Local Stories for August 2012
Stories for Friday, August 31
Officials release 911 call in armed home invasion
A frantic mother grabbed her children, hid in a closet, and then called 911 as four men burst into their Orlando home. WFTV obtained the recently released 911 calls on Friday that paint a picture of just how dangerous and brazen the four robbers were. Police said the group forced ...
Police find 3-year-old girl reported missing
A mix-up caused a big scare in Orlando when a 3-year-old girl was reported missing from a park. But now she's back at home with her family. WFTV was there as the family celebrated her safe return. Neveah Scott's family told Orlando police that she disappeared around 7 p.m. from ...
Police: Man stole woman’s purse from car, withdrew money at ATM
Police arrested an Orange County man on Thursday on charges of burglary, fraudulent use of credit cards, third-degree grand theft and criminal mischief. Police said Terrace Odums stole a purse out of the front seat of a woman’s car while she was with her child at R.D. Keene Park in ...
Two men accused of raping alleged prostitutes at apartment complex
Two Altamonte Springs men were arrested Friday after police said they were using an apartment complex to rape alleged prostitutes. Branden Johnson and Corey Manuel were using the website www.backpage.com to set up meetings at Lotus Landing Apartments in Altamonte Springs. Police said the women were held at gunpoint upon ...
Man arrested after three-hour standoff with deputies
Deputies were able to arrest an Orange County man after a three-hour standoff Friday. Brett Yarborough was holed up with an AK-47 in a home off Colonial Drive. He was arrested on a warrant for probation violation and making threats to law enforcement, deputies said. “We used our hostage negotiation ...
Disney spends millions to shorten ride wait times
As with all magic, it's what you don't see that pulls off the trick. A visitor to Walt Disney World would have no idea about the park's multimillion dollar project to shorten ride wait times. "We want our guests to have a hassle-free experience. Let's face it, waiting in line ...
Realtor pushes to create new retirement visa for older immigrants
Florida is already home to a healthy population of retired seniors, but local real estate agents said inviting retirees from other countries could salvage our housing market. WFTV's Vanessa Welch learned there's now a push to create a new retirement visa just for older immigrants. Jose Andre lives in Brazil. ...
Ex-inmate says jail guards violated her during contraband search
An Orlando woman claims Orange County Jail guards violated their own policy by violating her -- holding her down, pepper-spraying her and conducting a body cavity search for contraband cash. Africa James, 38, was at the jail on Aug. 20 on a drug-related charge when she said guards from the Orlando ...
NASA, Kennedy Space Center honor Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon
He was an American hero who first uttered the iconic phrase, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," as he became the first man to step on the moon. Neil Armstrong is probably the best-known space explorer of our time. He was also an intensely private ...
Police: Man tried to kidnap teen girls from RV park
A man is facing criminal charges after police said he tried to kidnap two teenagers from a RV park in St. Cloud. Investigators said Randall Martin tried to abduct two girls who were swimming in the pool Thursday night at the RV park where he lives on Boggy Creek Road. ...
Daytona Beach enforces safe practices for beach-goers Labor Day weekend
Labor Day weekend is normally the last big weekend of the summer beach season in Volusia County, but crowds were not as big as expected on Friday at the Daytona Beach Pier. Channel 9's Blaine Tolison checked to see if the beaches were ready for their last big summer weekend. ...
Orange County food pantry in danger of closing
A much-needed Orange County food pantry is in danger of closing. The pantry at John Young Parkway and Goldwyn Avenue serves meals to 4,000 people every month, most of whom are seniors and families with single mothers. WFTV's Lori Brown found out why it's closing and one thing that could ...
Judge: Not enough evidence to charge man in 2-year-old's beating
An Orange County judge ruled Wednesday there isn't enough evidence to charge a man who's accused of severely beating his girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter. Last week, Michael DeLeon was accused of severely beating the girl, prompting an emergency hearing with the Department of Children and Families on Friday. On Wednesday, the ...
Police: Hit-and-run driver caught after crashing into motorcycle, killing rider
A suspected hit-and-run driver involved in a deadly crash is in jail after leading deputies on a chase that ended on a golf course, officials said. Video from a sheriff's helicopter showed the take-down of David Prestano, 29, just minutes after investigators said he plowed into a motorcyclist, killing him. ...
Troopers: Kids said mom took them on high-speed chase in attempt to kill them
A federal corrections officer is facing attempted murder charges after investigators said she was purposely trying to kill her children after leading troopers on a high-speed chase and crashing her car. Angela Estrella, 36, faced a judge Friday afternoon. She was kept in a cage for her own protection as ...
Polk County high school principal among 89 arrested in prostitution bust
WFTV learned a Polk County principal was one of dozens arrested in an online prostitution sting. Detectives arrested 89 people, including 49-year-old Lakeland Principal Cecil McClellan, on charges ranging from soliciting prostitution to drug offenses. Polk County investigators said they started the online prostitution sting a week ago to coincide ...
Driver crashes through fence, nearly lands in family's pool
A south Florida driver, who said she swerved to avoid an accident, crashed through a fence and almost ended up in a family's pool. The homeowner's son, Alex Ferrer, saw what happened and rushed over to help. "Got her around to the passenger side, and yeah, we just calmed her ...
Police: Kidnapping, car wreck scam targets Hispanics
Kissimmee police said they are investigating a phone scam that targets Hispanics. Police said the scammers call the victims, claiming a family member has been kidnapped or has been in a car wreck. The caller then demands money to keep their loved one safe. Police said they've had four incident ...
Couple killed in Ocala plane crash
The Federal Aviation Administration said it's investigating a small plane crash that killed a Marion County couple. The Marion County Sheriff's Office said 53-year-old Gilbert Jennings and 50-year-old Catherine Jennings took off in the experimental aircraft on Thursday at about 4 p.m. However, when they did not make it to ...
Stories for Thursday, August 30
Police: Thieves stole purses from grieving mother at daughter's memorial
A Melbourne woman was mourning her daughter's death in a car accident when police say thieves came to the crash scene, broke into her car, and stole their purses. Melbourne police are searching for the thieves behind the heartless crime. Just three days after her daughter's death, Tonjia Mitchell visited ...
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