Detectives search for victim's truck

Officials believe whoever killed a Palm Harbor man has his missing Ford Bronco.

[Times photo: John Pendygraft] Crime scene tape remains in place Monday around the perimeter of a house at 2950 Tangerine Ter. in Palm Harbor.

By ROBERT FARLEY

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 4, 2000

PALM HARBOR -- Sheriff's deputies on Monday released a picture of Joseph F. Hart and his 1994 Ford Bronco in hopes they might trigger a public response that could help solve the mystery surrounding Hart's death.

Hart, 61, was found dead in his home at 2950 Tangerine Ter. on Saturday afternoon. His Bronco was missing. Detectives believe whoever killed Hart also stole the Bronco, said Pinellas County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Greg Tita.

"If someone saw that vehicle leave the subdivision other than Mr. Hart, we'd like to talk to them," Tita said.

Detectives also would like to know where the black Bronco, license plate number UBW99T, is now.

The sheriff's office remained tight-lipped Monday about details of the homicide, including the cause of death. That information could prove useful in an interrogation, Tita said.

"Only the bad guy actually knows that right now," Tita said.

Crime scene tape remained draped around the perimeter of the property on Monday as forensics deputies continued to scour the house for blood traces and other possible clues.

Tita said detectives also continued to interview friends and acquaintances in hopes of pinning down where Hart went Friday night.

Hart's former roommate, James Loose, 25, told deputies Hart said Friday evening he planned to meet someone that night, but Loose didn't know who. Loose returned to the home Saturday at about 2:45 p.m. and found Hart dead.

Detectives are not considering Loose, who has an alibi for Friday evening and early Saturday, as a suspect in the homicide. However, he was jailed Saturday on an arrest warrant from a worthless check charge. He was released from jail early Sunday morning after posting $500 bail, but could not be reached for comment.

Dean Crislip, a friend of Hart's for 18 years, said Hart told him a week ago about some new friendships he had developed recently.

"He was happy to have made some new friends," Crislip said. ". . . I'd like to know who those people are."

Although generally a private person, Hart often opened his home to friends, Crislip said.

"He had an open-door policy with people," Crislip said.

Hart, a divorced father with two adult sons, poured himself into his own business, Sana-Med Inc., a medical and pharmaceuticals distribution firm, Crislip said. He worked mostly from his home.

"He didn't go out that much," Crislip said. "He was pretty much a homebody."

He also was a loving father, Crislip said, who loved taking his sons out in his boat to go fishing and scuba diving.

"I can't imagine anyone would want to do him harm," Crislip said. "I can't imagine him having any enemies . . . He was a devoted father who would do anything for anyone in need."

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