Fort Lauderdale Police

A 44-year-old man, Hutch Benjamin, was arrested in Fort Lauderdale for allegedly attacking a mother and her autistic son with a stick. The victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were hospitalized before being released. The suspect has a prior criminal history, and the mother described the attack as unprovoked, highlighting her son's vulnerability as a nonverbal individual.

Fort Lauderdale police released photos of a possible suspect in an aggravated battery case involving a Fourth of July shooting. The victim was shot in the thigh at 11:30 p.m. on July 4 near Seabreeze and Las Olas Boulevards but was not the intended target and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

A man in Fort Lauderdale attacked a mother and her 12-year-old autistic son with a blunt object near a bus stop, leaving both with non-life-threatening injuries. Surveillance video was released to aid in identifying the suspect, who is wanted for aggravated battery.

A mother and her nonverbal autistic 12-year-old son were attacked with a blunt object while walking to a bus stop in Fort Lauderdale, leaving both injured. The suspect fled before police arrived, and no description has been released. The mother reported the attacker directed confusing words at her son before striking them, leaving her feeling unsafe in her neighborhood.

A man was hospitalized with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound after being shot on a charter yacht in Fort Lauderdale on the Fourth of July. Police are investigating and searching for the suspect, who fled in a dark-colored vehicle. Witnesses, including the Lambertus family from Virginia, described encountering law enforcement at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina as officers swarmed the area.

A bicyclist was fatally struck by a Brightline train in Fort Lauderdale, leading to the closure of westbound lanes on State Road 84. The Fort Lauderdale Police are investigating the incident, and drivers are advised to use alternate routes.

Officials in Broward, Florida, demonstrated the dangers of fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July, using fruits and a mannequin hand to show potential injuries. They warned of nearly 15,000 annual fireworks-related injuries, emphasizing risks like burns and amputations, and urged the public to attend professional displays instead of handling fireworks themselves.

Don Janea Smith, a 22-year-old woman, is charged with fatal hit-and-run after striking Shelley Lewis, a retired Broward teacher, on Fort Lauderdale’s SE 17th Street Causeway Bridge. Surveillance cameras and license plate readers led police to Smith, who faces charges including failing to stop, tampering with evidence, and causing death.

A woman riding her bike in Fort Lauderdale was struck by a dark-colored vehicle Thursday morning and later died at Broward Health Medical Center. The driver fled the scene, prompting a hit-and-run investigation and closure of eastbound lanes on Southeast 17th Street.

A bicyclist was killed in a hit-and-run incident on Fort Lauderdale’s SE 17th St. bridge, with the driver fleeing the scene. The crash occurred just after 6:40 a.m. on Thursday, leading to a temporary closure of eastbound lanes. The victim, a woman, was struck by a dark-colored vehicle and later died at Broward Health Medical Center.

A 70-year-old woman named Erna Alceus is missing and was last seen near the 2900 block of Northwest 19th Street in Fort Lauderdale. She is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 185 pounds, wearing a white dress, sandals, and carrying a white bag. Fort Lauderdale Police are urging anyone with information to contact them.

A suspect barricaded inside a Fort Lauderdale business was taken into custody after a SWAT standoff lasting several hours. Police reported the individual surrendered peacefully without injuries, though details about his motives or charges remain undisclosed.

A woman was fatally struck by a vehicle in Fort Lauderdale at approximately 8:30 p.m. along North Federal Highway. She was pronounced deceased at Broward General Hospital after being transported there as a trauma alert. The driver remained at the scene, and homicide detectives are investigating the incident.

Sean Alexis appeared in Broward County court after being arrested for allegedly hitting a deputy's vehicle and fleeing the scene. Prosecutors highlighted his extensive driving violations, including multiple traffic offenses and a suspended license, during the hearing. He faces charges related to reckless driving and is restricted from driving if released on bond.

A death investigation is underway after a man drowned in Fort Lauderdale. Police received a call about a possible drowning in the 200 block of Southwest Second Avenue. Search efforts involving police, fire rescue, and the Broward Sheriff’s Office aviation unit led to the man being found and taken to Broward Health Medical Center, where he died. His identity has not been released.

A 40-year-old man was arrested after hitting a Broward Sheriff’s deputy in Fort Lauderdale and fleeing the scene. The deputy was hospitalized but is expected to recover. The suspect faces charges including leaving the scene of a crash involving serious injury.

A Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy was hospitalized after a hit-and-run incident in Fort Lauderdale, with the other driver fleeing the scene on foot. The deputy’s cruiser was heavily damaged, but injuries were not life-threatening. Investigators urge the public to contact Broward Crime Stoppers with information.

A Texas man, Connor Litka, was arrested for burglarizing the Fort Lauderdale home of OnlyFans creator Sophie Rain. During the arrest, he claimed false ownership and provided a false name, leading to charges including burglary and providing false identification. Litka was sentenced to probation and jail time, with some charges dismissed if probation is completed successfully.

A package theft at a Fort Lauderdale home is under investigation. Police responded to the 3500 block of Southwest 15th Street after reports of the theft, which was captured on surveillance video. No arrests have been made as detectives continue their investigation.

A Fort Lauderdale swimwear designer, Zoe Lazcano, reported that two thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from her front porch. Surveillance video captured the suspects loading a large package into a gray Ford F-150 before fleeing. The stolen items included exclusive swimwear and a case of Celsius, causing significant financial and operational setbacks for her brand, Zoe All Over.

A Fort Lauderdale teacher was arrested for seeking an inappropriate relationship with a student, including inappropriate comments, notes, and physical touching. Basil Billings, a reading teacher at Dillard High School, faces charges of offenses against a student by an authority figure and lewd or lascivious touching. He was placed on administrative reassignment by the school district and has a $35,000 bond with a no-contact order.