Davenport Man Charged With 2nd Degree Murder After Botched Robbery

Carl Fish
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Davenport Man Charged With 2nd Degree Murder After Botched Robbery

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 32-year-old Robert Cruceta-Pimentel today, December 11, 2024, for the following charges: felony murder (2nd Degree), conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of cannabis with intent to sell, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, maintaining a vehicle for drug use/sales, tampering with physical evidence (x2), providing false information to a law enforcement officer during an investigation, and unlawful use of two-way communication device. 

The charges stem from a December 2023 botched robbery that resulted in the self-defense shooting of 33-year-old Harold Omar Sepulveda-Cruz (Cruz) of Davenport at the Tropicana Resort Motel near I-4 and US 27. Cruz died as a result of the shooting. Cruceta conspired with Cruz to stage a robbery during a marijuana transaction in his, Cruceta’s, vehicle. When Cruz threatened the victim in the car with Cruceta, the victim shot and killed Cruz in self-defense.

Cruceta was originally arrested on the above charges on December 20, 2023. He was held in the Polk County Jail on no bond until he was released on December 8, 2024 after the State Attorney’s Office dismissed (temporarily) the charges against Cruceta. 

The Sheriff’s Office was able to quickly locate a key witness after the case was temporarily dropped, allowing the State Attorney’s Office to re-file all the charges against Mr. Cruceta.

Subsequent to Mr. Cruceta’s release from the Polk County Jail on December 8, 2024, Mr. Cruceta’s lawyer, Mr. Ralph R. Maiolino III, Esq. of the law firm Smith & Eulo PLLC, released a snarky and braggadocios statement / news release about his client that included false and exaggerated claims to the West Orlando News, which they posted on December 9, 2024.

“I would like to thank lawyer Ralph R. Maiolino of the law firm Smith & Eulo PLLC for brining to my attention that the murder charge against his client, Mr. Cruceta, had been temporarily dropped. This allowed us to quickly locate a needed witness, which enabled the State Attorney’s Office to re-file murder and other charges against his client. I thank the State Attorney’s Office professional team for their persistent and hard work in this case.”  — Grady Judd, Sheriff

PREVIOUS NEWS RELEASE:

Date: Wed Dec 20, 2023 
From: Polk County Sheriff’s Office


Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigating overnight shooting death in Davenport

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating the shooting death of 33-year-old Harold Omar Sepulveda-Cruz (Cruz) of Davenport that occurred in the parking lot of the Tropicana Resort Motel located at 43420 Hwy 27, Davenport, Florida just before midnight on Tuesday, December 19th.

Deputies were called to the scene by 44-year-old Christian MacDonald of Davenport, who admitted to shooting and killing Cruz. He told deputies the shooting was in self-defense. MacDonald told deputies that Cruz entered into the back seat of the car that MacDonald and, 31-year-old Robert Rafael Pementel-Cruceta Jr.(Cruceta), were sitting in. MacDonald said Cruz immediately began demanding money and drugs from both of them while threatening to kill them if they did not comply.

MacDonald told deputies that Cruz’s demands continued to get more aggressive. MacDonald told deputies he retrieved a firearm from his jacket pocket, and fired several rounds toward the back seat and the suspect. Cruz was struck in the upper torso. He was deceased when deputies arrived at the scene.

Upon further investigation by deputies, based on interviews and evidence recovered, it became clear that the shooting was a result of an illegal drug transaction that was taking place inside the car and a planned robbery between Cruz and Cruceta.

Earlier in the evening, MacDonald communicated by phone with Cruceta about buying a marijuana from Cruceta. They agreed to meet in the parking lot of the Tropicana Resort Motel to conduct the drug transaction. MacDonald was the buyer, and Cruceta was the drug dealer/seller.

On the way to the drug transaction, Cruceta picked up his friend, Cruz. Cruceta told deputies that Cruz told him he wanted to get some quick cash and that he wanted to “hit a lick,” meaning commit a robbery. Cruceta dropped him off near the hotel and then met MacDonald. MacDonald drove to the location, parked, walked over to Cruceta’s car (2017 white Kia) and got inside the front passenger side. Shortly thereafter, Cruz entered into the back passenger seat of the Kia and attempted to commit a robbery using a makeshift simulated firearm, hitting MacDonald in the back several times. He was then shot and killed by MacDonald.

After the shooting, Cruceta is seen on motel surveillance video rummaging in the back seat of the Kia, collecting evidence, taking it, and throwing it over a high fence into a brushy area. Detectives later recovered Cruz’s identification, keys, and cellphone on the other side of the fence.

Based on interviews and evidence collected in the investigation, deputies arrested, 31-year-old Robert Rafael Cruceta-Pimentel on the following charges:

– Felony Murder (2nd Degree)
– conspiracy to commit robbery
– possession of cannabis with intent to sell
– possession of heroin
– possession of drug paraphernalia
– possession of a controlled substance without a prescription
– Maintaining a vehicle for drug use / sales
– Tampering with physical evidence (x2)
– Provide false information to LEO during investigation
– unlawful use of two-way communication device

Remember the Reason for the Season at Believer’s Fellowship Church’s Christmas Festival and Live Nativity

Staff Reporter
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Remember the Reason for the Season at Believer’s Fellowship Church’s Christmas Festival and Live Nativity
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by James Coulter

As the iconic Grinch story goes: perhaps Christmas doesn’t come from a store; perhaps Christmas means a little bit more.

Christmas is more than ribbons, more than tags, much more than packages, boxes, or bags. And Christmas is much more than simply presents.

Actually, in fact, Christmas is about gifts–because it all started with a gift of love. And that reason is why Believer’s Fellowship Church of Lakeland hosts its annual Christmas festival.

This weekend, the Lakeland church will be providing holiday arts and crafts, hot cocoa, smores, hay rides, and free food during its annual holiday event. And highlighting the evening will be the main event: a live nativity depicting the birth of Jesus Christ.

Believer’s Fellowship Church of Lakeland was founded in 1978 by Pastors Wayne and Matti Friedt. Their son, Jon, assumed the role of pastor in 2018, when he started their annual Christmas Festival and Live Nativity.

“That’s what I want people to get while they are here,” he said. “I want them to get that gift. I want them to realize that God loves them so much that he sent Jesus. And it’s not just a baby born in a manager. Every person is born with a purpose, including Jesus.”

The Christmas Festival and Live Nativity will be hosted this Fri. Dec 13 and Sat. Dec. 14 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. The church is located at 5240 N Socrum Loop Rd in Lakeland, FL. For more information, visit their website at: believersfellowship.com

Pastor Jon Friedt recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss his church’s upcoming holiday event. Listen to the full episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-50-make-it-magical-at-the-nativity-wronni-wood-pastor-jon

Bartow Suspect Killed His Father & Also Shot His Mother Before Being Captured

Carl Fish
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Bartow Suspect Killed His Father & Also Shot His Mother Before Being Captured

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Bartow Police Department in the investigation into the murder and attempted murder of a man and woman who were both shot by their son inside the city limits of Bartow. On Saturday, December 7, 2024, at approximately 11:20 p.m., Susan Voigt, age 58, reported that her son, Joseph Voigt, had shot both she and her husband, 63-year-old Marvin Voigt.

When Bartow Police Officers arrived, Marvin Voigt was found with apparent gunshot wounds and was lying deceased in the driveway. Susan Voigt was located inside the residence with a serious gunshot wound. Mrs. Voigt told officers that Joseph Voigt, their son, had shot them both, and fled the scene. The Bartow Fire Department and EMS arrived on scene and pronounced Marvin Voigt deceased, and performed life saving measures on Susan Voigt, who was transported to the hospital. She is currently in critical condition, but stable. The Bartow Police Department asked PCSO for assistance in this investigation.

A BOLO (Be On the Look Out) notice was issued for the vehicle Joseph Voigt was driving, to all law enforcement agencies in Polk County and surrounding counties. At approximately 2:00 a.m., Voigt’s vehicle was spotted in Orlando on International Drive. The Orlando Police Department conducted a felony traffic stop on Voigt’s vehicle, and took him into custody. He is currently in the Orange County Jail, awaiting transport to the Polk County Jail. 

PCSO deputies spoke to Voigt and he admitted to shooting both his father and mother. He said his father was upset with him about spending the majority of his time playing video games and “riding his ass” about making something of himself and getting a job.

Joseph Voigt’s criminal history includes arrests for firing a weapon in a residential area, and battery.

“Thanks to the rapid response of the Bartow Police Department this violent and dangerous suspect was quickly apprehended. They asked for our assistance and we were happy to oblige. My detectives will continue their thorough investigation into this crime to ensure Voigt will face the full consequences of his actions.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff


“We are deeply saddened by this tragic and senseless shooting.  We sincerely appreciate the assistance provided by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Orlando Police Department in this case, which led to the quick arrest of the suspect, Joseph Voigt. – Chief Stephen Walker, Bartow Police Department


The suspect is still in the Orange County Jail and will be transferred to the Polk County Jail at a later date.

ADVERTISEMENT OF SALE

Staff Reporter
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ADVERTISEMENT OF SALE
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Notice is hereby given that Lake Wales Storage intends to sell the property described below to enforce a lien under the Florida Self Storage Facility Act, Statutes (section 83.80-83.809). The owner will sell at public auction on or after December 18, 2024 at 10:00 am at storageauctions.com Units belonging to the following:

CUSTOMER NAME:

Ike Knighten

This sale will be continued on such succeeding sale days thereafter as may be necessary to be completed. *Unless otherwise noted units contain household items. 

Cooking on the Ridge: Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

Staff Reporter
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Cooking on the Ridge: Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup
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by James Coulter

The holiday season is upon us. And if you’re family is anything like mine, that means ham is on the menu. In fact, my family served both turkey and ham for Thanksgiving.

Of course, this leads to the dilemma of what to do with the leftover ham. And ham sandwiches can only take you so far.

If you looking for a good way to make use of your leftover holiday ham and to warm yourself up from the cold weather, then there’s no better way to do so than with a piping-hot bowl of ham and potato soup.

Every holiday, I’ve been preparing this soup using the ham left over from the big holiday dinner. With hearty chunks of potatoes, veggies, and diced hams served in a savory cheesy broth, this soup is sure to warm you to the bone when the weather outside is frightful—especially with the warmth being so delightful.

This recipe is cooked on a stovetop. However, this year, I once again used my slow cooker—yes, that handy-dandy cooking utensil for when you want to cook a meal without slaving over a hot stove. Just dump in the ingredients, set it, and forget it until dinner rolls around.

And for most soups, I like to dice up my veggies and meats into itty bitty pieces. Some people love their soups with big old chunks that require several bites to eat, but, personally, I like being able to eat everything in a single spoon without much chewing, almost swallowing it all.

Again, if you’re looking for something to make with your leftover holiday ham and to warm you up on a cold winter evening, this warm hearty soup is your best choice. I highly recommend it on a chilly day.

***

Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

(recipe from Food.com)

Ingredients

3 1⁄2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced (I keep mine with the peel)

1⁄3 cup celery, diced

1⁄3 cup onion, finely chopped

1 cup chopped carrot

1 -2 cup ham, diced and cooked

3 1/4 cups chicken broth or 3 1/4 cups ham stock

2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules (omit if using chicken broth)

salt (to taste)

1 teaspoon pepper

5 tablespoons butter

5 tablespoons flour

2 cups milk

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

1. Combine potatoes, celery, carrots, onion, ham, and water/broth in a stockpot and bring to a boil.

2. Then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender.

3. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt (if using), and pepper.

4. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook stirring constantly until thick.

5. Slowly stir in milk so as not to allow lumps to form and all milk is added. Turn up to medium heat. Continue to stir until thick (4-5 minutes).

6. Add in cheese and stir until melted.

7. Stir the cheese mixture into the stockpot and cook until heated through. (I also will break up some of the potatoes for thickness. It gets thicker as it cools and the next day).

Polk City Man Suffers Medical Episode Prior To Deadly Crash

Carl Fish
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Polk City Man Suffers Medical Episode Prior To Deadly Crash

The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting that on December 5th around 6:30pm a single vehicle accident occurred on SR 400. The crash resulted in the death of a 76 year old man.

According to Sergeant Steve Gaskins, Public Affairs Officer, with the FHP the following occurred:

 

Vehicle 1, a Toyota Tundra, driven be a 76-year-old Polk City man, was traveling westbound on SR-400, west of SR-557 and near the 47 Milepost.  The driver suffered a medical emergency, lost control of the vehicle and entered the center median.  Once in the median, the vehicle struck a cable barrier and came to final rest.  Transported to an area hospital, the driver later expired.

The Florida Highway Patrol does not provide names of crash victims per their interpretation of Marsy’s Law. We will have no further details on this crash

Fifth Annual “Ho Ho Ho with the Po-Po” Is This Weekend – Free Public Event

Carl Fish
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Fifth Annual “Ho Ho Ho with the Po-Po” Is This Weekend – Free Public Event

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office will host their fifth annual “Ho! Ho! Ho! with the Po-Po” on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at the Northeast “North Pole” District Command Center in Davenport. 

This a FREE Christmas event for the public that is put together by deputies and other staff members who work at the PCSO substation located at 1100 Dunson Road, just north of the I-4 and US 27 intersection. 

“Our agency members have so much fun every year hosting this event for the families, and especially the children, of Polk County. We have some pretty amazing vendors too – they go all out to transform the area into a ‘Winter Wonderland’ and we hope you’re able to stop by and experience it.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Dozens of vendors will be set up, handing out cookies, candy canes, cocoa, and many more sweets, treats, and other freebies. There will be lots of photo opportunities as well.

Parking for the event will be east of the substation at Ridgeview Global Studies Academy, and a free shuttle service will be available for anyone who can’t make the short walk.

J.C. Reviews: Netflix’s Spellbound Is…Pretty Okay! For What It Is!

Staff Reporter
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J.C. Reviews: Netflix’s Spellbound Is…Pretty Okay! For What It Is!
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by James Coulter

Sigh. Okay! Let’s address the animated elephant in the room. This movie was directed by John Lasseter, who was hired by Skydance Studios after being let go from Pixar due to allegations of sexual misconduct.

Skydance Studios, to date, has released two animated features. Its first movie was Luck, which did so poorly with views and reviews that Apple Studios broke ties with them. Now, they’re working with Netflix, and have released their second film: Spellbound.

So what of their second outing? Will their second attempt at an animated film prove better than the first? Or will this movie prove the new animation studio has quite an unlucky streak? (Which is quite ironic for a company whose first film was about bad luck.)

Spellbound takes place in the magical fantasy world of Lumbia, where lives the Princess Ellian. One year ago, her parents traveled into the Dark Forest, only to return transformed into monsters. For the past year, Princess Ellian has been forced to keep her parent’s monstrous transformation a secret from the rest of the kingdom until she finds a cure.

She is informed by two magical oracles that she and her monster parents must travel through the Dark Forest to a magical Lake of Light to transform them back into humans. Will Ellian succeed in her journey? Or are her parents doomed to remain monsters?

Spellbound is pretty…okay. Not great. Not even pretty good. Just okay. Pretty okay. The movie certainly ran the risk of being bad, and while it came close, there were a few good things about the film that redeemed it. So, let’s start by accentuating the positives.

The premise was certainly promising enough. Off the bat, the story begins with the parents transformed into monsters. No reason (outside of magic) is given why the parents were transformed this way, but through Ellian’s journey, the mystery behind their transformations slowly unfolds and reveals the movie’s not-so-subtle metaphor and message.

As the movie progresses, it soon becomes quite apparent that the parent’s monstrous transformation is a not-so-subtle metaphor for dysfunctional families, with each trial that Ellian and her parents faces delving deeper into this metaphor and teaching the family how to overcome their dysfunction.

For example, at the start, the reason given as to why Ellian’s parents were changed into monsters was because they had been overcome by darkness due to losing the light in their hearts…a not-so-subtle metaphor for how anger and resentment can make someone forget the love they have for their own loved ones.

One of the trials in the forest involves Ellian and her parents traveling through a giant hollow log, where sound transforms into magical energy. Positive sound turns into beautiful manifestations, while harsh and negative sounds turn into dangerous attacks. Again, a not-so-subtle metaphor for how our words can either help or harm others.

Another trial has the family traveling over a desert, where internal turmoil causes people to sink and can even create a dangerous sandstorm. Ellian discovers how their journey across the desert only increases in peril the more her two parents argue with each other. Again, a not-so-subtle metaphor for how arguments can make us lose our footing.

It’s quite clear the movie has a lot to say about familial relationships, how our hate and anger transform us into monsters, how we all need to rediscover the light of our own love, and how families ought to support each other with their words and actions. So, the movie comes pretty close to expressing a very profound message.

Unfortunately, while the movie has a good idea, where it fumbles is its overall execution. For starters, the visuals, while stunning and spectacular at times, do come across as rather generic and bland. Have you ever seen one of those AI-generated images that often plague Facebook feeds? Many of the character designs almost look like they were AI-generated.

This is quite a pity, as the overall world does look rather promising. I very much love the overall fantasy world aesthetic: flying beasts, waterfalls that serve as city gates, and buildings with fantastical architecture and design. It makes me wish the art style was equally as fantastical and not so generic-looking.

Perhaps even more generic are the songs. It’s quite apparent that the soundtrack wants to be as Broadway-style bombastic as a Disney movie, but all of the songs sound rather generic and unforgettable, to the point where you forget that a musical number even occurred. There are no songs that stand out, and for a movie that’s trying to ape off of Disney, that’s a shame.

The movie also suffers from pacing. Many times the film feels like it’s padded to maintain a feature-length runtime. This is egregiously apparent at the beginning. Princess Ellian has to consult two oracles from the forest. At first, she has to wait until they arrive for her birthday. But they’re quickly chased away by her monster parents. She has to then track them down in the forest, and only then is she told what to do. If this sounds like needless padding, that’s because it most certainly is.

Overall, while Spellbound had big potential with big ideas, the overall execution leaves a rather generic movie with a run-of-the-mill story, bland characters and design, and unmemorable music. It’s a decent enough film to keep your kids preoccupied. But this movie could have been better. Much better.

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Welcome, World Travelers! Goodbye MuppetVsion! Hello, Muppets Rock n’ Roller Coaster!

Staff Reporter
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Welcome, World Travelers! Goodbye MuppetVsion! Hello, Muppets Rock n’ Roller Coaster!
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by James Coulter

It’s time to raise the curtain. It’s time to light the lights. It’s time to meet the Muppets one last time at MuppetVision 3D.

The classic Muppet show will be closing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Muppets are set to make their new home on the other side of the park at another classic attraction.

Earlier this year at D23, Disney Parks announced a new Monsters, Inc.-themed land, which will include the tentatively named Monsters, Inc. Door Coaster, the first suspended roller coaster in a Disney park.

The new ride and land were announced to be built at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, yet where the land would be placed had yet to be determined–until now.

Recently, Disney has confirmed that the new land and ride will be replacing Muppet Courtyard, where MuppetVision 3D currently resides, along with the Muppet-themed eatery Pizzarizzo’s.

Over the years, that area has slowly been remodeled to remove most of its original Muppet theming. In 2017, both the Muppet balloon and fountain were removed. And as of this year, the Stage 1 Company Store was demolished.

As for the Muppets themselves, they will not be leaving the park entirely. Instead, they will be making their new home on the other side of the park at another classic attraction, Rock n’ Roller Coaster.

The nearly 25-year-old launch coaster will be receiving a Muppet makeover. Disney Parks Blog states that the Muppet characters will be taking over the ride, as well as “teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival!”

This planned retheme has been announced the same year the rock band Aerosmith, to which the attraction is currently themed, has announced their retirement from touring. Meanwhile, the other Rock n Roller Coaster attraction in Disney Studios Paris is planned to be rethemed to Marvel’s The Avengers.

As for MuppetVision 3D, Disney Parks has assured fans that the classic film attraction will be preserved in one way or another. They wrote: “As we move forward with these changes, we are having creative conversations and exploring ways to preserve the film and other parts of the experience for fans to enjoy in the future.”

MuppetVision 3D is significant, not only for being a unique show that blends puppetry with 3D visual and practical effects, but also being the very last project Muppet creator Jim Henson worked on before his death in 1990.

The attraction was supposed to be part of a larger Muppet-themed land, which would have also included The Muppet Movie Ride, a dark ride parody of the park’s then iconic attraction, the Great Movie Ride. However, plans were scrapped following Jim’s passing.

How and where MuppetVision 3D will be preserved remains unknown. Many fans speculate the attraction may move next door to Rock n Roller Coaster, replacing Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. Other fans speculate the film could be released either on Blu-Ray/DVD or on streaming on Disney Plus.

Either way, where one door closes (to open for a door coaster), another door opens. And the Muppets will no doubt be making their way triumphantly through that opened door with their upcoming new venture.

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Rabid Bat Located In Lakeland

Carl Fish
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Rabid Bat Located In Lakeland

The fifth* case of rabies in Polk County this year has been confirmed in Lakeland.

On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, a woman who lives on Palm Drive West in Lakeland found a dead bat in a bag among her children’s toys. Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Officers responded and collected the bat, and initiated a rabies investigation. 

The bat was sent to the State Laboratory in Tampa, where it tested positive for rabies. The family dog is vaccinated against rabies, and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County is handling the treatment of the owner for his rabies exposure.

“Luckily this family’s pet is vaccinated against this dangerous disease. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you come into contact with sick, injured, or deceased wildlife.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Please do not approach any animal which is acting in an unusual or suspicious manner. If you think you or your pet has had an “exposure,” please contact the PCSO Animal Control Section at 863.577.1762.

*The PCSO Public Information Office sends out news releases when citizens within the county are exposed to rabies. We sent a release in July about the third case of exposure within the county. The fourth case, which occurred after July, did not warrant a news release due to the fact that an infected bat originally found here was transported to a rehab facility out-of-county, where it later died, and tested positive for rabies.

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