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5/1 -
1980 Homicide Solved 5/24 - Bridge the Gap Cultural Festival 5/31 - Sexual Battery Composit Sketch 5/31 - Death Investigation |
1980 HOMICIDE SOLVED
May 1, 2000
Detective John Curcio, of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Homicide Unit has solved a brutal rape and homicide, which occurred more that twenty years ago.
Brenda Carter
Samuel Lee RobertsOn February 14, 1980, black female Brenda Carter, a 21 year old mother of two, was found brutally raped and murdered in her apartment at 205 NW 11 Ave apartment 2. At the time detectives gathered evidence and interviewed friends, relatives and acquaintances but were unable to identify the perpetrator.
In 1996 Detective Curcio took over the investigation. In the evidence collected from the crime scene Curcio found a washcloth that he believed may contain DNA evidence linking the perpetrator to the crime. Local crime labs were unable to identify the DNA. Curcio had the washcloth sent to Serological Research Institute of Richmond, California. Chief Forensic Serologist, Brian Wraxall of the Serological Research Institute was able to identify the DNA.
Curcio obtained DNA samples from all persons who were known to associate with Carter at the time of the murder.
Curcio located Samuel Lee Roberts (B/M DOB: 12/19/57) who at the time of the murder lived across the street from Carter. Roberts denied any knowledge of the homicide and said he barely knew her. Roberts did agree to furnish a DNA sample. The DNA from the crime scene was matched to Roberts' DNA by the Broward Sheriff's Office Crime Lab and the results were confirmed by Wraxall.
Based on the DNA evidence Detective Curcio obtained an arrest warrant for Roberts. On Monday, May 01, 2000, Curcio arrested Roberts for First Degree Murder.
Victim: Brenda Carter (B/F, age 21 (at the time of her death), 205 NW 11 Ave, # 2, Fort Lauderdale. (Photo available at front desk at Police Department).
Culprit: Samuel Lee Robert (B/M, DOB 12/19/57, Address At Large. (Photo available at front desk at Police Department).
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SUNRISE MIDDLE SCHOOL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT HOLDS BRIDGE THE GAP CULTURAL FESTIVAL
May 24, 2000
FORT LAUDERDALE-Sunrise Middle School in partnership with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department will hold the Bridge the Gap Cultural Festival on Friday, May 26, 2000 from 9:30am-3:00pm. This festival will include a multitude of activities including music, dance, cultural booths, food tastings, presentations by the Police Department, and student cultural design T-shirt contest.
The celebration will feature dance performances by the Revelasyon, ASSADA, Salsa, Caribbean and Extreme Measures troupes. Cultural booths will highlight Art, Culture and Food Tastings of the Hispanic, African-American, Haitian, and Asian cultures. In addition to the various booths, demonstrations will be given by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department Canine Unit, DARE Officers and McGruff the crime dog.
This festival is designed to raise cultural awareness amongst students and to promote mutual respect while at the same time providing an opportunity for students to meet and interact with Fort Lauderdale Police Officers. Three sessions will be held in the gymnasium so that all Sunrise Middle School students will have an opportunity to attend the event.
This festival has been planned as a collaborative effort between the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Sunrise Middle School staff and students.
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SEXUAL BATTERY COMPOSITE SKETCH
May 31,2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating an Armed Sexual Battery that occurred on May 24, 2000, at approximately 10:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of NW 9TH Avenue.
Unidentified SuspectThe sixteen year-old victim was walking when the suspect grabbed the victim and forced her into a vacant home at knifepoint and committed the sexual battery. A neighbor interrupted the assault and the suspect fled on foot nude. The suspect was carrying his shorts, and bare foot leaving his sandals at the scene.
The suspect is described as a black male, 30-35 years of age, 6'0", 180 pounds, muscular build, bald, with no hair on his chest, arms or legs. A composite sketch of the suspect is attached.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Raul Perez-Cubas at 761-5546 or Crime Stoppers at 493-T.I.P.S.
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DEATH INVESTIGATION
May 31, 2000
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating the death of Anthony Schwartz, 05-01-39, who was found dead in his home at approximately noon today.
Fort Lauderdale Police Officers responded to 1320 NE 14 Place after neighbors became concerned as Schwartz's mail was not being picked up, and there was an odor coming from the home. Officers entered the home and found Schwartz's decomposed body. Schwartz was last seen alive on Friday, May 26th.
Detectives have found that Schwartz's 1995 Buick Century 4 door, Burgundy in color, with an unknown Florida tag is missing from the home.
The Broward County Medical Examiners Office will be performing an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mark Breen at 761-5708, Detective Jack King at 761-5544 or Crime Stoppers at 493-T.I.P.S.
VICTIM: Anthony Schwartz, 05-01-39
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