Deputies release photo of 3rd suspect accused of setting off fireworks in St. Augustine movie theater

Deputies release photo of 3rd suspect accused of setting off fireworks in St. Augustine movie theater

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Two teens were arrested over the weekend after they were accused of setting off fireworks inside a St. Augustine movie theater. St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office investigators are still looking for a third suspect and released a photo of him on Facebook Tuesday. The caption reads, “ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY: The…

Deputies still searching for suspect accused of setting off fireworks in St. Augustine movie theater

Deputies still searching for suspect accused of setting off fireworks in St. Augustine movie theater

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Two teens were arrested over the weekend after setting off fireworks inside a St. Augustine movie theater. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office arrested two teenagers but is still looking for a third suspect. The explosions happened as many people visited the theater for the debut weekend of a popular…

Juveniles set off fireworks during movie at St. Augustine theater: Deputies say

Juveniles set off fireworks during movie at St. Augustine theater: Deputies say

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Three juveniles at a St. Augustine movie theater are accused of igniting fireworks Saturday, causing the theater to be evacuated, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to multiple reports of an explosion inside the Epic Theater on Theatre Drive…

Popular St. Johns County beach trashed during high school graduation party, residents say

Popular St. Johns County beach trashed during high school graduation party, residents say

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – One of the area’s most popular and beautiful beaches was trashed Thursday night, residents told News4JAX. Witnesses said hundreds of recent high school graduates held a party at Mickler’s Beach in Ponte Vedra Beach and left behind thousands of cans and bottles. The good news is volunteers quickly hopped in…

Hundreds pay respects at funeral for fallen St. Johns County Sgt. Michael Kunovich

Hundreds pay respects at funeral for fallen St. Johns County Sgt. Michael Kunovich

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Family, friends and law enforcement are paying respects to Sergeant Michael Kunovich who died on May 19, 2023, in the line of duty. Sheriff Rob Hardwick said, “Sergeant Kunovich succumbed to some medical issues that were actually induced by the struggle with our subject.” The sergeant was in a struggle…

Struggle between suspect, St. Johns County deputy who died started after suspect seen trespassing, sheriff says

Struggle between suspect, St. Johns County deputy who died started after suspect seen trespassing, sheriff says

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick on Wednesday revealed new details surrounding the death of Sergeant Michael Kunovich. Kunovich collapsed after a struggle with Vergilio Aguilar Mendez and later died. Mendez has been charged with capital homicide and resisting arrest. Investigators said he’s homeless and living in the country illegally. Some of…

Local sheriffs, mayor-elect Deegan address growing issue of violence against law enforcement officers

Local sheriffs, mayor-elect Deegan address growing issue of violence against law enforcement officers

Local sheriffs and Jacksonville’s next mayor on Wednesday evening held a news conference to discuss what they are saying is a growing issue of violence against law enforcement officers. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters were joined by Clay County Sheriff Michell Cook, St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper, State Attorney Melissa…

Cause of St. Johns County deputy’s death becomes key question in felony murder case

Cause of St. Johns County deputy’s death becomes key question in felony murder case

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is now working to verify the immigration status of a man charged with murder in connection to the death of Sgt. Michael Kunovich. Vergilio Anguilar Mendez, 18, is charged with felony murder and resisting with violence. MORE: Honor guard escorts fallen St. Johns County…

Memorial for fallen St. Johns County deputy planned for Friday

Memorial for fallen St. Johns County deputy planned for Friday

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Preliminary memorial service arrangements have been announced for a St. Johns County sergeant who died in the line of duty over the weekend. Sgt. Michael Kunovich collapsed after helping detain a man who deputies say violently resisted being arrested. Kunovich died at the hospital. Officers gathered for a prayer and…

Woman arrested after using dating app to set up St. Johns County home invasion

Woman arrested after using dating app to set up St. Johns County home invasion

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A woman and two other people were arrested Wednesday afternoon in connection to a home invasion in St. Johns County. Deputies say the incident took place over the weekend. According to an arrest warrant, the victim of the home invasion was set up by a woman he met through an online…

All SB lanes of I-95 near SR 207 in St. Johns County are closed after crash

All SB lanes of I-95 near SR 207 in St. Johns County are closed after crash

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Click the play button above to view the live traffic cam. One person is dead and two others are severely injured after a semi-truck collided with a sedan on I-95 near SR 207 in St. Johns County on Wednesday, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said. The crash shut down all…

Tristyn Bailey Foundation helps pass law blocking release of minor’s crime scene photos, videos

Tristyn Bailey Foundation helps pass law blocking release of minor’s crime scene photos, videos

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The first big push for the Tristyn Bailey Foundation – Senate Bill 404 signed by Governor DeSantis on Thursday — prohibits the release of crime scene photos of the killing of a child in Florida. The family’s attorney helped write the bill into law. The law under public records no…

St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office asks residents & businesses to register surveillance cameras

St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office asks residents & businesses to register surveillance cameras

The public safety program is called ‘Connect St. Johns’ Surveillance images released by St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A new public safety program connects the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office with resident’s surveillance cameras. The Sheriff’s Office posted about the campaign on social media. The program called ‘Connect St. Johns’…

False alarms hamper new school-based alert system in St. Johns County

False alarms hamper new school-based alert system in St. Johns County

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Johns County School District said its working to exterminate some bugs from its adoption of a new, remote panic alert system in response to the passage of Alyssa’s Law. In St. Johns County’s district, the system’s alarm is controlled by one-button, remote devices carried by every member of…

2 men facing accessory charges in connection with fatal downtown shooting detail what led to the event

2 men facing accessory charges in connection with fatal downtown shooting detail what led to the event

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An arrest report details the events that led to the arrest of a St. Johns County teen and two others who are accused of shooting and killing a man in downtown Jacksonville. A man was found dead from a gunshot wound next to a dumpster on West Ashley Street. Investigators said they…

What do you think about the mother of Tristyn Bailey’s murderer being sentenced to 30 days?

What do you think about the mother of Tristyn Bailey’s murderer being sentenced to 30 days?

Smith was accused of tampering with evidence Crystal Smith mug shot (St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office) ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Aiden Fucci’s mother was sentenced to 30 days in St. Johns County jail and five years of probation after pleading no contest Friday afternoon. Crystal Smith was accused of tampering with evidence in connection…

Mother of Tristyn Bailey’s killer sentenced to 30 days in jail, 5 years probation for tampering with evidence

Mother of Tristyn Bailey’s killer sentenced to 30 days in jail, 5 years probation for tampering with evidence

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The mother of a teenager now serving a life sentence for killing 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey entered a plea of no contest Friday afternoon and was sentenced to 30 days in St. Johns County jail and five years of probation after being accused of crimes related to her son’s case. Crystal…

Local family looks back 1 year after son killed by bear on Alaska Army base

Local family looks back 1 year after son killed by bear on Alaska Army base

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – This week marked one year since Northeast Florida native U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Seth Plant was killed in a bear attack on a base in Alaska. He was 30 years old. According to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Plant was training with a small group when the attack happened. His tight-knit family was…

Mother of Tristyn Bailey’s killer expected to plead guilty to tampering with evidence charges

Mother of Tristyn Bailey’s killer expected to plead guilty to tampering with evidence charges

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The mother of a teenager now serving a life sentence for killing 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey is expected to plead guilty to charges related to her son’s case. Crystal Smith, the mother of Aiden Fucci, is accused of tampering with evidence in connection with the case, which is a felony. According…