An unlicensed breeder in southwest Missouri agreed last month to surrender about 200 purebred dogs after setting fire to his property, distraught over his wife's leaving, financial problems and the prospect of losing his animals, according to an affidavit. ...more

March 4, 2009

A Lake Placid woman charged with murdering her newly delivered infant child entered into a plea agreement Monday. ...more

February 10, 2009

Pasco deputies and Port Richey police officers arrested a 70-year-old man they say robbed two banks in five days. Joseph A. Bender of 7311 Ingleside Drive, Port Richey, was arrested at the Travel Inn at 7532 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey on Tuesday afternoon, after his car was spotted in the parking lot, officials say. At 9 a.m. Friday, according to authorities, Bender walked into the Colonial Bank at 9431 U.S. 19 outside Port Richey city limits, handed a teller a note that stated he had a bomb, and demanded cash. After getting the money, according to a probable cause affidavit, he took off. After his photo was released to the media, deputies received phone calls about the suspect's possible identity. Detectives prepared a suspect photo pack and clerks identified Bender as the bank robber, a report states ...more

August 20, 2008

The criminal charges are simple, the case complex, involving a well-known local veterinarian, a show horse he was to euthanize and a $10,000 life insurance payoff for the animal a state investigator says is probably still alive - somewhere. ...more

June 21, 2008

Sarasota police have arrested a 29-year-old man, charging him with murder, robbery and false imprisonment in the March 20 slaying of a motel owner. ...more

June 6, 2008

At least two people saw Denise Amber Lee struggle with the man charged in her killing before she was shot in the head and left in a shallow grave, according to documents released Tuesday that reveal the last harrowing hours of the North Port mother's life. ...more

January 22, 2008

Late Monday night, prosecutors added first-degree murder to the charges against the man being held in the slaying of Denise Amber Lee, a North Port woman found in a shallow grave Saturday. ...more

January 22, 2008

According to a probable-cause affidavit, here's what happened in the disappearance of Denise Amber Lee: ...more

January 18, 2008

AVON PARK — The girlfriend of a suspect in the shooting death of a Sebring man reportedly helped her boyfriend get away and elude capture, according to a Highlands County sheriff's press release. ...more

January 17, 2008

SEBRING — A Lake Placid man was being held at the Highlands County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail Tuesday, accused of beating and intimidating a fellow inmate and taking his food. ...more

November 27, 2007