Latest news with #CitrusCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘We will not be intimidated': Tampa Bay organizers increase security ahead of area protests
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — With dozens of Tampa Bay area protests against policies enforced by the Trump Administration expected Saturday, safety is a concern for many. In other cities, some demonstrations have turned violent. Florida state and local officials spoke against riots. 'We are not California. We do not allow rioting in the state of Florida,' said Florida State Attorney General James Uthmeier. 'We do not tolerate rioting as groups talk about assembling over the weekend, we haven't seen much of that in Florida. But if you do… we are ready across the state to ensure it is nipped in the bud right away.' 'We will kill you': Democrats, Republicans at odds over protest warning language Threats of violence have been seen on social media. The Citrus County Sheriff's Office posted about a scheduled protest in Inverness, then they followed up with a video about the post. 'I am hopeful that some of the negative comments referring to violence or disruptions are made by a small minority, and maybe not even people from Citrus County,' said Sheriff David Vincent. In Jacksonville, a man was arrested for threatening potential protesters when he posted a comment saying in part, 'I seen any large gatherings to protest ICE, I'm going to grab my buddies tow truck and plow through.' 'Well, it's certainly scary but we will not be intimidated by threats of violence,' said Helen Amburgey, an organizer with Pinellas NOW. She said their priority is getting their message across in a safe way. 'Everyone at our event is committed to a peaceful protest. We make sure of that when they sign up,' Amburgey said. 'In light of current events, we have recruited additional volunteers, additional safety marshals.' Amburgey said if someone starts causing problems during a peaceful protest, do not engage with them. Instead, she said to move to another area and get law enforcement involved if necessary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gov. DeSantis signs Andy Lahera Act ensuring healthcare coverage for injured law enforcement officers
The Brief In May 2023, Citrus School Resource Deputy was critically injured when he was struck by a car. Worker's Compensation covered his injuries from the crash, but his health insurance was uncertain. Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new law that would provide full premium coverage to all officers injured in the line of duty. LECANTO, Fla. - A Citrus County deputy is at the center of a new Florida law. The Deputy Andy Lahera Law is aimed to provide healthcare coverage to law enforcement officers injured in the line of duty, who weren't covered before. The backstory Deputy Andy Lahera joined the Citrus County Sheriff's Office as a patrol deputy in 2009. He moved onto becoming a detective until the Parkland mass shooting. His wife, Michelle, said "...he had come home, and he sat the boys down and he said to them that he was going to apply to become a School Resource Officer. He said that he would make us have to be okay with it." Deputy Lahera became an SRO at Lecanto Middle School. In May 2023, he was on a detail, directing traffic outside of Lecanto High School when he was struck by a car. Deputy Lahera was left with a traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. RELATED:Critically injured Citrus County deputy honored for service amid family's health care concerns Michelle Lahera said ever since, he's been living at a post-acute rehab facility, working to reconnect his brain to the rest of his body. She explained, "We have our good days and we have our bad days. He's fighting. He's working hard. He's able to do things that he hadn't been able to previously. But for me, it's not as fast as I would like it to be." What they're saying Michelle Lahera said there's a gap for a subsection of officers injured in the line of duty like her husband. Worker's comp covers treatment related to the crash. But healthcare insurance beyond that is not guaranteed. "From the beginning, I said, I never wanted Andy to be forgotten, and I had to make sure that he would have insurance above what workers comp wouldn't cover for him," she explained. RELATED: Benefit held to help Pasco deputy injured in the line of duty As the law stood, injured officers were only guaranteed full premium insurance coverage if they were injured in a pursuit, emergency, or unlawful act committed by a criminal. FL House Rep. Judson Sapp was among three legislators behind the Andy Lahera bill that would provide full coverage to all officers injured in the line of duty. Sapp said, "Across the board, every single member up in Tallahassee was shocked that this already wasn't part of law. It was such a narrow law as to what constituted eligibility." On Tuesday, Governor DeSantis signed it into law. "So, we fixed something and sometimes the system works, and it worked this time and I'm just so proud that we got this across the finish line," Sapp explained. Click here to read more about the new law. Click here to follow Deputy Lahera's recovery journey. The Source This story was written with information gathered by FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Suspect in Floral City armed robbery arrested after chase with deputies: CCSO
The Brief A man is facing multiple charges after an armed robbery at a Citrus County liquor store Thursday afternoon. The suspect identified in the armed robbery was also involved in a chase with deputies involving a stolen car. He's now facing 10 charges after the incident. FLORAL CITY, Fla. - A man is facing multiple charges after an armed robbery at a Citrus County liquor store Thursday afternoon, according to deputies. The Citrus County Sheriff's Office said Trevor Kilpatrick, 33, was identified as the suspect involved in the armed robbery after a chase involving a stolen car. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The backstory Deputies responded to an armed robbery after receiving reports that a masked suspect was inside the Liquor Plus Store in Floral City, wearing a hoodie and brandishing a weapon while demanding money and cigarettes. According to officials, Kilpatrick ran off across US 41 into the woods nearby after the robbery. Dig deeper Minutes later, though, a K9 deputy patrolling nearby saw a vehicle that was reported stolen earlier this week, CCSO said. When deputies tried conducting a traffic stop, the vehicle sped off, leading them on a chase down East Trails End Road. Investigators said the suspect eventually lost control of the vehicle, causing it to "leave the roadway." That's when authorities said Kilpatrick ran off into the woods. READ: Man who tried to kill ex-girlfriend & killed her dog headed to prison The K9 deputy caught up with the suspect after that, and ended up using his taser after he physically resisted the deputy. After Kilpatrick's arrest, deputies said they discovered that he was the same suspect involved in the armed robbery. They said they found evidence in the vehicle, which included the stolen money, cigarettes and clothing that matched the robber's description. What's next Kilpatrick is now facing a slew of charges, including: Robbery with a firearm Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Grand theft of a firearm Grand theft of a motor vehicle Grand theft Resisting a law enforcement officer with violence Fleeing and eluding Burglary of a dwelling Driving with a suspended or revoked license Petit theft He's being held at the Citrus County Detention Center without bond. The Source The information in this story was released by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ford Bronco Police Chase Gets Wild
Read the full story on The Auto Wire A guy driving a Ford Bronco in Citrus County, Florida gave the sheriff's office a messy situation after he fled from a deputy. Using the off-road capabilities of the rig, plus pushing it to high speeds, he was able to elude capture before the pursuit ended badly as Florida Highway Patrol jumped to Citrus County Sheriff's Office, the whole thing started when a 'suspicious person' at a gas station off US-19 in Crystal River. As a deputy spoke with the suspect, the guy suddenly fled in his Ford Bronco, almost hitting several people before jumping the median and taking off 'at a high rate of speed.' The sheriff's office says a supervisor called off a chase because of 'the suspect's reckless driving' as well as 'early morning traffic congestion.' That's the first point of criticism as some people feel the suspect should've been chased and pitted out immediately. Instead, other deputies spotted the speeding Bronco in different parts of Crystal River. We're going to go out on a limb here and say even though he wasn't being chased, the guy probably thought he was. That's one of many legitimate criticisms of no-chase policies like this. Still, no pursuit was authorized, until the suspect tried to hit a deputy who was performing a traffic stop that had nothing to do with the erratic Bronco driver. That's when a chase was approved and deputies started hunting for him. So let's get this straight: the guy speeds around the city, putting countless lives at stake, and the sheriff's office says it's fine and everything will work out. But the moment he tries mowing down a deputy, that's when it's okay to chase the suspect down? Interesting. The sheriff's office won't say what methods it used to try stopping the fleeing suspect, but we know a PIT maneuver wasn't attempted. A public statement makes general excuses for not doing PITs, but it also mentions Florida Highway Patrol was called for help 'due to their specialized training' when it comes to PITs. In other words, the sheriff's office, like so many law enforcement agencies, doesn't really train deputies on pitting out fleeing suspects. Why not just say that? The whole release feels like it was written by a wanna-be attorney just trying to play cover for the law enforcement agency. Eventually, as FHP troopers were chasing the fleeing Bronco down, the guy wrecked out, ending the pursuit. The fact he hit several other vehicles, injuring other people, is mentioned as briefly as possible. It's like the sheriff's office is trying to skate as quickly as possible over thin ice. We don't know exactly how many people were injured or the extent of their injuries. But we find it ironic that one of the reasons cited for not attempting a PIT maneuver before was that innocent people could've been hurt. We don't have the dashcam footage, although maybe it will come out sooner than later, so there's only so much we know about this chase. But we can see why so many people are critical of how Citrus County Sheriff's Office handled it, or rather didn't handle it. Image via Citrus County Sheriff's Office/Facebook Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Citrus County deputies enter 4th day of search for missing 67-year-old woman
The Brief The Citrus County Sheriff's Office says deputies are looking for Maria Tims, 67. She was reported missing on Monday, but was last heard from over a week ago. Deputies say she was driving through Homosassa in a white 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, with the license plate number 73BCNH. HOMOSASSA, Fla. - Citrus County deputies say the search for a missing woman in her upper 60s has entered its fourth day. Maria Tims, 67, was first reported missing Monday, according to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. Dig deeper Deputies say she was last seen just after 5 p.m. on Friday, driving her white 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, with the license plate number 73BCNH. She was reportedly driving southbound on South Suncoast Boulevard in Homosassa. Tims had not been heard from, however, since around noon on April 17. Tims is 5 ft. 6 in. with grey hair and brown eyes weighing around 220 pounds, according to deputies. READ: Gov. Ron DeSantis, first lady defend Hope Florida amid recent criticism What you can do The Citrus County Sheriff's Office asks anyone with information about where Tims is to contact their Major Crimes Unit at 352-249-2790. Anyone who wants to remain anonymous is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Citrus County at 1-888-269-8477 or visit their website here. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source This story was written with information provided by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
