Victims – Robert E. Babcock – 7/27/45
              Paula A. Babcock – 3/17/49

What:  Deputies respond to Dunedin Home Invasion where two victims are seriously injured.

Where:  548 Chicago Avenue
Dunedin, FL

When:  The incident occurred at approximately 5:00 a.m. on 5/14/12.

How/Why:  

Pinellas County Deputies responded to a Home Invasion this morning at 548 Chicago Avenue in Dunedin.

At approximately 5:00 a.m. multiple suspects entered the residence.  There appears to be no forced entry into the dwelling.

While inside, a confrontation ensued and the two victims were seriously injured.  A female victim (Paula Babcock) was pistol whipped and a male (Robert Babcock) in the house was stabbed.

Both victims are being treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

 Upon further investigation, the occurred location has a history of drug related calls.  Today’s occurrence does not appear to be random.

Detectives are currently investigating leads into the suspect’s where-abouts.  No further information regarding their identity is available at this time.

Anyone with additional information regarding the case is asked to call the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Robbery/Homicide Unit at 582-6200.  Or, to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

Arrested – Zachery Tarver
      DOB – 3/4/91

Charges – 3 counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery
              - VOP (Lewd and Lascivious Battery)

What:  Pinellas County Detectives arrest Largo man for Lewd and Lascivious Battery

Where:  At a location known to both subjects.

When:  The offenses took place 3 separate times over the last 2 months

How/Why:  

Pinellas County Detectives have arrested a 21 year old Largo man for Lewd and Lascivious Battery of a female victim under 16.

Crimes Against Children Detectives began the investigation on Zachary Tarver when the victim disclosed to her school’s administration that Tarver had sent her inappropriate images of himself to her cellular phone.

The School Resource Officer spoke with the victim and began the preliminary investigation into the matter.

Tarver and the victim met online.  This is where Tarver portrayed himself as a 17 year old student.

They are alleged to have had 3 consensual sexual encounters with each other over the past 2 months.

After receiving the images on her cellular phone, the victim began to feel uncomfortable with the relationship and eventually reported the matter to her school’s administration.

Tarver was arrested by detectives this afternoon at his Probation office.

Further investigation into Tarver’s background revealed he had been arrested for Lewd and Lascivious Battery of a Child in 2010.

Tarver’s current occupation is listed as – student.

Detectives believe there may be other victims.  Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Crimes Against Children Unit at 582-6200.  Or, to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau

Charles W.T. Wright (Arrested)
DOB: 04/03/1967
Address 12548 115th Street North, Largo
Arrested for felony carrying a concealed firearm

What:  Deputies assigned to St. Pete/Clearwater Airport have arrested a Largo man for carrying a concealed firearm through the security checkpoint.

Where:  The incident occurred at St. Pete Clearwater International Airport located at 14700 Terminal Boulevard in Clearwater.

When:  The incident occurred at about 6:45 a.m. on Friday, May 11, 2012.

How/Why: 

According to deputies, 45-year-old Charles W.T. Wright was going through security at the airport. Deputies say he placed his backpack through the x-ray machine. TSA agents identified the item in the bag to be a firearm and summoned deputies. 

Deputies responded and confirmed the finding to be a loaded KelTec 32 caliber handgun.

Wright was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm, a felony, and was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident. 

Deputies say Wright was traveling to Lexington, Kentucky on Allegiant Air Flight 860 to visit relatives. Wright told deputies that he works as a Marine Mechanic. He stated he was working the night before, keeps the gun for protection and had forgotten to remove it from his backpack. The gun was contained within a blue case inside the blue nylon backpack. 

A booking photo of the suspect is attached.

-CPO

What:  Deputies responded to a “Shots Fired” call in Lealman Wednesday afternoon.  After several attempts to make contact with the involved parties, it was determined that the incident may have been related to fireworks.  There were no reported injuries.

Where:  In the area of 44th Street and 56th Avenue North in Lealman

When:  Deputies responded to the area of 44th Street and 56th Avenue North in Lealman at approximately 11:30 a.m. on 5/9/12.

How/Why:  

Deputies responded to a “Shots Fired” call in Lealman Wednesday afternoon.  At approximately 11:30 a.m. deputies were dispatched to a report of gun shots in the area of 44th Street and 56th Avenue North.

After speaking with witnesses and citizens in the neighborhood, deputies were led to 5641 44th Street North.  Here, law enforcement personnel attempted contact with individuals inside numerous times.

Deputies were eventually able to determine that all parties inside the residence were unharmed and the sounds heard earlier may have been fireworks.

Deputies stayed on scene until the safety of the neighboring community was no longer in question.  Near by schools were placed on “lock down” as a safety precaution.

Further questions regarding this incident can be directed to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office PIO at 582-6221.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
-Bomb Squad

What:  Deputies responded to a Clearwater motel early this morning to investigate a suspicious package left near a dumpster.

Where:  Super 8 Motel
13260 34th St N
Clearwater, FL

When:  Deputies responded to the Super 8 Motel at approximately 6:30 a.m.

How/Why:  

Deputies responded to a Clearwater motel early this morning to investigate a suspicious package left near a dumpster.

At approximately 6:30 a.m. deputies responded to the Super 8 Motel to investigate a suspicious package left near an outside dumpster.  Upon their arrival they discovered an ammunition type container with a bow on top of it.  Due to the condensation and other outdoor elements, it appeared the container had been there for some time.

As a safety precaution, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad was called out to the scene.  It was determined the container was not dangerous and eventually disposed of properly.

No threats or other suspicious activity had been noted at the motel prior to this incident.

Any further questions can be directed to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Office at 582-6221.

“The dressbarn” – women’s fashion store

The “To Mom With Love” program
Sponsored by “dressbarn” with PAL

What:  The Pinellas County Sheriff’s PAL and “dressbarn” are working together here to help make this year’s Mother’s Day special.  The group of children and volunteers from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s PAL will visit the “dressbarn” at the Largo Mall, 10500 Ulmerton Road, Largo, at 7:00 p.m. on May 10th to shop for that special Mother’s Day gift. The partnership is called the “To Mom With Love” program.

Where:  The children and volunteers from PAL will shop at the “dressbarn” located at the Largo Mall, 10500 Ulmerton Rd., Largo.

When:  Children will shop for their mothers on Thursday, May 10, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.

How/Why:

A number of local mothers will be given an unexpected treat of a new dress or skirt or pair of shoes this Mother’s Day.

The “To Mom, with Love” program will bring hundreds of children into local “dressbarn” stores across the country where they will be given $50 gift cards to shop for their mothers.

Locally, 10 children from the Pinellas Sheriff’s PAL program will have the chance to shop for their mothers, and make Mother’s Day special for them. Each child will have a $50 gift certificate.

“This Mother’s Day, we’re working to make it possible for families that otherwise may not be able to afford a gift, and to recognize the hard work, sacrifice and unique contributions that every mom makes to a home,” said Vivian Behrens, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at “dressbarn”.  “It’s a great program that helps honor someone who too often goes overlooked.”

“We are excited to work with “dressbarn” on this first ‘To Mom, With Love’ program to benefit families in our area,” said Jerry Babcock, Director of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s PAL.  “Most of our kids don’t have the resources to buy their mother a gift for Mother’s Day, so this will be such a great day for the kids, their moms and our volunteers.”

For further information, contact the Sheriff’s Public Information Office, 727-582-6221.

Steven Kwalick (Drowning Victim)
DOB: 06/01/1962
Address: 2242 Manor Court, Clearwater

Clearwater Fire Rescue

What:  Deputies are investigating an apparent accidental drowning that occurred in a residential pool in unincorporated Clearwater.

Where:  The victim was discovered in the pool of his residence located at 2242 Manor Court in Clearwater.

When:  The victim was discovered in the pool at about 7:00 a.m. on May 9, 2012.

How/Why: 

According to deputies, when the victim’s wife awoke this morning at about 7:00 a.m., her husband, 49-year-old Steven Kwalick, was not in the room. She went to look for him and found him face up in the pool. She went to a neighbor’s home and requested their assistance in pulling him from the water.

The neighbor came pulled the victim to the shallow end. Clearwater Fire Rescue responded to the scene and found him to be unresponsive and pronounced him deceased on scene at 7:10 a.m..

Deputies say the Kwalick’s wife had last seen him when she went to bed at about 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening and left him the hot tub. It was customary for him to later jump in the pool to cool off.

The Medical Examiners Office responded to the scene and will conducting an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

The investigation continues. 

Daniel Condran (Injured Pedestrian)
DOB: 06/23/1988
Address: 554 79th Terrace North, Apt. 109, St. Petersburg

Carol Sardegna (Driver)
DOB: 12/10/1944
Address: 9706 Martha Road, Tampa
Vehicle: 1995 Toyota T-100 Pick-up truck

What:  Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash, which resulted in the pedestrian sustaining life threatening injuries.

Where:  The crash occurred at the intersection of Tampa Road and Forest Lakes Boulevard in Oldsmar.

When:  The crash occurred at about 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2012.

How/Why: 

According to deputies, 23-year-old Daniel Condran was crossing Tampa Road at Forest Lakes Boulevard, when he was struck by a Toyota pick-up truck heading westbound on Tampa Road; the vehicle was being driven by 67-year-old Carol Sardegna.

Condran was transported by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries. Condran sustained severe head injuries.

Investigators say Condran was possibly crossing at the crosswalk, but it is not clear at this time which direction Condran  was heading. Deputies say the driver appears to have had the right of way.

According to deputies, neither speed nor alcohol appear to be a factor on the part of the driver. Alcohol on the part of the pedestrian, however, may have been a factor in the crash.

The investigation continues.

Anyone who may have seen the crash or events leading up to the crash, are asked to contact Deputy Keith Williams of the M.A.I.T. Team at (727) 582-6200.

Deputies have advised that Harold William Hoffman has been found safe. He was located sitting on a guard rail at East Lake Road and Tarpon Woods Boulevard. Mr Hoffman is well and unharmed. He had been missing since about 2:30 a.m. from the Stratford Court Assisted Living Facility in Palm Harbor.

***Update Ends***

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau

Harold William Hoffman (Missing)
DOB: 10/30/1926
Address: 45 Katherine Boulevard (Stratford Court Assisted Living Facility) Palm Harbor
Mr. Hoffman is about 5’8″ tall, about 160 pounds with a slim build. He has light blonde hair.  He was last seen wearing a long sleeve gray shirt with red stripes, dark colored dress pants and he wore glasses.

What:  Deputies are asking for the public’s help in locating an elderly man who walked away from an assisted living facilty during the early morning hours.

Where:  The ALF is located at 45 Katherine Boulevard (Stratford Court Assisted Living Facility) in Palm Harbor.

When:  The missing man is believed to have walked away from the ALF at about 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2012.

How/Why: 

Deputies were called to the Stratford Court Assisted Living Facility at about 4:00 a.m. on May 8th, 2012. The complainant advised that 85-year-old Harold William Hoffman was missing and had not been seen since about 2:30 a.m..

The complainant told deputies they believed Mr. Hoffman had walked away from the facility sometime during the night and that they were concerned about his well being as he has the beginning stages of dementia.

Mr. Hoffman has been entered into NCIC/FCIC data base as missing and endangered.

Mr. Hoffman is about 5’8″ tall, about 160lbs with a slim build. He has light blond hair. He was last seen wearing a long sleeve gray shirt with red stripes, dark colored dress pants and he wore glasses.

Deputies are asking that anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Hoffman please contact their local law enforcement.

A photo of Mr. Hoffman is below.

*The proceeds from this event are used to benefit the Pinellas County Sheriff’s youth programs in Pinellas County.  50% of each “Dine-Out Dollar” used and 100% of each purchased but unused “Dine-Out Dollar,” less expenses, benefits youth programs in the community.

**List of participating restaurants is included on back of purchased tickets/”Dine-Out Dollars”.