crutcher

17451 NE 2 Place

Montbrook, Florida

White Male

02/26/90

Suspect:

Michael Kerklin

449 SW 15 Street Apt #3

Pompano Beach, Florida

White Male

12/28/86

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Loaded Gun Stolen Out Of A Morriston Home

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:               August 26, 2009

Time:               1:45 PM

 

Morriston, Florida- On August 26, 2009 deputies responded to 550 SE 215 Ave in reference to an alarm call.  Upon arrival deputies discovered that unknown person(s) forcibly entered the residence and stole a loaded .357 magnum revolver, jewelry box and a pillow case. 

 

Deputies located foot tracks leading from the residence to a heavily wooded area.  The Levy County Sheriff's Office K-9's and the Marion County Sheriff's Office helicopter responded to assist the ground units.  Sheriff's K-9 tracked to a location where it is believed that the suspect(s) entered a vehicle and left the area.

 

The Sheriff's Office received the alarm call at 11:51 AM and we are asking the public to contact Detective Mike Narayan if they seen any suspicious vehicles or persons on foot in the area of the victims residence. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477 and $1,000 reward is being offered.

 

 

 

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East BP Station Auto Theft

MEDIA RELEASE

Date: August 24, 2009

Time: 8:00 PM

Williston, Florida-On August 23, 2009 at 8:32 AM Deputy Robertson responded to the East BP Station located at 20551 NE Alt-27 in reference to an auto theft. Upon arrival the complainant stated that he was driving a friend's 2003 green Ford Expedition, Florida tag B51-4XE. The complainant parked at the BP gas station leaving the keys in the ignition and the doors unlocked. When the complainant walked out of the store he discovered the vehicle gone. The investigation revealed the suspect walked out of the store passing the complainant and stole the vehicle and left in an unknown direction.

On August 23, 2009 at 2:50 PM, the Alachua County Sheriff's Office worked a gas drive off at the Kangaroo gas station located at 4221 NW 106 BLVD Gainesville, Florida involving the stolen green Expedition. On August 24, 2009 around 5PM the stolen Expedition was recovered behind the Napa Store in Williston. The suspect is at large and anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mike Narayan at 352-486-5111.

Suspect description:

White male, wearing a black shirt, blue jeans, white tennis shoes and black ball cap.

Follow up: On September 1, 2009 Detective Mike Narayan positively identified the above grand theft auto suspect, as William Bradley Osteen Jr. Upon locating the stolen Ford Expedition and identifying the suspect the victim decided not to prosecute the suspect. The case has been exceptionally cleared for lack of prosecution on the victim. The Levy County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the public for all the phones calls and leads in this case. The Sheriff's Office recognizes the importance for the partnership between law enforcement and the public in solving crimes.

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Ronald Joyner Arrested For Auto Theft & Petit Theft

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                August 24, 2009

Time:                10:00 AM

 

Bronson, Florida-On August 24, 2009 Deputy Britton Drew arrested Ronald Joyner for grand theft auto and petit theft.

 

The victim stated that his father, Ronald Joyner was recently released from prison.  Court records show that Joyner was sentenced in Gilchrist County in February 5, 2009 for grand theft auto and he was released July 10, 2009.  The victim stated that he allowed Joyner to live with him until he could find a place of residence even though he knew he had a drug problem.  The victims stated that he woke up around 2:15 this morning and noticed that his dad and his 2002 silver Kia valued at $ 4,500 were gone.

 

Upon Deputy Drew investigating the grand theft auto at 728 Town Court in Bronson, Florida he started looking for the stolen vehicle.  Deputy Drew quickly located the stolen vehicle behind the Bronson Post Office which is a known drug area.  Joyner was behind the wheel and he was arrested without incident.  The victim responded to pick up his vehicle and stated that his dad also stole $ 50.00 from his son's piggy bank. 

 

Defendant:

 

Ronald E. Joyner

728 Town Court

Bronson, Florida

W/M, 46

 

Charges:

 

Grand Theft

Petit theft

 

 

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Back To School

It seems hard to believe that another summer has come and gone and it's time to start getting the kids ready to go back to school. On August 24^th Levy County will begin that timeless annual ritual: The first day of school. It is a time when parents breathe a sigh of relief and students and teachers anticipate new beginnings and new challenges.

Unfortunately, the beginning of school is also a time when children are at increased risk of transportation-related injuries from pedestrian, bicycle, school bus and motor vehicle crashes. This happens because there are more children on the road each morning and afternoon which may cause driving patterns to change. So as schools open their doors, it's time for everyone—motorists, parents, educators and students—to improve their traffic safety practices.

The familiar yellow school bus has become one of the most powerful icons in American society. Day-in and day-out, the nation's 418,000 yellow buses travel more than 4.5 billion miles a year at a cost of nearly $10 billion. They safely carry 24 million children-nearly half of all the nation's children-to and from school.

While school buses can be proud of their safety record, there are still aspects of school bus transportation that are dangerous to children. More children are hurt outside a bus than inside one. Getting on and off the bus is the most dangerous part of the bus ride. This loading and unloading area is called the "danger zone." This area extends 10 feet in front of the bus, 10 feet on each side of the bus and 10 feet behind the bus. The danger zone is where children are at greatest risk of not being seen by the bus driver. The child who bends over to retrieve a dropped school book, or who walks too close to the bus while crossing the street, is at greatest risk of becoming the next statistic in this danger zone.

Parents and other adults must also do their part. For instance, most motorist need to learn to share the road with school buses. They must stop when the bus stops to take on or let off passengers. If we all do our part—if motorists heed school bus warning lights, bus drivers drive defensively, parents help their children learn to ride safely and children learn to avoid the bus's danger zone---we can increase the safety of the yellow bus ride to and from school.

Safety precaution education is the best way to keep your child safe this school year. Get involved and get your children involved. The more you know the safer your children are.

Please be careful during your travels and the Sheriff's Office will be monitoring the school zones and school bus stops for traffic violations.

Three Men Arrested On Burglary & Grand Theft Charges

Media Release

Date: August 22, 2009

Time: 3:15 PM

Chiefland, Florida-On August 21, 2009 Detective Mike Bell arrested Bruce Romanok, Michael Romanok and Joel Anderson for burglary & grand theft.

The victims returned home at 7970 NW 147 Place and saw three white males removing furniture from the house. The victims called 9-1-1 but the suspects fled the area prior to the road deputy arriving. Detective Mike Bell responded to the scene and through the investigation arrested Bruce Romanok, Michael Romanok and Joel Anderson for burglary & grand theft.

Defendant:

Bruce Romanok

7991 NW 147 Place

Chiefland, Florida

White Male

09/11/52

Michael Romanok

7991 NW 147 Place

Chiefland, Florida

White Male

01/31/81

Joel Anderson

159 SE 151 Street

Old Town, Florida

White Male

10/12/76

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