WEST PALM BEACH, Fla (CBS12) — Here are the top stories with the most watched videos from this week.

Same crime, different restaurant: WPB restaurant owner arrested a day after her brother

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A day after a popular Juno Beach restaurant owner was arrested for not paying sales tax, his sister found herself behind bars as well – facing similar allegations involving a different eatery.

The state Department of Revenue accused Nadia Baldasaro of not paying over $100,000 in sales taxes over a four-year span that began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020 and lasted intermittently through March of last year.

Baldasaro, 45, was responsible for paying taxes on behalf of Eatalia, an Italian restaurant on Okeechobee Boulevard, in West Palm Beach, the probable cause affidavit states. During the period in question, the restaurant collected nearly a quarter-million dollars in sales tax, but allegedly passed less than $119,000 of that to the state.

When speaking to Revenue Department investigator, Baldasaro is reported to have admitted knowing that the tax money was past due. She went on to claim that she was speaking with the agency about trying to catch up on what she owed, but any agreement was never finalized.

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$50K and threats of ruining career leads minor to report co-worker for molestation

PALM BAY, Fla. (CBS12) — A Vero Beach man is accused of spending $50,000, on top of a $500 weekly allowance, on a minor for sexual favors, eventually leading to his arrest.

Matthew Ryan Reilly, 29, is facing four counts of sexual battery by threats of retaliation upon a person younger than 18 and lewd or lascivious molestation, according to an affidavit filed in Brevard County’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.

The Palm Bay Police Department (PBPD) said Reilly, who worked as a co-worker and apprentice supervisor at Art-Kraft Sign Company in Palm Bay, was reported by the young male victim on January 7. The incidents allegedly occurred between June 2024 and January 2025.

The victim, who worked with Reilly, provided a statement to detectives on January 9 and said Reilly solicited sexual pictures and videos of the male victim in exchange for money through Snapchat, providing the victim with about $50,000 and a $500 weekly allowance. Reilly allegedly threatened to kill himself or ruin the victim’s career if the abuse was disclosed. The affidavit details sexual acts that occurred in Reilly’s office and the “laser room” at the shop.

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$100M Kanner Hwy development in Stuart: Affordable housing powered by Live Local Act

STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — Driving along Kanner Highway in Stuart, you may have noticed the banners. The once-busy 76 Golf World Family Fun Center will soon become the site of Baron Landings, a $100 million mixed-use development. This is the latest in a series of projects underway across the area.

Baron Landings will feature 308 apartments across four four-story buildings, with 40% of those units designated as affordable housing based on area median income (AMI).

This project, spanning 21.4 acres, is the first in Martin County to utilize the Florida Live Local Act, which streamlines housing development and bypasses traditional approval processes to fast-track projects addressing the housing crisis.

“We need affordable housing,” said Jennifer Anderson, a Stuart resident. “The apartments start at $1,200 a month. I can’t even afford that.”

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Six accused in gambling and laundering ring at West Palm Beach and Treasure Coast arcades

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Authorities have shut down a massive network of illegal gambling arcades operating across Florida—stretching from West Palm Beach to Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, and Zephyrhills. Investigators say it was all part of a sophisticated money-laundering scheme, with suspects pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

One of the locations is in a Publix shopping plaza on Military Trail, just west of Tanger Outlets in West Palm Beach. Sandwiched between a dentist’s office and a dry cleaner is VIP Sweepstakes. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much. The windows are blacked out and covered in posters advertising weekly drawings. A sign on the door claims the arcade is closed due to air conditioning issues. But the real reason VIP Sweepstakes—and other similar locations—are now locked up has nothing to do with air conditioning.

Investigators allege that VIP Sweepstakes operated as a Vegas-style casino, offering high-stakes games and cash payouts—all under the radar of Florida law.

For customers, it may have seemed like harmless entertainment.

“It was fun to come and have lunch, play a little bit, and go about your business,” said Elsie, a frequent visitor.

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Man almost causes several wrecks, leads FHP on high-speed chase in Martin County

PALM CITY, Fla. (CBS12) — A Coral Springs man is accused of almost causing several crashes as he sped away from Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) in Martin County.

On Friday, FHP attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Gaspar Burnside in Palm City, however, he refused to pull over, instead deciding to law enforcement on a chase in Martin County.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) joined the pursuit, but due to heavy traffic and the risk to the public, law enforcement chose to stop the pursuit.

Videos from Martin County’s aviation unit show the roadside chaos that Burnside caused as he sped through the streets of Martin County in what appears to be a black sedan. The video shows Burnside speeding into oncoming traffic and almost causing a pickup truck to collide with a bus. Burnside continues to zigzag is his way through traffic, almost colliding with a white sedan.

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