Update on Bronson Burglary Ring Investigations

Update on Bronson Burglary Ring Investigations

 

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office has made one additional arrest in connection with the burglaries described in our previous press release dated December 29, 2014.  Philip Andrew Moseley (11-16-94) was arrested on January 6, 2015 and is being held at the Levy County Detention Center on a $60,000.00 bond.  Moseley was charged with burglarizing the Bronson Public Library in 2014.  He was also charged with Criminal Mischief and Petit Theft during the same incident. 

Also on January 6, Investigator Scott Stancil filed additional charges against the previously arrested Jordan Price (1-13-94).   Currently, Price faces 17 felony burglary charges, 2 Counts of Grand Theft, 3 Counts of Felony Criminal Mischief, 8 Misdemeanor Counts of Criminal Mischief, 10 Counts of Petit Theft and 1 Count of Trespass on School Grounds.  Price remains incarcerated at the Levy County Detention Center.  His total bond is $1,306,500.00. 

Both Moseley and Price were part of a ring that broke into various businesses as well as schools in the Town of Bronson during the past 14 months.  Unfortunately, since the cases against Moseley and Price were broken. a total of 8 additional break-ins have been reported in the Town of Bronson. These burglaries occurred primarily at businesses during the night time hours.   LCSO is actively investigating these new burglaries.

Investigators request that the public report any suspicious activity they observe near closed businesses.  As always, citizens can report suspicious activity to LCSO 24 hours a day at 352-486-5111.  They can also make anonymous reports to Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. 

 

 

Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

 

 

New Years Traffic Checkpoint Results in Arrests

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol combined forces to conduct a Comprehensive Roadside Safety Checkpoint on December 31^st and into the morning hours of New Year’s Day.  The Checkpoint was conducted to increase public awareness and encourage safe and sober driving around the Holidays. 

 

LCSO would like to thank FHP, the Levy County Office of Emergency Management, the Levy County Road Department and the Florida DOT for their contributions in making the checkpoint safe and successful.  The checkpoint was operated from approximately 11:00 PM on December 31^st through 2:00 AM on January 1^st.  It was located at 13574 North U.S. Highway 19, outside Chiefland. 

 

During the operation, 89 vehicles passed through the checkpoint.  Seventeen of the vehicles were detained for violations.  Four violators received citations and three individuals were arrested.  Guy R. Bowers (10-18-95) and Regina Peppers (7-4-75) were arrested for DUI after both admitted to operating vehicles after ingesting Marijuana.  Shantle N. McDowell was a passenger in the vehicle driven by Peppers.  McDowell was arrested for Possession of Marijuana (Less than 20 grams). 

 

LCSO and FHP greatly appreciate the support and encouragement expressed to them by many of the drivers who passed through the checkpoint.  We also appreciate the numerous drivers who specifically drove through the checkpoint to voice their concern for the safety of the four individuals who showed up to protest the checkpoint. 

Happy New Year to everyone!

 

Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

BEWARE OF CONSTRUCTION SCAMS

BEWARE OF CONSTRUCTION SCAMS

 

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible construction scam in the Bronson area today.  The Suspect approached a homeowner and offered to do a paving job with “leftover” materials.  After agreeing to the offer verbally, the Suspect attempted to change the price and the homeowner contacted the Sheriff’s Office. 

When the deputies arrived, the Suspect could not produce a valid contractor’s license.  All forms of identification indicated that the construction crew was from outside the Levy County area.  The Suspect agreed to discontinue work and not charge the homeowner.  He left the area along with his crew. 

LCSO encourages all citizens to be on the alert for these types of scams.  They tend to increase this time of the year when the scammers migrate to Florida from colder climates.  Possible warning signs to look for include unsolicited offers to do work and offers to use “leftover” materials at a very low price. 

 

We encourage everyone to do business with reputable local contractors to avoid being scammed. Please report any suspected fraud or other suspicious activity to LCSO at 352-486-5111 or to Crime Stoppers of Levy County at 1-877-349-8477. 

Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

 

 

Comprehensive Roadside Safety Checkpoint to Be Conducted

 

Comprehensive Roadside Safety Checkpoint to Be Conducted

 

          The Levy County Sheriff’s Office and The Florida Highway Patrol will be conducting a Comprehensive Roadside Safety Check Point (CRSC). This dual agency check point will be conducted on Wednesday, December 31, 2014, beginning at 10:00 PM. at 13574 North US Highway 19, Chiefland, Florida. 
         

The objectives of this checkpoint are as follows:

 

1.     Deter vehicles from being operated on the highways with defective equipment;

 

2.     Deter drivers from operating vehicles without a valid driver’s license;

 

3.     Deter drivers from operating vehicles without proper insurance and/or proper registration;

 

4.     Deter impaired driving and thereby reducing deaths, injury, and property damage caused by alcohol and drug impaired drivers;

5.     Deter impaired drivers before a crash occurs;

6.     Conduct checkpoints with a minimum amount of intrusion and motorist inconvenience; and

7.     Ensure the safety of the affected motorist and officers.

 

To further enhance highway safety, LCSO and the FHP encourage all citizens using the highways to report suspected impaired drivers to the nearest law enforcement agency.  When making your report you should attempt to provide the following information: 

 

          A.  Where you saw the vehicle and its direction of travel;

          B.  The vehicle description including its color, make and model; 

          C.  A description of the driver; and

          D.  The vehicle license plate information. 

  

Cellular phone callers can contact the nearest FHP Communications Center by dialing “Star FHP” (*347).  This is a free call that is provided as a courtesy by the cellular phone companies in Florida.  Callers can report any emergency, including an impaired driver, by calling 911. 

 

Roadside Safety Checkpoints are one part of the enforcement plan to enhance highway safety for all our citizens and the visitors to our State. 

 

Bronson Burglary Ring Uncovered

 Jordan Price

Gatlin Clark

 

Bronson Burglary Ring Uncovered

 

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office has made one arrest and has identified two other individuals who are believed to be responsible for more than 20 separate burglaries in the Bronson area.  The crimes stretch over a period of 14 months.  The locations that had been targeted included various businesses as well as schools in the Town of Bronson. 

The investigation gained momentum when Deputies from our Patrol Division intensified patrols around the buildings that were being burglarized.  On December 19^th, Deputies Jeremy Dean and Justin Van Duren completed a Field Interview Report on Jordan Ray Price (11-13-94).  LCSO Investigators Scott Stancil and Noel Ramirez were able to take the information from the report and positively identify Price as one of the individuals who had broken into Bronson Middle High School on multiple occasions.  Eventually they were able to identify two additional suspects in some of the crimes. 

On December 24, LCSO Deputies arrested Jordan Price on one count of Burglary, Criminal Mischief and Trespassing on the Bronson Middle / High School Grounds.  His bond has been set at $16,500.00 and he remains incarcerated at the Levy County Detention Center. 

Investigators continue to build the cases against the known suspects.  They anticipate filing more than 50 criminal charges in the combined cases. 

LCSO also requests the public’s assistance in locating Gatlin Michael Clark  (12-6-91).  Clark is a person of interest in several cases and is currently wanted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for a Violation of Probation.   

LCSO thanks the public for their assistance in solving these cases.  Citizens are reminded they can report suspicious activity to LCSO 24 hours a day at 352-486-5111.  They can also make anonymous reports to Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. 

 

Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

 

 

COLD CASE HOMICIDE ASSISTANCE SOUGHT

COLD CASE HOMICIDE ASSISTANCE SOUGHT

 

December 14, 2014

On December 8, 2012, Deputies from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to 10150 NE 48^th Lane in Bronson to the report of a deceased person.  The investigation revealed that the resident, George Pierce (8-15-61), had been murdered in his home. 

After following up on initial leads, the investigation has gone cold.  On the second anniversary of Mr. Pierce’s murder, LCSO Investigators are asking the public for their assistance in closing this case for the friends and family of Mr. Pierce.  Anyone wishing to provide information can contact the lead investigator, Lt. Jimmy Anderson, at the Sheriff’s Office. 

 

Crime Stoppers of Levy County has authorized a cash award of up to $1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons involved in the murder.  That information can be provided anonymously at 1-877-349-8477. 

 

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"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

 

LCSO CONGRATULATES NEW DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERT

LCSO CONGRATULATES NEW DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERT

Levy County Deputy Sheriff Brandin Sullivan recently completed all the training requirements of the Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program, also known as the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Program.  Deputy Sullivan became one of approximately 240 DRE’s in the State of Florida and is the first with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. 

 

The program began in the early 1970’s when personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department developed it to combat drivers who were impaired by substances other than or in addition to alcohol.  Today the program is internationally successful and is endorsed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.   

 

Through his training, Deputy Sullivan (and all Drug Recognition Experts) are able to identify impaired drivers and then determine the cause of the impairment.  Many times the DRE’s can determine the category of drugs that is the likely cause of the impairment. 

 

Deputy Sullivan may now be qualified as an expert witness in court on a variety of topics related to impaired individuals.  He will be required to complete continuing education requirements to maintain his expert status.  LCSO will make Deputy Sullivan available to assist other law enforcement agencies throughout Levy County with drug impaired driver investigations. 

LCSO congratulates Deputy Sullivan on being selected for this prestigious program and completing the rigorous requirements.  Levy County roads will be safer due to Deputy Sullivan’s enhanced ability to detect and evaluate impaired drivers. 

  

Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.