Four Men Arrested During Burglary at Punta Gorda Business

Four men were arrested early Thursday morning, February 27, after they were caught in the act of burglarizing a business in Punta Gorda. At approximately 1:30 a.m., a Charlotte County deputy was patrolling the business due to a burglary that had occurred the night before. As he approached the building,Continue Reading

Two Arrested in Charlotte County for Threats to Conduct School Shootings

Charlotte County deputies have arrested two individuals in separate incidents for making threats to carry out school shootings. On February 26, 2025, a Charlotte High School student reported a Snapchat group chat where a non-student, later identified as 17-year-old Paul Gaston Cruz, allegedly stated he was planning a school shooting.Continue Reading

Suspect Arrested in 2024 Murder of Tampa Woman

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has arrested Michael Canty, 54, in connection with the June 2024 homicide of Dawn Morrison, 48. On June 18, 2024, deputies responded to a death investigation at a Church’s Chicken located at 2219 East Fletcher Avenue, where Morrison’s body was found partially covered inContinue Reading

Man Arrested on Child Molestation and Pornography Charges in Haines City

Martin Jose Rojas Collazo, 52, has been arrested and charged with child molestation and possession of child pornography following an investigation by the Haines City Police Department. On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, officers received a report of a juvenile molestation. During the subsequent investigation, detectives obtained several electronic devices belongingContinue Reading

Drug Dealer in Hillsborough County Faces Murder Charge in Overdose Death

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 48-year-old Joseph Bellamy on a charge of First-Degree Murder following the death of 36-year-old Shawn Wallace. On December 29, 2023, Wallace was found deceased at a residence in Valrico from a suspected overdose. Detectives determined that Bellamy supplied Wallace with the narcotics thatContinue Reading

DNA Breakthrough Solves 1997 Tampa Murder; Suspect Confesses

After nearly three decades, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has solved the 1997 cold case murder of Stephen Edenfield, thanks to advancements in DNA technology and a confession from the suspect, 47-year-old Brandon Gliha. On February 1, 1997, Edenfield was found stabbed and beaten to death in his TampaContinue Reading

Youth Sports Coach Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Charges in Ocala

Richard Hawkins, 62, a youth sports coach and business owner, has been arrested on charges of indecent, lewd, or lascivious touching of a minor and false imprisonment following allegations of sexual abuse. Ocala Police officers responded to Saddleworth Green Apartments on February 23, 2025, to investigate a report involving aContinue Reading