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Letter to the editor

Crime journal

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 9, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG

Police officer disciplined for RUDE actions

A St. Petersburg Police Department disciplinary board cited a police officer on Thursday for yelling profanities at other police officers and hotel employees while staying in Daytona Beach last November. A Chain of Command board found that Ronald Targaszewski, 37, drank various alcoholic beverages before acting in a rude manner with hotel staff and local police who were investigating a phony fire alarm that one of his relatives may have set off. Because of his aggressive manner, including slamming a door in the face of police officers, Targaszewski and his family were kicked out of the hotel. Targaszewski, who has been with the department for almost a decade, received a warning, 15 days of unpaid suspension and a referral to the employee assistance program. He must also abstain from alcohol for 18 months and is subject to random alcohol testing.

BRANDON

Deputies search for thieves, puppy

Hillsborough sheriff's deputies are searching for someone who stole a $1,600 Yorkshire terrier puppy from a store in Brandon last Sunday. The suspects, a man and a woman, were captured on a surveillance camera at the All About Puppies store, 2124 W Brandon Blvd. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477.

ST. PETERSBURG

BayWalk patron robbed in garage

An 18-year-old man was robbed early Friday morning in the BayWalk parking garage, police said. Orve Johanssen, 18, was standing next to his car on the second floor of the garage when two men walked up and demanded his keys, cell phone and wallet, police said. One of the men had a handgun. Johanssen had been at Banbu and was about to head home about 2:37 a.m. After the robbers left, police said Johanssen eventually flagged down a passer-by and called 911. He says he could not identify the suspects.

INVERNESS

Murder-suicide victims identified

Citrus County officials have identified the victims in the murder-suicide that took place in the Highlands area Thursday. Investigators said Tara Nagri, 34, was shot to death about 6 p.m. in the driveway of 6156 E Devon Lane, where she was staying with relatives. Richard Glens Stephens, 35, of Lecanto was identified as the gunman. His body was also found in the driveway.Nagri and Stephens had dated years ago, prior to Stephens leaving Citrus County, officials said. He returned to the area in July 2007, authorities said. They are investigating the nature of the relationship. The medical examiner's office in Leesburg has autopsies scheduled today.

BROOKSVILLE

Woman accused of animal cruelty

A Hernando County woman faces charges of animal cruelty after a weeklong sheriff's investigation found that she neglected the care of 12 dogs, a cat and a Burmese python. Debra Ann Harmon, 53, was arrested Thursday evening on 14 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and booked into the Hernando County Jail. She was released Friday morning after posting $1,000 bail.

[Last modified February 8, 2008, 23:40:00]