HCSO BEAT

11-year-old girl found

An 11-year old girl who ran away after an argument with a family member in the area of Mount Sparrow Ave in Royal Highlands on Friday Apr 5, 2024 was found and safely returned to her family.

Detectives Arrest Suspect in Mermaids Lounge Shooting Incident

A suspect has been arrested for the incident reported on March 27 in which shots were fired in the parking lot of Mermaid’s Lounge, a local bar located at 4564 Commercial Way in Spring Hill. Shots were also reported on Berkely Manor Blvd a short time later. Two victims reported that they heard a male arguing with a small group of people, during which he pulled a firearm from his vehicle and began shooting into the air.

The victims fled the scene in their vehicle but then discovered that they were following the suspect’s vehicle on Berkeley Manor Boulevard.

They said the suspect abruptly stopped, exited the vehicle, pointed the firearm in their direction and fired his weapon.

On March 28, investigators found shell casings in the front yard of a residence on Berkeley Manor Blvd.
HCSO investigators identified Derrel Thomas Jr., 24, as a possible suspect and on April 2, he was found and arrested on an unrelated warrant.

During interrogations, Thomas admitted to firing a single round in the Mermaid’s parking lot on March 27 and firing several rounds at the victims on Berkeley Manor Boulevard because ‘they were following him.

Thomas was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault w/Firearm (2 counts) without bond.
On the separate arrest warrant, he was arrested and charged with Possession/Sale of Cocaine, Possession of Opium or Derivative w/Intent to Sell, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony, Possession of a Structure/Vehicle to Traffic Drugs. He was not given bond on these charges.

Child Pornography Arrest Made

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit (SVU) received a tip on the possible possession of child pornography in Sept, 2023. An investigation into the matter identified possible suspect, as Alvis Jemar Fagin.

On April 5, detectives executed a search warrant at Fagin’s residence. When they questioned him, he admitted to owning a social media account that he used to download and share child pornography.

Alvis Jemar Fagin, 25, was arrested and charged with Possession of Child Pornography (10 counts), Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device. His electronic devices were collected and are undergoing further digital forensic analysis as the investigation continues.

Sex Offender Does Not Comply with Reporting Requirements

On April 4, 2024, sex offender Anthony John Ciccotelli, failed to comply with reporting requirements, prompting his arrest in Hernando County, Florida. Detective Marcacci’s attempt to contact Ciccotelli at his residence failed, leading to an arrest warrant. A tampering alert from Ciccotelli’s GPS ankle monitor suggested probation violation. Detectives received credible information on Ciccotelli’s location in Ridge Manor, where he was promptly arrested. Charged with Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Reporting Requirements, Tampering with an Electronic Monitoring Device, and Violation of Probation for Simple Battery, Ciccotelli is held without bond at the Hernando County Detention Center.

Drug Arrest Made After Traffic Stop

On April 4, 2024, Deputy D. DiMartino III initiated a traffic stop around 10:39 p.m. at Fort Dade Avenue and Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville after noticing a vehicle without a license plate. The driver, Nicholle Martin, consented to a search, leading to the discovery of a syringe containing a clear substance. Martin confessed to possessing .9 grams of crystalized methamphetamine. Consequently, Martin was arrested on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Equipment, Driving While License is Suspended or Revoked, and Failure to Register a Motor Vehicle. She was transported to the Hernando County Detention Center, where her bond was set at $2,500.
Fuel Thieves Caught With Help From E911 System

On April 3, 2024, at approximately 10:40 p.m., a concerned customer at the Circle K gas station in Ridge Manor reported to 911, witnessing two individuals attempting to steal fuel from the station’s underground reservoir. The caller provided detailed descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle. Deputy Juan Moore, utilizing the agency’s LIVE911 program, responded immediately upon hearing the call details as they were being relayed to dispatch. Spotting the suspects’ vehicle at an intersection, Deputy Moore conducted a swift traffic stop and arrested the driver, Yaset Perez, and his passenger, Yoislan Rosales, on charges of Larceny Retail Theft. Despite conflicting statements from the suspects, evidence in the form of a modified fuel container in the vehicle’s trunk corroborated the allegations. Both suspects are held at the Hernando County Detention Center on $5,000 bond each. Sheriff Al Nienhuis emphasized the importance of rapid response facilitated by technology like LIVE911, reducing the delay between call receipt and dispatch, thereby enhancing law enforcement’s ability to apprehend suspects and solve crimes effectively.

Persistent Burglary Suspect Arrested

On April 8, 2024, a burglary in progress was reported at a residence on Montcalm Road in Spring Hill. The homeowner spotted Charles Anthony Richardson, a white male, in their backyard. Richardson fled but returned to the same residence, attempting to access parked vehicles and then the garage. Failing to enter the house, he fled a second time. A K-9 unit prepared to track him when another call reported Richardson attempting to break into a shed on Sedgefield Avenue. Richardson fled again but was apprehended by additional units. Charged with Attempted Burglary of Occupied Dwelling, Attempted Burglary of Conveyance (2 counts), and Attempted Burglary of Unoccupied Structure, Richardson, age 44, is held at the Hernando County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.