Largo Jail Bookings: May 6-12

The following report shows felony charges associated with residents in Largo booked at Pinellas County Jail between May 6-12.

The following report shows charges associated with Largo residents booked at Pinellas County Jail between May 6-12. All felony arrests were made by the Largo Police Department unless noted otherwise.  Being arrested on charges does not mean a person has been convicted of the crime. Samuel Maldonado, 44, of Largo, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and felonious possession of a firearm. He is in jail awaiting trial on $70,000 bond. Christine Molly Xiong, 24, of Clearwater, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance (alprazolam and adderall). She was released on $4,000 bond. Lesile Jane Grau, 22, of Largo, was arrested and charged with two counts of violation of probation and obstructing or…

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Man Dies After Flipping Car, Hitting Utility Pole in Largo

The accident happened late Saturday night on a U.S. 19 North frontage road, investigators said.

A Clearwater man has died after he struck a utility pole and flipped his car late Saturday night in Largo, police said. John J. Taborda, 31, was headed northbound "at a high rate of speed" on a U.S. 19 North frontage road just north of Roosevelt Boulevard when he lost control of his 2007 Chevrolet Impala, according to Largo Police. Officers responded just after 11:30 p.m. to the scene, where the car had struck a utility pole as it flipped upside down. Taborda died at the scene, officials said. He was the car's only occupant. Sign up for the Largo Patch email newsletter to get our top headlines delivered straight to your inbox so you won't miss a thing!            

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Police Beat: Local Crime Reports

Police: Beer Can Battery Blackout Leads to Purse Snatching

A Largo man hit a woman with a beer can, causing her to black out, before stealing her purse and leaving on his bike, according to Largo Police.

A Largo man hit a woman with a beer can, causing her to black out, before stealing her purse and leaving on his bike, according to Largo Police. Anthony Lauren Bender, 27, was having a verbal argument with the victim, who is not identified because of the nature of the incident, around 1:47 p.m. May 2, according to police. Bender struck the woman with a can full of beer, causing her to black out, according to investigators. Then, he reached into her Ford Taurus and took her purse from the dashboard before taking off on his bicycle, police said. Police were able to find Bender shortly after the incident, and witnesses identified him, according to arrest reports. Bender was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon …

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Largo Jail Bookings: April 29-May 5

The following report shows felony charges associated with residents in Largo booked at Pinellas County Jail between April 29 to May 5.

The following report shows charges associated with Largo residents booked at Pinellas County Jail between April 29 to May 5. All felony arrests were made by the Largo Police Department unless noted otherwise.  Being arrested on charges does not mean a person has been convicted of the crime. Alexandra Francis Slattery, 25, of Largo, was arrested and charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling. She was released on $10,000 bond. Michael Smith, 31, of Largo, was arrested and charged with burglary of an unoccupied conveyance. He is in jail awaiting trial on $5,000 bond. Justin Lee Stapleton, 28, of Largo, was arrested and charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling. He is in jail awaiting trial on $10,000 bond. James Gregory Stokes, 57…

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Boyfriend Charged With Murder in Battered Toddler Death

Joel Adrian Cruz was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse and first degree murder after a 2-year-old was admitted to All Children's Hospital with severe chest injuries and brain damage early Sunday morning, according to Largo Police.

Battered Toddler Dies of Injuries

The 2-year-old child was admitted to All Children's Hospital with severe chest injuries and brain damage early Sunday morning, according to Largo Police.

A 2-year-old child admitted to All Children's Hospital with severe chest injuries and brain damage has died, according to Largo Police. Police were called to All Children's Hospital at 3 a.m. Sunday, May 5, in reference to 2-year-old Ananhie Fernandez, who was in critical condition. The child suffered severe chest cavity injuries and had no independent brain function, according to investigators. Police talked with the mother, Karina Mora, and her live-in boyfriend, Joel Adrian Cruz. Cruz, 27, admitted to throwing the child against a chair and wall, according to authorities. Cruz was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse and first degree murder, according to police. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail. *updated at 6:56 p.…

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Beer Money Brawl Leads to Screwdriver Stabbing

Sara Rivera, 49, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated domestic battery after using a screwdriver in a fight over beer money, according to Largo Police.

A Largo woman used a screwdriver to stab a victim in an argument over beer money, according to police. Sara Rivera, 49, got into a fight with the victim about his use of money on a debit card to buy more beer around 6 p.m. April 28, according to Largo Police. The argument escalated, with Rivera and the victim both hitting each other, Rivera's daughter said in the police report. During the fight, Rivera picked up a screwdriver and stabbed the victim in the back of the head and right arm, causing minor injuries, according to the investigators. Blood was found on the floor of the Jasper Street apartment, and Rivera attempted to clean up another area of blood, according to police. A small screwdriver was found on a nightstand in a bedroom, …

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Night Out Leads to Night in Jail

A Largo woman kicked out of Mako's Bar yelled, caused a scene and tried to kick a Largo Police officer in the groin, according to investigators.

A Largo woman kicked out of Mako's Bar yelled, caused a scene and kicked a Largo Police officer in the groin, according to investigators. Michele Lorraine Leppert, who uses the last name Bowman as an alias, was causing a disturbance at the Walsingham Road bar April 19, according to Largo Police.  A bouncer at Mako's Bar tried to remove Leppert from the bar, according to arrest records. As the bouncer took her outside, Leppert hit him and continued to yell obscenities, according to investigators.  Leppert was put into custody and continued to yell and "cause a scene," police say. While officers tried to search Leppert, she pulled away and attempted to knee the officer in the groin. She missed, hitting the inside of his thigh, according to …

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Largo Jail Bookings: April 22-28

The following report shows felony charges associated with residents in Largo booked at Pinellas County Jail between April 22-28.

The following report shows charges associated with Largo residents booked at Pinellas County Jail between April 22-28. All felony arrests were made by the Largo Police Department unless noted otherwise.  Being arrested on charges does not mean a person has been convicted of the crime. James Martin Boels, 30, of Clearwater, was arrested and charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and driving while license is suspended or revoked. He was released on $10,000 bond. Darrin William Key, 21, of Clearwater, was arrested and charged with four counts of violation of probation and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. He is in jail awaiting trial, Joseph Dennis Lampasona, 25, of Largo, was arrested and charged as a fugitive from Craven City, NC…

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