Haines City, Florida – The Haines City Fire Department is currently on scene at the Haines City High School cleaning up a fire that was recently reported. According to the HCFD the fire has been extinguished and the scene is under control. At this point in time it is not believed that anyone was injured.

An official report will be out in about an hour and we will update this story when more information is available. At this time the situation is under control.

Haines City, FL (May 14, 2013) – Competitors from 41 States and from countries as far away as Germany and Argentina will descend on Central Florida to test their athletic abilities, stamina and competitive drive this Sunday on the 70.3 mile swimming, running and cycling course.

Triathletes from a number of area tri-clubs including the Lakeland Landsharks, Sarasota Storm, St. Pete Bike & Fitness Tri Team, Tampa Bay Tri Sports and the Central Florida Tri Club will compete in Sunday’s IRONMAN 70.3 Florida.

While the more than 2000 adult athletes will be focused on the competition and the challenge provided by the course, area residents will be able to take in the IRONMAN experience on a much more leisurely pace. Lake Eva Park in Haines City will host three full days of activities that will appeal to the entire family, May 17-19.

Beginning on Friday, May 17 the IRONMAN Village and the Lake Eva Park Bandshell will serve as the hub of all activities during IRONMAN weekend. The Bandshell area will be host to athlete check-in and the adjacent IRONMAN Village will serve as perfect gathering and meeting place for spectators. The IRONMAN Village will feature exhibitor booths, a demo day area, the IRONMAN Store and many other product and service displays.

Competition gets underway on Saturday morning as more than 300 IRONKIDS triathletes line up at the starting line for a 7 a.m. start. Youth ages 6-15 will take center stage as they tackle a shortened version of the adult course.

Sunday’s IRONMAN 70.3 Florida competition begins at 6:30 a.m. with the 1.2 mile swim in Lake Eva. Upon completion of the swim competitors will then embark on the 56 mile bicycle route through eastern Polk County and then complete the competition on the 13.1 mile running course utilizing the roads around Lake Eva. The event will conclude with the awards ceremony at the Lake Eva Park Bandshell at 4 p.m.

Haines City, Florida – The Haines City Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying and locating the suspects involved in a home invasion robbery which occurred on May 4th, 2013 in the area of Barrington Drive, located in the Haines Ridge Subdivision.

Suspects entered the residence and overpowered the victims. The suspects then used duct tape to bind the victim’s hands. Once the victims were under control the suspects ransacked the residence and stole various items of jewelry, along with computer equipment and lawn equipment.

The suspects are described as three Hispanic males in their early to mid twenties. Two suspects were described as tall and thin and one was short and stocky. The suspects did possess firearms.

Anyone with information is in regards to this case is asked to please call Detective Jose Pena at 863-421-3636 ext. 239. If you wish to remain anonymous please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS or visit the Heartland Crime Stoppers website at www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com.

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Haines City, Florida – According to Haines City Police reports Angel Pimentel has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl. The victim who age has not been released is under 18. According to reports the victim confided in someone on May 10, 2013 after she arrived home from church that Pimentel had sexually assaulted her previously. Police were called and interviewed the victim who advised that Pimentel had forced himself on her and raped her. The victim would further state that over Pimentel would speak to her in a sexual manner and try to get her to do more sexual things.

According to the Haines City Police Department the suspect, Pimentel, was contacted and he made statements that police felt verified that a crime was committed. The police arrested Pimentel and read him his Miranda Rights. The report would further state that during the following recorded interview Pimentel admitted to having sexual intercourse with the victim. He advised that he was aware of the victims age.  He advised that the victim made advances towards him.

The suspect was booked into Polk County Jail and has a $5000.00 bond.

Updated: On 05/01/2013 the suspect Timothy Tyrone Bodison turned himself into the Polk County Jail.

Haines City, Florida – Detectives have identified the subject in a surveillance video at the BP gas station in Haines City as Timothy Tyrone Bodison.  Detectives have secured an arrest warrant for Bodison, charging him with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and resisting an officer with and without violence.  Bodison is known to frequent the Lake Hamilton and Haines City areas of Polk County.  Bodison should be considered armed and dangerous.

On April 28, 2013 at approximately 0016 hours, officers responded to a call of a fight at the BP Gas Station located at 95 Hwy 17-92 West in Haines City.  Upon arrival, officers identified a vehicle that was potentially involved in the fight, and the officers ordered the passengers out of the vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle appeared to be complying with the orders of the officers, and he raised his hands in the air while inside the vehicle.

The front seat passenger refused to comply, and produced a handgun.  Fearing for his life, Sgt. Hernandez fired one round toward the armed suspect, and the vehicle immediately fled the parking lot, striking Sgt. Hernandez as it fled the scene.  After a brief pursuit, the driver of the vehicle was apprehended in the parking lot of the Publix Supermarket on Hwy 17-92 West.  The passenger, who was in possession of the handgun, fled from the vehicle on foot and has not been located.  Polk County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and canine assisted in the search for the suspect.  Sgt. Hernandez was not injured during the incident.  The State Attorney’s Office also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.

The driver of the vehicle that was involved in the incident has been identified as Maurice Anthony Lynch.  Lynch has been charged with attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, fleeing to elude, and accessory after the fact.  Lynch is currently being held on bond at the Polk County Jail.

The passenger has been identified as Timothy Bodison. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Timothy Bodison is urged to contact the Haines City Police Department at 863-421-3636 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-226-8477.

Haines City, Florida – On April 28, 2013 at approximately 0016 hours, officers responded to a call of a fight at the BP Gas Station located at 95 Hwy 17-92 West in Haines City.  Upon arrival, officers identified a vehicle that was potentially involved in the fight, and the officers ordered the passengers out of the vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle appeared to be complying with the orders of the officers, and he raised his hands in the air while inside the vehicle.

The front seat passenger refused to comply, and produced a handgun.  Fearing for his life, Sgt. Hernandez fired one round toward the armed suspect, and the vehicle immediately fled the parking lot, striking Sgt. Hernandez as it fled the scene.  After a brief pursuit, the driver of the vehicle was apprehended in the parking lot of the Publix Supermarket on Hwy 17-92 West.  The passenger, who was in possession of the handgun, fled from the vehicle on foot and has not been located.  Polk County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and canine assisted in the search for the suspect.  Sgt. Hernandez was not injured during the incident.  The State Attorney’s Office also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the armed suspect.  The suspect is described as a black male in his 20’s with a thin build, approximately 5’08” to 5’10” in height, and long dreads.  The suspect was last seen wearing a white t-shirt or tank top and red shorts.  The suspect was last seen running southbound on F Street near the intersection of Hwy 17-92 West.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Hinson with the Haines City Police Department at (863)421-3636.  The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.

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**** Tornado Watch Has Been Cancelled In Polk County ****

Polk County, Florida – The Polk County Emergency Management and The United States National Weather Service has put Polk County and other counties on notice that a tornado watch is in effect. DailyRidge.Com will keep it’s readers posted via social media if any funnels do appear in Polk County.

Haines City, Florida – Around 7:15 a.m. this morning, Wednesday, March 20, 2013, a white Dodge Caravan being driven by 45-year-old Glenn McCarthy of 308 Anchovie Court in Kissimmee was heading Eastbound on Johnson Avenue East in Haines City, at the intersection with Ellison Parkway. At the same time, a Polk County School bus was stopped with its stop signal arm deployed, facing westbound on Johnson Avenue. The Caravan, in violation of the stop signal arm and flashing lights of the school bus (Johnson Avenue is a two-lane road), continued eastbound and struck a 7-year-old girl, identified as Vanessa Perez of Haines City, who was walking across the eastbound lanes of Johnson Avenue to get on the bus. She was propelled several feet in the air and landed on the roadway.

The victim was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Orlando where she is in stable condition. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office advises the girl has a broken leg and concussion.

The driver of the vehicle, McCarthy, was arrested and charged with Willful/Wanton Reckless Driving (FSS 316.192) and is being transported to the Polk County Jail at this time. He will also be cited for failing to stop for a school bus.

The approximately 40-50 children on the school bus were transported to their schools after being interviewed by PCSO deputies. Please contact the Polk County School Board for more information about the bus itself and which schools it serves. I do know that the victim attends Davenport School of the Arts.

The investigation is ongoing.

Haines City, Florida – PCSO Traffic Deputies are investigating a two-vehicle traffic crash in Haines City last night, invovling a semi tractor-trailer and a vehicle, which resulted in the fatality of the driver of the vehicle.
A 2012 Hyundai Sonata being driven by 85-year-old Alice Boudreau of 692 Paradise Point in Haines City was traveling westbound on US Hwy 17/92 and turning southbound onto Dyson Road when, for unknown reasons, she failed to yield to and entered into the path of a 1994 Freightliner pulling a trailer, which was heading eastbound on US Hwy 17/92.  The Freightliner was being driven by 38-year-old Lizandro Martinez of Lakeland.

Martinez attempted to avoid striking Boudreau but was unable to stop in time, colliding with the Hyundai along the passenger side of the vehicle and propelling it into a ditch.  Boudreau was declared deceased shortly after being taken to Winter Haven Hospital.  She was wearing her seatbelt.  She was the only occupant in the vehicle.

Martinez was taken to Heart of Florida Hospital for minor injuries, and was treated and released.

There were no signs of impairment or distraction on the part of either driver.  No charges are pending but the crash is still under investigation.

Haines City, Florida – On February 24, 2013, at approximately 10:38pm, the First Choice Pharmacy store located at 460 Highway 17-92 N, Haines City, FL, was robbed at gunpoint. At the time of the robbery, only one employee, Lori Cuellar-Castillo, Pharmacy Tech, was on duty. Castillo told detectives that an unknown person wearing a mask and brandishing a handgun entered the store, and stole approximately $31,000 worth of prescription medications and approximately $1200.00 in cash. 

The investigation led to the arrest of both the gunman, and Castillo as a allegedly participant in this crime.  According to police reports  Castillo and Reuben Eugene Wright are suspected of  conspiring together to commit the robbery, and that Castillo was to act as if she was a victim in the robbery.    

Castillo, of 1043 Suwanne Avenue S, Lakeland, FL, DOB: 3/23/83, was arrested on 2/26/13, and charged with one count of Grand Theft greater than $20,000 and less than $100,000 and filing a false police report. Further charges are pending against Castillo. 

Rueben Eugene Wright, of  Ponderosa Drive W, Lakeland, FL, DOB: 11/6/91, was arrested on 2/27/13, and charged with one count of Grand Theft greater than $20,000 and less than $100,000, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and tampering with evidence.  Further charges are pending against Wright.

 At the time of this press release, Castillo had since bonded out, while Wright is still in Jail