Halloween Tips

Halloween is a fun time for kids, but it is also an important time to be extra vigilant for possible safety hazards so that your children have a fun and safe Halloween.  Some tips to make Halloween safe include: 

Motorists

·     Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.

·     Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.

·     Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.

·     At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

Parents

·     Make sure that an adult supervises the children.

·     Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow.   

·     Instruct your children to stop only at houses that are well lit and to never enter a stranger's home.

·     Establish a return time.

·     Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.

·     Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.

Accessories

·     Knives, swords and other accessories should be made form cardboard or flexible materials.  Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.

·     Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.

·     Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.

 On the way

• Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
• Walk; do not run, from house to house. 
• Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.
• Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.

Treats

·     Give children an early meal before going out.

·     Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.

·     Wash fruit and slice it into small pieces.

·     When in doubt, throw it out.

I hope this article has reminded you of some important safety tips for Halloween.  With some simple precautions, you can ensure that Halloween remains a safe and happy experience for the whole family.

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Two Bronson Men Robbed & Pistol Whipped

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:               October 29, 2009

Time:               11:00 AM

 

Bronson, Florida-On October 28, 2009 the Levy County Sheriff's Office received a 9-1-1 call at 11251 NE 86 Lane in reference to a robbery.  The investigation revealed that a Levy County business man closed his restaurant at 9 p.m. and was enroute to his residence.  Prior to arriving at his residence, the victim received a phone call from a neighbor ascertaining if he was expecting company, and he replied no.  The caller stated that a dark in color in vehicle pulled up in the victim's driveway and struck the gate post when backing out of the driveway.

 

Upon the victim arriving at his residence, he was speaking to a friend in the front yard and noticed a dark in color car drive by the residence.  Approximately ten minutes later the victim and his friend were in the front yard and saw the same car pull in the victim's driveway.  The victim walked out to greet the subjects and thought it may be friends.  The victim stated that two male subjects jumped out of the car with masks covering their faces and armed with pistols.  The subjects said to the victims "Where is the money"?  The victim stated that the subjects pistol whipped him and his friend in the front yard.  The subjects robbed the victim at gun point of an undisclosed amount of money and left the victims on the ground bleeding.  Both victims were transported to the University of Florida Shands Hospital where they were treated and released for lacerations to the head. 

 

The suspects' car was last seen east bound at a high rate of speed on NE 86 Lane.  The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.  Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mike Narayan or you can remain anonymous by call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.

 

Suspects Description:

 

Possible black males.

5'10-6'03" Medium Build, Dark Clothing.

Medium size dark in color car.

The vehicle should have damage to the passenger rear quarter panel and a broken passenger tail light.

 

 

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David Smith Arrested For Grand Theft

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                October 28, 2009

Time:                1:45 PM

 

Morriston, Florida-On October 27, 2009 Detective Mike Narayan arrested David William Smith for grand theft.

 

Deputy Ken Maddux responded to 4091 SE State Road 121 in reference to a theft complaint on October 27, 2009.  The victim reported that person(s) stole $360.00 jewelry.  During the investigation Smith became a person of interest.  Deputy Allen Breeding was dispatched to a disturbance at the Inglis Kangaroo Gas Station and Smith was involved in the altercation.  Detective Narayan interviewed Smith about the theft and he confessed to stealing the jewelry and later pawned the stolen property at a Dunnellon pawn shop.  Smith was arrested and transported to the Levy County Jail.  

 

 

Defendant:

 

David William Smith

Homeless

White Male

05/12/63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Stephen Troy Arrested In High Speed Chase

MEDIA RELEASE

Date: October 27, 2009

Time: 7:15 PM

On October 19, 2009 Deputy Tonya Gainey arrested Stephen Michael Troy on a Levy County warrant for grand theft auto, fleeing attempting to elude a police officer, battery on a police dog, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and driving while license suspended.

Troy's problems began on March 20, 2008 when he was driving a stolen vehicle and attempted to elude Levy County deputies. The high speed pursuit reached speeds to 90-100 Mph and Troy refused to stop on State Road 500. During the pursuit Deputy Marshall Smith attempted to deploy stop sticks prior to Troy entering the city of Chiefland. Troy evaded the stop sticks and attempted to run over Smith in the median. The pursuit ended when Corporal Wilburn Wells was able to deploy stop sticks and deflate Troy's front tires at Lebanon Station on State Road 55. Troy ignored deputies' orders and immediately fought deputies by violently punching and kicking K-9 Deputy Willie Barnes and Sergeant Zachary Knight. Sheriff's K-9 Taz a Belgian Malinois was released and apprehended Troy by biting him on his legs. During the arrest Troy struck K-9 Taz numerous times in the head with his fist and he was finally subdued. Troy was transported to University of Florida Shands hospital for K-9 bites. Upon Troy being released he was arrested and transported to Marion County on numerous felony charges where he was later sentenced to prison.

On July 23, 2008 Troy was sentenced to prison and currently housed at Columbia Correctional Institute. Troy was sentenced to two years and four months on multiple felony charges that occurred in Marion County. Due to Troy being sentenced on the Marion County charges he was never arrested on the Levy County charges until October 19, 2009.

Troy is scheduled to be released from prison on March 17, 2010 and he will answer to the Levy County charges.

Defendant:

Stephen Michael Troy

19289 NW 160 Ave

Williston, Florida

White Male

11/29/78

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Fundraiser

Basic Pistol Class
Hosted
By Levy County Sheriffs Office
will qualify for Florida Concealed weapons permit
Nov 7, 2009 8am Levy County Sheriffs Office Classroom
9150 NE 80th Ave Bronson Fl 32621
Cost $50 dollars
Fundraiser
For the Cates Family whose mother was struck by a truck while jogging outside of Bronson leaving Five kids behind to be raised by their grandparents
Please Sign up by calling 3524865111 call Patty Galyean or Scott Finnen or email sfinnen@levyso.com

Bruce Nichols Arrested For Breaking Into Ed's Auto Salvage

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                October 26, 2009

Time:                1:45 PM

 

Williston, Florida-On October 22, 2009 detectives from the Levy County Sheriff's Office arrested Bruce Nichols for burglary and grand theft.

 

The Levy County Sheriff's Office investigated a burglary and theft at Ed's Auto Salvage located at 2830 NE 200 Ave Williston, Florida.  The victim stated that on October 6, 2009 around 11 PM unknown person(s) entered the business by climbing over a six foot fence with three strands of barb wire.  Upon entry into the compound fifty radiators were stolen valued at $ 2000.00

 

On October 12, 2009 Ed's Salvage Yard was burglarized again and over $ 12,000 dollars of antique radiators and starters were stolen.  Detective Roger Bell and Detective Mike Narayan questioned Nichols on October 22, 2009 about the above two incidents.  Nichols admitted to the October 6 theft and stated that he participated by assisting others in stealing the radiators but did not enter the compound.  Nichols stated that on October 12, 2009 he entered the compound twice and loaded a van with the stolen radiators.

 

Nichols was arrested for two counts of burglary and two counts of grand theft.

 

Defendant:

 

Bruce Nichols

2791 NE 200 Ave

Williston, Florida

Black Male

09/08/62

 

 

 

 

 

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Operation Trick-Or-Treat Arrest In Chiefland

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                October 26, 2009

Time:                9:00 AM

 

Chiefland, Florida- On October 23, 2009 the Levy County Sheriff's Office executed five search warrants in the city of Chiefland and arrested 13 people during the round up.

 

During a six month investigation, the Drug Task Force has been purchasing powder and crack cocaine and cannabis from several drug dealers in the Chiefland area.  At 5 p.m., Drug Task Force Investigator Burt Miller briefed "Operation Trick-Or-Treat" to law enforcement officers that participated from the Chiefland Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff's Office, Dixie County Sheriff's Office, Gainesville Police Department, US Marshals Office and Probation & Parole.

 

Halloween night came early in Chiefland with over 40 law enforcement officers knocking on doors in search for drug dealers and not candy.  Operation Trick-Or-Treat is the conclusion of a six month investigation that undercover agents purchased drugs from drug dealers.  This round up was a success arresting 13 people and no one was injured.  Agents confiscated approximately $5,000 dollars in cash, recovered seven guns and seized powder/crack cocaine and cannabis. 

 

Operation Trick-Or-Treat round up will continue this week in arresting drug dealers that remain at large.  The Drug Task Force Agents have 85 felony charges and 15 misdemeanor charges to file on the subjects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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