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The Citrus Springs man says he entered a house to steal food and took a gun for protection. He's charged with burglary.
By CARRIE JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 12, 2002
INVERNESS -- A Citrus Springs man was arrested Sunday after authorities accused him of breaking into a home and swiping a rifle, a box of Pop-Tarts and $215.
Wesley Robert Dunn, 19, 3488 E Hilltop Loop was being held Monday on one count each of burglary, grand theft and possession of a firearm.
Citrus County sheriff's deputies were called to the boat ramp on Tsala Apopka Drive about 8 p.m. Sunday after Dunn's cousin informed them that Dunn had stolen a gun and fired it, according to an arrest report.
Dunn was found walking along Tsala Apopka Drive toward N Speckled Perch Terrace. After he was picked up by authorities, Dunn said he had entered a home on Tsala Apopka through a sliding glass door and stolen a box of Pop-Tarts because he had not eaten in a few days and was hungry, according to the arrest report.
Dunn also told deputies he needed to take the weapon from the house for protection. He was taken to the Citrus County jail, where he was held in lieu of $37,000 bail. Dunn remained behind bars Monday evening.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, this is not the first time Dunn has been in trouble with the law.
He was charged with discharging a firearm on school property in 1998 and burglary and criminal mischief earlier this year, FDLE records showed.
In other police news, the Brooksville man killed in a car wreck Friday at U.S. 19 and U.S. 98 has been identified as James Hemphill, 31.
Hemphill was driving north on U.S. 19 with his wife, Glenda, and three young children when a driver in a silver minivan smashed into the side of his pickup truck while attempting to make a left turn onto U.S. 98, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.
The driver, Rosemary Brockett, 71, of Homosassa was charged with making a left turn into opposing traffic, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Cloud said.
Glenda Hemphill and her two youngest children, 6-year-old Jonathan and 4-year-old Rachel, were airlifted to Tampa General Hospital after the 8:30 a.m. crash. As of Monday evening, Glenda and Jonathan Hemphill had been released from the hospital. Rachel was listed in fair condition, a hospital spokesman said.
The third child, 7-year-old James, was taken to Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville, where he was treated and released Friday.
-- Carrie Johnson can be reached at 860-7309 or cjohnson@sptimes.com .