Briefs: Ormond Beach resident killed crossing U.S. 19

By Times staff writers

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 31, 2000

PALM HARBOR -- A 37-year-old Ormond Beach resident was killed Saturday night while trying to walk across U.S. 19.

Henry G. Coyle walked into the path of a 1992 Dodge Caravan when he tried to cross the northbound lanes from the east side of U.S. 19 north of Country Grove Boulevard at 11:44 p.m. The driver of the Dodge, Mark M. Wilson, 18, of Safety Harbor could not avoid hitting Coyle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Wilson and his passenger, Joshua L. Freiesleben, 18, of Safety Harbor, were uninjured. No charges have been filed.

Sandwich shop worker shot in armed robbery

TAMPA -- A Subway employee was shot Saturday night during an armed robbery at the sandwich shop on W Hillsborough Avenue.

Robert Lee, 28, was taken to St. Joseph Hospital, where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the right leg and released.

Saturday night, a man entered the restaurant with a dark scarf wrapped around his face, Tampa police said. He pointed a chrome revolver at Lee and demanded money from the register. After Lee handed the man an undisclosed amount, the man shot Lee and fled, police said.

Police say they are looking for a man with a medium build, between 18 and 25 years old. He was said to be wearing a dark sweat shirt and pants, with the dark scarf around his face.

Police arrest transient in 2 Clearwater robberies

CLEARWATER -- A 36-year-old transient was arrested late Saturday in connection with two Clearwater robberies.

The first occurred at 1:47 p.m. Thursday, when police say Donald Edward Evans entered the Republic Bank at 1831 Highland Ave. N and told the teller to hand over $4,000. He was not armed and did not pretend to have a weapon, police say, and after the teller gave him money, he ran to his nearby parked car and left.

He was arrested two days later during a botched robbery attempt at Rent-a-Center, 21311 U.S. 19. According to police reports, Evans approached the manager, Donald Johnson, and asked to see some of the store's stereos. When Johnson took him to a back room, Evans displayed a large wrench and said, "This is a robbery," and "Give me the money," according to arrest affidavits.

After a struggle, Evans was detained at Rent-a-Center until Clearwater police arrived. Evans, a transient originally from Kentucky, was being held at the Pinellas County Jail on $70,000 bail.

Clearwater man accused of raping 16-year-old girl

CLEARWATER -- A Clearwater man has been charged with two counts of sexual battery against a 16-year-old girl.

William G. Alianell of 907 Jones St. in Clearwater is accused of raping the girl in his home Saturday morning, his 28th birthday.

After the rape, she escaped and fled, suffering a few bruises and a bump on the head. Alianell was arrested at 11 p.m. Saturday. He was being held at the Pinellas County Jail on $100,000 bail.

2-year-old Northdale child's death investigated

TAMPA -- Authorities are investigating the unexplained death of a 2-year-old Northdale child.

Shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday, Hillsborough Sheriff's Office deputies were called to 4208 Woodlark Drive in Northdale, the suburban home of Brian and Crystal Chan. There, they found the dead child, who is not being identified.

The medical examiner will perform an autopsy. Authorities said that although foul play is not suspected in the child's death, autopsies are performed in all unexplained deaths.

Town house fire kills cat, causes $50,000 in damage

TAMPA -- A fire at a Bayshore Boulevard town house Sunday morning injured no one but took the life of a cat and caused $50,000 in damage, fire officials said.

The fire started just before 11 a.m. at 2525 Bayshore Blvd. in one room used as an office in the town house, situated at the north end of the complex. The owner, 57-year-old Clarence McKee, was not home during the fire.

The Tampa fire marshal said that the fire was caused by a lamp that had been knocked over, possibly by McKee's cat.

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