Bizarre bodycam video shows Florida cops arresting Chuck E. Cheese mascot as kids, parents watch in shock



Police bodycam video shows the moment children and parents watched in shock as a Florida man dressed in a Chuck E. Cheese mascot costume was arrested.

The Tallahassee Police Department recently released bodycam video of the eye-opening July 23 arrest.

'Would y’all put Mickey Mouse in handcuffs?'

Police bodycam footage shows officers marching into a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Tallahassee.

"We’re gonna detain the mouse," an officer is heard telling a fellow cop on video as they enter the pizza restaurant geared toward kids.

Bodycam footage shows children playing arcade games as officers walk toward an individual dressed from head to toe as the Chuck E. Cheese mouse mascot.

"Chuck E.’s a little bit busy, ma’am," an officer tells a woman.

The officer orders the person in the mouse costume, "Chuck E., come with me. Chuck E! Chuck E! Stop resisting! You’re being detained, stop resisting! Let it go! Do not cause a scene here, sir."

The Chuck E. Cheese mascot is handcuffed and then escorted out of the children's restaurant as parents and kids watch in disbelief.

As one of the officers exits the restaurant, a furious woman scolds the cop for arresting the mouse mascot in front of children at the restaurant.

"I would like y’all to walk him out the door instead of traumatizing all these children seeing someone like Chuck E. Cheese get arrested," the woman is heard saying.

She then asks, "Would y’all put Mickey Mouse in handcuffs?"

Tallahassee Police Department spokesperson Alicia Hill previously told the Tallahassee Democrat that officers had planned to escort the Chuck E. Cheese mascot from the restaurant and handcuff him outside. But police said they became nervous after the suspect resisted.

Hill explained that when officers approached the individual in the Chuck E. Cheese mascot costume, the suspect "immediately tenses up and resists, and so at this point they make the decision to put him in handcuffs" for the safety of the suspect, customers, and officers.

Hill added that it was "unfortunate" that the suspect "happened to be in a suit and in costume."

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"The parents were not happy with us detaining Chuck E. Cheese," one officer tells another cop in the clip.

The other cop responds, "Too bad."

After police remove the costume head from the suspect's head, exposing his face, officers attempt to search the handcuffed man for weapons. However, the suspect is still wearing the rest of the mouse costume, which makes it difficult to detect if the suspect has any weapons on him.

“I’m working, you know, I’m just doing my job," the suspect tells cops. "What the f**k is this about?”

Police arrested 41-year-old Jermel Jones for allegedly purchasing items with someone else's credit card.

Citing the probable cause affidavit, Fox News reported that a woman informed police that her debit card went missing June 28 and that she last recalled seeing her debit card at the Chuck E. Cheese restaurant for her child's birthday party.

WKMG-TV reported that the woman said her debit card was used at a smoke shop, a grocery store, and a Whataburger fast-food restaurant without her knowledge or consent.

Police said officers found the stolen credit card in the suspect's left front pocket. Jones reportedly told officers that he "never used" the debit card and denied any wrongdoing,

"Jones was also in possession of a small amount of marijuana," the affidavit stated, according to Fox News. Jones allegedly told a police officer that he was "on the way" to getting a medical marijuana license.

According to WPEC-TV, Jones was charged with theft of a credit card, criminal use of personal identification information, and fraudulent use of a credit card totaling over $100.

Jones was released the next day on a $1,000 bond.

A Chuck E. Cheese spokesperson told People magazine, "We have taken the appropriate action concerning the subject employee."

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Florida man with meth pipe steals tourist train, picks up passengers for wild ride — and announces it's his 'birthday': Cops



A Florida man celebrated his birthday on July 4 by stealing a tourist train in Key West, picking up passengers, and having a meth pipe in his possession, according to police.

Citing the arrest report, WPLG-TV said police received a call just before 11:30 a.m. Friday that a man had stolen the Conch Tour Train.

The arrest report states Winslow picked up 'two random passengers' while driving the trolley.

Police officers responded to the Conch Tour Train Depot, where they were informed that one of the trackless trolley trains had been hijacked.

According to the arrest report, police said Jonathan Patrick Winslow of Big Torch Key — who indeed was celebrating his 57th birthday — left his Kia vehicle in the train depot's parking lot while it was still running "with rock music playing on the radio."

A train depot employee told police that Winslow claimed to have worked at the tourism business years ago and wanted to take a tour of the train, WPLG said, citing the arrest report.

However, the worker reportedly told officers that Winslow got into the trolley and drove away.

The employee was "confused" but allegedly told investigators that perhaps Winslow had received permission to drive the train. As you might imagine, that wasn't the case.

Tour company employees reportedly told police that GPS could track the train — and it turns out that it was on the move in downtown Key West.

The arrest report states Winslow picked up "two random passengers" while driving the trolley.

Police said officers were able to track down the stolen Conch Tour Train at the massively popular Southernmost Point Buoy tourist attraction and stop it before anything tragic occurred during the wild ride.

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The arrest report states that Winslow "exhibited rapid speech and appeared excited" while officers informed him that he would be arrested.

Police allegedly claimed Winslow told them that he merely "borrowed" the train. WPLG reported that Winslow told officers that he previously worked at the Conch Tour Train Depot; police said he stressed that "today is his birthday."

Winslow was arrested and transported to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Key West jail facility.

Authorities said a methamphetamine pipe was discovered in Winslow's pocket when a corrections deputy searched him at the jail, according to the arrest report.

Winslow allegedly asserted, "It's a weed pipe." However, investigators disagreed.

Winslow was charged with burglary, grand theft auto, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jail records show Winslow was being detained on a $60,000 bond.

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'My laptop is a bomb': Florida man's alleged mid-flight bomb threat forces emergency landing — now the FBI is involved



A Florida man — who allegedly told authorities that he was recently released from a mental health facility — made a bomb threat mid-flight that forced the commercial airliner to make an emergency landing, according to police.

At 1:48 p.m. on Sunday, Allegiant Air flight 1023 departed from Florida's St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport en route to the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport in Virginia, according to the flight tracking site FlightAware.

The suspect reportedly told investigators that he took his medication on Saturday night but had been 'suffering from a lack of clarity.'

Shortly after the plane lifted off, a passenger seated in the last row of the plane allegedly announced that he had a bomb in his laptop.

According to an FBI affidavit obtained by USA Today, the suspect — identified as 27-year-old Taj Malik Taylor from Largo, Florida — told the passenger next to him, "My laptop is a bomb."

When several passengers asked Taylor what he meant by his remark, he allegedly lifted his laptop case and kept reiterating that it was a bomb.

A passenger notified the flight crew about the alarming bomb threat.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement, "On July 6, 2025, at approximately 2:03 p.m., deputies were alerted to a verbal bomb threat made by a passenger on Allegiant flight 1023, headed to Roanoke, Virginia."

According to police, "Detectives say several other witnesses on the plane also heard Taylor state that he had a bomb."

The commercial airliner was rerouted back to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and landed at 2:08 p.m.

An Allegiant Air spokesperson told USA Today, "Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind, so the decision was made to return to the airport. The plane landed safely and was met by law enforcement officers, who took the passenger into custody."

The airline added, "We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our passengers and thank them for their patience."

K-9s with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office searched Taylor's belongings, but no bomb was found.

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All of the other passengers and crew were also forced to exit the plane. The Allegiant Air flight didn't arrive in Virginia until 7:57 p.m. — roughly five hours later than scheduled.

Taylor was removed from the plane and interrogated by authorities.

"Taylor did not admit to making the bomb threats but stated that [the woman sitting next to him aboard the flight] was rude to him," the FBI affidavit said, according to Fox News.

"Taylor stated that he was recently released from a mental health facility," the affidavit reads.

The suspect reportedly told investigators that he took his medication on Saturday night but had been "suffering from a lack of clarity."

The affidavit accused Taylor of acting "willfully and maliciously with reckless disregard for the safety of human life."

Taylor was arrested and charged with making a false bomb threat. If convicted, Taylor faces a fine of up to $25,000, a prison sentence of up to five years, or both.

According to arrest records, Taylor was transferred into the custody of the U.S. Marshals on Monday.

The FBI is leading the investigation, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Taylor appeared for his initial hearing in Tampa federal court on Monday afternoon.

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'Monster' learns his fate for killing 2-year-old girl; officials say he 'completely severed' toddler's spine



A Florida man learned his fate for the murder of a 2-year-old girl in 2022 after the mother of the child left her daughter in his care.

On Wednesday, 27-year-old Travis Ray Thompson was found guilty of first-degree murder for the killing of Jacklyn Schwingel, according to a statement from the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.

'Life in prison is too good for this kind of evil.'

On May 3, 2022, a female toddler was rushed to the emergency room of AdventHealth Waterman, a hospital in Tavares. The child was in critical condition when she arrived.

Medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures on 2-year-old Jacklyn, but the young girl was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Hospital officials notified the Marion County Sheriff’s Office of a possible case of child abuse.

A detective with the sheriff's office questioned the mother of the deceased child, who told the detective that she had left her daughter in the care of Thompson earlier that morning so she could go to work.

The Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office noted that Thompson called the mother approximately 25 minutes after she left to inform her that Jacklyn was unresponsive.

Thompson told investigators that the girl was in another room when he heard a loud noise. Thompson claimed he found the child unresponsive.

"Instead of calling 911, Thompson waited for 30 minutes for the victim’s mother to arrive and only then began driving to the hospital," the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office stated.

The mother noted that her daughter was lifeless and had a shallow pulse and a distended abdomen.

"While en route to the hospital, the victim’s mother directed Thompson to call 911 when she realized the victim had stopped breathing altogether," the attorney's office said.

Emergency medical services personnel met Thompson and the mother at a nearby business to bring the toddler to the hospital for medical treatment.

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allanswart via iStock / Getty Images Plus

According to officials, the little girl suffered abhorrent physical abuse at the hands of Thompson. Officials added that Thompson claimed he did not know how the victim became injured despite being the only person left with the victim.

On Sept. 1, 2022, the medical examiner's office determined that Jacklyn's cause of death was traumatic injuries to her torso with a severing of her spine and internal bleeding.

"Based on the severity and nature of the break, it was determined that Thompson applied significant, gradual force to the victim’s upper and lower body and bent her backward beyond her natural range of motion until her back broke," the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office said.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said in a statement, "Thompson physically abused the toddler while she was in his care, which resulted in her spine being completely severed."

Thompson was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail on Sept. 8, 2022.

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Image source: Marion County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

After jurors deliberated for two hours Wednesday and delivered a guilty verdict, Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky sentenced Thompson to life in prison for Jacklyn's murder.

"This monster stole the life of an innocent child, and today, the justice system made sure he will never walk free again," said Bill Gladson, state attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. "Life in prison is too good for this kind of evil."

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods added, "I'm incredibly proud of my major crimes detectives for their relentless work on this heartbreaking case. Their dedication helped secure justice for an innocent child."

"I also want to thank State Attorney Bill Gladson and his team for delivering a guilty verdict," Woods continued. "In Marion County, we protect our children — and we hold those who harm them accountable."

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Deputies shoot growling Florida man dead after 'bizarre' standoff — and just moments after he survived alligator attack: Cops



Soon after a Florida man survived an alligator attack on Monday, Polk County Sheriff's deputies fatally shot him when he emerged from a lake and charged at deputies with garden shears, officials said.

Just before 6 a.m., a clerk at a convenience store in Lakeland told police that a man was acting "bizarre," according to WTVT-TV.

'The fact that he was bitten by an alligator significantly and still continued his rampage is shocking.'

The man fled the scene before deputies could question him, the station said.

Around 7:43 a.m., police dispatchers received a tip that a man was swimming in a lake known to be infested with alligators, WTVT reported.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news conference Monday that an alligator bit the man's right arm.

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Image source: Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

"His conduct was outrageous. It was bizarre," Judd stated, according to WTVT. "This is crazy stuff. You know it's got to be true. You can't make it up."

Judd pointed out, "A witness actually took a life vest and tried to give it to him. He wouldn’t take it," NBC News said.

Another witness told police that the man was growling at them when they tried to assist him, WFLA-TV reported.

The suspect — identified as 42-year-old Timothy Schulz — walked out of the lake and grabbed a pair of garden shears, WFLA said, adding that the sheriff's office said Schulz used a brick to try to break into a vehicle.

Judd said Schulz charged at deputies with the garden shears, NBC News reported, after which the deputies ordered Schulz to drop the shears. Judd said deputies tased him twice after he didn't comply, WTVT noted.

Judd added that the suspect entered the passenger side of a running patrol vehicle and attempted to take a gun from its holder, WTVT reported.

"At that time, our deputies shot multiple times. As a result, Timothy is deceased," Judd explained, according to NBC News.

RELATED: Florida woman mauled to death in 'thrashing' alligator attack during canoe trip as husband tried to fight off massive beast

Image source: Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

Two deputies — a trainee and his trainer — fatally shot the suspect, WFLA reported.

The deputies have been placed on administrative leave while the state’s attorney’s office reviews the police shooting, NBC News said.

Sheriff Judd noted that Schulz has a long criminal history, including several arrests for methamphetamine charges, WFLA noted.

Schulz had just been released from county jail on May 20, NBC News said, adding that an arrest affidavit in that case indicates police discovered a glass pipe in a backpack Schulz was carrying that tested positive for meth.

“The fact that he was bitten by an alligator significantly and still continued his rampage is shocking, but if you’re on enough meth, the person you see is not the person that’s attacking,” Sheriff Judd said, according to WFLA.

A witness saw deputies pulling the man out of the patrol car and starting to give him CPR, WFLA added.

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Image source: Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

"I don’t know if this is a suicide by cop or a suicide by being absolutely out of your mind on methamphetamine, but he showed no fear of two deputies," Judd said, according to WFLA. "He showed no interest in complying. Even after he was tased, he still ran. And one of our witnesses said, 'I don’t know why the deputies waited so long before they shot him.'"

WFLA said Judd added, “When you’re on, you know, meth or whatever, crack cocaine, or whatever it might be, you’re sometimes out of your mind."

No deputies were injured, WTVT said.

You can watch a local newscast from WTVT regarding the strange case here.

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Florida woman mauled to death in 'thrashing' alligator attack during canoe trip as husband tried to fight off massive beast



A Florida woman was attacked and killed by an alligator while sailing on a canoe on Tuesday afternoon, according to authorities.

A husband and wife were canoeing in a 14-foot boat in approximately two and a half feet of water at the mouth of Tiger Creek near Lake Kissimmee, Florida.

'Gator grabbed her out of the canoe. He tried to fight the gator off. We're at the last place he saw her.'

Suddenly, the canoe drifted over a large alligator.

Citing officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, ABC News reported, "The gator thrashed and tipped the canoe over, throwing both the husband and wife into the water."

The fish and wildlife officials said 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema of Polk County landed on top of the alligator. The husband reportedly attempted to stop the alligator attack but was unfortunately unsuccessful.

WKMG-TV obtained the radio transmission from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, which indicates that the victim's husband attempted in vain to fight off the massive animal.

"Gator grabbed her out of the canoe," a deputy can be heard saying in the audio. "He tried to fight the gator off. We're at the last place he saw her. He left the paddle here where he last saw her at."

The Polk County Sheriff's Office helicopter, PCSO deputies, marine units, and an alligator trapper were dispatched to the scene, the commission said.

Wildlife officials revealed on Tuesday that trappers had recovered an 11-foot-4-inch alligator matching the length description of the gator involved in the fatal attack. Trappers also recovered a second alligator, up to 11 feet in length.

Diekema's body has since been recovered.

The FWC launched a full investigation into the animal attack.

Roger Young — the executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — called Diekema's death a "devastating loss" during a press conference on Wednesday.

Young noted, "While alligator attacks resulting in fatalities are extremely rare, this tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the powerful wildlife that share our natural spaces."

Young said of the victim's friends and family, "Our heartfelt prayers go out to them. This is a devastating loss, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy."

This is the second alligator attack in the area since March. A woman suffered an alligator bite on her arm while kayaking on a canal between Tiger Lake and Kissimmee Lake.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission urges the public to "never feed an alligator and keep your distance if you see one. Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. And keep pets on a leash and away from the water."

You can watch a local WTSP-TV newscast on the fatal alligator attack here.

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'Absolute animal': Man, 70, who allegedly forced teen into sex slave contract charged with trying to hire hit man to kill her



A Florida man already accused of forcing a teen girl into signing a "sex slave" contract now faces additional charges alleging that he tried to hire a hit man to kill her before she could testify against him.

According to the TCPalm, the teen contacted law enforcement to report being sexually assaulted on Aug. 17, 2021.

'And then if the victim was ... no longer here, he essentially gets sentenced to nothing.'

Officers with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office arrested Andrew Mustapick 10 days later. He was charged with unlawful sex activity with certain minors.

The 17-year-old victim alleged that she was forced to sign a "sex slave" contract in exchange for gifts, including a car.

WPBF-TV reported that the victim told detectives that Mustapick wrote in the contract that the teenager "was to complete these sexual favors on Mondays and Fridays over the next five years."

According to WFLX-TV, Mustapick purchased a car for the victim's friend so the friend could drive the victim to his house.

Mustapick took back the 2017 Volkswagen after the girl did not “uphold her end of the contract,” according to Law & Crime. The vehicle had reportedly been registered in Mustapick's name.

The victim reportedly recorded her last encounter with Mustapick, which she provided to investigators.

In late March 2025, Mustapick signed a plea of no contest to one count of sexual activity with a minor — a second-degree felony.

However, the Indian River Sheriff’s Office reportedly received a tip before Mustapick made a plea deal that he was attempting to hire a hit man to kill the teen to prevent her from testifying against him.

Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said, "So, in March, we were notified of this. Thank you to the person who came forward. We're not identifying them at this time. But we would not be here today if it weren't for that person that came forward and let us know about this."

According to police, Mustapick met with an undercover detective posing as a hit man for hire on May 1, 2025.

Mustapick allegedly told the undercover cop that he would offer $40,000 to convince the victim to refuse to testify and then offered another $50,000 to have her killed if she still decided to testify.

Flowers added, "His plan was to withdraw the plea deal. And then if the victim was ... no longer here, he essentially gets sentenced to nothing."

Police said Mustapick also was captured on video attempting to dispose of electronic devices, including a laptop and hard drive, by throwing them into the St. Sebastian River. The St. Lucie County Dive Team reportedly recovered the laptop and hard drive as evidence.

Authorities accused Mustapick of attempting to seek services to "use intimidation or physical force, or threaten" in order to prevent the victim from testifying or ensure the victim's absence from a criminal proceeding.

Mustapick was detained at the Indian River County Jail on a $7 million bond.

"This guy is an absolute animal," Sheriff Flowers said during a press conference. "Over eight months he’s going to spend in prison, he’s willing to have somebody bumped off."

Mustapick is scheduled to appear in court on June 6.

You can watch the police bodycam video of Mustapick speaking to an undercover cop here.

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Police bodycam video shows Florida man offering cops alcohol during car chase that ends with suspect getting tased



Police bodycam video shows a Florida man offering cops alcohol during a miles-long car chase that ends with the suspect being tasered and charged with DUI, according to law enforcement officials.

Around 3 p.m. Saturday, employees at the Spring Lake Market reported that a man had stolen several items, including alcoholic beverages. Police later identified the suspect as 39-year-old Richard Christopher Smith of Miami.

'You guys had fun, though, right?'

Deputies with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office arrived at the crime scene to reportedly find a man driving a black minivan in circles around the store. However, the suspect sped off when police arrived.

The sheriff's office released bodycam video showing a man slowly driving a black minivan near a police officer.

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office noted that Smith was holding a can of Ketel One vodka spritz out the window of the minivan as he drove by a deputy attempting to pull him over.

Smith is heard in the bodycam footage telling the officer, "I was just going to give you a drink, that’s it."

The sheriff’s office said in a statement, "We don’t know if he was expecting us to just say 'Cheers!' and let him go, or what."

"After his toast, Smith attempted to ram two patrol vehicles in the midst of getting all four tires flattened by spike strips," police stated.

The police bodycam footage shows the spike strips deflating the tires and hindering the vehicle from driving at a high rate of speed.

The police pursuit reportedly ended several miles away in the parking lot of a business at the Sebring Airport.

Bodycam video shows the minivan stopped and its front smashed by an unmarked police SUV.

As Smith exits the minivan, officers have their guns drawn and order the suspect to get on the ground. The suspect does not adhere to the commands and casually walks around as he smokes a cigarette.

As the shoeless Smith continues to advance toward a deputy, the officer tases the suspect, who violently falls headfirst on the pavement.

Smith is seen on police bodycam video asking what he's being arrested for, after which the deputy responds, "A lot of stupid s**t, right now."

The bodycam footage shows blood pouring from Smith's head as he asks the arresting officers, "You guys had fun, though, right?" The officers do not appear to be entertained by the suspect's query.

The sheriff’s office remarked in regard to the incident, "Strange things happen all the time when you’re in law enforcement. This one, however, might make the books."

"We would be very interested to hear from anyone else who has been offered a vodka spritzer by their suspect in the middle of a vehicle pursuit," police added. "Or that the same suspect calmly tried to walk away from a crash, puffing on a cigarette, despite being surrounded by deputies."

According to jail records, Smith faces a litany of charges, including battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, driving under the influence, refusal to submit to a DUI test, and petty theft.

Smith's bond was set at $120,000.

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Florida sex offender doesn't get job interview at door store, so he reportedly lashes out by flinging bottles of urine



A Florida man who is a registered sex offender flung bottles of urine into a local door store after he was denied a job interview, according to court documents.

John Connaughton, 51, was arrested Friday and charged with felony battery, criminal mischief, and two counts of aggravated assault, according to court records.

He caused more than $1,000 in damage 'to various building materials' by 'splattering [them] with urine,' according to the affidavit.

Connaughton allegedly asked for a job interview at the Doors, Molding and More store in St. Petersburg. However, store employees reportedly denied Connaughton an interview, after which he allegedly embarked upon a strange attack.

An arrest affidavit People magazine obtained says Connaughton "threw urine in multiple bottles into the front door" of the local business.

Urine splattered on the bare legs of an employee, WFLA-TV reported, citing the arrest affidavit.

He caused more than $1,000 in damage "to various building materials" by "splattering [them] with urine," according to the affidavit.

Connaughton reportedly fled the Doors, Molding and More store, but two men chased after him. Once one of the men confronted him, Connaughton raised his skateboard over his head as if he were going to hit the man with it, according to the affidavit.

Shortly after the confrontation, officers with the St. Petersburg Police Department arrested Connaughton and booked him into the Pinellas County Jail.

Connaughton is reportedly being held on a $22,500 bond — $10,000 for each count of aggravated assault, $2,000 for felony battery, and $500 for criminal mischief.

A public defender purportedly is representing Connaughton, who reportedly has not yet entered a plea to any of the charges.

No hearing has been scheduled as yet, either.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement sexual predator database, Connaughton is a registered sex offender.

Records show Connaughton was arrested in October 2004 for lewd or lascivious exhibition of a victim under the age of 16 years old.

Records also show Connaughton was arrested twice for failure to comply with the registration of a sex offender, in May 2016 and May 2019.

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Florida couple accused of stuffing billiard ball in tortured teen mom's mouth, suffocating her, ditching her dismembered body



A Florida couple allegedly kidnapped, tortured, and murdered a teen mom, according to authorities.

Miranda Corsette — a 16-year-old mother to an 11-month-old baby — allegedly met 35-year-old Steven Gress on a dating app, then went to his St. Petersburg residence on Valentine's Day.

Gress and Brandes 'held the victim against her will for more than seven days and tortured her by repeatedly beating the victim and eventually stuffing a billiard ball into her mouth and wrapping her face with plastic wrap, causing her to suffocate.'

Corsette is said to have returned to her grandmother's home in Gulfport the next day — but soon after that day went back to Gress' house. Police said Corsette remained there for days with Gress and his domestic partner, 37-year-old Michelle Brandes.

Corsette's grandmother on Feb. 24 reported her missing to the Gulfport Police Department. Corsette was homeschooled and lived with her grandmother because Corsette's parents are deceased, St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway stated during a press conference.

"We are very familiar with Miranda," said Commander Mary Farrand, who is also Gulfport's acting police chief. "She is a frequent runaway, and she has a history of mental health issues as well as drug abuse. The grandmother is her primary caregiver at this time."

Farrand explained that the grandmother — who didn't report Corsette missing for several days — said her granddaughter "normally comes home," and the grandmother said "she doesn’t report her missing every time she leaves. She just didn’t come back in a timely manner this time."

On March 6, a witness contacted police with a tip about a possible kidnapping and murder of a missing teen, and detectives determined Corsette was the missing teen referred to in the tip.

On Feb. 20, Brandes and Gress accused the teen mother of stealing a ring, according to the arrest affidavit.

Chief Holloway said the couple beat and tortured Corsette because they couldn't find the ring.

The Tampa Bay Times, citing the affidavit, reported that Gress and Brandes "held the victim against her will for more than seven days and tortured her by repeatedly beating the victim and eventually stuffing a billiard ball into her mouth and wrapping her face with plastic wrap, causing her to suffocate."

The St. Petersburg Police Department said of Corsette in a statement, "Sometime between February 20th and February 24th, she was killed."

Police said Gress put Corsette’s body in his car and drove to a home in nearby Largo; detectives found evidence that Corsette was dismembered there.

Chief Holloway said Brandes' mother owns the Largo home .

Police said Gress and Brandes drove about 50 miles to ditch the body in a dumpster in Ruskin.

Detectives located the dumpster but have yet to find the teen girl's remains. On Friday, police said they believe her remains likely are in a landfill.

Gress already was in jail for unrelated charges when the accusations about Corsette came to light.

On March 6, Gress was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and possession of methamphetamine and marijuana, records show. Police said Gress pointed a harpoon at Brandes.

In the missing teen case, Gress was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Gress was being held at the Pinellas County Jail without bail.

An assistant public defender has been appointed to represent him and has entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf, according to court records.

Brandes turned herself in to police Saturday morning. She is charged with first-degree murder in connection with Corsette's death.

The St. Petersburg Police Department noted, "This is still a very active investigation, and more charges are expected."

Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780.

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