POLICE AND FIRE BRIEFS

Police: Man Charged With Burglarizing Vehicles At Sebring Hotel

SEBRING - Cale Monroe McKinney, 28, of 1801 Kent Drive, Apt. 6, Sebring, was arrested Tuesday and charged with burglary of a structure or conveyance unarmed without persons inside, attempted burglary of a structure or conveyance unarmed without persons inside and petty theft.

Police responded to a Sebring inn in reference to a backpack containing K-9 training toys and a tow strap being taken from a 2004 Ford pickup truck, according to the arrest report.

A suspect vehicle description was given, and a witness was shown a photo line-up and identified the person in question.

McKinney was later questioned and reportedly admitted going through vehicles in the inn's parking lot. The suspect said he was trying to find a tow strap to get his vehicle out of the mud and then returned it when he was done.

Sebring Police Officer Mike Hirsch made the arrest.

Fire Department Responds To Apparent Electrical Fire

SEBRING - A faulty high tension wire appears to be the culprit behind a fire call to the Wendy's at 2709 U.S. 27 S.

The call came in at 6:53 p.m., and responding units reported a light haze of smoke inside, but no fire was showing, according to the Sebring Fire Department.

A transformer wire was found that had shorted out. Progress Energy came and replaced it and power was later restored to the restaurant.

Units were on scene for just over an hour.

Man Arrested For Striking Deputy With Car Door

SEBRING - Lewis Earl Futch, 40, of Sebring was arrested Tuesday and charged with battery of an officer and resisting an officer with violence.

A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Futch, reportedly opened the driver's side door and was told multiple times by deputies to shut it, according to the arrest report.

The driver then allegedly pushed the door open and struck a deputy in the chest, causing him to lose his balance. Futch got out of the vehicle and tried to flee on foot before being subdued by a Taser.

Highlands County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Gentry made the arrest.