On March 30, 1985, a shooting occurred at the Fireman’s Benevolent Hall located at 2599 SW 3 Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. When police officers arrived at the scene, they found four people suffering from gunshot wounds. All victims were immediately transported to the hospital where one of the victims, Peter Forgie, later died from his injuries. Police reports reflect that employees of an auto repair shop had organized a dance; they had rented the hall and hired a disc jockey to supply the music. When the shooting started, everyone attending the party panicked and many ran from the area. The officers at the scene had a difficult time getting any information and many people who were interviewed were not cooperative. There were weapons found inside the hall but none matched to the bullets removed from the victims. The only thing that was established was that a Jamaican posse known as the “Shower Posse” were believed to have been involved in the shooting. All leads in the case were exhausted and remained unsolved for several years.

In 1997 Homicide Detective John Curcio reopened the case and attempted to contact some of the victims and witnesses who were listed in the original reports. This new investigation led Detective Curcio to a District Attorney in New York who had worked both in New York State Court and in the federal courts. He told the detective that he had not only prosecuted members of the “Shower Posse” but that he had specific information on the shooting at the Firearm’s Hall. In a New York homicide trial in 1990 the attorney prosecuted a case in which a male by the name of Kirk Bruce was called to testify. In the court transcript and in front of the jury Bruce made admissions that he went to the Fireman’s Hall and that he was the shooter who shot and killed Peter Forgie. Detective Curcio was also able to make contact with another member of the group by the name of Vivian Blake, who had been a leader of the gang in 1985. He gave the detective a statement in which he said that after the incident Bruce had bragged to him about the shooting and laughed as if it was a big joke. Detective Curcio showed a photo lineup, including a picture of Bruce to Blake who positively identified Bruce as the person who had told him he had committed the murder of Peter Forgie on March 30, 1985.

Based on the foregoing investigation and its results, Bruce was charged with the murder of Peter Forgie and pled guilty just last week. Detective Curcio did a great job in dealing with the out of state agencies, District Attorneys, SAO and uncooperative witnesses. Not to mention the closure given to the victim’s family.

On Friday, May 24, the Special Investigations Division concluded a two month undercover narcotics investigation inside the Lumonics Light Museum located at 3017 NW 60 Street in Fort Lauderdale. The newly created Fort Lauderdale Police Department Rave Task Force used cooperative sources and detectives to identify an organized group of subjects dealing Ecstasy and GHB inside this establishment. A raid of the establishment was done. Five subjects were arrested and charges varied from delivery of Ecstasy and GHB to trafficking. Narcotics seized as a result of this investigation was 4 plus kilos of GHB, 104 grams of Ecstasy, 20 grams of Ketamine, 17 grams of Cannabis and paraphernalia, 2 vehicles and $1014.00 in cash. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department Code Team assisted with the raid where multiple violations for fire, building and zoning were detected. Both the narcotics and code team investigations will be presented to the city of Fort Lauderdale Nuisance Abatement Board. Lumonics Light Museum is now closed. The Rave Task Force was created from the FDLE Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Grant Program, Project Ecstasy.

Franz Bleauplan was arrested on April 4 in an ID fraud case where he admitted to stealing two Cadillac Escalades and a Jaguar. The same day the two Cadillac’s were recovered, however Bleauplan would not say where the Jaguar was located. On May 3 a Broward County Sheriff Deputy who spotted the Jaguar parked in a hotel parking lot at 5851 North Andrews Avenue contacted Auto Theft Detective Russ Suess. Detective Suess along with Detectives Tim Morrison, Bob Grimm and Sergeant Steve Lerman set up surveillance on two of the hotel rooms. William Bryant, Bleauplan’s partner was in a separate room. Both subjects were arrested and charged with grand theft over $20,000. In Bleauplan’s room detectives found a computer, printer and many counterfeit checks. The investigation continues.

Juliet Nelson took a position as a caregiver for a 99-year-old gentleman who could no longer care for himself or have the capacity to give consent reference financial matters. In the next 9 months the victim’s checking account was depleted by $96,897.00 with numerous checks for large amounts made out to Nelson, her spouse and friends. In addition to the thousands of dollars worth of checks for false care taking charges, groceries and car repairs, over $13,000.00 worth of phone bills and Nelson’s apartment rent where written on the victim’s account. Nelson advertised her services as caregiver “for your loved ones” in the newspaper and billed the $150.00 advertisement to the elderly victim. Economics Crimes Detective Joe Roubicek was assigned the case and in his initial interview with Juliet Nelson she assured the detective that the victim’s finances were being handled by the bank and claimed that their representative also paid her weekly salary. This claim was false. While Nelson paid herself over $20,000 specifically for care taking, she hired an illegal alien from Jamaica to care for the victim 5 to 6 days a week for less than $5.00 an hour. Juliet Nelson is charged with exploiting the victim of $53,456.00.

On Wednesday, May 8, Detective Rich Love of the Special Investigation Division assigned to the LEACH Task Force (Law Enforcement Against Child Harm) on the Internet, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant for child pornography at the residence of Ronald Dufala, 5010 NE 18 Avenue Apartment #6 in Fort Lauderdale. Inside the residence they located hundreds of pornography magazines from the late 60’s and 70’s and 8-millimeter movies depicting sexual acts. Typically these magazines would have come from Europe and in the pedophile world are considered collectors items. Dufala’s computer and numerous diskettes were also seized. Dufala, a resident of that apartment for 18 years, is facing Federal child pornography charges.

On March 28 a male entered the Miami Subs at 2201 West David Boulevard with the lower portion of his face covered, armed with a handgun. As one of the employees exited the restroom she was forced to open the cash register where the suspect took the money and fled. A second robbery occurred on May 10th at 2429 Davie Boulevard where the victim was approached by a male, his face covered and wearing a black nylon pullover jacket. The suspect pointed a rusted revolver at the victim and demanded his wallet but the victim told him that he did not have a wallet. As the suspect fled on his bicycle the victim ran into a business for safety. A few minutes later the victim got back into his vehicle where he called the police. Violent Crimes Detective Sergeant Pat French and Detective Jack DiCristofalo where in the area when the call came out over the radio. They observed a male on a bike wearing a black jacket and thought it strange because of the hot weather. Due to a string of robberies that had been occurring, the subject looked especially suspicious and Sergeant French and Detective DiCristofalo decided to check him out. By the time they got turned around the subject was nowhere in sight. Little did they know the victim had followed the suspect, later identified as Benjamin Woodson-Kenon, to a house at 2809 SW 8 Street where he was taken into custody. Detective DiCristofalo walked to the side of the house where he saw a black nylon jacket lying discarded on the ground. A rusted revolver was found inside the jacket. Detective Charles Stack was assigned the robbery that occurred at the Miami Subs. He showed a lineup to the employee where she identified Benjamin Woodson-Kenon as the culprit. She also identified the gun and the nylon jacket as the same used in the robbery. Kenon gave the detectives a full confession to the incidents. It is possible that he is responsible for 8 more robberies in the city.

Congratulations to Ron Hood, Bill Long and Sonya Friedman on their recent retirements. We wish them well.

For the past 10 months Jimmon Williams, street name “Sleepy” has been on the run from authorities for felony arrest warrants. Williams is a member of the Dog Pound street gang. On two previous occasions Williams fled from detectives and eluded capture. In April of 2002 Williams put a gun to a victim’s head and took her purse. Violent Crimes Detective Gabe Carmichael was assigned the case and distributed wanted flyers in an attempt to locate the fugitive. Fugitive Detectives Chuck Morrow and John Curry continued their investigation into his whereabouts. Surveillance was utilized on two possible locations along with contacting street sources. On May 6, information was obtained from a confidential informant that Williams was in the apartment building at 2307 NW 8 Street in Fort Lauderdale. After obtaining a detailed description and along with K-9 Officer Rich Love, the detectives responded to the location. Detectives and K-9 went from apartment to apartment contacting the tenants. Finally Williams was located in an upstairs apartment where he was taken into custody without incident.

Richard Weiss came to Florida from Kentucky where he became friends with a resident who lived on a houseboat on North New River Drive. The resident was known to take in people who needed help from time to time but did not anticipate what Weiss had on his mind. Weiss supported a drug habit and on January 2 he asked his host for $50 to buy drugs. When the host offered Weiss $50.00 it was not enough and demanded more, the victim refused. Weiss proceeded to tie up and beat the victim. He then stole his car and fled. Violent Crimes Detective Mike Hoelbrandt was assigned the case and began his investigation into the whereabouts of Weiss. As the investigation progressed Detective Hoelbrandt learned that Weiss had fled to Tampa. Detective Hoelbrandt went to Tampa with a warrant to interview the suspect. Weiss gave the detective a full confession in regards to his role in the home invasion style robbery. Weiss was arrested; he is also facing 12 years in a Kentucky prison for parole violation. He was on the run from Kentucky authorities when he came to Fort Lauderdale.

• Detectives from the Raiders conducted surveillance at 1155 NW 15 Street. A search warrant was served, 5 grams of cocaine and $500 was seized along with 2 arrests.
• Detective Lynn Falzone led an investigation and a search warrant was served at 609 NW 15 Terrace. 32 grams of powder cocaine and $485 was seized.
• Detective Derek Joseph led an investigation and a search warrant was served at 645 NW 15 Avenue. 44 grams of marijuana was seized.
• Detective John Jensen led an investigation and a search warrant was served at 821 NE 14 Way. 30 grams of marijuana, 1 gram of cocaine, $239 and 1 stolen gun was seized, along with 3 arrests.
• An SIU detective led an investigation and with the use of a confidential informant made contact with Jayson Dennis. Arrangements were made to purchase 1 ounce of cocaine and 3.5 grams of crack cocaine for $1000. Dennis was arrested with 1 ounce of powder cocaine and 2 grams of crack cocaine. His vehicle was also confiscated.
• Detective Dave Cortes led an investigation and buy bust operation at 2201 North Federal Highway. Cocaine and $302 was seized along with 1 arrest.

Kai-Uwe Their, manager of “The Saint Nightclub” decided to hire a hit man to kill the club’s bookkeeper and her husband because he thought she was ruining his dream of buying the club. Members of the Vice Squad began an investigation into the matter and sent in one of the detectives posing as the hit man. After several phone calls they agreed to meet on May 13 and discuss the hit. They agreed to have the victims either run down by a stolen vehicle or shot in a burglary. The job would cost $5000. Their was arrested and charged with solicitation for murder. He was also found to have a warrant for fraud out of Germany.

Rank #	Year	Make	Model
1	86-91	Toyota	Camry
2	92-02	Dodge/Plymouth	Caravan & Voyager
3	89-02	Ford	F series P/U
4	92-02	Honda	Accord
5	86-92	Toyota	Corolla
6	89-02	Ford	Taurus
7	84-92	Oldsmobile	Cutlass
8	82-92	Buick	LeSabre
9	85-02	Ford	Mustang
10	94-02	Mitsubishi	Galant

Should you own one of the above listed vehicles and you live or work in the City of Fort Lauderdale, feel free to contact Detective Ed Robinson of The Fort Lauderdale Police Department Auto Theft Division at 954-828-5519 for a free Steering Wheel Locking Device (Club). Also, ask about our VIN Etching and C.A.T. programs.

With the arrival of summer everyone is heading for the beach. Protect your vehicle and property from thieves; don’t leave your keys and personal items in your car.

It has been commonly accepted that fingerprints are one of the best forms of physical evidence and have been used as the only positive means of identification. But when used in court, however, defense attorneys will often challenge the latent print examiner who introduces fingerprint evidence, questioning the identification of the latent print.

Digital imaging has not only changed the way images are enhanced and viewed, it now helps to enhance the way evidence exhibits are presented. This new charting technique makes it significantly easier to view and explain print detail, and more importantly, it eliminates the use of numbers and letters to show corresponding characteristics between the latent and the known print.

The identification of the month is a result of the thorough processing completed by Officer Aridio Gomez from a Residential Burglary that occurred at 1000 SE 4 Street. Using the new digital imaging technique Latent Examiner Alice Thacker clearly matched the prints to the suspect Barry Felder.

On June 6, General Duty Detective Rich Rodriguez was on patrol assisting the districts with calls, when a strong-arm robbery that had just occurred came out. Detective Rodriguez responded to the area of 2420 North Federal Highway to assist. Prior to the detective’s arrival Patrol Officers and K-9 had established a perimeter. Detective Rodriguez took an observation point in his unmarked vehicle at which time he observed a male matching the description of the culprit walking along a wall attempting to leave the perimeter. Detective Rodriguez exited his vehicle and detained the suspect. The victim was brought to his location and was positively identified as Angel Reyes, the male who committed the strong-arm robbery. Reyes refused to give a statement and was subsequently booked. It was later determined that Reyes was on probation for battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, and had two years left.

Citizens On Patrol volunteer Martha Gargulio began her shift by attending patrol briefing. As she was watching BOLOs on the in house BOLO TV she noticed a subject that looked familiar. The bolo depicted a sexual predator by the name of Ronald Tift who had absconded from authorities. Martha recalled seeing Tift at the Dunkin Donuts shop on State Road 84 many times. Turns out Tift’s mother was an employee at the coffee shop and he made frequent visits. Martha called the Special Victims Unit with the information. A check was made at the business only to find Tift visiting with his mother. He was taken into custody by BSO who had a warrant for failure to register. Martha’s keen observation helped to put a sexual predator back into custody. Thank you for your help.

• Detective Sergeant Pat French…by Assistant Chief Al Ortenzo, for his outstanding participation and performance during the IPTM Robbery seminar. With special recognition and thanks for his outstanding work observed on a daily basis from you and the Violent Crimes Unit.
• Detectives John Curry and Chuck Sierra…by James Scarberry, Chief of police, Hollywood PD, for their assistance and tireless dedication during Hollywood’s Annual “Heroes in Action” Fundraiser.
• Detectives Mark Breen and John Curcio…by Howard Scheinberg, Assistant State Attorney, for their assistance in putting together a circumstantial case that made the difference in obtaining a conviction in the Graffam Homicide case.
• Detective Juan Cabrera and Carpenter Lee Wright…by Chief Bruce Roberts, for their initiative, skill, craftsmanship and combined efforts in the building of the Crime Scene Investigation Unit’s Cyanoacrylate Ester Fuming Cabinet.
• Detective Sergeants Tim Bronson and Bill Lauginiger…by Reverend Anthony Mulderry of All Saints Catholic Church, for their cooperation, professionalism and efficiency during the annual carnival.

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