TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

2 Murder Suspects Captured South of LP

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARC VALERO | Highlands Today

Published: March 18, 2009

LAKE PLACID - Two men wanted in connection with a home invasion/murder that occurred Wednesday morning in Okeechobee County were captured Wednesday afternoon by Highlands County Sheriff's Deputies in Sun 'N Lakes of Lake Placid.

Highlands County Sheriff's Deputy Andy Spires spotted the suspect's vehicle on Hardee Street off Highlands Boulevard, which pulled into a driveway in an attempt to throw him off their track, Sheriff Susan Benton said. Both suspects fled from the vehicle.

K-9 Deputy Luis Pratts-Martinez captured one of the suspects and perimeters were set up from County Road 29 to State Road 70 in an effort to capture the other suspect, Benton said.

Several citizens assisted law enforcement by calling in several sightings to 911 dispatchers, she said.

The second suspect was spotted on the roof of a house, Benton said. He attempted to flee, but was captured by Sheriff's Lt. Kenny Johnson, Sgt. Jack Bailey and Deputy Chris Myers.

There was excellent coordination among patrol, dispatch and incident command, Benton said. "It worked just like it is designed to work. Everybody did an excellent job. We even had EMS and fire on scene."

Fortunately there were no injuries to any deputies and the suspects were apprehended, she said.

The first suspect that was captured is Hugo Fernandez Lopez, 18, of Clearwater. He will be charged locally with possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana, Benton said.

The second suspect is Brad Carnell Bozwell, 28, of Okeechobee. Charges he incurred locally include: a warrant for violation of probation for carrying a concealed weapon by a convicted felon and several counts of residential burglary for trying to enter residences to hide, Benton. He will also be charged with burglary of a vehicle.

Lopez was booked into the Highlands County Jail.

Bozwell, who was complaining of chest pains, was taken to Lake Placid Medical Center.

Highlands Today reporter Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT