Fernandina Beach Police Department: working for you

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

May 22, 2017 7:28 a.m.

Chief James Hurley reported a busy April 2017 for the Fernandina Beach Police Department:

• 268 traffic stops
• 40 motor vehicle crashes, 9 classified as Hit and Run
• 236 citations or warnings
• 53 ordinance violations
• 15 arrests
• 100 alarm calls
• 115 police reports, 4 robberies/burglaries, and responded to 22 Shoplifting cases and 10 domestic disputes. They also checked out 69 reports of suspicious cars or persons.

The following incident reports were highlighted by the Chief in his monthly report to the City Manager:

• The victim allowed the suspect to stay at her home and four of her personal checks were stolen. The checks were then forged and uttered for over $400.00, made payable to the suspect. Detective Arseneau obtained a confession and video footage from the bank and obtained a warrant for the arrest of the offender.
• The victim reported the theft of a personal check from her mailbox. The $5,000.00 was sent to victim by her mother to help her with financial issues. The check ended up being deposited by a third party. Bank footage helped detectives identify the offenders in this and other mailbox and vehicle burglaries in the South Fletcher area.
• An investigation is underway after a confidential source reported that a 37 year old man was allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 16 year old child. The child was interviewed by the First Coast Child Protection Team, while the suspect was interviewed by Sgt. Tracey Hamilton. The suspect admitted to sending/sharing inappropriate images via his cell phone with the child. The cell phone was seized and a Search Warrant will be obtained for the phone. This case is pending.
• Multiple car burglaries in the downtown area have occurred recently and are currently being investigated. A person of interest has been developed.
• Some residents have reported that a change of address form had been mailed to the Post Office without their knowledge or consent. As a result, their mail has been re-routed to areas like South Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. One victim had his address and phone number changed. He also had a bank account opened in his name. Detectives working the case are focusing on Chase Bank.
• Our ongoing efforts to conduct compliance buys at area businesses resulted in a confidential source (under 21) being sent into businesses to purchase alcohol. Three businesses were found to be non-compliant; Barbara Jeans, Patio Place, and Peppers.

Two Fernandina Police officers were singled out by members of the public for services rendered.

• Officer Jarrell Mitchell responded to a residence and helped an individual with an Internet scam. He was commended for his professionalism and kindness in handling the call.
• A local resident commended both Officer Hernandez and Officer Carey. He was grateful to Officer Carey for addressing the homeless issue in the area near his home. He thanked Officer Hernandez for stopping a suspect who had stolen his son’s bike from their house. Officer Hernandez caught the suspect and recovered the bike before it was reported stolen.

Chief Hurley said, “One more example of how important the little things are to the members of our community. Good work does not go unnoticed by our citizens.”