Fellsmere Crime Blotter: July 16

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 ...

Student arrested after ‘bomb’ note that led to lockdown, campus search

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Deputies arrested an 11-year-old Storm Grove Middle School student one day after another student found a suspicious note prompting a campus lockdown and search. The note described a bomb on campus, sheriff's officials said. "The student wrote the note and admitted to placing it between the lockers," said Sgt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. The girl was taken into custody about 3 p.m. Thursday, Jaworski said. The student was charged with written threats to kill, a second-degree felony offense. "We are not releasing (the student's) name at this time," Jaworski said. The girl will be taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Fort Pierce. The other student found the ...

Confession, DNA evidence lead to arrest in fatal stabbing of army vet

GIFFORD — A tearful confession, DNA evidence and surveillance footage led deputies to arrest a murder suspect who they said killed an army veteran and stole his belongings earlier this year. Eugene "Gene" Bain, 65, admitted to detectives that he repeatedly stabbed a man sleeping outside of Stone Brothers Funeral Chapel before walking off with his scooter, backpack and cell phone, Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said. "(Bain) was in the hospital in tears," said Flowers, who mentioned that Bain was hospitalized for unrelated health issues. "(Bain) said 'I have to get this off my conscious' and admitted it." Flowers spoke during a news conference Wednesday at the sheriff's office, where he identified the victim as David Schultz, a ...