Crime journal

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 18, 2008

TAMPA

Prince search shifts focus to driveway

Temple Terrace investigators used ground-penetrating radar on the driveway of a South Tampa home Thursday, as the search for Sandra Prince entered its seventh day. Detectives called GeoView Inc. in for testing at 3908 W Vasconia St., Temple Terrace spokesman Michael Dunn said. He would not say what prompted the latest radar search, but said the findings could determine how much longer investigators remain. Police have been searching beneath the foundation of a vacant two-story rental home for evidence of the Temple Terrace social worker. Detectives could be seen Thursday standing hip-deep in a hole just inside the front door. Erin Kimmerle, a visiting anthropology professor at the University of South Florida, was there. She helped lead a team of forensic anthropologists who sorted through 300 pounds of dirt obtained in a search at the home in October.

ST. PETERSBURG

Pregnant woman assaulted in park

A pregnant woman was sexually assaulted in Dell Holmes Park near Lake Maggiore on Wednesday evening. Police said the 18-year-old woman was sleeping on a park bench when a man came up to her and said: "This isn't going to hurt." The man then hit her on the head and sexually battered her, police said. Jack Crooks, a city custodian married to a St. Petersburg Times reporter, came across the woman around 6:30 p.m. He said she was visibly pregnant, and came up to him and said "help me" before collapsing. Police are searching for a white or Hispanic man in his 30s with shoulder-length, wavy, brown hair. Anyone with information can call (727) 893-7780.

TAMPA

Man accused of stealing $1-million

Police say a 47-year-old Wesley Chapel man stole more than $1-million by submitting invoices for fake companies to his employer, Quest Diagnostics. David A. Smith, 6143 Bridleford Drive, was arrested Thursday on a charge of grand theft, police say. Smith surrendered to a Tampa police detective and the U.S. Secret Service. He was booked into jail by the U.S. Marshals Service. Smith worked as a facilities manager for Quest Diagnostics at 4225 E Fowler Ave., where he was in charge of approving vendor invoices and turning them over to the corporate office for payment. Smith was fired in September 2007 after he forged his supervisor's name on an expense report, police say. Tampa police began looking at Smith, the fake companies, the invoices and bank records. Police say that beginning in January 2001, Smith stole $1,187,379 from Quest. A federal grand jury heard the case, and Smith was indicted on eight counts, police say.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Ex-lawyer awaits his fate in court

A former Pasco County lawyer pleaded no contest Thursday to charges that he stole almost $200,000 from his clients. David Olson, 59, faces 17 charges of grand theft. The most serious carries a sentence of 15 years in prison. Add the charges together - however unlikely he is to receive such a sentence - and the total is 105 years. "We expect he'll be treated like anyone else who steals money," said Assistant State Attorney James Goodnow.

[Last modified January 17, 2008, 23:46:38]