Holly MatkinCoral Springs, FL – A Florida man allegedly bludgeoned a woman and an infant to death with a hammer before causing at least three multi-vehicle crashes during a violent crime spree that left another man dead and even more people injured.
The series of events leading to the arrest of 35-year-old Dale Spidle began at approximately 2 p.m. on May 20, when police received a report of a hit-and-run in the 8100-block of Wiles Road, WSVN reported.
Security footage showed the suspect fleeing in a silver Kia after he caused the multi-vehicle crash.
“The officer did initially make contact with that driver, who then ended up fleeing from that scene,” Coral Springs Police Department (CSPD) Deputy Chief Brad McKeone told WSVN.
Spidle ended up in another four-vehicle crash at the intersection of Sample Road and Powerline Road in Coconut Creek a short while later.
Investigators said that after causing the crash, the suspect fatally shot a driver and sped off in the victim’s white pickup, WSVN reported.
Spidle crashed again in the 4300-block of Sample Road near a Walgreen’s store, then jumped out of the vehicle naked and took off walking.
He allegedly stopped at the pharmacy drive-thru lane and attacked a woman through the open window of her vehicle, WTVJ reported.
The woman said the suspect snatched her necklace from her body and fled the scene.
The naked, bloodied suspect headed into a Shell gas station located in the 4700-block of Sample Road and came outside with a beer bottle before yelling at responding officers to shoot him, WTVJ reported.
Officers fired their Tasers at Spidle twice, but they had no effect.
Police ultimately went hands-on with the combative suspect and wrestled him into handcuffs, WTVJ reported.
Investigators said at least four motorists were hospitalized due to injuries suffered in the string of crashes.
While looking into owner information on the Kia in connection with the initial crash, officers responded the apartment complex where Spidle lived, which is located in the 4100-block of Northwest 88th Avenue, WVSN reported.
Police said that when they reached his apartment, the found the door of a neighboring apartment standing open, according to WPLG.
Inside, they discovered the body of 61-year-old Elizabeth Carmona, who had been beaten to death with a ball peen hammer.
They also found her nephew, 10-month-old Mateo Morales, who had also been brutally assaulted, WSVN reported.
The little boy was rushed to Broward Health Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.
Investigators said they believe Spidle killed Carmona and her baby nephew prior to carrying out the rest of his violent crime spree.
Spidle has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, robbery, premeditated murder, aggravated battery, leaving the scene of a crash involving damage, burglary, resisting an officer, reckless driver, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident involving injuries, WTVJ reported.
