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BURGLARY - $100,000.00 PLUS LOSS

September 3, 2003

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is seeking assistance from persons with knowledge as to the identity of suspects having burglarized a private residence in the City of Fort Lauderdale on August 21, 2003. The burglary occurred at 2325 Sea Island Drive on a Thursday afternoon between the hours of 4:00 and 6:00 pm.

The residence at the home had recently installed digital surveillance equipment and captured images of several of the culprits as they broke into the home. One of the culprits first checked to see if anyone was at home by ringing the doorbell while posing at service or delivery person. Once it was ascertained that no one was home, entry was gained by smashing a rear window and entering the residence. Once inside, the suspects removed a safe, and an autographed Michael Jordan jersey. The loss is estimated to have been in excess of one hundred thousand dollars. Two of the culprits were observed leaving the residence through the front door with the safe and the framed autographed jersey. The culprits are seen arriving and then leaving in a light colored SUV type vehicle.

New information has recently surfaced that suggests some or all of the culprits may have a history in Palm Beach County. Anyone with any information as to the identity of the culprits is asked to call Fort Lauderdale Police Detective Gerry Machurik at (954) 828-5898 or Broward County Crimestoppers at (954) 493- TIPS.

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MISSING PERSON

September 4, 2003

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is requesting assistance in locating a Missing Adult. Barbara J. Alston a 55-year-old black female was last seen on Thursday July 24, 2003 by her daughter Patricia Alston. Patricia advised that her mother has been depressed and has stopped eating. It is believed that she has become very ill. Barbara J. Alston was last seen on Tuesday July 29, 2003 at her former residence in the Dixie Court Apartment Complex in Fort Lauderdale. Her whereabouts are unknown. Anyone with information as to the location of Mrs. Alston contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department at 954-828-5700.

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LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO AWARD FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE OFFICER

September 5, 2003

On March 9, 2003, Gerdine Jean-Gilles was at a party with her 5-year-old son, Ricardo Joseph. She had put Ricardo to bed earlier at 11:30 pm and went in to check on him. Now midnight he was not in the bed where she had left him and she immediately began to search for him. After a 10-minute unsuccessful search, Jean-Gilles called police for help. Numerous Fort Lauderdale Patrolman, Sergeants, and a Captain conducted a two-hour search on foot for the missing child as yet, in vain. A police helicopter joined in. Captain Lee Spector located the little boy’s shoes and socks near the edge of the roadway at Southwest 10 Court and 39th Avenue. K-9 Officer Mark Renner and his partner “Floyd” were called in to assist. Normally K-9’s are not used to search for missing children but considering the time of day, and other circumstances surrounding the suspicious disappearance, Renner and his K-9 partner “Floyd” went to work. Despite the fact that this K-9 team had just concluded an exhaustive search, the two began an immediate search of the area for this missing child. Searching every yard for two blocks north from where the boy’s clothing was found and, not willing to give up, Renner and “Floyd” turned their search to the south. To the rear of the residence at 3860 Southwest 10th Court, “Floyd” alerted to a fresh human scent. Within moments, 5-year-old Ricardo Joseph was found sleeping under a tree. He was all curled up and lying on his stomach. Initially, little Ricardo was frightened by all of the surrounding activity, but when his awaiting mother held him in her arms, all was well again. Ricardo had apparently gotten out of bed on his own, left the home undetected, and began to wander.

A possibly more serious situation was avoided by these officers’ dedication and actions. Officer Renner, an 11-year veteran of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and “Floyd” have won FDLE sponsored Florida Missing Children’s Law Enforcement Tracking Team nomination from Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings. Officer Renner will be honored in Tallahassee on September 8, 2003 for his actions in this lifesaving incident. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is proud of these officers to be honored by our Lieutenant Governor.

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BANK ROBBERY

September 9, 2003

The City National Bank at 6829 Powerline Road was robbed at gunpoint. The robbery, at approximately 2:50 pm was committed by two black males dressed in dark clothing. Detectives believe that a third, older male was an accomplice.

Doors to the bank are locked with entry gained only by being “buzzed in” by a bank employee. Bank employees “buzzed” in an older black gentlemen, and apparently out of nowhere the two suspects appeared and forcibly entered the bank. Once inside one of the gunmen put the security officer to the floor with a gun at his head. The second armed man ran to the counter demanded and took bank proceeds and fled. Both men fled in an unknown direction in an unknown manner. The older man who preceded the entry of the two armed men was also unable to be located after the robbery. Fort Lauderdale Police are hoping that the community could lead us to the identity of this older man to assist in the investigation being conducted with the F.B.I.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Detective Barbara Barrett at (954) 828-5700 or Broward County Crimestoppers (954) 493-TIPS

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MISSING PERSON

September 11, 2003

BARBARA MEADOWS

September 11, 2003, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department is seeking assistance in locating BARBARA MEADOWS (formerly Barbara McClean). MEADOWS was reported missing by her husband on September 8, 2003 after he received cell phone calls from her indicating that she was being followed by several black males in a white van. MEADOWS also called 911 and reported the same information. No one has heard from MEADOWS since that date and calls to her cell phone go unanswered. MEADOWS also has the couple’s 11 month old son with her.

Barbara Meadows 6/11/1984

Oscar J. Small 10/10/1959

Current marital problems are said to have been at issue. Also, a former boy friend Oscar J. Small is also unable to be reached and his whereabouts are unknown. Foul Play is a possibility and assistance in locating MEADOWS and her son will be appreciated.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Detective John Curcio at (954) 828-5529 or Broward County Crimestoppers at (954) 493-TIPS

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HOMICIDE FUGITIVE ARRESTED

September 16, 2003

Today, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department along with the U.S. Marshal Service arrested thirty-year-old Manilita Ducket who was wanted for a May 2001 homicide in Memphis Tennessee.

Several weeks ago the Fort Lauderdale Police Department received information that the Manilita Duckett was in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. Fort Lauderdale’s Fugitive Detectives and members of the U.S. Marshals began their investigation that later led to more concentrated surveillance operations. This morning, Fugitive Detectives spotted Duckett in the area of 2801 SW 8 St. during surveillance. Other officers, detectives and the U.S. Marshals Service were called to assist. Duckett was taken into custody shortly after 9:00 a.m. without incident.

Duckett was wanted for the 2001 shooting death of Tony Hugh. The incident occurred on May 28, 2001, in Memphis Tennessee and the contact person for that agency is Lt. Joe Scott with the Memphis Police Departments Homicide Unit. Duckett will be held here in Broward County pending extradition.

Arrested: Manilita Duckett, DOB: 12/19/72. No known address

Other Contact: Lt. Joe Scott, Memphis P.D. (901) 545-5300

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CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM

September 17, 2003

Fort Lauderdale – The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is increasing the number of members to its Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). The department is adding an additional fifteen members to it's team, which was modeled after the successful CIT program implemented by the Memphis Police Department. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department was the first agency in Broward County to implement the CIT Program.

Officers are attending training at the Atlantic Shores Healthcare / South Florida State Hospital, 800 E. Cypress Drive, Pembroke Pines, FL from September 15, 2003 through September 19, 2003 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

During training, the officers will learn how to deal with the mentally ill by covering such topics as; effects of medication or lack of medications, alcohol and drug assessment, suicide prevention, personality disorders, mental illness and cultural diversity. The officers will train under Doctors, Nurses, Psychiatrists, and Pharmacists who are experts in their field.

Members of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team will be available to respond to law enforcement incidents involving citizens in crisis, or with mental health concerns. The CIT officers will help to quell such situations and will have knowledge of social services and other resources that are available to aid the individual as well as their families.

The CIT training is a partnership with several agencies, to include the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), the Department of Children and Families, Henderson Mental Health, and the North Broward Hospital District, to name a few.

For additional information, or to schedule a photo/video opportunity please contact Sgt. Alfred Lewers, Jr. at his office number: (954) 828-6335.

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REAL ESTATE FRAUD ARREST

September 19, 2003

Earlier this morning Attorney Jimmy Solomon and his wife Linda surrendered to authorities under charges of Grand Theft resulting from a fraud investigation conducted by the City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

In September of 2002, Linda Solomon approached Norma McLean concerning possible investment opportunities in financing mortgage loans. Ms. McLean later followed the advice given by Linda Solomon and financed a condominium in Palm Aire Village, Pompano Beach. Ms. McLean gave the Solomons a total of $65,000.00 to mortgage the condominium only to find later that the entire deal was a hoax.

Norma “Flo” McLean, 47, believed that she was financing a mortgage for Scott Lang who was to purchase the Condominium in Palm Aire. What McLean didn’t know was that Lang already owned the property and that the Solomons altered and/or created documents showing that she had financed Lang’s condominium. McLean lost $65,000.00 in what was presented to her as a sound investment.

Attorney Jimmy Solomon and his wife, Linda Solomon, were charged with Grand Theft and are being held at the Broward County Jail under $5,000.00 bond respectively.

Arrested:
Jimmy E. Solomon, DOB: 3.11.1951
Linda Solomon, DOB: 6.20.1951
Both of Boca Raton

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FATAL CAR CRASH

September 25, 2003

A 22-year-old man, who was involved in a traffic accident this morning in Fort Lauderdale, has died. The accident occurred shortly before 7 a.m. this morning at SE 13 St and S. Federal Hwy.

Investigators believe that the victim, driving a red 1993 Mazda RX 7, was traveling south on Federal Hwy at a high rate of speed before losing control of his car, colliding with a fire hydrant then a building on the southwest corner of Federal Hwy and 13 St. The driver was transported to Broward General Medical Center where he later died.

Witnesses say that they saw a black SUV that was also traveling south on Federal Hwy at the time of the crash but they did not know if it was directly involved in the accident. If anyone has information concerning this crash they are asked to call THI Dan Nahum at 954-828.5754.

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FATAL MOTORCYCLE CRASH

September 29, 2003

A 51-year-old Fort Lauderdale man lost his life this morning after the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car at the intersection S. Andrews Ave and 17 St.

Investigators report that shortly before 7 a.m. today a 51-year-old male was riding a silver, 1984, Kawasaki motorcycle north on S. Andrews Ave. approaching 17th St. At the intersection of 17 St. and Andrews Ave. the cyclist crashed into the right rear side of a black, 1995, Mitsubishi that had been traveling east on 17th St. The cyclist died on scene. Maxi Edouard, a 40-year-old Pompano Beach resident, was the only occupant of the Mitsubishi and was not injured.

At this time investigators cannot determine who was at fault in this fatal crash. If anyone has information concerning this case they are asked to call THI Jill Hirsch at 954.828.5753.

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TRAFFIC CHECKPOINT

September 29, 2003

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has scheduled a traffic checkpoint for October 3, 2003 and October 10, 2003. The checkpoint will be in the 800 block of NW 22 Road between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m.

Officers will be checking driver licenses, vehicle registrations and documents showing proof of insurance. The Department does not expect traffic delays due to this operation.

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