Florida Criminal Attorney Blog

Shane Braslow of Coral Springs, Florida was arrested on Thursday after police connected him to a 2011 child enticement incident, according to reports. Braslow, 22, was booked at Broward County Jail on charges of luring or enticing a child and lewd or lascivious exhibition. He is also facing charges of attempted kidnapping and battery in connection to an attempted abduction. It is not clear whether Braslow has qualified for bail bond or has retained a private criminal defense attorney.

According to the arrest report, the most recent set of charges come in connection to a sex crime incident that occurred in July 2011 in the 2900 block of Northwest 87th Terrace in Coral Springs, Florida. An 11-year-old girl told authorities that she was tinkering with her bicycle when a man pulled up to her in a 2008 black Honda. She alleged that the man, while masturbating, tried to give her $10 in exchange for her getting in the car with him. The girl reportedly refused and the man drove off without using physical force or attempting a kidnapping. It is not entirely clear how police were able to connect Braslow to the incident.

This year's incident allegedly occurred on April 9 at approximately 10:00 a.m. in a woodsy area in the 8900 block of Forest Hills Boulevard. The victim, a 44-year-old woman whose name has not been released due to the nature of the crime, told authorities that she was out for a morning run when a man she later identified as Braslow pulled up to her in a black Honda. The man, she said, was holding what appeared to be a professional quality camera, and he told her that he was taking photographs of her to post on the Internet.

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Maria Claudia Murphy of Margate, Florida has been missing since Friday, March 16 at approximately 2 p.m., according to reports. Her car was just recovered in a Holiday Springs shopping center parking lot, located at 7932 Sample Road in Pompano Beach, FL. Police are asking anyone with information on the case to come forward and is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who provides information leading to her recovery. The case is being treated as a possible kidnapping or murder.

The woman's 2005 black BMW 330ci 2-door convertible, which has Florida tag code LZS159, was found on Tuesday after someone called in an anonymous tip to police. Officials reported that the car did not appear to have been broken into or damaged in any way, and that there were no sings of a struggle near the vehicle or a car accident. "We recovered Ms. Maria Claudia's vehicle... we received an anonymous tip, at which time our detectives as well as our patrol officers responded out here and did locate her vehicle... Her vehicle is back at our Coral Springs Police Department being processed by our crime scene unit," explained a Coral Springs police officer.

The police report indicates that Murphy, 45, went to a Bank of America branch located on University Avenue in Coral Springs at approximately 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, where she made a $5,000 deposit on behalf of her husband. The money was reportedly for expenses related to the couple's upcoming move to Tennessee. Security cameras show Murphy as she makes the transaction.

At approximately 2:00 p.m., one of Murphy's friends says that they spotted Murphy in Margate, traveling east on Copans Road near U.S. 441 on foot. The spot is about three and a half miles away from where Murphy's car was found. It is not clear how she got there or where she was headed. She was apparently alone when her friend saw her. "We have no idea why she would be there. If we can determine why she got out of that car, I think we'd have a better insight into what the story is," said Frank Murphy, the missing woman's husband.

The next evening, Frank Murphy reported Maria Claudia Murphy missing when he came home from work to find that she still had not returned. Coral Springs officials have been conducting a large-scale search for the woman using police dogs, but have not found any leads thus far. Murphy's family and a slew of volunteers have also been working to post flyers and spread the word about the case in the hopes that someone will come forward with relevant information.

On Tuesday, Murphy's family gathered for a press conference. "We cannot give up. I am not giving up. My family, her family, we will never give up finding, trying to find Claudia. Please, do not give up on her," said Frank Murphy to the press. Maria Claudia Murphy's niece addressed the woman directly, hoping she would hear. "Please let us know you're OK," said Catalina Rojas, 26, to the cameras.

"Claudia, if you are out there and you can hear us-- that is obviously a possibility-- please contact somebody to contact us, and we have obviously a lot of family members and a lot of citizens that care and are concerned, and we just want to bring you home safe," added a police officer.

Lester Schwalm was arrested today in Boynton Beach, Florida for allegedly stealing and SUV that had a baby sitting in the back seat. According to news reports, Schwalm jumped into the SUV's driver seat while the baby's family stopped at a Shell gas station. Schwalm has also been charged with grand theft auto, fleeing and eluding, and is likely also facing a charge for driving with a revoked license. (Photo Credit: Palm Beach Sheriff's Office)

According to news reports, the family pulled their 2010 Buick SUV in to a Shell station. The mom and daughter got out of the vehicle and went inside the convenience. Dad and baby remained with the SUV. However, as soon as dad got out of the vehicle, Lester Schwalm is accused of hopping right into the driver's seat and taking off with the SUV. Upon seeing what happened, the dad is said to have chased the SUV down as he yelled for someone to call police.

Schwalm may have gotten away from the Shell station, but he didn't get far. Using a combined force of patrol cars on the ground and a PBSO helicopter in the air, the SUV was located and followed until Schwalm stopped the SUV, jumped out, and ran on foot. He was apprehended shortly thereafter.

Fortunately, the baby inside was recovered without any injury and has been reunited with his family.

According to the PBSO booking blotter, Lester Schwalm has an arrest history that includes trespassing, grand theft, and dealing in stolen property.

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