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Police reports
By Times staff writer Police officer placed in mental health facilityA New Port Richey police officer who was involved in a domestic dispute with his estranged wife on Tuesday was placed in a mental health facility under the state's Baker Act, according to a Pasco County sheriff's report. Officer Vito Calderone, 30, has been suspended and his gun has been taken away until a supervisory review of the incident has been completed, said Capt. Darryl Garman of the New Port Richey police. It was unclear Wednesday whether the suspension would be paid or unpaid. The Baker Act empowers police to commit for a mental evaluation people who appear likely to harm themselves or others because of mental illness. According to a sheriff's report, Calderone's mother-in-law said the officer threatened to kill himself and his wife. Calderone's mother-in-law also works at the Police Department. The report states that Calderone denied making such a comment. He voluntarily checked himself into the Harbor Behavioral Health Care Institute. When he said he wanted to leave, deputies had him committed under the Baker Act. Calderone's wife, Angela, sought a domestic violence injunction against him on Wednesday, Garman said. Calderone could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. Guns stolen during break-in at ex-cop's homeSHADY HILLS -- The home of a retired Virginia police officer was broken into overnight Monday and at least four guns were stolen, the man told Pasco County sheriff's deputies. According to a deputy report, as many as nine guns may have been taken from the home on Aubrey Avenue. A burglar or burglars came into the house through a back window and ransacked two bedrooms, two bathrooms, the den and the laundry room, the report states. Deputies were investigating on Wednesday. Man charged with hitting another man with shovelHUDSON -- A man was arrested Tuesday after being accused of attacking another man with a shovel, Pasco County sheriff's deputies said. John Connolly, 56, suffered three cuts on his left leg from the attack, according to a deputy report. He said he was attacked by George Allen Alexander after Alexander was asked to leave the house he shares with Connolly and another woman at 15717 Madeline Drive, the report states. While being arrested, Alexander kicked one of the deputies in the leg, the report states. Alexander, 52, faces charges of aggravated battery, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest without violence. He was being held Wednesday at county jail in Land O'Lakes in lieu of $6,500 bail. Woman arrested after girl hit with coffee mugNEW PORT RICHEY -- A 46-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday, five days after Pasco County sheriff's deputies said she struck a 14-year-old girl in the face with a coffee mug. Michelle M. Massey of 5601 Leisure Lane in New Port Richey faces a charge of aggravated child abuse, according to a deputy report. The report states that about 8 a.m. on Oct. 17 Massey hit the girl over the left eye with a coffee mug, causing a deep cut. She was arguing with the girl at the time, the report states. Massey was released Wednesday from county jail in Land O'Lakes without having to post bail. Man arrested on charge of Medicaid fraudA New Port Richey man was arrested Tuesday after state investigators said he used the Medicaid number of another patient to obtain 6,900 oxycodone tablets between May and September. William Wenk, 57, faces a charge of Medicaid fraud, according to a report by the Florida Attorney General's Office. The report states that Wenk obtained $1,858 of the narcotic painkillers from four pharmacies. Wenk was released Tuesday from county jail in Land O'Lakes after posting $5,000 bail. Bayonet Point driver charged with DUINEW PORT RICHEY -- A driver who drove off Old Main Street on Oct. 13 and slammed into a workshop building near a home was arrested on Tuesday, New Port Richey police said. Christopher Roberts, 28, 1222 Bear Claw Loop in Bayonet Point, faces charges of driving under the influence and refusing a DUI test for a second time. About 9:15 p.m. on Oct. 13, Roberts drove into the structure at 6325 Old Main St., police said. Blood taken by workers at North Bay Hospital was tested and showed Roberts' blood alcohol level to be .214, according to New Port Richey police. But Roberts refused to give police a blood or urine test. Florida law presumes impairment at 0.08. Roberts was released Tuesday from county jail in Land O'Lakes after posting $500 bail.
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From today's Pasco Times Editorial Letters |
