Counting 'em Down: For better or for worse, this is the Headline Surfer countdown of the 2021's Top 100 biggest news stories of Central Florida along the tourism-driven stretch of Interstate 4 (Orlando Attractions and east to I-95 & the World's Most Famous Beach in Daytona). Each recap segment is posted with its own headline, culminating with the unveiling of No. 1 in the first two weeks of January, if not sooner, before switching to the Top 5 storylines -- the good, the bad & the ugly on the horizon in "2022: The Year That Lies Ahead."
Photos for Headline Surfer / With a cash reward of $25,000, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolón are banking on someone out there leading cops to a seedy low-life whose female victims have suffered for two decades or more.
HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolón agreed in mid-December to pool resources in an effort to take down violent serial rape suspect Leslie Lagrotta, who is wanted in a series of sexual batteries in Orlando and greater Daytona Beach from 1988 to 1998.
A $25,000 reward has been put up by Chitwood through the VCSO to encourage victims to come forward with information leading to the arrest of Lagrotta.
This then would empower Rolón's highly-skilled detectives in DNA to see to it that Lagrotta, perhaps Central Florida's most notorious serial rapist (allegedly) back in the day would have his day in court before he's put behind bars until he drops dead.
Chitwood joined Rolón on the afternoon of Dec. 16 at Orlando PD to a $25,000 reward to anyone who can lead cops to 61-year-old Leslie Renald Lagrotta, in hiding now for the last 10 years in seven or more decades-old violent rape cases, allegedly tied to him in Orlando in 1988 and 1989; in Volusia Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction in 1992, 1993, and 1998; and in Daytona Beach in 1997.
LaGrotta has been in hiding for at least a decade now but believed to be in the muck of rural fringes far enough from the bright lights of tourism-driven Orlando and its affluent suburban suburbs that he's managed to keep himself far enough from the long arm of the law to exist, though, with the sizable cash reward, the thinking is someone will try and cash in at his expense, ultimately his very freedom which is no fun in the sun at Disney.
After all, his very existence has to be tempered by money that doesn't grow on orange mangroves and swamp brush, at least that is how law enforcement sees it.
DNA evidence and thorough police work can link Lagrotta to the rapes with a fraction of DNA evidence to make a match.
Apprehending him now would be far more fruitful in linking him to his victims from back in the day, including alleged rapes at knifepoint the two top cops insisted in a Q&A with several Orlando news reporters.
"Technology in matching DNA samples and great detective work" are difference makers Rolón stressed, adding it would take a minuscule sample of Lagrotta's DNA now with a fraction of his DNA that couldn't be matched up then.
Chitwood ever so blunt was quick to add, "You can't outrun your DNA."
But the key to closing out these cases for women who have endured the emotional trauma in their own homes with no escape from his alleged brutality.
“Pick up the phone, let us know where he’s at, so we can work with OPD and bring this scumbag to justice!” Chitwood said emphatically to his infamous one-word adjective condemning those he detests. “We owe it to these women.”
“Pick up the phone, let us know where he’s at, so we can work with OPD and bring this scumbag to justice!” Chitwood said emphatically to his infamous one-word adjective condemning those he detests. “We owe it to these women.”
Anyone with information about Leslie Lagrotta, or who has heard from him, is encouraged to reach out anonymously to Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477) or crimeline.org.
About the Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is a member of the working press and publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched in 2008, that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando from Lake Mary, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed close to 150 award-winning bylines in print & online. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in 2019. He was a breaking news reporter (metro cops & courts beat) for the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade. And Before that worked the same beat for The Journal-News/Gannett Suburban Newspapers in Rockland/Westchester counties, NY, dating back to 1989. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and covering other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary shows on Discovery ID, Reelz, and the Oxygen Network series "Snapped" for his analysis. • Award-Winning Journalism: Florida Press Club recognizes Headline Surfer for nine stories in 2020 statewide competition. • Award-Winning Journalism of Henry Frederick.