News Update for 2/20/25
A Sebring woman is facing felony charges for allegedly lying to investigators about her daughter’s involvement in a burglary and battery case. Jamie Renee Lagrow, 47, is accused of giving false information to deputies about the whereabouts of her daughter, Taylor Renee Tillman, who broke into a home and attacked a woman on June 6th, 2024. Authorities say Lagrow misled deputies about Tillman’s location and the vehicle she used to flee. Text messages later revealed she may have helped Tillman evade capture and tampered with evidence. Deputies seized Lagrow’s phone upon her return from overseas, uncovering messages advising Tillman on how to avoid arrest.
The Sebring City Council has approved a settlement in a lawsuit over land access on Sunniland Drive. Property owners Douglas and Karla Bennett sued the City and Duke Energy in 2022, claiming they had no reasonable access to their land due to city fencing and utility easements. After ongoing litigation, both parties agreed to a settlement: the City will deed a portion of its land to the Bennetts, cover costs to relocate a fence and light pole, and waive a $7,269.50 judgment. In return, the Bennetts will end the lawsuit and grant an easement to Duke Energy. Officials say the deal saves the City from further legal costs.
Two men from Winter Haven are facing multiple charges after a series of crimes earlier this month. Terrell Leverett, 27, and Terrence Chase Jr., 21, were arrested on Feb. 17 after stealing three firearms and a Ford F250 truck on Feb. 9. Leverett falsely claimed he was at work during the thefts, but his manager denied the alibi. He was arrested at McDonald’s, while Chase was taken into custody at home. Both suspects face charges including grand theft, armed burglary, and conspiracy, and are being held at the Polk County Jail.
One down, one to go. That’s what the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said yesterday after a Miami-Dade County man was arrested for stealing two black swans last week in Lakeland. Alfredo Casanova is charged with burglary and grand theft. Deputies are still looking for the other suspect. He’s identified as Jordan Montoya. Both are from Homestead. Besides the swans, they also allegedly stole six eggs. The swans and the eggs were safely recovered and returned to their rightful owner.
A woman testified in a Highlands County courtroom Wednesday, identifying the man she believes shot at her and a coworker last April. Maria Marcella Cruz-Ramirez pointed to Malik Jamal Callahan, 38, as the shooter, saying she was “100% sure” of his identity. Callahan faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and illegal firearm possession. Cruz recounted seeing a suspicious man before he opened fire near Lupita grocery store in Sun ‘N Lakes South of Lake Placid. Defense attorneys argue the shooter wasn’t Callahan, but prosecutors maintain Cruz had ample time to recognize him. The trial continues.
A woman described as a Scumbag Scam Artist is in custody in Central Florida. Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced yesterday Shania Baptiste was arrested for fraud and grand theft. She allegedly stole over 30-thousand dollars from a senior citizen in Daytona Beach Shores. The alleged scam started in June when Baptiste told the 85-year-old she won one million dollars in the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes, but the woman had to send Baptiste money to cover taxes and fees. The woman did as she was told, but later realized she was scammed. An investigation was launched in September, and Baptiste and an alleged accomplice were arrested in December in New York. A video posted yesterday on the sheriff’s office Facebook page shows Chitwood confronting Baptiste as she arrived in Daytona Beach. In the video, he tells her he hopes there’s a special place in hell for her.
A deadly crash in Polk County early Wednesday claimed the life of a box truck driver. Florida Highway Patrol says the truck was traveling east on State Road 570 around 2 a.m. when it rear-ended a slow-moving tractor-trailer. The impact caused the box truck to catch fire, and the driver died at the scene. The tractor-trailer driver, a 51-year-old Tampa man, was uninjured. Authorities are investigating the crash.
Federal authorities in Tampa have busted what they say is a criminal ring breaking into the homes of prominent pro athletes, including a Buccaneers’ player. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says the seven men from Chile were members of a South American group that burglarized homes of NFL and NBA stars in Kansas City, Tampa, Memphis and Cincinnati from October through December. An unnamed Bucs’ player was one of the victims and had jewelry, designer watches, a luxury suitcase and a gun stolen from his home. The suspects are accused of stealing more than two million dollars’ worth of valuables. Each suspect faces up to ten years in prison if convicted.