Sunshine News

10/16/2025

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

10/16/2025

**🎰 UPDATE: LCSO and Florida Gaming Commission Shut Down Three Illegal Arcades in Lee County 🎰**

LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA- The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), in partnership with the Florida Gaming Commission, has shut down three illegal gaming operations across Lee County. An active investigation is currently underway at the following locations:

* **Miscue Lounge** – 2011 Carrell Rd, Fort Myers
* **Vegas Knights** – 13971 N. Cleveland Ave, Unit 14, North Fort Myers
* **Royal Arcade** – 4901 Palm Beach Blvd, Unit 320, Fort Myers

Further details, including forfeiture totals and additional investigative information, will be released Thursday morning.

LCSO has confirmed that this operation is part of an ongoing effort to combat illegal gambling in the community. More updates will be provided as the investigation develops.

10/16/2025

City of Temple Terrace

Road Closure Notice: Telecom Drive
Telecom Drive is currently closed Northbound from Woodstork Road to Fletcher Avenue. Traffic is being detoured to Telecom Parkway North (see blue arrow on the map).
Our crews are working diligently to reopen the road as quickly as possible. Please continue checking the City’s social media pages for updates. 🛠️

10/16/2025

Venice Police Department

🚨 Stolen Vehicle Alert – Please Share 🚨
A 2019 white Ford F-350 was stolen from the parking lot of 2360 Laurel Rd. East at approximately 1:50 a.m. on October 10, 2025. Last seen traveling South through Desoto County.
The Venice Police Department is actively investigating this incident and is seeking the public’s help. If you witnessed anything suspicious in the area or have any information that could assist in the investigation, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
📞 Contact Investigative Aide Paul Cignarale at 941-486-2444
📩 Or send a direct message here on Facebook.
Your help could make a big difference. Thank you for supporting your community and helping us keep Venice safe.

10/16/2025

**Two Putnam County Deputies Terminated, Facing Felony Charges After Timecard Fraud Uncovered**

PUTNAM COUNTY, FLORIDA- Two deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) have been terminated following an internal audit that revealed falsified timecards and thousands of dollars in unearned wages. The audit triggered separate criminal and administrative investigations, both of which resulted in felony charges and immediate dismissals.

Sheriff H.D. "Gator" DeLoach expressed deep disappointment over the findings:
*"To say I am disappointed is a gross understatement to how I feel about the discredit these two have placed on my agency. We have a commitment to uphold the public trust, and these two trampled it for personal gain. They are no different than the criminals we arrest on the streets."*

# # # Lieutenant Michael Wells

The investigation began in August after a supervisor identified a discrepancy in Lt. Michael Wells’ timecard. Records showed that Wells claimed to be working his regular shifts on August 4 and 5, despite simultaneously teaching at a law enforcement academy. The department permits 40 hours of leave for such instruction, but Wells neither used that leave nor reported any other time off.

Further review uncovered that since January 2024, Wells taught a total of 169 hours at the academy—during which he also claimed to be on duty at PCSO. He was paid by both agencies without requesting the appropriate leave, resulting in an estimated financial loss of $6,522.49 to the sheriff’s office—an amount exceeding the threshold for grand theft under Florida law.

In addition to the "double-dipping," the internal investigation revealed Wells failed to report annual leave while on vacation or engaging in personal activities, further falsifying time records.

He was placed on administrative leave on August 22, and following the investigations, was terminated on October 6. Charges of **Grand Theft** and **Official Misconduct**—both felonies—have been forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office.

# # # Detective Elias Rivera

Wells’ supervisory position prompted a broader review of other deputies’ time records. On September 30, that review led to a second investigation involving Detective Elias Rivera.

Investigators determined Rivera failed to report leave time for at least 16 off-duty details worked during scheduled shifts between February and August 2025. This resulted in a total unearned compensation of $2,558.45 for 95.5 hours.

Rivera was terminated on October 16. Like Wells, he is facing felony charges of **Grand Theft** and **Official Misconduct**.

Both Wells and Rivera had been with the department for several years—Wells since 2014 and Rivera since 2019—with no prior disciplinary history.

# # # Sheriff’s Statement

Sheriff DeLoach reaffirmed his commitment to integrity and accountability:
*"I expect that we continue to operate at a high standard of professionalism. No one is above the law, and even financial crimes are detrimental because they erode public trust in the many hardworking men and women in this agency. My promise is to hold each person accountable. Those who cannot meet our standards will not remain employed—and in cases like these, they will also face criminal charges."*

The cases remain under review by the State Attorney’s Office.

10/16/2025

City of Avon Park

✨ Exciting news for downtown Avon Park! ✨

A two-story building is planned for the empty lot at 101 W. Main Street (corner Main/Forest). The new project will bring both commercial space and new housing into the heart of our city. The development team is working on keeping the City of Charm look alive with brickwork that blends with our historic downtown.

The project includes commercial space on the first floor and upstairs apartments with two bedrooms, two baths, and balconies. Plans and surveys have already been submitted and the project is moving forward on schedule with the City.

This private development investment by SF Construction represents growth and revitalization for Avon Park, adding opportunities for businesses, housing, and a stronger downtown.

We are proud to see progress happening on Main Street. What kind of business would you love to see open in this space?ent

10/16/2025

**Detectives Request Public’s Help in Golf Cart Theft Investigation**

SUMTER COUNTY, FLORIDA- The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect(s) involved in a recent theft.

On October 13, 2025, at approximately 4:41 p.m., deputies responded to the Tierra Del Sol Recreation Center on San Marino Drive in reference to a stolen golf cart. The vehicle—a grey 2015 Yamaha 2-seat golf cart—was reported stolen from the parking lot area sometime between 2:50 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The key was not with the vehicle at the time of the theft.

At this stage of the investigation, no additional information is available.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of the stolen golf cart is urged to contact Detective Froehlich at 352-793-2621 and reference case number 5956.

10/16/2025

S*X PREDATOR SENTENCED TO LIFE IN NEW CASE

PUTNAM COUNTY, FLORIDA- A registered sexual predator who reoffended by sexually assaulting a child under 12 was sentenced to two life terms yesterday following a two-day trial.

Lawrence Lacourse, 69, repeatedly sexually assaulted a child from 2015 to 2019 and threatened the child to keep silent or he would post n**e photos on social media. Lacourse was caught after the child disclosed to a friend what was happening, and that friend reported it to the sheriff's office.

Lacourse was charged with sexual battery of a child less than 12 years of age, lewd and lascivious molestation of a child less than 12 years of age, three counts of sexual battery on a child 12 years or older but less than 18, and two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child 12 years or older but less than 16.

The jury took only 26 minutes to deliberate before handing the guilty verdict, which includes a mandatory life sentence of the capital sexual battery conviction of a sexual predator.

Unfortunately, the death penalty could not be sought in this case because the crimes occurred before the change in state statutes.

Lacourse was previously convicted of child sexual abuse charges in Collier County in 1995 and was a registered sexual predator.

"This is exactly why we will continue to make Putnam County a less than hospitable place for sexual offenders and predators," Sheriff H.D. 'Gator' DeLoach said. "We have seen several repeat offenses this year alone and fortunately the Seventh Judicial State Attorney, Florida's 7th Circuit office has sought the death penalty in these capital offenses. We must protect our children and we are not a place where predators and offenders can go and hide. We want to thank RJ Larizza and his team for securing a conviction that Mr. Lacourse will never be free again. He will die in a cage, which is what he deserves."

10/16/2025

🚗 Tired of Unreliable Delivery Drivers?

Meet Arrow Drivers — a new network of trusted local drivers taking delivery to the next level!
We partner with local businesses to ensure your customers get their orders fast, reliable, and on time — every time.

Join the movement.
📦 Arrow Drivers — Local. Reliable. Fast.

Arrow Advertising LLC

🚗 Tired of Unreliable Delivery Drivers?

Meet Arrow Drivers — a new network of trusted local drivers taking delivery to the next level!
We partner with local businesses to ensure your customers get their orders fast, reliable, and on time — every time.

Join the movement.
📦 Arrow Drivers — Local. Reliable. Fast.

10/16/2025

FDOT West Central - Tampa Area

🚧 A-void the area 🚧

No seriously, there is a void in the road at US 19 and Curlew Road.

All westbound lanes on Curlew Road, west of US 19, are currently closed. Please visit FL511.com for alternate routes. Repair crews are on-site working to restore the area.

10/16/2025

🚨 DO YOU RECOGNIZE THIS PERSON? 🚨

ORLANDO, FLORIDA- The individual depicted sexually battered a female victim on Thursday, October 9, 2025, near the area of Grand Street and South Lee Avenue.

If you have any information about the individual depicted or the incident, please contact CRIMELINE. You may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

🔗 Tips can be made anonymously by calling 1-800-423-TIPS (8477) or visiting crimeline.org.