INSIDER
A Florida woman told a man she was ordering pizza. She actually called 911 to report a sex attack, deputies say
Read full article: A Florida woman told a man she was ordering pizza. She actually called 911 to report a sex attack, deputies sayVolusia County deputies arrest a man they say was sexually assaulting a woman.
Shop roofs among the Milton debris making driving in Volusia County hazardous
Read full article: Shop roofs among the Milton debris making driving in Volusia County hazardousA curfew order is still in place in Volusia County, and Sheriff Mike Chitwood says one of the reasons is the debris from Hurricane Milton makes driving hazardous.
Days after posting mugshot of a boy accused of school threat, sheriff puts video of 2 teens online
Read full article: Days after posting mugshot of a boy accused of school threat, sheriff puts video of 2 teens onlineCommunities nationwide are being battered by a wave of school shooting threats, with emergency notifications and group chat messages sparking parents’ fears their child’s school could be the next Parkland or Uvalde.
Florida sheriff fed up with school shooting hoaxes posts boy's mugshot to social media
Read full article: Florida sheriff fed up with school shooting hoaxes posts boy's mugshot to social mediaA Florida sheriff fed up with a spate of false school shooting threats is taking a new tactic to try get through to students and their parents: he’s posting the mugshot of any offender on social media.
‘Stop doing it:’ 2 Volusia students arrested after school threats were posted to social media
Read full article: ‘Stop doing it:’ 2 Volusia students arrested after school threats were posted to social mediaA 13-year-old and a 14-year-old were arrested in Volusia County, accused of posting threats on TikTok and Instagram to commit a shooting at their school, the latest in a string of online threats and rumors across Central Florida in the last few days.
Volusia sheriff asks parents, community to volunteer, be part of school safety solution
Read full article: Volusia sheriff asks parents, community to volunteer, be part of school safety solutionThe Volusia Sheriff is asking parents and residents to hit the crosswalks and get involved to keep students safe. It’s for a new School Traffic Safety volunteer program.
Second alleged shooter, 15 years old, faces murder charges after teen’s killing in Pierson
Read full article: Second alleged shooter, 15 years old, faces murder charges after teen’s killing in PiersonThe Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 15-year-old boy as the accused second shooter in an attempted robbery that turned fatal in Pierson.
17-year-old arrested after teen killed, another injured in Volusia County shooting
Read full article: 17-year-old arrested after teen killed, another injured in Volusia County shootingA 17-year-old girl faces murder charges after turning herself in and allegedly confessing to a role in a shooting that left a 17-year-old boy dead and another person injured in Pierson, what the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office says stemmed from an attempted robbery.
Boat, trailer theft could be part of larger operation, Volusia deputies say
Read full article: Boat, trailer theft could be part of larger operation, Volusia deputies sayThe Volusia Sheriff's Office said it's now looking for a man, and possibly two suspects, it believes stole a boat and trailer last week. They're believed to possibly be tied to a larger operation or ring.
35 arrested in sting operation amid trailer theft trend in Volusia, sheriff says
Read full article: 35 arrested in sting operation amid trailer theft trend in Volusia, sheriff saysVolusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood says his agency is responding to a crime trend involving trailers stolen out of people’s driveways and from the side of the road.
New Florida law increases consequences for teens caught with guns
Read full article: New Florida law increases consequences for teens caught with gunsAmong the laws taking effect this week is one beefing up the penalties on kids and teens caught with guns. It's a law sheriffs across the state pushed for.
Port Orange school gets new speed bumps following crash that killed 10-year-old student
Read full article: Port Orange school gets new speed bumps following crash that killed 10-year-old studentA set of newly-installed speed bumps in the parent loop at Sugar Mill Elementary is one of many safety improvements that Volusia County Schools says are coming to the area, where a fourth-grade student was struck and killed.
$100K reward offered for info leading to arrest in 1994 Volusia murder case
Read full article: $100K reward offered for info leading to arrest in 1994 Volusia murder caseVolusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood says the reward has doubled for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whomever killed 15-year-old Laralee Spear in 1994.
Report accuses former Holly Hill police chief of sexual harassment, misconduct
Read full article: Report accuses former Holly Hill police chief of sexual harassment, misconductAn investigation by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office revealed allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct involving several high-ranking Holly Hill police officials, including the police chief.
Volusia schools, sheriff’s office combat student vaping after referral numbers rise
Read full article: Volusia schools, sheriff’s office combat student vaping after referral numbers riseNew data is in, and school districts around Central Florida reported they had major jumps in issues with students vaping on campus in 2024 compared to 2023.
Holly Hill hires new police chief amid misconduct investigation
Read full article: Holly Hill hires new police chief amid misconduct investigationHolly Hill city officials announced they have hired a new police chief after a monthslong investigation conducted by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office into the department has concluded.
‘Pretty shocking:’ Volusia Sheriff’s Office finishes investigation into Holly Hill police employees
Read full article: ‘Pretty shocking:’ Volusia Sheriff’s Office finishes investigation into Holly Hill police employeesThe monthslong investigation into four Holly Hill police employees has finished, according to the sheriff's office, who conducted the investigation.
Deltona man accused of posing as cancer patient, scamming Florida nonprofit
Read full article: Deltona man accused of posing as cancer patient, scamming Florida nonprofitA 69-year-old man was arrested in Volusia County after after he was accused of posing as a cancer patient and scamming a Florida nonprofit out of thousands of dollars.
70-year-old woman questioned after girl struck, killed near Port Orange school
Read full article: 70-year-old woman questioned after girl struck, killed near Port Orange schoolPort Orange police conduct a formal interview with a 70-year-old woman who was involved in the crash that killed a 10-year-old girl.
Port Orange student’s death leads to calls for safety improvements near school
Read full article: Port Orange student’s death leads to calls for safety improvements near schoolParents and people living near Sugar Mill Elementary School in Port Orange said they want to see additional crossing guards and police presence around the school after a fourth-grade student was hit while riding her bike to school.
GoFundMe launched for ShaoLan Kamaly, girl killed outside Sugar Mill Elementary School
Read full article: GoFundMe launched for ShaoLan Kamaly, girl killed outside Sugar Mill Elementary SchoolStudents are returning to Sugar Mill Elementary for the first time since a 10-year-old girl was struck and killed by a vehicle near the school entrance.
‘Heartbreaking loss:’ Girl hit, killed near Sugar Mill Elementary School in Port Orange
Read full article: ‘Heartbreaking loss:’ Girl hit, killed near Sugar Mill Elementary School in Port OrangePolice say a girl was struck and killed by a vehicle that had just dropped off another student near Sugar Mill Elementary School in Port Orange.
Florida deputy accused of holding woman against her will, demanding sex act inside marked cruiser
Read full article: Florida deputy accused of holding woman against her will, demanding sex act inside marked cruiserA Volusia County sheriff's deputy is arrested on several charges, including false imprisonment.
6 arrested after dozens of phones stolen at Welcome to Rockville, Volusia deputies say
Read full article: 6 arrested after dozens of phones stolen at Welcome to Rockville, Volusia deputies sayVolusia County deputies say "there are too many victims to list" in a rash of cellphone thefts reported during Welcome to Rockville 2024.
Student, 16, charged after false report prompts lockdown at New Smyrna Beach High School, sheriff’s office says
Read full article: Student, 16, charged after false report prompts lockdown at New Smyrna Beach High School, sheriff’s office saysA 16-year-old student is accused of calling in a false report of a threat and prompting a lockdown earlier this week at New Smyrna Beach High School.
Daytona Beach man accused of drug deal that caused fatal overdose
Read full article: Daytona Beach man accused of drug deal that caused fatal overdoseMonths after a woman fatally overdosed in Volusia County, the sheriff's office said they were able to get the evidence to arrest the man who sold her the fentanyl.
3rd Holly Hill police officer suspended amid allegations of ‘inappropriate incidents’
Read full article: 3rd Holly Hill police officer suspended amid allegations of ‘inappropriate incidents’A third Holly Hill police officer has been suspended amid an investigation into the department for allegations about “inappropriate incidents”.
16-year-old pistol-whipped 14-year-old boy during Deltona fight, deputies say
Read full article: 16-year-old pistol-whipped 14-year-old boy during Deltona fight, deputies sayA 16-year-old boy was arrested after pistol-whipping a 14-year-old when a fight broke out in Deltona, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
‘A stat we want to change:’ Florida officials crack down on drug use during spring break
Read full article: ‘A stat we want to change:’ Florida officials crack down on drug use during spring breakFlorida officials on Tuesday issued a spring break warning in Daytona Beach to help reduce the number of overdoses and crack down on drug use.
‘He has a gun!’ Video shows teen pull gun in spring break crowd on Florida beach
Read full article: ‘He has a gun!’ Video shows teen pull gun in spring break crowd on Florida beachDeputies were patrolling that area of the beach around 3:45 p.m. near Flagler Avenue, which is when they heard the crowd yelling.
Spring break crowds in Volusia County to be met with dangerous rip current conditions
Read full article: Spring break crowds in Volusia County to be met with dangerous rip current conditionsIt will be a big weekend along the coast in Volusia County as Bike Week enters its final days and spring breakers start making their way in.
Your Florida Daily: FDA says ground cinnamon sold at discount stores is tainted with lead, PGA Tour returns to Orlando
Read full article: Your Florida Daily: FDA says ground cinnamon sold at discount stores is tainted with lead, PGA Tour returns to OrlandoOne of the cinnamon distributors is based in Apopka.
‘Reckless driver’ arrested after high-speed chase on I-95 in Volusia County
Read full article: ‘Reckless driver’ arrested after high-speed chase on I-95 in Volusia CountyInside the truck, detectives found 17 Xanax pills, 5.2 grams of crack cocaine, and several bloody syringes with a rubber strap, a release shows.
Volusia deputies use new gunshot detection system to curb gun violence
Read full article: Volusia deputies use new gunshot detection system to curb gun violenceA new gunshot detection system is helping Volusia deputies respond to shootings faster. Sheriff Mike Chitwood said his office started using the Raven gunshot detection system in November and already has the stats to show it's working.
Remains found believed to belong to Volusia County teen who vanished nearly 20 years ago
Read full article: Remains found believed to belong to Volusia County teen who vanished nearly 20 years agoDeputies said that the teen had last been seen in May 2004 after her boyfriend dropped her off at the Volusia Mall. On Wednesday, her remains were believed to have been unearthed.
Fake 911 call sent deputies to Deltona home in latest ‘swatting’ crime
Read full article: Fake 911 call sent deputies to Deltona home in latest ‘swatting’ crimeA fake 911 call led Volusia deputies to surround a Deltona home over the weekend. The sheriff called it a scary moment for homeowners and deputies in a trend called "swatting" that is becoming more and more common.
Year later, Volusia County juvenile center sees increase, not decrease
Read full article: Year later, Volusia County juvenile center sees increase, not decreaseIt's been just over a year since Volusia County's answer to the growing juvenile crime problem first opened: an all-encompassing Juvenile Detention Center in Daytona Beach, officially named the Family Resource Center by Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
Volusia sheriff worries new Ring Doorbell policy could slow investigations
Read full article: Volusia sheriff worries new Ring Doorbell policy could slow investigationsIf you have a Ring Doorbell, who can access your footage will be changing. Amazon, the company that owns the video doorbell system, is going to stop allowing police departments to request video from users.
Your Florida Daily: Deltona man burns down home during standoff with SWAT, lawmakers look to ban all red-light cameras
Read full article: Your Florida Daily: Deltona man burns down home during standoff with SWAT, lawmakers look to ban all red-light camerasOne officer was grazed in the face by a bullet during the standoff.
New Jersey man who threatened Volusia Sheriff Chitwood gets year in prison
Read full article: New Jersey man who threatened Volusia Sheriff Chitwood gets year in prisonRichard Golden was sentenced to 366 days in prison by a judge Friday, and will also have to pay restitution for extradition costs. He could have faced up to 15 years in prison.
Volusia County council denies school district more school resource officers
Read full article: Volusia County council denies school district more school resource officersThe district asked for the council to agree to add seven deputies for several middle schools, but the council unanimously denied the request due to the budget.
Man accused of threatening Volusia Sheriff Chitwood pleads no contest
Read full article: Man accused of threatening Volusia Sheriff Chitwood pleads no contestA man accused of threatening to kill the Volusia County Sheriff entered a plea Monday morning. Richard Golden pleaded no contest, just moments before his trial was set to start.
Volusia County nonprofit pushes for Narcan in schools after drug issues
Read full article: Volusia County nonprofit pushes for Narcan in schools after drug issuesKaren Chaprek wants Volusia County Schools to equip school staff with Narcan kits. She said that with training, it is simple to use — and can save a life.
Your Florida Daily: Citizens Insurance deadline, vigil held in Volusia after Hamas attacks in Israel
Read full article: Your Florida Daily: Citizens Insurance deadline, vigil held in Volusia after Hamas attacks in IsraelThe fighting between Israeli forces and the Palestinian terror group Hamas is having a polarizing effect in Florida, bringing out supporters on both sides.
Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler counties hold vigil after Hamas attacks in Israel
Read full article: Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler counties hold vigil after Hamas attacks in IsraelJewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties held a vigil and memorial “In response to the unprecedented terrorist attack against the State of Israel,” according to a news release.
Accused drug dealer arrested after DeLand teen dies from fentanyl overdose
Read full article: Accused drug dealer arrested after DeLand teen dies from fentanyl overdoseAccording to investigators, the 17-year-old son’s body was found on his bed, and white powder was found on his cell phone near his feet.
Your Florida Daily: Chitwood threatened, sports betting heads to state supreme court
Read full article: Your Florida Daily: Chitwood threatened, sports betting heads to state supreme courtA man already facing charges in a double murder in Alaska is now federally indicted on charges of threatening to kill Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
Alaska man accused of killing 2 also suspected of threatening Volusia Sheriff Chitwood
Read full article: Alaska man accused of killing 2 also suspected of threatening Volusia Sheriff ChitwoodAn Alaska man already facing charges in a double homicide is now under federal indictment for threatening to kill Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
10-year-old arrested after bringing knife to DeBary Elementary School, deputies say
Read full article: 10-year-old arrested after bringing knife to DeBary Elementary School, deputies sayDeputies said that the student hadn’t made any threats, though the knife was confiscated, and the child was arrested.
‘See what the hell they’re doing:’ Chitwood urges parents to ‘step up’ as more guns found in Volusia schools
Read full article: ‘See what the hell they’re doing:’ Chitwood urges parents to ‘step up’ as more guns found in Volusia schoolsVolusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood is urging parents to check their children’s backpacks and “see what the hell they’re doing” after several guns have been found at schools.
Orange, Volusia counties offer resources to hard-hit storm damage areas
Read full article: Orange, Volusia counties offer resources to hard-hit storm damage areasWith both Orange and Volusia counties being spared from severe storm damage, available resources are heading to parts of Florida with the most devastation.
20-year-old man shot, killed by law enforcement during traffic stop in DeLand, police say
Read full article: 20-year-old man shot, killed by law enforcement during traffic stop in DeLand, police sayDrivers in DeLand have been told to avoid an intersection where a shooting investigation began Friday afternoon, according to the police department.
Volusia sheriff looks to ban ‘Carolina squat’ trucks, full tents on the beach
Read full article: Volusia sheriff looks to ban ‘Carolina squat’ trucks, full tents on the beachThe Volusia County Sheriff is looking to enforce a few bans along the county’s beach. One would be against trucks altered to the “Carolina squat” style, where they’re tall in the front and lower in the back. The other is against tents on the beach.
VIDEOS: Here’s how the man who shot 2 Orlando officers escaped UCF police weeks prior
Read full article: VIDEOS: Here’s how the man who shot 2 Orlando officers escaped UCF police weeks priorThree newly-released body-worn camera videos from UCF police shows how officers conducted their traffic stop, including how Daton Viel managed to elude them and drive away.
‘There’s so much out there:’ Workshops teach Volusia parents teen internet safety
Read full article: ‘There’s so much out there:’ Workshops teach Volusia parents teen internet safetyA series of forums is kicking off Monday night to teach Volusia County parents and guardians what internet trends they should be looking out for on their kids’ phones and what they can do to get ahead of an issue.
WATCH: Volusia Sheriff helps arrest man accused of driving off from traffic stop
Read full article: WATCH: Volusia Sheriff helps arrest man accused of driving off from traffic stopA man who drove away from a traffic stop in Deltona was arrested Thursday in Daytona Beach with the help of Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, who was off duty at the time, according to deputies.
Canadian accused of threatening Volusia sheriff over hate crimes campaign
Read full article: Canadian accused of threatening Volusia sheriff over hate crimes campaignA man from Alberta, Canada, is accused of being the latest person to send death threats to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood over his continued campaign against hate groups.
Volusia sheriff sets up zero-tolerance zone ahead of possible ‘Daytona Truck Meet’
Read full article: Volusia sheriff sets up zero-tolerance zone ahead of possible ‘Daytona Truck Meet’The release shows that such an event could bring in 50 or more people, potentially straining public safety resources and interfering with local traffic.
41 arrests, 1.5M doses of fentanyl seized in trafficking bust in Volusia, Lake counties
Read full article: 41 arrests, 1.5M doses of fentanyl seized in trafficking bust in Volusia, Lake countiesA multi-agency operation led to the arrests of more than 41 people in several Central Florida counties for trafficking in fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and other drugs, the Volusia sheriff Mike Chitwood said.
Your Florida Daily: Trump indicted, Citizens looks to hike rates for Florida policy holders
Read full article: Your Florida Daily: Trump indicted, Citizens looks to hike rates for Florida policy holdersA federal grand jury has indicted former President Donald Trump on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Mara-A-Lago estate.
‘Down the toilet:’ Antisemitic activist threatens to sue Volusia sheriff, demands $100,000
Read full article: ‘Down the toilet:’ Antisemitic activist threatens to sue Volusia sheriff, demands $100,000Chitwood announced that he would be mailing out pacifiers that read “Mike Chitwood hurt my feelings” to each of the members who issued a notice of intent to sue.
‘Brutal pattern:’ Mother of boy beaten with mop in Volusia County arrested on dozens of charges
Read full article: ‘Brutal pattern:’ Mother of boy beaten with mop in Volusia County arrested on dozens of chargesThe mother of a 5-year-old boy who was beaten with a mop in Volusia County by her live-in boyfriend has been arrested on dozens of charges, according to the sheriff’s office.
‘All hands on deck:’ Volusia deputies start new role patrolling beaches
Read full article: ‘All hands on deck:’ Volusia deputies start new role patrolling beachesThere was a big shift Friday in who patrols the beach in Volusia County. Just the day before, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law that took immediate effect that says all unincorporated areas in a county now fall under the sheriff’s office.
‘Orlando Invades Daytona:’ Volusia sheriff issued warnings over unsanctioned event
Read full article: ‘Orlando Invades Daytona:’ Volusia sheriff issued warnings over unsanctioned eventThe Volusia County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning on Wednesday about an unsanctioned event being planned at the end of May.
Florida Legislature OKs bill to curb hate speech on private property
Read full article: Florida Legislature OKs bill to curb hate speech on private propertyThe Florida Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill to make it a hate crime to distribute flyers containing hate speech onto private property, among other things, and sent the bill to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature.
Volusia Beach Patrol fights back against sheriff, bills that would dissolve force
Read full article: Volusia Beach Patrol fights back against sheriff, bills that would dissolve forceVolusia County Beach Safety Patrol is firing back at Sheriff Mike Chitwood after the division said he came down in support of bills that would grant him full power over the area it monitors.
2nd 4chan user accused of making death threat against Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood
Read full article: 2nd 4chan user accused of making death threat against Volusia Sheriff Mike ChitwoodA California man is in custody after law enforcement agents say he threatened to kill Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
Future of Volusia’s Beach Patrol uncertain with new bills introduced in state
Read full article: Future of Volusia’s Beach Patrol uncertain with new bills introduced in stateTwo bills targeting police units in unincorporated areas of counties is making its way through Florida's Senate and House right now.
‘Enjoy your stay:’ Volusia sheriff welcomes man accused of threatening his life
Read full article: ‘Enjoy your stay:’ Volusia sheriff welcomes man accused of threatening his lifeVolusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood greeted the man accused of threatening him online when the suspect arrived in Florida.
WATCH: ‘Solutionaries: Breaking the cycle of arrests’ | How one Florida city is stopping the revolving door while saving millions in taxpayer money
Read full article: WATCH: ‘Solutionaries: Breaking the cycle of arrests’ | How one Florida city is stopping the revolving door while saving millions in taxpayer moneyKeeping people out of jail, preventing homelessness and treating mental illness — one Florida city is employing a program that aims to solve all three.
‘Extremism is extremism:’ Man accused of calling to ‘put bullet’ in Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood’s head
Read full article: ‘Extremism is extremism:’ Man accused of calling to ‘put bullet’ in Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood’s headA New Jersey man has been arrested, accused of calling to “put a bullet” in Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood’s head over his aggressive stance against antisemitic speech.
Volusia County man convicted of murdering his own baby more than 4 years ago
Read full article: Volusia County man convicted of murdering his own baby more than 4 years agoFollowing a three-day trial, 33-year-old Emmanuelle Vazquez was found guilty of murder in the 2018 death of his months-old child, according to the State Attorney's Office.