Arrest made in 52-year-old Interlachen woman's death
Florida Crime News
A suspect in the May death of a 52-year-old Interlachen woman has been arrested following the discovery of a gun by a swimmer in some water near the crime scene.
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office said the gun was verified as the murder weapon in the death of 52-year-old Maureen Haugdahl, who was found May 13 shot multiple times in her Arnold Street home.
Source: Crime
1 dead in St. Johns crash on U.S. 1
Florida Crime News
One person is dead in Tuesday wreck between a semi and another vehicle on U.S. 1 at Pine Island Road in St. Johns County.
U.S. 1 was closed in both directions about noon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol website.
No other information has been released. The Times-Union will update as information becomes available.
Source: Crime
Man shot in Jacksonville' Lakeshore neighborhood
Florida Crime News
A man was shot at the Oak Tree apartments around midnight Thursday and is now fighting for his life.
Police think the man was in his car when he was shot and then drove himself a short distance before two citizens found him and called authorities, police said.
At least three shell casings and shattered glass littered the ground in front of a building at the apartments at 1701 Lakeshore Blvd.
There are no known suspects yet, said Sgt. Eric Jones of the Jacksonville Sheriff?s Office.
-Clifford Davis
Source: Crime
Life sentence in slaying of Jennifer Hudson's family
Florida Crime News
CHICAGO (AP) ? The man convicted of gunning down the mother, brother and nephew of Jennifer Hudson will spend the rest of his life in prison.
A Cook County judge on Tuesday gave William Balfour three life sentences in the 2008 killings. Balfour received 120 years for other charges. Balfour was convicted earlier this year of first-degree murder and other charges.
Hudson, an actress and singer, was in the Chicago courtroom for the sentencing.
The sentencing came after Circuit Judge Charles Burns denied a request from Balfour for a new trial.
Source: Crime
Police still searching for vehicle that killed 74-year-old Jacksonville man
Florida Crime News
Police on Friday released a new detail about a hit-and-run vehicle that left a 74-year-old Jacksonville man dead.
Willie Hodge died near two weeks after being struck by a vehicle shortly before midnight July 3 at Edgewood and Vernon Street. Police at the time described the vehicle as a white two-door Chrysler possibly with a sun roof offset with a visor or wind deflector. The vehicle was occupied by a man and woman.
Police on Friday further described the vehicle as having significant windshield damage.
Source: Crime
Duval schools to review procedures after teacher charged with sex crimes
Florida Crime News
Duval County Public Schools is reviewing its procedures for background screening, teacher discipline and cross-agency communication in light of a teacher being arrested on sexual charges against a child.
Christopher Robert Bacca, Windy Hill Elementary School?s Teacher of the Year, was charged last week with three counts of sexual battery against a child under 12 and one count each of lewd and lascivious battery of a child under 16, lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12 and lewd and lascivious conduct of a child under 16.
Source: Crime
Proposed Jacksonville budget cuts could mean longer waits on traffic accidents.
Florida Crime News
If the Jacksonville Sheriff?s Office follows through with its proposed staff cuts, the Florida Highway Patrol and motorists in Duval County can expect the brunt of the impact.
Response times to traffic accidents will be the overriding casualty.
While the Sheriff?s Office will still help, all 911 accident calls on state roads in three city zones will be sent to the Highway Patrol to investigate and handle the paperwork. The two agencies have met to work out the changes.
Source: Crime
Teen killed riding bicycle at Jacksonville intersection
Florida Crime News
A teenager on a bicycle was killed Tuesday morning when he was hit by a car turning from Kernan Boulevard to McCormick Road.
The cyclist was riding in the middle of the road, said Sgt. Donald Washington of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. He estimated he was 16 or 17 years old.
The names of the cyclist and the driver of the vehicle were not released Tuesday. Washington said both were male.
An investigation is ongoing.
Source: Crime