Two Mount Dora Police officers were on friendly defense earlier this week.  On Dec. 22, MDPD officers Still and Wardford responded to a call for service at the Palms of Mount Dora apartments on Eudora Road.

Once completed with the call, Still drove around the back of the complex and spotted three kids playing basketball. Officer Still asked the kids if he could join them and they agreed.  Still then called Wardford who returned to the property to play.

Two friendly games of seven points were played while residents of the community looked on and shot video.  The kids and officers had a great time, according to a Mount Dora Police Department.

“[It was an] Excellent opportunity for officers to interact with the youth and citizens in the community in real life situations. The youth can see and get to know our officers on a personal level,” said Luetenant Victor Uvalle With the deparment's Community Service Bureau.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here.   Download the free Mount Dora Buzz mobile app here and follow the Mount Dora Buzz Facebook page.

Detectives and officers from the Mount Dora Police Department, with assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, nabbed three individuals suspected in the repeated armed burglaries at 706 Fairview Avenue in Mount Dora.

The arrests were the result of Mount Dora Police detectivies investigating numerous Crimeline tips and eventually identifying three male suspects that were arrested in different incidents last night and into this morning  
 
Kevin Wilson, 24,  (12/02/1992) was arrested after law enforcement conducted a felony traffic stop on his vehicle leaving the Villa Lagoon Hotel in Tavares at 1051 Lakeshore Blvd.

Another suspect, Zachary Schmidt, 24, was arrested in a hotel room at the same location shortly after Kevin Wilson was taken into custody

The third suspect, Benjamin Wilson, 25, was arrested at a residence on Dawn Drive in Grand Island.

The elderly victims were home during the armed burglaries that occurred on November 19th, 13th, and 9th, 2016.  The white, male suspects took cash, a purse, and other valuables each time. A security camera captured footage of the suspects entering through the first floor, wearing what appeared to be t-shirts over their faces. The cameras also captured two of the suspect’s clothing with distinct markings of Michael Jordan apparel. One of the three suspects was armed with a hand gun.

Mount Dora Police Chief John O'Grady held a press conference this morning thanking the public, media, assisting agencies and Crimeline for their assistance. 

The Chief John O’Grady held a press conference today to thank the media, the public, assisting agencies and Crimeline for their assistanceVThe Chief John O’Grady held a press conference today to thank the media, the public, assisting agencies and Crimeline for their assistance

​For more news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here.   Download the free Mount Dora Buzz mobile app here and follow the Mount Dora Buzz Facebook page

Santa Claus is making calls from his headquarters at the North Pole!   He'll be calling local children, eight years of age and younger, on the following dates and times:
Tuesday, December 6: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, December 7: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

To request a call,  just complete the switchboard form and return it to the Parks & Recreation office at 900 North Donnelly Street by 5 PM on Tuesday, December 6th. Get the registration form here or in person at the Parks and Recreation office.  

​For more holiday events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here.   Download the free Mount Dora Buzz mobile app here and follow the Mount Dora Buzz Facebook page

Mount Dora Police Department is investigating multiple armed burglaries of one Mount Dora home. The elderly victims were home during all three armed burglaries. The suspects appear to be the same in all three incidents.​

The armed burglaries occurred on November 19th, 13th, and 9th, 2016. The white, male suspects took cash, a purse, and other valuables each time. A security camera captured footage of the suspects entering through the first floor, wearing what appeared to be t-shirts over their faces. The cameras also captured two of the suspect’s clothing with distinct markings of Michael Jordan apparel. One of the three suspects was armed with a hand gun.

The crimes took place in the area of 11th Avenue and Carroll Lane.  

The suspects are described as three white males, between the ages of 18-25 years of age.
 
Suspect 1: White male, age 18-25, 5’8” – 5’10”, approximately 150-160 lbs.
Suspect 2: White male, age 18-25, 5’10 – 6’0”, approximately 165-180 lbs.
Suspect 3: White male, age 18-25, 5’11” – 6’1”, approximately 180-200 lbs.
 
MDPD is seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspects captured on surveillance cameras. If you, or someone you know, has any information, please contact Crimeline at 800-432-TIPS. A reward of $10,000 has been posted. You may remain anonymous.

For more news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here.   Download the free Mount Dora Buzz mobile app here and follow the Mount Dora Buzz Facebook page