Latest news with #OperationToothFairy
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Stuart police issue over 30 parking tickets during Costco's opening weekend
STUART — Over 30 parking tickets were issued by the Stuart Police Department on opening weekend for the new Costco store on South Kanner Highway, according to police officials. Stuart police issued 31 parking tickets at Costco on April 25-27, according to police spokesperson Lt. Brian Bossio. The parking ticket fines varied from parking in a fire lane, $25; obstructing traffic, $50; and parking 15 feet from a fire hydrant, $25. Bossio said Costco hired three Stuart police officers to assist with traffic issues and monitoring the parking lot. The officers were off duty, which means they were working as Stuart police officers and had full authority, but they were not subjected to calls those days. Eager shoppers, some with carts in hand, wait outside the building and in the crowded parking lot for the grand opening of the new Costco Warehouse on April 25, 2025 in Stuart. Stuart police wrote tickets for illegal parking along Southeast Legacy Way, a new street that connects South Kanner Highway with Willoughby Boulevard, Bossio said April 25. The parking tickets were placed on the cars not handed to people, Bossio said some people called the Stuart Police Department and were not happy about getting a ticket. "No one is happy getting a parking ticket, but all of the tickets that were issued were based around public safety," Bossio said May 5. The parking lot has 1,725 spaces, but appeared full by about 8:15 a.m. opening day, April 25. People drove around the lot waiting for shoppers to leave and some parked illegally along the curb. Martin County: Two in Stuart face drug charges after Sheriff's Office stages 'Operation Tooth Fairy' Stuart: Retiring Police Chief Joseph Tumminelli looks back on 30 years of law enforcement Olivia Franklin is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Olivia on X @Livvvvv_5 or reach her by phone at 317-627-8048. E-mail her at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Parking tickets issued during Stuart Costco opening weekend
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Drugs strong enough to kill; ‘Candyman' arrested for drug trafficking: deputies
MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)– The 'Candyman' and one other person have been arrested after a long-term investigation involving narcotics, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office. During 'Operation Tooth Fairy,' detectives identified 41-year-old Julianne C. Perez, they dubbed the 'Candyman,' and 28-year-old Dillon James Clark as major distributors of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamines and other illegal drugs. Who is Jeff Knight? Legal history of boater FWC says was involved in Clearwater ferry crash Perez was given the nickname because she would package fentanyl in small wrappers that resembled candy and often dye the drugs in bright colors to disguise them. Laboratory testing confirmed the drugs contained xylazine and para-fluorofentanyl, two substances more dangerous than fentanyl. Detectives found that Perez would have customers waiting outside her residence for the drugs. When law enforcement received a search warrant for the house, Perez tried to hide the drugs in her private areas, according to the sheriff's office. 2 Florida hikers die after falling from cliff face in Utah From the investigation, officers found 278.6 grams of fentanyl, 83.2 grams of cocaine, 136.4 grams of methamphetamines and 42 oxycodone pills. Perez was arrested for drug trafficking and was booked into the Martin County Jail. Clark was arrested on charges of trafficking in fentanyl of more than 4 grams but less than 14, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Two in Stuart face drug charges after Sheriff's Office stages 'Operation Tooth Fairy'
MARTIN COUNTY — A Stuart couple is facing charges related to the distribution of illegal drugs disguised to look like candy, according to Martin County sheriff's officials. Detectives conducted an investigation they dubbed "Operation Tooth Fairy' during September and October 2024, where they surveilled a home in the 4500 block of Southeast Nimrod Lane in Stuart. People were often seen waiting around outside the house, sheriff's officials said. Detectives staged drug deals using a confidential informant, according to investigation records. In September, the informant contacted a woman detectives dubbed "Candyman," and later identified as Julianne Perez, and asked for fentanyl. Perez told them they could meet at her house on Southeast Nimrod Lane because it was safe, according to an arrest affidavit. The informant contacted Dillon James Clark, at the same address, to confirm the cost of the fentanyl, which he did. The informant received a clear bag containing a blue powdery substance that was field-tested and showed positive for fentanyl, according to the arrest affidavit. The same technique was used during a staged drug deal in October. The informant ordered fentanyl again and the next day Clark texted them "come over we got it," according to sheriff's officials. The informant was again given a clear bag containing a blue powdery substance. The fentanyl was dyed bright colors and packaged to resemble candy wrappers, according to a sheriff's Facebook post. Laboratory testing confirmed the drugs contained xylazine, a veterinary drug used as sedative, and para-fluorofentanyl, an opioid used to relieve or reduce pain. Both substances are more lethal than fentanyl, according to sheriff's detectives.. Detectives used a search warrant to enter Perez's home, and found narcotics. Perez admitted to drug trafficking, according to the arrest affidavit. Fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamines, and oxycodone pills were seized during the investigation. Stuart: Retiring Police Chief Joseph Tumminelli looks back on 30 years of law enforcement Hobe Sound: Martin County detectives investigating fatal shooting on April 17 Perez, 42, of the 4500 block of Southeast Nimrod Lane, was charged with three counts of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, two counts of trafficking fentanyl, selling and manufacturing a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance. She was booked in the Martin County Jail on April 28 on $2.5 million bond, according to the Martin County Jail. Clark, 28, also of the 4500 block of Southeast Nimrod Lane, was charged with two counts of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony and two counts of trafficking fentanyl. He was booked in the Martin County Jail on April 28 on $1.7 million bond, according to the Martin County Jail. It did not appear either had an attorney as of April 29, according to the Clerk of Courts website. Olivia Franklin is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Olivia on X @Livvvvv_5 or reach her by phone at 317-627-8048. E-mail her at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 'Operation Tooth Fairy' results in Stuart couple facing drug charges
