PORT RICHEY - Sheriff's detectives are searching for a man who robbed a cabdriver at gunpoint on June 10.
Detectives said the man flagged down a Yellow Cab driver at about noon June 10 near U.S. 19 and Embassy Boulevard and asked for a ride to the Kash n' Karry at 9101 Little Road.
Once there, the man placed a silver semiautomatic handgun beneath the 44-year-old cabdriver's armpit and said, "Just give me the money," according to a sheriff's report. The man then directed the driver to take him to Regency Palms Apartments, where he ran away, deputies said.
The cabdriver described the robber as a white male, 18 to 21 years old, 120 to 140 pounds, 5 feet 10, clean shaven with dark hair. He wore a blue and white plaid shirt, black shorts and black shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Ken Astuto toll-free at 1-800-854-2862 ext. 7481.
Man charged with fleeing to elude state trooper
HOLIDAY - A 38-year-old New Port Richey man was arrested early Monday after authorities said he led a Florida Highway Patrol trooper on a high-speed chase through a residential area.
John M. Kjaer, 3111 Laird Drive, was arrested on charges of fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer and driving with a revoked license.
FHP trooper M.A. Hollis said he was traveling north on Grand Boulevard toward State Road 54 about 2 a.m. Monday when he saw a 2003 Chevrolet traveling south toward him. Hollis said the Chevy veered into his lane, causing Hollis to swerve into the woods.
Hollis said he turned around and tried to stop the Chevy, but the vehicle began traveling about 80 mph through a residential area along Moog Road. After several minutes, Kjaer stopped the Chevy, a report states.
He was transported to the Land O'Lakes jail and was released Monday on $12,500 bail, according to a jail spokeswoman.
Sheriff's Office is No. 2 in safety competition
PORT RICHEY - The Pasco County Sheriff's Office won second place in an annual Florida Law Enforcement Challenge competition, which recognizes traffic safety efforts and programs.
"I have to tell you, I'm thrilled," said Sgt. Erik Anthes, supervisor of the agency's traffic safety programs.
For the competition, the Sheriff's Office highlighted its participation in state safety belt and DUI enforcement campaigns, the agency's policies about traffic enforcement, as well as a lower number of fatalities and an increase in seat belt usage in the county.
As a reward, the Sheriff's Office received 12 new portable radar guns, valued at about $10,000, Anthes said.
"I'm proud we were able to do so well," he said.
The agency was judged against similar sized sheriff's offices, and larger ones, across Florida, Anthes said. Pasco County did not place in the 2001 competition, but took third in 2000, Anthes said.
12-foot-deep sinkhole forms near Hudson home
HUDSON - Firefighters investigated a report of a sinkhole Tuesday that opened at 7704 Willow Brook Court in Hudson.
They estimated that the sinkhole was about 6 feet across and 12 feet deep. No one was injured when the ground collapsed outside the home.
The homeowners late Tuesday were trying to contact their insurance agent and county officials to figure out the depth of the hole and how to repair the problem.
