Police arrest two, ticket 149 PINELLAS PARK – Pinellas Park police arrested two people and wrote 149 traffic tickets during the latest traffic enforcement effort on March 10. Sgt. Tracey Schofield, special operations supervisor, said the city-wide crackdown on speeders, red light runners and other violators resulted in one DUI arrest following an accident and a single warrant arrest.
Schofield said 14 motorists were charged with traffic control violations, eight for not wearing seatbelts, five for running a red light, and four for driving on expired licenses. Other violations included careless driving, improper turn and driving with a revoked or suspended license.
Man arrested after accident PINELLAS PARK – A St. Petersburg man was arrested on March 9 after a hit and run accident. Brandon L. Brown, 21, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, burglary, resisting arrest without violence, driving on a suspended or revoked license, leaving the scene of an accident and violation of parole. He remains in the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $21,500 bail. Police said Brown was involved in a single car crash in the 4100 block of 82nd Avenue at about 5:30 a.m. The suspect allegedly then fled on foot, but was tracked down to the 8400 block of U.S. 19. Police said Brown fled again, but was stopped by Officer Cassidy Perry and his K-9 named “Rocky.” Brown was treated at Northside Hospital in Lealman for non-life-threatening injuries. Police said he had more than $3,300 in cash in his possession.
Tampa man nabbed for marijuana PINELLAS PARK – A Tampa man was arrested on March 9 during a traffic stop. Jorge L. Rodriguez, 22, was charged with felony possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana. He was released from the Pinellas County Jail in his own recognizance. Police said the suspect was driving his 1999 Pontiac on the U.S. 19 overpass near 118th Avenue at about 12:15 a.m. when he was clocked at 66 mph in a 45 mph zone. Further investigation revealed a sandwich bag with the marijuana, police said.
Man gets break, but does it again PINELLAS PARK – A Pinellas Park man was arrested on March 7 for driving without a license ... just minutes after police gave him a break the first time. Brandon A. Babbitt, 19, was charged with not having a valid driver’s license. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail. Police said Babbitt was stopped for driving 60 mph in a 45 mph zone on Park Boulevard at about 2:15 a.m. He was then charged with driving without a license and speeding, but police allowed him and his friends to leave on foot. Within 10 minutes, however, Babbitt was stopped again while driving the same car at 70th Avenue and 33rd Street. This time, though, Babbitt’s car was impounded and he was whisked off to the county jail.
He ‘forgot’ to pay for items PINELLAS PARK – A St. Petersburg man was arrested on March 5 after he told police that he forgot to pay for the items he is accused of stealing from a store. Dwight F. Taylor, 48, was charged with retail theft and not registering as a sex offender. He remains in the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bail. Police said store security officers at the Wal-Mart Super Store, 8001 U.S. 19, watched as the suspect filled several bags with clothing and steaks. He placed the items in a tote bag and paid only for a pack of gum. He was stopped as he left the store. Police said Taylor told officers that he forgot to pay for the items.
Man arrested for throwing puppy KENNETH CITY – A man was arrested on March 6 after he allegedly threw a 4-pound puppy into a wall during a dispute with a woman friend. Paxlix C. Holmes, 30, was charged with domestic battery, battery on a law enforcement officer and animal cruelty. He remains in the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $32,500 bail. Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies said Holmes first threw his cell phone at the unidentified woman, then a propane tank and finally a Maltese-poodle puppy that did not suffer serious injuries. The alleged incident occurred in an apartment they shared. Deputies said Holmes fled the scene, but was arrested a few days later. While detained in back of a cruiser, deputies said, the suspect spat in the face of a deputy and threatened bodily harm.
Suspect attacks man with bikes PINELLAS PARK – A Pinellas Park man was arrested after he allegedly attacked another with two bicycles. Sidney J. Ross, 35, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was released from the Pinellas County Jail after posting $2,500 bail. Police said officers responded to Carrollwood Apartments, 4050 78th Ave. at about 4:40 p.m. to investigate a report of a disturbance. Police said the suspect was in a highly intoxicated state and that he was angry that someone at the complex wanted to fight with him. Police said Ross and another man, who was not identified, became involved in a confrontation. Ross allegedly threw two bicycles at the man, missing each time.
Driver charged with DUI, leaving scene PINELLAS PARK – A Clearwater man was arrested after he allegedly fled the scene of an accident. Zachery Norton, 27, was charged with DUI with property damage, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries. He was released from the Pinellas County Jail after posting $5,750 bail. One driver of the damaged cars, Bouchaib Bernich, 38, of Clearwater, was treated at Northside Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Police said Norton was driving his 2006 Dodge Charger on U.S. 19 near 118th Avenue at about 2:20 p.m. when he crashed into the rear of a car that in turn crashed into the rear of another vehicle. Police said the suspect, despite heavy front end damage to the Dodge, fled the scene of the accident. He was arrested by Clearwater police a short time later at U.S. 19 and Drew Street.
Woman charged with theft PINELLAS PARK – A Pinellas Park woman was arrested after she allegedly attempted to steal items from a store. Tammy Lee Creech, 37, was charged with retail theft, possession of marijuana, and violation of parole in connection with a previous grand theft case. She was released from the Pinellas County Jail after posting $10,300 bail. Police said Creech was at the Wal-Mart Super Store, 8001 U.S. 19, at about 5:20 p.m. when she tried to leave without paying for approximately $67 worth of clothing items, jewelry and batteries.
