Detectives Hope Billboards Will Help Solve Cold Cases

Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County is hoping a series of new billboards will help them crack local cold case crimes, some dating back 21 years.

The agency is teaming up with Clear Channel Outdoor and local law enforcement agencies for the newest phase of its “cold case” billboard program.

Six unsolved crimes from Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park will be highlighted on billboards all over the county, two beginning immediately.

The billboards, which were donated and produced by Clear Channel Outdoor, will remain in place for eight weeks. Officials hope the presence of such large reminders of the tragic incidents will jog the memories of people who may have information about the cases.

“The main reason we decided to do this is because we’ve had success with Crime Stoppers in the past,” said Clearwater Police Detective Steve Bohling, who is investigating the deadly shooting of Jack LaGrand. “They were willing to give us the horsepower, if you will, to give us signs of that size on U.S. 19, where this crime occurred.”

“We need the public’s help in identifying who this person is so we can get closure for the family.”

The first two billboards were revealed Monday: One highlights the LaGrand case on U.S. 19 north of Republic Drive, and the other advertises the Hoeschele Thomas case. That billboard is on Ulmerton Road west of Walsingham Road. 

Leads and information can be called in anonymously, but there are rewards of up to $1,000 offered for any tips that result in arrests, said Susan Fraley, project administrator for Crime Stoppers.

“These are cases that … are no longer generating any tips,” Fraley said. “So hopefully this will be something that the right person will see. … Maybe this will be the catalyst they need to come forward and provide information, the one piece of the puzzle we need to solve the case.”

This is the second such campaign Crime Stoppers and Clear Channel Outdoor have participated in. The last one, which took place roughly six months ago and also featured six cases, produced many tips and leads in the cases that were highlighted.

Below is a list of the six cases chosen for the billboards. Each one was selected with the consent of the victim’s family.

Jack LaGrand case, Clearwater

Cab driver Jack LaGrand, a 50-year-old father of two, was found shot to death in his taxi cab in a remote location on U.S. 19 North on Sept. 17, 2008 around 7:30 a.m. A suspect was identified by cross-checking cab records and from a surveillance video. He is described as a slim, Hispanic male, 5’7” in his early 20s with dark hair wearing dark shorts and a distinctive shirt. Despite the video and the description, no arrests have been made in the case.
Billboard location: U.S. 19 and Republic Drive through Sept. 18

Hoeschele Thomas case, Largo

On Oct. 29, 2006 around 1:25 a.m., Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shooting on 118th Street North in Largo. They discovered Hoeschele Thomas, a father and grandfather, had been shot. He later died from his injuries. Witnesses identified a late model maroon SUV, possibly a Jeep Cherokee, leaving the scene, but there are no suspects and no further clues to who killed Thomas.

“I believe somebody knows what happened to Hoeschele, and I hope they come forward,” said his mother, Eunice Lewis. “I’ve got such a hole in my heart because of this. I would like to have some closure.”
Billboard location: Ulmerton and Walsingham roads through Sept. 18

Robert Helphrey case, Palm Harbor

Robert Helphrey, 34, was reported missing on May 22, 2006. A manager at the Thirsty Marlin, Helphrey was last seen leaving Peggy O’Neill’s Pub in downtown Palm Harbor following his shift. He drove off to meet a friend at his home at the Stonegate Apartments, but he never made it and has not been seen or heard from since. His vehicle has never been located, either.
Billboard location: Alternate U.S. 19 and Avery Avenue from Aug. 1 through Sept. 25

Jeremy Long case, Pinellas Park
On Dec. 18, 2008, 16-year-old Jeremy Long was found in a bedroom at his Pinellas Park residence. He had suffered a gunshot wound and died in the arms of his mother and 5-year-old sister, according to Detective Roxanne Hunt of the Pinellas Park Police. Hunt said she has received many tips and there have been suspects in the case, but no arrests yet. She believes someone in the community knows who killed Long.
Billboard location: 34th Street and 14th Avenue South from Aug. 8 through Oct. 2

Joseph Siczak case, St. Petersburg
Joseph Siczak was sitting in his white Corvette in North Shore Park in downtown St. Pete around 9 p.m. March 5, 1990. According to witnesses, two people attempted to rob “Joey”, but he started to drive off. Siczak was shot and killed.
Billboard location: First Avenue and 14th Street North from Aug. 8 to Oct. 2

James Row, Nancy Spivey and John Spivey case, St. Petersburg
In early 1991, married couple Nancy and John Spivey and their friend, James Row, were found killed in the home they shared on First Avenue South and 23rd Street. According to St. Petersburg Police Major Michael Kovacsev, the trio were bludgeoned to death while they slept early Jan. 10. Despite heavy attention from media and law enforcement surrounding this triple homicide, no arrests have been made.
Billboard location: Fifth Avenue and 26th Street North from Aug. 8 to Oct. 2

Law enforcement officials urge anyone with tips or information about any of the cases to contact Crime Stoppers or your local law enforcement agency.