Latest news with #HighlandsCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
5 arrested for murder after man robbed, killed at hotel: HCSO
The Brief The Highlands County Sheriff's Office says five suspects have been arrested for the murder of a 21-year-old man. Deputies say the suspects robbed and shot Elijah Daley on May 8 at the Ramada Inn off U.S. 27 in Lake Placid. The suspects face first-degree murder charges. LAKE PLACID, Fla. - Five people face murder charges after Highlands County deputies say the group violently robbed a 21-year-old man in a hotel room, leaving him shot to death. The backstory The sheriff's office says the shooting happened last Thursday, May 8, at the Ramada Inn off U.S. 27 in Lake Placid. According to HCSO, deputies found the body of Elijah Daley in a room at the hotel. Deputies say three people who initially claimed to be witnesses told investigators that they were in the room with Daley when a masked man forced his way in and shot the victim three times during a struggle. Detectives say it became clear within hours that those three people – J'Mari Mitchell, 18, La'niyah Mcleod, 19, and Yoshabelle Edouard, 19 – had been involved in setting up the robbery that led to the shooting. The sheriff's office says surveillance video helped identify the suspected shooter as Latarius Johnson, 26, who was arrested on Friday night in Sebring. Jyer'Markis Jenkins, 20, is accused of driving Johnson to and from the scene, with deputies saying he was arrested after a high-speed pursuit. READ: FSU shooting suspect Phoenix Ikner charged with first-degree murder What's next All five suspects face first-degree murder charges, while Johnson is also charged with armed robbery. The sheriff's office says the suspects could face the death penalty if prosecutors decide to pursue capital punishment. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source This story was written with information from the Highlands 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
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
21-year-old man killed at Lake Placid motel: deputies
LAKE PLACID, Fla. (WFLA) — A man was killed at a motel in Lake Placid on Thursday. The Highlands County Sheriff's Office was called to the Ramada Inn shortly after 5 a.m. 'I want him to know the pain': Victim reacts to judge sentencing Olympus Pools owner Deputies said the homicide victim is a 21-year-old man. They did not release any additional information about the incident. Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to contact the Highlands County Sheriff's Office at (863) 402-7200 (option 1). Anonymous tips can be left via the HCSO smartphone app or with Heartland Crime Stoppers a 1-888-400-TIPS (8477). You can also submit a tip by visiting and clicking on 'Submit A Tip' tab or by downloading the free 'P3tips' app on your smartphone. Crime Stoppers tips are always anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
23-04-2025
- The Independent
Bizarre moment Florida man offers deputy vodka spritzer during chase
The bizarre moment a Florida man offered a sheriff's deputy a vodka spritzer during a high-speed chase was captured on body cam. On Saturday (19 April), the Highlands County Sheriff's Office received a report that 39-year-old Richard Christopher Smith had allegedly stolen multiple items from a Sebring convenience store before driving around in circles. When deputies arrived on the scene, Smith sped off. During the pursuit, Smith passed by a deputy who told him to stop. The suspect can be seen holding out a can and replying, 'I was just gonna give you a drink, that's it,' before racing off. Authorities say the beverage was Ketel One vodka spritz. Deputies eventually tased and arrested Smith after he tried to ram two patrol vehicles. He asked them, 'You guys had fun, though, right?' Smith was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of resisting arrest, DUI, refusal to submit to a DUI test and petty theft.
New York Post
23-04-2025
- New York Post
Florida man offers police booze during car chase: ‘Don't know if he was expecting us to just say ‘cheers'
Advertisement Don't drink and drive. A Florida man casually offered pursuing deputies a vodka spritzer in the middle of a car chase after he allegedly stole several items from a convenience store, authorities said. Deputies with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office responded to the Spring Lake Market on Saturday after Richard Christopher Smith, 39, allegedly took items from a market, including several alcoholic beverages, and walked out. When the deputies arrived, Smith fled in a vehicle, prompting a pursuit, the sheriff's office said. Advertisement 'It was during this pursuit when Smith held a can of Ketel One vodka spritz out the window as he drove by a deputy trying to get him to stop, telling the deputy 'I was just going to give you a drink, that's it' as he passed,' the sheriff's office said. 3 Richard Christopher Smith allegedly offered officers a vodka spritzer in the middle of a car chase. Highlands County Sheriff's Office 'We don't know if he was expecting us to just say 'Cheers!' and let him go, or what.' The chase ended a few minutes later in the parking lot of a business at the Sebring Regional Airport. Advertisement After his toast, Smith, who is a Miami resident, tried to ram two patrol vehicles as all four of his tires were flattened by spike strips, police said. 3 Smith is seen being tased by an officer after the chase. Highlands County Sheriff's Office 3 Smith is charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of resisting arrest, DUI, refusal to submit to a DUI test and petit theft. Highlands County Sheriff's Office He was unfazed as he calmly tried to walk away from the scene – which was surrounded by deputies – while puffing on a cigarette, authorities said. Advertisement 'You guys had fun, though, right?' he asked them. He was eventually Tased in the middle of his smoke break and arrested. Smith is charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of resisting arrest, DUI, refusal to submit to a DUI test and petit theft. His bond was set at $120,000.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Florida man offers police booze during car chase: 'Don't know if he was expecting us to just say ‘cheers''
Don't drink and drive. A Florida man casually offered pursuing deputies a vodka spritzer in the middle of a car chase after he allegedly stole several items from a convenience store, authorities said. Deputies with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office responded to the Spring Lake Market on Saturday after Richard Christopher Smith, 39, allegedly took items from a market, including several alcoholic beverages, and walked out. Florida Woman Poses As Ice Agent To Kidnap Wife Of Ex-boyfriend From Work, Authorities Say When the deputies arrived, Smith fled in a vehicle, prompting a pursuit, the sheriff's office said. "It was during this pursuit when Smith held a can of Ketel One vodka spritz out the window as he drove by a deputy trying to get him to stop, telling the deputy 'I was just going to give you a drink, that's it' as he passed," the sheriff's office said. "We don't know if he was expecting us to just say 'Cheers!' and let him go, or what." Read On The Fox News App The chase ended a few minutes later in the parking lot of a business at the Sebring Regional Airport. Investigators Reveal New Details On Fsu Shooting After his toast, Smith, who is a Miami resident, tried to ram two patrol vehicles as all four of his tires were flattened by spike strips, police said. He was unfazed as he calmly tried to walk away from the scene – which was surrounded by deputies – while puffing on a cigarette, authorities said. "You guys had fun, though, right?" he asked them. He was eventually Tased in the middle of his smoke break and arrested. Smith is charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of resisting arrest, DUI, refusal to submit to a DUI test and petit theft. His bond was set at $120, article source: Florida man offers police booze during car chase: 'Don't know if he was expecting us to just say 'cheers''
