Tuesday, January 10, 2012

FWC Division of Law Enforcement Operations Weekly NW Dec 30 2011 - Jan 5 2012


FWC
DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
       WEEKLY REPORT
December 30, 2011 – January 5, 2012        
 
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however,
it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.
 
NORTHWEST REGION
 
LIBERTY COUNTY
 
During nighttime hours, Officer Hank Forehand was on land patrol in the Apalachicola National Forest on Road 147, adjacent to ‘Pig and Coon Island.’ He observed a vehicle approaching his direction that appeared to be working a spotlight from the driver’s window. As the vehicle came closer to Officer Forehand‘s vehicle, the spotlight turned off. Officer Forehand stopped and exited his patrol vehicle and the subjects working the spotlight pulled alongside him. Officer Forehand greeted the occupants and identified himself as an FWC officer. Two subjects occupied the vehicle and it appeared they had two rifles and a shotgun lying in the back seat of their vehicle. Officer Forehand recognized both subjects. The subjects stated that they had been hunting and were riding and looking around after their hunt. Due to the rifles and a shotgun in the back seat, the officer advised that he would conduct a wildlife inspection. Officer Forehand identified three firearms in the back seat - a Ruger 44 magnum carbine rifle with a scope - loaded with four rounds, a Marlin Model 94, 30-30 caliber rifle - loaded with three rounds and a 12 gauge Verona SX 405L shotgun - not loaded. A Brickman ‘Q Beam’ hand-held spotlight was located on the floorboard adjacent to the driver and passenger. Officer Forehand explained that being in possession of firearms while working a spotlight in an area where deer are normally found is a violation of Florida law. Charges are pending on both subjects for attempting to take deer by gun and light. 
 
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
 
Lt. Dan Hahr was conducting enhanced patrol in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area when he encountered a man with a truckload of freshly cut logs and limbs. The subject admitted to cutting a live oak tree for a bonfire that night. While talking to the man, Lieutenant Hahr discovered a rifle in the truck and learned that the man was a convicted felon. Lieutenant Hahr issued the subject a notice to appear citation for cutting wood from management area property and seized the rifle. Charges are pending for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
 
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
 
FWC officers responded to a complaint regarding the taking of deer at night on private property in the Jay area. The officers conducted surveillance on the area and observed two suspects come out of the woods on the far side of the field. A brief investigation revealed the two individuals had hunted the field earlier in the day and killed a doe deer. Both subjects were issued notice to appear citations for the taking of doe deer during the closed season. The doe and two rifles were seized as evidence.
 
OKALOOSA COUNTY
 
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department responded to the Laurel Hill area after receiving a call about a subject trespassing at night. When the deputy arrived, the subject told him he was looking for a wounded deer he had hit with his vehicle. The following morning Officer Alan Kirchinger responded to the area after the deer was located by a local resident. An inspection of the deer revealed no trauma consistent with being hit by a vehicle but instead a leg wound that appeared to be made from a gunshot. A closer examination of the wound revealed a small piece of bullet fragment. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.
 
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