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TRAFFIC FATALITY

August 1, 2004

Fort Lauderdale Police Traffic Homicide Investigators have identified the victim of a Friday July 30th traffic crash. The crash occurred in the 1700 block of N. Federal Highway, at about 9:29 PM. The collision involved a 2004 Mercedes driven by a 17-year-old Fort Lauderdale male, a pedestrian and a bus bench.

The Mercedes had been traveling southbound on Federal Highway, when a vehicle allegedly turned left in front of it. The driver of the Mercedes lost control of the vehicle and struck Dale A. Bryant, 11/15/54, of Fort Lauderdale and the bus bench. Bryant had been in the vicinity on the bench, which was on the west side of Federal Highway.

After the crash, the Mercedes came to rest in the median of Federal Highway. Bryant died at the scene, while the vehicle’s 17-year-old driver and 16-year-old passenger were transported to Holy Cross hospital with minor injuries.

Traffic Homicide Investigators are looking into the possibility of speed being a factor in this crash.

We are asking that anyone with information on this crash contact Traffic Homicide Investigator Barbara Urow, at (954) 828-5125.

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FIREARM SAFETY KITS & VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE GIVE-AWAY DURING NATIONAL NIGH OUT AGAINST CRIME

August 1, 2004

Fort Lauderdale Police Department representatives will attend several of this year’s National Night Out Against Crime events throughout the city. The agency will use this as an opportunity to distribute Project ChildSafe firearm safety kits and vehicle anti-theft steering wheel devices.

Firearm safety kits prevent unauthorized individuals, from using an unsecured firearm. Gun owners often place weapons in their residences for home safety, not fully understanding their obligation to secure the weapon from unauthorized use by juveniles. In a partnership with Project ChildSafe, a nationwide firearm safety education program, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department hopes to prevent unintentional injuries or deaths from firearms. For additional information visit their website at www.projectchildsafe.org.

Top Vehicle Thefts by Year, Make & Model
1. 1989 Toyota Camry	6. 1993 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
2. 1994 Honda Accord	7. 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass/Supreme
3. 2000 Honda Civic	8. 1994 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan
4. 1992 Chevrolet Full Size C/K Pickup	9. 1996 Ford Taurus
5. 1997 Ford Full Size Pickup	10. 2001 Toyota Corolla
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT CIVIC ASSOCIATION EVENTS
Coral Ridge Isles Civic Association (Police District 1) 6100 Block of NE 15th Avenue 6:30 PM	Croissant Park Civic Association (Police District 3) Bryant H. Peney Park 2200 SW 4th Avenue 7:00 PM
Lakeridge Civic Association             (Police District 2) 1100 Block of NE 11th Avenue 6:00 PM	Middle River Terrace Civic Association (Police District 2) 1800 Block of Northeast 8th Avenue 7:00 PM
Riverside Park Civic Association Police District 3) Just for Kids facility 1500 Block Davie Blvd. 7:00 PM	Shady Banks Civic Association (Police District 3) The Hortt School SW 18th Avenue & 14th Court 7:00 PM
Victoria Park Civic Association        (Police District 1) Victoria Park Road & Broward Blvd 6:00 PM

Please note that quantities are limited and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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DISTRACTION THEFTS

August 9, 2004

Fort Lauderdale Police Department Investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying a group of bandits who specialize in distraction thefts at gas station convenience stores.

In most of these thefts female members of the group divert the attention of the sole clerk by asking for information about lottery tickets. While the clerk is distracted, male members of the group slip into the unlocked office of the businesses and steal cash.

Detectives are hoping that the release of a digital video surveillance CD obtained from the business will help to identify the culprits.

Location: Chevron Gas Station & Convenience Store
1215 SE 17th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Date: July 18, 2004
Time: 4:00 PM
Other Fort Lauderdale locations with the same method of theft:
BP Amoco 606 N. Federal Highway
Southport Texaco 1301 SE 17th Street

Anyone with information on the culprits’ identity is asked to contact Detective Dorothy Littlefield at (954) 828-5541 or Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.

Media outlets may obtain copies of the digital video surveillance CD in the lobby of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. This CD can be played on the average desktop computer.

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HOMICIDE VICTIM IDENTIFIED

August 9, 2004

Homicide Investigators have identified Linval Glesford Titus, 10/20/56, of 6701 W. Oakland Park Boulevard #210, Lauderhill, FL, as the victim of Saturday’s (08/07/04) homicide at 2765 NW 6th Court.

Detectives only have a first name of “Wayne” for the culprit. The culprit is described as a dark complexioned black male who was last seen wearing a blue shirt with white horizontal stripes, and dark shorts. He is further described as having short hair, 5’6” with a medium build.

The culprit fled the scene in a 1991 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, which he had taken at gunpoint from one of the arriving mourners. After several minutes, the vehicle was abandoned in the 1700 block of NW 27th Terrace. It was at this location that another victim was forced, at gunpoint, to drive the culprit to the area of NW 36th Street and N. State Rd. 7, in Lauderdale Lakes, where he released the driver without injury, and fled the scene on foot. The culprit is still at large, and considered armed and dangerous.

UPDATE: Homicide Investigators have identified Melvin Seymore Fairman, 05/07/68, as the suspect in the previously reported homicide of Linval Glesford Titus, 10/20/56. Titus was murdered on Saturday, August 7, 2004, as he stood in front of 2675 SW 6th Court, Fort Lauderdale.

Investigators are appealing to mourners, who left prior to officers’ arrival, to contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Investigations Hotline at (954) 828-5511, Detective Al Stone (954) 828-5512 or Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 828-TIPS.

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MAJOR NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION PRESS CONFERENCE

August 11, 2004

Fort Lauderdale Police Department announces the culmination of a two-year narcotics investigation that centered in the Lauderdale Manors neighborhood. This cooperative effort involved representatives from several law enforcement agencies who participated in three investigative operations that stemmed from Dade County to Saint Lucie County with direct links to Fort Lauderdale. The agencies include the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Miami, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Saint Lucie Sheriff’s Office.

The City of Fort Lauderdale Police Investigation was titled Operation Key Navigator, and was responsible for the dismantling of a multi-county distribution network centered in Fort Lauderdale. The Lauderdale Manors neighborhood was the hub of the drug ring’s activities. The offenders used intimidation and violence to facilitate trafficking of cocaine to other parts of Florida.

Case Facts:

• 44 arrest (3 fugitives)
• 175 prior felony arrests for the offenders
• Seizure of 23 kilograms of cocaine powder
• Seizure of 1.7 kilogram of crack cocaine
• Seizure of approximately 1 kilogram of marijuana
• Seizure of $319.995.00 cash
• 13 guns removed from the street
• Seizure of 5 vehicles
• Execution of 11 search warrants
• Street value of drugs seized $998,000.00

Date: Thursday August 12, 2004, 10:00 AM
Location: Fort Lauderdale Police Department 1300 W. Broward Boulevard

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KIDNAPPING & SEXUAL BATTERY

August 20, 2004

Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Special Victims Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the culprit in the burglary of a residence, which precedes the kidnapping and sexual battery of an 11-year-old girl.

This incident occurred on Thursday August 19, at approximately 2:00 AM, in the 1000 block of NE 10th Avenue. Entry into the residence was made through the victim’s bedroom window. Upon gaining entry into the residence, the culprit told the victim that he had a gun and demanded that she accompany him outside, where the sexual battery occurred. After being startled by the child’s mother calling her name, the culprit fled the scene on a medium sized dark colored bicycle.

The culprit is described as a dark complexioned white male, possibly Hispanic, with black hair that is cut very short on the sides, and slightly longer on the top. He has a; medium build, and was last seen wearing shorts and no shirt. The victim believes the culprit was approximately 18 years old.

Anyone with information on the culprit’s identity or his location should contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Investigative Hotline at (954) 828-5511 or Broward Crime Stoppers.

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DETECTIVE RESCUES SWIMMER IN DISTRESS

Even though Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America, Undercover Investigator Jay Smith had no idea he would be taking a swim on Saturday evening as he left home heading to an off duty Police Detail in the area of the Lago Mar Resort. While strolling along the beach searching for a lost dog of a resident, Detective Smith learned of a swimmer in distress.

This occurred in the 1700 block of South Ocean Lane at approximately 8:20 PM, at a time and location that is not normally afforded the protection of a lifeguard. Detective Smith’s attention was drawn to two people in the ocean, a man about 50 feet off shore, and a woman approximately 100 feet off shore. The screaming woman was in obvious distress and in need of assistance. With only seconds to make his decision, Detective Smith radioed communications of his location and intent to rescue the swimmer, who was later identified as Jennifer Mendoza, of Aventura.

Vacationers Kamran Daratela and his wife, of Syracuse, NY, agreed to watch Detective Smith’s equipment as he stripped down to his pants and swam out to rescue Mendoza. Backup officers and Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue arrived on scene to find Smith helping Mendoza safely back to shore. Neither Mendoza nor Detective Smith required medical attention after the rescue.

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