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65 Displaced By Fire In Vacant Building

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 10, 2008

An early morning fire in St. Petersburg displaced about 65 people from a three-story apartment building Sunday.

The fire started shortly after 3 a.m. in a nearby vacant building, fire officials said.

Firefighters turned off the power to the Bay Plaza, 419 Third Ave. N., after the fire spread into its attic, raising concerns about possible electrical problems, St. Petersburg fire Chief James Wimberly said. The building also sustained water damage. No one was injured.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter at the Trinity Lutheran Church on Fifth Street North for the displaced residents, according to Melanie Koch, a spokesperson for the Red Cross. They expected about 45 people, she said.

Officials are investigating the cause of the nearby fire at the Biltmore Apartments at 435 Third Ave. N., which has been vacant since at least last year, Wimberly said. Firefighters had the fire under control at about 4:45 a.m., he said.

The heavy smoke triggered smoke alarms at a nearby hotel, which was not damaged, Wimberly said.

Man Killed Crossing Street

TAMPA - A man died Sunday morning after being hit by a car while crossing Waters Avenue.

Luis A. Diaz, 28, of 6728 Swain Ave., was hit about 3:30 a.m., east of Hanley Road, by a westbound 2002 Ford Taurus, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office is still investigating and could not say whether the Taurus' driver, 29-year-old Roberto J. Brenes, of Tampa, would face charges.

Fireman Arrested In Attack

NEW PORT RICHEY - A New Port Richey firefighter/paramedic was arrested Saturday, accused of trying to strangle his girlfriend.

James E. McCormick, 27, threw his girlfriend around the bedroom while they were arguing, then grabbed her head and started choking her, according to an arrest affidavit.

The woman thought she was going to die and scratched McCormick, trying to get away. He took her phone so she couldn't call for help and wouldn't let her leave.

McCormick told deputies his girlfriend beat him up and that he hadn't fought back.

The couple had been drinking, according to the report.

McCormick was arrested on a charge of battery by strangulation and released from the Land O' Lakes Jail after posting $5,000 bail.

He declined to comment when reached by phone Sunday. City fire officials couldn't be reached for comment.

Palm Harbor Bank Robbed

Detectives are searching for a man they say robbed a Palm Harbor bank Sunday afternoon.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office:

A man walked into a branch of Bank Atlantic at 32491 U.S. 19 N. about 3 p.m. He showed a teller a gun and asked for cash, leaving with an undisclosed amount.

The suspect is between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-11 and about 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a navy blue, short-sleeved button-down, possibly plaid shirt; big sunglasses, a light cream-colored cloth hat with a brown/camel colored strip around the brim and possibly khaki pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Amy Plourde at (727) 582-6200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

Home Invasion Suspect Arrested

SHADY HILLS - A Brooksville man was arrested Saturday in last month's slaying of a 21-year-old man during a home invasion robbery.

Calvin Leon Washington, 19, of 713 Hazel St., Brooksville, was arrested after telling Pasco County detectives he and two other men tried to rob the home at 18236 Oxenham Ave. on Oct. 16. They were looking for drugs and money, according to an arrest affidavit.

They broke in through a rear window, but the occupants confronted them.

Just before 5 a.m., Cory Lynn Evans was fatally shot in the head. His cousin, Kenneth Sheridan Evans, 25, was shot three times and flown to a Tampa hospital with serious injuries. One of the suspects was shot in the back, and his friends took him to Spring Hill Regional Hospital in Hernando County.

Washington is the first person arrested in the case.

Washington is being held without bail at the Land O' Lakes Jail on charges of first-degree murder and attempted felony murder.

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