Edgewater Police Department

Today, we celebrate the dads, grandfathers, stepdads, and father figures who make a difference every day.

Thank you for your guidance, strength, sacrifice, and unwavering support. Whether at home, at work, on the sidelines, or behind the scenes, your impact is felt far beyond what words can express.

From all of us at EPD, we wish you a Happy Father’s Day and hope you enjoy a well-deserved day with those who matter most.

🚲 E-Bike Safety Reminder 🚲

A few simple habits can go a long way in protecting your bicycle and giving you peace of mind.

✔ Take photos of your bicycle and record the serial number.

✔ Lock your bicycle every time you leave it—even if it’s only for a minute.

✔ Store your bicycle indoors or out of public view whenever possible.

✔ Consider using an AirTag or similar tracking device to help locate your bicycle if it is lost or stolen.

✔ Secure the battery compartment to help prevent battery theft.

These small steps can make a big difference in keeping your property safe and improving the chances of recovery if theft occurs.

The Edgewater Police Department remains committed to protecting our community through education, prevention, and proactive enforcement.

🇺🇸 Happy Flag Day from the Edgewater Police Department 🇺🇸

Today we honor the Stars and Stripes: a symbol of freedom, unity, sacrifice, and hope.

At EPD, we are proud to serve under that flag and alongside a community that reflects the values it represents.

Please join us in celebrating Flag Day and honoring the symbol that unites us as Americans.

Respectful Service. Relentless Justice.

🌐 June is Internet Safety Month 🌐

The internet connects us to information, services, entertainment, and each other, but it also creates opportunities for scammers and criminals to target unsuspecting users.

EPD Department is BEGGING everyone to take a few simple steps to protect themselves and their families online:

✅ Think before you click on links or attachments from unknown senders

✅ Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible

✅ Never share personal, financial, or login information with unsolicited callers, texts, or emails

✅ Verify requests for money or sensitive information through a trusted source before responding

✅ Be cautious of online shopping deals, investment opportunities, and urgent requests that seem too good to be true - they are

Common scams continue to include phishing emails and text messages, fake tech support scams, online shopping fraud, romance scams, and investment scams promising guaranteed returns.

Remember: If something feels suspicious, slow down, verify the information, and talk with someone you trust before taking action.

For additional internet safety resources, visit:

staysafeonline.org

Together, we can build a safer online community.

CONTRACTOR ORDERED TO PAY RESTITUTION TO VICTIMS

EPD is pleased to see justice served in a multi-agency investigation involving a local contractor accused of misappropriating customer funds.

Between 2022 and 2024, numerous residents throughout Volusia County reported paying deposits for paving projects that were never completed. Through a coordinated investigation involving several law enforcement agencies, it was determined that customer funds had been diverted for personal use rather than being used to complete contracted work.

This week, defendant Eric Bartolozzi entered a plea and was ordered to pay more than $223,000 in restitution to 32 victims. Restitution checks have been issued to those affected.

We would like to recognize Detective Harris for his work on this case and thank our law enforcement partners and the State Attorney, Florida's 7th Circuit for their collaboration throughout the investigation.

While no outcome can fully undo the frustration and financial hardship experienced by the victims, we are grateful to see accountability and restitution delivered to those impacted.

Respectful Service. Relentless Justice.

𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐒𝐌𝐘𝐑𝐍𝐀 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐎 𝐏𝐀𝐘 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐒

During a hearing on Wednesday, defendant Eric Bartolozzi entered a no contest plea to Misappropriation Construction Funds $1,000 to $100,000 and was sentenced to four years of probation. Special conditions include $223,348.91 in restitution, which is the total amount of funds he misappropriated from the 32 victims who came forward and cooperated with the investigation. Checks have been made out to these victims and are being picked up this week.

Between 2022 and 2024, Serene Pavers and Stonescaping Inc. of New Smyrna Beach abandoned several paving projects in Volusia County.

Bartolozzi, the owner of the company, transferred customer deposits and payments from the business bank account into his personal bank account. Instead of using the funds to purchase materials and complete projects, he used them for personal expenses, including purchasing new pickup trucks for himself and his girlfriend.

“𝙄𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙨,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙡𝙖𝙬 𝙚𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙨. 𝙄 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙.”

The case was investigated by Seventh Circuit State Attorney’s Office Investigators in a joint operation with multiple law enforcement agencies in Volusia County, including the Daytona Beach Police Department, Edgewater Police Department, New Smyrna Beach Police Department, The Town of Ponce Inlet Police Department, Port Orange Police Department, and Volusia Sheriff's Office. Assistant State Attorney Helen Schwartz successfully prosecuted the case for the State of Florida. The Honorable Kathryn Weston heard the case and imposed sentence.

ARSON INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN
ARREST

Detectives Identify and Charge Suspect Following Intentional Fire at Wolf’s-Driftwood Mobile Home Park

On May 27, 2026, around 11:30 PM, Edgewater Fire-Rescue responded to a trailer fire in Wolf’s-Driftwood Mobile Home Park. After the fire was extinguished, the Criminal Investigations Division, Department of Financial Services - Bureau of Fire, Arson & Explosives responded and determined the fire appeared to have been intentionally set.

During the investigation, detectives obtained surveillance video from a nearby residence that captured the suspect setting the fire. Through investigative efforts, detectives identified the suspect as, Dean Settle, a park resident.

When interviewed by EPD detectives and shown the video, Settle admitted to being the person captured on camera, stating, "There's no denying that's me." Settle stated he set the blaze because the trailer was abandoned and everyone in the park, “wanted it (the trailer) gone.”

Settle was arrested and charged with Arson in the First Degree.

The case was investigated by Detective Mangar of the Edgewater Police Department's Criminal Investigations Unit.

🇺🇸 Reminder 🇺🇸

The City of Edgewater, Florida and the Edgewater Police Department are proud to announce the launch of our Emergency Volunteer Utilization Program; a community-driven initiative designed to strengthen our city’s preparedness and response capabilities before and after natural disasters.

This program is built around neighbors helping neighbors and creating a safer, stronger, and more resilient Edgewater.

If you are interested in volunteering, attendance at the Volunteer Workshop & Onboarding Meeting is mandatory:

📅 June 2, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Edgewater City Council Chambers
104 N. Riverside Drive, Edgewater, FL 32132

The workshop will cover program expectations, safety procedures, volunteer roles, and operational structure. A make-up workshop may be announced at a later date for those unable to attend.

Volunteers will support important community-focused functions including preparedness outreach, supply distribution, recovery assistance, and logistical support during emergency operations.

We are excited to build this program alongside the residents of Edgewater and look forward to working together to better prepare our community for the future.

Questions can be directed to:
📧 [email protected]

The full program detail and informational presentation will be posted in the comments below.

UPDATE: Deputies are on scene on the beach off the 3600 block of Ocean Shore where a body washed up this morning. The body is believed to be that of homicide suspect Xavion Perry, wanted out of Gainesville. Official confirmation is in progress. Will update when available.

***

Last night, Gainesville homicide suspect Xavion Perry III was spotted in Daytona Beach and fled from the Daytona Beach Police Department. He bailed out of his vehicle at the Main Street beach approach and reportedly ran to the Main Street Pier. He was not immediately located. If seen, please call 911 with information.

Today, we remember the heroes who never made it home.

Memorial Day is more than the start of summer or a long weekend. It is a solemn reminder that generations of brave American men and women gave their lives defending the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Their sacrifice purchased our liberty at a cost that can never truly be repaid.

As we spend time with family, gather with friends, or enjoy the freedoms they fought to protect, we ask our community to pause and remember those who stood in harm’s way and gave everything for this nation.

From all of us at EPD, we honor the fallen, pray for their families, and remain forever grateful for their courage and sacrifice.

May we never forget that freedom is not free.

🇺🇸