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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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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...
Crime & Public Safety

Polk County Woman Accused of Escalating Animal Citation Into Multiple Felony Charges

Staff Reporter - 0
A Polk County woman is facing multiple felony charges after what deputies say began as a simple animal control issue quickly escalated into a serious incident. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the home of 50-year-old...
Crime & Public Safety

Surveillance Alert Leads to Arrest of Three Juveniles in Attempted Vehicle Burglaries

Staff Reporter - 0
The following is a press release by WHPD: “Three juveniles have been arrested for attempted vehicle burglary after a surveillance camera system alerted a resident to someone in the driveway. On March 15, 2026 at approximately 1:37 a.m., a 9-1-1 call...
Crime & Public Safety

Homeless Man Arrested After Attempted Vehicle Burglary and Alleged Assault on Teen at Winter Haven Zaxby’s

Staff Reporter - 0
The following is a press release by WHPD: “A vehicle burglary at Zaxby's lands a homeless man in jail facing multiple charges. On March 14, 2026 at approximately 9p.m., officers responded to Zaxby's, located at 797 3rd St SW in Winter...
Crime & Public Safety

Winter Haven Woman Charged in Hit-and-Run That Killed One Boy, Injured Another

Staff Reporter - 0
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit arrested and charged the suspect responsible for hitting two children with her vehicle and fleeing the scene. On March 12, 2026, 30-year-old Victoria Johnson (DOB 10/14/1995) of Thornhill Road in Winter Haven,...
Crime & Public Safety

One Child Killed, Another Child in Critical Condition After Hit-and-Run Near Winter Haven

Staff Reporter - 0
March 12, 2026 8:45 pm update: Got her. This is Victoria Johnson, who ran over two little kids last night, killing one of them and critically injuring the other. Here is preliminary information regarding her arrest and our ongoing investigation: After an around-the-clock...
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...
Crime & Public Safety

Suspected Drunk Driver Arrested After Crash That Killed Respected Winter Haven Pastor

Staff Reporter - 0
The Winter Haven community is mourning the loss of Reverend Deldrick Arthur Leonard, a pastor, school counselor, and community leader whose life was cut short following a crash in Lakeland earlier this week. Police now have arrested a suspect...
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WHPD

Winter Haven Police Call Case “Absolutely Heartbreaking” as Grandmother Faces Manslaughter Charge – After Child Died In Hot Car

Carl Fish - 0
A 74-year-old grandmother has been taken into custody and charged in the death of her 17-month-old granddaughter. In a heartbreaking event back on March 31,...
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