Latest news with #BrowardSheriffsOffice
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Video shows alleged jailhouse beating that led to arrests of BSO detention deputies
Newly obtained surveillance footage from inside the Broward County Main Jail shows the violent altercation that led to the arrests of three Broward Sheriff's Office detention deputies. Those deputies now face charges of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. Attorneys say incident was "reprehensible" CBS News Miami obtained the exclusive video from the attorneys representing 38-year-old Samantha Caputo, who was allegedly assaulted inside a holding cell on October 4, 2022, after being arrested on a DUI charge. Her attorneys say that charge was later dismissed. The footage shows Caputo alone in a cell before an encounter with deputies who instructed her to remove her street clothing, including her bra, and change into standard detention attire. According to a police report, an argument ensued. Sgt. Zakiyah Polk allegedly shoved Caputo backward before she, along with deputies Denia Walker and Cleopatra Johnnie, punched and kicked her several times. The report states Walker used pepper spray and Polk deployed a taser. Caputo was allegedly dragged into a "blind spot" behind a yellow line, away from surveillance cameras. The report notes she was treated for a hematoma below her right eye and swelling and bruising on her face. Caputo's attorneys condemned the deputies' actions. "They wound up tasering her and knocking her to the ground and beating her and macing her," said Glenn Roderman. "In all my years doing this as a prosecutor and a judge and a defense attorney, I have never seen an injustice like this. I was grateful to see the arrests and see them being held in the same jail cell that my client was in." "Sgt. Polk grabbed her bra and shoved her immediately against a back wall," added attorney Phil Johnston. "As soon as she gets back up, there was a hand to her throat. Another officer released pepper spray which can cause your eyes to slam shut and render someone helpless. I thought this was one of the most reprehensible things I have seen as a criminal defense attorney." Deputies facing charges, attorneys defend their actions Sgt. Polk, Walker, and Johnnie have all been charged with aggravated battery with great bodily harm. CBS News Miami spoke with each of their attorneys. Eric Schwartzreich, representing Polk, said in a phone interview, "Detention deputies have dangerous and often thankless jobs. Detention deputies see things in the booking process that people could not imagine. They live in a world of heightened sensitivity to their surroundings and that coupled with the people in the world of the jail. It's a dangerous situation and there's more to this video than it will show and what it will not show. We are confident that when all things come to the surface that it will be determined that our clients did not commit any crimes." Michael Gottlieb, attorney for Cleopatra Johnnie, said, "When someone resists and becomes physical, sometimes deputies have to take it upon themselves to resist those individuals and sometimes people get hurt or tased. Deputies have the right to defend themselves and we are looking forward to fighting this case and proving my client did nothing wrong." Jeremy Kroll, representing Denia Walker, added, "Denia Walker has been a faithful and honest public servant for a decade. We believe the charges against her are factually and legally without merit. We look forward to vigorously defending her in court." Deputies on paid leave pending investigation According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, all three deputies are currently on administrative investigative leave with pay. Polk has been with the agency since September 9, 2002 and Walker was hired on October 19, 2015.
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Thieves strip copper wire from South Florida streetlights in multi-city crime spree, officials say
A stretch of Military Trail between Hillsboro Boulevard and Copans Road is in the dark after thieves stripped copper wire from streetlights in what officials are calling a regional crime spree. Streetlights in Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Coconut Creek and Margate have all been targeted, with law enforcement investigating the thefts as the possible work of an organized ring. "All of them": Copper theft hits hard "The lights are missing from Hillsboro and Military all the way down to Copans Road, which takes you into the city of Pompano Beach," said Rebecca Medina Stewart with the City of Deerfield Beach. She said crooks stole copper wiring from every street light in a three-mile stretch of Military Trail from Deerfield Beach to Pompano Beach. CBS News Miami asked her whether it was just a few lights. "All of them," she said. "From what I understand, it's been all of them on both sides of the street, and they were in and out very quickly, because it happened over the course of one night," she added, describing the thefts as fast and possibly coordinated. Residents shocked by bold crime Residents are reacting with disbelief as major roadways remain dark at night. "I think there's no limit to what thieves will do," said Allan Cohen, who lives nearby. "It's gotten to this now. People steal quite a bit, but I never heard [of] copper wire from streetlights," added resident Ralph Franco. "That's a new one to me." BSO: Crime spanning multiple cities The Broward Sheriff's Office is investigating and calling this a regional issue, noting that in addition to Deerfield and Pompano, both Coconut Creek and Margate have reported similar copper thefts in the past two years. Detectives have not yet confirmed suspects but are exploring the likelihood of an organized group targeting public infrastructure for scrap value.
CBS News
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Wendy's employee accidentally crashes car into Oakland Park restaurant where he works, Broward officials say
A Wendy's restaurant in Oakland Park sustained significant damage Sunday morning after an employee accidentally drove into the building, authorities said. The crash happened around 8:18 a.m. at the Wendy's located at 1040 E Commercial Boulevard, according to Oakland Park Fire Rescue. Crews responded to reports of a vehicle into a building and arrived to find a car lodged inside the lobby area of the restaurant. No patrons were inside at the time of the crash. The only person injured was the driver — an employee of the restaurant — who sustained minor injuries and refused transport to a hospital, fire officials said. Tables and chairs inside the fast food location were visibly smashed in the aftermath. Broward Sheriff's Office deputies and fire rescue crews remained on the scene, and BSO is leading the investigation. A city official was requested to inspect the damage and determine whether the building is safe to remain open for business.
CBS News
21-05-2025
- CBS News
New video shows man found injured after suspected hit-and-run in Pompano Beach
The Broward Sheriff's Office has released new surveillance footage as detectives investigate a possible hit-and-run that left a 69-year-old man injured on a Pompano Beach roadside las week. On May 14, deputies responded around 3 p.m. to the 3000 block of North Dixie Highway, where they found the man lying on the side of the road with his bicycle next to him. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. On May 14, deputies responded around 3 p.m. to the 3000 block of North Dixie Highway, where they found the man lying on the side of the road with his bicycle next to him. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. BSO According to investigators, the man had been riding his bicycle northbound on Dixie Highway when he was discovered unresponsive and hurt. Authorities say the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, but they suspect it may have involved a hit-and-run. Surveillance video shows a person riding an electric scooter southbound in the area around the time of the incident. Detectives believe that individual may have witnessed what happened and are asking them—or anyone with information—to come forward. Tips can be submitted to BSO Violent Crimes Detective Brittany Armstrong at 954-321-4242 or through the SaferWatch app.
CBS News
16-05-2025
- CBS News
Man arrested after pointing gun at woman, daughter in Fort Lauderdale road rage incident, BSO says
A man accused of pointing a gun at a woman and her daughter during a road rage encounter near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has been arrested, the Broward Sheriff's Office said late Thursday. John William Morici, 40, was taken into custody after investigators identified him as the driver seen in cellphone video brandishing a black handgun during the April 29 incident. He faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and is scheduled to appear in bond court Friday. Road rage suspect caught on video pulling gun on mother and daughter The confrontation happened around 7 p.m. near the 300 block of Terminal Drive, just outside the airport. According to investigators, the victim was leaving the airport after picking up her daughter when she signaled to change lanes. That's when a man in a black Dodge Durango sped up to block her from merging. The woman told deputies she slowed down and was able to get into another lane but ended up behind the Durango. The SUV's driver then suddenly hit his brakes, prompting her to switch lanes again to pass him. As she did so, her daughter began recording on her cellphone — capturing the moment the driver pulled out a black handgun and aimed it in their direction. According to the sheriff's office, the man quickly concealed the weapon after noticing the phone and drove off toward South Federal Highway. "As you can imagine, this was a terrifying ordeal for the victim and her daughter," said BSO spokesperson Gerdy St. Louis. "No one expects to have a gun pointed at them while they're trying to switch lanes. This could've ended very badly." Video of the encounter was released publicly by BSO as investigators asked for the public's help in identifying the suspect. Shortly after, Morici was arrested in connection with the case.
