Two men beat, rob hearing-impaired man

ST. PETERSBURG - Two men led a hearing-impaired man outside a convenience store, where they struck him and took his wallet, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

It happened about 1 p.m. Thursday at the Quick Food and Deli, 7539 46th Ave. N, in unincorporated Pinellas County.

One of the men gestured to get the victim to walk outside the store, where he works part-time. The men struck him, causing him to fall on the ground, and then kicked and beat him before taking his wallet, which contained a small amount of cash, deputies said.

Witnesses told authorities that the men fled from the scene in a tan or gray sport utility vehicle similar to a Honda CRV. 

The victim suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

The Sheriff's Office is asking for help in identifying the men. Deputies described them this way:

Suspect No. 1: A white male, approximately 30 years old, 6 feet tall, and about 170 pounds. He is clean shaven with short brown hair and was last seen wearing sunglasses, a light color T-shirt, multicolor plaid shorts and athletic shoes.

Suspect No. 2: A white male, also about 30 years old. He is about 6 feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He has short "buzz-cut" brown hair and a partial clothing description included only a gray tank top.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Jeremy Nygren of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Robbery/Homicide Unit at (727) 582-6200 or to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 873-TIPS.

Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer

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Man survives heart attack and crash

TAMPA - A 60-year-old man who suffered a heart attack and crashed his car Thursday survived thanks in part to the quick actions of two deputies.

Carl Johnson, Jr. of 4811 George Road was southbound on Wilsky Boulevard just before 8 p.m. when he had a heart attack and lost control of his 2002 Chevrolet, colliding with a tree.

Johnson didn't appear to be injured by the crash. And Deputies Kari McVeigh and Tylor Lenzmeir arrived on scene and performed CPR until Hillsborough County Fire Rescue paramedics arrived.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said paramedics reported Johnson was breathing on his own when they arrived.

Rebecca Catalanello, Times Staff Writer

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Don't panic, just a reminder that hurricane season isn't over yet

Forecasters are keeping an eye on some disturbed weather in the Atlantic that could turn into a tropical depression in the next few days.

The National Hurricane Center says the system is about midway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles and is showing signs of organization. It's moving west-northwest.

It's another reminder that hurricane season, which has been pretty easy on Florida so far, doesn't end till Nov. 30.

But here's the good news: WeatherUndground.com says the storm is not expected to affect any land areas. "By Wednesday, most of the models are predicting that an extratropical storm will form just north of Puerto Rico,'' writes Jeff Masters, and that will pull the system "into the Atlantic hurricane graveyard.''

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'America's Most Wanted' to feature Hillsborough fugitive

TAMPA - A Hillsborough man who skipped out on his attempted capital sexual battery trial in June will be featured Saturday night on America's Most Wanted.

The TV show airs at 9 p.m. on FOX.

Kareem Hack, 22, had been on house arrest with an ankle bracelet while awaiting trial on the September 2006 sex charges. Accused of offering to pay $20 to have sex with two preschoolers, he knew he faced significant prison time if convicted.

He cut the bracelet off the night before his trial. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest, and he has been a fugitive ever since.

Prosecutors were prepared to argue at trial that Hack sent graphically worded text messages to a mother - who was having financial trouble - then showed up at a motel room and told her that he wanted to perform sexual acts on her 3-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son in exchange for money.

He was charged with two counts each of solicitation to commit capital sexual battery, attempted capital sexual battery and procuring a person under 18 for prostitution.

According to America's Most Wanted, authorities believe Hack could still be hiding in Florida or may have fled to his hometown of Queens, N.Y. His parents are from Guyana.

Call the show's hot line at 1-800-CRIME-TV if you have a tip.

Colleen Jenkins, Times Staff Writer

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Mail carrier bitten by snake in mailbox

TAMPA - A 66-year-old mail carrier opened a mailbox this morning only to be bitten by an eastern diamondback rattlesnake.

Tampa Fire Rescue paramedics responded to a call about the bite at 11:40 a.m., when someone called 911 from 16350 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., a post office.

The mailman, Efrain Arango, drove himself back to the post office after the bite and was taken to University Community Hospital, where he was treated in the emergency room. Arango has been working part time for the Postal Service for about 11 months. Also a school bus driver, he took the extra job to help pay his daughter's college expenses, he said.

The address of the offending snake is unknown for now.

Rebecca Catalanello and Rodney Thrash, Times Staff Writers

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Judge blasts Gulfport police for mistreating suspect

GULFPORT - A Pinellas County Circuit Court judge criticized Gulfport police for mistreating a suspect who was Tasered and beaten multiple times.

Judge Cynthia Newton called the treatment of Fred Bramich, 44 "disgusting" and "horrible"

"This was a very bad case, the jury decided it was a very bad case,"  Newton said, according to a court transcript provided by Bramich's attorney.

A jury acquitted Bramich (left) last month of charges that he violently resisted arrest and committed battery against a police officer.

Now Bramich has hired a civil lawyer and is preparing to sue Gulfport police for using excessive force.

"It's scary that police can do something like this," said attorney Robert Tager, who said today he is preparing a civil  rights lawsuit that will be filed in either state or federal court.

Clearwater police warn Hispanics about robberies

CLEARWATER - Police are warning Hispanic men about a series of robberies in which the victim was a Hispanic male and the suspect was a black male.

Since January, there have been at least 45 incidents citywide that appear to be related by location, suspect description, suspect vehicle description, victim description, and/or motive. In all cases, at least one of the victims was a Hispanic male and the suspects were black males. In most cases, two armed black men robbed the victims. In most cases, the suspects were described as being between 17 and 25 years of age. In 11 cases, the suspects wore some kind of mask. In most cases, the subjects knocked the victims to the ground, kicked and/or punched them, or held a gun to their heads and then took their wallets and money. In two incidents, a victim was shot.

The majority of the incidents occurred between 10 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. and incidents have occurred on every day of the week. 

Police are asking local Hispanic men and women to follow these safety tips: walk or ride with others, be aware of surroundings, do not carry large amounts of cash, pick a safe route, and stay away from dark areas.

"Many of these cases seem to be targeted crimes of opportunity," said Hispanic Outreach Officer Brian Munoz. "By taking certain precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk."

Police will have extra patrols in the area and are asking those with information about the robberies to call (727) 562-4422.

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Pasco double shooting considered attempted homicide, suicide

BAYONET POINT - Pasco deputies say a double shooting on Thursday evening along a dirt road in a neighborhood off U.S. 19 was an attempted homicide and suicide.

Authorities say Cathy Chorba, 46, of 16003 Villa Drive in Hudson, and her boyfriend, Steven E. Kane, 56, of the same address, are alive but have potentially life-threatening gunshot wounds.

Around 3:20 p.m. on Thursday, someone called 911 and said the couple was in or near a car parked along Secret Lane in Bayonet Point, authorities said.

Deputies responded to the area of 31211 Secret Lane and found the couple with gunshot wounds to the upper torso. Both were taken to a local hospital.

The car found at the scene was a four-door bronze 1989 Buick Century parked in the grass about 10 feet west of Secret Lane.

Detectives said on Friday they suspect that Kane made the 911 call.

Camille C. Spencer, Times Staff Writer

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Counterfeit money leads to Tampa man's arrest

TAMPA - When 38-year-old Randall Izquierdo-Cardenas handed over $140,000 in fake money to undercover detectives, Sheriff's Office deputies said, he intended to get a kilogram of cocaine. Instead, he got a trip to jail.

Izquierdo-Cardenas of 6420 Coolidge Ave. (pictured) was arrested Thursday afternoon during a drug deal with undercover officers at a north Tampa Wal-Mart, 8220 N Dale Mabry Highway, according to an arrest affidavit. When officers searched his home, they found equipment used to print the counterfeit cash, according to the affidavit.

Undercover officers met with Izquierdo-Cardenas twice before. The first time, Sept. 22, he exchanged $2,790 in counterfeit cash for $200 in real money, an affidavit states. On Sept. 29, he sold the officers $1,180 in fake bills for $100 in real ones, the affidavit says.

He faces three counts of possessing counterfeit money, one count of making counterfeit money and one count of cocaine possession. He was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he remains without bail.

Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

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Branded with 'Love,' but accused of throwing his pregnant wife to the ground

TAMPA - A 24-year-old man was charged with felony battery after, police said, he threw his 9-week-pregnant wife to the ground twice during an argument on Thursday.

Christopher Horace Anthony Love, who lives at 16296 Compton Heights and has a forearm tattoo of his last name, told police he knew the woman was pregnant. She did not require medical attention.

Love was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he remains without bail.

Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

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Man accused of choking disabled girlfriend

TAMPA - A Tampa man was jailed Thursday after he choked his disabled girlfriend during an argument, deputies said.

Around 3 p.m., Dennis McCloskey of 9412 Takomah Trail (pictured) grabbed the woman by her throat and threw her on her truck before trying to take her keys, according to an arrest affidavit.

McCloskey faces charges of felony battery and battery on a disabled victim. He was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he remains without bond.

Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

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String of burglaries results in Brandon man's arrest

BRANDON - Over the span of more than two months, Hillsborough sheriff's deputies say, a Brandon man and two accomplices looted three construction sites, a storage facility and model home office, causing thousands of dollars in damage and stealing thousands more worth of property.

William Milan Hurtak of 1407 Scotch Pine Drive (pictured) was arrested Thursday during a traffic stop, where, deputies said, they found some of the stolen items and robbery tools. According to arrest affidavits, officials are still looking for Steven Hall and another man, whose full name isn't know, in connection with the burglaries.

Police say Tampa man got teen pregnant

TAMPA - A 34-year-old Tampa man was arrested Thursday afternoon after police said he engaged in consensual sex with a 17-year-old runaway who is now more than five months pregnant with his child.

Police said Ramiro Perez-Garcia, 1250 Skipper Road, No. 316, had been sexually involved with the girl, a ward of the state, since May, according to an arrest affidavit.

Perez-Garcia faces two counts of felonious sexual activity with a minor and two counts of interference with a child in custody. He was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he remains on $19,000 bail.

Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

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