Sebastian Crime Blotter: Aug. 1

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 ...

County damage from tornadoes at least $55M and growing

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — One week after at least three tornadoes wreaked havoc in the county and destroyed dozens of homes, county officials now have an estimate of damages. The number is at least $55 million...for now, county officials said. "(The number) will grow but not exponentially," Indian River County Commissioner Joe Flescher said on Wednesday. "We checked infrastructures, roadways, households and businesses." Flescher said the estimate includes damages to public and private sectors. The commissioner said the county has an assessment team surveying the damages. County officials, nonprofit organizations and volunteers have been providing resources, including comfort centers, free roof tarps, a multi-agency resource center, emergency shelter, help with FEMA assistance and more to help those impacted by the ...

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 ...