Little 10-year-old Vandon Menning will receive a Certificate of Commendation from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on Monday afternoon for his keen eye and superb description which led to the arrest of a violent felon on October 26th 2009.
Vandon was in the passenger seat of his mother’s car as it stopped for traffic lights at the intersection of Dean Road and University Blvd when the youngster realized that there was what he believed to be an armed robbery in progress at the Circle K at that intersection.
Vandon had his mother call 9-1-1 who relayed her son’s observation to the Communications Center.  Deputies quickly make contact with two suspects and arrest one of them… but not for armed robbery.
Deputies determined that the gun Vandon had seen was stolen out of Seminole County. Further investigation revealed that the man carrying the gun was a convicted felon and in possession of cocaine. Vandon’s tip resulted in a stolen gun being taken off of the street, the seizure of a felony quantity of drugs, and the arrest of a violent felon, Jimmy Franklin.
Sheriff Demings will present a Certificate of Commendation to Vandon for reporting a robbery in progress.
Also, a Lifetime achievement award will be given to 94 year old volunteer for his 25 years of service to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
WHAT:   Sheriff’s Office Awards Ceremony
WHEN:Â Â Â Monday, November 16, 2009Â —Â 2:00 PM
WHERE:   Orange County Sheriff’s Office Central Complex, 2500 West Colonial Drive, First Floor Training Classroom 1 — PIO staff member will meet you in the main lobby… we would like to have you set up no later and ready to go no later than 1:45 PM
WHO:   Sheriff Demings will present awards… 10 year old Vandon Menning will receive the Certificate of Commendation, Mr. John Mangin will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award… Mr. Mangin is 94 years old and has served as a volunteer for the Sheriff’s Office for 25 years!
