Woman struck as she tries to get help, police say

By Times staff writers

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 7, 2000

DADE CITY -- A 32-year-old man was arrested Friday after police said he struck his girlfriend and then battered her with the telephone when she tried to call for help.

Willie Andre Haynes of 13924 Morgan St. was charged with aggravated domestic battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, tampering with a state witness and resisting arrest without violence, police said.

Police said the defendant became enraged while his girlfriend was on the phone and punched her in the head.

As she dialed 911 in the family room, he pulled the phone away and hit her in the head with it, police said. Then he reportedly dragged her into the bedroom, where he began hitting her again.

Police said that when they arrived, he held her down on the bed and covered her mouth to keep her quiet.

After the officers left, the girlfriend called 911 again and fled to her mother's house, police said.

Haynes was arrested at the couple's house, police reported.

His girlfriend suffered cuts, bruises and swelling that will lead to permanent scarring, police said.

Haynes was being held Saturday in Land O'Lakes jail without bail because of a Hernando County warrant for failure to pay $2,443 in child support. To be released, he would have to pay the child support and post $176,513 bail for the other charges, which include a warrant for failure to appear in court on a charge of driving with a suspended license.

10-minute chase ends with woman's arrest

A 40-year-old woman ran a red light and forced another car off the road Thursday while leading a deputy on a 10-minute chase from Land O'Lakes into Hillsborough County, deputies said.

Kimberly Fox of 2010 Land O'Lakes Blvd. in Land O'Lakes was arrested and charged with fleeing police and driving without a license, deputies said. The deputy said he was trying to pull over Fox, who he knew did not have a license, when she fled, starting the chase during which the cars reached speeds of 80 mph.

The deputy said he was investigating a case involving Fox when he saw her in Sunrise Travel Trailer Park. He pulled behind her car at U.S. 41 and Leonard Road.

She did a U-turn, deputies said, and headed south on U.S. 41. The deputy approached Fox's red 1989 Toyota Celica while she was stopped at U.S. 41 and Lutz Lake Fern Road in Hillsborough County. As the light turned green, she sped away.

She sped through a red light at Crystal Lake, deputies said, and forced another car off the road on Nebraska Avenue.

After turning west on Bearss Avenue, she was blocked by a Hillsborough sheriff's deputy and arrested at the intersection of Bearss and Interstate 275, deputies said.

Fox was being held Saturday in Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of $10,500 bail.

Holiday man charged with domestic battery

HOLIDAY -- A 33-year-old man was arrested early Friday after deputies said he grabbed his girlfriend by the neck and threatened to kill her.

Charles Edward Durando of 4701 Trafford Road was charged with domestic battery, deputies said.

His girlfriend returned home Friday after being gone for several weeks, deputies said. Witnesses said Durando went into a rage, grabbing her, throwing her against the wall, breaking bottles and tossing furniture, according to deputies.

Durando said his girlfriend ran at him and he defended himself, deputies said.

Two friends who live with them called police. His girlfriend, who suffered cuts on her face and knee, said she did not want to press charges.

Durando was released Saturday after posting $250 bail.

Dade City man accused of punching 5-year-old

DADE CITY -- A 52-year-old man was arrested Friday and charged with child abuse, Pasco County sheriff's deputies said.

William James Hunt of 9508 Starline Drive allegedly punched a 5-year-old child, causing the child's nose to bleed and swell, deputies said.

Hunt was being held Saturday in Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of $7,000 bail.

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