St. Petersburg man dies after crash PINELLAS PARK – A St. Petersburg man died on Nov. 26 when police said his SUV left the road and crashed into multiple vehicles and trees.
Dead is Raymond J. Busch, 74, who suffered multiple injuries in the 1:30 p.m. accident. Lt. Paul Andrews said Busch was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Equinox south on 49th Street near Park Boulevard when the vehicle left the road for no apparent reason. It crashed into several trees and two parked pickup trucks in front of a strip mall. Busch was transported to Northside Hospital in Lealman where he died. Police said early indications are that the victim may have suffered a medical issue prior to the crash. Police said there were no other injuries.
Bicyclist killed when struck by car PINELLAS PARK – A St. Petersburg man died on Nov. 20 when his bicycle was struck from the rear by a car. Stephen R. Caputo, 52, sustained severe injuries when he was struck by a car operated by William J. Colwell, 33, of Tampa. Capt. Sandy Forseth said Caputo was riding his 21-speed Schwinn beach cruiser at about 5 a.m. southbound on Belcher Road along the curb when the right front fender of Colwell’s 2003 Chrysler sedan struck the rear of the bicycle, propelling the victim into the windshield and then to the pavement. Police said a red Pontiac Firebird traveling south on Belcher Road then struck the bicycle, but did not stop. Police said the victim was not wearing a helmet and may have been wearing headphones. The bicycle had a flashlight taped to the handlebar and a small rear light, but it could not be determined if they were operational at the time of the accident. An investigation continues.
Woman robbed by gunman PINELLAS PARK – A lone gunman on Nov. 25 robbed a woman of personal items and fled on foot. Officer Patty Fieldler said the woman, who was not identified, was walking to her vehicle at about 2 a.m. to retrieve a sweater when the suspect flashed a gun and demanded her property. The incident occurred in the parking lot of an industrial complex at 12399 Belcher Road. The suspect fled on foot. He is described as a white male wearing a white T-shirt and jean shorts. He had braces on his teeth and tattoos of faces on his right arm.
Alleged shoplifters nabbed PINELLAS PARK – Two women on Nov. 19 were arrested after they allegedly attempted to steal items from a store. Aleisha A. Recchi, 29, of Seminole and Nicole R. Dawkins, 26, of St. Petersburg were each charged with retail theft. Recchi also was charged with possession of marijuana and prescription pills. They were booked into the Pinellas County Jail. Police said the women were at the Wal-Mart Super Center, 8001 U.S. 19, at about 9:20 a.m. when security personnel allegedly saw them placing items in their purses. They were subsequently stopped by store security personnel.
Alleged shoplifter arrested PINELLAS PARK – A St. Petersburg woman was arrested on Nov. 22 after she allegedly attempted to leave a store without paying for merchandise. Jennifer L. Fick, 30, was charged with possession of oxycodone, morphine sulfate and alprazolam, possession of drug paraphernalia and grand theft. She was released from the Pinellas County Jail in her own recognizance. Police said Fick was at the Wal-Mart Super Center, 8001 U.S. 19, at about 3:30 a.m. when she was spotted by security personnel placing cosmetic items in her purse. She was allegedly stopped as she tried to leave the store without paying for the items. Police said a subsequent search disclosed the drugs and paraphernalia.
