Drug Raid In Florida Retirement Community Uncovers Suspected Golf Cart Chop-Shop

Dent8 years ago

From CBS News:

THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Five people have been arrested after a police raid of a home in a central Florida retirement community uncovered drugs and golf cart parts, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies raided the home early Wednesday after receiving reports of suspicious activity, including possible drug use and golf cart thefts, at the home located in The Villages, a sprawling senior community with a population of more than 150,000. A SWAT team executed a search warrant obtained after a confidential informant helped orchestrate three drug buys there, reports the Village News.

Nearby residents had reportedly long complained the property was unkempt.

“It’s been a problem location for the neighborhood up here for some time,” Sumter County Deputy Gary Brannen told the Village News.

Drugs were in “plain sight” in the home, deputies said, and investigators uncovered golf cart parts including windshields, seat cushions, wheels and tires in the garage in attic, reports CBS affiliate WKMG. Brannen told the Village News the property may have been used as a golf cart chop-shop.

Five people were arrested at the home: Kenneth Ray Padgett, 53; Charlotte L. Gajewsky, 45; William Anthony Wade Romska, 38; Kathleen Unrath, 43; and Michael Edward Witkowski, 63. Charges include possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell; keeping or maintaining a drug shop; possession of heroin; and possession of paraphernalia, deputies say.

The Village News reports Unrath is the niece of the property owner, an elderly man with health problems who is reportedly not believed to be involved in the illegal activity.

And you thought your neighbors were bad.

Not only could you buy meth and heroin at this place, but they had pieced out golf carts, too? Just a little assembly required. Talk about a one-stop shop.

Not to be that guy but you kinda have to blame the neighbors living around this place for allowing this to happen for so long. Let me explain. Anyone who has ever had old neighbors knows that they complain about everything. For example, I went out to my car this morning and there was a note from a disgruntled neighbor because I parked in front of their sidewalk. It read, “PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF OUR SIDEWALK. I HOPE I DO NOT HAVE TO ASK AGAIN. SINCERELY, YOUR NEIGHBOR SANDY.”

The report says that the neighbors had been complaining about this place for years. But can you imagine how many fucking Sandys there are living in a central Florida retirement village? Those poor authorities have heard a wolf cry no less than 7,000 times. Complaining about petty shit like where I park makes it real hard for the police to believe your claims. How were they supposed to know that this time there was actually real crime going on?

There was, however, one major red flag that should’ve been detected. The report states that of the five individuals who were arrested at the house, their ages were 53, 45, 38, 43, and the oldest was 63. You’re living in a retirement community where the core demographic, every other resident, is at least 70. The neighbors may have a case for gross negligence by the police just based on that. Although, playing devils advocate here, meth heads do age faster so maybe nobody could tell the difference.

It sounds like they were in business for a while, though, which means that there must have been a market in the area. I always thought grandma was forgetting to send my birthday cards because she’s old. Turns out she was just coming off a bender.

I hope more details emerge. Like they find out the main customers and start arresting. It would be legendary to find out that all of our grandparents have been down in Florida tweaking for the last few years..

[via CBS News]

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