Spring Hill Man Victim Of Homicide

MOON LAKE - A 30-year-old man whose body was found 10 days ago in a burned-out pickup in this rural west Pasco County community was the victim of a homicide, according to the sheriff's office.

Jesse Lohr, whose last known address is 739 Suncoast Blvd., Spring Hill, was discovered near Lake Drive and Coronado Way on Jan. 18 by a pair of teenage hikers.

Both the truck and his body were badly burned, and Pasco County Sheriff's Office detectives weren't immediately able to identity him, agency spokesman Doug Tobin said.

"We're still trying to figure out the events that led to this man's death," Tobin said.

No additional details about the investigation were made public. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office tip line at 1-800-706-2488.

Surveillance Footage Deflates False Report

BROOKSVILLE - After blowing most of her paycheck on crack cocaine, a Brooksville woman told police she was robbed as a bid to get more money from her employer.

The suspect, Deborah Rutherford, told police that she was at the Sunoco Station on Broad Street on Friday night when a man came up behind her and said, "I have a weapon, give me your money," a report states.

Rutherford claimed she handed over $160 cash and a gold engagement ring to the man, who sped off in a blue Honda. Later, according to her statement, she told an off-duty police officer what had happened and he told her "I'll take care off it."

On Saturday, Officer Marc Davidoff took her statement, but the facts didn't add up when he reviewed surveillance tape at the Sunoco, his report shows.

The following day, Officer Shawn Terry followed up with Rutherford, who burst into tears at the police station and admitted to making up the story, a report states.

She reportedly told Terry that most of her paycheck was used to feed her crack cocaine addiction, but she could pull some cash out of her vacation time at work if she could prove "hardship."

Rutherford, 44, of 8016 Jayson Drive, was charged with filing a false police report.