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Crystal Meth Trafficking Arrest

December 3, 2001

On Wednesday, November 14, 2001, the Special Investigations Divisions’ Raiders executed a search warrant at 1424 N. Dixie Highway. This warrant was the culmination of an investigation initiated by Det. Tony Magnanti of the Strategic Investigations Unit. During the investigation, Det. Magnanti utilized a confidential source to secure several purchases of Crystal Methamphetamine, from the resident of this address, Anthony J. Olivieri.

Olivieri was on probation, and had been selling drugs from within his home for several months. Prior attempts to secure drug purchases from him were unsuccessful. To make matters worse, his residence is across the street from The McGinnis School, a pre-school that has served the residents of the Middle River Terrace community for the past thirty-four years.

Olivieri was arrested and charged with six offenses, including Trafficking in Crystal Methamphetamine, and Delivery of Crystal Methamphetamine within 1000’ of a school. The search of his residence revealed the following narcotics. Crystal Methamphetamine (64.2gm), Gammahydroxybutyric Acid, a.k.a. GHB (100gm), forty-four Oxycodone tablets (6.5gm), Roxicet tablets (3.9gm), Alprazolam tablets (2.1gm), and Methyldioxymethamphetamine a.k.a. MDMA (2gm). Olivieri is currently being held without bond, at the Broward County Jail.

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Officer of the Month - Nov. 2001

OFFICER MARK DeCARLO

On July 13, 2001, a bank robbery occurred at the First Union Bank, 200 East Broward Boulevard. Officer Fitzgerald responded to the bank and broadcasted a BOLO.

You began circulating the area on your police bicycle searching for the culprit. You observed a W/M subject fitting the description, inside the Subway Restaurant. The subject appeared very nervous.

Subway employee, Shalondra Pitts, approached you and inquired if the police were searching for someone. At that time, an updated BOLO was issued. Upon hearing the description of the bank robbery culprit, Ms. Pitts advised that the W/M subject that you had observed fit that description. Ms. Pitts further advised you that the man had purchased a Subway shirt from an employee for $50.00.

You immediately entered the Subway Restaurant and detained the subject and a brown paper bag that was next to him. Witnesses were transported to the restaurant and positively identified the subject, Joseph Magnott, as the culprit. Recovered from the brown paper bag was $10,410.00 taken from the bank.

Joseph Magnott, who previously had been convicted of killing his wife, was arrested and subsequently provided a taped confession to the bank robbery.

You are to be commended for a job well done and removing a dangerous felon from the streets of our city.

Bruce G. Roberts
Chief of Police

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Honorable Mention - Nov. 2001

DETECTIVE LUIS ALVAREZ

On July 1, 2000, at approximately 18:00 hours, a sexual battery occurred in the 500 block of NE 8 Avenue. The culprit had entered the victim’s residence, assaulted her and then attempted to rob her. The culprit fled the residence, the police were called and a BOLO was issued.

Later that evening, you began your shift at an off-duty detail that patrols the Progresso/Flagler Heights neighborhood where the sexual battery occurred, and were advised of the BOLO by Officer Fromm. Cognizant of the BOLO, you traded your marked patrol unit for an unmarked vehicle and began patrolling the neighborhood looking for the culprit. At 21:53 hours, you observed a subject matching the culprit’s description. You safely contacted and detained the subject. Your subject was subsequently positively identified as the culprit and was charged accordingly.

On July 2, 2000, you contacted Officer Fromm who advised you that she was conducting a surveillance of an unoccupied stolen vehicle, a gray Saturn, in the 700 block of NE 2 Avenue. You recognized the description as a vehicle taken in a violent robbery in the City of Hollywood. A description was obtained of Hollywood’s culprit and you recognized it as matching your culprit from the previous evening. When the vehicle became occupied, the driver was stopped and identified your culprit from the previous evening as the one that had supplied them with the stolen vehicle. Hollywood Police Department positively identified your culprit as being responsible for their robbery also, and he was subsequently charged.

You are to be commended for your attention to detail and keen observation that led to a violent offender being removed from our streets.

Bruce G. Roberts
Chief of Police

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Officer of the Month - Dec. 2001

OFFICER FERNANDO DAVID

On September 3, 2001, you were working an off-duty detail at the Chili Pepper Nightclub. A concert at the nightclub had just ended. Several on-duty and off-duty personnel were in the area due to an earlier crowd control problem. As the crowd filtered into the parking lot, officers heard several gunshots just west of the nightclub and the crowd began to disperse.

While standing on SW 2 Street, you observed the gunman run southbound and fire his weapon in a westerly direction toward your location. The rounds struck occupied vehicles on the north and south sides of the street. Assisting units later located an innocent bystander who had been struck by one of the bullets. You drew your weapon and pursued the gunman on foot. Hundreds of people and vehicles began to flee the area making it impossible to return fire. You advised dispatch of your location and summoned additional units.

A second subject joined the culprit as they entered a nearby vehicle and attempted to flee the area. Heavy traffic impeded their escape and you were able to keep the vehicle in view as you pursued the vehicle on foot through the panicked crowd. Arriving units assisted in stopping the vehicle and both subjects were taken into custody. The firearm was recovered and witnesses positively identified the culprit who was subsequently charged with attempted murder.

You interjected yourself into an armed confrontation without hesitation and did so without further endangering the public. While the arrest of the culprit was a team effort, his apprehension was a direct result of your actions. You are to be commended for a job well done.

Bruce G. Roberts
Chief of Police

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Honorable Mention - Dec. 2001

OFFICER BRIAN SCHAEFFER
and
OFFICER EDWARD WENGER

On June 12, 2001, Officer Wenger located a 2000 Dodge Stratus that Officer Schaeffer had previously alerted him to. The vehicle was possibly stolen and involved in a larceny. The vehicle was unoccupied. You confirmed the vehicle was stolen. A search of the area for the culprit met with negative results. You also did a thorough inspection of the contents of the vehicle and discovered items belonging to Kenneth Connolly, including pawn slips. Besides Connolly’s belongings, there was a television set, 35mm camera and large bolt cutters in the vehicle. You had the vehicle and the items secured for processing by the Forensics Unit.

The processing revealed several fingerprints implicating Connolly in the theft of the Dodge Stratus and a residential burglary (01-71458).

You both began to search for Kenneth Connolly. On June 26, 2001, Officer Wenger located Connolly’s girlfriend, who quickly pointed out Connolly’s whereabouts. Connolly was taken into custody and charged with the auto theft and two counts of dealing in stolen property.

You are to be commended for you teamwork, attention to duty, and willingness to follow up on crimes committed in you area, resulting in the apprehension of a felon and the closure of several cases.

Bruce G. Roberts
Chief of Police

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Live Peep Show Closes

After being in business at the same location for over twenty years, the longtime eyesore known as "Live Peep Show", located at 930 State Rd. 84, has finally called it quits. They absconded in the dark of night, owing their landlord past due rent and two years left on their lease.

The Peep Show, which sold adult oriented publications & video tapes, had also featured nude female dancers who would perform solo acts behind a glass partition for any paying male customer.

The SID VICE UNIT maintained continuous pressure on the business over the years and made numerous arrests at this location of their dancers, managers and owner. Those arrests were for Prostitution, Lewdness and Assignation.

Due to changes in zoning within the past ten years, no similar type of adult business would be allowed to operate at this location. The building owner immediately removed the gaudy neon lights & signs from the front of the building and put a fresh coat of white paint on the exterior.

The space is now being used by the Old Heidelberg Restaurant as a storage room.

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Solving Crimes With Science & Technology
from Focus on Fort Lauderdale

The type of crime solving technologies that once were thought of as only seen in science fiction are actual tools and resources currently utilized at crime scenes.

Computer-based imaging systems, DNA analyzing capabilities, mobile crime labs, evidence processing software and authentication programs, to name just a few, have armed the City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department Investigative Bureau with state-of-the-art crime solving tools.

In essence, the days when law enforcement personnel departed the crime scene to begin processing evidence is almost a thing of the past. Enhanced scientific technologies and software-based applications used at crime scenes enhance the ability of officers, detectives and other law enforcement personnel to direct the course of an investigation at the crime scene more efficiently and effectively.

Since 1996, the Police Department has joined a growing number of law enforcement agencies that have consistently acquired the technology and scientific expertise that has evolved from the start of the information age. Here are some of the technologies at work at the City's Police Department.

Instant Identification

In October 1999, the Police Department acquired and implemented the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). This computer hardware and software-database system, designed to search more than 1.4 million sets of fingerprints of previously charged criminals in the state, links to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's (FDLE) database.

AFIS is utilized by law enforcement agencies when they have collected prints from a crime scene, but do not have a suspect in the case. Detectives digitally transmit prints to FDLE's crime lab facility where they are cross-referenced with fingerprints previously collected and currently in the database. The process takes minutes for Fort Lauderdale latent print examiners to receive up to 18 of the closest matches. Fort Lauderdale is one of few agencies in the state with the equipment, software and trained personnel using this technology.

"In the last 18 months, nearly 200 crimes have been solved in record time with the help of the AFIS technology," said Assistant Police Chief Al Ortenzo. "The system is an valuable tool for our law enforcement personnel."

A Big Hit Against Crime

In April 2001, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department acquired a state-of-the-art digital enhancement system known as More Hits. The system, which consists of a combination of computer hardware and software applications, is designed to capture images of evidence at a crime scene digitally and import them to an enhancement program that allows the images to be identified, examined and analyzed more effectively. Evidence that was previously either impossible or difficult to visually analyze such as fingerprints on fabrics, fingerprint smudges, tire tracks and shoe prints are enhanced through the More Hits applications by filtering out backgrounds. The system connects directly to AFIS, once a fingerprint is acquired.

"In one particular case, we were able to lift a fingerprint that was found on a rag," said Homicide/Crime Scene Unit Detective Juan Cabrera. "It is a solved case that is currently used as a training exercise at the FBI."

Cracking Cold Cases With DNA

DNA technology has revolutionized many police investigations. As a science - which can extract a person's genetic code from skin, hair, or fluids - DNA analysis offers law enforcement professionals the tools to examine evidence, identify suspects and solve cases in record time.

In one case, DNA analysis made it possible to extract saliva from the remains of a cigarette that was part of a 10-year old homicide case. Detectives have achieved success on cold cases and have made arrests in several unsolved homicides including one that occurred in l975, using DNA analysis.

"Our department's use of DNA testing has proven its extraordinary value in identifying criminals who, in the absence of this technology, might go free. Our department was one of the very first agencies in the nation to proactively use this innovative crime-solving tool. We continue to use DNA aggressively to apprehend criminals and have even used the technology to clear innocent suspects," said Assistant Chief Ortenzo.

Combating Cyber Crimes

Computer crimes are a growing trend nationwide. Fort Lauderdale Police Department detectives repeatedly come across crimes facilitated by a computer and crimes where the computer is a target of an investigation.

These computers often hold vital evidence. Their potential for revealing incriminating evidence is invaluable when the information is retrieved. Through sophisticated software and technical expertise the ability to retrieve, trace, track and capture erased information is possible and an effective crime-solving method for the City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

Last February, the City Commission approved an expenditure of funds from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund to initiate a Computer Evidence Recovery Team (C.E.R.T.) This high tech computer forensics lab is one of few established in the nation. The goal of C.E.R.T. is to access, retrieve and analyze stored information from computer devices aiding in a crime. Currently, two detectives and a sergeant are trained to respond to C.E.R.T. support investigations.

Database Detail

The ability for the City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department to tap into databases maintained by other law enforcement agencies has proven to be another valuable resource to solving crimes. When an agency is able to cross reference information on crimes and criminals from multiple data sources, detectives are aided with the capability to conduct large-scale intelligence analysis.

With the implementation of TACAMO (Take Charge and Move Out) Program in 1999, detectives are able to conduct investigations with data shared by other law enforcement agencies. For example, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department's pawn computer Automated Property Recovery System is regularly interfaced with data from the Broward Sheriff's Office and Florida Department of Corrections. Criminals who are on community control are checked against the database of pawn transactions. Those who are restricted from pawn activities as a condition of their probation are flagged for further investigation. To date 1,836 matches have been identified with 518 violations of community control established and an additional 98 arrest warrants issued to violators.

“This program, initiated in Fort Lauderdale, has been so successful that it is now being utilized statewide and in a growing number of other states across the nation," said Assistant Chief Ortenzo.

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Putting The Brakes On Bicycle Thefts
from Focus on Fort Lauderdale

REGISTER YOUR BIKE - IT’S THE LAW

Bicycle theft is big business throughout the nation. As prices for new bicycles increase each year, their resale value also increases.

In the past six years, Fort Lauderdale Police records indicate that bicycle thefts peaked in 1996 with a total 1,488 bicycles stolen. The monetary value of this loss was estimated at a staggering $422,130. Since then, a series of crime prevention tactics and programs have been implemented to reduce the number of bicycle thefts each year. Statistics for 2000 indicate that bicycle thefts were reduced by 50 percent cutting the monetary loss by half. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has a bicycle registration program in place that is mandatory for all residents and optional for non-residents. Bicycle registration helps the police to quickly and accurately locate the proper owner of any registered bicycle recovered after it has been lost or stolen.

All it takes is $1 for a decal for the initial registration. To register, citizens must provide proof of ownership. If proof of ownership is not available, registrants will be required to sign a sworn affidavit, which will be notarized at the time of registration. Bicycles can be registered at the Community Support Division Center, 1113 East Sunrise Boulevard, Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Or you can call to set up an appointment at your convenience to register your bicycle at these locations:

Snyder Park,
2800 S.W. 8th Avenue,
Wednesday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Please call (954) 828-1585 for appointment.
City Marina Dockmaster's Office
Two New River Drive
(Located south of the Las Olas Bridge east
of the Intracoastal waterway)
Please call (954) 828-5200 for an appointment.

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W-O-O-O-S-H-H-H!
from Focus on Fort Lauderdale

Basketball Charity Nets $4,135

The City Fort Lauderdale Police and Fire-Rescue Departments packed a full house on the stands and basketball courts of Fort Lauderdale High School for the Guns 'N Hoses Charity Basketball Game.

The event, held November 4, raised $4,135 for the New York Police & Firefighters Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund. The game concluded with a Police victory of 80-57.

The Police Pipe & Drum Corps of Florida charmed the crowd during the half-time show. Clearchannel and its affiliated radio stations Y-100 and Big 106 were present and handed out promotional items. Raffles conducted awarded gift certificates for restaurants including Yesterday's, Burt & Jack's and weekend get-a-ways to such hotels as Marriott, Yankee Sheraton and Embassy Suites.

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Police Gear Up for 17th Community Police Academy
from Focus on Fort Lauderdale

TRAIN TO GAIN

The City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department is conducting open enrollment for the next installment of the popular Community Police Academy scheduled to begin February 21, 2002.

This 14-week program, which meets Thursdays nights from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., is offered to residents of the City of Fort Lauderdale and civic and government organizations members.

The academy is designed to foster an active partnership with the community by addressing topics including Community Policing, Officer Selection, Police Recruiting, Drug Enforcement, Special Investigations, Communications, Community Programs, Services and Range and Firearms.

In addition to the scheduled classes, an eight-hour "ride along" with Patrol Officers is available.

To enroll, citizens must fill out an application prior to the start of the class. Applications can be downloaded from the City’s website (www.flpd.org/cpa.html). For additional information, contact Omayra Tavarez at the Community Support Division at (954) 828-6432 or by email (OmayraT@fortlauderdale.gov)

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Events & Services
from Focus on Fort Lauderdale

• The next Landlord/Tenant Training courses will take place January 16 and February 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Community Support Division (CSD) Office. Topics include keeping illegal activity out of property, applicant screening, the Federal Fair Housing Act, Section 8 Housing and more. For more information and to register, please call (954) 828-6428.
• The Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s License Plate Theft Prevention Program continues to offer citizens a unique locking device to prevent license plate theft. While supplies last, citizens can pick up the theft prevention tools Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the CSD office, 1113 East Sunrise Blvd. For more information, please call Alisa Cappuzzello, Project Director at (954) 828-6433.

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Police Initiative Slashes Underage Sales
Of Tobacco, Alcohol In Community
from Focus on Fort Lauderdale

Alcohol and tobacco addiction are no laughing matter, especially when the user is underage.

In an effort to reduce the accessibility and availability of tobacco and alcohol for youth on the streets, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department Community Support Division (CSD) recently launched a new initiative that monitors local businesses for the illegal sale of tobacco and alcohol to minors.

Since its inception in September, the initiative has resulted in more than 20 arrests.

"This is a serious offense," said Fort Lauderdale Police Major Charles Drago. "The scope of this project involved the combination of education and enforcement to seek a long-term solution."

CSD along with agents from the state’s Alcohol, Beverage and Tobacco Division worked closely to identify convenience store employees who were selling alcohol and tobacco items illegally to minors. Violators were offered the opportunity to attend a class presented by the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco entitled Slashing Underage Sales.

"Typically, the arrests would be forwarded to the city prosecutors office for disposition," said Drago. "In these cases, CSD and the prosecutor’s office agreed to try a different approach by offering the class instead of prosecution."

Eighteen of the 20 violators attended the one-hour class, which included the following topics: state statutes for retail sale of tobacco and alcohol, penalties, how to control the product when displayed in the store, the manager's role, and how to teach employees. Each received a complete course study packet with videos, CDs and lesson plans.

For more information about the training course or ongoing program, please contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department CSD at (954) 828-6411.

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Police Forum Addresses Identity Theft
from Focus on Fort Lauderdale

It can happen to anyone.

The phone rings and a collection agency demands that you pay past-due accounts for merchandise you never ordered. The supermarket refuses your checks because you have a history of bouncing them. But you have a perfect record and always pay bills on time. What has happened?

The crime of identity theft is on the rise. Using a variety of methods, criminals steal credit card numbers, driver's license numbers, Social Security Numbers, ATM cards, telephone calling cards and other key pieces of individuals' identities.

The City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department presents the ID Theft Workshop on January 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Community Support Division Office, 1113 East Sunrise Blvd. Detective Bob Dodder of the Crime Prevention Unit will address identity theft and the criminals behind the violation. Find out how ID thieves target their victims and gain access to personal and company information. Learn how to prevent your business, organization and your personal identity from being affected. For additional information or to attend the class, call (954) 828-6428.

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Police Department Recruiting
from Focus on Fort Lauderdale

Opportunities

The City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department has 17 positions available for non-certified and certified police officers.

Over the next year, with the annexation of the Melrose Park neighborhood and retiring officers, additional positions will become available.

The starting annual salary for a non-certified officer is $37,772. Florida certified officers can earn up to a maximum salary of $49,608.40. Effective April 13, 2003, in accordance with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) contract, the maximum salary offered by the department will be $60,216.00. All positions offer liberal fringe benefits, a 20-year retirement program, a five-year Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), a take home vehicle program, as well as an excellent health and dental plan. Minimum qualifications require all candidates to be at least 19 years of age, be a U.S. citizen, have no felony convictions, be a high school graduate, and pass an extensive background investigation. The hiring process for all applicants includes a written civil service exam, a physical agility screening, a panel interview, a polygraph examination, a psychological screening, a medical exam, a swimming test, and a background investigation. All candidates hired are trained through the police academy. For additional information on the hiring process, or to download an employment application, visit the Police Department website (www.ci.for-lauderdale.fl.us/police). Applications may also be obtained from City Hall Personnel Division located on the third floor, 100 North Andrews Ave., in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

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Narcotics/Stolen Property Arrests

12/27/01

On Thursday, December 13 2001, the Strategic Investigations Unit, Burglary Unit, and the U.S. Secret Service, joined forces to arrest Roger Chris Perritt and John Grassano.

After receiving an anonymous tip from a concerned citizen, Detective Tony Magnanti of the Strategic Investigations Unit, began an investigation into the alleged sale of narcotics and stolen property from 512 NE 7 Ave. Apt. B., in the Victoria Park section of the City. With the assistance of Burglary Detectives Jack Gee and Cheryl Donisi, undercover narcotics purchases were conducted from within this residence. During these transactions, Detective Mike Nahum, of the Strategic investigations Unit, was able to secure several hand-to-hand narcotics deals with Roger Chris Perritt. During one of these transactions, Perritt purchased a VCR from Detective Nahum, which was allegedly stolen.

Perritt became confident that Detective Nahum was just another criminal and introduced him to John Grassano. Grassano met with Detective Nahum and placed an order for approximately $11,000.00 worth of stolen merchandise. Through the co-operation of Target Corporate Security, thirty-two items of electronics equipment were utilized as a decoy. They settled on a price of $3,000.00 for all of the property. Grassano also offered to provide Detective Nahum with fraudulent gift cards, redeemable at local department stores, as part of the payment for the electronics gear.

Grassano met with Detective Nahum at Cypress Creek Station to complete the deal. He produced the money, began to take possession of the electronics equipment, and was subsequently arrested by members of SID. While this arrest was taking place, a team of Raiders, went to Perritts residence, took him into custody, and recovered the VCR. The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the fraudulent gift cards.

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