Crime journal

By Times Wires
Published December 1, 2007

TAMPA

Brandon man faces 10 years for knockoffs

A Brandon man pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to selling knockoffs of Cartier and Rolex watches, Louis Vuitton handbags and Tiffany & Co. jewelry. Jason B. Register is facing up to 10 years in prison. His sentencing date is scheduled for Feb. 15. He remains free on bail until then. Federal officials filed a complaint against Register in December 2006 for trafficking in counterfeit goods. He offered replicas on faux luxury goods through his Web site, www.exquisite-styles.com. Cartier International took him to court in May 2006, asking a judge to issue a restraining order barring Register from selling anything resembling a Cartier product.

LARGO

Man arrested after standoff at home

A man who fired shots inside his home was taken into the custody of Pinellas County sheriff's deputies after a four-hour standoff with a SWAT team early Friday. Sheriff's Sgt. Jim Bordner said the incident began about 9:30 p.m. Thursday when deputies were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at a residence in the 9300 block of 89th Avenue. There, the SWAT team was called after Dennis Pestka, 32, fired from within his home, Bordner said, prompting the evacuation of five nearby homes. About 1:45 a.m. Friday, Bordner said, SWAT team members approached the home in an armored rescue vehicle and ordered Pestka to surrender. He did and was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation.

BROOKSVILLE

Subway thief gets cash, paychecks

Employee paychecks, cash from sales and a safe valued at $1,000 were stolen Thursday night from the Subway restaurant at Cortez and Mariner boulevards. The store owner, Donni Norman, noticed the theft when she arrived at 7 a.m. Friday to begin baking bread. Norman stopped payment on the missing checks and managed to get new ones made, so her employees were still paid Friday.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Man, 41, killed in crash on U.S. 19

A 41-year-old Port Richey man died Thursday night in a crash on U.S. 19. New Port Richey police say Kevin M. Osborne was southbound in a 1999 Ford Explorer when he collided with a 1997 Jeep Cherokee driven by Tyler Buchholtz, 23, of Spring Hill, also driving south. Osborne lost control and was ejected as his Explorer rolled over.

[Last modified November 30, 2007, 23:23:34]