Police reports

By Times staff reports

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 27, 2001

Burglars take registers, cash from produce stands

ZEPHYRHILLS -- Burglaries at two local produce stands over the weekend have sheriff's deputies searching for the thieves.

The first occurred sometime after Robert Badia, owner of Rob's Produce at 6815 Gall Blvd., left his stand about 8 a.m. because of a family medical problem, a report stated.

Because it was an emergency, Badia headed out of town and left the produce stand unlocked and unattended.

He returned Sunday to find several cash registers, a weighing scale, display items and produce missing. In all, the value of the stolen merchandise exceeded $3,000.

John Lenske, who lives across the street from the produce stand, videotaped several suspects taking the produce. Deputies obtained the videotape, including one suspect with a Michigan license plate, and are investigating leads.

Just down the road, clerk Vivian Johns arrived Sunday to find Faye's Produce, 38441 First Ave., also victim to burglary.

Johns told deputies she had closed and locked the store at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Thieves apparently kicked open the back door and stole a 19-inch color television, a cash register and cash. The total loss was estimated about $120. Deputies have no suspects in the case.

It was unclear Monday whether the two burglaries were related.

Beaten carnival worker still critical

HUDSON -- A carnival worker beaten unconscious with a board over the weekend remained in critical condition Monday at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.

Lance Storeygard, 52, was unresponsive when he was found Saturday morning in a lot at U.S. 19 and Beacon Woods Drive, where Farrow Amusements had set up carnival rides.

A co-worker, Robert Ludwig, told Pasco sheriff's deputies that he hit Storeygard in the head repeatedly with a 2-by-4 after the two argued at a local bar over jukebox selections. Ludwig said Storeygard attacked him first.

Ludwig was charged with attempted second-degree murder. He was held Monday at the county jail in Land O'Lakes in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Port Richey man charged in hit-and-run

TARPON SPRINGS -- Tarpon Springs police Sunday charged a Pasco County man in a hit-and-run accident in which an officer on a marked police bicycle was struck by a pickup truck last month. Police said Maverick W. Symonette, 37, of 10215 Old Hickory Lane, Port Richey, was illegally dumping drywall on Tarpon Avenue on Feb. 26 when Officer Derek Anderson approached him and identified himself as a police officer. Symonette got into his blue Ford pickup and accelerated toward Anderson, who backed away, police said. The front of the truck hit the bicycle, which struck Anderson in the right knee and forced him to the ground. Anderson suffered minor injuries to his knee. Police said Symonette drove away and was arrested Sunday. He was charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a vehicle, reckless driving, refusal to sign citations, failure to obey a police officer and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries. He was being held Monday at the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $55,750 bail.

Man threw wrench at girl, deputies say

PORT RICHEY -- A Port Richey man was arrested Sunday on charges that he threw a wrench at a 12-year-old girl, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office reported.

Andrew William Hrywnak, 37, 6620 Butch St. was charged with felony child abuse.

According to reports, Hrywnak admitted throwing the 6-inch wrench at the girl, striking her buttocks. He also admitted slapping and kicking the girl, whose relationship with Hrywnak was not disclosed by the Sheriff's Office.

Hrywnak said he had consumed three quarts of "Bull Ice" beer and was angry with the girl because she called him a "bastard," according to reports.

The girl was not seriously injured in the incident and Hrywnak was released Monday on his own recognizance.

Boy says carload of teens robbed him

MOON LAKE -- A 16-year-old Hudson boy told authorities that a carload of teenagers robbed him of $44 on Saturday night as he rode his bike home from a friend's house, the Sheriff's Office reported.

The victim said he was riding his bicycle along Lake Drive about 10 p.m., behind the Winn-Dixie, when four teenagers jumped out of a blue Cadillac and pushed him to the ground.

The suspects -- described as 16-year-old boys -- took $44 from the victim's wallet and drove north toward State Road 52.

No arrests have been made in the case.

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