Sebastian Crime Blotter: October 19

Police search for man who punched, stomped on daughter

VERO BEACH — Police are searching for a man who they said punched and stomped on his 16-year-old daughter while at a 7-Eleven convenience store over the weekend. The man - identified as James Dunbar III - "stomped on her chest and neck," according to police Det. Jennifer Brumley of the Vero Beach Police Department. The child's condition was not immediately available. Vero Beach Police released surveillance images Tuesday of 36-year-old Dunbar inside the store. The incident happened shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday at the 7-Eleven in the 2200 block of U.S. 1, police said. Officers said Dunbar left the area in a gray 2003 Mazda Tribute sports utility vehicle with the Florida tag 153PZC. Police said Dunbar's last known ...

County announces beach closures ahead of beach restoration project

At least two beaches will be closed starting this weekend ahead of the beach restoration project, which will start back up next week, county officials said. The project aims to restore sand - which had been washed away by storms and hurricanes over the years - at the beaches. Beach park access at Seagrape Trail Beach Access and Treasure Shores Park Beach will both close starting Friday, county officials said. Seagrape Trail Beach is located south of Wabasso Beach, off Highway A1A. Treasure Shores Park Beach is located north of Wabasso Beach. Construction at Treasure Shores Park Beach - which will start Nov. 1 - was expected to last for 45 days. Crews will finish dumping 30,000 cubic yards of ...

Deputy who used pepper spray on inmate sentenced to 120 days in jail

A former corrections deputy who authorities said used pepper spray on an inmate who was compliant last year, was found guilty and sentenced to 120 days at the county jail, records show. A jury on Wednesday found Keefe Roman guilty of battery, court records show. County Judge Nicole Menz ruled on Roman's sentencing the same day at the Indian River County Courthouse. Roman was also ordered to undergo 12 months of supervised probation and pay $343 in court fees, court records show. Roman will need to take a 12-week anger management class and was ordered to not have contact with the inmate. Roman will be required to report to probation within 72 hours of him being released from the county ...