Beware Possible Fake $100 Bills Being Passed In Polk & Pasco County

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Beware Possible Fake $100 Bills Being Passed In Polk & Pasco County

Fake

Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales Police Department were called to the Publix Supermarket on S. R. 60 this weekend due to someone trying to pass a fake $100 bill. The customer advised they got it from the bank. Then they advised they had more money in their car and went out to get it. They never returned. This same type of incident has also happened recently in Pasco County. Since Jan. 1, Sarasota Police Department detectives have found themselves investigating five different cases involving phony cash. All of the bills have been $100 in denomination.

Haines City Homicide Being Investigated

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Haines City Homicide Being Investigated

Homicide_Investigation

 

 

 

Haines City, Florida – On Sunday May 15, 2016 the Haines City Police Department found the body of a man dead in the back of a business parking lot. The body was identified as 32 yr. old Shavon Marlon Shawn. The body was discovered in the parking area of a Tractor Supply Co. and Big Lots at 35884 U.S. Hwy 27 in Haines City. Shawn lived on Hinson Avenue in Haines City.

At the time the Haines City Police Department hadn’t released any details on the manner of death. This however was updated earlier Tuesday afternoon and the cause of death has been ruled a gunshot. The Daily Ridge has learned that the investigation is not limited to just Haines City. The Haines City Police Department spokesperson, Brian McNulty, has confirmed that Haines City crime scene units and Polk County Sheriff’s crime scene units were at a home near Ave M & 31st St NW in Winter Haven. “It is related to the homicide” said McNulty. According to McNulty the victim was also a cross dressing performer at local clubs. The Daily Ridge has learned that Shavon Marlon Shawn also went by the stage name of Mercedes Successful and seemed to have a career as a drag queen performing locally. The performers facebook page shows that he had recently been on vacation in New York City & Atlanta. A facebook post was made at 12:17 pm on the day he was killed, just seven hours before his body was found in the parking lot. Shawn was not dressed as a woman at the time of the murder.

At this time no additional information has been released by Haines City Police Department, but the investigation is ongoing. We will update this article as more information is released.

Dailyridge.com Would Like to Welcome Regal Automotive as a New Sponsor!

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Dailyridge.com Would Like to Welcome Regal Automotive as a New Sponsor!

 

Check out the great deals at Regal Automotive in Lakeland!

Regalad3

K9 & Helicopter Air Units Help Capture Pair of Purse Snatchers In Lake Wales Saturday

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K9 & Helicopter Air Units Help Capture Pair of Purse Snatchers In Lake Wales Saturday

Brandon Pitts Mavity

Lake Wales, Florida – On May 14, 2016 at approximately 12:40p.m., Rita Nicely was robbed by Brandon Tyler Mavity and Brandon Pitts when she was exiting the grocery side of Wal-Mart located at 2000 State Road 60 East in Lake Wales. Ms. Nicely 77 years old and is from Lake Wales. She had just finished shopping at Wal-Mart. She was pushing a shopping cart with her purse in the seat of the cart and her hand on the purse strap. As Ms. Nicely neared the first parking island, Mavity ran up from behind her and snatched the purse out of the cart and from her grasp. Pitts was standing nearby as a lookout. Mavity ran towards where Pitts was standing to the east. Before they could leave the parking lot, another shopper, was on her way into Wal-Mart and saw the robbery occur. She chased after Mavity but he dodged her. Mavity and Pitts fled the area east and into the orange grove.

Lake Wales Police were initially dispatched to Wal-Mart for a disturbance. Once officers were on scene, they learned a robbery had occurred. The entire shift responded to the area. They were supported by three off duty Lake Wales Police Officers who were in their department vehicle working an off duty detail. Lake Wales K9 Officer Waldron and his dog Rhaegar and Officer Esaul Hernandez began a track of the suspects immediately. The shift and off duty officers immediately set up a perimeter. Polk County Sheriff’s deputies assisted with the perimeter and their Air Unit was requested. Sergeant Michael Smith, one of the off duty officers, saw the suspects cross State Road 60 north bound. Officers and deputies closed in the perimeter and locked down the neighborhood streets of Evergreen, Martha and Grant. Residence in this area began to point out different locations where the suspects were running to. Polk County Air Unit arrived on scene and was given a description and general location of the suspects. Within seconds of arriving on scene, residents in this neighborhood began to point out to area where the suspect had run. Air immediately located the suspects hiding beside a residence and directed the K9 team to them. Mavity and Pitts tried to hide and then run from Air Unit but the Air Unit kept them in sight. The K9 team saw Mavity and Pitts running and gave K9 warnings for them to stop. Mavity and Pitts gave up and went to the ground where officers took them into custody. They were still in custody of the victim’s phone. Officers walked the path Mavity and Pitts had taken and were able to recover the victim’s purse and most of its contents.

Mavity has been charged with Robbery by Sudden Snatching, which is enhanced penalty due to Ms. Nicely’s age, Resisting an Officer without Violence and Violation of Probation. Pitts has been charged with Robbery by Sudden Snatching, which is enhanced penalty due to Ms. Nicely’s age and Resisting an Officer without Violence.

Mavity and Pitts each have a career in crime and both had active warrants. Mavity is 22 years of age and lives at 285 Lake Avenue South in Frostproof. Mavity’s many arrests include charges for burglary, armed burglary, grand theft, theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, driving on a suspended license, giving false information to a metal recycler, dealing is stolen property, fraud-insufficient funds, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to appear, and violation of probation. Pitts is 21 years of age and lives at 3778 Shetland Drive in Lake Wales. Pitts’ many arrests include charges for improper exhibition of a firearm, aggravated trespassing on property, violation of injunction against repeat violence, driving on a suspended license, violation of probation.

The Lake Wales Police Department is thankful the victim was not injured during this violent incident which could have gone bad. We are also very appreciative of the witnesses and the community for their assistance in catching Mavity and Pitts. As a result of this community and great team work between the Lake Wales Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office, citizens of both the city and the county can rest at ease tonight that these two violent criminals are in jail where they belong.

Anyone having information on this robbery is asked to call Detective Aubrey Davis at (863) 678-4223 extension 542 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

PCSO Homicide Unit Arrests Three Suspects in Homicide of Tyler Macklin

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PCSO Homicide Unit Arrests Three Suspects in Homicide of Tyler Macklin
PCSO Homicide Unit Arrests Three Suspects in Homicide of Tyler Macklin
On Saturday, May 14, 2016, the PCSO Homicide Unit arrested three suspects during the investigation into the homicide of 21-year-old Tyler Macklin. Arrested were:

18-year-old Joseph Edward Gomes-Brandon, Jr., of Kings Pond Ave, Winter Haven; charged with one count First Degree Murder, one count Armed Robbery, one count Armed Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, and one count Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery. His criminal history includes previous arrests for grand theft, burglary, and VOP.

21-year-old Jonathan Felix of Avenue J NW, Winter Haven; charged with one count First Degree Murder, one count Armed Robbery, one count Armed Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, one count Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, one count Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, one county VOP. His criminal history includes serving four years in state prison (2010-2014) for armed robbery, battery on a LEO, and burglary.

20-year-old Dylan Kindred of 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven; charged with one count Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery. His criminal history includes a narcotics arrest in January 2016.

The following is an excerpt from their affidavits:

Around 11:05 p.m. on May 11, 2016, Law Enforcement and EMS were dispatched to a reported shooting at 1244 Tangerine Parkway NE, Winter Haven, FL.  Upon arrival, it was discovered a white male (later identified as Tyler Eugene Macklin, victim) had sustained a fatal gunshot wound.  An autopsy was later performed after which the victim’s death was determined to be a homicide.

During the ensuing investigation, Dylan Kindred was located and interviewed.  Kindred stated post-Miranda that he was driving throughout Winter Haven in his vehicle with two other suspects he knew as “Killa” and “Waxx,” who were positively identified as Jonathan Olin Felix and Joseph Edward Gomes-Brandon, Jr., during the evening hours of May 11, 2016.  While in the vehicle the three suspects discussed their mutually shared need to obtain an unspecified but large amount of currency in order to be able to “flash cash” while they were performing rap songs in a rap show scheduled on May 12, 2016, in Tampa.

The subjects stated they did not have enough money of their own to be able to flash and demonstrate their desired level of affluence so they decided to “hit a lick” or rob someone. Kindred stated he suggested they rob Tyler Macklin and indicated “he should be an easy lick.” Kindred stated he then drove his girlfriend’s car (blue Honda Civic) to the victim’s residence. While the subjects were traveling to the victim’s residence he saw Gomez-Brandon in possession of a 9 mm handgun. Kindred stated the suspects were only “supposed to steal cash and drugs” from the victim and not hurt him.    

Kindred parked the vehicle in front of a residence next to the victim’s residence and remained in the vehicle. The other two suspects (Felix and Gomes-Brandon) then forced entry into the victim’s residence by kicking the front door. Kindred stated shortly after he saw the suspects enter the residence he heard a gunshot and then saw the suspects running from the front of the residence.

Kindred stated the suspects entered the vehicle and he drove them away from the scene. Kindred stated that when the suspects entered the vehicle after the shooting, they were in possession of the victim’s wallet, $300.00 in US Currency, and a second firearm that was stolen from the victim during the commission of the home-invasion robbery.

All three suspects were taken into custody without incident and booked into Polk County Jail. They will have first appearance hearings at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2016.
For any media interested in discussing these arrests with Sheriff Judd, he will be available at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2016.
Joseph Gomes-Brandon Jr.
 
Jonathan Felix
Dylan Kindred

Suspect Killed After Crashing Stolen Car

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Suspect Killed After Crashing Stolen Car

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Lakeland, Florida – At 6:34 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, 2016, a PCSO deputy sheriff conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was speeding in the area of Kathleen Road and Duff Road. Upon stopping the vehicle and verifying the vehicle information, the deputy believed the vehicle was stolen, and called for backup. When the backup deputy sheriff arrived, the suspect fled at a high rate of speed.

Approximately eight minutes later, the feloniously fleeing suspect driving the now-confirmed stolen vehicle out of Alachua County, lost control on Duff Road, crossed over into the path of an oncoming car, crashed into it, then went through the yards of two homes. The stolen vehicle rolled, ejecting the suspect, and came to rest against a house, located at 2433 Duff Road.

The male suspect is deceased. Deputies have not identified the suspect at this time. He was the only occupant of the stolen vehicle.

The other parties in the car into which the stolen car crashed were not injured – they complained of minor injuries and have been treated and released. Nobody was home at the house where the stolen vehicle came to a rest. No significant damage was done to the house.

Blake Appleton God’s Miracle

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Blake Appleton God’s Miracle

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By Carl Fish
Lake Wales, Florida – Blake Appleton, God’s Miracle. I do not say these words lightly or strictly for affect. I say these words because I believe them to be true. I believe all things are possible through Jesus and that miracles happen only because of God. I also believe that God gives each of us the gifts and abilities to be part of those miracles. Like all of us, Blake probably never knew the plans God had for his life.
Blake Appleton, a little boy from Lake Wales, was stricken with a horrible disease. Blake Appleton was diagnosed with brain cancer in January of 2008. He was given a 10% chance of survival with a 60% chance of recurrence. After extensive chemo at Shands Hospital, Blake beat the odds and the cancer went into remission. A checkup in December 2009 showed the cancer had returned. Blake was valiant in his fight with cancer. He attended 30 sessions of radiation therapy and 40 sessions of chemo therapy. Even with his treatments, Blake still kept his smile. During all of this God’s miracle was working. Blake was changing hearts, bringing the best out of people, he was inspiring.

In December 2010 after suffering more than long enough, little Blake, decided on his own that he wasn’t going to take the sessions of chemo and radiation therapy. He knew it was making him sick to the point that he could no longer bear it. A seed that God planted in a young girl, named Emma Hill, who Blake had personally touched started to grow. Emma, a 13 year old girl was determined to contact a hero of Blake’s. That hero was Tim Tebow. Tim Tebow was the most prestigious sports athlete in the world at that moment. The seed that God planted, Blake’s personality, and courage combinded, produced a phone call from Tebow to Blake. It was huge for the young man and huge for a community to know that someone could care so much about another person. Tebow would go on to mention Blake’s name on national television and they would personally meet. Many stories would be written. This story would affect people all over the United States. I personally was contacted by people in Denver Colorado expressing support for Blakey and wanting to help bring him to a Broncos game. If generous donors didn’t sponsor the trip for Blake, then Tim Tebow’s W15H Foundation was prepared to bring him to the playoff game with the Steelers.
Many other trips soon followed. He was a court side guest at an Orlando Magic game as well as a New York Knicks Game. He also visited with with celebrities and the local sheriff. Even before the Tim Tebow story Blake had a love for fire trucks and fire fighters. He was honored many times by firefighters locally and out of state. Blake would take part in a motorcycle event in his honor, an award in his name would be given away at his school and many other events would be touched by his presence. Through all of this, he inspired those that inspire so many others. His classmates and teachers at school were the greatest witnesses of his kindness and courage. He will have a lasting effect on his generation and the generations to come.
Blake Appleton died on Tuesday May 15, 2012. Rain would pour down on the community of Lake Wales, I wonder, is that heaven crying for joy or sorrow? To me, he is the miracle that brings inspiration, hope, and community. In the face of death, he inspired people with his courage. He brought hope that even if your days seem dark, you can make them brighter with a smile. He brought thousands together to realize something or someone may be more important than themselves. I believe that God’s miracle, Blake Appleton, has created the seed for thousands of miracles. I hope that you will not waste a moment of your life not following Blake’s example, and let God work his miracles through you.

Winter Haven Police Need Help Identifying a Man Who Exposed Himself to a Young Girl at Winter Haven Library

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Winter Haven Police Need Help Identifying a Man Who Exposed Himself to a Young Girl at Winter Haven Library

 

Library 3

Update 6:30am:

22 Year-Old Adam Timothy Tharp (606 32nd St NW, Winter Haven) was taken into custody Thursday night after a tip was received following the numrous media reports. Thank you to all who assisted in releasing this information quickly as this arrest was a direct result of those efforts.

Original Article –

Winter Haven Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who exposed himself to a young girl at the Winter Haven Library.
On 5-10-16 at approximately 4:10 p.m., the seven year-old female and her mother were at the Winter Haven Public Library (325 Ave. A, NW, Winter Haven) in the children’s section. The child and mother were sitting at a table when the mother got up and walked to another area while the child continued to read a book. There were multiple patrons in this section, but not in the direct area of the suspect or the child for any length of time. The mother did not see the suspect prior to getting up from the table.
As the mother walked away, the child heard a sound like someone trying to whisper to get her attention. When she looked up between two rows of books, in the area of where the sound was coming from, there was a white male sitting on the floor. The moment she looked towards the sound, the suspect pulled his pants down exposing himself to her.  She immediately got up from the table and ran to her mother.
At this point, the suspect got up from the floor and walked out of the library. By the time the mother was able to get the description of the suspect from her daughter, he had already left the library.
After reviewing the video, the suspect had actually been in the library for quite a while in different locations. Just prior to this event, he is seen on video in an adjoining room and appears to be watching the children’s area. After about 30 minutes in this other room, the suspect walks into the Children’s room and that is when he is seen crouching between the rows of books.

 

Clarification of the video released from the Winter Haven Public Library

Initially, you see the suspect in an adjoining room walking around, pacing. He looks through the doorway into the Children’s area ultimately making his way in. Next view you see his head as he walks between two racks of books, finally kneeling down between two racks and sitting on the floor for approximately 3 minutes.
In the video when you see the call out blur, this is NOT the victim. The suspect was just entering the aisle when this child was walking out.
The victim and her mother were sitting at the table you see in the bottom left corner of the table.
At no time was the victim in camera view, but she was in view of the suspect directly down the aisle.

Anyone with information on the identity of this suspect is asked to call detective Rod Esteve at 863-401-2256. Callers can also contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward of up to $3,000.

Library 2

2016 Major League Baseball City Champions

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2016 Major League Baseball City Champions

For 2016 Major League Baseball City Champion:

 

Kiwanis Club Twins coached by Steve Wilmoth (finished season with perfect 17-0 record)

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Runner up is Rotary Club Royals coached by Mike Hixenbaugh.

Hixenbaugh

Deputies Investigating Winter Haven Death

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Deputies Investigating Winter Haven Death

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Update 2pm:

Polk County Sheriff’s Officer Public Information Officer Donna Wood has confirmed that the victim of a murder on Tangerine Parkway, NE. is that of 20 Yr. Old Tyler Eugene Macklin. Friends and family are trying to make sense out of the young mans murder. At this time the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has not elaborated on details of the crime at this time. It’s unknown if the killing of Macklin was a home invasion gone wrong or personal. We will update this article as more information becomes available.

Update:

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Homicide detectives are currently conducting a Homicide investigation at 1244 Tangerine Parkway NE., Winter Haven.

The PCSO received an emergency call at approximately 11:25 pm, on Wednesday, May 12, 2016.  When deputies arrived, they located an adult male deceased.  There is no additional information available at this time.

This is an active investigation.  Anyone who may have information is urged to contact the PCSO at 863.298.6200.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION WHO WANTS TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CASH REWARD IS ASKED TO CALL HEARTLAND CRIME STOPPERS AT 1-800-226-TIPS or LOG ONTO www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. ANONYMITY IS GUARANTEED!  iPhone users can download a free tip submit app to anonymously report crime. To install this free app, search for “TipSoft” or “TipSubmit” on the Apple App Store.

 

Original Release:

Winter Haven, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a death in Winter Haven.  Early Thursday morning residents of Tangerine Parkway woke to deputies closing of the roadway into their neighborhood.  Since that time multiple crime scene vans, command center and other vehicles have occupied the once quiet street.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson,  Donna Wood,  confirmed that a death investigation is underway,  but details are not available at this time.

We will update this article as soon as more information is released.

 

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