Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
MAN KICKS OFFICER IN FACE AFTER WAL-MART THEFT
A West Palm Beach man is out of jail on a $4,000 bond after kicking a police officer in the face and pepper-spraying a loss-prevention officer while trying to steal a stereo speaker from Wal-Mart. The Palm Beach Post reported 19-year-old Velmando Williams tried to leave the store with a $100 speaker hidden in his pants. The police report said the loss-prevention officer was pepper-sprayed when attempting to stop Williams.
COAST GUARD OBTAINS 900 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA
The U.S. Coast Guard has collected about 900 pounds of marijuana worth $800,000 after intercepting a go-fast boat near Haiti. The Miami Herald reported a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft crew discovered a vessel off the coast of Haiti on Tuesday night. According to the Coast Guard, the crew suspected illegal activity and contacted the Coast Guard to investigate.
MAN WHO CAUSED GAS STATION EXPLOSION HAS RECORD OF GAS THEFT
Miami police say a 46-year-old man accused of causing an explosion at a gas station had previously been arrested for stealing large amounts of gasoline. The Miami Herald reported that Onelio Castro was arrested Friday after a minivan exploded at a Marathon gas station. Miami Fire Rescue spokesman Lt. Ignatius Carroll said a 150-gallon tank and a pump used to siphon gas was inside the minivan.
WARDEN MEMOM DETAILS PRISON PROBLEMS, UPGRADES
New Dade Correctional Institution warden Les Odom has announced a variety of upgrades to overhaul the state prison and correct lapses in proper management. Some of the improvements have already begun and others have been scheduled. Those include replacing the air conditioning in the area housing mentally ill inmates. Also, training staff how to better keep track of the number of prisoners. Odom sent a memo to Department of Corrections Secretary Michael Crews detailing an existing problem conducting accurate counts and documenting incident reports when problems arise.
MAN SLEEPING AT INTERSECTION LEADS POLICE ON CHASE
A 21-year-old man found sleeping in his car at an intersection led police on a chase before being arrested in a Greenacres gated community. Joslet Jean-Charles was asleep behind the wheel of a 2003 Ford Taurus at a busy intersection around 9:30 p.m. Thursday. A patrol car pulled in front of Jean-Charles, who awoke, put his car in reverse, drove around the police and fled. He later abandoned the vehicle. Police did not initially find Jean-Charles, but arrested him at an address found on a bill inside the car.
