Crime News

Florida brothers pawn deer heads, $19k worth of items from rental home

by SARAH NACHIN
Hernando Sun Reporter

“Luck,” or coincidence, plus the quick action of two Hernando County sheriff’s deputies prevented an accident from becoming a tragedy when they rescued a baby from the Weeki Wachee River last Friday afternoon Jan. 3, 2020. 

Steve Snell, a seasoned Marine Deputy was training another officer - Patrol Deputy Zachary Burkhart for the job. Both men were operating sheriff’s office personal watercraft (PWC) to patrol the river. 

On 01-03-20, Marine Deputy Steve Snell was training Patrol Deputy Zachary Burkhart the position of Marine Deputy on the Weeki Wachee River. Both deputies were operating the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office personal watercraft (PWC) to patrol the river, conduct watercraft stops, and check vessels for safety equipment.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., both deputies stopped in the area of the 2-mile marker to take a lunch break when they observed a canoe overturn.

Sheriff Al Nienhuis held a press conference on Thursday, Dec. 12 to announce the successful conclusion of a manhunt that resulted in the arrest of three jewel thieves. Two of the burglars have a record of heists going back to the late 1990’s.  

On 12-10-19, detectives with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Vice and Narcotics Unit with assistance from the Hernando County Sheriff’s S.W.A.T. Team executed a search warrant at 2279 Rio Circle in Spring Hill.

Deputies have responded to calls for service or initiated activity at this residence over 200 times since January 1, 2019. Most calls for service involved illegal drug activity or wanted persons.

Deputies are still in the area of the medical complex speaking to the alleged victim and checking the area.

At this point in the investigation, K-9 teams and the Aviation Unit have conducted a very thorough search of the entire area and have been unable to locate anyone or anything suspicious Deputies have also reviewed video surveillance from the area - again noting nothing suspicious.

A preliminary investigation reveals there is no danger to the community. Deputies expect to be clearing the scene shortly.

3:53PM Dec. 10, 2019- The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is reporting that a robbery to a person took place at Oak Hill Medical Complex.  They give the following description of the suspect:

White/Male - 30's - Dark Hair - Light Colored Blue Jeans - Grey Shirt

Suspect ran west (toward US-19 area) from the medical complex.

Please call 9-1-1 if you see someone matching this description in this area.

Suspect is reportedly armed with a knife. - Do not approach.

The Sheriff's Office provided an update at 5:21PM:

Sheriff Al Nienhuis is pleased to announce Situational Awareness Firearms Training (S.A.F.E.), an interactive training course available exclusively to Hernando County residents who are current concealed weapons permit-holders.