Lake Wales, Florida – On 11/23/2016 the Lake Wales Police were called to the FYE store in the Eagle Ridge Mall. A suspect had been apprehended by a store associate and some citizens after he robbed the safe in the store.

According to reports Zachery Dority (DOB: 12/17/1993 of Lake Wales) and Amber Carter (DOB: 7/9/1998 of Lake Wales) allegedly conspired together to rob Carters former employer. Carter allegedly would call the store associate with a ruse to give Dority a chance to get behind the counter. Around 12pm Carter began contacting store associate Tabatha Luna regarding some personal property that she had left at the store. Carter was sitting outside in her vehicle while contacting Luna. After several calls Luna finally agreed to look in the back of the store for the former assistant mangers personal property. When Luna went to the back room Dority allegedly went behind the counter and accessed the safe with a code, allegedly furnished by Carter. Luna however quickly came back to the counter and discovered Dority and confronted him. He then allegedly struck Luna and shoved her into a wall to make good with his escape. Luna however remained vigilant and with the assistance of citizen’s was able to tackle Dority until Mall security apprehended him.

Carter allegedly went into the mall and demanded that Dority be released as he did nothing wrong. An independent witness relayed information to police about Carter allegedly being involved and she was also taken into custody. Both suspects had vehicles on the private property and after they were officially trespassed from the property they were towed from the scene. Prior to being towed officers completed a custodial inventory of each vehicle as part of the towing process. Both vehicles allegedly had illegal narcotics and stolen property in them.

Both suspects were transported to Polk County Jail.

Lake Wales, Florida – According to the Lake Wales Police Department a man claiming to be homeless stole a pickup truck at a gas station, bailed out after police spotted him and then stole a bicycle before being apprehended by Lake Wales Police K9.

On 11/27/2016 at around 10:56pm a man had left his pickup running at the Citgo Gas station on Hwy27 while he ran inside for just a moment. At this time another man jumped into the truck and took off. A description of the man who stole the truck and a description of the truck were provided to LWPD. Shortly afterward a PCSO deputy spotted the truck. The deputy did not initially stop the truck, but followed the truck. The truck then turned off onto Macey Lane and then North behind the Denny’s restaurant & Tire Kingdom (4561 Macey Lane). At this time the man exited the truck and began running North through the woods towards Peddlers Pond. Deputies gave chase. Other deputies and officers arrived along with Lake Wales Police officer Dale Hampton and K9 officer Badge.  A perimeter was set up and air support arrived.

Around 11:37pm officers received a call that a man fitting the suspects description was spotted riding a bike on 4866 Malibue Drive. Officer Hampton and Badge were able apprehend the suspect on Galaxy Drive. The suspect was taken to Lake Wales Medical Center for treatment before being released and taken to Polk County Jail.

The suspect was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, resisting without violence for fleeing deputies, no valid drivers license (doesn’t appear to have ever been issued one) and charged with burglary to occupied residence for stealing the bicycle while the home owners were home. Suspect advised he was homeless and was stealing the truck to have a place to sleep. The suspect has been identified as Dasmel Moore DOB 3/28/1998.

LWMC OFFERS FREE INFORMATION SESSION

 ON HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE

LAKE WALES – Lake Wales Medical Center is offering a free information session on the Health Insurance Marketplace on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

The information session will be held at Lake Wales Care Center’s Community Room, 140 E. Park Ave. Certified Assisters will be on-site to share information, answer questions, and to schedule free appointments for application assistance. In many cases, people are eligible for subsidies to help offset the cost of the insurance.

Open Enrollment opened Nov. 1 and continues through Jan. 31. This marks the federal government’s fourth annual campaign to extend healthcare coverage to more Americans, specifically to those who otherwise wouldn’t have access to services or who would face a financial crisis due to medical bills.

“We have helped hundreds of individuals enroll on the Marketplace since it first launched four years ago,” said Rebecca Brewer, CEO of Lake Wales Medical Center. “It’s very gratifying to help individuals enroll knowing they will be able to access healthcare when they need it. It’s a relief for so many people.”

Lake Wales Medical Center also is offering free one-on-one assistance throughout the Open Enrollment period at the hospital. Residents can schedule appointments by calling 863-678-2734, or can book an appointment online at www.GetCoveredAmerica.org/connector. Certified assisters will help with plan comparisons, determining any tax credits or discounts, and filling-out applications.