Digest

Hit-run driver caught after eluding deputy

By TIMES STAFF
Published August 2, 2007

PORT RICHEY

A hit-and-run driver escaped from a chasing deputy, crashed into a house and took off on foot before he was caught by an alert citizen, according to a sheriff's report.

At about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, David John Caron, 46, of 1815 Hatteras Ave., Hudson, ran a stop sign in front of a deputy and led the deputy on a chase that approached speeds of 75 mph, the report said.

Shortly after the deputy's supervisor cancelled the pursuit, Caron smashed into a house at 11621 Crystal Lake Drive, the report said. Darrell Fitts, a witness, saw Caron get out and run. Fitts chased Caron and caught him in the parking lot near the Travelodge motel, the report said. Caron was charged with fleeing to elude, DUI, driving while license is suspended or revoked and leaving the scene of an accident. He was held Wednesday in the Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of $8,500 bail.

Sex offender charged in rape of woman, 20

An unregistered sex offender from New York raped and bruised a 20-year-old woman early Tuesday morning, authorities said. Joseph Michael Cote, 32, of 9220 Unicorn Ave. in Port Richey, was arrested by a detective from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office Tuesday night and charged with sexual battery. He was held Wednesday at the Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.

According to the detective's report, Cote admitted to having sex with the woman, but said it was consensual. He was declared a sex offender in New York but failed to register when he moved to Florida, authorities said.

TRINITY

Familiar bank robber may have hit again

A robber walked into the GTE Federal Credit Union at 10848 State Road 54 just after 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, showed the teller a knife and got away with an undisclosed sum of money, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

The suspect was seen driving a green sedan, probably a Honda, and wearing a khaki shirt, khaki pants and a khaki hat, the sheriff's office reported. The description is similar to that of someone suspected in at least four other bank robberies in Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

Anyone with information may call the Sheriff's Office toll-free at 1-800-706-2488.

[Last modified August 2, 2007, 08:17:32]