Officer, doctor honored after police shooting

ST. PETERSBURG -- The St. Petersburg Police Department honored an undercover officer on Friday for his role in a shooting at a Blockbuster in April.

Police did not name the detective because of his status. He received a medal of valor and purple heart.

The officer was conducting surveillance of suspects in robberies of pharmacies when they committed an armed robbery of a Blockbuster at 5100 66 Street North, police say.

He exchanged fire with the suspects and was hit in the stomach. Medical staff in the Bayfront Medical Center Emergency Room helped to save his life from the critical injuries.

--Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer

Lowry Park Zoo accreditation suspended

TAMPA -- The prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums has suspended the accreditation of Lowry Park Zoo, city and zoo officials said this evening.

The suspension is temporary and is based on an initial AZA review of the zoo's procedures for acquiring or transferring animals, according to a written statement from zoo director of public relations Rachel Nelson.

"The zoo has been invited to respond to this change in status," Nelson wrote. "We have assured AZA that we will work cooperatively with the organization to address concerns.

"This does not affect the zoo’s daily operations, the high quality of animal care or operating standards employed by the zoo," she added. "Our zoo upholds the highest standards of animal welfare and care in accordance with regulatory agencies, including (the U.S. Department of Agriculture) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission."

In recent months, the city and the AZA have been auditing 201 trades, sales, loans and gifts of animals to zoo president Lex Salisbury, who runs a private venture called Safari Wild.

Salisbury has been on a leave of absence since October while the audits are underway. His private dealings with the zoo drew scrutiny after reports began to surface about decisions Lowry officials made to build holding pens at Safari Wild and send animals there.

Santiago Corrada, Tampa's neighborhood services administrator and a member of the zoo's board, said he learned of the suspension today from zoo board chairman Bob Merritt.

"He told me that the membership had been suspended by the AZA and was subject to reinstatement in March" based on a meeting of the full board of the AZA, Corrada said.

Corrada said he hadn't seen the report, but when he went to the AZA's Web site -- www.aza.org -- the Lowry Park Zoo was not listed as an accredited member.

Merritt, who could not be reached for comment, mentioned to Corrada that the decision was based, at least in part, on the zoo's failure to comply with proper procedures for aquiring and disposing of animals.

Founded in 1924, the nonprofit AZA is the nation's leading accrediting organization for zoos and aquariums. Its Web site says it "accredits only those institutions that have achieved rigorous standards for animal care, education, wildlife conservation and science." It has more than 200 accredited members.

Before this suspension, Lowry Park Zoo had been an AZA member in good standing since 1989. Its accreditation was renewed most recently in 2004 after what Nelson described as a "rigorous inspection to ensure the organization meets industry standards in collection care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, safety and many other areas."

Nelson said the zoo's management had invited the review by the AZA. The zoo's leadership, executive committee and board of directors will review all the AZA's findings once they are complete and decide whether to change any policies, she said.

The AZA is not the only organization scrutinizing Salisbury's work at Safari Wild.

On Wednesday, the Southwest Florida Water Management District hit Salisbury with a $46,036 fine for excavating ponds and dredging without the proper permits to create his for-profit Polk County exotic animal park.

Safari Wild owners will get a chance to negotiate that fine and they will, said Salisbury's business partner Stephen Wehrmann, a St. Petersburg veterinarian.

Officials with the Southwest Florida Water Management District say they learned in May that construction had taken place at the 258-acre Safari Wild site, but no environmental permits had been pulled.

-- Richard Danielson, Times Staff Writer

Correction

Aby Chacko, who was charged with a DUI in Hillsborough County on Tuesday, had a blood-alcohol content of .03 percent and has been charged with DUI twice before. An earlier report of the arrest in this blog significantly overstated his blood alcohol content and had an incorrect number of prior DUI arrests.

St. Petersburg High student assaulted on walk home

ST. PETERSBURG - Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a man they say attacked a 15-year-old St. Petersburg High School student as she walked home after missing the bus.

A man was following the girl near 245 22nd Street N and trying to strike up conversation about 2:45 p.m. Thursday. Then he grabbed her and tried to drag her toward an alley. She struggled, kicked him in the groin and ran away. The girl, who was not named because of the nature of the crime, had missed the bus. Her mother found her and they called police.

Police are optimistic about finding the man, who could face a charge of false imprisonment.

"She was a smart young lady," said St. Petersburg Police spokesman Bill Doniel. "I can’t say enough about the good description that she’s given us."

Her description: An either dark-skinned white man or a light-skinned black man, well above 6 feet tall, weighing 250 to 275 pounds. He had brown eyes, short hair and a mustache. He was riding a red and black bike and had a large brown and white dog on a leash. He was wearing black pants, a gray T-shirt and a silver baseball cap.

Doniel gave these tips for people in a similar circumstance:

If someone is following you in a car, turn around and walk the other way. They likely can't turn around as quickly. If someone is following you on foot, go to a business or get the attention of another person who can call for help. Never walk toward a less-populated or less-visible area.

Anyone with information is asked to call Joe Bross, Crimes Against Children Unit, (727) 893-4979 or the Police Communication Center at (727) 893-7780.

Stephanie Garry, Times staff writer

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Sheriff: Gunman in custody

A Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office employee collects information from the Volkswagen Jetta an innocent bystander was riding in when he was fatally shot during the shootout this morning on James L. Redman Parkway in Plant City. [MARTHA RIAL | Times]

PLANT CITY -- Sheriff David Gee said investigators have arrested a suspect blamed for two murders in two days, including the death of a bystander caught up in a police shootout today.

"We're told we have him in custody," Gee said at a late afternoon press conference.

Gee said Fransisco Rangel, 25, pictured at left, was captured as he sneaked between houses near Collins and Tever streets. Search dogs had picked up his scent nearby soon after he fled from a shootout with deputies that killed bystander Candelario Lagunes, 58. Lagunes, on his way to an ATM machine, was simply a passenger in a car that happened on the scene as Rangel turned an assault rifle on deputies. 

Gee said Plant City will not be going ahead with its annual holiday parade tonight. It was cancelled when the suspect was on the loose, and authorities think it is too late to revive the parade. 

Schools in the area, on lockdown all day, opened their doors again. Linda Cobbe, spokeswoman for the Hillsborough School District said buses were rolling to take students home, beginning with elementary schools.

Rangel was initially suspected of killing Michael James Longoria, 36, and wounding a second man Thursday night.

Gee said Rangel's tattoos led authorities to believe he was a gang member. Gee did not name the gang. Nor would he say whether two victims Rangel is accused of shooting Thursday were gang members. But, he said, the house where Thursday night's shootings occurred is considered a center of gang activity.

Deputies had been following Rangel's Ford Expedition Friday morning on Redman Parkway near Henry Street when the scene exploded.

"The suspect slammed on his brakes in the middle of the street, turned around and began to fire on our detectives," Sheriff's Cpl. Harold Winsett said. "The detectives returned fire. The suspect at that point jumped back in the vehicle and fled northbound on (Redman). Two of our vehicles, which contained two detectives apiece in the vehicles, were both disabled by the gunfire."

Rangel fired at least 17 rounds, the agency reported.

No deputies were wounded. Rangel got away.

Scores of law enforcement officers swept Plant City, going door to door seeking Rangel, of 4536 Golfwood Blvd. in Tampa.

Victim Lagunes was a passenger in a vehicle traveling the opposite direction from the police chase on J.L Redman Parkway.

The Sheriff's Office said Lagunes was apparently killed by a round from Rangel's weapon.

Mario Lagunes, the victim's adult son, held back tears as he gathered with relatives. He said it was too early to say much, but his father was a good man who raised children with good morals. "If it were disease, sickness or old age, I'd understand," he said. "But for him to lose his life because of this loser ..."

Father arrested in baby-shaking death of son

LARGO - Police have arrested Michael L. Giovo, 28, on a charge of murder after they say he abused his 3-month-old son.

According to police, Giovo was taking care of his son Skyler on Thanksgiving night when Giovo's fiance, Jessica Hooper, went to sleep.

The next morning, Skyler was lethargic, fussy and refusing to eat. He soon developed seizure-like twitches, according to police Sgt. John Trebino.

Giovo and Hooper brought the baby to All Children's Hospital on the day after Thanksgiving, where the child was diagnosed with a severe brain trauma - even though there was very little outside bruising.

Giovo initially told police that the baby had fallen off the couch onto the ground - a drop of 18 inches onto a carpeted floor.

But a doctor at the hospital said the damage to the child's brain suggested far more serious injuries, consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

On Saturday, Giovo was arrested on a charge of aggravated child abuse.

A few days later, on Wednesday, Skyler Giovo died at the hospital.

Michael Giovo was charged with murder the next morning. He continues to deny any wrongdoing, police said.

Giovo, an air-conditioning technician, is being held at the Pinellas County Jail without bail.

Police said that Hooper had no knowledge of the alleged crime.

Jonathan Abel, Times staff writer

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Christmas parade canceled as search for suspect continues

PLANT CITY - The 25th annual Plant City Christmas Parade was canceled as authorities continued their search for a man suspected in the killing of two people and the wounding of a third.

The parade, scheduled to start at 6 p.m. today, would have gone through the area where authorities were searching for Fransisco Rangel, 25, who is accused of killing an innocent bystander today during a shootout with police.

"It's not proper public safety for the parade to go on,'' said City Manager David Sollenberger. "We feel very badly about making this decision. This has been a law enforcement decision."

Mayor Rick Lott said the parade requires policing by 90 to 100 deputies and Plant City police officers, many of whom have been caught up in today's investigation and would be exhausted by evening. He said the parade draws tens of thousands of people.

"It's disappointing that we're canceling the parade but the tragedy is the lives that were lost," he said. "As this continues, there's a family in mourning. I dont' think they're concerned whether there's a parade tonight."

It is the second straight year the parade has been visited by tragedy. In 2007, 9-year-old Jordan Hays of Lake Panasoffkee was run over and killed by a church float as he passed out candy alongside the float.

Rebecca Catalanello, Times staff writer

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School dismissal procedures announced in Plant City

PLANT CITY - The Hillsborough school district has announced plans for dismissal of schoolchildren this afternoon in Plant City, as authorities continue to search for a suspect in this morning's shootout with police.

Clearwater police search for armed mattress store robber

[Clearwater Police Department]

CLEARWATER -- Police are seeking the public's help in identifying a man who robbed a Clearwater mattress store at gunpoint last week.

At almost 3 p.m. on Saturday, a man (above) came into the Mattress Giant at 25700 U.S. 19 N and asked about buying a mattress. The man then asked an employee, Patrick Stallard, if he could make change for him. When Stallard pulled out his wallet, the suspect pulled out a gun and took Stallard's cash. He then ran away from the store.

Anyone with information should call the Clearwater Police tip line at (727) 562-4422.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

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Freedom High students return to class, bathroom fire called arson

[Tampa Fire Rescue]

NEW TAMPA - Freedom High School in New Tampa was evacuated about 11 a.m. after a fire was reported in Building 4. Smoke was coming from the building when Tampa firefighters arrived at the scene. An initial search of the building determined that it had been fully evacuated without incident.

The 2,100 students who were evacuated to the football field are now heading back into the school.

New Port Richey considers suing Main Street Landing developers

NEW PORT RICHEY -- The city might sue the developer of Main Street Landing, a once-promising retail and condo project that has sat partially finished at the gateway to downtown since July 2006.

The city has a development agreement with Gainesville developers Ken and Linda McGurn that promises the couple a $1.25-million financial incentive if the project were to be completed by March 2009.

City Manager Tom O'Neill, in a memo to City Council members, is recommending the city notify the McGurns they are in breach of contract. Under the contract, the McGurns have 30 days to "cure" the breach, O'Neill said. If they do not, he said, the city may file a lawsuit.

A draft complaint written by City Attorney Tom Morrison notes that it would now be "impossible" for the developers to meet the March deadline.

In addition, he wrote, the developers have "allowed the partially completed project to become an eyesore and a public nuisance."

Holiday bell ringer gets bah-humbug treatment

BAYONET POINT - Many people give loose change to the Salvation Army volunteers posted outside shopping centers this time of year ringing bells and keeping watch over their red kettles.

Gerald Warner had this offering: "If you don't stop ringing that bell, I am going to shove it up your a--," he told a volunteer outside Kmart on U.S. 19 Thursday evening, according to a Pasco Sheriff's Office report.

Warner, who is 47 and homeless, was also cursing at customers who were coming and going, the Sheriff's Office said.

A deputy arrested him on a charge of disorderly intoxication. When they arrived at the jail in Land O'Lakes, Warner refused to get out of the patrol car, which led to another charge of resisting arrest without violence.

He remains in jail with bail set at $250.

Molly Moorhead, Times staff writer

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Madeira Beach man finishing cross-country walk

ST. PETERSBURG - After about seven years and thousands of miles, Andy Mandell is coming home.

The 63-year-old Madeira Beach man has walked the perimeter of the United States to raise public awareness about diabetes, said his tour manager, Russ Barriger, who follows Mandell in an RV.

Mandell, who has diabetes, began in 2001 with a trial walk from his home in Madeira Beach to Pensecola - about 400 miles.

He took a break after that for eye surgery related to his diabetes, and started again in January 2002. From there he went toward Texas and looped around the west coast. Barriger said Mandell took a break from walking during three winters up north.

But he's on the home stretch now, coming through St. Petersburg today and tomorrow.

He calls the walk the Mr. Diabetes Wake Up and Walk Tour and has a Web site to raise money that shows his journey .

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

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Police: Tampa psychiatric patient raped another

TAMPA - A 39-year-old St. Joseph's Hospital psychiatric patient was arrested on two counts of sexual battery after, police said, he forced himself onto a patient who was in the room across the hall from his.

Thomas Kelly Bolduc (left), whose address is listed as "at large," is accused of entering the unidentified 32-year-old woman's room Thursday at about 2:48 p.m. and forcing her to the ground in the bathroom. He then raped the woman twice, police said, threatening that he would kill her if she told anyone. Police said Boulduc admitted the offense, and physical evidence was collected at the scene.

The woman patient has minor physical injuries, police said. Bolduc was taken to a Hillsborough County jail, where he remains without bail.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

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Brooksville woman killed in Citrus County crash

A 53-year-old Brooksville woman died in a car crash Thursday night in Citrus County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said Susan Desiree Price was driving a 2005 Jeep SUV north on County Road 491. As she approached Cardinal Street, Price failed to complete a turn and slid off the road. The SUV flipped when it hit a fence and then smashed into a tree.

Price, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

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Troopers identify woman killed in crash on I-275

ST. PETERSBURG -- A woman was killed after her SUV blew a tire and rolled down an embankment on Interstate 275.

She has been identified as Sabrina Caryl Starliper, of Mercersburg, Pa.

The crash happened shortly after 4 p.m. The left rear tire of the 1998 Ford Explorer blew out, causing the 21-year-old driver to lose control and veer off I-275 just south of the 54th Avenue N exit. Witnesses said the vehicle rolled over at least three times. Starliper was not buckled up and was partially ejected. No other vehicles or people were involved in the accident.

Bystanders stopped and lifted the vehicle right-side up, but Starliper suffered fatal injuries. She was transported to Bayfront Medical Center, said Lt. Joel Granata of St. Petersburg Fire.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.

Stephanie Garry and Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

Photo by Lt. Joel Granata, courtesy St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue

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Police: Tampa man wields machete at his cousin

TAMPA - A family argument fueled by alcohol and a machete put a Tampa man behind bars.

At about 6:45 p.m., Juan Carlos Alvarez-Lopez, 46, (left) was arguing with his cousin, who lives with him at 2016 E Ocaloosa Ave., an arrest affidavit states.

Alvarez-Lopez grabbed a machete and tried to stab the unidentified cousin in the stomach, but the cousin snatched the weapon away, police said.

Then they used their fists.

Police found Alvarez-Lopez passed out drunk beneath a car, according to the affidavit. The cousin suffered minor cuts to his stomach and hands.

Alvarez-Lopez was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he remains without bail.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Today's weather: staying warm

With a cold front almost stationary near the panhandle, the bay area will feel nothing but warmth all day, said Diane Kacmarik, a Bay News 9 meteorologist. Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 70s.

The front will finally push our way on Saturday, bringing a slight chance of rain, but it will likely stay warm until later on Sunday. Monday morning is expected to be back to chilly, Kacmarik said.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Another CVS robbed at gunpoint

ST. PETERSBURG - Another pharmacy was robbed at gunpoint over night, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department. It is not known if this robbery is connected to the string of recent ones.

The incident happened at the CVS at 22nd Avenue N and 34th Street. No one was injured, and a description of the suspect has not been released.

Check back here for updates.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer