Sexual Battery
Taiwan Blandin was extradited to Polk County following an extensive manhunt.
Blandin was accused of murdering an 80-year-old woman, and raping another woman.
“We are grateful that this violent, armed, and dangerous suspect is in custody and his crime spree has come to an end,” said Sheriff Grady Judd.
Atlanta police arrested Blandin after an alleged carjacking and high speed chase. Blandin now faces over a dozen charges in both Polk County and Fulton County in Atlanta.
Burglary Stabbing
Twenty-three-year-old Chase Richardson was stabbed to death after breaking into a home in Pinellas County.
Richardson was a resident at the Savannah Group home, and reportedly had mental disabilities. After an argument with another group home resident, Richardson locked the door to his room and climbed out the window.
Deputies were later dispatched to the area after receiving reports of a man banging on doors and windows of homes.
Richardson eventually broke through the master bedroom of a home, where the father of the household stabbed him. Richardson was then transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The case is still being investigated and deputies will release more information at a later time.
Reduced Fines
Pinellas, Polk, and 62 other counties across Florida are offering reduced fees on suspended licenses and outstanding fines.
Thousands of Florida drivers have suspended licenses. Many of these drivers may be eligible for a 40% reduction on unpaid fees throughout October.
Drivers with a suspended license with outstanding fees should visit Operation Green Light’s homepage at https://www.flclerks.com/page/greenlight
Pedestrian Safety
Pinellas County has launched a new initiative to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe on the road.
The Sheriff’s office received $40,800 from the Florida Department of Transportation, meant to be used for officer’s to conduct on-street enforcement operations.
Deputies will be positioned at five of the most dangerous streets for pedestrians and cyclists. These hotspots include U.S. Highway 19, Tampa Road, Pasadena Avenue, and two different stretches of Gulf Boulevard.
Florida leads the nation in bicycle fatalities, and many of these fatalities have been attributed to a failure to yield the right of way.
The High Visibility Enforcement project for pedestrian and bicycle safety will run through May 2020.
Opioid Abuse
This week, Tampa city leaders are expected to approve spending $900,000 to ease the impact of the opioid crisis.
The US Department of Justice awarded the grant to redirect low-level drug offenders to community service instead of jail.
The vote is Thursday, and the city council meeting is open to the public.
Anchor: Natalie Conkel
Producer: Sonu Trivedi
Director: Will Polston
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Reporter: Jeslyn Santiago
Graduate Assistant: Emmanuel Maduneme
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