WAFC Local News – August 20, 2026, 8:06 AM
Transcript
I’m Geralds Murphy reporting. The Clewiston Police Department giving an update on a single vehicle commercial property collision at the First Bank off US 27 at Burner Road. A passenger in the vehicle passed away in the crash on July 15th of this year. Clewiston Police determined the male driver was exiting an oil change facility when he inadvertently depressed the accelerator instead of the brake and the vehicle struck the wall of First Bank. The passenger suffered blunt force trauma to her abdomen at the time of impact and sustained critical injuries and died days later. Palm Beach County Medical Examiner report detailed the outcome of their investigation and determined that the collision caused the death. Clewiston Police say after reviewing all the evidence no criminal charges will be filed and that it was accidental. Henry County’s finest able to recover some $38,000 worth of stolen items after investigation. 34-year-old Yasiel Asquai Alfonso is facing burglary and various grand theft charges. Henry County detectives went to a spot in Clewiston and received permission to search the property. They found a double wide flatbed trailer that was reported stolen out of Martin County. Several firearms inside the home. The trailer was valued at $23,000 along with a yellow cub cadet lawnmower valued at $2,600 and also a small pony. A stabbing reported in Belle Glade. It happens at 425 East Avenue A in a residence there. They will only say the investigation is ongoing and the charge would be aggravated battery so the victim did survive. Clewiston looking at some increases in their fire assessment for a single family mobile home. It would be $245.34. A vacant quarter acre parcel would be charged $147. Five acres $209. A vacant one acre commercial would be $156.90. Retail commercial based on 10,000 square feet would be nearly $900 and industrial over 20,000 square feet would pay $1,640. A long arrest 28 year old Jose Alvarez Chavez of Henry County is facing charges of battery upon a jail inmate. Henry County deputies said it was a disturbance or fight in the jail in LaBelle. Two inmates got into a verbal altercation and then a physical fight. Neither wanted to press charges calling it a misunderstanding. Clewiston police arresting a local man 33 year old Demetrio Claus on charges of burglary to an occupied dwelling. He apparently was attempting to get inside a home on West Alvarez and alcohol may have been a factor. The victim says that the suspect banged on the door profusely. He ignored several lawful commands to come to police and approached officers in an aggressive manner. He was taken into custody. The victim says she has told the suspect to leave the property several times but he hasn’t complied. Police used a taser to bring him under control. I’m Charles Murphy WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).