Police reports

By Times staff reports

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 20, 2001

Angry robber leaves without cash

ZEPHYRHILLS -- A late-night armed robbery at Papa John's Pizza left two employees startled, but there were no injuries or money taken, police said.

Employee Matthew Knowles told police that he was leaving through the store's front door at 2:45 a.m. Saturday after closing when a man with a black and chrome semiautomatic handgun grabbed the door. The man yelled at him to get back inside the store, which is at 7250 Gall Blvd.

The gunman then yelled at Knowles and assistant manager Dawn Gourlay and demanded the night deposit. He led Gourlay at gunpoint to the store safe and told her to open it. She told the gunman she couldn't open it, said Zephyrhills Police Capt. Richard Scudder. The gunman got angry and ran out the front door, Scudder said.

The two employees described the gunman as a white man, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, about 210 to 230 pounds. They said he was wearing a long-sleeve maroon shirt, black jeans and a black knit cap covering the top of his head. He also had a day's growth of beard. Scudder said police had no suspects as of Monday.

One-car accident claims man’s life

A 42-year-old Zephyrhills man died Sunday night during a one-car accident on Morris Bridge Road in Hillsborough County.

Robert James Donoughe of 36631 Chancey Road was driving north on Morris Bridge Road about 11:20 p.m. when he lost control of his 1994 Nissan for an unknown reason, according to a Hillsborough County sheriff's report. The car hit a cable box and then a power pole. The investigation is continuing.

Crash kills Canadian retiree, injures three

ZEPHYRHILLS -- A Friday afternoon crash at 12th Avenue and Sixth Street left a Canadian retiree dead and several other people injured, according to Zephyrhills Police Capt. Richard Scudder.

The accident happened at 1:18 p.m. when Minnie Evelyn Midmer, 81, of 36918 Sing-a-long Drive was heading west on 12th Avenue with her husband, Arthur William Walter Midmer, 86. Authorities say she failed to yield the right-of-way. She crossed into the intersection in the couple's 1994 Buick and was struck in the passenger's side by a 1998 Chevrolet driven by Donald Newton, 65, of 37240 Demolay St. Newton's wife, Barbara, 68, also was in the car.

Arthur Midmer of Ontario, Canada, was taken to East Pasco Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead about 2:20 p.m., Scudder said.

Both Minnie Midmer and Barbara Newton were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, where they remained in stable condition Monday, Scudder said. Donald Newton sustained only minor injuries in the crash. Scudder said Minnie Midmer would be cited for failure to yield the right-of-way.

Fire damages home but family escapes

SHADY HILLS -- A fire that forced a family of seven out of their Bosley Drive home on Monday afternoon is under investigation, authorities said.

Pasco Fire Rescue was called to the home at 16339 Bosley Drive at 12:09 p.m. Chief James Higgins said a combination of fire, smoke and water damage made the home uninhabitable.

He said the parents and their five young children were home at the time of the fire but left the building. No one was hurt.

Higgins said the fire was extinguished at 12:25 p.m. A total of 13 firefighters from Spring Hill Fire Rescue and Pasco Fire Rescue responded to the scene.

The homeowners declined to talk to a reporter.

Hudson man missing for more than week

HUDSON -- Pasco County sheriff's deputies are searching for a 54-year-old man missing since Feb. 12.

William Charles McAllister of 15105 Dayton Drive in Hudson has a history of heart attacks and has emphysema, authorities said.

His former wife said she talked to him at 12:15 p.m Feb. 12. He did not meet a friend for lunch later that day and left the house without his wallet, keys, hat or water bottle, all items he normally takes when he leaves the house.

On Friday, McAllister's former wife found a note addressed to her. "I am sorry I can't grow old with you, but I am sick and tired of feeling bad all the time," the note from McAllister stated.

McAllister does not have a history of leaving unexpectedly, family members said.

Deputies have searched the woods near McAllister's home and have used a helicopter to check the areas.

McAllister is 6 feet, 7 inches, about 200 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. He wears glasses and has multiple scars on his body.

If anyone has seen McAllister, call Detective Allen Proctor at (800) 854-2862, ext. 5115; or call McAllister's family at (727) 808-6388.

18-year-old accused of drug possession

NEW PORT RICHEY -- An 18-year-old Clearwater man was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of crack cocaine after a traffic stop at 4 a.m. Sunday, police said.

A New Port Richey officer clocked a pickup truck driving 80 in a 45 mph zone near the intersection of Green Key Road and U.S. 19.

The officer stopped the truck near U.S. 19 and Bellview Avenue. The officer noticed a strong smell of alcohol on the driver, later identified as Joshua Ryan Whittle of 2266 Manor Court, Clearwater, authorities said.

The officer also found 0.8 ounces of marijuana and seven pieces of crack cocaine in the truck, a report said.

Whittle was released Sunday afternoon from the county jail in Land O'Lakes on $20,500 bail.

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