According to police, they have arrested six people that may be connected to a string of vehicle and home burglaries in the Hollywood Lakes neighborhood.
This story comes after a few blogs i have written about many cities facing a spike in vehicle burglaries across Broward County.
Due to the arrests, police have been able to close out 17 cases on burglaries and attempted burglaries that have occurred within the last two months.
For more on the story, go to http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbburglaries1019nboct19,0,7493303.story
Friday, October 19, 2007
Pharmacy connection
Pharmacies, it seems, are becoming targets for robberies. Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties have all had incidents within the last couple of weeks where pharmacies have been assaulted.
According to police, the two men who have been arrested may be connected to several or all the pharmacy robberies.
The two men, Calix Green, 25, and Andre D. Holmes, 33, were arrested Wednesday on attempted robbery and loitering charges and released Thursday. The charges against them remain.
Since May of 2007, 14 pharmacies in Broward have been burglarized. On Oct. 8, the Coconut Creek Walgreen's was burglarized, and on Oct. 18, yesterday, two Boca pharmacies was burglarized.
Pharmacies seem to be a target for these burglars. For more information on the Broward, Miami-Dade, or Palm Beach robberies, go to,
Boca Robberies, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-1018cvsrob,0,7301594.story
Miami-Dade, Broward story, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flprobberies1019nboct19,0,1223724.story
According to police, the two men who have been arrested may be connected to several or all the pharmacy robberies.
The two men, Calix Green, 25, and Andre D. Holmes, 33, were arrested Wednesday on attempted robbery and loitering charges and released Thursday. The charges against them remain.
Since May of 2007, 14 pharmacies in Broward have been burglarized. On Oct. 8, the Coconut Creek Walgreen's was burglarized, and on Oct. 18, yesterday, two Boca pharmacies was burglarized.
Pharmacies seem to be a target for these burglars. For more information on the Broward, Miami-Dade, or Palm Beach robberies, go to,
Boca Robberies, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-1018cvsrob,0,7301594.story
Miami-Dade, Broward story, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flprobberies1019nboct19,0,1223724.story
Murderer of student faces 29 years in prison
In 2004, a pharmacy student at Palm Beach Atlantic University was murdered. After three years, Joshua Reid, now 26, receives a 29-year sentence, and Melissa Ringer, 26, receives a 17-year sentence.
According to authorities, Reid and Ringer, then 19, were running from authorities after a convenience store robbery, and had a plan to kill Bin Zhao, 33. So how did they commit the crime?
Ringer was working as a prostitute and pulled Zhao, who was a regular, to a Boca town home where Reid struck Zhao with a pool stick and strangled him with a lamp chord. Both Reid and Ringer, wrapped the body and placed it in Zhao's trunk.
The couple was caught after trying to use Zhao's credit card in a Target.
For the complete story, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-flpreid1019pnoct19,0,4242874.story
Every other day i get a new e-mail advising me of a new alert about an incident that happened at school, or see a breaking story on the news about students being victimized.
According to authorities, Reid and Ringer, then 19, were running from authorities after a convenience store robbery, and had a plan to kill Bin Zhao, 33. So how did they commit the crime?
Ringer was working as a prostitute and pulled Zhao, who was a regular, to a Boca town home where Reid struck Zhao with a pool stick and strangled him with a lamp chord. Both Reid and Ringer, wrapped the body and placed it in Zhao's trunk.
The couple was caught after trying to use Zhao's credit card in a Target.
For the complete story, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-flpreid1019pnoct19,0,4242874.story
Every other day i get a new e-mail advising me of a new alert about an incident that happened at school, or see a breaking story on the news about students being victimized.
Drama teacher having sex with students
Former high school drama teacher Andrew Foster faces charges for having sex with two female students, both whom are under the age of 18. Foster is also accused of begging a former male student to tell a teen that he would pay her if she did not cooperate with the investigation.
One of the teens, who is believed to have sex with Foster testified that they were having sex regularly when she was 16 years-old. According to police, this teen, identified as D.N, became pregnant and got an abortion. Foster signed the consent.
Foster is charged with five counts of sexual activity with a child which is a first-degree felony and three new charges, all of which are, third-degree felonies.
Foster was arrested last month after leaving the county and quitting his job.
For more information the story, go to, http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2007/10/19/s1a_FOSTER_1019.html
One of the teens, who is believed to have sex with Foster testified that they were having sex regularly when she was 16 years-old. According to police, this teen, identified as D.N, became pregnant and got an abortion. Foster signed the consent.
Foster is charged with five counts of sexual activity with a child which is a first-degree felony and three new charges, all of which are, third-degree felonies.
Foster was arrested last month after leaving the county and quitting his job.
For more information the story, go to, http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2007/10/19/s1a_FOSTER_1019.html
Drug knowledge
Florida Atlantic University's counseling center on the Boca Raton campus is offering educational workshops that will help the campus community gain knowledge on drug and alcohol use.
It seems that every day we see another entertainer, athlete, or public official hit the news because of alcohol or drug related issues. Not only is this issue becoming a problem in the face of television, but it is becoming a bigger problem within our community.
On October 24th, the counseling center will offer the workshop," All arounders: drugs that spin you."
And then on November 28th, the center will offer, "Downers: drugs that pull you."
This should be a great opportunity to see what drugs can do to someone or their friends and family. For more information on the workshops, call 561-297-3540.
There are also support groups that can help those involved in drug and alcohol abuse.
http://www.na.org/ or http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/?Media=PlayFlash
For those who have family member or friend who uses drugs or alcohol, go to http://www.al-anonfamilygroups.org/meetings/meeting.html
It seems that every day we see another entertainer, athlete, or public official hit the news because of alcohol or drug related issues. Not only is this issue becoming a problem in the face of television, but it is becoming a bigger problem within our community.
On October 24th, the counseling center will offer the workshop," All arounders: drugs that spin you."
And then on November 28th, the center will offer, "Downers: drugs that pull you."
This should be a great opportunity to see what drugs can do to someone or their friends and family. For more information on the workshops, call 561-297-3540.
There are also support groups that can help those involved in drug and alcohol abuse.
http://www.na.org/ or http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/?Media=PlayFlash
For those who have family member or friend who uses drugs or alcohol, go to http://www.al-anonfamilygroups.org/meetings/meeting.html
FAU student accused of sexual assault
A student who has been accused of sexually assaulting two females students, was arrested but not on these accusations.
On Saturday, Oct. 13, Christian Finklea was accused of assaulting a female student, who is believed to be an acquaintance, at Florida Atlantic University. Police said they also received an accusation that Finklea had physically assaulted another female student at the University a few weeks prior.
Finklea was arrested on drug possession and possession of liquor by a minor. He was released out on bond, Sunday, Oct. 14. An investigation on the alleged accusations continues and Finklea may face future charges.
Florida Atlantic University police sent out campus-wide e-mails to advise everyone on the incidents, the following Tuesday, Oct. 16. The Palm Beach Post published a story on FLorida Atlantic University's campus police advisory to students a few days after the incidents were reported.
For more information on that story, http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/south/epaper/2007/10/18/1018FAURAPE.html
On Saturday, Oct. 13, Christian Finklea was accused of assaulting a female student, who is believed to be an acquaintance, at Florida Atlantic University. Police said they also received an accusation that Finklea had physically assaulted another female student at the University a few weeks prior.
Finklea was arrested on drug possession and possession of liquor by a minor. He was released out on bond, Sunday, Oct. 14. An investigation on the alleged accusations continues and Finklea may face future charges.
Florida Atlantic University police sent out campus-wide e-mails to advise everyone on the incidents, the following Tuesday, Oct. 16. The Palm Beach Post published a story on FLorida Atlantic University's campus police advisory to students a few days after the incidents were reported.
For more information on that story, http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/south/epaper/2007/10/18/1018FAURAPE.html
Friday, October 5, 2007
Forcible rape is down
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Crime in the Unites States in 2005, forcible rape is down by a little over one percent.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation took statistics from total agencies in the nation and then separated it by cities as well.
Total all agencies reported
The Federal Bureau of Investigation took statistics from total agencies in the nation and then separated it by cities as well.
Total all agencies reported
- In 2004, there were 84,608 forcible rapes reported
- In 2005, there were 83,312 forcible rapes reported
- These numbers show a one and a half percent decrease
In total cities, they reported
- In 2004, there were 62,616 forcible rapes reported
- In 2005, there were 61,666 forcible rapes reported
- These numbers show a one and a half percent decrease
The cities that showed most forcible rapes reported were metropolitan cities, cities with population of 250,000 and over, cities with populations of 100,000 to 249,999, and suburban areas. For the complete chart, click on this link, http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/data/table_12.html
The fact that forcible rape is down is great, however, it may be that the victims are not reporting the incidents. There is still plenty of work left, but at least the numbers show that awareness helps.
Murder rates in South Florida above average
Murders in South Florida rose by 28 percent from 2005 to 2006. The national average rose two percent.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), South Florida murders increased by 28 percent. In 2005, there were 883 murders reported. In 2006, there were 1,129 murders reported. Nationally the number rose only by two percent.
Lonn Lanza-Kaduce, a University of Florida criminology professor, told the Sun-Sentinel that the numbers show, "a sizable uptick in murders."
Even though the numbers are up, Palm Beach County, according to Lieutenant Mike Wallace, when comparing numbers from 2006 to 2007 in Palm Beach, it has actually decreased. That came after law enforcement placed more officers in areas where crime is an issue.
Other violent crimes, like, robberies increased, but forcible rape and aggravated assault decreased in both Florida and nation wide.
Knowing that crimes, overall are decreasing are great, however, murder increasing scares me as a South Florida resident.
For more information on this story, go to, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-flpcrimestats0925pnsep25,0,2044644.story
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), South Florida murders increased by 28 percent. In 2005, there were 883 murders reported. In 2006, there were 1,129 murders reported. Nationally the number rose only by two percent.
Lonn Lanza-Kaduce, a University of Florida criminology professor, told the Sun-Sentinel that the numbers show, "a sizable uptick in murders."
Even though the numbers are up, Palm Beach County, according to Lieutenant Mike Wallace, when comparing numbers from 2006 to 2007 in Palm Beach, it has actually decreased. That came after law enforcement placed more officers in areas where crime is an issue.
Other violent crimes, like, robberies increased, but forcible rape and aggravated assault decreased in both Florida and nation wide.
Knowing that crimes, overall are decreasing are great, however, murder increasing scares me as a South Florida resident.
For more information on this story, go to, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-flpcrimestats0925pnsep25,0,2044644.story
Guard shot
A security guard was shot this afternoon at a bank in city of Lauderhill. Police are investigating a suspect that may have been involved. This suspect was found dead in a nearby apartment.
The shooting took place this afternoon at the Bank Atlantic on State Road Seven and near Northwest 21 Street in city of Lauderhill.
Police chased the suspect, who appears to be in his 20s and was holding a handgun, into the Brampton Court apartment complex located on the 4300 block near Northwest 19 Street.
The security guard has been identified as a 51 year-old man and has suffered two gun shot wounds to his upper torso. Police say the guard is in serious condition at Broward General Medical Center.
Police are investigating whether the suspect they were chasing is the dead body they found in an apartment. A gun shot wound was found on the body and police report they did not shoot during the chase.
This comes after a few cases where law enforcement has suffered injuries and death.
For more information on the story, go to, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-105bankshooting,0,6061945.story?coll=sofla_tab01_layout
The shooting took place this afternoon at the Bank Atlantic on State Road Seven and near Northwest 21 Street in city of Lauderhill.
Police chased the suspect, who appears to be in his 20s and was holding a handgun, into the Brampton Court apartment complex located on the 4300 block near Northwest 19 Street.
The security guard has been identified as a 51 year-old man and has suffered two gun shot wounds to his upper torso. Police say the guard is in serious condition at Broward General Medical Center.
Police are investigating whether the suspect they were chasing is the dead body they found in an apartment. A gun shot wound was found on the body and police report they did not shoot during the chase.
This comes after a few cases where law enforcement has suffered injuries and death.
For more information on the story, go to, http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-105bankshooting,0,6061945.story?coll=sofla_tab01_layout
11 people arrested for Mortgage Fraud
According to police, 11 arrests have been made in a first round of suspects involved in mortgage fraud. The 11 arrests, include, brokers, title agents, borrowers and sellers.
What has been happening is that people used stolen identities, false mortgage documents and used fraudulent appraisals. These tactics were used to get loans that totaled two million dollars.
On the first round of arrests, a week ago, federal prosecutors charged 18 people with mortgage fraud that totaled more than $50 million dollars for real estate in South Florida.
For more information on the story, go to, http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/261515.html
What has been happening is that people used stolen identities, false mortgage documents and used fraudulent appraisals. These tactics were used to get loans that totaled two million dollars.
On the first round of arrests, a week ago, federal prosecutors charged 18 people with mortgage fraud that totaled more than $50 million dollars for real estate in South Florida.
For more information on the story, go to, http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/261515.html
Man Burglarizes 13 vehicles
Broward Sheriff's Office is looking for a man who is belived to have burglarized 13 vehicles in one neighborhood.
According to the Sun-Sentinel, police spokesman, Sergeant Frank Sousa, said that the man is believed to have burglarized the vehicles between midnight and 7 a.m., Thursday morning.
The suspect was described as a man between the ages of 25 and 30 years old, unshaven, carrying a backpack, wearing dark clothes and seen in the 2100 block of Northeast 27 Avenue around 7:20 a.m.
The vehicles burglaries seem to be popularizing. City of Plantation, Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, and Parkland all seem to be having the same problem.
For more information on the story, go to: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbburglaries1005sboct05,0,6706866.story
According to the Sun-Sentinel, police spokesman, Sergeant Frank Sousa, said that the man is believed to have burglarized the vehicles between midnight and 7 a.m., Thursday morning.
The suspect was described as a man between the ages of 25 and 30 years old, unshaven, carrying a backpack, wearing dark clothes and seen in the 2100 block of Northeast 27 Avenue around 7:20 a.m.
The vehicles burglaries seem to be popularizing. City of Plantation, Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, and Parkland all seem to be having the same problem.
For more information on the story, go to: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbburglaries1005sboct05,0,6706866.story
Officer Reyka's Memorial
Officer Reyka's death took place at the Walgreens on Powerline. Finally, after a few weeks of searching for the memorial at the Walgreens, i came across it this weekend.
It is truly a site. People have left their shirts, caps, letters, pictures, flowers, prayers, and many American flags. What amazes me is that there still have been no arrests.
The reward is set at $267,000, it's been two months, and still no response.
Broward Sheriff's Office, Sergeant Chris Reyka was shot and killed at the Walgreens located on Powerline Road, just south of Atlantic Boulevard, while looking for stolen vehicles, on August 10, while on duty, early that morning. Since then, there has been few other incidents where police officers have been injured, wounded and killed.
In Sergeant Reyka's memory, there will be a street named Sgt. Chris Reyka Place will run in front of the city's safety building where he worked. The street runs along Dixie Highway to Cypress Road.
For more information and updates, click on the link for crime stoppers, or go to the Sun-Sentinel website and search Sergeant Chris Reyka.
Seminole Indians face problems
Along with casinos rising up in South Florida, the Seminole Indians drug abuse increases.
According to a drug therapist in a Boca Raton Treatment Center, the Seminole Indians are ignoring their drug abuse problem. Seminole women receive a dividends check from the state of Florida each month for $6,000 a child. These mothers are continuing to have kids to support their drug use, while the children are raised by other family members in the reservation.
Once the children get older, their drug use becomes a problem as well. According to this therapist, there is a high-rate of young Seminole adults who are caught by law enforcement and given two options, jail or treatment. To escape the route of facing jail time, the chiefs place these young adults, between the ages of 18 and 25 at drug treatment centers. Once they rehabilitate, they go back to the same routine. About 95 to 100 percent of them head back to treatment, again.
This problem is increasing as casinos keep rising on every other corner. The state has either not realized the issue, or has decided to look the other way. If the drug use continues and nothing is done about this, the Seminole population might face a population decrease in the years to come.
According to a drug therapist in a Boca Raton Treatment Center, the Seminole Indians are ignoring their drug abuse problem. Seminole women receive a dividends check from the state of Florida each month for $6,000 a child. These mothers are continuing to have kids to support their drug use, while the children are raised by other family members in the reservation.
Once the children get older, their drug use becomes a problem as well. According to this therapist, there is a high-rate of young Seminole adults who are caught by law enforcement and given two options, jail or treatment. To escape the route of facing jail time, the chiefs place these young adults, between the ages of 18 and 25 at drug treatment centers. Once they rehabilitate, they go back to the same routine. About 95 to 100 percent of them head back to treatment, again.
This problem is increasing as casinos keep rising on every other corner. The state has either not realized the issue, or has decided to look the other way. If the drug use continues and nothing is done about this, the Seminole population might face a population decrease in the years to come.
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