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

ARREST IN HOMICIDE OF JAMES PANNUCCI

July 1, 2003

Monday, June 30th, 2003, Fort Lauderdale Police Detectives have arrested an employee of Lincoln Television. James Pannucci 83, and the long time owner of the business was killed during a robbery. JOSIAH SHOREY, w/m 25 years of age was arrested last evening and charged with the robbery and homicide. Also, as a result of the investigation detectives are actively searching for an accomplice, JONATHAN “JON JON” BEAHN, w/m 01/02/84.

Anyone with any information as to the whereabouts of BEAHN is asked to call Crimestoppers at (954) 493-TIPS or Fort Lauderdale Police at (954) 828-5700.

JOSIAH SHOREY

JONATHAN “JON JON” BEAHN W/M 01/02/1984

TOP

STEPPED UP TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT

July 3rd, 2003

July 3, 2003, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit will immediately begin an operation aggressively citing drivers who block intersections throughout the city.

Inconsiderate, overly impatient drivers blocking intersections are causing severe traffic tie-ups and gridlock. Gridlock creates a volatile atmosphere for drivers attempting to maneuver through these intersections. In addition to being particularly hazardous for Police and Fire Rescue vehicles attempting to respond to life saving emergencies, these situations can precipitate road rage.

Florida State Statute 316.2061 states that no driver shall enter an intersection unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection to accommodate the vehicle without obstructing the passage of other vehicles. There will be zero tolerance for this type of violation. Any driver observed violating the law would be cited.

Do not contribute to gridlock. And, remember to buckle up, it is the law.

TOP

ARREST OF 2ND SUSPECT IN MURDER OF JAMES PANNUCCI

July 7, 2003

On Saturday, July 5th, 2003 Ohio’s Marion County Sheriff’s Detectives picked up JONATHAN BEAHN in Bloomington, Indiana. BEAHN was the second suspect being sought for the June 27th robbery and homicide of James Pannucci. Pannucci, 83 years-of-age, was the long time owner of Lincoln T.V. at 4270 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale Police Detectives obtained a murder warrant for BEAHN late last week and shortly thereafter received an anonymous tip that BEAHN was enroute to Indiana. The tip was good and as a result of a stake out, BEAHN was taken into Custody by Marion County, Indiana Sheriff’s Detective Brad Swain.

BEAHN will appear in court in Bloomington, Indiana. At this time he will either waive or fight extradition back to Fort Lauderdale where he will face robbery and homicide charges.

01/02/1984

TOP

DROWNING

July 15, 2003

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating the death of a 56-year-old man.

At approximately 9:05 A.M. on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 the Police Department received a 911 call of a possible drowning in the New River in the area of the 2100 block of Riverland Road. The Fire Department responded and arrived at approximately the same time the victim was being pulled from the water.

Apparently the victim, James Brown of Duluth, Ga., using dive gear, was working on the bottom the “Lynn Rose,” a 65-foot motor yacht that belonged to a friend. According to his wife, who was present, Brown surfaced and indicated everything was all right. He went down a second time and later surfaced apparently in distress. Mrs. Brown began screaming and attracted the attention of two men on the opposite side of the river. The two men put their dive gear in a small boat and went to Brown’s rescue. As Brown was pulled from the water the Fire Department began administrating CPR to no avail. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene. Brown’s dive tank was found floating down the river and was retrieved.

Brown reportedly had a heart condition and the Medical Examiner will conduct an investigation to determine if the death was natural or accidental.

TOP

SHOP WITH COPS

JULY 24, 2003

On Saturday, July 26, 2003, from Noon till 4PM the Fort Lauderdale Police Department members invite you to join them at the Winn-Dixie Supermarket, 1035 NW 9th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Officers and personnel will be available to answer questions about important issues such as crime prevention. Their main goal at ‘Shop with Cops’ is to provide a willing ear to our citizens. Child Seat Inspections, Bike Registrations and police reports will also be available at this event.

For more information please call Sergeant T. Harrington at 954-931-1943.

TOP

ARREST OF HOMICIDE SUSPECT

July 29, 2003

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has arrested Kevin Christopher Hoffman, 02-08-76, in connection with the March 15, 2001 homicide of Michael Sortal.

Sortal was found dead in his apartment above the A Advantage Storage Warehouse located at 601 NE 11 Street.

Detectives conducting the investigation arrested both Hoffman and co-defendant Geoffrey Kennedy for the homicide after the Grand Jury charged both with First Degree Murder.

Kennedy went to trial on January 2, 2002 and was found guilty in reference to the murder of Michael Sortal and sentenced to Life in Prison. After his sentencing Kennedy agreed to testify against co-defendant Hoffman.

In February 2003 Kennedy then changed his claims and stated the he was alone at the time of the homicide. This information along with the fact that DNA evidence testing was cross contaminated with an unrelated case led prosecutors for the Broward State Attorneys Office to “Nolle Prosse” the case, leading to the release of Hoffman.

Following the release of Hoffman and the extensive media coverage of his release, several people contacted the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and the Broward County State Attorney’s Office claiming the they had been in contact with Hoffman and had information where he had admitted his involvement in the homicide. This information had never been released to the media or made public.

Additionally, evidence that had been recovered at the crime scene and that had never been tested was sent to FDLE to re-affirm DNA evidence placing Hoffman at the scene at the time of Sortal’s murder.

And finally, co-defendant Kennedy contacted Fort Lauderdale Detectives after seeing Hoffman’s release and has agreed to testify.

Hoffman was arrested without incident shortly before noon today at his attorney’s office where he had been working since his release.

Briefing Room

E-Mail the Information Officer

Chief's Office