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Highlands Today

Deputies searching for crime clues

Man injured in Spring Lake; why is still a mystery

Gary Pinnell, Highlands Today

Highlands County deputies and crime dogs searched the park at Spring Lake on Saturday morning for evidence of a crime. They still want to know how Timothy Gerheim, 29, was critically injured.

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By GARY PINNELL

Highlands Today

Published: July 11, 2009

Updated: 07/11/2009 03:46 pm

SPRING LAKE - At 8:45 a.m. Saturday, a resident of the community on U.S. 98 between Sebring and Lorida heard cries for help coming from the park beside the Spring Lake Improvement District office.

At 1 p.m., investigators were exploring the grounds and the nearby recycling dumpsters for clues to what happened. What they discovered wasn't being released, but Lt. Tim Lethbridge said officers found Timothy Gerheim, 29, of Sebring.

Critically injured, Gerheim was transported to a Sebring hospital, although Lethbridge wouldn't disclose which one, or exactly how or where the man was wounded.

Dogs prowled the area for hours, and finally left the area behind crime scene tape about 11:30 a.m. They concentrated on two blue corkscrew slides and other playground equipment.

Patrol cars cruised for hours, and four detectives were assigned to canvas the neighborhood, Lethbridge said.

"We're asking anyone who saw or heard anything last night – people or a strange noise, from about midnight on – to call Det. Pete Barone or Crimestoppers," Lethbridge said. Barone can be reached at 402-7200; Crime Stoppers is at 800-226-8477.

Highlands Today reporter Gary Pinnell can be reached at 863-386-5828 or gpinnell@highlandstoday.com.

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