SEBASTIAN — The woman who kept her mother’s mummified remains in a bedroom of their home for six years told police she never reported the death because she couldn’t afford burial expenses.

According to interview records released Tuesday, Penelope Sharon Jordan had maintained the ruse over the deception of the fate of Timmie Jordan since 2003. The story she gave to a Sebastian officer Monday morning was that her mother, who was born in 1913, was living in Melbourne. However, officers said Penelope Jordan couldn’t provide an address for where her mother was staying.
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Police sketch of suspect.

At about 10 p.m., the couple was in their family room watching television when the man burst into the home in the 2200 block of Southeast Seafury Lane, Port St. Lucie police spokesman Officer Thomas Nichols said.

The man demanded cash and threatened to kill the husband unless the 64-year-old wife handed over cash, Nichols said. When he got the money, the suspect fled, Nichols said.

No one was injured in the incident.

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Tammy Wilson still has handguns for sale. But lately she’s had trouble keeping them in stock.

“Handguns are crazy right now,” said Wilson, manager of Express Huntin’ N Fishin’, a sportsman’s supply store in Sebastian. “A lot of them are on back order.”

The owners of many Treasure Coast gun and pawn shops say they’ve also seen a jump in gun sales, fueled by fears the new presidential administration will impose new regulations on gun ownership.

The economy is also a factor, as homeowners arm themselves against a perceived spike in home break-ins tied to the rising unemployment rate.

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Aaron W. Benson

Last Wednesday Michael Williams reported to Martin County Sheriff’s deputies that someone had burglarized his Hobe Sound mobile home when he was out at work. When he returned, Williams said he found a safe, money, jewelry and blank checks were missing.

Michael B. Williams

FORT PIERCE — Two men are suspected of trying to break in to a Fort Pierce Dunkin’ Donuts, according to arrest affidavit released Sunday by the Fort Pierce Police Department.

The report does not say whether the men were attempting to steal cash or doughnuts from the store at 920 U.S. 1.

Eric Demond Donley, 35, of the 1100 block of 32nd Avenue in Vero Beach, and Rony Harold Jeudy, 19, of the 1100 block of South U.S. 1 in Fort Pierce, were arrested on charges of burglary, property damage and criminal mischief and resisting arrest without violence on Friday. (more…)

STUART — Police are investigating the burglaries of two check-cashing stores discovered this morning.

At about 7:45 a.m., Stuart Police were dispatched to a report of an open door at the rear of the Advance America Cash Advance at 2170 S. Federal Highway.

The arriving officer discovered a forced entry, police spokesman Sgt. Marty Jacobson said. (more…)

Robin Crosley

Maurice Anderson-Phillips

The vehicles were all parked outside the Grand Island Athletic Club on the corner of U.S. 1 and Indian Street.

A witness told investigators that he heard breaking glass as he walked into the parking lot. When he looked around, he saw a gold Lincoln leaving the lot.

Deputy Doug Cruz later found the car driving on U.S. 1 in Hobe Sound. (more…)

PORT ST. LUCIE — Police are investigating to see whether a burglary and an attempted break-in at two check-cashing stores discovered this morning are linked.

Sometime overnight, someone broke into the Advance America Cash Advance at 10169 S. U.S. 1 and made off with cash and the store’s surveillance video, police spokesman Officer Thomas Nichols said.

The suspect or suspects pried open a back door, cut a hole in a floor safe and took an unknown amount of cash, Nichols said. An employee discovered the theft this morning. (more…)

Zachary Weir

Zacharay L. Weir, 20, is accused of breaking into a woman’s Coral Gardens home on Wednesday and stealing $1,890 worth of her things.

When the woman reported the theft to Martin County Sheriff’s deputies, she named Weir as a possible suspect, according to a sheriff’s report. (more…)