'Wanted': Florida police department offering $5,000 reward to find this man

In a plea for public cooperation, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and Clearwater Police Department continue to search for an individual wanted in connection with a hit-and-run incident that occurred in 2021. Seeking vital information from the community, the authorities are urging residents to come forward and assist in locating the suspect — offering cash rewards to those with information that leads to an arrest.

According to a post reshared to Facebook by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office on June 12, 2023, the wanted man in question is Sergio Mendoza-Mesquite; he was 32 when the fatal hit and run resulted in the death of a 26-year-old skateboarder, Tyler Deremo, on June 10, 2021.

The post is accompanied by a flyer, showing Mendoza-Mesquite's face, sharing a brief overview of the details of the incident, as well as how those with information can come forward.

According to a comment on the post from Nikki Harwood, the family has shared the same flyer for 2 years in hopes that justice will be served.

"We are just trying to keep his memory alive and keep the criminals face [o]n social media so maybe one day he will be apprehended. Someone knows something about this man and needs to come forward w[h]ether or not he is long gone, we deserve #justicefortyler!" Harwood writes.

​Anyone with information regarding this case that provides tips that lead to an arrest will be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000, ensuring their valuable contribution can help bring justice to the victim and closure to the case.

Those wishing to remain anonymous are also encouraged to reach out to Crime Stoppers through one of their two available methods.
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If you have information regarding Serio Mendoza-Mesquite's whereabouts, the Clearwater Police Department asks that you contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-973-TIPS, or by submitting your tip online at www.crimestoppersofpinellas.org by completing their submit a tip form.
Article by Rachael Volpe