Anonymous caller gives police heads up about a local 'cult'

This week in Cops Corner...


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Jan. 5

'Smash and grab'

2:21 p.m. — First block of North Beach Street

Larceny. A 42-year-old Ormond Beach woman's purse was stolen while she was at a local park in what police refer to as a "smash and grab" burglary.

According to the incident report, the woman had left her purse on the passenger seat of her car while she walked over to the park's center fountain to take a few photos, since she planned on getting married there in the near future. She told police she was always within eyesight of the car and only took about five minutes before she returned. Then, she noticed the car's window had been smashed. 

The woman noticed a nearby vehicle and she approached the driver, feeling like they may have been involved. She could smell marijuana coming from the car and asked the driver and his passenger to stay so that police could speak with them. They told her no and drove off, the report states, but not before the woman jotted down their license plate, which police linked to a rental car company commonly used in these types of crimes. While the reporting officer was at the scene, police received three more calls regarding car burglaries, with one taking place in another nearby park. 

Jan. 9

Cult?

4:10 p.m. — 700 block of Alcazar Avenue

Larceny. Police received an anonymous call about a 46-year-old man running a cult out of his home where he lures juveniles and adults, performs ceremonies where women are made to wear white robes, hallucinogenic drugs were administered to juveniles and he has sex with them.

The caller alleged that one the former residents of the home grew uncomfortable with the behavior and moved out. However, the man owed the resident money and gave him a shot gun as payment, which he then demanded be returned. 

Police spoke with the man, who said the gun had been stolen. When told about the caller's cult allegations, the man denied all accusations and stated he was a construction worker, but that he did run a detox organization for healing purposes.

He declined to press charges.

Jan. 11

Be on the lookout

5:23 p.m. — Intersection of Warwick Avenue and North Yonge Street

Information. A 52-year-old Ormond Beach woman called police after a 12-year-old girl ran up to her while the woman was walking her dog. The girl told her there was a man in a truck following her, and the woman walked the girl to her home for her safety. 

Police report the man's truck was a "lifted older model," green in color and with a palm/camouflage print on the back. The woman was unable to see the driver because he sped off. The girl described the man as an older, heavyset white man in his 40s with grey or white hair and facial hair. 

 

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