Page 42 - Florida Sentinel 12-24-21

Crime
Murder Suspect
Missing 17-Year-Old Found Safe
MERCEDES MCLEOD
Last week, a 17-year-old Lakeland teenager was re- ported missing after she had not been seen since December 8th. Her family reported her missing to the Lakeland Police Department.
Since making the report, Mercedes McLeod has been located and is safe, po- lice said.
McLeod was last seen leaving her home at 5:40 a.m. According to police, she didn’t go to school that day, but did pick up a paycheck at her job in Lakeland.
Body Found In Hillsborough River
The unidentified body was found in the 6600 block of North Riviera Manor Dr.
The Tampa Police Depart- ment is investigating a body found in the Hillsborough River. It was discovered last Thursday around 2:30 p.m. near the 6600 block of North Riviera Manor Drive.
Around 4 p.m., the depart- ment’s Marine Unit recovered the man’s body. Police do not believe any foul play is sus- pected. The investigation is continuing.
Police Seek Help In Suspicious Death Investigation
The body was found near the intersection of Crestview Road and Citrus Bottom Lane in Wimauma.
Arrested In
New Mexico
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has identified a suspect in the murder of a Thonotosassa woman. He was arrested in New Mexico while driving her stolen vehicle.
Detectives said through investigative means, detec- tives identified 28-year-old Trent Diggs as the suspect. A warrant was obtained for the charges of murder in the first degree with a weapon (premeditated), armed bur- glary of a dwelling, and viola- tion of domestic violence injunction.
Diggs was arrested in New Mexico by New Mexico State Police earlier last week, traveling in the victim’s stolen vehicle. He remains in cus- tody there as he awaits extra- dition.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded to
TRENT DIGGS
the unidentified woman’s home in Thonotosassa to con- duct a welfare check. They discovered the woman had been murder.
According to police, on Saturday, December 11, 2021, just before 2:00 p. m. deputies were dispatched to the 9400 block of Goldenrod Road.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in an investiga- tion.
Detectives are attempting to learn more information after the body of a deceased adult was discovered in Wimauma, last week.
According to police, just after 7:20 a. m., on December 18, 2021, the Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call about a deceased person. The person was located in a wooded
area near the intersection of Crestview Road and Citrus Bottom Lane in Wimauma.
The decedent’s identity is unknown and at this time, the death appears suspicious. The investigation is ongoing, and no other details were available.
If you have any informa- tion in reference to the inves- tigation, you’re urged to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.
Shooting Leaves 1 Critical; 2 Others Injured
The shooting took place in the 3800 block of N. Avon Street on Wednesday, December 15th.
UNCLE SANDY
Every day may not be a good day, 7, 16, 23, 31, 42, 50 but there is good in every day, 3, 12, 28, 39, 45, 55.
Detectives are currently investigating a shooting that left three people injured. It took place around 12:50 a. m., last Wednesday.
According to the Tampa Police Department, the shooting left 3 adults injured. The injured included a 44- year-old woman, who was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.
Two men, ages 44 and 45 were also struck by gunfire. One of the men was listed in
stable condition and the other in critical condition when transported to a local hospi- tal.
The investigation is con- tinuing and no arrests have been made. Detectives are asking anyone with informa- tion about the shooting to contact the Tampa Police De- partment at (813) 231-6130; or call Crime Stoppers at 1- 800-873-TIPS (8477), or on- line at www.crimestopperstb.com.
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