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TRAFFIC FATALITY
April 1, 2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating a traffic fatality. At approximately 7:33 P.M., Saturday, April 1, 2000, a bicyclist was struck and killed while trying to cross State Road 84.
The bicyclist was southbound on SW 14 Avenue when he rode into the path of a silver 1994 Toyota Corolla four-door driven by Joyce Bartley (B/F DOB: 8-5-67). The bicyclist, Andrej Szczerba (W/M DOB: 4-18-48) smashed through the windshield of the car and was pronounced death at the scene.
Szczerba lives in Fort Lauderdale but was supporting his family by sending money back to his native Poland.
Bartley had four children in her car that she was taking for a night of skating. Bartley received a minor shoulder injury. None of the children were injured.
No charges are anticipated at this time. The crash is still under investigation.
Anyone who has information regarding the crash is asked to call Traffic Homicide Investigator Shawn Perez at (954) 761-5125.
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ARSON ATTEMPTED MURDER
April 2, 2000
At approximately 8:30 A.M., Sunday, April 02, 2000, Fort Lauderdale Police responded to 1605 NW 4 Avenue in reference to an arson. Upon arrival Officer Mario Diaz found a 30-year-old black female, Denise Sanders, with 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 40 per cent of her body. Sanders had severe burns on her face, neck, chest, both arms and both legs. Also present was back male, Joe Riley, age 33. Riley had 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his left hand and arm.
According to Diaz, Sanders and Riley have been living together as girlfriend and boyfriend for about 10 years. Riley believed Sanders had been cheating on him. Riley doused Sanders with rubbing alcohol and set her on fire.
Both Sanders and Riley were initially transported to Broward General Hospital for treatment. Sanders is to be transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn center. Riley was treated and released.
Riley was immediately taken into custody and booked into jail for Arson and Attempted Murder.
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BODY FOUND IN CANAL
April 2, 2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is looking for assistance in identifying a body found floating in a canal.
At 2:53 P.M., Sunday, April 02, 2000, police responded to 1313 SW 17 Street on reports of a white male floating in the canal behind the residence. Upon arrival police found the body of a middle aged white male victim described as wearing black and white sneakers, blue pants and a black T-shirt with red writing on it. The victim has black hair and a tattoo of "Herminia" on his right forearm.
At this time investigators have no identification of the victim and the cause of death is unknown.
Anyone who recognizes the description or has any information is asked to call the Fort Lauderdale Police Department at (954) 761-5700.
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SUSPICIOUS FIRE AT SCHOOL
April 2, 2000
Fort Lauderdale Police and Fire Department Arson investigators are investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed a portable classroom at Fort Lauderdale High School.
The Fire Department received a call at the school, located at 1600 NE 4 Avenue, at approximately 9:35 P.M. Sunday, April 02, 2000. Upon arrival they discovered a new portable classroom on the northeast side of the school fully engulfed in flames. The building was adjacent to three other, much older, portables, which were not damaged. The Fire Department believes the fire is suspicious and called for Police Department Arson Investigators to assist in the investigation.
There were no injuries as the building was unoccupied; however, the building is a total loss with damages estimated at $100,000.
A witness told firefighters that he had seen three young boys at the 7/11 convenience store at NE 4 Avenue and 16 Street. The witness told a fireman that the boys were laughing and made suspicious remarks about the fire. The witness then left before investigators could question him further. Detective Jim Pott requests the media's assistance in locating this witness. He is under no suspicion. The witness is described as a white male in his 50's driving a white Ford Aerostar Van. Pott is asking this witness or anyone who may have information about the fire to call him at (954) 761-5528.
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BODY FOUND IN DUMPSTER
April 5, 2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating a body that was found in a smoldering dumpster located in the 100 block of NW 5 Street at approximately 11:30 this morning.
The Fort Lauderdale Fire Department responded to the reported fire and upon arrival inspected the smoldering dumpster prior to applying water to the contents. Firefighters noticed a body in the dumpster and notified police.
Homicide Detectives along with Forensic, Arson and Medical Examiner investigators responded to the scene. The body was burned beyond recognition and at this time the race, sex or age of the victim is unknown. It was decided by investigators to transport the entire dumpster and its contents to the Medical Examiners office where it will be emptied and the contents inspected.
The cause and time of death is unknown at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jack King at 761- 5544, Detective Al Stone at 761-5512 or Crime Stoppers at 493-T.I.P.S.
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BODY FOUND IN DUMPSTER UPDATE
April 6, 2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is continuing the investigation into the body found Wednesday April 5, 2000 in a smoldering dumpster located at 100 NW 5 Street. Fort Lauderdale Fire Department personnel found the body at approximately 11:30 a.m. after receiving the reported dumpster fire call.
The dumpster and its contents were transported to the Broward Count Medical Examiners office where the badly burned body was removed. The Medical Examiner has performed an autopsy on the body but due to the condition the only information known at this time is that the body is that of a male. The examination will be continuing in hopes of finding a race, age, cause of death, and eventually an identity.
Anyone with information is asked to call Fort Lauderdale Police Detective Jack King at 761-5444 or Detective Al Stone at 761-5512.
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BODY FOUND IN DUMPSTER ADDITIONAL UPDATE
April 6, 2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has received additional information concerning the body found burned in a dumpster on Wednesday April 5, 2000.
The Broward County Medical Examiner has determined that the body is that of a white male, 30-40 years of age, 5'10"- 6'2", and possibly wearing "Tommy Hilfiger" pants.
The cause of death is still unknown at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jack King at 761-5444, Detective Al Stone at 761-5512 or Crime Stoppers at 493-T.I.P.S
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ARREST IN 1989 HOMICIDE CASE
April 7, 2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has arrested and charged Jean Constant 12-28-48, in connection with the 1989 homicide of Louize Renard. Constant shot and killed Renard on June 27, 1989 at 1109 NW 5 Ave. after the two were involved in a dispute.
Constant had fled to the Bahamas and was located March 31, 2000 after information was received that the defendant was living in Nassau, Bahamas. Detective Dave Dittman flew to the Bahamas and with the cooperation of the Bahamian Authorities, INS, and the FBI Constant was returned to the United States where he was booked into the Fort Lauderdale Police jail on April 1, 2000.
Consatnt is charged with First-Degree Murder and Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution.
Fort Lauderdale Police have been unable to contact Renard's wife Elsie Joseph to notify her of the arrest. Anyone with information on the case or the whereabouts of Joseph is asked to call Detective John Curcio at 761-5529.
ARRESTED: Jean Constant, 12-28-48
VICTIM: Louize Renard, 06-24-52
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POLICE MOTORCYCLE RODEOCHAMPIONS
April 10, 2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department's Motorcycle Team won its' third consecutive national championship last Saturday, April 8, by winning the "Overall Team Trophy" at the Southeast Police Motorcycle Rodeo held in Coral Springs. The Rodeo consisted of 20 teams from as far away as Oklahoma and Virginia and 126 riders.
Along with "Overall Team" there were several other individual and team honors.
- Sergeant Jim Polan won Overall Individual Rider honors, First Place Division Two, First Place Individual
Slow Ride, and First Place Individual Slow Ride Run -Off
- Motor Officer Sam House won second place Individual Rider and Second Place Division Two
- Sergeant Steve Raabe placed fifth in Individual Rider and fifth in Division Two
- Motor Officer Dan Dodd third place Individual Slow Ride
- Motor Officer Rick Dabe fifth place Individual Slow Ride
- First Place Team Slow Ride consisting of team members Sergeant Jim Polan and Motor Officers Dan Dodd, Rick Dabe and Dean Porio
Congratulations to the Team and all of the individual winners.
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BODY FOUND IN DUMPSTER IDENTIFIED
April 11, 2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has learned the identity of the badly burned body found in a dumpster on Wednesday April 5, 2000. Matthew Collins, 06-21-78, was positively identified through dental records by the Broward County Medical Examiners Office on Monday April 10, 2000.
Collins was reported missing to the Plantation Police Department April 4, 2000, and his vehicle was found on Sunday, April 9, 2000 parked in a municipal lot at East Las Olas Blvd and State Road A1A in Fort Lauderdale. The vehicle had parking tickets on it from Friday April 7th.
At this time the exact cause of death is still undetermined and there are no suspects or a motive.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jack King at 761-5544, Detective Al Stone at 761-5512 or Crime Stoppers at 493-T.I.P.S.
VICTIM: Matthew Collins, 06-21-78
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2000 AIR & SEA SHOW
PUBLC ADVISORYThe 2000 Air & Sea Show is to be held on Fort Lauderdale Beach during the weekend of May 6th & 7th. The show will extend along the four miles of beach, from the 1900 block of North A1A to the 1100 block south. Advisories will be issued to try and make commuting as easy as possible for spectators, and residents.
Traffic Restrictions for Spectators
- Traffic on A1A from East Sunrise Blvd. south to Vistamar St. will be one lane north bound and one lane south bound from Midnight Thursday, May 4th, until Tuesday morning May 9th.
- A1A will be closed to vehicular traffic at 12:01a.m. Monday, May 1st, from East Sunrise Blvd., north to the 1900 block of A1A, and will reopen Tuesday morning May 9th.There will be one lane north bound, and one lane south bound in this area for residents with passes. Residents in this area must enter from the north at N.E. 19 St., there will be no access from East Sunrise Blvd.
- A1A will be closed from Bayshore Drive to N.E. 19 St during the show.
- East Sunrise Blvd. will be closed to vehicular traffic between Bayview Dr, and St. Rd. A1A during the show.
- Access to the beach for vehicles will be limited, and can only be made by way of SE 17 St. East Las Olas Blvd., and East Oakland Park Blvd.
- There will be no eastbound traffic allowed on East Sunrise Blvd. east of Gateway from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, and Sunday. Traffic will be diverted north on US 1 at the Gateway intersection. This will expedite clearing the beach following the show.
- All businesses in the areas affected by the traffic restrictions will be open their normal hours during the weekend.
Residents and Business Employees
Vehicle passes will be issued to those individuals who live, or work within the restricted areas that will allow them to pass through the two checkpoints. Those checkpoints will be at East Sunrise Blvd and Bayview Drive, and at A1A and N.E. 19 St.
Park & Ride Shuttle Service
A limited, continuous, Park & Ride shuttle bus service will be offered by the City of Fort Lauderdale from Holiday Park (red line), and by Broward County Transit from downtown parking garages (blue line) to East Sunrise Blvd, and the Intracoastal bridge. There will be a $5.00 charge for parking, and a $3.00 per person charge for round-trip shuttle service. Shuttle service will begin at 8:00 a.m. each day, and will end one hour after the event. (Approximately 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday) Please have exact change.
Downtown Parking: The public may park in downtown city garages. Broward County Transit Buses will pick up, and drop off passengers along SE 1 Ave. between Broward Blvd. and SE 2 St.
Holiday Park: Access to Holiday Park can be made at Federal Hwy and Nininger Drive. Broward County Transit buses will pick up, and drop off passengers at Parker Playhouse located in the park
Beach Access and Parking
Spectators who choose to drive to the beach during show hours will only be able to do so along the 17th Street Causeway, East Las Olas Blvd., and Oakland Park Blvd. No vehicles will be permitted to travel on A1A north of Bayshore Drive, nor will they be permitted south of N.E. 19 St..
Parking beachside will be limited, and parking lots are expected to fill early.
All parking laws will be strictly enforced. Violators will be ticketed, and towed. Use of the park, and ride shuttle service is strongly encouraged.
Bicycles
Due to pedestrian congestion and for the safety of spectators, bicycles will be prohibited in the area of "Show Center" located at Sunrise Blvd. and State Road A1A. This restriction will be strictly enforced. Bicycle lockup stations will be located along both sides of Sunrise Blvd. east of the Intracoastal Bridge, inside Birch State Park, and on A1A at NE 14 Street and between Auramar and Terramar Streets.
Boating Advisory
There will be a restricted safety zone four miles long, north to south, beginning north of Oakland Park Blvd., and extending south to the Port Everglades Inlet.. The restricted area will extend from shore, out 4,000 feet, and will be well marked with buoys. The port Everglades Channel will remain open to traffic; however, all vessels must proceed east past the 4,000 feet mark before heading north.
The restricted zone will be strictly guarded by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Florida Marine Patrol, Fort Lauderdale Police Dept.'s Marine Unit, and Broward County Sheriff's Marine Unit.
Health and Safety
Spectators should prepare for a day in the sun by wearing sunscreen as well as a hat, and sunglasses. They should also drink an adequate amount of water to avoid dehydration. There will be well- marked first aid stations along the three- mile viewing area, courtesy of the North Broward Hospital District.
ALL OPEN CONTAINER LAWS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED. CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL ON THE BEACH IS PROHIBITED BY CITY ORDINANCE, AND WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED IN DESIGNATED FOOD COURTS. PLEASE, NO GLASS CONTAINERS.
Lost Children
Parents are advised to take extra care during the show. Last year there were numerous lost children. With the large crowds expected, and being along the water's edge, a lost child can be very hard to find. If you are taking children tell them if they get lost to find a police officer, firefighter, or lifeguard. Efforts to reunite them with parents or guardians will be coordinated through the Fort Lauderdale Police Dept.'s Command Center located at E. Sunrise Blvd, and Breakers Ave.
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SENIOR BROWN BAG DAY
April 20, 2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department and North Broward Hospital District will be co-sponsoring "Senior Brown Bag Day" Friday May 5, 2000, 9:00 a.m. to noon, at the Holiday Park Social Center.
Brown Bag Day was designed to allow senior citizens to meet with a licensed pharmacist, one on one, to check on their current prescribed medications. This will help seniors check the effectiveness of their medications while checking to make sure that none contradict one another. Seniors are asked to place all their medications in a "brown bag" and bring them to this very important event.
Appointments must be made to attend this free event by calling the North Broward District Health Line at (954) 759-7400.
Holiday Park Social Center is located at 1150 George Martin Drive inside Holiday Park, and can be accessed off of North Federal Highway two blocks south of East Sunrise Blvd.
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TRAFFIC CRASH
April 21, 2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating a traffic crash that occurred in the 2700 block of North A1A at approximately 1:10 p.m., today, April 21, 2000.
James F. Centlivre, 03-04-49, of Fort Lauderdale, was travelling north on A1A in the 2600-2700 block in his 1998 Corvette and according to witnesses was driving "erratically". Centlivre lost control of his vehicle, slid onto the east sidewalk and continued north on the sidewalk.
Carlee Murphy, 08-10-85, of Sunrise and Elisha Miller, 01-25-86, of Fort Lauderdale, were walking south while Tristan Mooney, 08-01-81, of Pompano, was riding his bicycle north, all three were on the east sidewalk, 2700 North A1A.
Centlivre, while on the sidewalk, struck all three subjects, then left the sidewalk and continued north across the northbound lanes of A1A coming to rest in the median area.
Murphy, Miller and Mooney were all transported to Broward General Medical Center. Murphy suffered a fractured leg along with several other injuries and is in serious condition. Miller and Mooney are in good condition.
Centlivre was not injured and is being charged with D.U.I. with great bodily harm. The investigation is continuing with possible additional charges pending.
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OPERATION RIGHT T.R.A.C. "CLUB" GIVEAWAY
April 26,2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department on behalf of the Broward County Chiefs of Police Association will be giving away steering wheel locking devices to persons owning one of the "top ten" stolen vehicles listed below. This give away is part of a county wide, one-day event that will be held at six different sites on May 13, 2000, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. throughout Broward County.
The Fort Lauderdale event will be held the Coral Ridge Mall, 3200 N. Federal Highway.
The top ten high-risk vehicles are:
- Toyota Camry (1984-1998)
- Honda Accord (1991-1997)
- Saturn (all years)
- Honda Civic (1994-1997)
- Ford Trucks ( 1998-1998)
- Ranger
- Explorer
- F-150
- Acura Integra (1991-1997)
- Olds Cutlass (1977-1990)
- Ford Mustang (1989-1995)
- Toyota Corolla (1980-1993)
- Plymouth/Dodge (1989-1997)
- Voyager
- Caravan
- Town & Country
Free Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching will also be available at the Coral Ridge Mall location along with information on auto theft prevention.
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SHOOTING INVESTIGATION
April 26, 2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating a shooting and an apparent robbery that occurred at the Hess Mart gas station, 1075 West Sunrise Blvd. earlier today.
At approximately 11:50 a.m. two black males, described as in their late teens early twenties entered the store, which was occupied by the clerk/victim and customers. One of the suspects was armed with a handgun and apparently intended to commit an armed robbery of the business. After the suspects took an undetermined amount of cash from the cash register, the clerk and the suspects became involved in a confrontation. The clerk, 38 year old Sajid Shah was shot once in the chest.
Shah was transported to Broward General Medical Center where he is in stable condition.
The store did have a video surveillance system and detectives are reviewing the tape.
Witnesses recall seeing the suspects talking to a female and a male in a maroon Chevy in the gas pump area of the station prior to the shooting.
Anyone with information on the case or the couple in the maroon Chevy is asked to Detective John Curcio at 761-5529, Detective Mark Breen at 761-5708 or Crime Stoppers at 493-T.I.P.S.
VICTIM: Sajid Shah, 38 years of age
SUSPECTS:
1) b/m, late teens early twenties, and blue jeans, white tee shirt
2) b/m, late teens early twenties, dark clothing
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SHOOTING
April 26, 2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a victim in critical condition at Broward General Hospital.
At 8:27 P.M., Wednesday, April 26, 2000, officers responded to 1801 SW 2 Street, apartment 10, on a report that four black males had approached the apartment, two at the front door and two at the back door. One of the subjects knocked on the front door. There were three occupants of the apartment at the time, one black female and two black males.
As the occupants opened the door one of the subjects in front opened fire with an unknown type of firearm. It appears at this time that the bullets went through the back jalousie door and struck one of the subjects outside the back door. The victim was found in the street in the 100 block of 18 Avenue, bleeding heavily and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
An officer responding to the scene observed a vehicle leaving the area and stopped it in the area of the 1800 block of SW 11 Court. The three occupants of the vehicle were identified as the three subjects who fled the shooting.
At this time investigators have no explanation for the shooting and have not determined any relationship between the suspects, victim or occupants of the apartment.
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FIREARMS SAFETY PROGRAM KICK OFF
April 28, 2000
On Tuesday, May 9, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, City Officials and representatives from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) will announce the kick-off of Project HomeSafe, a firearms safety and gunlock giveaway program. A press conference announcing the program will be held on May 9, 2000 at 10:00am at the Fort Lauderdale Community Policing Center, 1113 East Sunrise Boulevard.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is the first law enforcement department in South Florida to participate in the program. As part of the program, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department will distribute, free of charge, 5,000 gunlock devices to community members and 500 locks to Officers for their home use. The device, which works like a traditional padlock, is placed through a firearm barrel or magazine holder so that the weapon can't be fired until it is unlocked. The locks, in combination with educational materials, are intended to promote safe handling and secure storage practices among all firearms owners.
Project HomeSafe is being paid for by the NSSF, a trade organization consisting of firearms manufacturers, distributors and retailers. "Our goal is to reach out to all firearms owners with key safety messages on safe firearms handling and storage," said Douglas Painter, executive director of the organization.
The locks will be available for distribution beginning May 9, 2000 at the Fort Lauderdale Community Policing Center, 1113 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. For more information, please call Alisa Cappuzzello, project director, Fort Lauderdale Police Department at 954-759-6433.
PR # 2000-51
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