News Update for 4/22/25

Well, you don’t see this every day — a suspect offering cocktails mid-chase. Highlands County Deputies had quite the bizarre pursuit Saturday afternoon, after 39-year-old Richard Christopher Smith allegedly stole alcohol from the Spring Lake Market and took off in a black minivan. During the chase, Smith reportedly offered deputies a vodka spritz out the window, claiming, “I was just going to give you a drink, that’s it.” Moments later, he crashed, lit a cigarette, and casually tried to walk away — even asking, “You guys had fun though, right?” Smith now faces multiple charges including DUI, aggravated assault on officers, and theft. His bond is set at $120,000. Innocent until proven guilty, of course — but this one may end up in the law enforcement hall of fame.
An early morning stabbing in Avon Park has landed a 22-year-old man behind bars. Authorities say Adolfo Herrera Martinez was arrested Thursday evening after a 27-year-old man identified him as the attacker. The victim, who considered Martinez a friend, said the stabbing happened without warning around 4 a.m. on Main Street. The victim managed to flee but later collapsed. He was found around 6:30 a.m. with life-threatening injuries and airlifted to a trauma center. He is expected to survive. Martinez, who claims he doesn’t remember the attack, faces charges including attempted second-degree homicide and robbery. He’s being held without bond.
A civil court judge has ruled that convicted murderer Joseph Ables cannot mention his PTSD or other disabilities during his ongoing civil trial. Ables, a Vietnam-era Marine officer sentenced to death for the 2018 killing of Highlands County Deputy William Gentry Jr., is representing himself. Judge Heather Beato barred any reference to Ables’ mental health or testimony from his previous criminal trial. Ables objected, saying it hampers his defense. The Gentry family is seeking over $100,000 in damages. The trial began Monday and is expected to conclude midweek.
Three teenagers are facing charges after a violent robbery attempt in Polk County. Winter Haven Police arrested three 18-year-olds for trying to rob a man last week. He was driving a female friend and the teens. After he dropped off the woman, the teens stayed in the car and asked to be driven to another location. Police say while on the way there, one teen pulled a weapon and demanded money while a teen in the backseat started choking the man. The man slammed on the accelerator and drove the car off the road into a swamp. The teens ran from the scene but were later caught and arrested. Police tell News Channel 8 the man is lucky to be alive.
Glades Electric Cooperative is lighting the way for local students, awarding $46,000 in scholarships through its Educational Foundation. Eleven standout seniors from Highlands, Glades, Hendry, and Okeechobee counties were honored this year. Top recipients of the $5,000 scholarships include students from LaBelle, Moore Haven, Clewiston, Okeechobee, Sebring, and Lake Placid. Additional awards of $2,500 and $1,000 were also given. The annual Youth Scholarship Banquet will take place today at the Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center. Glades Electric CEO Jeff Brewington says these students represent the future, and the co-op is proud to invest in their success.
A former Polk County deputy is now wanted after failing to appear in court for his DUI manslaughter trial. Joshua Roelofs was a no-show Monday in Tampa, where he faces charges related to a 2022 crash on the Courtney Campbell Causeway that killed two men and critically injured two others. Authorities say Roelofs was driving around 100 mph while under the influence when he rear-ended an SUV. A judge has issued a warrant and revoked his bond after his attorneys said they don’t know where he is. Roelofs previously worked for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office but was fired in 2015 for falsifying a timecard.
Florida’s Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to be safe in work zones. Yesterday marked the start of National Work Zone Awareness Week. Transportation agencies across the nation are reminding drivers to be attentive through work zones during the busy summer travel months. The official theme this year is, “Respect the zone so we all get home.” National Work Zone Awareness Week runs through April 25th.
Walgreens will pay hundreds of millions of dollars in what’s described as a landmark civil settlement. Middle District of Florida US Attorney Gregory Kehoe released a statement yesterday about Walgreens’ settlement with the federal government. The pharmacy chain agreed to pay 300 million dollars to resolve allegations it illegally filled millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids. That violated the Controlled Substances Act. Walgreens is also accused of violating the False Claims Act by trying to get Medicare and other federal health care programs to pay for the invalid prescriptions. Kehoe says the settlement confirms the high priority his office has placed upon confronting those responsible for the opioid crisis here.