Bird Napping, Lightning Strikes, Up-Skirt Peeper

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties. The following are some of the more unusual, wacky, wonderful or just plain weird stories that have had people talking over the past few weeks:

Mom, Daughter Prostitution, Massage Operation Shut Down: Cops

A call into Crime Stoppers about possible illegal activities occurring at a home on Sarasota’s Bay Street kicked off a month-long investigation that ultimately led to the arrest of a mother and her adult daughter.

Florida Leads U.S. In Lightning Fatalities (Video)

A Friday morning lightning strike in Clearwater that sent a 76-year-old man to the hospital stands as a reminder of how quickly Florida’s weather can take a hazardous turn. The state is once again leading the nation in the number of lightning-relating deaths.

Bus Driver Who Dropped Kids Off Blocks From School Under Investigation

The St. Petersburg Police Department says a Tuesday morning scare involving missing kids from Lealman Innovation Academy ended with all students accounted for. The school bus driver who allegedly dropped the kids off blocks from campus, however, is now under investigation by the school district.

Starbucks’ Up-Skirt Peeper Foiled By Flash: Deputies

A 48-year-old Tampa man’s decision to turn on his flash while taking photos in Palm Harbor Starbucks on Monday evidently did more than illuminate his intended subject. According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the action tipped off an employee that the man was allegedly taking up-skirt photos of a customer.

Man Lights Scooter On Fire, Goes To Jail: Deputies

A 35-year-old St. Pete Beach man’s alleged Wednesday night wreck on his scooter sparked a series of events that would ultimately lead to his arrest on arson charges.

Botched Liposuction Lands 2 Behind Bars: Sheriff

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has announced two arrests following a lengthy investigation into alleged illegal activity at the Orozco Medical Clinic in Tampa. Deputies say two people on staff performed – and botched – liposuction procedures. Complicating matters, authorities say neither are licensed medical doctors.

Accused Bird Napper Behind Bars

A 42-year-old Holiday man faces burglary charges after Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies say he swiped a macaw from a New Port Richey home earlier this month.

Florida’s Burning Bed Case Takes New Turn

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has announced new charges for the New Port Richey woman accused of lighting her estranged husband’s bed on fire while he slept in it. Deputies say Eva Marie Brennan, 48, also threatened a deputy’s family while on the way to the Land O’ Lakes Jail following her arrest on attempted murder and arson charges last week.