Detectives are releasing a rendering of one of the three suspects wanted for the brutal attack of a 61-year-old disabled woman who was alone in her Deerfield Beach home. The suspects walked in through a sliding glass door and demanded jewelry and credit cards. They threatened to kill her pets if she didn’t comply, and they carried with them heartbreaking proof that they were serious – two of her kittens they had killed outside. Investigators are searching for a white male with shoulder length dirty blonde hair and blue eyes.

The intruders, wearing hooded sweatshirts, gloves and Halloween masks, became aggressive when she told them she didn’t have much to steal. The woman is hardly able to walk because of a debilitating illness and often uses a walker. The intruders threw her down, and she landed on a table and hit the floor. They ransacked her house and used shards of broken glass to cut her face, arm and abdomen, all while demanding valuables. At one point, her house dress fell open and they sprayed paint on her body.

They took only a small, grey safe with her medication inside, as well as the two dead kittens in a paper bag. She later told Broward Sheriff’s Office robbery detectives that the ordeal lasted between 30 and 60 minutes and that two of the men were inside the house and a third waited outside. One was a short, white male who spoke proper English and wore a dark blue, hooded sweatshirt. The second was taller and spoke with a Spanish accent. He wore a black, hooded sweatshirt. Both wore Halloween masks and gloves and seemed to be in their late teens or early 20s.

The victim was treated for superficial cuts and bruises and released from North Broward Health Medical Center Thursday but returned to the hospital Friday for further treatment. BSO detectives are asking for the public’s help. If anyone knows anything about this crime, please call Det. Vincent Coldwell at (954) 321-4270 or report anonymous information to Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS (8477) or online at www.browardcrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $3,000 for an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest.

Broward Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit detectives are looking for any additional victims of a Deerfield Beach swim instructor who sexually assaulted two young students during their swimming lessons.

Francisco De Aragon sexually assaulted a swim student during the 11 a.m. lesson on May 19 at the Deerfield Beach Aquatic Center. At the 11:30 a.m. class on the same day, De Aragon sexually assaulted and molested a second victim. SVU detectives arrested De Aragon on May 20 on two counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 12 and one count of lewd and lascivious molestation.

Detectives are asking any additional victims to contact BSO SVU Detective Keith Gittens
at 954-321-4240 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or at www.browardcrimestoppers.org.

Employees of Deerfield’s O2 Media were in the middle of a meeting on May 7 … little did they know they were being violated. Two women came into the building, went up to the 4th floor and rummaged through women’s purses in the office cubicles. The women then went on to engage in a shopping spree at the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton.

The thieves fled with several credit cards, debit cards and driver’s licenses. According to Broward Sheriff’s Office, the thieves “made two purchases at the Apple store, one for $740 and a second for $2,193. The stolen cards were also used at Macy’s for $568 and Grand Lux for $76. Some transactions were declined, one at the Apple store for $1,582 and two at Publix for $12 and $218.”

Broward Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for these women. They are seeking a white female in her late 30s, about 5’8″ tall, 220 lbs with long, curly brown hair. She was wearing dark pants, a long sleeved sweater with silver trim and a round brown and gold purse. They are also seeking a black woman, 5’6″ tall, 190 lbs. approx., in her 40s with curly brown shoulder-length hair. She wore a blue shirt and black pants as well as glasses. Both were wearing lanyards with ID cards at time of theft.

Anyone with information is asked to contact BSO Detective Edwards-Demattia at  or Broward Crime Stoppers at (8477) or at www.browardcrimestoppers.org. A reward of up to $3,000 is available for information leading to an arrest.

Surveillance video is available at www.sheriff.org.

By Rachel Galvin

As of 10:41 p.m (3/15/15)., SE 15th is filled with fire trucks and BSO. According to a source, there is a gas leak currently being investigated. Gas is coming from the roadway in the 300 block. Businesses in The Cove Shopping Center and some apartments have been evacuated at the time of this writing. Stay tuned for more details.

11:18 p.m: A source with BSO states that it is not a propane line, but a propane tank under the roadway that seems to feed the surrounding buildings. The leak was detected via smell and also sensors. They are still assessing the situation. Meanwhile, the apartment buildings in that block have been evacuated and the residents are standing around waiting to see when they can return.

12:42 p.m. According to BSO FR PIO, ” Hazmat techs have secured the leak. Tank will likely have to be dug up and replaced.”

   The Election for the District 2 seat on the Broward County Commission is

being held today, Thursday, December 4th. This district encompasses Coconut

Creek from the Florida Turnpike west to S.R. 441 and south to Mcnab Road

as well as portions of Ft. Lauderdale. According to the Supervisor of Elections office. only registered Democrats are allowed to vote in this election.

The Observer highly recommends that you vote for Charlotte Rodstrom today.

TODAY
The election for the District 2 seat on the Broward County Commission is being held today, Thursday, December 4^th

Coconut Creek from the Florida Turnpike west to S.R. 441 and south to McNab as well as portions of Fort Lauderdale. According to the Supervisor of Elections Office, only registered Democrats are allowed to vote in this election.
The Observer highly recommends that you vote for Charlotte Rodstrom today.

Photo by Jacob Shendell

 A Bomb Threat was reported at: 685 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach. : BSO’s deputies and the Bomb Squad are responding to a report of a possible explosive device in a car near the above address. Deputies have closed road traffic on East Hillsboro Boulevard from the 800 block to the 500 block. Homes and businesses in that area have been evacuated.

UPDATE:  4:49 P.M. At 2:15 pm a 911 call came in that a explosive device was set in a car at 685 E. Hillsboro, possibly by a party involved in a recent separation and a suspect that was arrested for domestic violence. He called a family member of the female involved in the domestic case at her place of work and told here it was in her car outside. BSO and Homeland Security responded and checked for a device. The suspect has a military background and that concerned everyone and which made his threat was credible. No device was located and they are looking for the suspect.

Katz Deli in NYC

Katz Deli in Deerfield Beach

The famous Katz Deli in New York City filed a cease-and-desist letter on April 29 to stop Deerfield Beach Katz Deli in The Cove from using their name. The NYC deli, founded in 1888, accused the local deli of infringing on its federal trademark rights. The Cove Katz Deli opened less than a year ago. Both restaurants sell New York style and Kosher deli food. The NYC deli has been featured in movies like “When Harry Met Sally.”

 The case is listed under Katz’s Delicatessen of Houston Street Inc v Pump-a-Nickel Corp d/b/a Katz’s Deli of Deerfield Beach et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 14-04245.

Vehicle used and ID flashed by BSO impersonator at unsuspecting drivers.

Broward Sheriff’s Office Public Corruption Unit detectives arrested a man performing traffic stops last Friday in Broward and Palm Beach counties while posing as a BSO employee. Although the suspect says he only did this that day, detectives are looking for additional victims of this BSO impersonator.

Tiago Monteiro

On June 6, Tiago Monteiro driving a dark Volvo pulled over a car with a teen driver and two teen passengers near 400 N. Federal Hwy. Monteiro felt the teenage girl had cut him off. He stopped his car in front of hers, walked up to her car and ordered her to roll down her window. Monteiro acted with authority and quickly flashed an ID in a lanyard. He told the victim that he worked for BSO and asked to see her license and registration. After reviewing her documents, Monteiro told her he would let her go with a warning.

Hours later the impersonator pulled over a second victim. This time it was an adult man (William “Bill” Bucknam) in Boca Raton. He told Bucknam that he was a BSO detention technician and flashed a work ID from a telemarketing job. Again Monteiro asked to see his license and registration and again he told him he could go with a warning. Bucknam was suspicious and used his mobile phone to take photos of Monteiro, the Volvo and the tag. His actions were crucial in giving the BSO the information they find and apprehend Monteiro.

Public Corruption Unit detectives arrested Tiago Monteiro at his home in Coral Springs. He admitted to performing the fake traffic stops and stated he was targeting drivers whom he felt should not be behind the wheel. Monteiro had no police lights in his car, no weapon and no BSO identification. He is facing charges of impersonating an officer and false imprisonment.

Monteiro has never been employed by BSO but has applied 14 times; most recently on March 30, 2012. Monteiro has a history of mental health issues.

Detectives are asking for anyone who’s been a victim of Monteiro or anyone with additional information to contact BSO Detective Joshua Webb at 954-321-1100 or Broward Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or www.browardcrimestoppers.org.

Photo of impersonator and his car captured in the act.