Welcome to another community update on what is happening around Indian River County. As many locals know, our beautiful natural preserves are a point of pride for the Treasure Coast. Recently, state authorities had to step in to protect one of our local habitats from unlawful agricultural activities.
Officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently apprehended three men from Fort Pierce for allegedly harvesting saw palmetto berries illegally at the Buffer Preserve State Park, located right in our backyard near Fellsmere.
According to the arrest affidavits, FWC officers were dispatched to the preserve on September 30 after receiving reports of unauthorized berry harvesting within the state park limits. Saw palmetto berries are highly sought after in Florida, but harvesting them on public land requires strict permitting to protect the local ecosystem and wildlife food sources.
Upon arriving at the Fellsmere preserve, officers discovered several clear indicators of illegal activity. They found freshly cut palmetto stems, harvesting bags, a machete, and fresh footprints. The search quickly led to the discovery of two men hiding among the palmetto bushes, completely surrounded by the freshly picked berries.
When the FWC officers announced their presence, two of the individuals attempted to flee the scene on foot. Here is a breakdown of the suspects and the events that followed the initial encounter:
- Vicnor Andre, 65: Apprehended approximately 25 yards away after attempting to run from officers. He was released on a $15,000 bond. Notably, court records indicate he has a history of similar offenses stemming from August 2021, which resulted in fines after guilty and no-contest pleas.
- Andrice Andre, 59: Fled from the wildlife officers before ultimately being tracked down and taken into custody following a search. In addition to the harvesting charges, he faces an additional charge of resisting an officer without violence. He was also released on a $15,000 bond.
- Deravil Yfoquer, 69: Discovered hiding in the bushes during the subsequent search of the area. Unlike the other two men, FWC reports that he did not attempt to evade law enforcement. He was released on a $5,000 bond.
All three men are now facing serious legal consequences. Under Florida law, unlawfully harvesting saw palmetto berries from public land without both written permission and a valid harvesting permit is classified as a third-degree felony. FWC officials confirmed that none of the three individuals possessed the required documentation to harvest on state property.
Three Fort Pierce men face third-degree felony charges after FWC officers discovered them illegally harvesting saw palmetto berries without a permit at the Buffer Preserve State Park near Fellsmere, with two of the suspects attempting to flee law enforcement.
Protecting our natural resources in Indian River County relies heavily on these dedicated enforcement efforts. For residents and visitors alike, this incident serves as a strong reminder that our local state parks and preserves are protected lands. Preserving native flora, like the saw palmetto, is essential for the Treasure Coast environment and is taken incredibly seriously by state wildlife officials.
