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Crime journal

By TIMES WIRES
Published April 10, 2007

Sex offender faces molestation charge

TAMPA - Police arrested a registered sex offender Monday afternoon on charges that he bought alcohol for a minor relative and her friend, and then molested them. Mark Allen Browder, 36, bought wine coolers for the girls and watched them drink them, according to police. Then he persuaded them to fondle each other while fully clothed. He drove both to a motel and tried to get them to continue, telling them he would stop touching them if they touched each other, police say. Browder of 1922 N 59th St. faces charges of lewd and lascivious molestation. In 2000, he was convicted of sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation on a person younger than 16. He was imprisoned for six years and was released in August.

Police investigate drive-by shooting

DADE CITY - Pasco County deputies and Dade City police are investigating an apparent drive-by shooting that wounded a 46-year-old man early Sunday. Charles Lee Jr. was found bleeding after being hit by several gunshots, according to the Pasco Sheriff's Office. He is critical condition at Tampa General Hospital,.

Passenger dies in three-vehicle wreck

PALM HARBOR - A three-vehicle accident about 1 p.m. Monday claimed the life of a 57-year-old woman, injured her daughter and stalled traffic for about an hour at U.S. 19 and Tampa Road, authorities said. Patricia Pitts died after the 2001 Honda her daughter Rachel was driving south on U.S. 19 hit another car while trying to change lanes, according to the Florida Highway Patrol and Palm Harbor Fire Rescue. Rachel E. Pitts, 23, of Tampa was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, where she is listed in good condition, said a hospital spokesman.

Homeless man jailed in stabbing

NEW PORT RICHEY - A 44-year-old homeless man was charged Sunday with attempted murder after authorities said he stabbed an acquaintance in the abdomen last week after an argument. Richard Williams, 30, lost a large amount of blood and was flown to Bayfront Medical Center. He identified his attacker from a photo lineup. Juan Rivera is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail at the Land O'Lakes Detention Center.

[Last modified April 10, 2007, 00:43:24]