Bradenton: Private Farm Property, Vehicles Destroyed by Arson

Date: July 22, 2009

In the late hours of 07/22/09, or early morning on 07/23/09, an unknown suspect(s) drove a farming tractor into a pickup truck parked at the private residence of Victim George Clark, Jr. The suspect(s) set fire to both the damaged vehicle, a nearby van and tractor. Each of the burned vehicles/equipment were destroyed by the fire. Additional tractors in the vicinity were also damanged by the extreme heat from the vehicle arson as well as extensive equipment and property damage.

Manatee: Pregnant Woman Murdered

Date: July 12, 2009

UPDATE: Everrick Houston and Gregory Kennon have been arrested and are in custody. A third suspect is still being sought

At approximately 1:20 Sunday morning, July 12, 2009, deputies responded to a shooting at DeSoto Village Apartments located at 3810 5th St. E., Bradenton. When deputies arrived, they determined that 2-3 unknown Black male suspects kicked in the front door of the apartment and began shooting. One of the residents, Crystal Johnson, 19, a White female, was shot as she exited her bedroom to see what was going on. There were three other subjects in the residence at the time of the shooting: Susan Moore, the victim’s mother, 46; Britney Johnson, the victim’s sister, 22; and Lawrence Funsch, the victim’s boyfriend, 21.

During the incident, Funsch returned fire and detectives believe at least one of the suspects was shot.

A short time after the incident, detectives learned that a person was brought to Manatee Memorial Hospital suffering from a gunshot wound. That person has been identified as Everrick Houston, 28. According to Manatee County court records, Houston has several prior felony and misdemeanor arrests. At this time, no arrests have been made; the investigation continues. The motive is unclear; however, detectives do not believe the incident was a random act.

Manatee: Double Homicide, Detectives Suspect Gang Activity

Date: July 3, 2009

According to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, two young Hispanic men, were gunned down Friday night, July 3, 2009, shortly after 9 p.m. in the 1100 block of 59th Avenue Drive East, Bradenton. Detectives believe the crime was gang-related. Crime scene in the 1100 block of 59th Avenue Drive East, Bradenton
Upon arrival of deputies, two Hispanic males were seen lying in the roadway, unresponsive. The victims from the double murder have been identified as Irwin Figuero, 18, and Rubin Gonzalez Garduno, 18.

Witnesses tell detectives that the two victims were walking west bound on 59th Ave. Dr. E. when they were approached from behind by subject(s) in a vehicle.

As the vehicle approached and came along side the victims, shots were fired from the vehicle and both victims went down. The vehicle was described as possibly a Mercury Grand Marquis, with a possible color of blue.

Manatee: Seeks to Warn Residents

Date:  April 2009

Over the past couple of months, Manatee County has had a few violent incidents of armed home invasion robberies that appear to be randomly selected targets.

Since mid-February, at least one suspect, and possibly more, have been targeting homes with open doors and attacking the homeowners. In two of the cases, the victims were elderly ladies who were hit on the head with a handgun the suspect had. In the first case, the victim was younger but was also hit about the head. In that case, the victim was out for a jog but the case had similar circumstances about the suspect. As for descriptions, here they are:

Similar descriptions

o Wears dark clothing (long sleeved jacket, sweater, or sweat shirt with hood and long dark pants, possibly jeans)

o Talks like a thug (victims report him as a Black male but witnesses describe him as a White male)

o He had a red backpack in two cases

o Victims never saw hands or he wore gloves

Differences

o Age range from young 20’s to late 30’s

o Height from 5’10” to 6’2”

o Build from medium to large (165 lbs to 250 lbs)

It is possible that there may be, at a minimum, at least two different suspects. However, with some similarities, it may only be one suspect and the descriptions are varying due to the traumatic situations the victims face. The incidents have occurred from northwest Bradenton to the SR 70 corridor, both west and east of I-75. The times have also varied with no pattern to when or where the robberies occurred, nor when or where the next one might occur. However, MCSO believes the suspect(s) may case the area he targets before actually committing the crime.

With that, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public’s help by reporting any suspicious activity in your neighborhoods.

Again, this alert is intended to solicit your help in trying to stop this trend. The Sheriff's Office cannot stress enough the importance of reporting any suspicious activity you may witness. Do not justify why something is out of place. If it makes you look twice, it is SUSPICIOUS and needs to be reported.

Palmetto: Missing Female

Date:  November 4, 2008 

Name: Sabine Musil-Buehler

White/Female  Date of Birth: 07/29/1959

Height: 5'6"  Weight: 136 lbs

Hair: Grey  Eyes: Green

-Speaks with a German accent

Last seen Tuesday 11/04/2008 on Anna Maria Island ( Manatee County ) wearing blue jeans, flowered top with white and black Converse high-top shoes; driving a white 2000 Pontiac Sunfire convertible. Vehicle has been recovered.

Palmetto: Bull's Eye Pistol Range Robbery

Date:  November 4, 2008 

On the afternoon of November 4th (Thursday), at approximately 5:30 pm, the Bull’s Eye Pistol Range (1012 10th Street East) was robbed. Two black males, at least one armed with a handgun, entered the store, shut the lights off, and confronted the employee who was working at the counter. The employee complied with the robber’s demands and the robbers took 10 handguns from a display case. As the robbers were leaving, one turned around and shot the employee.

The employee, Rocco Vontinelli (70, of Palmetto), was wounded in the neck.

The robbers are described as two black males in their early 20’s. They are approximately 5 07 and weigh around 170 lbs. They wore black or dark-colored clothing and may have had black or dark-colored bandanas on their faces and heads. They were last seen running from the front of the business and may be carrying a dark-colored duffle bag. The robbers are believed to have run north, from the business.

Palmetto: Elderly Man Murdered

Date:  March 16, 2007 

On March 16th, 2007, at approximately 11:52 P.M., a 72 year old B/M, Clarence Poole, was walking in the 1500 block of 2nd Ave. W. , Palmetto, when he was attacked by unknown person(s) who struck the victim in the head with an unknown object. During the attack, the 72 year old victim sustained severe head injuries and paralysis from the neck down. The motive for the attack is unclear, but was it was more than likely a robbery. On July 19th, 2007, the victim died from the injuries that he sustained in the attack.

Holmes Beach: White Avenue Beating

Date:  August 3, 2007  10:20 - 11:38pm

On Friday, August 3rd 2007 between the hours of 10:20 p.m. and 11:38 p.m. a white male was beaten by an unknown number of subjects with a baseball bat.  The victim sustained serious injuries.  This incident may have occurred at the beach end of White Avenue in the City of Holmes Beach, however the victim was found at approximately 11:38 by an individual at Archer Way and Gulf Drive in the City of Anna Maria, with no memory of what happened to him.