(Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office)
Nearly a year after Florida doctor Steven Schwartz was found dead in his home, an arrest has been made. Handyman Anton Stragaj has been taken into custody by police in Tarpon Springs, Florida, accused of murdering Dr. Schwartz in May 2014.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. He Was a Friend of the ‘Doctor’
NOW: Anton Stragaj charged with 1st degree murder in the May 2014 death of Tarpon Springs doc, Steve Schwartz http://t.co/KucA5hfqB4
ABC Action News reports that Stragaj was handyman at Schwartz’s home and was a “friend of the doctor.” WTSP reports that Stragaj lives in Palm Harbor, Florida. He’s being charged with first degree murder in the case.
2. The Doctor’s House Had Been Robbed Before
Steven Schwartz’s home at 1310 Belcher Drive in Tarpon Springs, Florida. (Google Maps)
Cops say Rebecca Schwartz walked into the home she shared with Steven Schwartz in May 2014 and, upon noticing the inside looked disheveled, walked outside and called the police. The Tampa Bay Times reports police officers had responded to burglary calls made from from the Schwartz’s home before the night of the doctor’s murder.
3. He Was a Kidney Doctor
Mainstreetmed.com
Steven Schwartz was a doctor and specialized in nephrology, the study of the kidneys. Schwartz worked for Main Street Medical in Dunedin, Florida which provides internal medicine and nephrology services to patients.
4. The Doctor’s Home Was 4,700 Square Feet
Police searching for burglar find man's body inside $1.6m #TarponSprings mansion. Details as we get them at #10News. pic.twitter.com/HNI5fFqgSV
— Grayson Kamm (@graysonkamm) May 29, 2014
According to WTSP, police with dogs searched Schwartz’s 4,700 square foot home when they discovered a man’s body instead of the burglar they expected to find. Schwartz’s home featured a boat dock, waterfront tennis court and a theatre room. Local news outlets have called the home a mansion.
5. Police Told the Public There Was No Threat After Schwartz’s Death
At the time of Schwartz’s death, local police had said there was no ongoing threat to the public. Grayson Kamm of WTSP reports:
I learned from talking with Tarpon Springs police that they do not believe the general public is in danger and there is no need for people in this neighborhood along the Anclote River to be on alert.
