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Digest

Crime journal

By TIMES WIRES
Published April 5, 2007

TAMPA

PAIR ARRESTED IN LAPTOP THEFT AT SAM'S CLUB

Hillsborough sheriff's deputies have arrested two people accused of stealing a laptop from a Sam's Club, then sneaking it out of the store in a child's stroller. Paul J. Brock, 22, who is homeless, and his girlfriend, Jeannette I. Tuten, 24, of 4511 Land O'Lakes Blvd., Apt. 8, were arrested at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday after deputies released video of the couple from the store's surveillance cameras, deputies say. Brock faces charges of grand theft, dealing in stolen property and failing to appear for traffic charges, jail records show. He was held at the Hillsborough County jail Wednesday on $10,226 bail. Tuten faces charges of grand theft, dealing in stolen property and violating probation, records show. She was held without bail.

PINELLAS PARK

Teacher accused of DUI at school

A Cross Bayou Elementary teacher was arrested Wednesday morning at the school, 6886 102nd Ave. N, on a charge of driving under the influence, according to jail records. Mabel Miller Watson, 54, was taken into custody by Pinellas Park police before 11 a.m. Pinellas County School District spokeswoman Andrea Zahn said the students were in their classrooms and did not witness the arrest. Watson was booked into the Pinellas County Jail and was released Wednesday night.

ST. PETERSBURG

Police seek man in assault of jogger

Police are searching for a man who sexually assaulted a 45-year-old jogger Monday night near 17th Avenue and Beach Drive SE. The man approached the woman from behind and forced her into an alley with a steak knife, police said. The man is between 17 and 24 years old, and has a heavy build, close-cut Afro and puffy cheeks, police said. He wore black shorts and a black polo shirt with an oval emblem and lettering that resembled the word "Dickies."

Elsewhere

OFFICER, DRIVER, DOG INJURED: A Clearwater police officer, his police dog and the driver of a sport utility vehicle were all injured in a collision Wednesday at Rainbow Drive and Hercules Avenue. Although he was hurt, Officer Scott Dawson radioed for help. David Brent Lloyd, 44, of Clearwater was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, where he was in critical condition. Dawson was in fair condition. Koa, his German shepherd, also suffered injuries in the crash but was expected to survive.

100 CATS REMOVED: Clearwater authorities Wednesday condemned a house and removed a 57-year-old woman, her elderly mother and more than 100 cats. The younger woman was hospitalized under the state's Baker Act. A Pinellas Animal Services field manager said 20 cats appeared to be in fairly good health. The SPCA was going to take 40 cats, leaving Animal Services with the others.

[Last modified April 5, 2007, 01:26:20]