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HOMICIDE

February 4, 2002

Suspect Lloyd Warburton

Sunday evening, February 3, 2002 the Fort Lauderdale Police were called to 2813 SW 5 Street, the scene of a violent domestic where up to 14 shots were reportedly heard by witnesses. Upon arrival, two victims were located. Lester Ross a 46-year-old male had been shot while sitting in his vehicle in front of the residence, and Lorna Warburton a 45 year old female, found lying in the driveway of the residence. Both victims were transported to Broward General Hospital where Lorna Warburton was pronounced dead.

The suspect Lloyd Warburton, 47 years old has not yet been apprehended and is wanted for the homicide. He is believed to be driving a 1997 Toyota Tacoma Pickup Truck with an extended cab. The vehicle is bearing a Florida Tag of U12-RVC. Warburton is believed to stay in the areas of Sunrise or Pompano Beach.

Aggravated Assault charges were said to have been filed by the victim Warburton last November. The outcome of the charges is not known. Suspect Warburton has no criminal arrest record. Fort Lauderdale Police advise the weapon used to commit the crime has yet to be recovered and that Warburton is to be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Anyone having information as to his whereabouts is asked to call Detective John King at (954) 828-5700 or Broward County Crimestoppers at (954) 493-TIPS (8477)

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CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING (CIT)

February 12, 2002

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department will be conducting “Crisis Intervention Training” (CIT) starting February 25, 2002. Members of the police department who will receive specialized training in how to handle the mentally ill in a crisis situation will attend this forty-hour course.

This training will be will be modeled after the highly successful CIT program started by the Memphis, Tenn. Police Department.

Officers will learn how to deal with the mentally ill by covering such topics as: effects of medication or lack of medication, clinical issues relating to the mentally ill, alcohol and drug assessment, suicide prevention, personality disorders, and mental illness and cultural diversity.

Trained Officers will be available to respond on a citywide basis in the case of a crisis situation involving a mentally ill person.

Once the CIT Officer becomes involved with a subject, the officer will then be trained not only to diffuse the situation, but also to find proper placement in an approved facility or program. CIT officers will also work with the individual’s family to assist them with any counseling or assistance that they may need. The goal is to help the individual and his family on a long-term basis to avoid confrontation and violence with family, community and authority figures.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department will be in partnership with several organizations, Doctors, professionals and facilities that deal with the mentally ill. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (N.A.M.I.), North Broward Hospital District, Henderson Mental Health Clinic, and the Department of Children and Family Services will all have staff that will conduct classes and lecture during this forty-hour course.

For more information on this groundbreaking course and program please call Major Robert Pusins at 828-6411.

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ARMED ROBBERY

February 17, 2002

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating an armed robbery, which resulted in one victim being shot in the leg and three suspects under arrest.

At approximately 4:45 A.M., Sunday, February 17, 2002, the victims parked in the area of the 600 block of NE 12 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, where one on the victims lives. Before they were able to exit their vehicle, they were confronted by two black males wielding handguns. The suspects threatened the victims and demanded their property. The victim passenger was pistol-whipped and had his fanny pack stolen. He was able to break free and flee on foot. The driver was pulled from the vehicle and ordered to the ground while the suspects ransacked the vehicle looking for valuables. When the driver attempted to get to his feet he was shot once in the left thigh. The suspects then fled in a white Jeep Laredo driven by a third black male suspect.

Canine Officer Seguin located the suspects westbound on W. Sunrise Blvd. at I-95 and gave chase. The suspects abandoned the vehicle in the 2900 block of NW 9th Terrace and fled on foot. All three suspects were subsequently apprehended by canine units, while hiding in a canal.

The gunshot victim was taken to Broward General Medical Center where he is expected to fully recover from his wound.

The suspects were taken to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department where two of the three gave full confessions before being booked into jail.

Detective Dave Jenkins has learned that the Jeep was reported stolen in a carjacking in Miami-Dade county and continues to investigate the crime. Additional charges may be forthcoming pending the outcome of the investigation.

The victims’ names are not being released for their protection.

Arrested:

Justin Karreem Brown, B/M, DOB: 9/3/80
1368 7th Street, W. Palm Beach, FL
Charges:
1. Armed Robbery (2 counts)
2. Aggravated Battery (2 Counts)
3. Resisting Arrest Without Violence

Torrie Fonta Grinnon, B/M, DOB: 1/24/78
1396 W. 32nd Street, Vero Beach, FL
Charges:
1. Armed Robbery (2 counts)
2. Resisting Arrest Without Violence

Tyrone A. Jones, B/M, DOB: 7/27/80
1386 10th Street, Palm Beach, FL
Charges:
1. Armed Robbery (2 counts)
2. Resisting Arrest Without Violence

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ASSAULT AND BATTERY

February 25, 2002

On Sunday, February 17, 2002 at approximately 3:00 A.M. a minor argument escalated to a violent confrontation at the Fort Lauderdale Swimming Hall of Fame Parking lot.

Numerous swimmers were gathered in the parking lot socializing. A passing vehicle nearly struck one of the swimmers causing a verbal exchange between the swimmers and the occupants of the vehicle. The dark blue or black Cadillac was occupied by 4 to 5 Latin males, one of which eventually armed himself with a baseball bat. He attacked Waleed and Khalid Al-Qahtane, brothers who have been swimming for 12 years and training for 5 years for the 2004 Olympics. Both brothers were admitted to Broward General Medical Center in serious/critical condition. Waleed underwent surgery Tuesday, February 19, and the future of his swimming career is question.

Fort Lauderdale police detective Mike Hoelbrandt is investigating the incident. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call him at (954) 828-5520 or crime stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS [(954) 493-8477].

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HIT AND RUN

February 26, 2002

On Sunday evening February 24th, 2002 at 10:24pm the Fort Lauderdale Police Department investigated a hit and run accident involving a 2 year old victim. The accident occurred in the 300 block of NW 11 Avenue. The child suffered serious injuries, but will survive.

The 2-year-old b/m pedestrian ran out of his residence in between parked cars and into the path of a vehicle that was traveling north on NW 11 Avenue. The right side of the vehicle brushed against the child, knocking him to the pavement. The vehicle stopped momentarily. A black female passenger exited the vehicle, screaming, and looked at the scene. The driver was screaming for her to get back in the car. The passenger offered no assistance and got back into the vehicle; the vehicle then fled north from the area.

• Vehicle description: 1978-80 4door Cadillac; chocolate brown; light window tinting
• Driver description: B/M; heavy set
• Passenger description: B/F; 25-30yoa; stout build, but not overweight; straight black hair above shoulders

Anyone with any information in regards to the incident is urged to call the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Cindy Wilburn, Traffic Homicide Investigator at (954) 828-5755 or (954) 493-TIPS.

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