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PROMOTIONS

March 1, 2000

As the result of anticipated retirements, Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Michael D. Brasfield is proud to announce several promotions that will take effect March 5, 2000.

Criminal Investigations Captain James T. Hurley has been promoted to the rank of Major. Major Hurley will take command of the Support Services Division in the capacity of Assistant Chief of Police.

Commander Robert R. Pusins has been promoted to the rank of Major. Major Pusins will assume the responsibilities of Assistant Chief of Police in the Operations Bureau.

Promoted to the rank of Major are Captain Mary N. Schertler, Captain Robert Montagano, Captain Sharon Andersen, and Commander Charles W. Drago.

Promoted to the rank of Captain are Sergeants Stephen Robitaille, Michael Gregory, Paul J. Kiley, and Franklin Adderley.

Promoted to the rank of Sergeant is Officer Kathleen Abrahamsen.

Congratulations to all of our promoted officers.

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ROBBERY VIDEO TAPE

March 3, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has released a copy of a surveillance tape of an armed robbery that occurred on 02-29-2000, at approximately 9:45 p.m., at the Wendy's restaurant, 1631 east Sunrise Blvd.

In the video a white male approximately 5'3'', 140 pounds dark hair, in his early 20's, enters the restaurant with a knife and has an employee open all the cash drawers. The suspect then flees, possibly on a bike. There are no injuries. The suspect was last seen wearing a "Nike" ball cap and jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mark Shotwell at 761-5517, or Crime Stoppers.

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TRAFFIC CRASH DEATH

March 6, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating a four car rush hour traffic crash that closed down North Federal Hwy. and left one man dead.

At approximately 3:55 P.M., Monday, March 06, 2000 a gray Ford Taurus was driving southbound in the 4900 block of N. Federal Hwy. when it clipped a white Toyota Celica, which was also southbound. After striking the Toyota the Ford continued striking the center median. The vehicle continued southbound scrubbing against the median curbing until it struck a white Toyota Tercel which was in the left turn lane in front of 4840 N. Federal Hwy. The Ford then crossed into the northbound lanes and struck some shrubbery at 4830 N. Federal Hwy. where it came to rest. The driver of the first Toyota approached the driver of the Ford and noticed that he was unconscious and unresponsive. The driver of the Ford was taken to Holy Cross Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Police are investigating to determine if the victim suffered a heart attach or some other medical condition prior to the accident. No names are being released at this time pending notification of next of kin. No one else was injured in the crash.

Federal Hwy. was closed in both directions from NE 45 Street to NE 49 Street while investigators gathered evidence.

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MIGRANT BOAT ASHORE

March 13, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department received several calls at approximately 8:30 a.m. reporting that a boat had washed ashore in the area of Sunrise Blvd. and St. Rd. A1A.

The callers reported several males and females jumping from the boat, which was approximately 20 yards offshore, running in the water toward the beach. Officer Dominic Angiolillo was in the area and observed the subjects running toward A1A. Several units responded to the area and began taking what turned out to be Haitians into custody. Witnesses report between 25-35 occupants on the boat. Nineteen were taken into custody and transported to Birch State Park were they were checked by Fort Lauderdale Fire Department Paramedics and given water. Two subjects, one male and one female, were transported to Broward General Medical Center in good condition. The male had a leg injury and was complaining of back pain, the female was having chest pain.

The other nineteen at the park were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol. Border Patrol will be continuing the investigation.

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PEDESTRIAN/TRAIN ACCIDENT

March 14, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating an accident involving a train and a pedestrian that occurred shortly after 7:00 a.m. this morning in the area of the intersection of NE 15 Street and NE 12 Avenue.

Thirteen year-old Estiv (Steve) Pierre, 09-05-86, was walking south on the FEC Railroad tracks along with another male as the train approached the two from the rear at approximately 45 m.p.h. The train engineers seeing the two on the tracks sounded the train's horn and one subject walked off of the area of the tracks, Pierre did not. The engineer continued to sound the horn and attempted to stop the train but could not do so in time, and Pierre was struck. According to witnesses Pierre was off of the center area of the track and alongside when he was struck. Pierre was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pierre and the other subject are students at Sunrise Middle School, Pierre is in the eight grade and both were on the way to school when the accident occurred.

The train stopped south of NE 13 Street blocking all the railroad crossings north to Oakland Park Blvd. until shortly before 10:00 a.m.

For further information concerning the Broward County School Board,Sunrise Middle School, please call (954) 765-7077.

VICTIM: Estiv (Steve) Pierre, 09-05-86

FEC TRAIN ENGINEER: David Shelly

FEC TRAIN CONDUCTOR: Peter Burke

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POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTING/BANK ROBBERY

March 16, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating a police involved shooting that occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m. today at an office building located at 1000 NW 65 Street.

The incident began shortly after 11:00 a.m. as the suspect entered the Nations Bank located at 6825 NW 9 Ave. armed with a handgun and demanded money. After committing the robbery the suspect fled the bank in a southwesterly direction on foot. The suspect was described as a white male, 30-40 years of age, green shorts, white shirt, red hair, and glasses.

Fort Lauderdale Officers responded to the area along with the Broward Sheriffs Office helicopter and began searching for the suspect. A short time later a call was received from employees of an office complex located at 1000 NW 65 St. reporting a white male (matching the description of the suspect in the robbery) acting suspiciously in and around the building. Upon the officer's arrival at the office complex the suspect fled to the second floor. Here he confronted one of the office workers in a restroom, spoke to him for approximately ten minutes, and then released him. The suspect at this time was confined to the second floor hallway area as officers began to talk to him. The building third and first floors offices were evacuated, it was however safer for the employees still on the second floor to secure themselves in their offices. Crisis negotiators along with the S.W.A.T. Team responded to the scene. Negotiators continued talking to the suspect, and at the suspect's request a Pastor that he knew was brought to the scene that also spoke to him.

At approximately 2:00 p.m. a S.W.A.T. Team member shot the armed suspect as he made a threatening move toward the officer. The suspect was transported to North Broward Hospital where he died a short time later.

The officer's name will not be released at this time, and has been placed on administrative leave as per Department Policy.

SUSPECT: William McCarthy Pettit, 08-07-53

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POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTING UPDATE

March 17, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is continuing the investigation in to the police involved shooting death of William McCarthy Pettit, 08-07-58, at 1000 NW 65 Street on Thursday, March 16,2000.Although the investigation is still open there is additional information that is available at this time.

The shooting occurred as a result of the suspect, with the gun raised, running toward the negotiators that were located at the end of the hallway. The negotiators, fearing for their safety moved back, and a S.W.A.T. Team member with the negotiators instructed Pettit to stop. Pettit continued his actions and the S.W.A.T. Officer fearing for his safety and the safety of the negotiators fired striking Pettit twice.

During the processing of the shooting scene by Forensics Detectives it was learned that Pettit had a "replica handgun".

There is a correction on Pettit's date of birth. It was originally released, as 08-07-53 it should be 08-07-58.

There is no further information at this time. As the investigation continues additional updates will be sent.

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SEXUAL BATTERY INVESTIGATION

March 20, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating a sexual battery that occurred at approximately 7:30 this morning of a ten year old girl.

The ten-year-old was lured away from her 7 and 8-year-old brothers as they all walked to school and then taken into an abandoned apartment building at 421 NW 7 terrace where she was sexually battered. The suspect then fled in an unknown direction, while the child continued on to school where she reported the incident to school officials.

The suspect is described as a light skinned black male, 23 years of age, 5'10", thin build, clean shaven, and a green tattoo of either the word "Arthur" or Author" on the back of his neck. The suspect was last seen wearing a white tee shirt, black pants and sneakers.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Fort Lauderdale Police Department at 761-5700 or Crime Stoppers at 493-T.I.P.S.

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SEXUAL BATTERY SUSPECT COMPOSITE SKETCH

March 20, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is releasing a composite sketch of the suspect in the sexual battery of the 10 year-old female that occurred today at approximately 7:30 a.m.

The suspect is described as a black male, 23 years of age, light skinned, short 1 inch dread locked hair, 5'10", thin build, clean shaven, and a green tattoo of either the word "author" or the name "Arthur" on the back of his neck. The suspect was last seen wearing a white tee shirt, black pants, and sneakers.

The composite sketch is attached as page 2.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Fort Lauderdale Police Department at 761-5700, or Crime Stoppers at 493-T.I.P.S.

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SEXUAL BATTERY UPDATE

March 21, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department, at the request of the family of the 10 year-old sexual battery victim from Monday, March 20, 2000, is asking that the media respect their privacy in reference to the incident.

The family is extremely grateful with all of the coverage and the exposure that the case is being given by all of the media outlets, especially with the composite sketch and the culprits' description.

Hopefully, with all of the information and cooperation between the media, police, and the community the culprit will be in custody soon, and he can be successfully prosecuted.

Once again thank you for honoring the family's request and all of your assistance.

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POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTING

March 22, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating a police involved shooting that occurred this morning at the Nations Bank, 100 SE 3 Ave.

At approximately 11:00 a.m. the suspect, Harutyun Arutyunyan, 10-22-72, entered the Nations Bank and approached the teller area. Bank employees recognized the suspect as being involved in several frauds related crimes in the past, and called Fort Lauderdale Police. A uniformed officer responded and entered the lobby area of the bank. The suspect upon seeing the officer produced a handgun from his waistband area and turned to face the officer. The officer drew his weapon and ordered the suspect several times to drop his weapon, the suspect refused and fired at the officer. The officer returned fire at the suspect striking him several times.

The suspect was transported to Broward General Medical Center in critical condition, there were no injuries to the officer, bank employees, or customers.

The officers' name is not being released at this time, and the investigation is continuing.

SUSPECT: Harutyun Arutyunyan, 10-22-72

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UPDATE ON POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTING

March 24, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is releasing additional information in reference to the Police involved shooting at the Nations Bank, 100 SE 3 Avenue on Wednesday, March 22, 2000.

The officer involved is Officer John Curry, a 21-year veteran with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Officer Curry is still on administrative leave as per department policy and was uninjured in the shooting. Officer Curry fired his weapon 8 times striking the suspect 8 times.

The suspect Harutyun Arutyunyan is still listed in critical condition at Broward General Medical Center and under arrest charged with one count of Attempted First Degree Murder of a Police Officer. Arutyunyan fired his weapon, a 45-caliber handgun, 7 times at the officer.

Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues into the suspect's involvement in fraudulent, stolen and altered checks.

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Police Come to the Aid of Homeless

Successful Partnerships refer Homeless off the Streets and into Assistance Center

Fort Lauderdale - Richard Courtney remembers when he called the streets of Fort Lauderdale home. Sleeping in doorways of downtown businesses and City parks wasn't uncommon for him or the other homeless people who roamed the streets looking for shelter.

Today, Courtney is a volunteer with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department's Homeless Outreach Program, a proactive approach to dealing with homelessness in the City. Instead of "bum sweeps" and arrests, police officers are trained to provide aid and referrals to the displaced.

"A three-hour training called 'Homelessness 101,' has helped to change the cultural outlook on the homeless population. Officers have become more sensitive to the needs and rights of homeless people," said Assistant Chief Bob Pusins, who overseas the Fort Lauderdale Homeless Outreach Program. "The partnership between the Police Department, the Broward Coalition for the Homeless and the Broward County Central Homeless Assistance Center (BCCHAC) has grown into a successful working relationship that greatly benefits the displaced."

The Fort Lauderdale Homeless Outreach Program, which is funded by a $50,000 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant, is comprised of police teams and a volunteer who once lived on the streets. The primary duty of the teams is to comb the city in search of homeless men and women and refer them to the BCCHAC, where they receive assistance in social services, educational and employment programs, as well as a place to sleep and eat.

Since its inception in November 1999, the Homeless Outreach Program has interacted with more than 400 homeless people and referred approximately 170 to the BCCHAC.

"We recognize that an arrest for a minor or nuisance violation will not provide a long-term change in the behavior or lifestyle of a homeless person. What we really need to do is provide an opportunity for someone to break out of the cycle of homelessness," said Pusins. "To provide that opportunity, our police officers are encouraged to refer a homeless person to the HAC when appropriate in lieu of arrest. This approach addresses the immediate problem and provides the opportunity for a long-term solution towards independence."

Fort Lauderdale Officer Scott Russell, who is assigned to the Homeless Outreach Program, said he and Courtney approach homeless people several times hoping to coax them into being referred to the BCCHAC.

"It takes a few contacts to reach out to the homeless who have been on the streets for years. They usually need some time to build their trust in police officers and believe that we are here to help them get back on their feet," said Russell. "My greatest gratification comes when I'm having dinner at the BCCHAC and some of the men and women come up to me and say 'hey, I have a job' or that they have been sober for 10 days."

Ezra Krieg, Resource Development Director of the BCCHAC, said the Center is a one-stop shop that offers 200 beds, three nutritionally balanced meals per day and a wide variety of intensive case management services including legal aid, mental health services, and medical services. The Center also has a day care, laundry room, hair salon, adult education school, and computer lab on the 3.4-acre property. Residents can stay at the Center for a maximum of 60 days.

"The Broward County Central Homeless Assistance Center is a voluntary emergency program that allows homeless parents an opportunity to leave their children in a safe environment while they go out during the day to get their lives together," said Krieg. "Sixty days is not a long time to change someone's life. What we try to do is encourage them to take advantage of the services we provide so that they will ultimately be able to go out and become productive citizens in our community."

In an effort to continually build a positive relationship with the City's homeless, Pusins and senior staff of the BCCHAC meet on a monthly basis to discuss issues, concerns and ideas with each other. The police department "is a significant part of the success story," said Krieg.

The feeling is mutual, according to the police.

"The Homeless Assistance Center is the success story. Most shelters offer residents a bed. The BCCHAC stands apart from the others because residents receive help with applying for food stamps, drug rehabilitation and obtaining their GED," said Russell. "The Homeless Outreach Program is dependent upon the BCCHAC. It's the quintessential program for people who are homeless. This is the only shelter in Broward County where residents can do their laundry, receive a haircut and learn how to use a computer."

According to the Broward Coalition for the Homeless, the primary reason for homelessness is lack of income and extreme poverty. Other factors include family dysfunction, substance abuse, mental illness, insufficient affordable and supported housing, and inadequate support services for low income individuals and families including lack of child care, after school programs, transportation and services for individuals and families with special needs.

"The Police Department has been fabulous. The officers have really shown compassion and the ability to change and utilize a resource in the community," said Krieg. "They had an option of helping somebody instead of just moving them along. They now look at the homeless as people who are in trouble instead of people who are trouble."

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ARREST IN SEXUAL BATTERY CASE

March 23, 2000

Fort Lauderdale Police Detectives have arrested and charged Hassan Davis, 10-09-79, in connection with two sexual battery cases that have occurred recently in the City of Fort Lauderdale.

On Saturday March 4th, at approximately 7 p.m. a 9 year-old female was sexually battered in a meter room at the Regal Trace Apartment.

On Monday March 20th at approximately 7:30 a.m. a 10 year-old female was taken into an abandoned building at 421 NW 7 Terrace and sexually battered. In this incident the victim was able to give a very detailed description of the culprit to police. The description and composite sketch were distributed Monday to the media and the public.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department and Crime Stoppers received literally dozens of tips regarding the location, names and possible names of suspects. On Tuesday evening March 21st, a call was received by Crime Stoppers with information that led detectives to our culprit. Davis was located on Wednesday the 22nd and the investigation continued. Thursday morning March 23rd Detectives interviewed Davis, and he was subsequently charged in both incidents.

Davis is being charged with two counts of sexual battery on a person under the age of twelve, and one count of kidnapping.

We would like to thank the community, the media, and the families of the victims and the arrested for their cooperation and assistance given in this case.

ARRESTED: Hassan Davis, 10-09-79

VICTIMS: 9 and 10 year-old females

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TRAFFIC CHECKPOINT

March 25, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Broward Sheriffs Office, and State Department of Transportation will conduct a traffic checkpoint Friday March 31, 2000 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Eller Drive entrance to Port Everglades. Officers will be focusing primarily on commercial vehicles and carriers conducting vehicle safety inspections.

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PROMOTIONAL CEREMONY

March 28, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department will be having a promotional ceremony for all of its' recent promotions on Friday March 31,2000 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission room at Fort Lauderdale City Hall.

Seventeen officers have been recently promoted as the result of anticipated retirements. These promotions include six to the rank of Major, four to the rank of Captain and seven to the rank of Sergeant. Two of the officers promoted to Major have assumed the responsibilities of the rank of Assistant Chief.

The officers promoted are Captain James Hurley to the rank of Major assuming the responsibilities of Assistant Chief of the Support Services Division and Commander Robert R. Pusins to the rank of Major taking command of the Operations Bureau as Assistant Chief. Captains Mary Schertler, Robert Montagano, Sharon Andersen, and Commander Charles Drago to the rank of Major. Sergeants Stephen Robitaille, Michael Gregory, Frank Adderley, and Paul Kiley to the rank of Captain, and Officers Kathleen Abrahamsen, Michael Dew, Jack Dale, Anthony Williams, Richard Maglione, Anthony Vinson, and Alfred Lewers to the rank of Sergeant.

This formal promotional ceremony will be an opportunity for family, friends and the public to share in recognizing all of the promoted officers' accomplishments.

Any Media wishing to attend are welcome.

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SUSPICIOUS DEATH

March 28, 2000

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating a body found in a vehicle at Imperial Point Hospital, 6401 N. Federal Highway at approximately 1:30 p.m. today.

At approximately 1:15 p.m. a witness recalls seeing a black vehicle pull into the south parking lot the wrong way, and a white male, 50's, gray balding hair, with tan pants exit the vehicle. The male walked toward and into the hospital. At 1:30 p.m. hospital security received a phone call from an anonymous male reporting a female sleeping in a black car. Hospital security found the car, a 1999 Black Mercury Cougar, a short time later and observed the female sitting in the front passenger seat unconscious. Fire Rescue responded and it was found that the female was deceased.

Fort Lauderdale Police responded and Homicide and Forensic Detectives were requested to the scene. The female was removed from the vehicle after the Medical Examiner examined the body and it was found that there were no apparent signs of trauma.

The Medical Examiner will be performing an autopsy on Wednesday to determine the cause of death.

The victim is identified as Jenni Lorence, white female, 02-08-80, from Deerfield Beach. Lorence is the registered owner of the vehicle.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective John Curcio at 761-5529, Detective Mark Breen 1t 761-5708, or Crime Stoppers at 493-T.I.P.S.

VICTIM: Jenni Lorence, 02-08-80

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