The Sheriff’s Office has blocked access to Mahogany Drive and Lime Drive and evacuated the immediate area after a single gunshot was fired at Detectives.

One shot was fired from inside the trailer through a window where Detectives were located at approximately 10:15 a.m. Detectives were at the trailer — located behind a pawn shop — as part of a burglary investigation.

There are no reported injuries at this time.

The suspect is barricaded inside the trailer at this time.

The Sheriff’s Office is responding with the appropriate resources to resolve the situation.

More details will be released as they become available.

The Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team entered a small RV-style camper Thursday afternoon near Mile Marker 102 to find a burglary subject deceased of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The decedent was identified as 28-year-old Travis Lee Lewanski of Key Largo. There were no other people found in the camper.

“It’s a sad day whenever anyone loses their life in this manner, but I’m thankful no citizens or law enforcement officers were injured today,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to this individual’s family and I thank my staff for their professionalism and care in handling this situation.”

Detectives went to the camper at approximately 10:15 a.m. to interview Lewanski about the recent burglary and theft of approximately $6,000 in silver coins and a lesser amount of ammunition from another residence in Key Largo.

When Detectives announced their presence a single gunshot rang out and a bullet shattered a small window near the door where the Detectives were located. The Detectives took cover nearby and called for assistance.

Multiple other Deputies, the SWAT Team and Hostage Negotiator as well as law enforcement partners with the Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission arrived on scene. A perimeter was set up around Mahogany Drive and Lime Drive. Surrounding homes and properties were evacuated.

The Sheriff’s Office attempted to make contact with the shooter early via cell phone to no avail. The Sheriff’s Office also employed a PA system and bullhorn over the course of the next two hours in an attempt to contact with the suspect, also to no avail. The Sheriff’s Office never saw or heard any movement from anyone in the camper.

The Sheriff’s Office deployed chemical munitions — fired from a 12-gauge shotgun — in the hopes the subject would exit the camper voluntarily. The Sheriff’s Office fired an additional volley of chemical munitions after the first had no effect. The second also no effect.

The decision was then made to make a tactical entry. Traffic was temporarily halted on U.S. 1. The SWAT Team entered and found Lewanski dead of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A handgun was found at this side.

It appears the bullet that Lewanski used to take his own life was the same round that exited the window when Detectives made their initial contact.

There were no other injuries reported.

The incident remains under investigation.

Autopsy results are pending.

A 54-year-old Sarasota, Florida man was arrested Thursday for recklessly driving a motorcycle in Marathon.

Mark Raymond Piersall was charged with reckless driving, DUI and DUI with a blood-alcohol level of .15 or higher.

Deputy Corbin Hradecky received a be-on-the-lookout call at 7:43 p.m. for a black sport-style motorcycle southbound on U.S. 1 in Marathon.

Deputy Hradecky spotted a motorcycle that matched the description and got behind it near 55^th Street. The already speeding motorcycle accelerated to 78 mph in a 45 mph zone. Deputy Hradecky activated his lights and siren in an attempt to perform a traffic stop.

The motorcycle, identified as a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R, began passing vehicles causing other motorists to slam on their brakes to avoid collisions. The driver, later identified as Piersall, nearly lost control of the motorcycle at one point and stopped near 41^st Street.

Sgt. Ben Elmore and Deputy William Guerra also responded. Piersall appeared to be heavily intoxicated as he nearly fell down several times. Piersall failed field sobriety exercises. Piersall registered a .187 on the alcohol breath-sensing machine.  

Piersall was taken to jail.

Monroe County has historically ranked in the top 25 counties in the state for traffic crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists.

In an effort to protect the safety of these most vulnerable road users, the Sheriff’s Office is conducting High Visibility Enforcement Details at high pedestrian and bicycle crash locations in Key Largo, Marathon and Stock Island. These areas are over-represented in traffic crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists.

The details are funded through a contract with the University of North Florida in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation’s focused initiative to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.

The goal of this enforcement effort is to increase awareness of and compliance with traffic laws that protect the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.

Enforcement efforts will focus primarily on education to drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. However, violations may result in warnings or citations depending on the circumstances.

Remember:

• Drivers: Obey speed limits, never drive impaired, and always watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.

• Bicyclists: Obey traffic laws, ride in the direction of traffic, and use lights when riding at night.

• Pedestrians: Cross in crosswalks or at intersections, obey pedestrian signals, and make sure you are visible to drivers when walking at night.

A 28-year-old Islamorada man was arrested Saturday after destroying a vehicle window and punching a bystander.

Earnest George Nader was charged with battery, damage to property, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Nader was reportedly drinking at the Hog Heaven Sports Bar and Grill at approximately 9:55 p.m. with a family member when they left in a sport-utility-vehicle. Nader was the passenger. Nader began kicking the windshield from the inside of the SUV for some reason. The family member left and drove to Pelican Cove Resort & Marina where Nader exited, jumped on the hood and began kicking the windshield from the outside. It was not clear what prompted the argument or Nader’s behavior.

Two Pelican Cove employees — a 34-year-old female and a 67-year-old male — were checking on the property in a golf cart when they witnessed Nader. The female began calling 911 when Nader aggressively reached in her direction, but the male employee intervened. Nader then struck the man, breaking his glasses.

Deputies Anfernee Rodriguez, Joel Rios, Vaughn O’Keefe and Scott Costa responded.

Nader was being restrained by several onlookers at Pelican Cove when the Sheriff’s Office arrived. Nader resisted and pulled away from Deputy Anfernee as he attempted to restrain Nader. Nader was eventually placed in a patrol car whereupon he began to kick the interior, damaging the door.

Nader was taken to Mariners Hospital for treatment where he continued to scream and resist.

Nader was cleared from the hospital and taken to jail.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in solving multiple cases in which swastikas were spray painted on public roads and private property this month from Stock Island to Key Largo.

“I will not tolerate this symbol of hate and intolerance to be perpetuated by vandals in this community,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “I am on the record with residents who know how I feel about graffiti in general, but to use such a symbol of malevolence makes these cases even more troubling.”

The suspect is described as a white male, in his mid to late 20s who appears to have short brown hair with a receding hairline. He has a slightly heavier build, with a somewhat protruding stomach. He was wearing Under Armor shoes.

• Three of the cases occurred on Stock island between Jan. 6 and Jan. 7. Swastikas were spray painted on the street, a front door and a Trump sign in three separate locations.

• Two more cases occurred on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10 on Little Torch Key and Ramrod Key. Two swastikas were spray painted on roads, a Trump sign and vehicle hood in two separate locations.

• A swastika was found spray painted on the road and a gate on Long Key sometime Jan 9. Into Jan. 10. The homeowner nearby had a Trump sign on their property.

• A swastika was spray painted on a boat in Key Largo that had a Trump sign displayed on Jan. 11.

Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to call Lower Keys Detective Boyd Williams or Detective John Gabay at 305-292-7060 or email them at bwililiams@keysso.netor jgabay@keysso.net, Middle Keys Detective Matthew O’Neill at 305-289-2430 or email him at moneill@keysso.net or Upper Keys Detectives at 305-853-3211.  

Those  who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-471-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and if a tip leads to an arrest in the case, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward. Tips may also be submitted online at www.floridakeyscrimestoppers.comor via a text message using the smartphone app called P3 Phone. Tips can also be submitted via social media such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the @CrimeStoppers305 hashtag.

A 38-year-old Cutler Bay, Florida man was arrested Tuesday morning following a traffic stop in Key Largo in which more than 10 ounces of cocaine was found.

Yoandi Emilio Cardenas Mendice was charged with trafficking cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also cited for window tint that was too dark.

Deputy Lance Hernandez stopped a black Range Rover at approximately 11 a.m. near Mile Marker 99 for illegal window tint.

K9 Coral responded and alerted to drugs in the vehicle.

A bag containing 10.2 ounces of cocaine was found in the rear passenger seat. A fake tire repair can with a false bottom was found in the trunk. Such items are commonly used to hide narcotics.

Cardenas Mendice was taken to jail.

An adult female passenger in the sport-utility-vehicle was not charged.

A 36-year-old Milwaukee, Wisconsin man was arrested after he tried to break a glass door to the Chevron gas station on Sunshine Key with a brick early Wednesday morning.

Steven Allen Waychoft was charged with burglary, property damage, grand theft and giving a false name to law enforcement.

Deputy Anthony Buscemi responded to the gas station at approximately 4:15 a.m. The 911 caller there stated he was at the gate of the Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina when he heard loud banging coming from the gas station. He then saw the suspect striking the glass front door with a brick. The suspect saw the witness and left.

Deputy Buscemi found the door heavily damaged, but still intact. The gas station manager arrived at the scene and stated the damage to the door would cost about $1,000 to repair. The manager provided security footage, which corroborated the witnesses’ version of events as well as his description of the suspect.

Detective Sgt. Linda Mixon saw a man exactly matching that description walking on U.S. 1 near the entrance to Bahia Honda State Park at approximately 5:20 a.m.

The man stated his name was David, then said it was David Christ and then stated it was Jesus Christ.

The suspect was taken to jail where his real identity was ascertained.

Waychoft had warrants for his arrest for criminal mischief and grand theft.

Waychoft was booked into jail.  

Detectives are seeking help in identifying two people of interest in a vehicle burglary that occurred on Jan. 12, 2021 at the Stock Island Burger King parking lot.

A 24-year-old Tavernier motorcyclist was arrested Wednesday for fleeing from Deputies on U.S. 1 reaching speeds of 148 mph earlier this month.

Jesus Giovanni Ginjauma was charged with fleeing and eluding, reckless driving and driving with a suspended license.

Traffic Enforcement Unit Deputy Ed Swogger was near Mile Marker 93 on U.S. 1 at 11:47 p.m. on Jan. 3 when he spotted a southbound black motorcycle traveling 139 mph. Deputy Swogger attempted to conduct a traffic stop as the motorcyclist then began driving erratically: It turned onto Burton Drive, then the parking lots at the Dairy Queen and Mobile gas station, then Sable Palm Drive and onto Oleander Drive. Eventually the motorcycle reached speeds of 148 mph on U.S. 1. Deputy Swogger ceased the pursuit for safety reasons. The driver, later identified as Ginjauma, looked back at Deputy Swogger several times during the pursuit.

Deputy Swogger identified the motorcycle as a Suzuki GSXR, but he eventually lost sight of it.

Deputy Swogger and other Deputies began looking for the motorcycle and found it parked behind a Conex storage container near the corner of Second Avenue and East 1^st Street. There was no license plate attached. The ignition did not appear to be damaged.

Deputy Swogger then found the helmet the suspect was wearing nearby. The helmet and placed into evidence for DNA testing and fingerprints.

Deputy Swogger received information that Ginjauma frequently rides the motorcycle and that he had been at Sharkey’s Sharkbite Grill. Deputy Swogger went there and an employee confirmed Ginjauma had been there about 20 minutes prior, adding that he left on a black motorcycle.

Detective Ignacio Molina later received information that Ginjauma stated he had fled from Deputies and hid the motorcycle behind a Conex box.

Warrants were issued for Ginjauma.

Ginjauma was booked into jail on Wednesday.  

The Sheriff's Office is asking the for the public's help in locating 45-year-old Wes Edward Thompson who fled from Deputies at 4:10 p.m. Thursday in Key Largo.

A 53-year-old Little Torch Key man was given a mandatory notice to appear in court citation on Friday for possessing 10 undersized lobster tails.

A 31-year-old Miami man was shot in the stomach at the Channel 5 Bridge and airlifted to a Miami hospital Sunday evening.

Detectives are still investigating the incident, but early reports indicate the shooter and the victim and friends — both are from Miami — and had been fishing together on the bridge.

Sometime at approximately 5:30 a.m., the victim decided to change his clothes slightly and jump from the woods in an effort to scare his friend who was walking back to a vehicle.

The friend drew a 9mm handgun and shot the victim once in the stomach.

Trauma Star landed on the bridge and flew the victim to Jackson South Medical Center.  

Whether or not charges will be filed remains part of the ongoing investigation.

There were no reported injuries late Tuesday afternoon after a pontoon plane that took off from Key West International Airport ended up in the water shortly after takeoff.

Early reports indicated the U.S. Coast Guard arrived on scene first and there were three people on board, but none injured.

The plane reportedly made what appeared to be an emergency landing in Cow Key Channel waters, according to initial 911 Communications reports.

The pontoon plane — what specific kind of plane was not immediately available — ended up near the mangroves about 100 yards off South Roosevelt Boulevard at approximately 5:15 p.m.

The plane did not appear to be damaged after the landing.

It was not immediately clear what caused the pilot to land the plane in the water so soon after take-off.

Florida Highway Patrol is the initial investigating agency for plane crashes/incidents.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was also notified of the incident.

A 18-year-old Key Largo man was arrested early Wednesday morning following a traffic stop in which a gun was found in his possession.

Samuel De Jesus Leon Gonzalez was charged with possession of a concealed firearm without a permit, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and violating the conditions of pretrial release.

Deputy Joel Torres was on patrol at approximately 3:54 a.m. near Mile Marker 101 when he saw a gray Chevrolet Camaro traveling southbound on U.S. 1. Deputy Torres recognized the car and license plate number as a vehicle associated with Leon Gonzalez based on previous contacts with law enforcement. Deputy Torres further noted Leon Gonzalez had an active warrant for DUI and driving with a suspended driver’s license. Deputy Torres stopped the vehicle as it turned onto Samson Road.

Leon Gonzalez was the driver. There was an 18-year-old male passenger in the Camaro who was not charged.

Sgt. Orlando Alvarez and Deputy Jason Farr arrived on scene. A vape pen on the driver’s seat field tested positive for marijuana.

Leon Gonzalez was searched and a KelTec 9mm handgun was found in his pocket. There were two rounds in the magazine.

Leon Gonzalez was taken to jail.

A 45-year-old Key Largo man was arrested Thursday after ripping open a bag containing cocaine and fentanyl following a traffic stop.

John T. Carrero was charged with possession of cocaine, tampering with evidence, possession of drug equipment and resisting arrest. He was also cited for no proof of insurance, no motor vehicle registration, attached tag not assigned to vehicle and driving with an expired tag.

A southbound Chrysler station wagon was stopped on U.S. 1 at approximately 11:47 a.m. at Jewfish Avenue for expired tags. The driver was identified as Carrero.

Deputies asked Carrero to stand at the rear of the Chrysler. Deputies told Carrero multiple times to quit putting his hands in his pockets and reaching in his waistband. 

Deputies grabbed Carrero and he resisted. Once Carrero was handcuffed, Deputies saw a clear baggie in Carrero’s hand. Carrero ripped the bag open while resisting, causing a white powdery substance to fall over the outside rear of the Chrysler, the ground and the two Deputies.

The powder field-tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl.

Carrero and the two Deputies went to Mariners Hospital in Tavernier due to possible fentanyl exposure.  

All three were medically cleared at the hospital.

Carrero was taken to jail.

Two Lower Keys teenagers were arrested Thursday night after they entered a vacant Summerland Key home and started a fire that caused approximately $200,000 in damage.

Trenton Orrie Cherasia, 16, of Summerland Key, and Matthew Haarbauer, 14, of Cudjoe Key, were both charged with burglary and arson.

“I would like to thank the parents of these two juveniles for their involvement in this case,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “Strong partnerships between law enforcement officers and those they serve will always result in safer streets. It is my hope these two young individuals learn a hard lesson from this incident and they avoid taking a negative path in life going forward.”

The Sheriff’s Office was notified at approximately 5:34 p.m. of flames emitting from the bedroom roof of a vacant two-story home on the 24000 block of Calle Real.

Sgt. Spencer Curry, Detective Ken Fricke and Deputies Jonathon Lane, Donald Stullken, Thomas Fricke and Anthony Buscemi responded. Multiple witnesses and neighbors were attempting to put the fire out with garden hoses. They stated the home was vacant. There were multiple no trespassing signs on the property. Deputy Lane entered the second floor and yelled inside. He was pushed back due to the heavy, black smoke. Monroe County Fire Rescue firefighters extinguished the fire shortly thereafter. Much of the second floor and roof was heavily damaged.

There were no reported injuries.

Multiple witnesses stated they saw two male teenagers dressed in black earlier who did not appear to be from the neighborhood. Deputy Stullken located both suspects on Katherine Street and identified them as Cherasia and Haarbauer.

They initially denied starting the fire and stated they were just out for a walk. Their parents arrived on scene. One parent had a tracking app on her phone that showed her son’s GPS location history. Deputy Stullken noted the history indicated the boy had been at the fire location. Both juveniles were turned over the custody of their parents while the Sheriff’s Office continued to investigate the case.

One of the suspects’ father contacted the Sheriff’s Office at approximately 7:39 p.m. and asked for a Deputy respond to their location on Summerland Key. Deputy Lane responded and found both suspects with their parents. Cherasia admitted they started the fire. Deputy Lane asked both whey they started the fire and both stated they were bored. Both stated they went inside via an unlocked front door and went to the master bedroom where they ignited a piece of paper from a book. They stated they left with the paper burning.

The Department of Juvenile Justice was notified of the charges against both teenagers.

The investigation is ongoing and more charges may be filed.

A 61-year-old Stock Island man was arrested Friday morning for attempting to kidnap a 19-year-old woman walking to work.

Steven Greg Hamley was charged with attempted kidnapping, battery, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

There were no serious injuries reported.

Deputies Freddy Rodriguez and Christian Deen responded to 2^ndAvenue on Stock Island at approximately 11:15 a.m. where they met the victim. She stated she was walking to work when an older man in his 50s or 60s with shoulder length hair in a gold-colored vehicle stopped and asked her if she would help him look for a dog. She stated the suspect then got out of the vehicle and attempted to forcefully put her in the vehicle.

Deputy Deen saw a gold-colored SUV at a convenience store on Stock Island earlier. The Deputies went to the store and reviewed their security footage. The driver of that vehicle matched the victim’s description. The Deputies put out a be-on-the-lookout alert for the vehicle, a Honda CR-V, and later found it in a parking lot at the Perry Hotel. The registered owner came back as Hamley. Hamley’s driver’s license picture matched the victim’s description as well as the suspect seen in the convenience store security footage.

Hamely walked up to his vehicle. The Deputies stated they were conducting an investigation and asked him about the incident with a female pedestrian earlier that day. Hamley admitted to previously asking a “pretty girl” walking down the street about a missing dog.

Detective Boyd Williams asked the victim if she would be willing to identify Hamley. She did so and stated she was 100 percent sure Hamley was the attacker.

Approximately 2.3 grams marijuana and a pipe were found in Hamley’s vehicle.

Hamley was taken to jail.

A 30-year-old knife-wielding Lower Keys man was arrested Wednesday for threatening to kill multiple people at a Ramrod Key house.

Scott Tyrone Fisher was charged with four counts of aggravated assault, battery and grand theft of a motor vehicle.

There were no life-threatening injuries reported.

Sergeants Evan Calhoun and Spencer Curry as well as Deputies Anthony Buscemi, Timothy Oggeri and Paul McNalley responded to a home on the 27000 block of Anguila Lane at approximately 5:30 a.m. regarding a battery. The suspect reportedly fled the upstairs residence. They cleared the scene and did not find the suspect, identified by the victims as Fisher. One of the victims, a 47-year-old girlfriend of Fisher stated Fisher dragged her by her hair to a bedroom while demanding she give him $1,200 she previously borrowed from one of two couples who also live in the residence.

The female fled to that couple’s bedroom, but Fisher gave chase. The commotion awoke the second couple living in a third bedroom. Fisher had a short knife in his hand throughout the incident and threatened to kill everyone before leaving in a Jeep owned by the man who lives in the third bedroom. That man stated he did not give Fisher permission to take his Jeep.

Fisher, who is known from previous encounters with law enforcement, was found at family member’s trailer on Barry Avenue on Little Torch Key. The Jeep was found there as well as the knife.

Fisher was taken to jail.

Two Miami-Dade County men who were cut off by bartenders at an Islamorada bar were arrested early Thursday morning for damaging vehicles in the parking lot as they left.

Scott Alden Dishington, 23, and Daniel De Cubas Mira, 25, were charged with criminal mischief causing property damage and possession of marijuana.

Deputy Anfernee Rodriguez was called to Woody’s at approximately 1:36 a.m. He spoke to the manager who stated two males had been cut off from drinking. The males damaged vehicles in the parking lot before leaving the scene in a black Toyota pickup truck. Security footage showed two men kicking a Cadillac sport utility vehicle and Ford Ranger pickup truck. There was about $2,000 damage done to the Cadillac SUV and $320 damage done to the Ford Ranger. An employee stated she would be willing to identify the two suspects.

Deputy Scott Costa radioed that he stopped a black Toyota pickup truck with two suspects. Deputy Rodriguez and the employee identified the two stopped subjects as the suspects from the bar. Deputy Rodriguez noted the men matched the appearance of the men seen in the security footage.

A search of the truck turned up a large clear baggie containing 12.7 ounces of marijuana.

Both Dishington and Cubas Mira were taken to jail.