Update: Deputies Search For Missing Woman

UPDATE: Yesenia Gaviria has been located and is safe.

Original news release:
Deputies Search For Missing Woman
Collier County Sheriff's Office
Posted Date: 4/27/2011 8:45 PM

The Collier County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a 31-year-old North Naples woman who has been missing since Wednesday afternoon.

Deputies believe Yesenia Gaviria left her North Naples home driving a red two door 2006 Honda Civic bearing FL license plate LVPND.

Gaviria is described as white, 5 feet 3 inches tall and 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a pink shirt, blue shorts and flip flops.

Deputies believe Gaviria may harm herself.

Anyone with information about Gaviria's whereabouts is asked to call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 252-9300.

Prepare now for Potential Brush Fire Evacuation

Residents living in areas of Collier County that have been affected by brush fires this week can take steps now to protect their home and be prepared in the event of an evacuation.

First, clear all debris, brush and combustible materials from at least 30 feet around your home.

Second, gather important belongings so that you are prepared to leave quickly. These items include:

• Important documents and mementos

• Prescription medicines

• At least one change of clothing for each family member

• Toiletries

• Food and water for family pets

• Non-perishable food

• Credit card, debit card or cash

• Any items required for a family member with special needs, such as an infant or someone who is elderly or disabled.

2nd Update: Voluntary Evacuations Under Way In Estates Brush Fire

UPDATE: The evacuation area now includes 10th Street Southeast to 18th Street Southeast.

2nd news release
Posted 4/27/2011
Update: Voluntary Evacuations Under Way In Estates Brush Fire

UPDATE: The evacuation area has been expanded to include Sixth Street Southeast.

Original news release
Posted 4/27/2011
Voluntary Evacuations Under Way In Estates Brush Fire

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents who live in the area of 22nd Street Southeast to Frangiapani Avenue in Golden Gate Estates to voluntarily leave their homes due to a large brush fire in the area.

Firefighters are battling a brush fire at 28th Avenue Southeast and Everglades Boulevard.

Road Closed Due to Brush Fire In Golden Gate

Hemingway Lane to Santa Barbara Boulevard in Golden Gate is closed due to a brush fire.

The brush fire is at Santa Barbara and Green boulevards.

It is one of two brush fires currently burning in Collier County. The other fire is at 28th Avenue Southeast and Everglades Boulevard in Golden Gate Estates.

UPDATE: Voluntary Evacuations Under Way In Estates Brush Fire

UPDATE: The evacuation area has been expanded to include Sixth Street Southeast.

Original news release
Posted 4/27/2011
Voluntary Evacuations Under Way In Estates Brush Fire

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents who live in the area of 22nd Street Southeast to Frangiapani Avenue in Golden Gate Estates to voluntarily leave their homes due to a large brush fire in the area.

Firefighters are battling a brush fire at 28th Avenue Southeast and Everglades Boulevard.

Voluntary Evacuations Under Way In Estates Brush Fire

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents who live in the area of 22nd Street Southeast to Frangiapani Avenue in Golden Gate Estates to voluntarily leave their homes due to a large brush fire in the area.

Firefighters are battling a brush fire at 28th Avenue Southeast and Everglades Boulevard.

Collier County Crime Down In 2010

Collier County’s community crime rate dropped by .5 percent in 2010 from 2009, falling to the lowest level since tracking began in 1971, Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk announced Tuesday.

The crime rate is measured by the number of offenses being reported per 100,000 people. The 2010 crime rate for unincorporated Collier County and Everglades City was 2,016.0, according to numbers certified by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. That’s a .5 percent reduction from 2009’s crime rate of 2,027.1.

There were 5,924 crimes reported in unincorporated Collier County and Everglades City in 2010. That number is down by 47, or .8 percent, from the 5,971 crimes reported in 2009.

The statistics represent the categories of homicide, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft.

Sheriff Rambosk congratulated deputies and the community for holding the line against crime despite the down economy. He pledged to continue to involve the community in keeping Collier County safe.

“We want to do even better moving forward and in order to do that we need everybody’s help,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “We need our community to report unusual activity when they see it and be proactive when it comes to securing their homes and vehicles.”

Homicides, aggravated assaults, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts all went down in 2010 when compared to 2009 numbers. Categories showing an increase were larcenies, robberies and sexual assaults.

Here are some of the ways citizens can help deputies drive down crime:
* Lock your car and keep valuables out of view
* Schedule a home or business security survey by a CCSO Crime Prevention specialist
* Report unusual activity to law enforcement
* Start or join a Neighborhood Watch program
* Mentor a child
* Be alert and aware of your surroundings
* Join one of CCSO’s Community Safety Teams to help address code enforcement and other problems at the neighborhood level
* Protect personal information like your Social Security number, computer passwords and banking information.
* When online, don’t chat with strangers or respond to their e-mails

Click here to see the Part 1 crimes numbers.

CCSO, East Naples To Celebrate Safety

WHAT: Safety Fest

WHEN: Saturday, April 30

TIME: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: Olé Amphitheater, 9075 Celeste Drive, East Naples

SUMMARY: The Collier County Sheriff’s Office invites families to meet deputies and its community partners to learn how they keep Collier safe during Safety Fest.

There will be games for kids and demonstrations from the K-9, Bomb Squad, Crime Prevention, SWAT and Traffic units. Kids can also test their climbing skills on a rock wall.

Representatives from Collier County Mosquito Control, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Domestic Animal Services will also be there to join the fun.

For more information, contact CCSO’s East Naples substation at 239.252.9400.

Motorist With Suspended License Makes Fake 911 Call To Avoid Arrest

A North Naples man was in jail Tuesday after he called 911 from his cell phone to report shots fired in an effort to divert a deputy from arresting him for driving with a suspended license, sheriff’s reports said.

Jonathan Paul Rorech, 31, 3027 Horizon Lane, #2401, was charged with making a false 911 call, a misdemeanor.

Arrest reports gave this account:

A deputy in a patrol car was traveling west in the 2300 block of J&C Boulevard around 1 a.m. when he noticed a gray Toyota traveling east on J&C at 45 mph in a 30 mph zone.

The driver of the Toyota, Rorech, told the deputy that he left his North Carolina driver’s license at home. When the deputy asked him where he was coming from, Rorech said “South Street.”

The deputy returned to his patrol car and ran Rorech’s information through his mobile data computer, where he discovered Rorech did not have a driver’s license in Florida or North Carolina.

During the traffic stop, the deputy received a report of a shooting with “one subject on the ground” at South Street Bar & Grill in North Naples.

The deputy decided to respond to the shooting and sent Rorech on his way.

When the deputy arrived at South Street he was informed by his supervisor that there was no shooting and nobody was injured. The deputy immediately suspected the 911 call reporting the shooting was false.

Further investigation by the deputy revealed the 911 call came from a phone number with a North Carolina area code. The deputy called the phone number back and received Rorech’s voice mail.

Later, the deputy listened to the 911 call and recognized the male caller’s voice as being Rorech.

The deputy drove to Rorech’s apartment complex and waited for him to return home. Rorech pulled his car into the parking lot outside his apartment around 2:25 a.m. and the deputy arrested him.

A search of Rorech’s vehicle turned up a cell phone in the center console. The phone’s battery had been removed. The deputy put the battery in the phone. A sheriff’s dispatcher then called the phone number that the 911 call was made from. Rorech’s phone rang.

Further investigation revealed Rorech’s driver’s license was suspended out of North Carolina.

Rorech was also charged with two misdemeanor counts of driving on a suspended license – one for the initial traffic stop and the other for driving home, reports said.

CCSO Participates In ‘Take Back The Night’ Event

From left: Sgt. Ken Becker of CCSO’s Major Crimes Bureau, Mallory Hansell, Neal Gelfand, Eileen Streight, Judy Castille, Sheriff Rambosk, Eileen Wesley, Michelle English, and Kelly English.   

Members of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, including Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk, recently participated in the annual Take Back the Night event in Collier County.

The April 8 event at Project Help, 31233 Terrace Ave., East Naples, brought together victims, advocates andrepresentatives of law enforcement agencies in a forum to raise community awareness about sexual violence.

April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the United States.

Deputies Search For Missing NN Man

UPDATE: Lloyd L. Lake has  been located and is safe.

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The Collier County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public’s help in locating an 89-year-old man who has been missing since Thursday morning.

Deputies believe Lloyd L. Lake left his North Naples home driving a white four door 1991 Dodge bearing FL license plate H664HR.

Lake is described as white, 5 feet 7 inches tall and 130 pounds with balding white hair and brown eyes. His clothing description is unknown.

Deputies say Lake requires medication and he does not have it with him.

Anyone with information about Lake's whereabouts is asked to call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 252-9300

Support Law Enforcement Over Lunch, Dinner

Come grab a tasty meal for a good cause.

Cosmos Café & Pizzeria, 536 U.S. 41 N., Naples, will donate a portion of your bill to benefit the Police Unity Tour if you dine from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26.

The Police Unity Tour is a 250-mile, three-day bicycle ride that begins in Portsmouth, Va., and ends in Washington, D.C., at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The goal of the event is to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and to raise money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum in the nation’s capital.

Every year, a team of Collier County Sheriff’s Office members participate in this annual ride to help raise awareness of fallen officers.

You must be sure to present your server with a certificate vouching for the donation when paying your bill. Click here to print out a copy of the flier for available menu.

Crabs With Cause

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Joe’s Crab Shack teamed up once again for the third annual “Cops and Crabs” event.

Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk greeted patrons and CCSO members helped wait tables at the restaurant, 1355 Fifth Ave. S., Naples, Tuesday night. All tip money and 10 percent of the total cash intake from the night will be donated to the Florida Special Olympics.

So far, CCSO members raised around $526 in tips. The percentage of the total cash intake is still being calculated.

Last year, CCSO raised more than $3,000 in various fundraising efforts to benefit Florida Special Olympics.

Photos by Kristi Lester/CCSO(6)

PIO Closed Friday

The CCSO Public Information Office will be closed Friday for the Easter holiday weekend.

The booking sheets will be available at the jail.

Have a safe holiday.

Prepare For Prom and Graduation With Safety In Mind

With prom and graduation ceremonies approaching, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office reminds teens and their parents to celebrate safe.

Deputies say it is important for parents, teens and party hosts to understand the laws in order to keep everyone safe.

Some parents host after-prom parties and graduation parties where alcohol is provided, thinking that they can better protect teens by providing supervision of their drinking, and by keeping them from driving drunk. Deputies are warning parents and guardians that they will be held responsible if any underage drinking occurs on their property and could be subject to criminal and civil sanctions.

Establishments that sell alcohol are reminded to ask patrons for ID. Underage sales and purchases could result in criminal prosecution.

Once again CCSO deputies will be on hand for Project Graduation. This annual event is scheduled for June 3 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. at the YMCA of the Palms in North Naples.

CCSO has been a partner in Project Graduation since its inception in Collier in 1985. The event offers seniors a place to celebrate with their friends in a safe and alcohol- and drug-free environment.

CCSO offers these tips to help keep teens safe during prom and graduation:
* Communicate with your teens regularly and openly about alcohol and drugs.
* Communicate with other parents about your expectations and theirs.
* Discuss your expectations and rules for prom and graduation outings.
* Know who will be driving and what your teen’s plans are.
* Make sure your teen has a cell phone. Have pre-established times when your teen calls in to check in with you.
* Remind your teen not to use alcohol or drugs, or ride in a vehicle with anyone under the influence.
* Never provide alcohol or drugs to your teen or others.
* Remind your teen to buckle up when riding in a vehicle.
* Get involved by volunteering to supervise prom or graduation events.
* Don’t rent a hotel room for teens.
* Stay up until your teen gets home.

Regular and open communication between parents and teens can make a difference in preventing drunken driving, drug use, DUI accidents, and other destructive behavior. Take the time to give your teen the information and tools they need to stay safe.

CCSO Traffic Enforcement Spots

Monday, April 25:

Vanderbilt Beach Road and Logan Boulevard – Aggressive driving
Radio Road and Davis Boulevard – Red-light running
Barefoot Williams Road and U.S. 41 East - Speeding

Tuesday, April 26:

Wiggins Pass Road and Vanderbilt Drive - Speeding
St. Clair Shore and Radio Road - Speeding
Davis Boulevard and Kings Way – Red-light running

Wednesday, April 27:

99th Avenue North and U.S. 41 North – Red-light running
Shadowlawn Drive at Shadowlawn Elementary School – Aggressive driving
Golden Gate and Collier boulevards – Aggressive driving

Thursday, April 28:

Coronado Parkway and Santa Barbara Boulevard – Red-light running
Goodlette-Frank and Solana roads – Red-light running
Immokalee Road and Heritage Greens Drive - Speeding

Friday, April 29:

Livingston Road and Orange Blossom Drive – Red-light running
Lakewood and Glades Boulevard – Aggressive driving
Forest Lakes Boulevard and Pine Ridge Road – Red-light running

Deputies: Employee Wore Stolen Clothes At Work

An employee worked the sales floor at Saks Fifth Avenue on Tuesday wearing a designer shirt and socks that he did not pay for, detectives said.

Further investigation revealed the employee, Frank Steven Randazzo, had stolen other articles of clothing from the store at Waterside Shops in North Naples over the past three months, totaling $1,480.

Randazzo, 35, 15090 Topsail Court, Golden Gate, was arrested and charged with grand theft $300 to $5,000, according to Collier County Sheriff’s Office arrest reports.

The store’s loss prevention manager told detectives that around 10:20 a.m. Tuesday he saw Randazzo select a shirt from the men’s stock room and remove it from its packaging. Randazzo then took off the shirt he was wearing and put on the shirt he had removed from the package, reports said.

The manager said that later in the afternoon he saw Randazzo select a pair of socks from the sales floor and take them to the stockroom, where he put them on, reports said.

The manager saw Randazzo place the shirt and socks he had worn to work that day inside his take home bag. Then he returned to the sales floor wearing the new merchandise, which he did not pay for nor did he keep the tags to pay for the items at a later time, reports said.

Randazzo was charged with stealing a Boss shirt valued at $145 and a pair of Falke Tiago socks valued at $20.

He is also charged with taking other items from the store over the past three months, including a pair of Ferragamo shoes valued at $520, an Armani tie valued at $145, a pair of Zegna pants valued at $225, a Monterrey tie valued at $95, and a pair of sunglasses valued at $350, reports said.

Waste Management Helps Kids “Do The Right Thing”

Members of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office presented a plaque to Collier County Waste Management, thanking the organization for donating money to purchase T-shirts for “Do The Right Thing” award winners and programs handed out during D.E.P.U.T.Y. Club events. Youth Relations Cmdr. Beth Jones and Joseph Rakow, Ed.D., presented the plaque to Waste Management staff Friday.

From left: Ron Crowder, Joseph Rakow Ed.D., Larry Berg, Cmdr. Beth Jones, Christi Epperson, and Tim Hawkins.

Photo submitted by Cyndee Woolley/C2 Communications, LLC

CCSO Gets ‘Crabby’ For Good Cause

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Joe’s Crab Shack have teamed up once again for the third annual “Cops and Crabs” event on Tuesday, April 19.

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk and CCSO members will help wait tables at the waterfront restaurant at 1355 5th Ave. S., Naples. All tip money and 10 percent of the total cash intake for the night will be donated to the Florida Special Olympics.

Patrons must present a special coupon at the restaurant in order for their tab to be counted toward the fundraising total. Click here to print out a copy.

Last year, CCSO raised more than $3,000.

Fingerprint Tool Reveals Witness Was Wanted Fugitive

In the end, it didn’t matter what name Paul Edward Nance gave deputies Monday, he was going to jail.

Nance, 40, of West Palm Beach was arrested on three active out-of-county warrants after deputies learned his true identity, thanks to help from an electronic fingerprinting tool.

Collier County Sheriff’s Office arrest reports gave this account:

Around 5:20 p.m. Monday, deputies responded to a report of a shooting at 2692 Fountain View Circle in North Naples. The victim told deputies that a man fired gunshots inside his residence and then fled. No one was injured.

Nance told deputies he was at the residence and saw what happened.

When deputies asked Nance for identification, he said he didn’t have any on him. He proceeded to give deputies conflicting information, including several different names and dates of birth, prompting deputies to conduct a more thorough check into his real identity.

Nance gave deputies permission to take his fingerprints with a portable “Rapid ID” fingerprint scanner.

Within a few minutes the device showed a match and Nance’s true name and birthday were on display, along with his criminal history – including active warrants from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office charging Nance with being a fugitive from justice in that county on charges of possession of cocaine, domestic battery and trespassing.

The warrants listed multiple identifiers for Nance, including tattoos on both arms and a scar around his left eyebrow. The warrant also listed multiple aliases for Nance, including two that he gave Collier deputies.

Deputies also pulled up Nance’s driver’s license and photo from the state Department of Motor Vehicle database to confirm his identity.

With this information, deputies placed Nance in handcuffs. While handcuffed, Nance attempted to flee and physically resisted deputies’ efforts while securing him.

In addition to the warrants, Nance was charged with giving false information to law enforcement and resisting arrest.

Nance has an extensive criminal history ranging from aggravated assaults and robberies, and was recently released from prison, sheriff’s reports said.

CCSO deputies have been using Rapid ID since 2008. The device electronically scans two fingerprint images which are then sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and entered into a statewide fingerprint database. If there’s a match, that person’s criminal history and any warrants he or she may have will be delivered electronically within 45 seconds to a minute. The statewide database covers anybody who has been arrested and fingerprinted in Florida.

CCSO Launches Enhanced Arrest Log

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has upgraded its online arrest log to help the community more easily search for and access CCSO arrest records.


Site visitors can now search by first name, last name, arrest date or booking number for arrests in Collier County dating back to 2000.

Until now, arrests on http://www.colliersheriff.org/ were posted daily but were not searchable.

Recent upgrades to CCSO’s technological infrastructure made the new arrest log possible.

The change was a priority for Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk, who believes that the more information citizens have the safer the community will be.

“An informed community is a safe community,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “One of my priorities as Sheriff is to use technology to provide information to the community.”

The new arrest log is the latest in a series of technological initiatives Sheriff Rambosk has undertaken. Since becoming Sheriff in January 2009 he has authorized:

Crime maps on the CCSO website. The maps show nearly real-time information about where crimes and calls for service are being reported. The maps also display the address, description and photograph of each registered sexual offender in Collier County.

The Internet site ccso.tv, which offers CCSO-produced safety and crime-prevention videos, profiles of cold cases and unedited footage of many CCSO press conferences.

“On Scene,” a monthly television show that provides an up-close look at CCSO, information on how to stay safe, information on wanted criminals and more. “On Scene” airs on the Collier County Government television channel, the Collier County School District’s Education Channel and ccso.tv.

· Online crime reporting through the agency’s website. The tool allows people to report several types of crimes that don’t require immediate emergency assistance or investigation — criminal mischief, lost property, harassing phone calls, petty theft, grand theft up to $1,000, animal complaints, identity theft and property damage.

· A Facebook fan page that features a broad range of crime and safety news, including videos and information organized in easy to navigate sections. Separate areas are established for youth, cold cases, and photos. There’s even a place where visitors can submit a tip and help solve a crime. Another section of the fan page offers downloadable computer wallpaper images. The page can be found at www.facebook.com/colliersheriff.

Hurricane Seminar Tuesday Night

Be prepared.

That’s the message of a hurricane seminar to be held this evening in North Naples.

Members of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office will join representatives of Collier County Code Enforcement for a hurricane preparedness seminar at 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 4150 Goodlette-Frank Road.

Topics to be discussed include how to prepare your home and boat for a storm, products available to protect your home, and what to know about your insurance policy.

Hurricane season is June 1 to Nov. 30.

CCSO Honors Community Volunteers



Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk, left, recognizes civilian volunteer Ken Robins at the annual CCSO volunteer luncheon Thursday.  Photos by Joseph Geoffroy/CCSO (2)  


More than 100 community volunteers were honored for their contributions to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at the 14th annual luncheon Thursday.

The luncheon at the Hilton Naples, 5111 U.S. 41 N., opened with a ceremony featuring the CCSO Honor Guard and Cpl. Sylee Gibson singing the National Anthem and closed with Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk presenting awards to the volunteers.

“It’s the time we take an opportunity to say thank you and to show our appreciation for our volunteers, and to call the public’s attention to all that they do to improve our community,” said Susan Vivonetto, CCSO volunteer coordinator.

April 10-16 is National Volunteer Week, an annual celebration of volunteering in the United States.

At CCSO, volunteers assist deputies in a variety of ways, including staffing special events, helping with traffic control, providing research or support to investigators, performing data entry, and assisting with the agency’s many youth programs.

Volunteers also patrol neighborhoods in specially marked vehicles, and if something doesn’t look right, they pass that information along to the deputies. Others are licensed pilots and help the traffic unit nab speeders along Alligator Alley and assist in missing person searches.

Ten civilian and auxiliary volunteers received certificates and plaques Thursday for the time and effort they unselfishly gave to the agency and the community in 2010:

Civilian volunteers honored:
Kenneth Robins, 1,952 hours
Paige Long, 1,083 hours
Lawrence Keller, 817 hours
Dennis Vasey, 636 hours
Fred Klinkmann, 623 hours

Auxiliary volunteers honored:
Michael V. Jones, 2,196 hours
John Lambley, 1,481 hours
Michael Provost, 1,327.5 hours
Charles Montgomery, 1,239.5 hours
Scott Russell, 959 hours

CCSO has enhanced its volunteer program, offering citizens even more opportunities to get involved.

Specialized processing and background checks are necessary to become a volunteer.

For more information on becoming a CCSO volunteer, call 252-0530, or go to www.colliersheriff.org to download an application.




Sheriff  Rambosk presents a plaque to auxiliary volunteer Michael V. Jones on Thursday. 



We Love Our Dispatchers!

This is National Telecommunicators Week, intended to honor the first link in the chain of emergency police, fire, and medical responses.

If you’ve ever been the victim of a crime, been in a collision, reported a fire, or needed emergency medical help, you’ve called 9-1-1 and been helped by a telecommunicator. CCSO wants to thank our fantastic Communications Center staff and their colleagues around the nation for all they do to keep the public safe.

Deputies: Caretaker Stole Eyeglasses, Cash

A 54-year-old woman faces felony charges after deputies say she stole two pairs of designer eyeglasses from a Naples Park vision center while she waited for an elderly couple who were in her care to get their eyes examined.

Marie Presmy also stole a large amount of cash from the couple, who live in North Naples, according to Collier County Sheriff’s Office reports said.

Detectives arrested Presmy, 2800 Pine St., East Naples, on Wednesday and charged her with two counts of grand theft $300 to $5,000.

Arrest reports gave this account:

Presmy accompanied the couple to an eye appointment at The Fisher Eye Center, 875 105th Ave. N. on Wednesday. While Presmy waited for them, she stole a pair of Dior beige and silver frames valued at $250 and a pair of Fendi plastic tortoise shell frames also valued at $250.

The theft was confirmed on store surveillance video.

Further investigation by detectives revealed Presmy stole $850 from the couple earlier this week.

The couple’s daughter told detectives that her father had fallen at home Monday night and was taken to the hospital. She said that when her father fell he had $850 cash in one of his pants pockets and the money now was missing. She said Presmy, as her parents’ caretaker, was the only person to have access to the money

At the time of her arrest, detectives found 17 $50 bills in Presmy’s right front pants pocket. They also found the Dior eyeglasses in her purse.

Detectives also learned that there was an active local warrant for Presmy’s arrest on a violation of county probation charge from 2009. Detectives charged her on the warrant.

Operation Medicine Cabinet Can Help Dispose Unwanted Drugs

The Collier County Sheriff's Office, in partnership with Drug Free Collier, will hold a countywide Operation Medicine Cabinet initiative April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Twelve drop-off sites throughout Collier County will provide residents the opportunity to easily dispose of unwanted medications.

As a result of last year’s countywide initiative, 449.23 pounds of discarded drugs were collected.

To dispose of your unwanted drugs, visit any of the following local drop-off sites:

North Naples

COSTCO, 6275 Naples Blvd.
Sunshine Pharmacy, 13020 Livingston Road, #8
Sweetbay Supermarket, 2400 Immokalee Road
Walgreens, 13520 U.S. 41 N.

Golden Gate

CVS Pharmacy, 8831 Immokalee Road
Sweetbay Supermarket, 4897 Golden Gate Parkway

East Naples

Collier County Sheriff's Office prescription drop-off box, main lobby of the sheriff's administration building, 3301 U.S. 41 E., Building J
EPN UrgentCare Center, 6400 Davis Blvd., #103
Naples Recycling Center, 2640 W. Enterprise Ave.
Wal-Mart Super Center, 9885 Collier Blvd.

Everglades

Everglades City Hall, 102 Broadway Ave. E.

City of Naples

CVS Pharmacy, 294 Ninth St. S.

For more information, contact Drug Free Collier at 239.377.0535.

CCSO Traffic Enforcement Spots

Monday, April 18:

Immokalee Road and Juliet Boulevard – Red-light running
Everglades Boulevard North at Estates Elementary – Aggressive driving
Golden Gate Parkway and Airport-Pulling Road - Aggressive driving

Tuesday, April 19:

Davis Boulevard and Airport-Pulling Road – Speeding
Hunter Boulevard - Speeding
New Market Road East and East Main Street – Aggressive driving

Wednesday, April 20:

Collier and Green boulevards – Red-light running
Immokalee and Oil Well roads - Speeding
Radio and Livingston roads – Red-light running

Thursday, April 21:

Airport-Pulling Road and Cougar Drive – Red-light running
Immokalee Road and Logan Boulevard – Speeding
Pine Ridge Road at I-75 southbound exit – Red-light running

Friday, April 22:

Thomasson Drive at Avalon Elementary – Aggressive driving
Immokalee and Plateau roads - Speeding
Oakes Boulevard and Vanderbilt Beach Road – Speeding

UPDATE: Road Reopened

Update: The area of Pine Ridge Road between I-75 and Shirley Street has been cleared and is back open to motorists.


Original news release:
Traffic Advisory: Road Closure
Collier County Sheriff's Office
Posted Date: 4/13/2011 2:30 PM


Motorists are being asked to avoid westbound Pine Ridge Road between Interstate 75 and Shirley Street due to an oil spill. Deputies are on scene directing traffic and firefighters are responding to clean up the oil.

CCSO K-9 Unit Featured In Florida Weekly

Cpl. William Gifford and Bandit. Photo by Florida Weekly 

The Collier County Sheriff's Office's K-9 Unit was recently featured in Florida Weekly.

Click here to read the article.

CCSO, Community Clean Up Chokoloskee

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Collier County Code Enforcement teamed up with Chokoloskee residents to clean the community on Saturday, April 2.

Volunteers picked up trash and debris, including old appliances, tires and car parts. Five construction-sized Dumpsters, two trucks and a trailer were filled with trash that was hauled away for proper disposal.

Photos by Susan Gentry/CCSO(2)

Deputies Search For Missing Woman

UPDATE: Avis Barbara Foster has been located and is safe.

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Deputies are asking for the public’s help in locating a 80-year-old woman who has been missing since Monday morning.

Avis Barbara Foster was heard from by her son Monday morning in the North Naples area.

Deputies believe she may have a medical condition. Deputies said Foster is described as white, 5 feet 1 inches tall and 90 pounds with silver hair and blue eyes. Her clothing description is unkown.

She may be driving a red four door Toyota bearing FL license plate M55JR.

Anyone with information about Foster's whereabouts is asked to call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 252-9300

Traffic Safety Campaign Nets 556 Citations

Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies issued 556 citations during the “Click It or Ticket” campaign.

An additional 168 drivers were issued written warnings during the campaign, which ran from March 15–31.

The purpose of the special enforcement effort was to increase safety belt use and to reduce fatalities on the roads in Collier County.

The fine for not wearing a seat belt is $113 in Collier County. The fine for a child restraint violation is $163.

Collier County continues to have the highest safety belt compliance rate – 93 percent – in Florida, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Deputies conducted various countywide heightened enforcement details during the campaign to draw attention to the importance of safety belt use.

CCSO reminds motorists that drivers in Collier County can be pulled over by deputies for not buckling up. In May 2009 Florida became the 28th state to have primary offense safety belt laws. Previously, drivers could only be ticketed for not wearing a seat belt if they were pulled over for another offense, such as speeding. The recent law allows deputies to stop drivers who aren’t wearing their seat belt.

Home Makeover Doubles As Birthday Gift From EN Community

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office and its community partners banded together over the weekend to help an East Naples woman celebrate her 88th birthday by giving her home a much needed makeover.

Amy Atkins has lived at 5264 Maple Lane since 1984. She moved there with her husband Elmer from Brooklyn, N.Y., where she worked as a nurse. Her husband died two years after the move. Atkins, better known as “Miss Amy,” is well-regarded in the East Naples community for her work with the local Salvation Army, where she helped start the organization’s afterschool program and senior ladies group.

Atkins had a long career in nursing up until her retirement from ManorCare Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in East Naples at age 85. Atkins not only dedicated herself to her work and the community, but to her family as well. Seven years ago Atkins welcomed her daughter Gina and Gina’s four children into her home after Gina was hit by a car.

Close friend Dixie Lee noticed that the conditions of Atkins’ home were deteriorating, especially the wheelchair ramp that Gina used. Wanting to help, Lee contacted CCSO about Atkins’ situation after learning about a sheriff’s home makeover project in Golden Gate in December 2010.

CCSO members, along with local residents and employees from Lowe’s and Tom Amendola General Contractors, gathered at Atkins’ house Saturday morning to do much needed repairs, including to the wheelchair ramp and air conditioning unit. They also spruced up the exterior of the home and yard. By the end of the day, a new ramp was built, the house was pressure-washed and the yard was landscaped.

CCSO gives special thanks to the East Naples Lowe’s store, Super Wal-Mart at 9885 Collier Blvd., Tom Amendola III General Contractors and Tropic Disposal for their contributions to the project.

Above: Atkins takes in the moment as members of CCSO and the East Naples community join together to make badly needed repairs to the house she has lived in for 27 years.
Photo by Kristi Lester/CCSO




Amy Atkins’ home before the makeover project.

From left, Atkins’ grand-daughter Lindsey, Atkins, Cpl. Sylee Gibson and Collier County Commissioner Donna Fiala take a moment to celebrate Atkins’ 88th birthday with a cake donated by Super Wal-Mart.

Photos submitted by Cpl. Sylee Gibson/CCSO(2)

 Atkins gives East Naples Lt. Jay Mulholland an appreciative hug.

 Cpl. Sylee Gibson and resident Sarah Walsh help landscape Atkins’ yard.

 Lowe’s employees pressure-clean Atkins’ outdoor shed.

 Mason Rae, son of Lowe’s employee Brandon Rae, helps out by tossing debris into a dumpster.

 Atkins’ great-granddaughter Andrea, right, Davee Lester, center, and Cole Mulholland take a balloon break while helping out with the project.

Photos by Kristi Lester/CCSO(5)

At the end of the day, the wheelchair ramp was rebuilt, the yard was landscaped and other repairs were made to Atkins’ house.

Photo by Cpl. Sylee Gibson/CCSO

Passing The Torch

CCSO members and Special Olympics athletes participated in the 30th annual Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run on Wednesday. The 15.2 mile run started off at the Collier County Government Center and finished at the Collier/ Lee County line after runners handed off the “Torch of Hope.” The Torch Run is held every spring to raise support for the Florida Special Olympics.

Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk talks with participant Matt Milligan before the run.

Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk makes opening remarks as Special Olympics athletes and sponsors look on. From left: Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk, Michael Lynch, Patricia Kimidy, Dave Mckenzie, Ernest Winegarder, Amanda Burkholder, Josh McClenan and M.J. Weibling.  

Coach Michael Lynch leads CCSO members and his fellow Special Olympics athletes during the 30th annual Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run.

CCSO To Support Special Olympics

Dozens of Collier County Sheriff’s Office members will put their best feet forward for the Collier County leg of 30th annual Torch Run.

Participants will meet at the Collier County Law Enforcement Memorial in front of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Building J at 7:15 a.m. on April 6. The run will start following remarks by Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk at 7:45 a.m.

Local Special Olympics athletes will join in the run, along with past Special Olympics athlete and coach Michael Lynch, who has been running in the Torch Run for many years.

The runners will proceed to the city of Naples and then run up to the Lee County line, ending at around noon. There are several stops along the way and vehicles will be trailing the runners in case they need help. Water and snacks will be provided along the route.

The 15.2-mile run will end as CCSO members hand off the “Torch of Hope” at the Collier/Lee County line.

The CCSO and Joe’s Crab Shack, 1355 Fifth Ave. S., Naples, have teamed up once again for the third annual “Cops and Crabs” event on April 19. Sheriff Kevin Rambosk and agency members will help wait tables. All tip money and 10 percent of the total cash intake for the night will be donated to the Florida Special Olympics. Patrons must present a special coupon at the restaurant in order for their tab to be counted toward the fundraising total. Click here to print out a copy.

Last year, CCSO was able to raise more than $3,000. Participating agency members hope for an even better turnout this year.

The focus of the local event is to bring awareness and support to Florida Special Olympics.

Deputies, Firefighters Play Hoops, Raise Money For Youth Programs

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office joined forces with the North Naples Fire Department in a basketball game to raise money for local youth programs during the inaugural Hoops and Heroes event April 1.

Sponsored by the Police Activities League, the CCSO Stars faced off against the NNFD Blaze at the North Naples Regional Park gymnasium, where the bleachers were filled with cheering fans.

Cpl. Matthew Vaill, Sgt. Brian Brennan, Cpl. Douglas Marshall, Cpl. Jason Velazquez, Cmdr. Michael Williams, Sgt. Thomas Wedlock, Cpl. Specialist Gene Meek, Sgt. Gus Santos, Cpl. Jon Russo, Cpl. Scott Freiburger, and Bailiff Assistant Robert Canady made up the Stars. The volunteer team members played an impressive game and the scores were tight until the final period when the Blaze ultimately won 39-33.

CCSO would like to give special thanks to community partners Collier County Parks and Recreation, McDonald’s, OK Koral Marketing, and Tamiami Ford/Hyundai/Mitsubishi for their support.

ABOVE: Cpl. Jason Velazquez runs the ball down the court, while Cmdr. Michael Williams, Sgt. Thomas Wedlock and Cpl. Marshall guard the Blaze.

Photo by Ashley Wooten
 

Cpl. Douglas Marshall starts off the game by trying to swipe the ball from the Blaze.

Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk met with spectators who came out to support the effort to raise money for local youth programs.

Photos by Kristi Lester/CCSO(2)

UPDATE: CCSO Asks For Public’s Help

UPDATE: A 37-year-old man faces multiple felony charges following his arrest Monday in connection with these home burglaries in North Naples.

Samuel Joseph Hertel, 4650 3rd Ave. N.W., Golden Gate, was charged with burglary to a dwelling, grand theft $20,000-$100,000, grand theft auto, and fraudulent use of a credit card.

Upon further investigation Collier County Sheriff’s Office detectives identified Hertel as a suspect in the three burglaries, according to arrest reports.

Detectives located Hertel at his residence late Monday afternoon. When detectives arrived, Hertel fled into the woods behind his house. He later surrendered and was taken into custody, reports said.

Hertel gave detectives permission to search his residence, where they discovered many of the stolen items as well as a new laptop computer that he purchased with a credit card stolen from one of the victims, reports said.


Original news release:
CCSO Asks For Public’s Help
Posted Date: 4/1/2011 3:45 PM

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help in identifying a man deputies want to speak with in connection with recent home burglaries in the North Naples area.

Two homes in the Delasol community and one home off 7th Avenue Northwest were burglarized in March. Investigators believe the same person may be responsible for all three occurrences.

The man is described as white, in his mid 30s, balding on the top of his head with hair on the sides and back, thick glasses and decaying teeth. He was last seen around the Delasol and Milano communities Thursday night wearing a horizontally striped polo shirt and darker khaki pants or long shorts.

The man travels primarily by bicycle but may also be in a light-colored pickup with a tool box in the bed.

Detectives have released these surveillance photos.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 239.252.9300, or if you wish to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).

UPDATE: East Naples Woman Missing

UPDATE: Michelle Burg has been located and is safe.

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Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies are looking for a missing East Naples woman.

Michelle Burg, 42, was last seen in the Flamingo Estates area of East Naples shortly after 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Family members say Burg was distraught and they are concerned about her.

Burg is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 145 pounds. She has shoulder-length brown hair, although she may be wearing a blond wig in a bob-style cut. She has a Hello Kitty tattoo on her right ankle and a butterfly or fairy tattoo on each shoulder. She was last seen wearing a bluish green top with spaghetti straps and khaki capris.

She was driving a silver Ford Explorer Sport Trac with Missouri license plate MEOJ4E.

A photograph of Burg is not currently available.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 239.252.9300.

CCSO, Community Helps Clean Naples Park

Members of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Collier County Code Enforcement helped collect 22 tons of trash and debris during a community cleanup in Naples Park on March 26.

Similar cleanups will be conducted several times throughout the year to encourage community involvement in helping North Naples become a better and safer place to live.

Photos by Kristi Lester/Collier County Sheriff’s Office (4)

Cpl. Carmine Marceno and Cpl. Paul Woolsey work with Collier County Code Enforcement to load yard debris into a Dumpster during the Naples Park community cleanup March 26.

Cpl. Marceno helps a Naples Park resident remove unwanted sandbags and granite from his yard.

Cpl. Woolsey and Cpl. Ron Turi team up to toss some of the heavy slabs of discarded granite into a Dumpster.

Sgt. Jake Walker helps unload unwanted carpets dropped off by a Naples Park resident during the community cleanup.

CCSO Asks For Public’s Help

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help in identifying a man deputies want to speak with in connection with recent home burglaries in the North Naples area.

Two homes in the Delasol community and one home off 7th Avenue Northwest were burglarized in March. Investigators believe the same person may be responsible for all three occurrences.

The man is described as white, in his mid 30s, balding on the top of his head with hair on the sides and back, thick glasses and decaying teeth. He was last seen around the Delasol and Milano communities Thursday night wearing a horizontally striped polo shirt and darker khaki pants or long shorts.

The man travels primarily by bicycle but may also be in a light-colored pickup with a tool box in the bed.

Detectives have released these surveillance photos.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 239.252.9300 or if you wish to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).

Deputies, Firefighters To Play Hoops For Kids Programs

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office will join forces with the North Naples Fire Department in a basketball game to raise money for local youth programs in April.

The CCSO Stars will face off against the NNFD Blaze at the North Naples Regional Park gymnasium, 15000 Livingston Road on Friday, April 1. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The game starts at 7 p.m.

For more information or to obtain tickets, contact Crime Prevention Specialist Sue Gentry at 239.252.0708, or Cpl. Matt Vaill at 239.377.2237.

Tickets will also be available at the door.