WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Here are the top stories with the most viewed photos from this week.
Fort Pierce nurse charged with stealing pain meds meant for patients at HCA hospital
Nichole Spruitenburg, 38, of Port St. Lucie, was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail on Nov. 16 after being extradited from Marquette, Michigan. Investigators say the Lawnwood Hospital nurse repeatedly stole pain medications and diluted doses intended for patients. (WPEC)
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — For the second time this year, an HCA Florida nurse in South Florida has been arrested on accusations of stealing narcotics meant for patients — this time at Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, according to newly released court records.
Nichole Spruitenburg, 38, of Port St. Lucie, was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail on Nov. 16 after being extradited from Marquette, Michigan. Investigators say the Lawnwood Hospital nurse repeatedly stole pain medications and diluted doses intended for patients.
On Sept. 10, hospital staff obtained a written note from Spruitenburg in which she appears to admit bringing home medication that was supposed to be discarded. In the note, she wrote she did it “to help deal with my wife’s pain unable to be met due to cost,” and acknowledged the behavior was “unprofessional.” (SLCSO)
Spruitenburg is charged with 13 counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and 13 counts of grand theft of a controlled substance. Her bond is set at $130,000.
HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital provided the following statement to CBS12 News:
HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital has safeguards in place to ensure medications are administered and accounted for properly. These safeguards helped our team identify the possible diversion. We notified law enforcement and assisted with their investigation. The individual is no longer employed at our facility. We remain fully committed to preventing drug diversion and will continue to work with state and federal authorities to support prosecution and appropriate licensure actions when necessary, upholding the highest standards of care and professional conduct.
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Martin County deputy arrested following investigation
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MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A Martin County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested and fired.
The deputy allegedly made arrests for drug possession, but went about it in the wrong way. The sheriff’s office has not provided a photo of the ex-deputy, but he’s identified as Justin Lee.
Details surrounding the arrest have not yet been released, according to MCSO. Officials say Sheriff John Budensiek will provide comments at 2 p.m. (WPEC)
According to Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek, Lee was going on websites where he could find prostitutes. They would agree on a price for se,x and Lee would then ask them to bring drugs with them, and he would also ask for their license plate number and a description of their car. Lee did not tell them he was a sheriff’s deputy.
When the prostitute would show up at an agreed-upon location, Lee would be there in uniform and in a marked patrol vehicle, and pull them over for something such as running a stop sign and then arrest them for drug possession or possession of drug paraphernalia.
Read the full story here.
Deputy dead, 3 injured, including suspect, in eviction shooting in Indian River County
Indian River County Sheriff Deputy Terri Mashkow was shot and killed Friday morning while serving an eviction notice at a home near Vero Beach. (Joan Bennett)
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — An Indian River County deputy was killed, another deputy was shot in the shoulder, and a locksmith is also in critical condition after a shooting during an eviction at the Bermuda Club on Friday morning.
Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers held a news conference at noon to address the situation. During the press conference, he confirmed the death of Deputy Terri Mashkow, who had dedicated 25 years of service to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Mashkow was 47 years old and was involved in a standard eviction process when the incident occurred, the sheriff said.
Indian River County Sheriff Deputy Terri Mashkow was shot and killed Friday morning while serving an eviction notice at a home near Vero Beach. (Joan Bennett)
Sheriff Flowers said another deputy was injured in the shooting. Deputy Florentino “Tino” Arizpe, a 25-year veteran, was shot in the shoulder and is recovering at Lawnwood Hospital. A locksmith involved in the eviction process was also shot and injured. The sheriff’s office said the locksmith was critically injured and remains in surgery.
Sheriff Flowers said that the suspect was shot, in surgery, and in critical condition.
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SWAT busts Vero Beach backyard ‘shooting gallery’ after rounds hit youth camp
In early November, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office (IRCSO) arrested 35-year-old Brandon Harnois after he was accused firing rounds into a campground, which led to a SWAT bust at his home where deputies found guns, snakes and a backyard “shooting gallery”. (IRCSO){ }
VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A Vero Beach man is accused of firing rounds into a campground, leading SWAT to bust into his home and find guns, snakes, and a backyard “shooting gallery.”
Deputies with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office (IRCSO) say they responded to the 7800 block of 16th Street in Vero Beach around 9 p.m. on Sunday for reports of a suspicious incident.
A Vero Beach man is accused of firing rounds into a campground, leading SWAT to bust into his home and find guns, snakes, and a backyard “shooting gallery.” (WPEC)
Upon arrival, a Sergeant reported seeing tracer rounds going across 16th Street as he was driving west from 74th Avenue.
After figuring out the source of the gunfire, a home at 8187 Westfield Circle, deputies say they attempted to make contact with the homeowner, later identified as 35-year-old Brandon Harnois, to no avail.
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Port St. Lucie SWAT team arrests 5, seizes firearms, cash, over 4 lbs. of cannabis
A Port St. Lucie SWAT team allegedly seized over four pounds of cannabis, a cache of drugs, firearms, and cash, leading to the arrest of five people. (PSLPD)
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A Port St. Lucie SWAT team allegedly seized over four pounds of cannabis, a cache of drugs, firearms, and cash, leading to the arrest of five people.
The Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD) announced the arrest of five individuals on Thursday morning following an undercover investigation that culminated in a dramatic operation.
A Port St. Lucie SWAT team allegedly seized over four pounds of cannabis, a cache of drugs, firearms, and cash, leading to the arrest of five people. (PSLPD)
PSLPD said that their SWAT team executed a search warrant on Wednesday in the 4000 block of Rosser Boulevard following detectives developing probable cause.
Officials reported that the arrested people include Damaris Castillo, Francisco Castillo, Darryle Jackson, Denise Reed, and David Martin.
Read the full story here.
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