- April 19, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Of 42 total arrests, two Ormond Beachers were arrested on child-sex charges; free lunch is now offered to kids at the community center; mobile licensing office coming to City Hall; and emergency stats.
BY THE OBSERVER STAFF
Two locals arrested in largest child-sex sting ever
Two Ormond Beach residents were involved in an online child-sex sting that involved 11 local, state and federal agencies, ran June 8-15 and resulted in 41 Florida arrests.
The undercover operation began in Polk County and targeted child predators. Forty males and one female responded to online ads and began chatting with detectives and investigators impersonating children. The operation was the largest of its kind, and the 41 individuals arrested face a combined 180 charges, ranging from lewd and lascivious battery to procuring minors for prostitution.
Suspects have a combined arrest history of 99 felonies and 65 misdemeanors.
Two of the arrested individuals were from Ormond Beach. Tommy Helms, 35, and his 18-year-old girlfriend, Erin Vickers, each traveled to Polk County under the arrangement that Vickers would “teach” a 14-year-old girl how to have sex, and then, ultimately, Helms would join in, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The two arrived on a motorcycle with a backpack full of several pornographic movies, sex toys, condoms, handcuffs and a dog collar.
For a full list of arrests, CLICK HERE.
Get free lunch, at Nova Community Center
Nova Community Center, at 440 N. Nova Road, is hosting a Summer Food Program noon to 1 p.m. Mondays through Friday, for children under 18. Free lunches will be served to all attending kids, all of whom are invited to stay after for dodge ball, basketball and other activities.
Membership cards, which are free to residents, are required for all recreational activities. Non-residents will be charged $4 per day, or $51 annually. Call 676-3252.
Florida Licensing On Wheels
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will park its Florida Licensing On Wheels mobile unit at City Hall, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, July 1.
The mobile office can provide driver’s license/identification card change of address, renewals and replacements, as well as renewals and replacements of vehicle registration and disabled parking permits.
Visit www.gathergoget.com for requirements.
Corrections
To combat parking shortages at Andy Romano Beachfront Park, City Commissioner Troy Kent suggested the county open a Mislap Beach approach and let cars park on the beach in front of the Georgian Inn, not build a new lot. The reference to $5 per day, or $20 annually, is the county’s current charge for beach access.
Emergency Stats
The following numbers, for the week of June 21, were supplied by city staff.
Weekly Police Stats:
Calls for Service……….1,598
Arrests……….19
Citations Issued……….103
Reports Written……….162
Traffic Stops……….191
Weekly Fire Operations Stats:
Incidents……….129
EMS……….76
Motor Vehicle Accidents……….3
Fires……….1
Fire Alarms……….4
Public Assists……….44
Hazardous……….1
