LCSO: Be alert to vehicle burglaries and illegal drug sales
Photos courtesy of LCSO.
CAR BURGLARIES
Levy County deputies are investigating a rash of car burglaries in the Bronson and Williston areas, and detectives have information that a car burglary ring is operating in Levy and surrounding counties and is cautioning citizens to LOCK their VEHICLES, DO NOT leave any valuables or firearms inside of locked vehicles.
Detectives are working with law enforcement in neighboring counties. This car theft group is known to be armed. Any home owner who observes suspicious activity is asked to call 911 immediately.
This photo is of a car burglary suspect (photo on left) was captured by a home security system near Williston, Florida. A faint image of a small, dark colored, four-door car can be seen in the background thata detectives believe the suspects used to flee the scene. Anyone who knows the identity of these individuals is asked to call the Levy County Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. You could be eligible for a cash reward.
ILLEGAL DRUG SALES
Deputies responded to a suspicious person report on NW 128th Place, west of Chiefland, Florida on Friday, January 21.
Deputies learned that the suspect, 47 year-old Travis Kiehl (photo on right) had stripped naked in a woman's front yard and kicked in her door. Deputies arrived and spotted Mr. Kiehl, who was still naked, and fled on foot through several yards and refused to stop until pursuing deputies used a Taser (electronic stun weapon). Kiehl was charged with indecent exposure, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace ($17,500 bond).
Kiehl is no stranger to Levy County Law Enforcement. Since 2017, Levy County deputies have documented seventeen encounters with KIehl and have arrested him five times. During this most recent arrest, it appeared to deputies that Kiehl was in an altered state of mind.
The Manatee Farms subdivision has become a hotspot for illegal drug use. Deputies encourage residents in the area to call the LCSO if they observe any suspicious activity,
at 352-486-5111 and select the "report a crime" option, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477 to remain anonymous.
Sheriff County Sheriff Bobby McCallum is committed to combating illegal drug sales and use throughout the county. Illegal drug hotspots will continue to be a focus of the LCSO's enforcement efforts, and the help of citizens is needed.