Teen arrested after stealing vehicles, damaging farm
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of William McDougal on Oct. 22 after it was discovered he and at least two other suspects stole property and caused thousands of dollars in damages to Astin Farms.
On Oct. 21, HCSO responded to a residence on Bethlehem Road in Dover regarding a report of a stolen ATV. They found tire tracks that started in a nearby strawberry field and went south on Bethlehem Road. A UTV was reported stolen from a residence on Sydney Washer Road earlier that day and deputies learned both vehicles were used to drive into Astin Farms, 3610 Holloway Road, and run over strawberry rows. Approximately $3,000 worth of damage was done to the rows.
Deputies tracked the stolen ATV to a residence on Calhoun Road in Plant City, where they found McDougal, 16. The teen confessed to stealing the vehicles and driving into Astin Farms. HCSO is still searching for other suspects in the case.
McDougal faces charges of Grand Theft Third Degree ($10,000-$20,000), Burglary of an Unoccupied Structure (x5), Grand Theft Third Degree ($750-$5,000) (x2), Dealing in Stolen Property, Trespass on Property Other than Structure or Conveyance, Criminal Mischief $1,000 or More, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle (x4), Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, Grand Theft Third Degree ($5,000-$10,000). He was also arrested July 31 for his involvement in a burglary spree throughout parts of Seffner and Dover.
City seeking volunteers for Veterans Day cemetery work
The City of Plant City’s Cemetery Operations Unit plans to place flags at the graves of every United States military veteran interred at Plant City’s four cemeteries on Nov. 7.
Volunteers are needed for the work, which will begin at 9 a.m. that day. Volunteers will meet at the Cemetery Operations Office, 109 W. Spencer St., and go from there. Groups will be given instructions on flag installation and then assigned to their areas. Refreshments will be provided. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed.
“This is a great way for area civic and service clubs to recognize Veterans Day,” Parks and Recreation Department director Jack Holland said in a press release. “Families are encouraged to participate as a way to show our youth the need to recognize and remember the men and women that fought for our country.”
Volunteers will also be needed the morning of Nov. 14 to remove the flags.
Email cemeteryinfo@plantcitygov.com for more information and to pre-register, for which you will need to give your volunteer names, a daytime telephone number, and the date(s) you are volunteering for.
HCSO cadets graduate at festival grounds
The twenty-seven newest Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies were sworn in Oct. 23 at the TECO Expo Hall at the Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds.
Law Enforcement Class 2002 trained for 33 weeks despite facing a new obstacle: the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These graduating cadets have reached a milestone only the most committed, passionate, and hardworking can achieve,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “It fills me with great pride to welcome them to one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country and I look forward to watching them make a positive difference in our community.”
Pioneer Day postponed
The 43rd annual Pioneer Day event will no longer be held in 2020, the East Hillsborough Historical Society announced Tuesday.
Originally scheduled for Nov. 14, the EHHS decided to move the event to January 23, 2021, remaining at the historic 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St. Shelby Bender, EHHS President and Executive Director, said it was “the responsible decision” in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have observed and practiced the precautions and safety measures recommended by the CDC and hope to see everyone on Saturday, January 23, 2021,” Bender said in a press release.
GFWC Woman’s Club to host Alzheimer’s walk
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Plant City is getting ready for its Happy Feet Walk for Alzheimer’s and has invited the public to join.
The walk will be held at 9 a.m. Nov. 5 at Brewer Park, 1491 Hunter St., and participants will complete several laps around its walking trail. To donate or get more information, contact Patricia Wolff at 941-725-1135 or wolffone@hotmail.com.