Latest news with #ZephyrhillsPoliceDepartment
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Miami Herald
Angry driver chases garbage truck, shooting at crew, FL cops say. Two injured
A dispute at a gas station escalated into a dangerous road chase when an SUV driver started shooting at the crew of a fleeing garbage truck, according to Florida investigators. Two crew members were injured, including one hit by gunfire, the Zephyrhills Police Department said in a June 30 news release. It happened around 5:30 a.m. Friday, June 27, when Waste Connections worker Brandon Raymon Lee got into an argument with Quinson De'Shawn Croson at a Wawa gas station in Zephyrhills, police said. 'Lee noticed Croson appeared intoxicated and suggested he go home. The encounter quickly escalated into violence,' police said. 'Shortly after the interaction, Croson allegedly followed Lee and his coworker, J'Nyith Reyes, in a black GMC Yukon SUV and confronted them while they were seated in their Waste Connections garbage truck. ... Croson retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and fired multiple rounds at the garbage truck while pursuing it through city streets.' The SUV collided with the truck during the chase, resulting in Reyes flying out of the truck's passenger side door, officials said. 'Reyes sustained non-life-threatening injuries,' police said. 'Croson fled the scene in his damaged SUV.' Deputies learned of the chase when Lee arrived at AdventHealth Zephyrhills for treatment of 'a gunshot wound to his right forearm,' officials said. Croson, 46, was known to Lee as 'the manager/operator of LA' Billiards in downtown Zephyrhills,' officials said. 'Investigators also confirmed that Croson is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under Florida law,' police said. 'Croson was located in Hillsborough County and arrested and charged with two counts of attempted homicide and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.' Surveillance footage and dash cam video provided by a witness 'confirmed key elements of the incident,' police said. Zephyrhills is about a 30-mile drive northeast from Tampa.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Six arrests made in human trafficking bust in Zephyrhills: Police
The Brief Six arrests were made following a human trafficking operation. Undercover officers and investigators said they were able to identify suspects soliciting or engaging in illegal activity related to human trafficking. Zephyrhills police worked alongside multiple state and Tampa Bay area law enforcement agencies during the operation. ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. - Six arrests were made during a human trafficking bust involving multiple state and Tampa Bay area law enforcement agencies, according to the Zephyrhills Police Department. Investigators said the operation was aimed at identifying and catching those involved in trafficking-related crimes. Zephyrhills police collaborated with the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force for the operation. Dig deeper The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), St. Petersburg Police Department, Pasco Sheriff's Office, Polk County Sheriff's Office, the Florida Highway Patrol and the More Too Life Foundation all worked on this investigation, according to ZPD. READ: Florida man cited for shooting, killing great blue heron and duck on his property: FWC Undercover officers and investigators said they were able to identify suspects soliciting or engaging in illegal activity related to human trafficking. Police say that all six suspects, ranging from 23 to 50 years old, face charges varying from human trafficking, solicitation and related offenses. What they're saying "This operation emphasizes our department's ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and holding traffickers accountable," said Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer. "We are proud to stand alongside our fellow agencies in the fight against human trafficking and will continue working to ensure the safety of our community." CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source The information in this story was provided by the Zephyrhills Police Department. 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
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘Operation: April Fool's' catches 2 men trying to pay minors for sex: affidavit
ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (WFLA) — An undercover operation targeting human traffickers took down two men in what police called 'Operation: April Fool's.' According to an arrest affidavit, the Zephyrhills Police Department began the online investigation targeting adults who were trying to pay children for sexual favors. Polk County woman runs over estranged husband's new girlfriend, deputies say As part of 'Operation: April Fool's,' officers would text the suspects, posing as a 15-year-old girl, and ask them to meet in a hotel room. Michael Mathis, 32, of Land O' Lakes negotiated with the undercover cop to pay the 'teen' $200 for sexual intercourse with 'all holes' for an hour, the affidavit said. Mathis was detained at the hotel and was found carrying $251. Mathis was arrested on April 12 for attempted human trafficking, seduction of a child and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. He was taken to the Pasco County Jail. Clearwater woman arrested for DUI says she was 'lit' while driving with baby in car: police Angel Palustre, Jr., 36, of Zolfo Springs used the 'ListCrawler' website to talk to the 'teen' and arrange to meet at the Microtel Inn & Suites, according to the affidavit. Palustre walked to the hotel's third floor and entered the room where he was detained by authorities. Palustre agreed to pay $100 to engage in sexual intercourse, authorities said. He was arrested just before 2 a.m. on April 12 on charges of attempted human trafficking and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. He was taken to the Pasco County Detention Center. Zephyrhills police worked alongside the Tampa Human Trafficking Task Force for this operation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Suspect arrested for vandalizing state senator's district office in Zephyrhills: Police
The Brief A suspect was arrested on a criminal mischief charge for vandalizing State Senator Danny Burgess' office in Zephyrhills. Police responded after the incident on Friday and said there was visible damage to the building. Burgess posted a picture on social media that showed a busted window. ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. - A suspect was arrested Monday for vandalizing State Senator Danny Burgess' office in Zephyrhills on Friday, according to officers. The Zephyrhills Police Department said Chase Swinson, 30, was arrested for criminal mischief, a third-degree felony, after causing property damage to the senator's district office, located at 38507 5th Avenue. READ: Florida man forced to strip down to his underwear fights armed kidnapper to escape 'terrifying ordeal': HCSO Dig deeper Officers responded to the incident on Friday, March 21, and they said they found visible damage to the building. Burgess posted a picture of a busted window on Friday showing the damage done during the incident. What they're saying "Thankfully, no one was injured," Burgess said in a Facebook post on Friday. "In our great state, there is zero tolerance for hateful actions like this. We all have a right to speak freely and protest peacefully, but we draw the line at violence." What we know Zephyrhills police said they further investigated the incident and identified Swinson as the suspect. Swinson did cooperate with investigators and was taken into custody without incident, according to the police department. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Burgess and his staff weren't at the office when the incident happened, and there were no reported injuries by law enforcement. Swinson was taken to the Pasco County Jail. What we don't know Authorities have not said how they were able to determine that Swinson was involved. The Source The information in this story was released by the Zephyrhills Police Department and State Senator Danny Burgess. 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
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Man arrested for damaging Tampa Bay state senator's office: police
ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (WFLA) — A man has been charged with a felony after Zephyrhills police said they were able to link him to an incident in which a state senator reported that his district office was vandalized. Danny Burgess, a Republican who represents part of Hillsborough and Pasco counties, posted a photo to Facebook late last week showing a broken window at his office off 5th Avenue in Zephyrhills. Man sets dog on fire, causes shutdown of Courtney Campbell Causeway 'In our great state, there is zero tolerance for hateful actions like this,' Burgess wrote. 'We all have a right to speak freely and protest peacefully, but we draw the line at violence.' Burgess and his staff were not present at the time, and there were no injuries reported, according to the Zephyrhills Police Department. Officers responded to Burgess' office, and after further investigation, identified 30-year-old Chase Jacob Swinson as a suspect. Police did not state what specifically connected Swinson to the crime. According to authorities, Swinson was cooperative with their investigation and was taken into custody on Monday, March 24 without incident. Police said he was charged with criminal mischief, a third-degree felony, because of a prior conviction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
