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TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FATALITY

April 1, 2004

At approximately 3 a.m., the Fort Lauderdale Police Department received a 911 call, the caller advising that he had heard a loud crash and that a vehicle was on fire at 640 N. Andrews Avenue.

Fort Lauderdale Police and Fire Rescue both responded to the scene where a tan Toyota was engulfed in flames. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue extinguished the fire without incident. It was at this time, that an occupant was found to be inside the vehicle, and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim in the crash has not yet been positively identified.

The Fort Lauderdale Police, Traffic Homicide Unit is conducting an investigation into the circumstances that lead up to the accident. At this point, it was determined that the vehicle was traveling south on Andrews Avenue when it left the roadway and struck a cement utility pole, then ultimately caught fire.

Presently, there are no witnesses or information that could specify the vehicle’s actions prior to the accident. The Traffic Homicide Unit is requesting if any persons have information about this incident, to please call Investigator Cindy Wilburn @ 954-828-5755, or the Fort Lauderdale Police Department @ 954-828-5700.

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DOMESTIC DISPUTE TURNS DEADLY

April 4, 2004

Today at about 5:37 AM a 911 call was received from 2315 NW 8th Court apartment #4. The caller advised that someone had been shot at the residence. Officers responded to the scene, where they found Elizabeth Cedeno (05/24/84) deceased.

Homicide Investigators responded to the scene and their investigation revealed that Ernestine Davison (02/11/69), and her husband, Marion Davison (12/24/61), became involved in a verbal altercation, which then escalated into a physical confrontation. During this altercation Ernestine threatened, and subsequently became armed with a revolver.

Cedeno, who had been living with the Davison family for approximately 8 months, attempted to calm both sides, and placed herself in between the couple. Ernestine fired a single round, striking Cedeno in the neck. She claimed that the shooting was accidental, and that Cedeno was not the intended target. Ernestine Davison’s 16 year-old daughter was present during the shooting, and is staying with relatives.

Ernestine Davison was arrested and charged with a single count of Murder.

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STABBING

April 4, 2004

Today at about 9:37 AM, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s communication center received a medical call from the Fort Lauderdale Retirement Home, located at 401 SE 12th Court. The caller reported that a patient was bleeding for an unknown reason. Prior to Police or Fire Rescue’s arrival, the call was updated to a stabbing.

Resident, Jean-Pierre Charvet (08/19/51) awoke, with a sensation of pressure in his back. He observed his roommate, Junior Fuller (b/m 12/02/59), standing over him with a knife. Charvet attempted to defend himself and was again cut. Charvet was transported to Broward General Medical Center, where he is listed in Critical, but Stable condition. At the time of this release, there is no explanation for Fuller’s attack on Charvet.

Fuller fled the residence on foot, and was last seen wearing a blue baseball cap, blue jean jacket and blue jeans. Detectives ask that anyone with information on Fuller’s whereabouts contact Broward County Crime Stoppers.

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ACCESSORY AFTER THE FACT HOMICIDE ARREST

April 6, 2004

Homicide Detectives have made an arrest connected to the February 9th, 2004 homicide of Wilguet Maxcena, of Fort Lauderdale and the shooting of Rony Charles, of Hollywood. Both victims were in front of Marc’s Tires, located at 612 NW 8th, at the time of the shooting.

Based on information acquired during an ongoing investigation, Fender Belizaire (02/03/83), of Miami, was arrested and charged with Accessory after the fact “Murder”, and Accessory after the fact “Aggravated Battery”.

Though Fort Lauderdale Police Officers had stopped Belizaire’s vehicle on the day of the shooting, neither he nor the other occupants were charged at that time.

Detectives anticipate making future arrest(s) in this case, and ask that anyone with information contact Detective Art Carbo (954) 828-6014, Detective Dave Jenkins (954) 828-5263, or Broward County CrimeStoppers.

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BANK ROBBERY

April 7, 2004

Fort Lauderdale Police Detectives are searching for a bandit who robbed the Bank United, located at 900 SE 3rd Avenue. Today, at 11:10 AM, the robber presented a note to a teller, demanding cash. The teller complied, at which time the robber left the bank, with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The thief is described as a clean-shaven white male, 20-26 years old, 5’ “5, 150 lbs., blond spiked hair. He was wearing sunglasses, a blue long sleeved t-shirt, dark running pants, and white sneakers. He was last seen leaving the bank, on foot, in an unknown direction of travel.

Detectives ask that anyone with information on this bank robber please contact Detective Rodriguez at (954) 828-6020 or Broward County Crime Stoppers.

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SERIAL BANK ROBBERS ARRESTED

April 9, 2004

On April 7, 2004, the North Miami Police Department made an arrest of Thomas Solomos (11/04/74), after he had committed a bank robbery in their jurisdiction. Detective John Mayato, the lead North Miami Police investigator, contacted Fort Lauderdale Police Detective Richard Rodriguez, and informed him of their arrest, after learning of Fort Lauderdale’s Bank United robbery (900 SE 3rd Avenue) earlier in the day. After comparing notes, the detectives felt strongly that Solomos was the culprit in the Bank United robbery.

Prior to Detective Rodriguez traveling to North Miami, he had been informed of an additional string of bank robberies in the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s jurisdiction. WSVN Ch-7’s assignment editor, Kelly Davis who noticed similarities in the suspect’s description, had passed on this information to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

Detective Rodriguez responded to the North Miami Police Department, where he interviewed Solomos. He was able to obtain information linking Solomos to at least two robberies in the City of Fort Lauderdale, along with the aforementioned three robberies in the Broward County Sheriff’s jurisdiction. Detective Rodriguez was furthermore able to obtain information on a co-defendant in the Fort Lauderdale bank robberies.

On April 8, 2004, there was another robbery of the Bank of America, located at 901 SE 17th Street. This bank had previously been robbed on March 19, 2004 (Solomos confessed to this robbery). The culprit in the April 8, 2004 Bank of America robbery later identified as Jason Laurance (10/03/72) was similarly described as the co-defendant in the robberies that Solomos’ had committed.

Members of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit, Fugitive Apprehension Squad, and the US Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force began a dragnet for Laurance, ultimately arresting him, without incident, at the Motel 6, located at 1801 S.R. 84. This is a classic example of multi jurisdictional cooperation, which a little help from the media, which lead to the apprehension of two major criminals.

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STRONG-ARMED ROBBERY

April 27, 2004

Fort Lauderdale Detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a robbery culprit.

On Monday May 3, 2004, Lisa Karavokiris, of Fort Lauderdale, had just finished loading her vehicle at the Walgreen’s Pharmacy, located at 6602 N. Federal Hwy, when the culprit approached her from behind. He placed an unknown object around her neck and choked her as he forced her to the ground. He was then able to take off with the victim's purse.

The culprit is described as a dark complexioned black male, 6'1" 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white baseball cap, turned backwards, and a white t-shirt (unknown colored pants).

After the robbery, the culprit traveled Northbound on Federal Highway, in a metallic green van, possibly a Chrysler or Dodge Caravan. Something distinguishing about the vehicle was a red jersey, with the word "Dirty”, hanging from the passenger side rear window.

Our Investigators believe this culprit is responsible for at least one other robbery in the City of Fort Lauderdale, and several others throughout the county.

In the previous robbery on Sunday May 2nd, 2004, the culprit approached Doris Mott, as she walked towards the Publix Supermarket, located at 6151 N. Federal Highway (04-54640). He wrapped an unknown object around the victim’s eyes and pulled her to the ground, taking her purse.

The culprit is considered dangerous and we are asking that anyone with information on his whereabouts contact Broward CrimeStoppers, or Det. McGowan at (954) 828-6329.

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