Robert Joseph Casey (Stabbing victim)
DOB: 01/26/1956
Address: 165 Medallion Boulevard, Madeira Beach

What:
Deputies are investigating what appears to be an accidental stabbing of a man during the Dunedin Mardi Gras celebrations.

When:
Deputies responded to the call at about 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2012.

Where:
The incident occurred on Main Street and the Pinellas Trail.

Why/How:
According to deputies, 56 year-old Robert Joseph Casey, who was dressed as a pirate, was posing for pictures with a group of teenagers that he did not know. Deputies say Casey had a knife in a scabbard as part of his costume – and that one of the teens in the group grabbed the knife and posed for a photo pointing the knife at him (Casey). Someone subsequently noticed that Casey had blood on his shirt; and called for help.

Dunedin Fire Rescue personnel responded and transported Casey by air to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Deputies say the stabbing appears to be accidental in nature.

The investigation continues. 

Deputies would like to speak to the teen who held the knife and posed for the photo - and ask him to contact Deputy Chris Mantzanas at 727 582-6200. He is described as a white male, about 6ft tall, wearing a white t-shirt and flashing pink glasses.

Hannah Kelley (Victim, Deceased)
DOB: 02/07/1992
Address: 6781 30th Avenue North, St. Petersburg

See Release 12-028 for full details of the accidental shooting.

What:
Hannah Kelley who was injured in an apparent accidental discharge of a firearm at a church in St. Petersburg has died.

Where:
The incident occurred at the Grace Connection Church located at 4017 56th Avenue North in St. Petersburg.

When:
She was pronounced deceased Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 10:20 a.m. by medical staff at Bayfront Hospital.  

How/Why:
Hannah Kelley who was injured in an apparent accidental discharge of a firearm at a church in St. Petersburg has died.  She was pronounced deceased Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 10:20 a.m. by medical staff at Bayfront Hospital.  

Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit are still investigating the incident which is now classified as a death investigation. The shooting occurred at the Grace Connection Church located at 4017 56th Avenue North in St. Petersburg on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 12:24 p.m..  See release 12-028 at www.pcsoweb.com for full details.

Kelley’s remains will be taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.  

The investigation continues.

What:
In an effort to reduce DUI related injuries and save lives, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a sobriety checkpoint overnight and the results are released.

Where:
The checkpoint was set up at 9001 US Highway 19 North (in front of the Hudson’s Furniture Store) in Pinellas Park

When:
Friday, February 17, 2012 from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. February 18, 2012.

How/Why:
In an effort to reduce DUI related injuries and save lives, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri has announced the reinstitution of DUI checkpoints and Wolf Pack patrols in Pinellas County. The sobriety checkpoints will be conducted once a month at various locations throughout the County.

The Wolf Pack patrols will also be once a month on nights separate from the checkpoints, and will target high traffic areas with an eye to identify and stop impaired, aggressive or otherwise reckless and errant drivers.

Overnight a sobriety checkpoint was set up at 9001 US Highway 19 North (in front of the Hudson’s Furniture Store) in Pinellas Park.  The results from the checkpoint are as follows:

8   DUI
12 Driving While License Suspended/Revoked
6   No Valid DL
6   Misdemeanor Possession of Controlled Substance
2   Misdemeanor Warrant Arrests
1   Resist Arrest Without Violence
2   Felony Violation of Probation
1   Aggravated Flee/Elude
1   Aggravated Assault w/ Motor Vehicle
1   Aggravated Battery w/ Motor Vehicle

40 Total Charges
32 Subjects Arrested
47 Citations Issued

1944 Vehicles passed / 486 Diverted into the Checkpoint
Average Intrusion Time 2 minutes 6 seconds

The goal of sobriety checkpoints and wolf pack patrols is to raise awareness that will help reduce injuries and save lives; as well as enforce the Sheriff Gualtieri’s Office zero-tolerance for drinking and driving/drug consumption and driving.

“This is another part of our continued effort and commitment at reducing drug and alcohol related crimes which threaten public safety in Pinellas County. We have seen an epidemic of overdose related deaths as many citizens of all social and economic backgrounds have become addicted to prescription drugs. We know these same people are getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and driving.  Through aggressive enforcement we hope to save lives,” said Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.

This Friday’s checkpoint was dedicated to Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Nick Sznerch and his family.  Nick lost his 13-year-old sister and father to an impaired driver when he was only 7-years-old.

Deputy Gary Wilson
Age: 40
Date of Hire: 5/04/2007
Vehicle: 2005 Chevrolet Impala marked Sheriff’s cruiser

Kent Gulley (Driver)
DOB: 9/19/1944
Address: 5963 46^th Avenue North, St. Petersburg FL
Vehicle: 2006 Chevrolet Colorado pick-up

What:
MAIT deputies are investigating a deputy involved traffic crash in Lealman. 

 When:
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:20 a.m.

 Where:
Intersection of 54^th Avenue North and 49^th Street North

 How/Why:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) deputies are investigating a deputy involved traffic crash in Lealman.

According to MAIT deputies, Deputy Gary Wilson was on-duty in his 2005 Chevrolet Impala marked Sheriff’s cruiser with the emergency equipment activated responding to a report of a burglary in progress.

Deputy Wilson was eastbound on 54th Avenue and had stopped at a red light at 49th Street with his emergency equipment activated and waited for traffic to stop before proceeding through the intersection.   All traffic stopped and Wilson continued into the intersection on his way to the emergency call. 

Just as Wilson reached the far side of the intersection, Kent Gulley who was northbound on 49th Street in his 2006 Colorado pick-up, did not notice Deputy Wilson in his marked cruiser or that traffic had stopped, and he struck the passenger side of Wilson’s cruiser.

Wilson was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he was treated and released for minor injuries.  Gulley was not injured, however later after the crash he was taken by a family member to a local hospital for examination.

Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and no one has been cited for the crash.  However, it is still under investigation.

The Sheriff says the 7.6% decrease is significant on several levels, “This is the third year in a row we have achieved a decrease in Part One Crimes, in spite of the many budget cuts we had to make across the agency. The three year decrease is 11.98% over all.”  In addition, according to the report, Arrests for Part One Crimes are up 28.37% in 2011 compared to 2010.

Sheriff Gualtieri also announced a 100% case clearance rate for homicides investigated by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in 2011. There was a 100% homicide case clearance rate in 2010 as well.

In the FDLE Uniform Crime Report (UCR) system, Part One Crimes are Murder, Forcible Sex, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Larceny and Motor Vehicle Theft.

The Sheriff’s jurisdiction includes the unincorporated area and 12 cities that have contracted with the Sheriff for primary law enforcement services. The cities are Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Dunedin, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Redington Beach, Safety Harbor, Seminole, and South Pasadena.

The Sheriff also attributed the decrease to a successful restructuring of the agency which focused on the efficient delivery of public safety services even with a decrease in staff. “We have become a leaner operation, and by aggressively targeting hot spots and using proactive law enforcement strategies, we have managed to make a difference.”

“I can’t say enough about our members who implemented this approach – their performance is commendable during these changing and challenging times,” he said.

Jose Magana Adame DOB 8/23/87

Release Number:  Who:
Arrested:
Jose Magana Adame
DOB: 8/23/87
LKA: 5476 57th Avenue North – St. Petersburg

Charge:
First Degree Murder

He is currently in custody at the Catawba County Jail, Hickory, North Carolina

Victim:
Landy Martinez-Esquivel
DOB: 12/13/90
Address: 5476 57th Avenue North – St. Petersburg

What:  Adame is arrested in connection with the shooting death of 21 year old Landy Martinez Esquivel. The victim was found deceased in his home on December 21, 2011. By following up on tips and developing other investigative information, detectives were able to locate Adame in Hickory, North Carolina. A warrant was issued for his arrest on First Degree Murder and he was taken into custody. He is awaiting extradition at the Catawba County Jail.

For more information on the case – please see News Release 11-305 on the agency website.

Where:  The homicide occurred at the residence located at 5476 57th Avenue North, St. Petersburg.

When:  The homicide occurred in the early hours of December 21, 2011. Deputies discovered Landy’s body in the bedroom of his home while responding to a welfare check just after 10:00 a.m., December 21, 2011.

How/Why: 

With the arrest of Adame on First Degree Murder charges, that brings the Sheriff’s Robbery Homicide Unit’s case clearance rate for homicides to 100%. The Unit worked 14 homicide investigations.

The Robbery Homicide Unit also had a 100% case clearance rate for Homicides in 2010.

Adame is expected to be returned to Pinellas County within the next month, following the completion of the extradition process.

Remove Intoxicated Drivers (RID)

What:
In an effort to reduce DUI related injuries and save lives, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri has announced the reinstitution of DUI checkpoints and Wolf Pack patrols in Pinellas County.

Where:
****This weekend there will be a checkpoint set up at 9001 US Highway 19 North (in front of the Hudson’s Furniture Store) in Pinellas Park****

When:
Friday, February 17, 2012 from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. February 18, 2012.
9001 US Highway 19 North in Pinellas Park

How/Why:
In an effort to reduce DUI related injuries and save lives, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri has announced the reinstitution of DUI checkpoints and Wolf Pack patrols in Pinellas County. The sobriety checkpoints will be conducted once a month at various locations throughout the County. 

The Wolf Pack patrols will also be once a month on nights separate from the checkpoints, and will target high traffic areas with an eye to identify and stop impaired, aggressive or otherwise reckless and errant drivers.

The goal of sobriety checkpoints and wolf pack patrols is to raise awareness that will help reduce injuries and save lives; as well as enforce the Sheriff Gualtieri’s Office zero-tolerance for drinking and driving/drug consumption and driving.

“This is another part of our continued effort and commitment at reducing drug and alcohol related crimes which threaten public safety in Pinellas County.  We have seen an epidemic of overdose related deaths as many citizens of all social and economic backgrounds have become addicted to prescription drugs.  We know these same people are getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and driving.  Through aggressive enforcement we hope to save lives,” said Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.        

DUI enforcement is designed to keep families safe from one of the greatest threats to our communities – THE IMPAIRED DRIVER. Statistics show that in 2010 there were 1,198 alcohol related crashes in Pinellas County. Those crashes resulted in 699 injuries and 42 fatalities.

Pinellas County deputies will conduct a DUI Checkpoint this Friday, February 17, 2012 staring at 8:00 p.m. They will be located at 9001 US Highway 19 North (in front of the Hudson’s Furniture Store) in Pinellas Park.

At the sobriety checkpoints, Prisoner Transport, Community Policing, K-9, and Narcotics deputies will be on the lookout for alcohol and drug impaired drivers. Members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Crash Investigators Unit and the Explorer Post 900 will also assist with non-enforcement related tasks. Deputies will also be looking for other traffic violations to include driver license, registration, insurance, and equipment violations.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Mobile Command Bus will be used for breath testing and processing of arrested individuals.

This Friday’s checkpoint is dedicated to Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Nick Sznerch and his family.  Nick lost his 13-year-old sister and father to an impaired driver when he was only 7-years-old.

See attached brochure: DUI_Checkpoint_02-17-12

For more information about the Sobriety Checkpoints, contact Captain Teri Dioquino of the Special Operations Division at 727-582-6200.

Charges:
Robbery With A Deadly Weapon
Robbery – Strong Arm
Robbery
Burglary to an Occupied Vehicle

What:    Wolfe is a suspect in three robberies which occurred in the early morning hours of February 14, 2012. According to detectives Wolfe was driving his mother’s minivan and allegedly rear-ended other motorists, and when they stopped to look at the damage – he would rob them. The robberies affected two female victims and one male victim.

After his arrest, Wolfe admitted to the three robberies committed on Valentine’s Day, and two other incidents in the jurisdiction of St. Petersburg Police – which did not occur on Valentine’s Day – for a total of five so far.

Where:     The robberies occurred at the following locations and times on February 14, 2012:

12:15 a.m. – 4900 block of 98th Way – a male victim

2:25 a.m. – 28th Street and Haines Road – a female victim

7:05 a.m. – 62nd Ave. North and 12th Street – a female victim

When:     The robberies in the Sheriff’s jurisdiction occurred on February 14, 2012.

How/Why:
Detectives say, in the first robbery, Wolfe forced the victim off the road and forced his way into the victim’s car (Vehicle Burglary) and robbed him.

In the second robbery – Wolfe reportedly displayed a knife. The victim was not hurt. Wolfe had rear-ended the victim’s vehicle.

In the third robbery, Wolfe reportedly pushed around the victim during the robbery. Wolfe also rear-ended the victim’s vehicle in this case.

The victims received bruises, but were not seriously injured.

Deputies were able to locate Wolfe after his mother reported her van missing. The description of the missing van matched the description of the suspect vehicle in the reported robberies.

Wolfe was arrested late Wednesday night, February 15, 2012.

During questioning by detectives, Wolfe admitted to the robberies, saying he needed money for cocaine. Wolfe told detectives he had seen the robbery method of rear-ending motorists – on television.

Please use this link for the booking photo:
http://www.pcsoweb.com/InmateBooking/SubjectResults.aspx?id=1490068

Save the Date!

March 11th-18th, 2012

The 8th Annual Clearwater Women’s Open–A USTA Pro-Circuit Event, benefiting the Pinellas Sheriff’s Police Athletic League, will be held at the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex (1000 Edenville Ave., Clearwater, FL).

This is a $25,000 event.  Most tournaments at this level will attract players from approximately 20 different countries and may attract players with rankings as high as 50-100.  To put this into perspective, players ranked between 106 and 227 are direct acceptances into the U.S. OPEN.

Tickets are only $5 for general seating or $10 for VIP seating!

The mission of the Pinellas Sheriff’s PAL is to offer the youth of Pinellas County alternatives to substance abuse, crime and gangs. PAL’s community service, sports, and education programs serve as the foundation for the development of leadership skills, citizenship and good sportsmanship. www.pinellascountypal.com

You won’t want to miss out on this family-friendly event! Plus, it supports a good cause!

To read the schedule of events, find ticket information, support our sponsors, and learn more about the tournament–please visit our new event website at:

www.ClearwaterWomensOpen.com

Clearwater Fire and Rescue

Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC)

Michael R. Eytchison (Injured in Crash)
DOB: 12/21/1978
Address: 302 Congress Street, Oldsmar
Operating personal watercraft

Matthew J. Eickmeyer (Eytchison’s co-worker – transported him to docks after crash)
DOB: 07/17/1989
Address:
Operating personal watercraft

What:  Deputies assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit are investigating a personal watercraft crash near Island Way in the Intercoastal waterway. The operator sustained serious, but non-life threatening facial injuries and possible neck injuries.

Where:  Deputies responded to Intercoastal Waterway near Island Way.

When:  Deputies responded to the crash at about 3:08 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

How/Why: 

According to deputies, 33-year-old Michael Eytchison and 22-year-old Matthew Eickmeyer were each riding a personal watercraft in the intercoastal waterway. Deputies say the men, employed by Short Block Technologies (SBT), a company that builds motors and tests parts for watercrafts,were out testing the crank shafts of the watercrafts for their employer.

The two were riding westbound on the north side of the Clearwater Memorial Causeway, when Eickmeyer lost sight of Eytchison. Eickmeyer proceeded to the area where he last saw him and discovered him injured in the mangroves. Eickmeyer put him on his personal watercraft and immediately transported him to the Seminole Street boat ramp. Eytchison was then transported from there to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.

According to Marine Unit investigators, it appears Eytchison attempted to turn away from the mangroves as he approached them, but failed to make the turn and continued on into the mangroves at a rate of speed of about 30 miles per hour. Eytchison sustained serious facial injuries and possible neck injuries.

Deputies say the crash does not appear to be alcohol/drug impairment related.

The investigation continues.