Digest

Apartment fire forces families out of 2 homes

By TIMES WIRES
Published July 20, 2007

TAMPA - Two families were displaced Thursday after a morning apartment fire caused extensive damage to two units. Fire crews from Tampa and Temple Terrace responded to the 10:50 a.m. blaze at 11312 N 52nd St., a two-story multiunit complex, Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade said. Smoke originated from a ground floor apartment, affecting the apartment directly above. The fire was under control within 12 minutes and was extinguished by 11:36 a.m. No one was injured. Investigators from the Tampa Fire Marshal's Office are trying to determine the cause and origin. Damage to the apartments is estimated to be at least $50,000.

Robbery suspect's photo is released

ST. PETERSBURG - Seeking the public's help, investigators on Thursday released a surveillance photograph of a man they say robbed two banks earlier this week. On Wednesday, the man walked into the Wachovia branch at 3131 66th St. N, handed the teller a note demanding money and left with an undisclosed amount of cash. He did the same thing at the Cornerstone Bank at 5800 38th Ave. N on Tuesday afternoon. In that case, he drove off in an early 1990s white Dodge car with four doors. He was described as a white man, mid 30s, between 5-feet-10 and 6 feet, with short brown hair. Anyone with information is asked to call St. Petersburg police at 893-7179.

Older couple, dog are found dead

ZEPHYRHILLS - People worried about an older couple asked Pasco deputies to check on them Thursday afternoon. Inside the trailer on Grace Avenue in the Betmar community, deputies found the man and woman were dead, as was a golden retriever. As of late Thursday, deputies had not released the names of the man and woman. But neighbors said the two were Bruce and Evelyn Aiken. Property records show the home at that address was owned by Bruce Aiken, 73. Geneva Williams, 85, lives down the street from the home. She said she had spoken to Bruce a few weeks ago. He told her his wife had Alzheimer's disease. He told her no one knew how bad it was. Deputies would not release the details of the deaths.

Woman surrenders in child abuse case

SPRING HILL - The woman accused of breaking a rib and fracturing the skull of a 3-year-old girl has turned herself in to authorities. Angela Valenzano, 31, surrendered Thursday at the Hernando County Jail, where she was being held without bail. She is charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse - accused of causing the girl great bodily harm and torturing her. Authorities had been looking for Valenzano after her boyfriend, Daniel Marvulli, 29, turned himself in Wednesday and was charged with being an accessory after the fact to the abuse. According to the sheriff's report, Marvulli took over custody of the girl after her biological mother was incarcerated.

[Last modified July 20, 2007, 00:05:51]