Two suspects were arrested after robbing a man at gunpoint on Christmas Day in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven on Finley Avenue. Polk County Sheriff’s Office Robbery detectives identified Christian Ayala (25) and Najee Mears (34) as the individuals involved in the crime. The victim, who was visiting familyContinue Reading
A 56-year-old man and his 17-year-old stepson were arrested early on New Year’s Day following a violent disturbance at a crash scene in the area of Silver Spur Loop and Longhorn Drive. The incident began shortly after midnight at 12:09 a.m. when a woman riding a motorcycle near her homeContinue Reading
Jacksonville recorded 59 murders in 2024, the lowest number since at least 1995 and a 52% decrease from 2023. Sheriff T.K. Waters attributed this achievement to strategic efforts by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), community collaboration, and advanced technology investments. “One of my primary points I wanted was for everyoneContinue Reading
On Tuesday, December 31, 2024, a routine patrol by the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) led to the arrest of a Branford man found in possession of fentanyl. Deputies were patrolling County Road 138 in response to community complaints about traffic and possible criminal activity when they spotted a silverContinue Reading
Early on December 26, 2024, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Patrol Officer H. Melvin stopped on the Mathews Bridge to assist two men with changing a tire on a disabled vehicle. Parking his patrol car behind the two vehicles and activating his emergency lights, Officer Melvin provided a safety buffer as theContinue Reading
On December 31, 2024, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30-year-old Kody Jo Wills of Lakeland, Florida, on charges of DUI manslaughter, DUI causing serious bodily injury, and two counts of negligent child abuse. The charges stem from a November 7, 2024, crash that resulted in the death of Wills’Continue Reading
A 44-year-old cold case has finally been solved after decades of investigation, revealing that former Charlotte County Sheriff’s Deputy John J. Greer was responsible for the murder of 25-year-old Adele Marie Easterly in 1979. Greer, who passed away in March 2024 at age 77, admitted to the killing during aContinue Reading
A Port Charlotte man is in jail after throwing a Molotov cocktail at an occupied vehicle in his driveway early on December 30, 2024. Jon Scott Warner, 61, was first contacted by deputies on Sunday, December 29, after a domestic dispute call at his residence on Midway Blvd. Deputies spokeContinue Reading
On Thursday, December 26, 2024, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) Corrections Sergeant Donald Boston was arrested on a charge of domestic battery, a first-degree misdemeanor. Boston, who has been employed with JSO for over 17 years, was placed on administrative status following his arrest. Boston, who became a Sergeant in OctoberContinue Reading
On the evening of December 26, 2024, 74-year-old Jack Plank, an inmate at the Charlotte County Jail, passed away following a medical episode. Mr. Plank, who had a known medical condition, had been in custody since December 6, when he was arrested following a domestic incident. During his stay, heContinue Reading