5 Things to Know in Florida for April 22

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - Associated Press - Thursday, April 21, 2016

Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.

MAN SHOT BY OFFICER ABDUCTED EX-WIFE AT STORE

Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said in a statement Thursday that the man reached the 38-year-old woman at a Homestead grocery store Wednesday evening and forced her into the vehicle at gunpoint. Police initially said she had been in the vehicle’s trunk but Zabaleta said she was forced into the backseat. Zabaleta says the man strangled the woman until she lost consciousness. She called 911 when she woke up.

TEEN CHARGED WITH SETTING 50-ACRE BRUSH FIRE

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reports in a news release that the 15-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday evening and charged with arson. Investigators say the boy had been playing with a lighter in a sparsely-developed area of Lehigh Acres earlier Wednesday when he started the blaze.

ALLIGATOR BITES RETIRED POLICE DOG - WHO PROBABLY BIT BACK

Chris Leister says his 7-year-old Belgian Malinois named Arek was playing near the water behind his Palmetto home when he was bitten Tuesday. Leister rushed Arek to a veterinarian, who treated the dog’s wounds on its right front leg. Wildlife officials are trying to trap the alligator.

PALM BEACH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CHARGED WITH MONEY LAUNDERING

Michael J. Murgio was arrested Thursday by the FBI. According to a grand jury indictment out of New York, the 65-year-old board member, his son, Anthony, and another man operated a phony Florida-based business called the “Collectables Club.” Authorities say it allowed criminals to buy bitcoins to launder their money under the pretense they were buying stamps and sports memorabilia.

MAN’S CONFESSION THROWN OUT FOR HIS NEW DOUBLE-MURDER TRIAL

The court ruled Thursday that none of Michael McAdams’ confession can be used in his retrial for the 2009 murders of Lynda McAdams and William Andrews in Pasco County. An appeals court previously agreed McAdams’ should get a new trial, but said part of his confession could be allowed.