Sunshine News

12/17/2025

**TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO THREE ARRESTS ON FELONY DRUG CHARGES**

WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA- A routine traffic stop in Winter Haven resulted in three individuals being taken into custody on felony drug charges after co***ne was discovered during the encounter.

On Monday, December 15, 2025, at approximately 9:28 p.m., a Winter Haven patrol officer observed a black Jeep Gladiator make an improper left-hand turn onto First Street North near Avenue R NE. The vehicle was stopped, and upon approaching, the officer observed a clear glass pipe in plain view inside the center console. The driver was identified as 73-year-old Theodore Parker of Haines City.

All occupants were removed from the vehicle. As Parker exited, a white, rock-like substance fell from the driver’s seat onto the floorboard. The substance later tested positive for co***ne, establishing probable cause for a search of the vehicle.

During the search, officers located a jacket on the back passenger seat that had been handled by 40-year-old Stephanie Lee Jackson of Winter Haven. Inside a pocket, officers found a disassembled pen that tested positive for co***ne. Also recovered was a sealed plastic bottle containing a pink liquid labeled as Methadone HCL 200 mg, prescribed to someone not associated with the vehicle. The liquid had a raw weight of approximately 22.7 grams.

The front passenger, identified as 45-year-old Omar Rivera of Winter Haven, consented to a search of his person. Officers located a white, rock-like substance in his front pocket, along with a cell phone and a ginseng bottle commonly used to conceal or ingest crack co***ne. After being transported to the booking facility, officers discovered Rivera had moved a pipe previously concealed in his underwear to his front pocket.

Parker, Jackson, and Rivera were transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center and charged as follows:

* **Stephanie Lee Jackson:** Trafficking in Methadone (F1), Possession of Co***ne (F3), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
* **Theodore Parker:** Possession of Co***ne (F3) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
* **Omar Rivera:** Possession of Co***ne (F3), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Introduction of Contraband into a Detention Facility

12/17/2025

**WANTED: DEPUTIES SEEK KENDRICK GRAHAM**

VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA- Deputies are actively searching for 18-year-old Kendrick Graham in connection with the theft of a loaded firearm from his grandmother’s apartment on Belltower Avenue in Deltona.

Investigators reported signs of forced entry into the grandmother’s bedroom, where the firearm was taken. Since the incident, Graham has allegedly posted photos of himself with the gun on social media.

Authorities stated that Graham’s family has been in contact with him, but he has refused to turn himself in.

Anyone with information regarding Graham’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office by calling 911 or by emailing Detective Borbely at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

12/17/2025

**SHERIFF’S OFFICE SEEKING INFORMATION**

MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA- The Martin County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying and speaking with the individual pictured in connection with the removal of a box of toys from the Barbecue Beer Company restaurant and bar in Jensen Beach on December 15.

According to investigators, surveillance video shows a woman who had been seated at the bar earlier leaving the establishment while dragging a large box of donated toys. The woman reportedly told a patron she was taking the toys to the fairgrounds. The toys, which were collected for a charity drive benefiting a specific family in need through Elev8Hope, never arrived at their intended destination. Authorities confirmed the individual was not authorized to remove the donated items.

The Sheriff’s Office is working to identify the individual to determine what happened to the toys and the circumstances surrounding their removal from the business.

Anyone who recognizes the person pictured or has information that may assist in this investigation is urged to contact the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

12/17/2025

**COMMUNITY SAFETY ALERT ISSUED FOR SALERNO AREA**

MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA-The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has issued a community safety alert for residents in the Salerno area following a series of criminal incidents involving 13-year-old Jesus’ Gaspar Rojas.

According to investigators, Rojas was arrested over the course of several days and charged with 11 felony offenses, including three counts of grand theft auto, four burglaries, possession of burglary tools, and three counts of felony criminal mischief. Authorities have identified up to six victims connected to the incidents.

The investigation determined that multiple crimes involved vehicle burglaries, damage to steering columns, and the movement of stolen vehicles into nearby areas. Additionally, three golf carts were stolen and damaged, along with another burglary that resulted in significant property damage.

The Sheriff’s Office reported that within the past six months, Rojas has been processed through the Department of Juvenile Justice on three separate occasions and released shortly after each arrest, including the most recent incident.

Detectives with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division executed a search warrant at Rojas’s residence, where stolen property related to the crimes was recovered. The Sheriff’s Office stated it is taking all legally permitted actions to address the ongoing situation.

Rojas has since been released and is currently residing in the Salerno area with his mother.

Residents who observe suspicious activity or believe they may have been victimized are encouraged to contact the Martin County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

Under Florida statute, law enforcement is permitted to release the identity of juveniles who commit felony offenses. In this case, authorities state the crimes resulted in the destruction of thousands of dollars’ worth of victim property.

12/16/2025

12/16/2025

UPDATE: This morning, two members of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office Motors Unit sustained what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries after they were both struck by a vehicle on Palm Coast Parkway NE. Both were transported to Halifax Health Medical Center of Daytona Beach for further treatment.

The crash is being investigating by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Please join Sheriff Rick Staly and the men and women of FCSO in keeping these deputies in your thoughts and prayers as they recover from this accident.

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Please be aware of heavy traffic on Palm Coast Parkway NE at the intersection of Clubhouse Drive due to a vehicle accident.

Please seek alternate routes.

12/15/2025

12/15/2025

Our is Rautisha Myers, wanted in Lee County for order revoking pretrial supervision aggravated assault with a deadly weapon & criminal mischief. If you know where she is, please contact SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477) | southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com. Cash reward possible!

12/15/2025

👶Special Delivery!👶
C shift ended on a high note early Friday morning when Paramedics Bosserman, Sandberg, and Staye helped deliver John Edward Haney II at 5:47am. The baby , affectionately called Jet, weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces. Here’s a fun fact: Paramedic Staye also helped deliver Jet’s big sister two years ago. Jet’s dad is our training Captain, John Haney. Congratulations to Captain Haney, his wife, Cassie, and their family on welcoming baby Jet.

12/15/2025

OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA- If you have any information regarding the identity of the following subject please contact the Okeechobee City Police Department, Detective Brandi Drapal at (863)763-9785, reference case #251208014

12/15/2025

**TWO MEN ARRESTED FOLLOWING ARMED ROBBERY AT DOLLAR GENERAL**

MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA-Two men are in custody after an armed robbery at a Dollar General store in Summerfield, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

On Saturday, December 13, 2025, MCSO Sergeant Jordyn Batts arrested 20-year-old Christopher Collins Jr. on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and two counts of robbery with a firearm. Also arrested was 26-year-old Nicholas Davis, who is charged as a principal to robbery with a firearm.

The arrests stem from a robbery reported on December 12, 2025, at the Dollar General located at 15090 S. Highway 441. Deputies responded to the scene and spoke with an employee who reported that at approximately 9:37 p.m., a man later identified as Collins entered the store armed with a firearm. The suspect threatened a clerk at gunpoint and demanded money from both the cash register and the safe. Collins also robbed two customers inside the store, threatening to shoot and kill them.

After stealing $2,445.99, the suspect fled the scene. A tracking device embedded in a portion of the stolen money led deputies to a residence at 16261 SE 89th Court, where Collins and Davis were located.

A search warrant was obtained and executed at the residence, where deputies recovered various items of clothing, ski masks, gloves, the firearm used in the robbery, and $2,432 of the stolen money. During a subsequent interview, Collins admitted to committing the Dollar General robbery, as well as a previous robbery in Marion County and another in Sumter County. He also stated that Davis drove him to the store and waited nearby while the robbery was carried out.

Both Collins and Davis were transported to the Marion County Jail, where they are currently being held without bond.