Vero Beach Crime Blotter: January 15

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 ...

Deputies: Man charged with running over woman after domestic dispute

A Sebastian man was jailed Thursday in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that occurred after a domestic dispute with a woman he was in a relationship with, deputies said. The identity of the woman who was fatally struck was not publicly released. The woman's body was found on the side of southbound U.S. 1, prompting a criminal and traffic homicide investigation, Indian River County sheriff's officials said. "We think her body was there for a couple of hours," Sheriff's spokesperson Lt. Joe Abollo said. Drew Preston Leibrock, 52, of the 100 block of Crawford Drive, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with a death and tampering with or destroying evidence. Leibrock was held Thursday at the Indian River ...

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 ...