Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Robbery/Homicide Unit
- Narcotics
- SWAT
- Tactical Surveillance Unit
 Patrol Operations Bureau
- K-9
- Flight Unit
- Marine Unit
- Environmental Lands Unit

Suspect:
Michael Andrew Lease
DOB: 7/11/1977
Address: 29712 US Highway 19 N #2013, Clearwater

Charges: First Degree Murder and Residential Burglary

What:
The homicide suspect from Friday’s stabbing in Palm Harbor has been taken into custody.

When:
The incident began on January 25, 2015 at approximately 3:13PM and concluded at 9:52 PM.

Where:
The incident occurred in the area of Witley Avenue west of Windmill Pointe Road in Palm Harbor and concluded at 1115 Mainsail Circle, Palm Harbor.

How/Why:
On January 25, 2015 Detectives attempted to make contact with a suspect from a homicide that occurred on January 23, 2015 at 2:22PM at the South end of Market Place Drive in East Lake (See Release 15-018). The homicide suspect had been identified by detectives as Michael Andrew Lease.

As soon as Lease saw the detectives’ vehicle he fled on foot into a nearby wooded area and into a small body of water. Detectives pursued Lease and requested additional deputies respond to their location. Deputies immediately responded and began searching for the suspect.

At 9:52 PM K-9 Chief and Deputy Jake Viano tracked the subject down to a residence, 1115 Mainsail Circle, Palm Harbor. As they tracked the suspect to the patio area in the rear of the house they noticed the screen had been pulled back from the screen door. They observed Lease inside the screened patio trying to enter the house through the sliding glass door. K-9 Chief successfully apprehended Lease and deputies were able to take him into custody.

Lease is currently being interviewed by detectives. At this time Lease will be charged with First Degree Murder and Residential Burglary.  

The investigation continues.

Michael Andrew Lease