Digest

Crime journal

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 11, 2007

TAMPA

Beaten realtor receives threat in the mail

A man accused of beating and robbing a Realtor in St. Petersburg now is charged with witness tampering and making written threats to kill. James Parcher, 27, in jail since May 2006, sent his father manila envelopes of letters containing threats, officials said. He instructed his father to mail them without looking at the names and addresses, Hillsborough sheriff's reports state. The real estate agent, Julie Roberts, received a two-page letter in November. The writer gave her a deadline to change her story. "We are going to finish you if you don't recant your lies," the letter said. Parcher was back in Hillsborough court this month on another tampering charge. Circuit Judge Walter Heinrich wasn't amused. "Looks like you're never getting out of jail," he said.

ODESSA

Bike hits speeds near 140 mph

A Florida Highway Patrol aircraft helped catch a motorcyclist who led officers on a chase across Pasco County at speeds near 140 mph. It began around noon on State Road 54 near Odessa when the FHP aircraft measured the 2005 Suzuki sport bike's speed at 90 mph in a 55 mph zone, the arrest report said. When a trooper in a patrol car tried to pull him over, Jermaine L. Coachman, 32, of 6738 Elm Court, Tampa, accelerated. The patrol car gave up the chase for safety reasons. But the airplane followed. When he finally tried to go south on the Suncoast Parkway, troopers were waiting for him. Coachman faces charges of aggravated fleeing, reckless driving and no motorcycle endorsement. He was held in the Land O'Lakes jail Wednesday in lieu of $6,000 bail.

WESLEY CHAPEL

Brothers charged in 150 car break-ins

Pasco deputies arrested two brothers Tuesday, saying they believe they are behind at least 150 car burglaries in Wesley Chapel. Michael Edwards, 19, and Adam Edwards, 21, both of Seffner, told deputies they broke into vehicles parked in the Palm Cove subdivision in July. Michael Edwards is also charged with breaking into cars on Middleground Loop in April. Michael Edwards was held in lieu of $135,000 bail; Adam Edwards' bail was set at $46,000.

[Last modified October 11, 2007, 07:20:45]