Haleigh Cummings: Do Cop’s Have “Ratgate” Strategy?
From Bald Truth Staff, (c) www.artharris.com, all rights reserved
Here’s the August 12, 2009 Putnam County Sheriff Department’s press release over Ratgate, our nickname for a new and troubling incident involving Haleigh Cummings father, Ronald, alleged Ratsuma Intimidator.
His brother in law, Hank Croslin, Jr., tells police he suspects Ronald slipped a decapitated rodent into his mailbox after midnight to underscore threats he claims the alleged Ratman made after Hank, well, ratted him out to the cops over a fistfight that put him in the local hospital (where he was treated and released) and Ron in the slammer overnight on battery charges. He’s denied the charges and claims he was partying with friends that night.
Both incidents are under investigation by the state attorney general’s office, but we’re not sure what the charges might be if a Ratman were arrested…Do rats fall under the “animal cruelty” statutes? Maybe someone can ask the Humane Society if rats have rights, too?
Police say the incidents are unrelated to the vanished child, but sources say with Misty Cummings under the microscope for conflicting stories as the baby sitter who reported Haleigh missing (then married her father a month later), there’s so much stress, tension and family dissension, well anything could happen, and information just might emerge that could be useful.
Police still believe after all these months, 4,000 leads, and almost 200 interviews, dna tests, water and airborne searches and more that it’s not a stranger abduction.
If Misty indeed called her family as they claim, saying she wanted to leave Ronald and begging to be rescued, but changed her mind, well, what does that say?
In addition, at least one of her party pals, Kristina Prevatt, aka Nay Nay, arrested over the weekend with a Ronald Cummings ex, Amber Brooks…not to mention their one time sugar Daddy and benefactor, Jerome Williams, behind bars in St. John’s County on serious drug charges…the pot is boiling with double trouble.
See below:
Case Number: 2009-6939
On August 8, 2009, Hank Croslin Jr. filed a report with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office that a dead rat had been placed in his mailbox. He reported that a neighbor witnessed Ronald Cummings place something in the mail box at approximately 12:00 am – 12:30 am on that date.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has received media requests regarding the incident. This incident is currently under investigation, and many of the documents requested cannot be released at this time. I have attached a copy of the initial Offense Incident Report for your review.
This incident is not related to the investigation of missing five year-old Haleigh Cummings; therefore, we will not be participating in interviews or providing statements regarding this incident. Our only objective is, and always has been, finding Haleigh Cummings and returning her home to her family.
Putnam County
Sheriff’s Office
Jeff Hardy, Sheriff
MEDIA RELEASE
Lieutenant Johnny Greenwood
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
Putnam County
Sheriff’s Office
Jeff Hardy, Sheriff
Entered: _ Route To: STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Checked: _ MAJOR CRIMES UNIT
File Purged: _
N/A: _
Year: 2009 Incident No.:6939
Putnam Countv Sheriff’s Office
General Offense II ncident Report
71
Incident Information
Day/Date/Time of Incident-From. Friday 8/7/200920:00
Location of Incident. 116 TYLER ST Apt./Lot #:
City. SATSUMA State. FLORIDA Zip. 32189
Drug Activity. NOT APPLICABLE
Alcohol Related UNKNOWN (OR N/A)
MC] Case: No Follow-up by.
Sub-Sector 51
Day/Date/Time of Incident-To: Saturday 8/8/2009 14: 10
Day/Date/Time Incident Reported: Satu rday 8/8/2009 14: 10
Drug Type: NOT APPLICABLE # Of Offenses: 1
Drug Related: UNKNOWN (OR N/A) # Of Victims: 1
# Of Suspects: 2
Offense or Incident:
#1 Statute No. S914.23 Degree: F3 UCR Code: 9000 Attempt Code: Commit
RETAILIATING AGAINST WITNESS (THREATENS HARM OR DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY)
Victim Information #1
Name: CROSLIN, HANK THOMES JR
Address: 116 TYLER ST Apt./Lot #.
City. SATSUMA State: FLORIDA Zip: 32189
Alternate Address: Ait Apt.rl.ot #:
Alt City: Alt State: Alt Zip:
Hospital Where Victim taken: NOT APPLICABLE
Place of Employ /School: NON E
Race. WHITE Ethnicity: UNKNOWN Sex: Male DOB. 8/2/1986 Age. 23
Height: 5′ 11″ WeiRht: 145 Eye Color. BLUE Hair Color: BROWN
Injury Extent: NONE Injury Type. NOT APPLICABLE
Offenses Victim of:
#1 RETAILIATING AGAINST WITNESS (THREATENS HARM OR DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY)
VICTIM TYPE: ADULT
Hm Phone # (386)-972-6681
Bus. Phone # Ext.
Ait Hm Phone #
Alt Bus. Phone # Alt Ext.
Residence Type: COUNTY
Residence Status: RESIDENT
Victim Relationship To Offender:
OTHER FAMILY #1 CUMMINGS, RONALD
Victim Disabilities: NONE 1 (NOT APPLICABLE)
Weapons Involved: NOT APPLICABLE (NONE)
Suspect Information #1 Suspect Location: At Large
Name. CUMMINGS RONALD
Address: 216 4TH AVE Apt/Lot #.. Home Phone #
City: WELAKA State. FLORIDA Zip. 32193 Bus. Phone # Ext.
Place of Employ /School: NONE
Race. WHITE Ethnicity. UNKNOWN Sex: Male DOB: 10/29/1983 Age: 25
Height: 6′ 2″ Weight: 160 Eye Color. BLUE Hair Color: BROWN Hair length: SHORT
Hair Style: STRAIGHT Complexion: TANNED Voice: NORMAL Facial Hair UNSHAVEN
Distinguishing Marks:
Clothing/Description:
Nickname(s):
Aliases:
Charges:
#1 RETAILIATING AGAINST WITNESS (THREATENS HARM OR DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY)
Jail Booking # N/A OBTS No. Juvenile: No Miranda Warnings Given: No
Suspect Location: At Large
Home Phone #
Date Printed: 8/12/2009 JEFF HARDY, SHERIFF 2009-6939 PCSO
Bus. Phone # Ext.
Age:.
Hair length: •
acial Hair:
(THREATENS HARM OR DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY)
OBTS No. Juvenile: Yes Miranda Warnings Given: No
Witness/Complainant Information: #1
Name. CROSLIN HANK THOMAS
Address. 116 TYLER ST Apt/Lot #.
City SATSUMA State.• FLORIDA Zip. 32189
Place of Employ /School: NONE
Race. WHITE Sex. Male DOB. 8/3/1968 Age.• 41
Type: WITNESS
Home Phone # (386)-972-6702
Bus. Phone # Ext.
Relationship To Victim:
PARENT #1 CROSLIN, HANK THOMES JR
Witness/Complainant Information: #2
Name. CROSLIN LISA CARMEN
Address.• 116 TYLER ST Apt/Lot #:
City SATSUMA State. FLORIDA Zip. 32189
Place of Employ School: NONE
Race. WHITE Sex: Female DOB.• 9/10/1969 Age. 39
Type: WITNESS
Home Phone # (386)-972-6702
Bus. Phone # Ext.
Relationship To Victim:
PARENT #1 CROSLIN, HANK THOMES JR
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Scene: 116 Tyler Street Satsuma, FI.
Directions: HWY 17 S. turn right on Buffalo Bluff Road, turn left on Tyler Street just across the railroad tracks.
Residence on the right side of Tyler Street marked 116 on the mailbox. (DWMH on the right with screened in
porch to the right side)
On 8/8/2009, I was dispatched to 116 Tyler Street in reference to a suspicious incident. Upon arrival I spoke with
Hank Croslin Jr. about the incident. Hank informed me that a dead rat was found in the mailbox today. Hank
further advised that the rat’s head had been removed prior to being placed inside the mailbox.
Hank informed me that he suspected his brother in-law Ronald Cummings of being involved in putting the rat in
the mailbox. Hank further informed me of an altercation he had with Ronald Cummings last week, which resulted
in Ronald being arrested. Hank advised that during the investigation of the altercation Ronald made several
comments that he would get back at him. Hank stated that he knew Ronald owned several guns, and was afraid
Ronald was going to show up and cause problems at the residence. Hank also said that he believed the
headless rat found in the mail box was a sign from Ronald that he was going to kill him.
I spoke with Hank’s parents Hank and Lisa Croslin about the incident. Hank and Lisa also believed Ronald was
responsible for put the dead rat in the mailbox. Lisa advised that she had several small children living with her at
this residence and was afraid that Ronald would come there causing further problems with her son.
I then spoke with a witness Patricia Kay Pierce, who informed me that she saw Ronald drive by her residence
last night. Patricia advised that she was watching T.V. last night at approximately 12:00 or 12:30 AM and heard
the sound of Ronald’s truck coming up the road. Patricia said she got up to see what was going on, and saw
Ronald’s truck slow in front of her neighbor’s mailbox and put something inside. Patricia advised that they then
drove up the road and turned around. Patricia stated that she saw Ronald driving the truck an~ on
the passenger side as the vehicle drove back by her residence. Patricia provided a voluntary hand w~
statement which will be submitted with this report.
Hank Croslin Jr. wished to sign charges against Ronald and . Hank was afforded the
opportunity to sign a complaint affidavit charging Ronald and with Tampering with a witness.
Prior to leaving the scene I took digital photographs of the dead rat inside the mailbox, which will be uploaded to
the PCSO website. I also removed the rat from the mailbox and properly disposed of it.
I then relocated to 216 4th Avenue in Welaka, in an attempt to make contact with Ronalld—-’
but met with negative results. I obtained information a.he residence that Ronald and ~
Augustine for the day. I left a message for Ronald and to contact me when they re urned. Approximately
two hours later dispatch informed me that Ronald Cum s had called in and a ised that he was at his
residence. I returned to 4th Avenue in Welaka and made contact with Ronald and . I informed
Ronald and _of the allegations against them, both Ronald and _denied a 0 ga I ns. I the.-
afforded Ronald and_he opportunity to speak with an investigator about the allegations. Ronald and
voluntarily agreed to pe with an investigator at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. Detective John Merchant was notified and assumed the investigation.
In view of the above investigation, this case is deemed pending. Any additional reports will be completed in a
timely manner, and submitted as required.
Handouts:
#1 Case information Card
#2 Victim Services Card
Clearance Status. CASE NOT CLEARED Clearance Code: NOT APPLICABLE
Case Not Cleared Type. CASE NOT CLEARED (DETECTIVE FOLLOW-UP)
Number of Cases Cleared
CRIME ANALYSIS
Aggravated Assault/Murder:
Type of Weapon:
Forced Entry: NOT APPLICABLE Structure Occupancy Code: NOT APPLICABLE Number of Premises Entered’
Location Type: Residence-Home
Incident Occurred Outside this Location Incident Occurred In the Parking Lot at this Location: No
Number of Vehicles Recovered: Number of Arrested:
School Name: Schaal Number
MISCELLANEOUS:
Is Offense Related to Domestic Violence: No !fyes, were Children under 18Present: If No is it Domestic Related: NO
Is there additional information included on a continuation report: No Are there other Pertinent Reports: Yes
In your opinion is there significant reason to believe that the crime can be solved by a patrol follow-up investigation? No
Neighborhood Canvass Conducted: No Case Information Card Left With: Victim
if Other (Name Address):
Address: Apt./Lot #: Home Phone #
City: State: Zip: Bus. Phone # Ext.
Investigative Time:
#1 Hours: 2 Minutes: 0 Cost Amount: $28.92
Detective Called To the Scene:JOHN MERCHANT #1132
Evidence Technician Called to the Scene: #0
Reporting Officers. C.MCNEILL
NA.[ ]
NA. [X]
lD #1254
lD #0
lD#1146
Notified. [ X ]
Assigned By HQ: [
8/8/2009 23:20
Approving SupervisorR.FRANK
Division. PATROL Unit. BRAVO
