Crime

JEA Warns Customers to Beware of Scams

Submitted by Rachel Leitao, First Coast News Staff

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011, 11:47am

JEA is warning its customers to beware of scams involving utility bill payments.

Recently, some JEA customers have been called, texted or visited in person, requesting a payment be made on a credit card number to avoid disconnection of services. JEA does not call its customers to make such requests. Additionally, some JEA customers are being offered payment of their utility bill for up to half off the total amount due. The scam works like this – a customer is approached and told their bill will be paid in full if the customer gives an amount in cash. Unfortunately, the account is then paid with a stolen credit card or check. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

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Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Friday, February 4th, 2011, 7:20pm

Six Gas Cans, 2 Shovels Removed from Home of Michelle McCoy's Ex-Boyfriend

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Police are searching the home of Larry Thompson, the ex-boyfriend of 20-year-old Michelle McCoy and the suspect in the case of her apparent murder.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office found remains Thursday night that have not been positively identified as those of McCoy, though police believe they are hers.

The JSO arrived around 2:30 p.m. today to execute the warrant on the house at 8579 Darlington, just two blocks from the McCoy home.

Moments ago they removed six gasoline cans and two shovels from the home as evidence.

According to Sheriff John Rutherford in a news conference this morning, 52-year-old Thompson is the suspect in the case. Rutherford said Thompson is at large. He has a lengthy arrest record dating back to an unspecified charge in 1977.

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Submitted by Rachel Leitao, First Coast News Staff

Monday, January 31st, 2011, 4:17pm

U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard today sentenced Ripley Ridenour (55, of Jacksonville) to 210 months in federal prison and lifetime supervised release for receipt of child pornography. The Court further ordered Ridenour to register under federal and state law as a sex offender and forfeit computer media used as part of the crime. Ridenour pled guilty on August 30, 2010.

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Submitted by Rachel Leitao, First Coast News Staff

Thursday, January 13th, 2011, 10:06am

Detectives were made aware of some recent thefts of vases from graves in Jacksonville. Investigation led by Detective Kelley Burroughs revealed the suspects had taken the vases to local scrap metal yards around Jacksonville after they were stolen in exchange for money. Investigative work led to the identity of the three suspects.

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Submitted by Rachel Leitao, First Coast News Staff

Thursday, January 13th, 2011, 9:36am

Robbery Suspects Identified and Arrested

Police recently submitted to the public a photo of a bank robbery suspect shooting into the air.

The suspect along with two other codefendants have been identified and arrested. On January 6, 2011 at 10:45 a.m., patrol officers stopped the suspect, Jerrica Duncan at 1515 Hendricks Avenue for having a stolen tag attached to her vehicle. The officer observed suspect Duncan matched the description of the suspect that robbed Synovus Bank. The vehicle also matched the description of the suspect vehicle seen leaving the bank.