Southeast
Florida ‘serial bank robber’ hits series of banks in single day after prison release for same crime: DOJ
A Florida man, that authorities have dubbed a “serial bank robber,” is headed back to the slammer after he committed the same crime just one day after he was released from prison.
According to the Department of Justice, 60-year-old Timothy Jones is heading to prison, again, after he robbed two banks in the Orlando, Florida-area within days of being released from prison.
According to court documents, on June 1, 2022, Jones was released from Putnam County Correctional Facility after he served an eight-year prison sentence for robbing a Wells Fargo bank in Orlando.
The next day, old habits tempted Jones to return to a bank and continue his heist.
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Authorities said that Jones, on June 2, 2022, walked into a Truist Bank on the same street as the bank he previously robbed and held up a bank employee.
The 60-year-old Florida man allegedly threatened the employee and said that he had a gun and would shoot everyone in the bank if they did not hand over $150,000.
He warned the Truist Bank employees that there would be a “bloodbath” if they failed to comply with his demands.
After employees provided $30,000, Jones took the keys to an employee’s car and escaped, the DOJ said.
Jone’s robbery spree was not over, authorities said.
On June 9, 2022, Jones walked into a SouthState bank in Kissimmee, Florida, and threatened the employees that he was robbing the bank and had a gun.
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He then told the employee he did not want any “funny business” and demanded $50,000 that they gave him.
He took one of the employee’s car keys and escaped.
Later on June 9, Jones was apprehended by local police.
Authorities found $1,815 in cash on Jones’ person and $47,200 in the stolen vehicle.
After being detained, Jones claimed to be mentally incompetent and claimed he was unable to stand trial.
About a year later, in May 2023, Jones wrote a letter to a relative where he said that he was pretending to be incompetent in order to “manipulate,” “trick,” and “fool” doctors and the court system, so he could get leniency in his sentencing.
Jones was sentenced to 25 years in prison on one count of bank robbery and must forfeit $30,000 of unrecovered proceeds from his robberies.
He was previously convicted of robbery charges in 1995, 2006, and 2013 and spent the last 18 years in prison for his crimes.
Read the full article from Here
Southeast
Florida man allegedly attempted to 'club' wife, stab himself in the heart on Christmas Day
A Florida man was arrested on Christmas Day after allegedly attempting to kill his wife and himself in a murder-suicide, according to police reports.
Jonathan McPhee, 78, faces a first-degree attempted murder charge after he allegedly attacked his wife and then called 911 at the couple’s home on Pine Cone Way.
McPhee told the dispatcher, “I clubbed her, and I’m going to try to stab myself in the heart,” according to a legal document obtained by People Magazine.
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When Largo Police Department officers arrived, they found McPhee had stabbed himself and his wife had suffered blunt-force trauma.
They were both transported to a local hospital, where they are in critical condition.
“While being attended to by medical staff, the defendant spontaneously stated, ‘Just let me die, I killed (redacted),” according to an arrest report.
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He also sent a text to his wife’s daughter saying he “killed” her and was going to kill himself because of “financial and health issues,” the report said.
He allegedly went on to detail how he would like the funeral arrangements and life insurance to be handled.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available currently.
Read the full article from Here
Southeast
Florida law will create safety barrier for first responders
A new law in Florida will support the need to keep first responders safe while working a call.
Senate Bill 184 will go into effect on Jan. 1 and will prohibit a person, after receiving a warning, from approaching a first responder engaged in the lawful performance of their job.
The law is aimed at helping police, fire and EMS personnel stay focused while performing critical first aid.
FLORIDA LAW BANNING HOMELESS PEOPLE FROM SLEEPING IN PUBLIC OUTDOOR SPACES TAKES EFFECT
It will create a 25-foot barrier around the responder, keeping the public at bay. It also includes keeping the public from threatening and harassing the responders while they are trying to do their jobs.
Violators will receive a warning initially, but could face criminal penalties if they don’t heed it.
NEW FLORIDA LAW ESTABLISHES SAFE SPACE IN SHERIFF’S OFFICE PARKING LOTS FOR CHILD CUSTODY EXCHANGES
The new law comes with a penalty of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
The bill also outlines that a violator could face a second-degree misdemeanor.
It also specifies the definition of “first responder” to include law enforcement officers, a correctional probation officer, firefighters and emergency medical care providers.
Read the full article from Here
Southeast
Louisiana hunter cited for violations after shooting man he mistook for a deer
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reiterating the importance of hunting safety after a man was shot by a hunter who mistook him for a deer.
Law enforcement agents responded to a shooting involving two hunters on property in Zachary, a city in East Baton Rouge Parish, on Dec. 23, the department said on Facebook.
The two hunters were unknowingly hunting deer on the “same small private property” when one hunter mistook the other for a deer and accidentally shot him.
Both men had permission to be on the property, according to local media.
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He was hit with buckshot from a 20-gauge shotgun, the agency said. The shooter immediately called 911 for help once he realized he had shot a man and not a deer.
The wounded hunter was airlifted to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge with non-fatal injuries. Law enforcement did not state where the man was shot.
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When law enforcement investigated what took place, they discovered neither hunter was wearing orange or had deer tags in their possession. The shooter was cited for both violations.
LDWF said additional charges are possible as the investigation remains active.
The agency reminded all hunters to prioritize safety by always wearing orange, which is required by law, and positively identifying your target and surroundings before firing your weapon.
“Let’s work together to prevent incidents like this and ensure everyone enjoys the outdoors safely,” LDWF said.
Read the full article from Here
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