Briefing Room	Press Releases	News Clips	Chief's Office
E-Mail the Information Officer

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

April 12, 2005

On April 12, 2005, at approximately 6:45 AM, Fort Lauderdale Police responded to the 900 block of West Commercial Blvd. for a traffic crash involving a tractor trailer and two pedestrians. The tractor trailer, owned by Steel Fabricators and driven by Mr. Daniel Van Tubbergh (DOB 06-27-49), was west bound on West Commercial Blvd. when its load of steal beams became unsecured and fell off the flatbed trailer. A portion of the beams fell onto two pedestrian victims who were at a nearby bus stop. One victim was trapped under the steel for approximately one hour. Upon extrication by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and Florida Department of Transportation, the freed victim was air lifted to Broward General Hospital where he is listed in stable but serious condition. The second victim was transported to North Ridge Hospital with minor injuries and was released a short time later.

The Florida Department of Transportation responded to the scene to inspect the tractor trailer for any possible safety violations. At this time, the exact cause of the incident is unknown. Fort Lauderdale Police Department Traffic Homicide investigators will be handling the on-going crash investigation. Victim names are currently not being released pending proper notification of family members.

Any witnesses to this accident are encouraged to contact Investigator Sandra Knutten at 954-828-5460 with any information concerning the incident.

TOP

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT UPDATE

April 12, 2005

On April 12, 2005, at approximately 6:45 AM, Fort Lauderdale Police responded to the 900 block of West Commercial Blvd. for a traffic crash involving a tractor trailer and two pedestrians. The tractor trailer, owned by Steel Fabricators and driven by Mr. Daniel Van Tubbergh (DOB 06-27-49), was west bound on West Commercial Blvd. when its load of steal beams became unsecured and fell off the flatbed trailer. A portion of the beams fell onto two pedestrian victims who were at a nearby bus stop. One victim was trapped under the steel for approximately one hour. Upon extrication by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and Florida Department of Transportation, the freed victim was air lifted to Broward General Hospital where he is listed in stable but serious condition. The second victim was transported to North Ridge Hospital with minor injuries and was released a short time later.

The Florida Department of Transportation responded to the scene to inspect the tractor trailer for any possible safety violations. At this time, the exact cause of the incident is unknown. Fort Lauderdale Police Department Traffic Homicide investigators will be handling the on-going crash investigation. Victim names are currently not being released pending proper notification of family members.

Any witnesses to this accident are encouraged to contact Investigator Sandra Knutten at 954-828-5460 with any information concerning the incident.

***UPDATE***

3:30 PM- The two pedestrian victims involved in the above accident have been identified, both men are from Ft. Lauderdale. The first pedestrian who has since been released from Northridge Hospital is Jose Conte-Gomez (W/M, DOB 10-5-86). The second pedestrian who had been trapped by the steel and was required to be extricated has been identified as Marcos Francini (W/M DOB 10-30-81). Francini is still hospitalized at Broward General Medical Center in stable but critical condition.

TOP

FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CARRY A SPECIAL TORCH

April 14, 2005

On Tuesday, April 19, 2005, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department will join together with the Special Olympics to support the Law Enforcement Torch Run. This grass-roots fund raising program unites law enforcement, Special Olympics, and members of the community in one event. Law enforcement officers throughout Florida will raise funds for Special Olympics by guiding the torch throughout the state.

The run will consist of a two hour, 12-mile leg through Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale Police Department runners will start at approximately 10:00 am at the intersection of US-1 and Eller Drive, at the southern tip of the City. The route will head North on U.S. 1 to SE 17th Street, turn East, crossing the Intracoastal Bridge to A1A, then North along the Fort Lauderdale Beach to Sunrise Boulevard. At this point, the route will head West on Sunrise Boulevard and resume North on Federal Highway until it reaches McNabb Road on the Fort Lauderdale/Pompano border. Officers will then hand the torch off to the next law enforcement agency, where it will continue through the state.

Over 50 Fort Lauderdale Police Officers will be participating in the event. The community is encouraged to show their support for officers along the route. For more information, contact Sergeant Mark Furdon at (954) 828-5455.

TOP

LEACH TASK FORCE ARREST

April 18, 2005

On Friday, April 15, 2005, the Austin (Texas) Police Department contacted a detective with the Law Enforcement Against Child Harm (LEACH) Task Force regarding an endangered runaway case. Austin Police believed a (14) fourteen-year-old boy, who was reported as a runaway by his parents, was in the City of Fort Lauderdale with an adult male. The white male was identified as BOBBY KING MINNIS (DOB 09-18-1962), residing at 1643 NE 56 Street, Fort Lauderdale.

LEACH agents from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation discovered that MINNIS met the teen over the Internet and spoke to him for approximately (1) one year. On April 8, MINNIS flew to Austin, Texas, where he met the victim and then drove him back to MINNIS’ home, which he shares with his wife and (2) juvenile children, in Fort Lauderdale. On Friday, April 15, MINNIS was taken into custody as he exited his home with the child.

Further investigation revealed the teen victim allegedly had sex with MINNIS on (10) ten occasions since he left Austin. The child was taken for medical examination.

MINNIS was charged with (10) ten counts of Lewd or Lascivious Battery and (1) one count of Interference With Custody. Federal charges are pending upon further investigation.

The investigation into this case is still on going. There is concern that there may be additional victims associated with this suspect. All persons who may have any knowledge about this case or have any other information are encouraged to contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Detective Felicia Barnwell (954) 828-5533, or Broward County Crime Stoppers (954) 493-TIPS.

TOP

PUBLIC ADVISORY - 2005 MCDONALD’S® AIR & SEA SHOW® AND FLEET WEEK USASM PUBLIC ADVISORY

April 20, 2005

The McDonald’s® Air & Sea® Show, presented by CBS 4, is to be held on Fort Lauderdale beach during the weekend of April 30 – May 1, 2005. Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday April 30, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 1. The show extends along four miles of beach between Oakland Park Blvd. and East Las Olas Blvd. The Fort Lauderdale Police department has issued the following advisories designed to accommodate the city’s residents and visitors, to ensure public safety 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 Street will be one lane northbound and one lane southbound from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, April 27, until Tuesday, May 3.

• A1A will be closed to vehicular traffic at 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 25 from East Sunrise Blvd., north to the 1900 block of A1A, and will reopen Tuesday, May 3. Residents in this area must enter from the north at N.E. 19 Street, as there will be no access from East Sunrise Blvd.

• A1A will be closed from Bayshore Drive to N.E. 19 Street during the show.

• East Sunrise Blvd. will be closed to vehicular traffic between Bayview Drive and A1A during the show.

• Access to the beach for vehicles will be limited, and can only be made by way of S.E. 17 Street, East Las Olas Blvd., and East Oakland Park Blvd.

• No eastbound traffic will be allowed on East Sunrise Blvd. east of Gateway from 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday’s show days. 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 people who live or work within the restricted areas, which will allow them to pass through two checkpoints. Those checkpoints will be at East Sunrise Boulevard and Bayview Drive, and at A1A and N.E. 19th Street. Residents or businesses with questions about passes, or in need of passes, may call (954) 828-5645.

Park & Ride Shuttle Service

A limited, continuous Park & Ride shuttle bus service will be offered by Broward County Transit from the City of Fort Lauderdale’s downtown parking garage (blue line) and from Holiday Park (red line) to Sunrise Blvd. at the Intracoastal bridge area. Parking is $5 at the downtown garage and $7 at Holiday Park. The cost for round-trip shuttle service is an additional $3 per person. Please have exact change. Shuttle bus service will start at 8 a.m. both days and will end one hour after the event (approx. 11 p.m. Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday). For more information call 954-357-8400 or visit http://www.broward.org/bct.

Park & Ride from Downtown: Parking for the public is in the downtown City of Fort Lauderdale parking garage (located across the street from the Main Library). Broward County Transit buses will pick up and drop off passengers along S.E. First Avenue between Broward Blvd. and S.E. 2nd Street.

Park & Ride from Holiday Park: Access Holiday Park from Federal Highway and Nininger Drive. Broward County Transit buses will pick up passengers at Parker Playhouse (just east of Federal Hwy. in Holiday Park).

When leaving the beach for your return trip remember: Blue Line = Downtown Garage Red Line = Holiday Park

Show Accessibility For People With Disabilities

Recommended Parking ¬ Located at the Galleria Mall in the Open Lime lot. From I-95 take Sunrise Blvd. exit east to Bayview Drive and proceed south (right) and follow signs back around Galleria to the Open Lime Lot at the east end of the Galleria Mall.

This lot will accommodate disabled individual’s vehicles on a first come, first served basis. The Galleria Mall will charge a parking fee of $15. Additional overflow parking will be located at Holiday Park (Federal Highway and Nininger Drive) and Downtown Garage Locations (located along SE 1st Ave between Broward Blvd and SE 2nd Street).

Transportation Accommodations ¬ From 8:00am to 7:00pm on April 30 - May 1. Broward County Transit will provide, free of charge, two (2) wheelchair shuttle vans to transport disabled individuals from the designated pick-up/drop-off area at the intersection of NE 26th Avenue and Sunrise Blvd., located near the Open Lime Lot of the Galleria Mall Parking. A designated shuttle drop-off and return area will be located at the Fire Station located on Sunrise Blvd east of the Intracoastal Bridge on the north side of Sunrise Blvd. Please follow the informational and directional signage posted in the parking lot and at the Fire Station to the designated shuttle and seating areas.

Accessible Seating Area Located on A1A just north of Sunrise. A special fenced off area for individuals using wheelchairs, walkers or other instruments for assistance in mobility will be located at the Sunrise and A1A north location. Service guide dogs will be permitted. Local enforcement officers will secure this area.

Accessible Bathroom Facilities ¬ Located on Sunrise & AIA just opposite the accessible seating section. The first aid station adjacent to the bathroom facilities will make appropriate sanitary materials available. Additional accessible facilities located throughout the event site.

Beach Access and Parking

Spectators who choose to drive to the beach during show hours will only be able to do so along 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 NE 19th Street.

Parking beachside will be limited, and parking lots are expected to fill early. On street parking along Las Olas Blvd. In the downtown business district will be prohibited the weekend of the show. Both traffic lanes will remain open to allow for vehicle traffic to flow quickly and safely off of the beach on both Saturday and Sunday.

All parking laws will be strictly enforced. Violators will be ticketed and towed. Use of the Park & Ride shuttle service is strongly encouraged.

Bicycles, Skateboards and Scooters

Bicycles, skateboards and electric/gas scooters will all be prohibited in the area of “Show Center” at East Sunrise Boulevard and A1A. Bicycle lock-up areas will be provided at the following locations:

West of Show Center: N.E. 9th St. West of Birch Rd. (Behind 7-Eleven Store) South of Show Center: on A1A and Terramar St. (South of Vistamar St.) North of Show Center: West of A1A between NE 14th St. and NE 19th St.

Tri-Rail Train Service

Tri-Rail passengers will be provided with free connecting shuttle bus service to the Show on April 30 - May 1. Buses will operate from the Fort Lauderdale Train Station, located just west of I-95 and south of Broward Blvd. Tri-Rail operates commuter rail service between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. In addition to its regularly scheduled weekend service, Tri-Rail will offer a special northbound train departing the Fort Lauderdale Train Station at 7:16 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1. Please note, the last bus returning from the show to the train is at 6 p.m. Tri-Rail's weekend round-trip fares apply. For information call 1-800-TRI-RAIL or visit www.tri-rail.com.

Water Bus

Water Bus will provide its regular service April 30 - May 1. For information, visit www.watertaxi.com or call (954) 467-6677.

Health and Safety

The City of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue will have well-marked first aid stations located up and down the beach.

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. For convenience, concessions will be available up and down the beach, with food courts located on A1A near Sunrise Boulevard.

WFTL 850 AM-Live 85 will provide continuous live coverage, including special traffic reports, April 30 - May 1 beginning at 11:00 a.m. through the conclusion of the show.

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 Department’s Command Center, located at East Sunrise Blvd. and Breakers Avenue.

Pets

It is a violation of city ordinance 6-4 to have pets “on any sidewalk or public property on either the west or east sides of State Road A1A (including the roadway itself)” or “in the sandy portion of the beach.” Officers will be enforcing the ordinance and asking for voluntary compliance.

The erecting of tents, canopies and fencing along the public beach area will be prohibited.

Over the past few years, there has been an increase of individuals fencing off and erecting canopies and tents over large areas of the beach for their family and friends. This creates areas of exclusive use on the public beach and creates crowd control and safety issues during this extremely busy weekend. We are asking for voluntary compliance of Park and Recreation/Beach Regulation 7.0, that spectators not erect these tents, canopies and fencing, as they will be asked to take down any of these items erected.

No kites or balloons along the beach area during the weekend of the show.

This is not new, however the military has asked us to again ask that kites and balloons not be flown along the beach during the show, as it creates a safety hazard for the performers.

Public Boating Advisory - 2005 McDonald’s Air & Sea Show

If you plan to attend the McDonald's Air & Sea Show, presented by CBS4, with your boat April 30-May 1, please be advised of the following safety restrictions:

There will be a restricted safety zone four miles long, north to south, beginning north of Oakland Park Boulevard and extending south to the Port Everglades Inlet. The restricted area will extend from shore out to 4,000 feet and will be well marked with buoys. The Port Everglades Channel will remain open for traffic, however all vessels must proceed east past the 4,000 foot marker before heading north. Mariners will be allowed only outside of the flight line and U.S. Naval vessels safety perimeter that will be marked by security vessels.

The restricted safety zone will be strictly enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Florida Marine Patrol, Fort Lauderdale Police Department Marine Unit, Broward County Sheriff Marine Unit, and other local law enforcement agencies. As always, please remember to BOATSMART, use alcohol responsibly and wear your lifejackets.

Further details may be secured from the Port Everglades website http://www.broward.org/port or your local Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

Public Boating Advisory – 2005 Fleet Week USASM

There will be several waterway closures in Port Everglades throughout Fleet Week USA, presented by McDonald’s. To allow Navy vessels to safely enter and exit the port, U. S. Coast Guard, Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Broward Sheriff's Office vessels will close Port Everglades during the following dates and times:

Monday, April 25, 2005 – 7:00 a.m. to 12 Noon Friday, April 29, 2005 ¬– 8:00 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Recreational and commercial traffic are advised that from April 25 through May 1 the portion of the Intracoastal Waterway from Dania Cut Off Canal (south) to the tip of previously operated Burt and Jack's Restaurant (north) to near the west side of the 17th Street Causeway Bridge will be partially restricted due to existing U.S. Naval vessel security zones.

Additionally, the John U. Lloyd State Park Boat ramp and Whiskey Creek will be closed for security measures from 6:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday, April 25 and Friday, April 29.

Boaters can expect to see an increased law enforcement presence along this portion of the Intracoastal Waterway to assist boaters in staying well to the east while transiting the area.

Due to federal security regulations, boaters are not allowed to come within 100-yards of U.S. Naval vessels without authorization, and are required to maintain a minimum safe speed when within 500-yards of U.S. Naval vessels.

Boaters are reminded to monitor Channel-16 for updates and information regarding the Port and Intracoastal Waterway and closures. All boaters are advised to transit this area with caution during the period of April 25 - 29, 2005.

TOP

ARMED ROBBERY

April 28, 2005

On April 12, 2005 at 10:40 PM, an Armed Robbery occurred at the BP Gas Station located at 606 North Federal Highway. Prior to entering the store, the suspect pulled a ‘mask’ down over his face. Once inside the store, the suspect approached the clerk who was behind the counter and pointed a sawed-off shotgun at the employee, demanding money. The clerk complied and handed the suspect the register drawer, with an unknown amount of cash. The suspect then fled the area on foot. No gun shots were fired and no one was injured during the incident.

The cash drawer has since been recovered. Store surveillance cameras were able to record the incident, including the suspect prior to entering the store and covering his face.

Anyone with information about this robbery, or who may be able to identify the suspect is encouraged to contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Violent Crime Detective Jack DiCristofalo can be contacted at 954-828-6096; you can also call the FLPD Tip Line @ 954-828-5511, or Broward County Crime Stoppers @ 954-493-TIPS.

TOP

Briefing Room

E-Mail the Information Officer

Chief's Office