Fellsmere Crime Blotter: July 16

Man arrested in connection with Nov. triple homicide in Highlands

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A man faces murder charges four months after fatally shooting a grandmother and her pregnant granddaughter - killing the unborn baby - at a residence in the Highlands community, according to officials. Deputies previously described the incident as a home invasion. Details on the circumstances surrounding the shooting remained limited as a judge ordered the case sealed on Tuesday. The sheriff's office did not release a motive in the case. Aiden Jacob Christman was arrested on Monday in connection with the triple slaying, according to Indian River County sheriff's officials. Christman was held Wednesday on charges including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, first-degree murder of an unborn child and burglary of ...

Phone, clothing left behind helps police nab Mulligan’s robbery suspect

VERO BEACH — A phone with text messages and calls to a getaway driver and a Mulligan's employee, along with DNA extracted from a mask, helped detectives make an arrest in the armed robbery of a beachside restaurant that occurred in mid-August. Officers said the suspect left behind his phone, mask, and other items during his escape. After the robbery, the suspect met up with the Mulligan's employee at a barbecue in Gifford, reports show. Police on Wednesday arrested Sederick Maurice Upton, 43, of the 2400 block of 42nd Street, Gifford, on charges of robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping or false imprisonment and burglary with assault. Upton was held Saturday at the Indian River ...

Sheriff: Community helps solve cases in attempted abductions

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The tips kept coming in. There were calls. There was even a close-up photo of a person deputies would connect to at least two attempted abductions of two women. The help from residents, deputies say, helped them nab the suspect: a 13-year-old Pointe West resident. Wednesday, dozens of people gathered at the gazebo in the neighborhood to hear Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers give an update on the events, which happened not far from 16th Street and 74th Avenue. "The community provided us the photo which helped us solve this case. It made a massive difference," Flowers said.  "We were able to get on him right away, track him and get him into custody." The ...