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Briefs

Three arrested in meth lab bust

By Wire services
Published April 22, 2006

DOVER - Deputies made three arrests following an early morning methamphetamine lab bust in a travel trailer.

Around 4:30 a.m Friday, authorities responded to neighbors' complaints about a strange smell and possible drug activity at 5407 Schmitz Lane in Dover. Sheriff's spokesman J.D. Callaway described the operation as small.

Arrested were Eric Dean, 37, of 2711 Savannah Drive in Plant City; Kari Ann Smith, 20, 3103 Williams Blvd. in Valrico; and Timothy Ray Brooks, 56, of 5421 State Road 60 in Dover.

They each face charges of manufacturing and possessing methamphetamine as well as possessing drug paraphernalia.

Dean is being held without bail, while Brooks and Smith each have bail set at $15,500.

Brooks, who public records show has a lengthy arrest record that includes drug convictions, is considered an escape risk, according to his arrest report.

TAMPA - Students and teachers who arrived at Sickles High School on Gunn Highway early Thursday were greeted by swastikas painted on the walls.

April 20 is the anniversary of Adolf Hitler's birth and the fatal shooting spree at Columbine High School in Colorado. School district officials suspect someone wanted to commemorate the day, perhaps as a prank.

"We just cleaned it up," district spokesman Stephen Hegarty said. "When there's graffiti, we just paint over it." No one has been arrested.

TAMPA - For a year, Vincent John Filippazzo worked with Bob Wilson Dodge as a wholesale car dealer. His job was to buy used cars from the dealership and resell them.

But while he was there, between June 2004 and June 2005, investigators say, he managed to steal titles to 38 vehicles - together valued at $490,600 - with the help of Chrystal Rose Stephenson, 31, the dealership's title clerk.

Deputies arrested Filippazzo and Stephenson on Thursday on multiple charges. Filippazzo, 10774 Danielle Drive, Largo, is charged with 83 crimes, including dozens of counts of grand theft as well as fraud and conspiracy to defraud.

Stephenson, of 2652 Kristi Court in Land O'Lakes, faces 42 charges. Investigators say Stephenson provided the titles to Filippazzo.

Now a billing clerk for Ferman Motor Co., Stephenson was being held Friday at Orient Road Jail on $438,000 bail, according to her arrest record. Filippazzo, also at Orient Road, is being held without bail.

[Last modified April 22, 2006, 01:38:14]