The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is very proud of the statistics for the year but also realize that there is always ways to improve.

In Columbia County, a total crime rate decrease of 12.2% was achieved from the same reporting period last year. The 12.2% decrease in the overall crime rate is applicable to unincorporated Columbia County. Overall, with all reporting agencies grouped as an average, the crime rate in Columbia County is down 6.2%,

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement bases the Crime Index off seven (7) vital statistic crimes:

Homicide
Burglary
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sexual Offenses
Aggravated Assault
Larceny

The statewide average clearance rate for solving crimes is 24.6%. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office achieved an agency case clearance rate of 46.3%, a 10.9% increase over the same reporting period last year.

Overall, crime is down in Columbia County which is very encouraging. In addition, the case clearance rate is significantly higher. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office attributes this success to the dedication and hard work of the men and women of CCSO. The continued community partnership with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is a significant factor to the decrease in crime and the success of more cases being solved.

Sheriff Mark Hunter said today, “I am very encouraged by these statistics. Columbia County has been experiencing growth over the past several years and your Sheriff’s Office employees have kept pace with the growth and have dedicated themselves to serving our community. The crime solve rate of 46.3 % is a testament to that dedication. I am very proud of the men and women of your Sheriff’s Office and also of the important and necessary partnership we have fostered with our community.”

On May 6, 2013, the victim reported to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office that
her home was burglarized and several items of value, including firearms, were
stolen.

The victim received information that identified a suspect in the burglary. On
Tuesday, May 14, 2013, the victim provided the information to Deputy Sheriff
Charles Vaughn. Deputy Vaughn began to immediately investigate and follow up on
the information provided.

Deputy Vaughn attempted to make contact with one of the suspects (Scott Phillps) at
his home. When Deputy Vaughn arrived, he observed Phillips running away from
the residence carrying a rifle case. Phillips was apprehended a short distance
away from the home after a brief foot chase. Phillps was taken into custody
without further incident. Several of the stolen firearms were recovered at the
scene.

Later in the afternoon, Deputies developed a second suspect (Curtis Handy). Deputies
conducted a search of his home and discovered additional firearms stolen during
the burglary on May 6. Curtis Handy, who was not home when deputies found the
stolen items, later called CCSO to report that his guns were stolen. Deputies
arrived back at his residence and took Handy into custody without incident.

Both suspects were transported to and booked into the Columbia County Detention
Facility. The stolen items were returned to their lawful owner.

Arrested:

Scott Phillips, 9/11/1990

9566 S. US Hwy 441, Lake City, FL

Charges: Burglary while Armed, Grand Theft, Criminal Mischief

Bond: $17,000.00

Curtis Handy, 5/8/1992

SW Grape St., Ft. White, FL

Charges: Burglary while Armed, Grand Theft, Criminal Mischief

Bond: $17,000.00

The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. No injuries were sustained by the deputies or to anyone else at the scene.

Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter has requested the investigative assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to ensure that the investigation is transparent. A search warrant has been sought for the residence and is being
served this morning.

The deceased suspect will be transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Jacksonville, FL today to determine the cause of death and his identity. The deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative
leave, per Sheriff’s Office policy, pending an investigation into this incident.

Additional details will be made available upon the completion and closure of the FDLE and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office investigations.

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At approximately 5:30 pm, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on East
Hwy 90. Deputies observed two unrestrained children in the back seat. Corporal
Matt Grinstead was present with this K-9 partner Zombie. K-9 Zombie alerted to
the presence of illegal narcotics in the trunk area of the car. A subsequent
search of the car resulted in the discovery of seven (7) pounds of marijuana.

Byrda Raper was arrested without incident and family members arrived to take custody
of the children. Raper was transported to the Columbia County Detention
Facility and booked on felony charges.

Arrested:

Byrda Ruth Raper, 7/31/1984

243 SE Fox Hall CT, Lake City, FL

Charges:
Possession of marijuana with intent to sell or deliver, Possession of more than
20 grams of marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Bond:
$31,000.00 (Released)

Green’s Marine, a Columbia County business, was burglarized during the
overnight hours of April 15, 2013. The suspects stole fishing and archery
equipment. The male and female suspects were captured on surveillance video.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office posted the pictures of the two suspects on
the agency’s Facebook page and also disseminated the pictures to our media
partners.

Since the posting, information and tips were collected from
concerned citizens. This information led to the identification of the two
suspects.

On April 29, 2013, detectives with the Columbia County Sheriff’s
Office were enroute to Macclenny, FL to locate the two suspects. However,
before Detectives Spradley and Useche could arrive, the two suspects walked
into the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office wishing to speak with detectives.

The two suspects, Ira and Brandi Thompson, were interviewed by
detectives and admitted to burglarizing Green’s Marine. Detectives sought and
received a search warrant for the Thompson’s home in Macclenny, FL. With
assistance from the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, several of the items stolen
from Green’s Marine were located. The Baker County Sheriff’s Office also
discovered items in the Thompson’s home that were stolen during residential
burglaries in their county.

The Thompson’s provided additional information to detectives that
led investigators to a hunting camp in Charlton County, GA. Charlton County, GA
investigators were able to recover stolen archery equipment from Green’s
Marine. In addition, a stolen four wheeler and seven (7) firearms were
discovered and may belong to victims in Baker County.

The Thompson’s were arrested without incident on April 29, 2013
and booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility on the Columbia County
charges. The Thompson’s are also facing criminal charges in Baker County, FL
and Charlton County, GA.

Arrested:

Ira Thompson, 6/6/1973

5177 Violet Ln., Macclenny, FL

Charges: Burglary, Grand Theft, Criminal Mischief

Bond: $26,000.00

Brandi M. Thompson, 10/02/1979

5177 Violet Ln., Macclenny, FL

Charges: Burglary, Grand Theft, Criminal Mischief

Bond: $27,000.00

The quick identification of these two suspects was made possible
because of a collaborative effort between the Columbia County Sheriff’s, our
media partners and especially our community. The Sheriff’s Office is proud of
the working relationship that we have with our citizens. This case is an
example of how we can all work together to make Columbia County as safer place
to live.

The suspects entered the business and stole archery equipment. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking the communities help in identifying the suspects.

The male suspect is described as follows:

White male, approximately 5’9 to 6’0 tall. He was wearing a dark colored, short sleeved shirt and camouflage pants (BDU style). The suspect has a dark colored, short beard.

The female supect is described as follows:

White female, approximately 5’3 to 5’8 tall. She has dark colored hair with a thin build. She was wearing a bright colored or pink pants with a white stripe down each leg. She was also wearing a black hooded shirt.

If anyone has information regarding this crime or these suspects, you are asked to call the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at 386-758-1095. Citizens may also call Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at 386-754-7099. Callers to Crime Stoppers will always remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.

The initiative will provide an opportunity for the people of Columbia County to voluntarily surrender expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceutically controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement for destruction.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will participate by having a site at the Park-n-Ride lot across from Arby’s, at the intersection of U.S. 90 and Commerce Blvd., from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

We will NOT accept syringes or other sharp objects. This program is completely anonymous and no personal will be asked of you.