Palm Beach County
MAN SHOT
When Toney Moore Jr. , 22, and a friend went to a location in the 1800 block of Northwest 15th Vista allegedly to buy marijuana last Friday night, things went wrong. When the drug dealer approached the car they were in, an argument åensued and Moore was shot. They sped off and called police. Moore was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for his injuries, which he is expected to survive. Authorities are asking anyone with information to call Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers at 800-458-8477.
COLLEGE THREATS
Anthony Joseph Mastrippolito, 34, of Fort Lauderdale, has been arrested and charged with threatening to kill a Florida Atlantic University dean. FAU police allege Mastrippolito repeatedly harassed the dean and left death threats on his voicemail after being banned from the campus following repeated incidents of alleged trespassing. He was booked into Palm Beach County Jail on aggravated stalking and other charges. It was his 19th arrest, according to state records.
Broward County
NEW PASTOR
A search committee at Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Pompano Beach selected the Rev. Norman Freeman Jr. as the new senior pastor. Freeman’s installation took place this week before a packed congregation. He previously served as pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Homestead. Congratulations.
CYPRESS COVE SHOOTING
Three men and one woman were shot Friday night in Margate. The shooting occurred in the quiet, gated Cypress Cove community located in the 7400 block of Santa Monica Drive. All the victims were listed in critical condition and few other details have been released. Cypress Cove is home to a number of police officers. Anyone with information is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
MEDICAL BREACH
Federal authorities have informed officials of Broward Health Medical Center, 1600 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, that a former employee stole records called “face sheets” containing about 1,000 patients’ personal data. No other specifics have been provided about the breach, which was discovered by local and federal authorities. There is no word on what prompted the investigation.
ACCUSED COACH
Tomas Portuondo of Pembroke Pines was charged with 11 counts of child molestation-related charges on a child the age of 16. He is a coach at a youth basketball league and the friend of the alleged victim’s family. Police used text messages and other evidence to solidify their case against Portuondo. Police said the child told authorities he began molesting her in 2010 when she was 11. Police are asking anyone with information to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
Miami-Dade County
MAYORAL MADNESS
New information has emerged on another matter concerning Michael Pizzi, who was arrested on federal corruption charges and ousted as Miami Lakes mayor. Pizzi allegedly sought to have drugs planted on then Councilman Richard Pulido, with whom he was at odds, or sabotage his car. He allegedly promised to pay $100,000. The information emerged from a wiretap worn by one of Pizzi’s friends. No charges were filed in this investigation.
EARLY VOTING
Early voting has begun in Miami-Dade County. On the ballot are special elections, municipal primary run-offs in Hialeah, Homestead, Miami, and Miami Beach. There are also referendums, including a proposed bond measure to provide funding to modernize the Jackson Health System. It’s an important election.
BURGER MOVES
Miami-based Burger King is replacing its global chief marketing officer, Flavia Faugeres, but has not revealed the reasons she is being ousted effective the beginning of the year. Axel Schwan, vice president of marketing and communications in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, has been named her successor.
COLLEGE CHIEF CHARGED
Dade Medical College President Ernesto Perez has been charged with perjury and other crimes related to his alleged lying about his criminal record. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle’s office said Perez lied when he applied for a seat on the state Commission on Independent Education and during a process to have his criminal record expunged. Perez served time for convictions in Wisconsin for battery and exposing himself to a child, under his former name, Rhett O’Neil. Perez is also under investigation related to a campaign donation he made to former Homestead Mayor Steve Bateman.
Monroe County
GRIFTERS ARRESTED
Tamara Asada, 41, and Robert Pearl, 40, believed to be her husband, are under arrest. Asada has already been convicted on fraud-related charges. They were arrested related to the alleged use of fake driver’s licenses to obtain jobs as managers at Gilbert’s Resort in Key Largo. Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Luis Garcia sentenced Asada to 364 days in jail. Pearl has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, including possession of child pornography. The authorities said the couple is actually a pair of con-artists who have used schemes to defraud officials in North Carolina and Indiana. They allegedly used the last name “Trotter” to make away with hundreds of thousands of dollars from governmental agencies and investors.
ALLEGED POACHERS
James Evan Mooneyham, 48, and James Michael-Milas Redden, 43, both of Madeira Beach, are charged with fishing inside protected waters in the Dry Tortugas. According to authorities, they said they believed the law was not being enforced due to the government shutdown. They were so wrong. Book’em, Danno!
WOMAN GOES WILD
Jean Annis, 40, is facing criminal charges after she allegedly pushed an intoxicated ex-girlfriend out of her moving Jeep during an argument. Monroe County Sheriff’s officials said the two had gone out for drinks in an effort to patch up their relationship. While on the way home, they argued over text messages the ex-girlfriend received from another woman. Annis then began beating her ex-girlfriend and eventually pushed her from the Jeep, officers said. The woman survived and was able to walk home, where she called police and was rushed to a hospital. She suffered broken bones in her face and a hand and other injuries.
No Comment