Marco 5th-Grade Class Recognized For Donations To Sandy Hook

It was the holidays, but students in teacher Lynn Hoffman’s fifth-grade class at Tommie Barfield Elementary School on Marco Island were feeling blue.

The Dec. 14 tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., was taking a toll on the 20 youngsters.

To cheer them up, Hoffman gave each student $10.

The students were excited to receive such a gift. Their excitement quickly turned to talk of how they would spend their money when one student suggested donating it to benefit the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy. The rest of the class jumped onboard with the idea.

The students pooled together their gift money and asked Hoffman to write out a check in the amount of $200 to Sandy Hook’s Parent-Teacher Association. They also made sympathy cards and paper snowflakes to send with the check.

On Thursday, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office recognized the class with a Do The Right Thing Award for their selfless and generous act.

It was the first time CCSO’s Do The Right Thing Program honored an entire class.

CCSO Youth Relations Bureau Specialist Joe Rakow gave each student a signed certificate with their name on it from Sheriff Kevin Rambosk. The students also received a medal and a DTRT bumper sticker for their kind deed.

ABOVE: Photo by Kristi Lester/CCSO

CCSO Warns About Area Code 876 Scam

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office wants to warn the community about a telephone scam that originates in the 876 area code in Jamaica.


Deputies warn that this scam has victimized people in several states.

The caller typically tells the potential victim that he or she has won the Jamaican Lottery or the Caribbean Lottery. The caller instructs the person to send in a processing fee – often up to several thousand dollars - in order to process their claim to the prize.

Deputies staffing CCSO’s new Call Before You “Pay” hotline have received several calls recently from people who were rightly skeptical about the legitimacy of the call they received from the 876 area code.

CCSO offers these tips to help you stay safe:

• If you get a call saying you’re a winner – don’t pay any money to collect supposed sweepstakes winnings. Legitimate operations won’t require you to pay to collect your winnings.

• It’s against federal law to play a foreign lottery – so if you get a call it is likely a scam.

• Never wire money to anyone with whom you are not familiar.

• Never provide anyone with personal information such as bank accounts, pin numbers or Social Security numbers.

• Check any unfamiliar area codes before returning calls.

• Be aware that there are many 3-digit area codes that connect callers to international telephone numbers – especially 876.

• If you do not have Caller ID, consider adding it to your phone service. Caller ID allows you to add a Call Intercept feature that screens calls and offers the option to reject suspicious international calls.

• If you do not make international calls, ask your telephone provider to block outgoing international calls.

• Contact your phone service provider, local authorities, or the Federal Trade Commission to report a potential scam.

• If you are contacted by anyone you don’t know who is seeking money or personal information, contact CCSO’s Call Before You “Pay” hotline before you decide whether to provide the money or information being requested. The number is 239.252.CALL (2255). It is staffed during business hours Monday through Friday.

Update: Deputies Looking For Golden Gate Woman

Update: Lanie Mazzarollo has been found and is safe.

Deputies Looking For Golden Gate Woman
Posted Date: 1/30/2013 2:30 AM

Deputies are looking for a Golden Gate woman who has been missing since about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Lanie Mazzarollo, 22, was last seen in East Naples. Family members are concerned about her because she was distraught.

She is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall and slender with chin-length reddish hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a purple shirt and tan pants. She was driving a 1998 maroon four-door Buick with Florida tag 741-3GG.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Collier County Sheriff's Office at 239.252.9300.

CCSO Traffic Enforcement Spots

Monday, Feb. 4:

Estey Avenue at East Naples Middle School – Aggressive driving
U.S. 41 East and Lakewood Boulevard – Red-light running
Davis Boulevard and County Barn Road – Red-light running

Tuesday, Feb. 5:

Piper Boulevard and Cypress Way East - Speeding
Airport-Pulling Road and Pelican Marsh Boulevard - Speeding
U.S. 41 North and Vanderbilt Beach Road – Aggressive driving

Wednesday, Feb. 6:

Golden Gate Parkway and Sunshine Boulevard – Aggressive driving
Collier Boulevard and Magnolia Pond Drive - Speeding
Hunter Boulevard – Aggressive driving

Thursday, Feb. 7:

Immokalee Road and Everglades Boulevard - Speeding
Golden Gate and Collier boulevards – Red-light running
Vanderbilt Beach Road and Logan Boulevard – Red-light running

Friday, Feb. 8:

Santa Barbara Boulevard at Calusa Park Elementary – Aggressive driving
Radio and Livingston roads – Red-light running
Airport-Pulling Road and Golden Gate Parkway - Speeding

Sexual Predator Released From Prison

Name: Manuel Sanchez Jr.

Date of birth: Aug. 14, 1961

Description: White male, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 155 pounds, black hair and brown eyes

Current address: 1807 Sherman Ave., Immokalee

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has notified the Collier County Sheriff’s Office that registered sexual predator Manuel Sanchez Jr. was recently released from prison and currently resides at 1807 Sherman Ave. in Immokalee.

Sanchez is designated as a sexual predator pursuant to Section FSS 775.21. His qualifying offense is lewd or lascivious molestation with victim under 12 and offender 18 or older, F.S. 800.04(5)(b).

Positive identification cannot be established unless a fingerprint comparison is made.

If further information is needed, please contact the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender/Predator Unit at 239.530.5699, or via e-mail at sexoffenderunit@colliersheriff.net. Or contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Sexual Offender/Predator Unit at 1-888-FL-Predator (1-888-357-7332) from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. You may also go to the FDLE Sexual Predator/Offender website at http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/.

Click here to view the CCSO sexual predator alert.

CCSO's Weekly Wanted Bulletin

Each week, the Collier County Sheriff's Office posts a bulletin of people wanted on active criminal warrants in Collier County. You can see their photos and charges.

If you have any information on any of these people, do not attempt to apprehend them.

Call CCSO at 239.252.9300 or our anonymous tips line at 1.800.780.TIPS (8477).

Click here to see this week's wanted bulletin.

UPDATE: Motorist Advisory - Bike Event Expected To Bring Traffic Delays Sunday

Motorists can expect major traffic delays along roadways in East Naples and North Naples on Sunday while the seventh annual Moe’s Southwest Grill/Cancer Alliance of Naples (CAN) Bike Brunch Ride is under way.

The ride will begin at Lowdermilk Park in the City of Naples and will comprise five distance rides of 10, 20, 30, 62 and 100 miles. The event is expected to draw around 700 to 800 bicyclists.

Roadways that will be affected between the hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. include U.S. 41 East, Davis Boulevard, Santa Barbara Boulevard, Vanderbilt Beach Road, and Pine Ridge Road. Motorists are advised to avoid these routes during these hours.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office also reminds motorists to give bicyclists traveling on roadways at least 3 feet of space when passing.

Click here to learn more about bicyclist and motorist safety.

For more information on this event, contact Naples Pathways Coalition Executive Director Michelle Avola at michelle@naplespathways.org.

CCSO Names December “Do The Right Thing” Winners

Ten Collier County students were recently recognized for good deeds ranging from providing assistance during a traffic accident to helping stop a grease fire.

The students were recognized at the third “Do The Right Thing” award ceremony for the 2012-13 school year at Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology on Dec. 17.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office adopted the "Do the Right Thing" program in January 1988, and has honored hundreds of children for acts that reinforce good behavior, positive acts, and outstanding accomplishments in the community.

The following students have been recognized for December:

Ava Graziano, fifth grade, Sea Gate Elementary School

While eating at Jason’s Deli, Ava heard a woman who fell out of her wheelchair in the parking lot calling for help. Even though it was pouring rain at the time, Ava did not hesitate to run outside and help lift the woman back into her chair.

Travis Hayden, 11th grade, Immokalee High School and Austin Blocker, eighth grade, Immokalee Middle School

Deputies responded to an accident that left a vehicle submerged in water. Travis and Austin stopped to assist by making sure everyone inside the car made it out safely and also offered one of the passengers their sweaters to keep her warm. Both remained on the scene until deputies arrived.

Logan Madigan, kindergarten, Big Cypress Elementary

Logan warned his family about a grease fire that started on their kitchen stove. His quick response gave his parents enough time to put out the fire before it had a chance to become more dangerous.

Trevor Reed, 10th grade, Barron Collier High School

Trevor learned of an international event called “Go Skateboarding Day,” which is usually held every June. Out of his passion for skateboarding, Trevor worked with Fleischmann Park staff to host the first “Go Skateboarding Day” in Collier County. Coordinating this event required him to volunteer many hours of his time.

Roland Borges, seventh grade, St. Ann School

Roland demonstrated good sportsmanship when he recently competed in a South Florida Judo Competition. Roland competed well, but ultimately lost a match during the finals. During the closing ceremonies, Roland was called out by the judges to receive two gold medals but he knew he actually won only one. He chose to be honest and approached the judges to inform them of the error.

Eduardo Hernandez, eighth grade, Immokalee Middle School

Eduardo was walking down the hallway of his school when he encountered a stranger who wasn’t wearing a name badge. He was concerned about the stranger’s presence and immediately notified a teacher.

Cooper Smith, fourth grade, Lake Park Elementary School

While crossing Golden Gate Parkway to attend a football game at Naples High School, Cooper noticed a purse in the road. Cooper retrieved the purse and handed it to a nearby deputy. The deputy was able to locate and return the purse to its owner.

John Meo III, eighth grade, Gulfview Middle School

John serves as a good role model to others. He is a good student and active in his youth group at the First Church of the Nazarene. Not only is John enrolled in advance classes, he volunteers his time to participate in mission trips, serve meals at St. Matthew’s House, and other projects that help families in need.

Malina Mahan, fifth grade, Palmetto Elementary School

Malina serves on her school’s safety patrol team. One day she noticed two students trying to walk off the campus. She immediately stopped the students and had them go to the office.

Motorist Advisory: Bike Event Expected To Bring Traffic Delays Sunday

Motorists can expect major traffic delays along roadways in East Naples and North Naples on Sunday while the 7th Annual Moe’s Southwest Grill/Cancer Alliance of Naples (CAN) Bike Brunch Ride is under way.

The ride will begin at Lowdermilk Park in the City of Naples and consist of five different distance rides of 10, 20, 30, 62 and 100 miles. The event is expected to have around 700-800 bicyclists.

Roadways that will be affected between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. include Tamiami Trail East, Davis Boulevard, Santa Barbara Boulevard, Vanderbilt Beach Road and Pine Ridge Road. Motorists are advised to avoid these routes during this timeframe.

For more information on this event, contact Naples Pathways Coalition’s Executive Director Michelle Avola at michelle@naplespathways.org.

CCSO Traffic Enforcement Spots

Monday, Jan. 28:


St. Andrews Boulevard and U.S. 41 East - Speeding
Davis and Santa Barbara boulevards – Red-light running
Radio Road and Leawood Circle - Speeding

Tuesday, Jan. 29:

48th Terrace S.W. at Golden Gate Middle School – Aggressive driving
Hunter Boulevard – Aggressive driving
Green and Collier boulevards – Red-light running

Wednesday, Jan. 30:

Vanderbilt Beach and Livingston roads – Red-light running
Airport-Pulling and Immokalee Road – Red-light running
111th Avenue North at Naples Park Elementary – Aggressive driving

Thursday, Jan. 31:

Manatee Road at Manatee Middle School - Speeding
U.S. 41 East and Barefoot Williams Road - Speeding
Collier and Capri boulevards - Speeding

Friday, Feb. 1:

Vanderbilt Beach Road and Logan Boulevard – Red-light running
Oakes Boulevard and Immokalee Road – Aggressive driving
Orange Blossom Drive and Airport-Pulling Road – Aggressive driving

CCSO's Weekly Wanted Bulletin

Each week, the Collier County Sheriff's Office posts a bulletin of people wanted on active criminal warrants in Collier County. You can see their photos and charges.

If you have any information on any of these people, do not attempt to apprehend them.

Call CCSO at 239.252.9300 or our anonymous tips line at 1.800.780.TIPS (8477).

Click here to see this week's wanted bulletin.

Joint Operation Results In Multiple Drug Arrests

Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi are announcing the successful conclusion of “Operation Mario Brothers.”

This was an 18-month investigation conducted jointly by the Collier and Lee County Sheriff’s Offices with the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution. The investigation focused on the drug trafficking organization of Mario and Tony Vicente. The Vicente drug trafficking organization was distributing marijuana throughout Southwest Florida. The Sheriffs would also like to thank The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office for their partnerships and assistance in this investigation.

“Criminals do not observe jurisdictional lines,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “When we work together with our law enforcement partners it enables us to make a regional impact to keep our community safe.”

Attorney General Bondi also praised the joint effort.

“This investigation was truly a team effort among the Collier and Lee County sheriff’s offices and my Office of Statewide Prosecution,” she said. “I am grateful to all of the partnering agencies for their cooperation in ridding Southwest Florida of these drug dealers.”

The following members of the Vicente organization were arrested have been arrested and formally charged by prosecutors with conspiracy to traffic marijuana, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Mario Vicente, 28, 19041 Bartow Blvd., Fort Myers
Tony Vicente, 31, 9849 Kentucky St., Bonita Springs
Robert Spencer, 56, 4991 Hickorywood Dr., Naples
Antonio Lopez, 52, 4335 43rd Ave. NE, Naples
Tommy McKolay, 21, 5920 Westport Lane, Naples, (legal name Thomas Mckolay-Schmitt)
Robert Dimaria, 19, 1803 Beach St., Naples
Steven Connell, 28, 18522 Evergreen Road, Ft. Myers.

During this investigation more than 31 pounds of marijuana and more than $147,000 in currency were seized by detectives. The following people have already been arrested as part of this investigation and charged as noted:

Ali Turkan: Trafficking in opiates/derivative, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of narcotics paraphernalia. Turkan, 24, lives at 18404 Heather Road, Ft. Myers.

Shawn Miller: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of narcotics paraphernalia. Miller, 27, lives at 873 Valley Drive W., Bonita Springs.

Corey Brisson: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of narcotics paraphernalia. Brisson, 24, lives at 852 100th Ave. N. #B, Naples.

Edgar Guerra: Possession of marijuana under 20 grams, possession of narcotics paraphernalia. Guerra, 28, lives at 10620 Rosemary Drive, Bonita Springs.

Tommy McKolay: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams, Possession of narcotics Paraphernalia. McKolay, 21, lives at 5920 Westport Lane, Naples. (Legal name Thomas McKolay-Schmitt)

Randall Izell: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of narcotics paraphernalia. Izell, 21, lives at 25546 Luci Drive, Bonita Springs.

Jean Guerdainson: Possession of marijuana with intent to sell. Guerdainson, 25, lives at 165 Manor Blvd. #708, Naples.

Steven Connell: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams. Connell, 28, lives at 18522 Evergreen Road, Ft. Myers.

Michael Rowan: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to sell. Rowan, 25, lives at 1110 Medan Court S. #116, Naples.

REACTED: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of narcotics paraphernalia. REDACTED, 22, lives at 2185 Malibu Lake Circle, Naples.

Steven Goerger: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams (2 counts), possession of marijuana with intent to sell (2 counts), possession of narcotics paraphernalia, possession of synthetic narcotics, possession of other controlled substance. Goerger, 20, lives at 2704 Poinciana Drive, Naples.

Jonas Perez: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to sell. Perez, 25, lives at 8025 99th Court SW, Miami.

Kevin Rozankowski: Sale of marijuana (2 counts), possession of marijuana with intent to sell (2 counts). Rozankowski, 26, lives at 8964 Malibu Lane #1102, Naples.

Zachary Heitmann: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to sell. Heitmann, 20, lives at 2350 Forrest Lane, Naples.

Jeffrey Eveleno: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams. Eveleno, 26, lives at 116 Cypress Way E. #E4, Naples.

Robert DiMaria: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams. DiMaria, 19, lives at 1803 Beach Street, Naples.

Detectives say additional arrests are pending.

CCSO Traffic Enforcement Spots

Monday, Jan. 21:


U.S. 41 East and Davis Boulevard – Aggressive driving
Airport-Pulling Road and Estey Avenue – Red-light running
Radio and Livingston roads – Aggressive driving

Tuesday, Jan. 22:

Vanderbilt Beach Road and Collier Boulevard – Red-light running
Immokalee Road and Randall Boulevard - Speeding
Golden Gate and Wilson boulevards - Speeding

Wednesday, Jan. 23:

Pine Ridge Road and Shirley Street – Aggressive driving
Goodlette-Frank Road and Orange Blossom Drive - Speeding
Airport-Pulling Road and Cougar Drive – Red-light running

Thursday, Jan. 24:

Santa Barbara Boulevard at Calusa Park Elementary - Speeding
Coronado Parkway - Speeding
Collier Boulevard and Golden Gate Parkway – Aggressive driving

Friday, Jan. 25:

Radio Road and Davis Boulevard – Aggressive driving
Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock Road - Speeding
U.S. 41 East and Lely Resort Boulevard - Speeding

Deputies Search For Grizzly Bear Cub In Estates

Deputies are searching for a grizzly bear cub that ran away from a private residence in Golden Gate Estates on Tuesday morning.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in the search.

The 100-pound cub ran away from a residence in the 4000 block of DeSoto Boulevard around 11 a.m.

Deputies are cautioning residents in the area to be on alert for the cub and not approach it.

Wildlife officers advise anyone who may encounter the cub not to run. Rather, clap your hands and say, “Bear go home.” The cub, which was raised in captivity, will likely run away.

Residents are advised to secure trash cans in their garage or enclosed area

Anyone who sees the cub is asked to contact the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 252-9300, or call the FWCC Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Update: Missing Child Found

UPDATE: Denise Hernandez has been located and is safe.

Dozens of law enforcement officers from agencies around Southwest Florida joined the Collier County Sheriff’s Office in the search.

Agencies that assisted CCSO included: FBI, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Cape Coral Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Sarasota Police Department, Manatee Sheriff’s Office, Division of State Fire Marshal, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Department of Children and Families, Punta Gorda Police Department, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Collier County Emergency Medical Services, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, Okeechobee Police Department, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Sebring Police Department, DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, Venice Police Department, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, and Hendry County Sheriff’s Office.
***********************

Original news release:

Deputies are searching for a 2-year-old Immokalee child who went missing Sunday evening.

Denise Hernandez was last seen by her family in their residence when they put her to bed and was discovered missing around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

Deputies said Hernandez is described as 2 feet tall, 40 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a long-sleeve blue and red striped shirt and a diaper.

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

Deputies Search for Missing Child

Deputies are searching for a 2-year-old Immokalee child who went missing Sunday evening.

Denise Hernandez was last seen by her family in their residence when they put her to bed and was discovered missing around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

Deputies said Hernandez is described as 2 feet tall, 40 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a long-sleeve blue and red stripped shirt and a diaper.

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

Motorist Advisory: Triathlon Expected To Bring Traffic Delays Saturday, Sunday

Motorists can expect major traffic delays along Vanderbilt Beach Road and other roadways in North Naples and Golden Gate on Saturday and Sunday while the HITS two-day triathlon series is under way.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office advises motorists to plan their commutes accordingly. Motorists who are traveling north and south would be best advised to take Interstate 75, deputies say.

Deputies will be stationed both days at every controlled intersection along the entire stretch of Vanderbilt Beach Road, which could see delays as long as 35 minutes to 40 minutes.

On Saturday, the full and half triathlon bicycle race route will proceed from the Vanderbilt Beach turn-around at Gulf Shore Drive, east on Vanderbilt Beach Road to Collier Boulevard, north on Collier Boulevard to Immokalee Road. The cyclists will then proceed out to the eastern reaches of Collier County. This race will affect vehicle traffic along all of Vanderbilt Beach Road and its intersecting streets from approximately 7:30 a.m. until approximately 5:20 p.m.

On Sunday, the Sprint triathlon bicycle race route will proceed from the Vanderbilt Beach turnaround at Gulf Shore Drive, east on Vanderbilt Beach Road to the turnaround point just west of Logan Boulevard.

Simultaneous to the Sprint triathlon Sunday, the Olympic triathlon bicycle race route will proceed from the Vanderbilt turn-around at Gulf Shore Drive, east on Vanderbilt Beach Road to Collier Boulevard, south on Collier Boulevard to Golden Gate Boulevard, and east to the turnaround point at 31st Street Southwest.

These two races on Sunday will have a significant impact on vehicle traffic and will cause substantial delays along all of Vanderbilt Beach Road and its intersecting streets from approximately 7:10 a.m. until approximately 10:30 a.m.

Tyler Perry Offers Rewards In 2 CCSO Missing Person Cases

Actor, director and producer Tyler Perry announced $100,000 in rewards Thursday in connection with two missing person cases in Collier County.

Perry is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of the present whereabouts of Terrance Williams or Felipe Santos, for a total of $50,000.  Additionally, he is offering a $25,000 reward for information which, following an arrest, leads to a final conviction, adjudication or plea of guilty or no contest to a felony crime of causing, contributing to, or facilitating the death of Williams or Santos, for a total of $50,000.

Perry made the announcement during a press conference at the South Regional Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples, Fla.

Saturday will mark the nine-year anniversary of Williams’ disappearance.

 Perry was joined by the Rev. Al Sharpton of the National Action Network (NAN) and Ben Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP. Also attending were Williams’ mother Marcia Williams and Monica Caison of the North Carolina-based CUE Center for Missing Persons, along with Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk and members of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau.

Sheriff Rambosk said he is pleased that Perry is raising public awareness about the local cases. Perry’s involvement, the Sheriff said, will continue to help keep the cases in the national spotlight. The Williams case has recently been profiled on Investigation Discovery’s “Disappeared” and CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360.” A profile of the case is also in production for an upcoming episode of TV One’s “Find Our Missing.”

“We need the right piece of new information,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “We are hopeful that Tyler Perry’s involvement will not only keep Terrance and Felipe in the public eye, but also prompt someone to step forward with the information we need.”

The Sheriff added: “We are asking anyone who may have information to please contact us. Every tip, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, is important.”

Both Williams and Santos are considered missing and endangered and both were last seen in the company of now-fired CCSO deputy Steve Calkins.
Williams was 27 when he encountered Calkins in the area of 111^th Avenue North and Vanderbilt Drive in North Naples on Jan. 12, 2004.

Williams is described as black, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 160 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. He has several tattoos: a “T” above his left chest, “ET” on his right shoulder, and “Terrance” in red with blue highlights on his left forearm. He has a gold crown with the letter "T" on the upper right tooth and the other upper front tooth is solid gold. He also has a vertical scar on his right shoulder and a dark birthmark on the right side of his abdomen.

He was last seen wearing a short-sleeve shirt, blue jeans and brown Timberland boots. He was wearing diamond earrings and a watch with a silver band. The face of the watch was surrounded by white stones. At the time he disappeared he owned a 1984 white Cadillac.

Santos was 23 when he disappeared on Oct. 14, 2003. He was last seen with Calkins at the Greentree Shopping Center at the intersection of Airport-Pulling and Immokalee roads in North Naples. He is a Hispanic man who stands 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair. He lived in Immokalee at the time of his disappearance.

Multiple agencies are partners in the investigations into the Williams and Santos missing person cases. In addition to CCSO, the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office are involved. The CUE Center for Missing Persons, a national missing persons nonprofit organization, has conducted searches for Williams and Santos, advocated for the cases, and has held awareness events and meetings with law officials over the years the two men have been missing.

The families and supporters of the missing men have expressed gratitude toward Perry for his interest and generosity.

 “After years of painful struggle concerning my son's disappearance I still refuse to accept anything other than finding a resolution to this nightmare,” said Marcia Williams. “I will forever be grateful for what Mr. Tyler Perry has done for me and my missing child. He puts the truth into the saying, ‘pay it forward’ " 

Julia Perkins of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers has helped publicize the Santos case.

"Although the years have gone by, Felipe's disappearance is still very painful to the family,” Perkins said. “His disappearance without resolution has been devastating to the family and most importantly to his young daughter, who was still an infant at the time. We are all hopeful that these new efforts will bear fruit."
 

Santos and Williams are listed as missing on the Collier County Sheriff’s Office website www.colliersheriff.org. Information and photographs can be found there by going to the “We Can Help” pull-down tab on the home page and clicking on “Missing Persons.” Information can also be found on the National Center for Missing Adults website www.theyaremissed.org.

Both cases are open investigations, and the investigators encourage anyone who may have information on either Williams or Santos to contact the Collier County Sheriff's Office at 252-9300, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477), or the Cue Center 24-hour tip line at 910-232-1687.

                       

CCSO Traffic Enforcement Spots

Monday, Jan. 14:


Shadowlawn Drive at Shadowlawn Elementary – Aggressive driving
Bayshore and Thomasson drives – Aggressive driving
U.S. 41 East and Lakewood Boulevard – Red-light running

Tuesday, Jan. 15:

Sunshine Boulevard - Speeding
Santa Barbara Boulevard and Golden Gate Parkway – Red-light running
Green and Collier boulevards - Speeding

Wednesday, Jan. 16:

Pine Ridge Road and Osceola Trail – Aggressive driving
Naples Boulevard – Aggressive driving
Vineyards Boulevard at Vineyards Elementary - Speeding

Thursday, Jan. 17:

U.S. 41 North and Vanderbilt Beach Road – Aggressive driving
Goodlette-Frank Road and Creekside Boulevard - Speeding
Immokalee Road and Palm River Boulevard – Red-light running

Friday, Jan. 18:

Golden Gate Parkway at I-75 southbound exit – Red-light running
Radio Road and Industrial Boulevard – Aggressive driving
River Reach Drive - Speeding

Deputies: Thieves Now Target Identification Documents

Burglars aren’t just looking for electronics, jewelry and cash; they’re also looking for driver’s licenses, birth certificates and passports so they can steal your identity.

Keeping your Social Security card, birth certificate, passport, mortgage statements, bank statements, income tax documents, and other personal identification information locked securely in your home will cut down on your identity theft risk in the event a burglar breaks into your home.

Deputies recommend that residents secure any personal documents in a safe, locked drawer or safety deposit box to help stop thieves from easily getting away with their identity.

Many criminals commit the crime the old-fashioned way by looking for old bank statements or cell phone bills in your garbage, so make sure to cross-shred these documents before disposing of them.

CCSO Traffic Enforcement Spots

Monday, Jan. 7:


Goodlette-Frank Road and Granada Boulevard - Speeding
Pine Ridge Road at Pine Ridge Middle School – Speeding
Airport-Pulling Road and Orange Blossom Drive – Red-light running

Tuesday, Jan. 8:

White and Weber boulevards – Aggressive driving
Golden Gate Parkway and Collier Boulevard – Red-light running
Titan Way at Golden Gate High School – Aggressive driving

Wednesday, Jan. 9:

County Barn Road and Davis Boulevard – Red-light running
U.S. 41 East and Palm Drive - Speeding
Radio Road and Countryside Drive - Speeding

Thursday, Jan. 10:

Manatee Road at Manatee Middle School – Aggressive driving
Collier Boulevard and U.S. 41 East – Red-light running
Rattlesnake Hammock Road and Grand Lely Drive - Speeding

Friday, Jan. 11:

Santa Barbara Boulevard and Recreation Lane - Speeding
Airport-Pulling and Radio roads – Aggressive driving
Livingston Road and Golden Gate Parkway - Speeding