A 3rd Robbery, This Time at RaceTrac Just after 5 AM This Morning

Staff Reporter
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A 3rd Robbery, This Time at RaceTrac Just after 5 AM This Morning

 

On April 19, 2016 at 5:20am the Racetrac Store located at 1740 SR60 E was robbed by an armed gunman. The suspect was described as a black male wearing a red hoodie tightened around his face, red gym shorts, flip flops, and was armed with a handgun. The suspect entered the store and demanded the cashiers give him the money from their cash drawers. The cashiers complied with the suspect’s orders and the suspect fled the store after getting an undisclosed amount of money. Three cashiers were working at the time of the robbery. Nobody was injured and the suspect left the store on foot.

This suspect appears to be the same suspect who robbed Pizzano’s on April 15 and CVS on April 16. Anyone who has information about any of these robberies is asked to contact Detective Alvin Maultsby at (863) 678-4223 extension 265, Detective Aubrey Davis at (863) 678-4223 extension 276, or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

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Related:
Two Business Robberies are Being Investigated
The Lake Wales Police Department is investigating two busines
s robberies they believe are related. The first robbery occurred at Pizzano’s Pizza, located at 1326 SR60
E, on Friday, April 15 at 5:15pm. During this robbery the suspect walked into Pizzano’s, pointed a handgun at the cashier, took an undisclosed amount of money, and fled the area. The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 5’9”tall, wearing a red hoodie which was tightened up around his face, long red or black pants, and he was armed with an unknown make/model handgun.
The second robbery occurred at CVS, located at 500 S 11th St, on Saturday, April 16 at 10:12pm. During this robbery the suspect walked into CVS pointed a handgun at the cashiers, took an undisclosed amount of money, and fled the area. The suspect was described as a black male, thin build, approximately 6’00”
tall, wearing a red hoodie which was tightened up around his face, red sweat pants, white cloth gloves, dark sunglasses, black and white tennis shoes, and he was armed with an unknown make/model handgun.
After both robberies occurred law enforcement officers set up perimeters and searched extensively for the suspect but were not able to locate him. There were no injuries as a result of either of the robberies. These are photographs of the suspect during the robberies.  Anyone who witnessed either of the robberies, has information on either of the robberies, or knows who the suspect is should contact Detective Alvin Maultsby at (863) 678-4223 extension 265 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-
8477.

Lake Wales Medical Center Announces Quarterly Awards

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Lake Wales Medical Center Announces Quarterly Awards

LWMC ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY AWARDS

Lake Wales, FL – Lake Wales Medical Center presented quarterly awards recently.

 

Employee of the Quarter was Jennifer Scalf, CT Technologist in Imaging Services. She was recognized for continued outstanding customer service, patient care and team work. “We often receive feedback from patients about Jennifer, and she is always focused on patient safety,” said CEO Andrew Howard.

Jaropillo

Manager of the Quarter was Erwin Jaropillo, Information Systems. He was recognized for his outstanding work on several recent IT upgrades and programs. “Erwin works tirelessly to keep the many computer systems here operational so that we can provide great care to our patients,” Howard said.

 

Volunteer of the Quarter was Tina Stegman and her service dog, Phoenix, who visit patients in the hospital’s geriatric psychiatric unit.

Volunteer

“Tina and Phoenix have become a part of our treatment team,” said Sabrina Long, director of the unit. “The impact of pet therapy on patient mood and recovery is well documented.  Phoenix intuitively knows which patients need a little extra time and attention when he visits.  He is a gentle giant who helps our senior patients to realistically reminisce and remember happy times.  The impact on staff attitude and satisfaction is a bonus benefit of having the weekly visits from Tina and Phoenix.  The smiles and joy brought by Phoenix and Tina are felt long after they have left the unit for the day.”

 

 

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Photo info:

Volunteer: Tina Stegman and her service dog, Phoenix, were the volunteers of the quarter at Lake Wales Medical Center.

Jaropillo: Erwin Jaropillo was named Manager of the Quarter at Lake Wales Medical Center

“Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program heads back to the Kathleen and Gibsonia Communities

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“Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program heads back to the Kathleen and Gibsonia Communities
“Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program heads back to the Kathleen and Gibsonia Communities
 
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April 2016 – Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. in partnership with Polk County Board of County Commissioners is happy to bring their “Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program to Unincorporated Kathleen and Gibsonia Communities on Saturday, April 23, 2016. (Community consists of:  Unincorporated areas only.)
 
Residents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this program that will consist of a large scale trash pick up throughout these selected communities (clean sweep).  This program will provide disposal of items that are NOT generally collected with their residential garbage such as household construction debris (shingles, drywall, etc.) on THIS DAY ONLY.  Absolutely NO tires or hazardous waste will be collected.  All households are asked to participate by placing these items by the curb no later than 8am for this one day event.  
 
Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. will host a FREE Tire Recycling event from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  This event will take place at The Lakeland Center, 701 W. Lime St.  Tires MUST be STANDARD VEHICLE SIZE ONLY.  Participants must show photo ID/ proof of Polk County residency to take advantage of the free disposal. Legal hauling limits will be strictly enforced. Call Keep Polk County Beautiful, (863) 875-8911, for more information.
This event is held in conjunction with Polk County Board of County Commissioner’s Waste and Recycling Division’s Mobile Collection Events for Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics.  For information on Hazardous Waste and Electronic disposal, contact (863)284-4319.
 
Trash and tire collection services are provided by Republic Services.
 
For additional information on the “Clean It Up to Green It Up” program, Tire Recycling or to find out when/if this program is scheduled to come to your community, contact Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. at (863) 875-8911 or email [email protected] .
 
It is a violation of Florida Administrative Code Rules to transport more than 24 Waste Tires over public highways without a permit.  Violation of this rule would constitute a 1st degree criminal misdemeanor and be punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 and/or by 6 months in jail for further information please regarding the handling of waste tires please visit the DEP website http://www.dep.state.fl.us/ .

Lake Wales CVS Armed Robbery Saturday Night

Staff Reporter
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Lake Wales CVS Armed Robbery Saturday Night

LWP

Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales Police Department is investigating two business robberies they believe are related. The first robbery occurred at Pizzano’s Pizza, located at 1326 SR60 E, on Friday, April 15 at 5:15pm. During this robbery the suspect walked into Pizzano’s, pointed a handgun at the cashier, took an undisclosed amount of money, and fled the area. The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 5’9″ tall, wearing a red hoodie which was tightened up around his face, long red or black pants, and he was armed with an unknown make/model handgun.

     The second robbery occurred at CVS, located at 500 S 11th St, on Saturday, April 16 at 10:12pm. During this robbery the suspect walked into CVS pointed a handgun at the cashiers, took an undisclosed amount of money, and fled the area. The suspect was described as a black male, thin build, approximately 6’00” tall, wearing a red hoodie which was tightened up around his face, red sweat pants, white cloth gloves, dark sunglasses, black and white tennis shoes, and he was armed with an unknown make/model handgun.

     After both robberies occurred law enforcement officers set up perimeters and searched extensively for the suspect but were not able to locate him. There were no injuries as a result of either of the robberies. These are photographs of the suspect during the robberies. Anyone who witnessed either of the robberies, has information on either of the robberies, or knows who the suspect is should contact Detective Alvin Maultsby at (863) 678-4223 extension 265 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

Cooking on the Ridge: Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue

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Cooking on the Ridge: Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue

Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue

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Ingredients

Directions

  • Prep 10 m

  • Cook 4 h

  • Ready In 4 h 10 m

  1. Place chicken in a slow cooker. In a bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, Italian salad dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over the chicken.
  2. Cover, and cook 3 to 4 hours on High or 6 to 8 hours on Low.

PCSO S.W.A.T Breach Auburndale Home To Apprehend Barricaded Suspect Saturday Morning

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PCSO S.W.A.T Breach Auburndale Home To Apprehend Barricaded Suspect Saturday Morning

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Auburndale, Florida – According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office the special weapons and tactics unit was called out to Auburndale this morning.  The early morning incident,  involve a barricaded man. Sheriff’s spokesperson,  Carrie Hortsman,  advised that they received  the call at 4:20am  by a neighbor to respond to 218 Dorothy St., Auburndale  reference a fight between multiple  people at that address. Deputies arrived nobody would come out. One by one, 5 people came out. One person inside would not come out & we were told he had a handgun. S.W.A.T. was called out to the scene. The surrounding homes were evacuated. After many attempts to persuade the suspect to surrender the S.W.A.T unit breached. Tear gas was deployed. K9 units and S.W.A.T made entry. The suspect was apprehended by K9  around 9:50am. Suspect has been taken to hosp to be treated for bite wounds. He will then be transported to Polk County jail. The suspect name has not been released at this time.

Armed Robbery Suspect Sought After Robbery Of Lake Wales Pizzanos Pizza

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Armed Robbery Suspect Sought After Robbery Of Lake Wales Pizzanos Pizza

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Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales Police Department are currently searching for an armed robbery suspect.  The suspect robbed the Pizzanos Pizza in the Orange Grove Shopping Center on S.R.60.  The suspect is described as a black male where a red sweatshirt & black pants.

Currently officers along with the assistance of a PCSO air unit is conducting a search  of the area. The incident occurred around 5:40pm. Witnesses advise crime scene units are on scene.

Polk County School Bus Driver Arrested For Sexually Battery Of Special Needs Students

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Polk County School Bus Driver Arrested For Sexually Battery Of Special Needs Students

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Haines City, Florida – On Thursday, April 14, 2016, Polk County Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit detectives arrested 72-year-old Carlos Ojeda of Haines City for eight counts Capital Sexual Battery (F-C), for sexual abuse he committed on juveniles who were riding the school bus he drove.

According to the affidavit, on April 13th, a student at Horizons Elementary School in Davenport told his school counselor that he saw Ojeda place his hands down two different female students’ pants on several different occasions on the school bus. Both of the victims were under the age of 12 years old. All of the children on the bus are special needs students.

“There are no words to describe the depravity displayed by this suspect. He drives a school bus, where he has access to these precious children. He lures them with candy, and physically assaults them in such a way that nobody will see it, or report it. Together with the Polk County School Board we are committed to keeping children safe. Thanks to their quick actions in reporting this, we were able to prevent this monster from hurting anyone else.”Sheriff Grady Judd

A review of the school bus video surveillance system shows Ojeda on April 8th, 11th, and 12th, standing in the stairwell of the bus while it is parked at the school, motioning to the victim to approach him, showing her a piece of candy. During each occasion, once the girl is within arm’s length, Ojeda pulls her toward him, physically sexually batters her out of the sight of the other students in the stairwell by touching her under her clothing, then gives her candy and she goes back to her seat. 

During a post-Miranda interview, Ojeda told detectives he sexually battered the two girls eight times. He was booked into the Polk County Jail, South County Jail in Frostproof, where he is being held on no bond until a first appearance hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2016. When he was arrested, he had candy in his pocket.

The investigation is ongoing, and detectives will continue to interview all of the school children Ojeda had access to and their parents, to identify any other potential victims. 

According to the Polk County School Board, Ojeda drove a school bus for three different schools: Bus number 0603 for Horizons Elementary, Boone Middle, and Ridge Community High. He has been employed as a PCSB bus driver since April 2007 and the school board has suspended him without pay.

Please contact the Polk County School Board for any additional questions about Ojeda’s employment history or current employment.

If anyone has information or suspicions about Ojeda they are urged to contact Lieutenant Ian Rylott at 863-298-6200. 

3 Suspects Sought Friday Morning After Armed Home Invasion Robbery In Davenport

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3 Suspects Sought Friday Morning After Armed Home Invasion Robbery In Davenport

 

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Davenport, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Robbery Unit is investigating an armed home invasion robbery in Davenport. According to Carrie Hortsman, Public Information Officer, with the PCSO a call was received at 5:30 a.m. this morning, Friday, April 15, 2016, in reference to a burglary in-progress.

Deputies arrived on-scene at 1402 US Hwy 17/92, and determined an armed home invasion had taken place. After the robbery, the three suspects fled on foot, one of whom was armed. Deputies established a perimeter and searched by ground and air with helicopter and canine.

Deputies continue to interview the victims and gather more information. This is an ongoing investigation.

Man Seriously Injured in Lake Wales Crash Which Closes Multiple Lanes

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Man Seriously Injured in Lake Wales Crash Which Closes Multiple Lanes

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Final Update:

Man in Critical Condition from a Single Vehicle Crash

On April 15, 2016 at 5:53am Dale May, a 55 year old of 3331 Harbor Beach Dr. Lake Wales, was involved in a serious single vehicle traffic crash. The crash occurred on HWY27 at the SR60 overpass. May was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he was admitted in critical condition. May was unable to recover from his injuries and died on April 19, 2016 at 3:40pm. Our thoughts and prayers are with May’s family during this difficult time.

 

Update April 15, 2016:

Man in Critical Condition from a Single Vehicle Crash

      On April 15, 2016 at 5:53am members of the Lake Wales Police Department were dispatched to a traffic crash on HWY27 at SR60. Upon arrival officers discovered the crash involved only one vehicle which collided with the concrete barrier under the overpass of SR60. The investigation revealed Dale May, a 55 year old of Lake Wales, was traveling northbound on HWY27 in a white 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. For an unknown reason May drove into the median of HWY27 and continued northbound. While traveling in the median he hit two traffic control signs and then crossed over the southbound lanes of HWY27. May’s vehicle crashed into a concrete barrier under the SR60 overpass. May’s vehicle came to rest after impacting the barrier in the southbound lanes of HWY27. The overpass was not damaged due to the barrier stopping May’s vehicle.

 

May suffered critical injuries from the crash and was transported to Lakeland Regional Hospital for treatment. The vehicle May was driving sustained major damage and no other vehicles were involved. Traffic was affected for several hours while the investigation was conducted and the vehicle was removed from the crash scene. At this point impairment is not suspected, no charges have been filed, and the investigation in ongoing. Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to contact Detective David Hernandez at (863) 678-4223 extension 264.

 

 

Original Release:

Lake Wales, Florida – An accident Friday
morning caused major road closures and detouring of traffic in Lake Wales. According to the Lake Wales Police Department a male victim was seriously injured when the vehicle he was operating crashed into the underpass of Hwy 27 & S.R. 60. The crash closed all southbound lanes of Hwy 27 and the southbound exit to Hwy 27 from S.R. 60 for several hours. Currently the roadway is open going in both directions on Hwy 27, but is limited to one lane.

According to LWPD spokesperson, Lt. David Black, the victim is Dale Richard May and he was transported to Lakeland Regional Health. The accident is under investigation. We will update when more information is available.

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