PAGE 3 - August 8, 2012
The Newscaster-Nature Coast News
Gone Bad - Continued from page 1
FHP arrests Dunnellon man for grand theft
A Dunnellon man, Michael Vincent Burns, 30, was detained by the Florida High-
the SUV left the parking lot traveling at a high rate or speed, he could see the feet moving, as
way Patrol, around 6:00 p.m., August 2, when a broadcast was sent out to look for a green
thought the victim were being dragged by the vehicle. The SUV headed north on Hwy. 19,
GMC Stationwagon that had been used during a grand theft at Walmart in St. Johns County.
then was out of the camera’s range. From the phone, detectives learned that
The vehicle (Burns was the driver) was seen by a trooper at the intersection of State Roads
the victim and Martinez had agreed to meet around 7:00 p.m.
206 and 207 in St. John’s County. The trooper reported that the tag was expired and the tires
The detective and numerous deputies went to 471 N. Elmwood Pt.
were worn.
to interview Martinez, who said he’d been worried all night because he knew
The driver (Burns) turned into a business parking lot in Hastings. The vehicle was
that Davis had run over Stofcheck with her SUV. He said that he’d spoken
stopped. Two males and a female were detained. Officers found an open alcohol container
with Stofcheck during the afternoon asking to meet with him to sell some
and a BB gun. The backseat passenger, 20, was arrested for possession of alcohol by a per-
oxycodone he’d gotten from a friend. They made plans to meet in front ot the
son under 21. An arrest for grand theft was later made by the St. Johns Sheriff’s Office for
A&Z Discount Store. Martinez said he’d contacted Davis to help in “ripping
Martinez
Christopher Eli Morris who had provided the trooper with a false name. Morris has numer-
off” Stofcheck. Their plan was to take the oxycodone from Stofcheck and
ous active warrants in Hillsborough and Hernando counties, the report stated.
leaving without making payment. Davis drove her SUV, and Martinez sat
Phase III Water Restrictions Lifted for Citrus County
on thee passenger side. When they met Stofcheck, he came up to Martinez’s
window and spoke with him, then moved to the driver’s window to speak
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board voted to
with Davis. Martinez said Davis knocked the pill bottle from Stofcheck’s
let Modified Phase III water shortage restrictions expire today for several counties includ-
hand, spilling pills inside the vehicle. Davis tried to leave, but Stofcheck
ing Citrus. This is in response to significant improvements in aquifer and river levels as a
reached through the window and grabbed onto the driverís side door. He
result of Tropical Storm Debby and regular summer rains. Citrus County will return to the
said he yelled at Stofcheck to let go and at Davis to stop the vehicle, but she
District’s year-round water conservation measures. The lawn watering schedule is limited
panicked and began driving on Hwy. 19 at a high rate of speed and turned
to a two-day-per-week schedule, and most watering may only occur before 10 a.m. or after
Davis
onto the road adjacent to Colonel Frog’s. He said he was yelling during the
4 p.m. Residents are encouraged to water only if their lawn and landscape needs it and turn
entire incident. He said he initially though Stofcheck had let go because Davis slowed down,
off their irrigation system if it has rained or rain is predicted in the next 24 hours.
then he felt the vehicle run over Stofcheck. He said that hadn’t stopped becasuse they were
If you have additional water restriction questions or wish to report a possible viola-
being followed by other vehicles which had stopped to render aid to the victim. Martinez
tion, please contact SWFMD by calling water restrictions hotline at 1-800-848-0499 (FL).
said he was worried and upset that Stofcheck was injured and had made several attempts to
contact him by phone. He said they obtained approximately six oxycodone pills, of which
he’d given two to Davis and kept the others for himself.
When deputies arrived at Davis’ 492 N. Elmwood Pt. residence, a maroon SUV
Ford Expedition was parked in front. She corroborated Martinez’s account of the incident.
She said he’d approached her around 5:30 p.m. asking he if she wanted to make some
money. She said they’d done something similar to others in the past. She thought she would
drive Martinez to a meeting, then drive off after he took the pills. She said she’d never met
Stofcheck before and didn’t know his name. She said she knew she’d driven over the victim,
but did not know the extent of his injuries. She said, when Stofcheck was holding onto her
door, Martinez was punching the victim’s arm, trying to get him to let go. She said she even-
tually grabbed Stofcheck’s hand, and he appeared to let go. At that time, he was run over by
the back tire.
Both were placed under arrest. Davis was charged with murder perpetrated without
any design to effect death, and purchase or possess with intent to purchase a controlled sub-
stance (bond $20,000). Martinez was charged with murder perpetrated without any design
to effect death, conspiring with another person or persons to commit an offense prohibited
C
by law; and selling, manufacturing or delivering with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver
a controlled substance (bond $25,000).
A VOTE YES AUG. 14th FOR
IS A NO VOTE FOR JOYNER'S
PROPOSED SALES TAX INCREASE
INO
FOR LEVY COUNTY COMMISSION DIST. #3
JOBS, LIMITED GOVERNMENT, FISCAL DISIPLINE,
RE-EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF THE TARMAC MINE,
PROTECT GROUND WATER & PURSUE DESALINATION
Email: joecino@cino.com 352-246-3000
Paid Political Announcement Paid for & Approved by Joe Cino Candidate for Levy Commission Dist. 3 (R)
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