Beware of Anti-virus Software Scams

Beware of Anti-virus Software
Scams
Posted: February 22, 2022

The Punta Gorda Police Department has been receiving multiple
reports of an anti-virus scam email that has been circulating
recently. In this scam, the victim receives an email stating
that their anti-virus software is scheduled to automatically
renew and that the victim’s credit card will be charged for
the renewal (typically $500.00). The email then states that if
the victim does not wish to renew the software they should
call a listed phone number. When victims call the number an
individual posing as a software employee talks them into
providing access to their computer. Once the scammer has
access to the computer they find personal information on bank,
investment, or credit card accounts that they use to steal
money from the victim.

If you receive an email like this, please delete it. If you
are an established customer of an anti-virus software company
and are unsure if the email is legitimate, please go to your
software company’s website and use the information found there
to contact them to confirm. Never click on any link or call
any telephone number you receive in an unsolicited email.

Motorcycle Crash Fatality in
Punta Gorda
Posted: February 16, 2022

On February 15, 2022 at approximately 6:45 p.m. officers
responded to the intersection of Tamiami Trail North (US-41
North) and West Retta Esplanade in reference to a traffic
crash between a pickup truck and a motorcycle. The driver of
the motorcycle, 29 year old Austyn Marquis Richards of Port
Charlotte, was transported to Shorepoint Health Punta Gorda
where he was pronounced deceased. There were no other injuries
reported.

The crash is still under investigation by Traffic Homicide
Investigators and further details are unavailable at this
time.

Suspect   in   Celtic    Ray
Shooting in Police Custody
Posted: February 2, 2022

The suspect in the Celtic Ray shooting that occurred on
January 21, 2022, 28 year old Carlos Colon-Parrilla of Fort
Myers, was taken into custody yesterday by the New Britain
Police Department after turning himself in in New Britain,
Connecticut.

On January 21, 2022, just before midnight, witnesses state
that Colon-Parrilla was asked to leave the Celtic Ray Public
House, located at 145 East Marion Avenue, after causing a
disturbance. Colon-Parrilla left the establishment and got
into his vehicle. Witnesses stated they saw Colon-Parrilla
firing a weapon described as an AR-15 style rifle into the air
from his vehicle and then toward the building where patrons
were. Witnesses stated they continued to hear gunshots as
Colon-Parrilla was driving over the northbound bridge into

Port Charlotte.

There were no injuries reported. There is no indication that
there is any further threat to the public or that this
incident is tied to other criminal or gang related activity.
Colon-Parrilla is being charged with Discharging a Firearm in
Public from a Vehicle with 1000 feet of a Person and two
counts of Shooting into an Occupied/Unoccupied Building. He
will be held awaiting extradition back to Charlotte County.

Suspect Identified in Celtic
Ray Shooting
Posted: January 24, 2022

On January 21, 2022, at approximately 11:47 p.m. a customer
was asked to leave the Celtic Ray Public House, located at 145
East Marion Avenue, after causing a disturbance. The
individual left the establishment and got into his vehicle. He
exited the parking lot with his vehicle lights off and turned
north on Nesbit Street and then west on East Marion Avenue
firing a weapon that witnesses described as a dark in color
AR-15 style rifle into the air. As he continued westbound on
East Marion Avenue he fired toward the open Celtic Ray Public
House striking the brick veneer of the building below the
dining area window and a separate office space next door.
Witnesses say he fired additional shots as he turned north
onto Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) and that they heard more shots
being fired as he drove over the northbound bridge into Port
Charlotte. There were no injuries reported. It is believed
that this was an isolated incident and the suspect acted in
retaliation for being forced to leave the bar. There is no

indication that there is any further threat to the public or
that this incident is tied to other criminal or gang related
activity.

The suspect has been identified by detectives as 28 year old
Carlos Colon-Parrilla, who has addresses listed in both
Lakeland, Florida and Fort Myers, Florida. It is believed that
Colon-Parrilla fled the area. An arrest warrant has been
issued for Colon-Parrilla for Discharging a Firearm in Public
from a Vehicle with 1000 feet of a Person and two counts of
Shooting into an Occupied/Unoccupied Building.

If you have any information about this case or information
about the whereabouts of Carlos Colon-Parrilla, please contact
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-780-TIPS or
by using the P3 Tips mobile app. You can remain anonymous and
may be eligible for a reward for information leading to an
arrest. If you see Colon-Parrilla call 911. Do not approach
him as he is considered armed and dangerous.

Punta Gorda Police and ABT
Team    Up   for   Underage
Alcoholic   Beverage  Sales
Enforcement Sweep
Posted: November 22, 2021

Punta Gorda Police Detectives and State Investigators from the
Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) Bureau of
Law Enforcement teamed up on November 18, 2021 for an
enforcement sweep in the City of Punta Gorda targeting the

sales of alcoholic beverages to minors. The operation included
compliance checks at eight local commercial establishments in
the City of Punta Gorda licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.
Seven of the eight establishments that were open for business
were found to be in compliance, and one establishment was out
of compliance.

Florida ABT & Punta Gorda Police
The commercial establishments that were found to be in
compliance and did NOT sell alcohol to a minor were:

     Circle K/Shell (3035 Tamiami Trail)
     PGI Liquor (615 Cross Street)
     Circle K/Mobil (3949 Tamiami Trail)
     Dollar General (1300 Tamiami Trail)
     CVS (1949 Tamiami Trail)
     Publix (2310 Tamiami Trail)
     7-Eleven (3139 Tamiami Trail)

The commercial establishment that was found NOT to be in
compliance and DID sell alcohol to a minor was:

     The Famous Corner of Punta Gorda (1002 Tamiami Trail)

This operation was the result of a continuing partnership
between ABT and the Punta Gorda Police Department to curb the
illegal sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco to minors. The
Punta Gorda Police Department, along with Drug Free Charlotte

County and ABT, will continue to work constructively with
local retail establishments where violations occur to ensure
that employees are educated regarding Florida law. Operations
like this one will continue.

Chief Pam Davis urges all individuals to report the illegal
sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco to law enforcement.
Violations within the incorporated city limits of Punta Gorda
can be reported to the Punta Gorda Police Department by
calling 941-639-4111.

Suspect Arrested                          in      Arson
Investigation
Posted: November 5, 2021

On August 29, 2021, the Punta Gorda Police Department and the
Punta Gorda Fire Department responded to the Park Hill
community, located at 10101 Burnt Store Road, in reference to
a home and vehicle fire. The resident was in the home asleep
when the sound of the fire woke them and they were able to
escape without injury. It was determined that the fire started
with the resident’s vehicle, which had been parked in the
carport. It was also determined that the fire was a result of
arson.

After an extensive investigation that included assistance from
the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Bureau
of Fire, Arson, and Explosives, Wayne Ellery Steier, of Midway
Boulevard in Port Charlotte, was placed under arrest earlier
today and charged with Arson of Dwelling or Structure Where
People Present. Detectives are still looking for additional
information on this case. If you have information, please

contact the police department by calling the non-emergency
number at 941-639-4111 and asking to speak with a detective
during business hours.

Halloween Road Closures in
Punta Gorda
Posted: October 18, 2021

On Sunday, October 31, 2021, thousands of trick-or-treaters
from all over will descend on Punta Gorda’s Historic District
to celebrate Halloween. This has been a long standing
tradition and in order to ensure that everyone has a safe and
happy Halloween night, the following roadways will be closed
beginning at 5:00 p.m. until approximately 9:00 p.m. depending
on the number of attendees:

West Marion Avenue: West Marion Avenue will be closed for
vehicular traffic from Cross Street (US 41) to Shreve Street.

West Retta Esplanade: The east bound lane of West Retta
Esplanade will be closed, but the west bound lane will remain
open to allow traffic into Punta Gorda Isles.

Side Streets: Harvey Street, Durrance Street, Gill Street,
Gilchrist Street, McGregor Street, Chasteen Street, Dolly
Street, and Berry Street will be closed from West Retta
Esplanade to West Olympia Avenue. Only residents with proof of
residency will be allowed to drive on closed streets to return
or leave their homes with the assistance of an officer for
safety.

As always the police department will have plenty of officers

and volunteers in the area to assist with traffic, provide
security, and ensure the safety of everyone. The police
department will also be handing out candy in front of City
Hall! We hope that everyone has a very safe and very happy
Halloween this year!

Pedestrian Fatality Crash in
Punta Gorda
Posted: September 20, 2021

Officers responded this morning to the intersection of East
Olympia Avenue and Cooper Street in reference to a vehicle
crash involving a pedestrian. Sixty-four year old Mark Andrew
Harvey of Port Charlotte was crossing Cooper Street when he
was struck by a vehicle. Harvey was taken to the Emergency
Room at Bayfront Health Punta Gorda and succumbed to his
injuries only a short time later. This is still an ongoing
investigation and no further information is available at this
time.

Punta Gorda Police and ABT
Team   Up   for   Underage

Alcoholic   Beverage                                 Sales
Enforcement Sweep
Posted: July 22, 2021

Punta Gorda Police Detectives and State Investigators from the
Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) Bureau of
Law Enforcement teamed up on July 14, 2021 for an enforcement
sweep in the City of Punta Gorda targeting the sales of
alcoholic beverages to minors. The operation included
compliance checks at eight local commercial establishments in
the City of Punta Gorda licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.
One of the establishments was closed, five of the
establishments open for business were found to be in
compliance, and one establishment was out of compliance.

Florida ABT & Punta Gorda Police
The commercial establishments that were found to be in
compliance and did NOT sell alcohol to a minor were:

     Village Fish Market (1200 W. Retta Esplanade)
     Harpoon Harry’s (1200 W. Retta Esplanade)
     TT’s Tiki Bar (33 Tamiami Trail)
     Leroy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar (201 W. Marion Avenue)
     Manatee’s Pizza (408 Tamiami Trail)

The commercial establishment that was found NOT to be in
compliance and DID sell alcohol to a minor was:

     Hurricane Charley’s Raw Bar & Grill (300 W. Retta
     Esplanade)

This operation was the result of a continuing partnership
between ABT and the Punta Gorda Police Department to curb the
illegal sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco to minors. The
Punta Gorda Police Department, along with Drug Free Charlotte
County and ABT, will continue to work constructively with
local retail establishments where violations occur to ensure
that employees are educated regarding Florida law. Operations
like this one will continue.

Chief Pam Davis urges all individuals to report the illegal
sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco to law enforcement.
Violations within the incorporated city limits of Punta Gorda
can be reported to the Punta Gorda Police Department by
calling 941-639-4111.

Tropical Storm Elsa Update
Posted: July 6, 2021

As Tropical Storm Elsa continues to move toward our area, the
Punta Gorda Fire Department and Punta Gorda Police Department
want to provide an update to let residents know what they
should expect.

The current forecast shows that we will likely experience
tropical storm force winds and heavy rain beginning this
afternoon and continuing through the evening. Overnight, we
will likely experience the effects of storm surge, which may
cause localized flooding, especially in the downtown area, the
Historic District, roadways along the river, and other low
lying areas along the coast. There is also the possibility for
sporadic tornadoes to develop.

Please keep the following in mind both during and after the
storm:

     Remain indoors and avoid driving if possible.
     Do not drive vehicles down roadways with standing water.
     Water is often deeper than it appears and can cause
     substantial damage to your vehicle and leave you
     stranded. This can also tie up emergency personnel who
     may be needed elsewhere.
     The Florida Department of Transportation will deem

bridges closed should sustained winds reach 40 miles per
     hour.
     Should you lose power, do not operate generators
     indoors, in garages, or near open windows or doors.
     Generators should only be used in open spaces as far
     from your home as possible.
     Avoid fallen power lines, even if you believe they are
     not active.

Update: July 7, 2021 5:15 a.m.

We are currently experiencing localized flooding in the
downtown area and on the roadways along the river. We do not
anticipate that the water will begin to receed until 6:15 a.m.
at the earliest and we expect that water will remain
throughout part the morning. Please avoid the area and do not
drive vehicles down roadways with standing water. It can cause
serious damage to vehicles and leave you stranded.