8 arrested in drug raid, suspect flees robbery, fatal pedestrian accident

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Here are the most-viewed photo stories this week.

Illegal game taking in Indian River County is meant to set an example

VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — While illegal arcade wrecks were commonplace in 2023, this year they were fewer and far between — until Wednesday.

That’s when the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office (IRCSO) arrived at the Panda Arcade, arrested the two men and began seizing the slot machines. The suspects, identified as Jingquan Lin and Jing Guo Yang, were charged with racketeering and illegal gambling. They each face millions of dollars in bonds.

The Vero Beach arcade, located right off US 1st and 8th streets, was raided Wednesday morning, and deputies along with members of the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) were on hand as the slot machines were removed. The investigation that led to the raider seizure actually began more than a year ago.

“They were very aware that they were already being reported as illegal gambling,” said IRCSO Capt. Joe Abollo. “We don’t want that here. We don’t want that kind of garbage here. We will not tolerate these types of arcades that simply add poison to our community.”

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A 25-year-old motorcyclist is in serious condition after a collision on Lantana Road

LAKE WORTH, Fla. (CBS12) — A 25-year-old motorcyclist remains in critical condition after a crash on Lantana Road in the Lake Worth corridor.

A crash report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) states that a motorcyclist was speeding eastbound on Lantana Road near South Jog Road on Saturday when the driver of a westbound Lincoln attempted to make a left turn onto a commercial Pinewood Square.

Officials said the motorcycle collided with the front left of a car at the intersection, throwing the motorcyclist from the motorcycle.

A 25-year-old man was taken to Delray Medical Center with serious injuries.

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Vero Beach Police Release Video of Suspect Fleeing After Mulligan’s Robbery

VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Surveillance video has been released of a man fleeing the scene of the crime after he was accused of robbing an employee at Mulligan’s Beach House.

The Vero Beach Police Department (VBPD) released surveillance video Monday after officers arrested Cederic Upton for the Oct. 16 crime.

According to the Vero Beach Police Department (VBPD), officers responded to Mulligan’s Beach House at 1025 Beachland Blvd., where one of his employees was the victim of a robbery. The victim told police she was processing money from a business in a gated area when a black man wearing a mask burst into the office.

Officers say the suspect pointed his gun at the victim and continued to make several threats and demanded cash. The officer stated that the suspect tied the victim’s hands and feet with shoelaces and continued to threaten the victim if she did not remain silent.

The suspect then fled the scene, stealing about $4,900, a watch and a silver bracelet, police said.

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WATCH: SWAT forces seize guns, drugs in major raid that leads to 8 arrests

TAMPA, Fla. (CBS12) — After a six-month investigation, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) says it has busted a drug trafficking operation that resulted in the arrest of eight people.

According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation focused on seven-time convicted felon Alfonso Ghisa, 46. Detectives discovered a large drug operation at a home on South 51st Street, just off Palm River Road, where large quantities of cannabinoids, fentanyl, methamphetamine and other controlled substances were processed.

On October 24, operatives carried out a warrant to search the house. Body camera video captured the moment HCSO investigators discovered eight people at the home, 27 pounds of cannabinoids, an AK-47 rifle, several rounds of ammunition and several buildings on the property used for drug-related activity.

Read the story in its entirety here.

A pedestrian has died after being hit while crossing the road in Greenacre

GREENACRE, Fla. (CBS12) — A pedestrian died early Wednesday morning after being struck by an SUV while crossing a major road in Greenacre.

The pedestrian was crossing Lantana Road, between Brentwood Boulevard and Jog Road, shortly before 7 a.m. when he was struck by a westbound Acura MDX, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said.

A Lake Worth man, identified as Aldes Merancier, was crossing the road in the middle of the block and pulled in front of the SUV, according to the crash report.

Merancier, 65, was pronounced dead at the scene, PBSO said.

Read the story in its entirety here.

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