INDEX- What's going on around the islands Arts & Leisure 5B At Large 5A Business Briefs 7C Calendar 4B Classifieds 7C Commentary 6A Pioneers Island Guide Crossword 8Q Environment Hard-working Supplement Police Beat 2A Recreation 3C Prestons an offers helpful Remember When 4A Island Inn fixture information Insert 1961-1991 Still first c on Sanibel 1 and Captiva VOL. 30, NO. 8 TUESDAY, FEB. 19, 1991 THREE SECTIONS, 40 PAGES 50 CENTS Islander arrested on grand theft, forgery charges By Louise Henigman Islander staff writer In what's being called the biggest arrest on Sanibel since a 1985 murder, island resident Constance Methvin "Connie" Heldenbrand of Anchor Drive was charged Thursday, Feb. 14, with stealing more than $100,000 from her Sanibel employer, Dr. Rob Simmons. According to the arrest report, Heldenbrand, 42, stole the money from Simmons and office partner Dr. Ernest J. Gesiotto while she worked as their office manager and bookkeeper. She reportedly forged her name on their business checks and then deposited the funds into her personal banking account. Simmons told police that when he confronted Heldenbrand about the thefts, she admitted that she had committed the crimes over a period of about 1 1/2 years, which is the length of time she was employed there. Simmons reported this to the police Feb. 8. A police investigation revealed well in excess of 10 business checks of Simmons that had been made payable to cash, with Simmons' signature forged on them. They were endorsed "For Deposit Only" to the personal account of Heldenbrand and her husband. In a sworn statement, Simmons identified the check signatures as forgeries, and said that he never gave Heldenbrand permission to make out the checks, sign his name on them or deposit them Kenneth Rodway checks the damage to the pier and the "Ruwach." Photo by PETE SLOSSON into her personal account. Police also discovered that numerous private insurance company checks, as well as Medicare checks made payable Sailboat strikes, damages pier to Simmons, were deposited into Heldenbrand's personal account as well without Simmons' knowledge or By Louise Henigman feet from the covered portion of the structure, and had permission. Islander staff writer begun to break down a portion of the pier's railing. Numerous personal checks from Simmons' patients The Sanibel Fishing Pier will be closed indefinitely Since there was significant damage to the fishing pier, were also found deposited into Heldenbrand's personal until work crews can repair damage caused when an 85- Sanibel Mayor Mike Miracle came to the scene Friday account. Patients would leave the "payee" line blank so foot sailboat crashed into it last Friday, Feb. 15. afternoon and granted the Sanibel Police Department's that Simmons' office could stamp the check payable to the The St. Petersburg-based wooden sailing vessel request to close the pier to all foot traffic. doctor. But on a number of those checks, Heldenbrand "Ruwach" had been anchored in the bay, but drifted into Sea-Tow of Cape Coral removed the vessel, a task made would type "CASH" on that line, and again deposit the the western side of the pier while Capt. Kenneth Rodway difficult by winds gusting up to 50 mph and a steady wind check to her own account. and his wife, Elizabeth, were sleeping below deck. The at about 30 mph, which kept the vessel hard against the Please see ARREST page 10A vessel's bow struck the end of the pier, approximately 30 pier. Pepper removal amendment may reduce land donations By Frances Adams increased density or coverage and the tax breaks the way to manage land and keep it from development is for Islander staff writer developer received were considered by both parties to be a the city or SCCF to own it. But several people questioned The Planning Commission passed a resolution Feb. 12 fair exchange. All that would change if the developer is the wisdom of passing an ordinance that would encourage that finds the proposed ordinance pertaining to removal of forced to pay up front for removal of all exotics from the a developer to keep the land rather than donate it. Brazilian pepper consistent with the Comprehensive Land land if it's to be used in any way. Erick Lindblad, executive director of SCCF, asked some Use Plan. The ordinance is now on its way to be The proposed amendments would require the removal of questions and expressed some doubts about whether the considered for passage by the City Council. Brazilian pepper (and melaleuca trees) from all areas of a pepper could be permanently managed effectively. How The proposed amendments may be consistent with the piece of property that are intended for development. This would the city enforce the ordinance? If the developer stated goals in the plan but, if passed by the City would include any portion of any land parcel that's used decides to hold onto the land, can the city ensure that the Council, may severely reduce the chances of the city or for the calculation of density or development intensity, land will not be developable sometime in the future? the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation ever being impermeable coverage, or vegetation removal and Lindblad showed a slide of an aerial view of Sanibel the recipient of large tracts of land donated by developers. developed area. Responsibility for thereafter keeping the where the pepper has been eliminated through proscribed For years it's been customary tor a developer to use pepper off the land would be a negotiable condition of a burnings and chemical treatment. He spoke of the large portions of land parcels to calculate the density of a development permit. importance of long-term land holdings to allow for development project, and then donate the pepper-infested At the Feb. 12 public hearing before the Planning acres for preservation by either the city or SCCF. The Commission, everyone seemed in agreement that the best Please see PEPPER, page 11A All the following information was taken directly from Sanibel Police Department reports. POLICE radiator hose, threatened to kill her with a knife, threatened en to kill her birds and destroy her things, drove her to sleep Q A loose barge carrying 10 million gallons of gasoline BEAT in her car overnight and several other things. was expected to run ashore on Sanibel between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, Lt. Julie Jones of the Florida Michael John Kuc of Fort Myers was charged with (O Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission told the Sanibel driving while his license was suspended or revoked O Police Department last Friday, Feb. 15. At the time of the Saturday, Feb. 16 on the Sanibel Causeway. call, the barge was off Sarasota. This was the only Laurence M. Asta of Bonita Springs was charged with information she had, and she was in hopes that Sanibel having an expired tag Sunday on Periwinkle Way. A resident of Whelk Drive reported Saturday that a 0> police might be able to tell her more. former employee of her boyfriend's entered her boyfriend's T- 6> After calling the Marine Patrol and the Coast Guard, Isidor Buholzer Bachtenbuhlstrasse of Switzerland was home while he was out of town and stole a television and neither of which had any information, a Sanibel officer charged with failing to stop at a stop sign at the an entertainment center. The man in question admitted to T- was directed to the Marine Safety Office in Tampa. A intersection of Middle Gulf Drive and Donax Sunday after police that he had taken the items, and that he had the representative there advised that an attempt had been made CO she struck a car driven by Gerard J. Pelletier of Winnipeg. owner's permission to do so since the owner owed him a to anchor the barge when it was 20 miles off Nakomis The accident caused $ 1,700 in damage. large sum of money. At first the owner said that the man Bay, but he wasn't certain whether it was a success. did not have his permission and should be arrested. Another check of that office was made some hours later, A Periwinkle Way resident reported Sunday that her But the owner later left a message saying that the during which time Sanibel police were informed that the neighbor was harassing her and vandalizing her car and problem has been resolved to his satisfaction and he barge was secure. bicycle. She gave the police a list of events she said he wished no further investigation. was responsible for, but she did not want police to talk to Lois Plancher of Fort Myers was charged Sunday, Feb. the man or pursue the matter further. According to her 17 with passing in a no passing zone on Sanibel-Captiva list, the man has called her names, slashed tires, cut her Please see BEAT, page 9A road. — FT. 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