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Hillsborough briefs

New of note

By Times Staff
Published September 2, 2006

Accident on I-275 leaves woman dead

TAMPA - An automobile crash on Interstate 275 near Sligh Avenue left one woman dead Friday night after the car she was driving became trapped under a piece of construction equipment, Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade said.

A white Nissan Maxima became wedged and crushed under the heavy machinery at about 8:25 p.m. The equipment was parked in the ditch on the far right side of southbound I-275 when the Maxima collided with it.

Tampa Fire Rescue crews were still working to try to extricate the woman from inside the vehicle late Friday. Her identity was not yet available.

No other injuries were reported. Wade said investigators believed the driver of the Maxima was the only person in the car at the time of the crash.

The accident prompted the Florida Highway Patrol to close the right and center lanes of southbound I-275. Wade reported traffic back-ups to the Bird Street exit as late at 9:35 p.m.

Man arrested on 26 child pornography charges

VALRICO - A search warrant conducted at 53-year-old Scott R. Havens' home turned up a white notebook containing multiple pictures of children posing in lewd positions with and without clothes.

The notebook, which was located under Havens' bed at 2203 Whitney Place in Valrico, contained plastic sleeves to protect the images.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said it appeared Havens downloaded the images from various Web sites. Investigators seized boxes of CDs and four computers.

Havens is charged with 26 counts of possessing child pornography. He was being held Friday night at Orient Road Jail in lieu of $52,000 bail.

Man held on kidnapping, battery, robbery charges

TAMPA - When Dorothy Rowe's grandnephew moved out of her home, she gave him $50.

Police say that wasn't enough for the man, who returned looking for more money. When Rowe refused to give him more money, he allegedly beat her, tied her up and locked her inside a shed in her back yard at 10616 N. 25th St.

Rowe, 80, managed to kick the door and bang it until she bent it. She crawled through a small opening and called 911. Police say Rowe was disoriented by the experience and wasn't sure how long she was locked in the shed, but they estimate she was captive for a few hours, said police spokeswoman Laura McElroy.

Police arrested Mark Allen Tiess, 38, in a parking lot at Fletcher and Florida avenues at 4:30 p.m. Friday. He was wanted on a warrant for charges of kidnapping, battery on a person 65 or older, robbery and false imprisonment.

Man charged with sexual battery, molestation

WIMAUMA - A 33-year-old Wimauma man was arrested Friday on charges he engaged in a sexual act with two girls under age 12.

Arturo Valdez, 33, of 10505 Sumner Road, touched the girls over and under their clothing, according to the charges. Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said he also told someone he touched the children.

He is charged with two counts of capital sexual battery and two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation.

Valdez is being held at Orient Road Jail without bail.

[Last modified September 2, 2006, 06:31:31]