Pursuit suspect attempts to swim away from authorities
In a dramatic seaside encounter, a man known to be evading law enforcement spent approximately an hour and a half in the chilly waters of the Pacific Ocean near Will Rogers State Beach. Los Angeles County lifeguards played a crucial role in finally surrounding and capturing the individual, who was wanted on a felony warrant. (Credit: FOX 11 Los Angeles)
A group of hopeful cruise travelers found themselves diverted from a dream vacation to an unexpected detour at “Iron Bar Lodge,” as a Florida sheriff aptly described. At Port Canaveral, deputies apprehended six passengers, each with outstanding warrants or alleged probation violations.
In a whimsical nod to maritime mishaps, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey took to social media, posting about the day’s unusual flurry of law enforcement activity, humorously titled “Oh Ship!!,” capturing the bustling atmosphere at one of the globe’s most active cruise terminals.
Among the cases, the one drawing the most serious attention featured Martell Murray, a 24-year-old from Georgia. Authorities took him into custody under an out-of-state fugitive warrant tied to violations of his release conditions related to pending murder charges, according to insights from the sheriff’s office and Brevard County jail documents.
Port Canaveral was a hub of maritime activity as the Carnival Liberty and Disney Dream cruise ships docked there on September 5, 2019. (Getty Images)
Authorities said the warrant stemmed from an alleged violation tied to an existing murder case. The sheriff’s office did not identify the victim, disclose the jurisdiction handling the case or explain which release condition Murray had allegedly violated.
Martell Murray, 24, of Georgia, who was taken into custody on an out-of-state fugitive warrant alleging he violated conditions of his release in connection with pending murder charges, according to the sheriff’s office. (Brevard County Sheriff’s Office)
Murray’s getaway was sunk alongside his traveling companion, Kenderia Burney, 24, who was wanted on a violation-of-probation warrant, Ivey said.
“Luckily these two still got to vacation together at the Lodge even though they got accommodations with separate sleeping quarters,” Ivey quipped.
Kenderia Burney, 24, was wanted on a violation-of-probation warrant, the sheriff’s office said. (Brevard County Sheriff’s Office)
Both Murray and Burney were booked into the Brevard County Jail on July 17 and remained in custody without bond as of Wednesday, jail records showed. Murray was booked as an out-of-state fugitive, while Burney was being held on an out-of-county warrant.
The deputies’ catch of the day did not end there.
Veronica Hamlet, 38, of Tampa, was arrested on a failure-to-appear warrant, according to the sheriff. Brevard County jail records listed her charge as an out-of-county warrant and showed that she was released the following day after posting $1,000 bond.
Veronica Hamlet, 38, of Tampa, was arrested on a failure-to-appear warrant, according to the sheriff. (Broward County Sheriff’s Office)
James Otha Brewton, 66, of Allendale, South Carolina, was also taken into custody on a violation-of-probation warrant, Ivey said. Jail records showed Brewton was booked on an out-of-county warrant and released July 18 after posting $500 bond.
“It’s smooth sailing from there,” the sheriff said.
The Norwegian Breakaway, Carnival breeze and Norwegian Sun cruise ships are pictured in Port Canaveral, Florida. (Getty Images)
Two additional passengers also found trouble waiting for them after they returned from their cruise.
Deputies stopped the unnamed travelers as they disembarked and determined that both were on felony probation but allegedly had left the country without receiving permission from their probation officers, Ivey said.
The sheriff said the two would be enjoying stays at their respective “lodges” once probation officials completed the required paperwork.
Authorities did not identify those passengers or disclose the crimes for which they were on probation.
The sheriff’s office did not identify the ships or cruise lines connected to the six passengers.
“Whether you’re from Florida or Alaska, if you come to Brevard County and break the law…or in this case have a warrant…you better believe that we will lock you up!!” he said.