Gang accused in burglaries

Jul. 2, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- TAMPA -- Nine Draks gang members could face life sentences in prison after being arrested for their involvement in an organized burglary and theft ring, Tampa police said.

A six-month investigation led prosecutors, Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies, and Tampa and Temple Terrace police to dismantle what they call a "major cell" of the gang, Tampa police said. Investigators served warrants Wednesday.

The roundup caught many of the suspects by surprise, Tampa police Capt. John Newman said.

Police said 22 of the gang's members committed 14 commercial smash-and-grab burglaries in Clearwater and across Hillsborough. They also are suspects in dozens of auto burglaries, residential burglaries and auto thefts.

One of the crimes occurred April 10 at the Rent-a-Center (NASDAQ:RCII) at 2525 E. Hillsborough Ave. The thieves crashed a vehicle through the store's front doors and took a flat-screen television, Wii and laptops.

'Hyde Park Rapist' returns to Hillsborough jail

The man known as the "Hyde Park rapist" is back in Hillsborough County after being accused of violating probation.

Bobby Joe Helms, 52, was arrested Friday in Brevard County. Investigators say they think Helms lied to a probation officer about associating with a teenage girl and may be involved with illegal drugs.

He was booked into Orient Road Jail on Wednesday morning.

Helms terrorized residents of South Tampa in the 1980s, breaking into homes while the occupants were sleeping. Helms told police he committed 12 burglary-rapes in Tampa from 1982 to 1984. As part of a deal, he pleaded guilty to one of the attacks and to four attempted rapes.

He was released from prison in 1999 and spent eight years at the Florida Civil Commitment Center in Arcadia, where he was under psychiatric treatment provided to sex offenders. Psychiatrists deemed him no threat in early 2008.

Tarpon Springs officer resigns in vandalism

TARPON SPRINGS -- A Tarpon Springs police officer resigned Wednesday amid allegations he slashed the tires of a homeless man's bicycle after the man addressed him using racial slurs.

Officer Jeffrey Robinson faced termination.

Robinson was caught on camera Feb. 8 taking the bicycle from a police facility, according to police documents. Before returning the bike, Robinson slashed the tires with a knife in retaliation for John Bilawsky using racial slurs while Robinson transported him to Pinellas County Jail on Jan. 28 on a trespassing charge, documents say.

Robinson is black; Bilawsky is white.

When Bilawsky and his mother went to the police department to retrieve the bicycle, they found the tires flat. A sergeant who was unaware the tires had been slashed gave Bilawsky and his mother $30 to fix the tires.

Robinson was hired in 2006.

Tampa police cuts to cost 4 civilians their jobs

The Tampa Police Department announced Wednesday that it will cut 36 civilian positions from its 2010 budget, although only four employees will lose their jobs.

The cuts will save an estimated $1.85 million.

Twenty-nine of the positions qualify for federal grant funding, which means the employees can keep their jobs for the 2010 fiscal year. The department hopes to use federal stimulus funds to extend those contracts beyond 2010.

Three of the positions being eliminated are vacant.

Caregiver accused of stealing $20,000

ST. PETERSBURG -- A 61-year-old woman is accused of stealing more than $20,000 from a disabled man she was supposed to be caring for, according to court documents.

Peggy Friend, of 8974 91st St. N. in Seminole, was charged with exploitation of an elderly or disabled adult. Bail was set at $20,000.

The victim, who is bipolar, told authorities that Friend was supposed to be a live-in caregiver. After she moved in, the man noticed questionable transactions on his bank and credit card statements, the documents say. They say he confronted Friend, who said she planned to pay him back, and then he fired her.

Friend admitted to using $3,000 to pay for dental work, $2,000 for furniture, $6,000 for cookware, $156 a month for car insurance, $1,500 for a big-screen television, $900 for a handgun and thousands of dollars for emergency care for her cat, documents say. The thefts occurred from June 1, 2007, to Oct. 31, 2008, according to the documents.

A staff report

Newstex ID: KRTB-0201-36169930