Update:
ARREST MADE IN EDGEWOOD CEMETERY FELONY CRIMINAL MISCHIEF-GRAND THEFT
Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff's Office arrested Deshawn Frankie Russell, 19, of Apopka, who was charged with Felony Criminal Mischief/Damaging a Burial Headstone and Grand Theft in connection with the September 2nd crime. A burial headstone stolen during this atrocious crime has been recovered.
Members of the community provided video of the crime to Apopka detectives, which led to the identification of Russell. An Arrest Warrant was obtained. The Orange County Sheriff's Office assisted in locating and arresting Russell in the Orlando area. Upon his arrest, the stolen headstone and multiple firearms were recovered.
Russell has been booked into Orange County Corrections.
Although an arrest has been made in this case, it remains an active investigation, with additional charges and arrests possible.
Anyone with information regarding these cases is asked to continue to contact the Apopka Police Department at apdtips@apopka.net or Crimeline.
This is a developing story that may be updated in future editions of The Apopka Voice.
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From September 5th:
The Apopka Police Department released the following statement about vandalism at gravesites in the Edgewood Cemetery in Apopka:
On Saturday, September 2nd, at 8 p.m. the Apopka Police Department responded to Edgewood Cemetery, 331 East 1st Street in Apopka, regarding a felony criminal mischief complaint of damaging a burial headstone. The victim informed the responding officer that a family member's headstone had been damaged.
Then on Sunday, September 3rd, at 12:30 a.m., members of the Apopka Police Department responded again to the Edgewood Cemetery regarding a second Burial Headstone that was discovered damaged/stolen.
The Apopka Police Department is actively investigating both of these appalling crimes that have left the families of the decedents devastated due to the lack of empathy shown by the perpetrators.
The victims in these cases have invoked Marsy’s Law for confidentiality. This is an active criminal investigation.
This is a developing story and will be updated in future editions of The Apopka Voice.
