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📍 Crime & Public Safety — Polk County, Florida

Stay informed with the latest crime news, public safety alerts, arrests, court updates, traffic incidents, and emergency response coverage across Polk County, Florida. Daily Ridge delivers accurate, timely reporting from local law enforcement agencies and first responders, helping residents of Lakeland, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Bartow, Auburndale, and surrounding communities stay aware of issues impacting public safety..

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Mulberry

PCSO: Mulberry Man Accused of Arson, Attempted Murder After Armed Domestic Dispute

Carl Fish - 0
A Mulberry man is facing a lengthy list of felony charges after Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies say a domestic dispute escalated into a violent confrontation involving a firearm and a structure fire at a residence on Misty Lake...
Crime & Public Safety

Deputy Injured When Suspect Backs Into Patrol Car During Attempted Getaway

Carl Fish - 0
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release On March 30, 2026, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 24‑year‑old Jesus Bosch of Lakeland following a grand theft investigation that escalated into a vehicle pursuit and multiple felony charges. Deputies responded after a...
Polk County Sheriff's Office

Authorities Investigating Violent Overnight Death of Bartow Man

Allison - 0
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Bartow Police Department are investigating a violent death that occurred late last night (March 26, 2026) in Bartow. The victim has been identified as 56-year-old Jeffrey Lee Blevins. According to investigators, the incident happened shortly...
Polk County Sheriff's Office

Two Teens Arrested After $750 Bike Stolen from Porch

Allison - 0
On March 21, 2026, shortly after midnight, an electric bicycle was stolen from the porch of a residence in the Combee area of Lakeland. The bike was stolen by two suspects, and one of the suspects wore a mask. The bike...
Polk County Sheriff's Office

Additional Child Pornography Charges Added to Polk County Jail Inmate from Mulberry

Allison - 0
After a forensic analysis of 47-year-old Steven Gugel's cell phone, Polk County Sheriff's Cyber Crime detectives have filed 16 new felonies against Gugel while he remains in the Polk County Jail from his original arrest (see below). Detectives located eight...
Polk County Sheriff's Office

Mulberry Man Arrested After AI-Generated Child Pornography Found on Phone, PCSO Says

Allison - 0
Polk County Sheriff's Office Cyber Crimes detectives arrested 47-year-old Steven Gugel of Mulberry and charged him with 3 counts generating altered sex depiction without consent and 5 counts creating generated child pornography after locating images on his cell phone that he...
Polk County Sheriff's Office

Lakeland Substitute Teacher Arrested for Lewd and Lascivious Conduct

Allison - 0
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 32-year-old Emmanuel Sanchez of Lakeland after multiple students at two Polk County middle schools reported inappropriate conduct by him while he was working as a substitute teacher. Sanchez was employed as a temporary...
Lakeland

Homicide Investigation Underway After Shooting Outside Wally’s Poolhall in Lakeland

Carl Fish - 0
Homicide Investigation - Lakeland Police Department Press Release Lakeland, FL (March 5, 2026) – Detectives with the Lakeland Police Department are investigating a shooting which occurred early Thursday morning outside of Wally’s Poolhall, located at 1136 East Main Street, Lakeland, Florida. Based on witness...
Polk County Sheriff's Office

Cleaning Business Owner Re-arrested for Theft of Jewelry From New Victim

Allison - 0
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies issued an arrest warrant for 31-year-old Ashley Hernandez after a new victim came forward with details that Hernandez also stole jewelry when she was hired to clean the victim's home.  Hernandez, who owns her own cleaning...
Avon Park

PCSO: Woman Flees Multiple Times, Strikes Deputy’s Vehicle Before Arrest

Allison - 0
At around 1:45 Monday morning, March 2nd, a PCSO deputy responded to the area in front of Bartow Executive Airport on northbound US 17, to assist a disabled vehicle. A black Chrysler 300 was stopped in the outside lane, and...
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Education

Community Invited to Free Hurricane Expo May 30

Allison - 0
As hurricane season approaches, residents are encouraged to prepare before a storm is on the horizon by attending the free Hurricane Expo on Saturday, May...
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