Lake Wales, Florida – We have reader reports of a two vehicle accident on S.R. 60 in Lake Wales. The accident occurred shortly after 2pm. It is unknown at this time if there are any injuries and traffic doesn’t appear to be a major issue at this time. Although it appears eastbound traffic is down to one lane S. 3rd St. and S.R. 60. Please drive carefully.
Lakeland VW Show & Swap Classic
March 18,19,20, 2016
***FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE CAR***
No purchase necessary door prize, Giving away a turn-key, titled VW powered vehicle. Must be present to win.
Want to win a free car?? Come join us for the Lakeland VW Show & Swap Classic at the beautiful, spacious Lakeland Center on
Saturday, March 19 – Sunday, March 20, 2016.
In addition to the free rail, we will be giving away $300.00 to the Best Of Show winner this year plus thousands of dollars worth of prizes!
This is a reasonably priced, family friendly event in the heart of Lakeland, close to it all with enough space to have a good time. Last year we had amazing weather and VW enthusiasts from all over the world. Bring your chairs, grills and pop tents. With over 5,000 spaces available we are growing and expect this year to be our biggest yet! Pre-register NOW!
*On Friday, March 18th, at 6pm, we will be meeting down at the Burger King on Harden Blvd for a get together featuring great sounds from our DJ Jack Flash**
*On Saturday, March 19th, the gates open at 9am and we are featuring a bus show, best bus wins $100. All makes and models are invited for great food and fun, including 4-in-1 bounce house, live bands, new and used parts vendors and a movie back-in-time at the local drive-in theater.
We will also be offering FREE overnight camping on Saturday night only.
*Sunday, March 20th is the Main Event. Gates open at 6am for vendors and show cars and 9am for the public.
*Featuring over 40 classes of air and water cooled show cars, with trophy and cash prizes, new and used parts vendors, live bands and over $5,000 in free door prizes given away.
**KIDS ZONE: FREE face painting, cotton candy, bounce house and toys for the kids!
We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to our sponsors and patrons.
The ONLY show in the country giving a way a free car. No wait time at the gate!
*Admission Details: Spectators are $5 plus can of food per person per day, kids 12 & younger free. Parking is $2 in show area, across the street is $7.
Show cars are $25 which includes admission for 2 for both days, 10×20 space and free t-shirt.
Pre-registered vendor pricing includes free t-shirt: Used parts vendors are $30 for 20×20 space. New parts vendors are $100 for 30×20 space.
Day of show pricing is $40 for used vendors and $150 for new vendors.
All vendor and show car pricing covers admission and space for both days.
For additional info Contact Eddy at 863-660-7731.
Blue Thumb Pool Care Services Lake Wales, Frostproof, Babson Park, Indian Lake Estates, and Surrounding Areas!
Customers want more from a pool service than just a clean pool. They want the assurance of knowing that all their pool equipment is working properly and that their calls with any questions or concerns will be returned promptly. They want assurance that their pools will be serviced as promised.
Blue Thumb Pool Care is reliable and dependable, and provides quality work at a reasonable price. If you want quality pool maintenance at reasonable prices, including Residential Service, equipment repairs, upgrades and remodeling, then give Blue Thumb Pool Care a call today. Free Home Estimate For a free at home estimate call 863-528-0979 or email us at [email protected]
Lake Wales, Florida – According to readers a semi tractor trailer either caught fire or broke down in the eastbound lanes of S.R. 60 near the intersection to Buckmoore Rd. in Lake Wales. The incident occurred around 10am and traffic is down to one lane as crews clean up fuel spill on the roadway. Traffic is moving and no reports of injuries at this time.
Frostproof, Florida – The Polk County Fire Rescue & Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently on scene of an accident on Hwy 27 in the northbound lanes just South of 17 in Frostproof. At this time we don’t have details of injuries, but ambulance is on scene. Traffic is currently down to only one lane .
Update 5:30pm: Mulberry kidnaping and vehicle theft suspect in custody; will be charged with kidnapping, grand theft (vehicle), and occupied vehicle burglary
44-year-old Tracy Herr of 3490 Espo Drive, Mulberry is being booked into the Hillsborough County Jail today on a Hillsborough County grand theft warrant. He has been identified by Polk County detectives as the man who stole a car with a 2-year-old child inside at the Mulberry Pharmacy, 1009 North Church Avenue, in Mulberry yesterday, Thursday, March 17, 2016.
Polk County detectives, working on several tips, located Herr today at the Roadway Inn, 210 Fowler Avenue East in Tampa. PCSO detectives were assisted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the US Marshals Service in taking Herr into custody. Polk County Detectives will be serving arrest warrants on Herr at the HCSO jail for kidnapping, grand theft (vehicle), and occupied vehicle burglary. Herr has an extensive criminal history including 26 prior felonies, 24 prior misdemeanors, 12 unknown level charges, and he’s been to Florida State prison 4 times and he’s been arrested on 22 separate occasions.
“This doesn’t surprise us that a multiple repeat offender stole this car and endangered that baby. Hopefully, the criminal justice system, after full due process, will send him back to prison where he belongs. This guy is a one man crime wave.” -Grady Judd, Sheriff
Mulberry, Florida – At approximately 3:03 pm, on Thursday, March 17, 2016, PCSO deputies were alerted to what was reported as an abduction of a 2-year-old child from the Mulberry Pharmacy, 1009 North Church Avenue, in Mulberry.
Deputies learned the child was in the care of an adult female, who had driven to the business to fill a prescription for the child. The family friend left the toddler in the car, with the keys in the ignition, and went inside the business. The family friend told deputies she was only in the store for a few minutes when she returned to find the car, with the child inside, missing.
Less than five minutes later, at 3:07 pm, deputies were advised the child and the car were at a nearby store, the AutoZone, 6609 North Church Avenue, where both had been abandoned. The child was examined by emergency medical personnel and is uninjured. He has been reunited with his mother.
The female described a possible suspect as a white male who was wearing a black t-shirt, gray or khaki cargo shorts, and black shoes. The male had a very short haircut and wore sunglasses on top of his head. He was observed behind the female victim while she was in the store.
“Never leave your child unattended in a car. This family is very fortunate their baby was located unharmed, the outcome could have been dramatically different. And please remember, if you see something, if you hear something, say something – the safety of a child may be dependent upon your reaction.”
Anyone with information about this investigation, or who can identify this suspect, is urged to contact the Detective D. Grant at 863.499.2400.
Lakeland, Florida – According to multiple witnesses an accident on Combee Rd. near Grimes Rd. Is blocking traffic. Witnesses report downed power lines at this time. According to the Florida Highway Patrol the accident call came in at 5:55pm and it was a hit & run. No reports of injuries at this time, but you may want to find another way home.
We will update this article as soon as more information is available.
Lake Wales, Florida – On 2/29/2016 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was called to a residence in unincorporated Lake Wales (outside of city limits). According to a reportee a suspect, Dylan Standridge (DOB:01/21/1994), may have been having sexual intercourse with a minor, according to an arrest affidavit. Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a recorded statement with the underage victim in which she alleges to have had consensual sex with Standridge multiple times, according the affidavit. Deputies then conducted a recorded statement with Standbridge post Miranda. Standridge allegedly confessed to having sexual intercourse with the underage victim multiple times both vaginally and orally.
Standridge was arrested and charged with multiple counts of Lewd Battery, multiple counts of Lewd Molestation.
Lakeland, Florida – On August 16, 2015, at 1:40pm, the Lakeland Police Department responded to a traffic crash at Harden Blvd and Beaker Blvd. James R. Birkhold, the driver of the 2014 Lexus ES 350 was eastbound on Beaker Blvd. Birkhold traveled into the intersection of Harden Blvd to make a left turn and was hit by a vehicle.
That vehicle, a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was driven by Kyle T Cooper, 24 years old. Cooper was traveling south on Harden Blvd in the left hand lane and hit Birkhold in the left side. Cooper was redirected off the roadway and into a ditch as a result of the collision. Cooper had his seat belt on and he is from Mulberry, Florida.
James Birkhold, 66 years old, was later pronounced deceased at the Lakeland Regional Health Medical Centerl. He was wearing a seat belt. Next-of-kin has been notified. Don Lindleg, 66 years old was a passenger in the vehicle. Lindleg is from Blythewood, South Carolina.
Morgan Thomas, 20 years old was a passenger in Coopers vehicle and was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Health Center.
The traffic investigation was turned over to a Traffic Homicide Investigator. During the course of the investigation several witnesses came forward saying the black pickup driven by Kyle Cooper was driving recklessly, according to Coopers arrest affidavit. “A witnessed stated that he was cut off by the black pick-up and he observed the black pick-up truck weaving in and out of traffic”, according the the affidavit. Another witness, an off-duty, Polk County Sheriff’s Officer advised if he was on duty he would have pulled the pick-up over, since it was driving so erratic while changing lanes and passing cars. According to another witness the pick-up would speed up and slowdown almost colliding with other cars. Another witness advised that a black pick-up took off from a red light at a high rate of speed. This prompted investigators to pull red camera video footage which supported the witnesses statement according to the affidavit.
Investigators requested to download the Crash Data Retrieval System in Coopers truck (otherwise known as the vehicles “black box”, but he declined. A search warrant was obtained and the data was downloaded. The downloaded data allegedly showed the Cooper was traveling at a speed of 70 mph 2.5 seconds before the crash and 52 mph with a half second of the crash that killed Mr. Birkhold.
A reconstruction, according to the arrest affidavit, showed that if the pick-up was driving at the normal rate of 45 miles an hour posted speed the accident would not have occurred. Kyle Cooper has was arrested and charged with vehicle homicide and is currently out on bail.
Latest UPDATE: 5 Arrested in String of Thefts, Burglaries, Robberies that span across Lakeland, Hillsborough County, Haines City, Lake Wales, Winter Haven, Bradenton, Clearwater and Auburndale.
On March 16, 2016 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Officer Aubrey Davis of Lake Wales Police Department Crime Suppression Unit was patrolling the Publix parking lot on US 27 North in Lake Wales in an unmarked vehicle. The Unit was attempting to locate a stolen vehicle from Lakeland on March 9th believed to be involved in a string of thefts, burglaries and robberies which spanned Lakeland, Hillsborough County, Haines City, Lake Wales, Winter Haven, Bradenton, Clearwater and Auburndale.
Officer Davis noticed a vehicle matching this description driving through the Publix parking lot. He was able to obtain a tag number which match the tag given out by Winter Haven Police Department. Lake Wales Police Officers and Polk County Deputies responded to the area. The vehicle was running on a flat tire and the driver pulled into the Green Gables parking lot which is located south of the Publix on US 27 North.
The suspect drove behind The Sizzlin’ Grill and parked. Officers and Deputies converged on this parking lot and took five suspects into custody and recovered the stolen vehicle. Of the five subjects, only one was an adult, Chrishawn Laboris Jones, 19 years of age, form Eagle Lake. Jones is being charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Violation of Probation. Jones is on probation for Giving False Information to a Recycler. Two of the suspects were 17 years of age and two were 16 years of age. Shelton Jerome McNeal, age 17 of Lakeland, was in possession of the keys when arrested. He is being charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle. The other three juveniles are being charge with Trespass of a Conveyance and are from Lakeland.
Detectives from Lake Wales Police Department, Winter Haven Police Department, Auburndale Police Department, Lakeland Police Department and Haines City Police Department arrived to assist in the investigation and attempt to close local cases. These investigations are still ongoing and further charges are pending.
Anyone having information on these thefts and robberies is asked to call Detective Stephanie Goreck at (863) 678-4223 extension 269 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.
9:30pm update: According to Troy Schulze, LWPD spokesperson, a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle was spotted in the Publix Parking lot in Chalet Suzanne Rd. & Hwy 27. The vehicle was spotted by unmarked police cars in the parking lot. Additional units were called in and the suspect vehicle proceeded southbound on Hwy 27. Unmarked police vehicles were waiting for marked units to arrive before stopping the suspect vehicle which appeared to be unaware of the unmarked units which now followed them. The suspect vehicle had tire issue & pulled into the Green Gables Inn parking lot where LWPD & PCSO unit converged on the suspect vehicle. 5 suspects were taken into custody. The arrest of 1 adult & 4 juvenile suspects without incident. More details to follow.
Winter Haven, Florida – Winter Haven Police are investigating a purse snatching that left a 71 year-old woman with a broken wrist. The incident is one of a rash of occurrences that started with a vehicle stolen from Lakeland on March 9 and has been linked to six other cases.
On 3-15-16 at approximately 7:00 p.m., the 71 year-old victim parked in the east side of the Publix parking lot, located at 1350 6th St. NW in Winter Haven. The victim was headed to St Joseph’s Catholic Church which is directly across the street from the parking lot.
As she got out of her vehicle, a 2001 Gold Jeep Grand Cherokee (FL tag 379MSR) approached her and the rear passenger opened the door. The passenger, described as a black male, approximately 30 years old, clean-cut look with short hair approached the victim and asked for directions to a church. The suspect was holding a paper, making it appear he had the name of the church on the paper. As the victim stepped closer to converse with the suspect in order to help him with directions, the suspect grabbed her purse straps and jumped back into the vehicle as it began to speed away.
The victim had the purse around her left shoulder and the motion of the vehicle caused her to fall to the ground. The vehicle sped through the parking lot and head westbound towards Lake Howard down Ave. L NW. Witnesses who heard the squealing tires looked just as the victim was falling. The witness was able to see that there were four black males inside of the vehicle. The witness immediately called law enforcement while running to assist the victim.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a black roof rack and a right-side (passenger) brake light that is out. Additionally, the top window brake light does not work either.
“It takes an absolute cowardly thug to prey upon a senior adult female and use a ruse about directions to a church in order to victimize her,” said Chief Charlie Bird. “It’s obvious they stalked her and when she was at her most vulnerable, they sprang into action by taking advantage of her kindness.” Everyone should be extra diligent in surveying their surroundings before exiting their vehicle and if there is ever a doubt, stay inside and lock the doors.
The victim was taken to the Winter Haven Hospital Emergency Room where she was treated for a broken wrist along with multiple scrapes and contusions.
Two of the four suspects were described by the victim and witness as black males, one (driver) with a short afro-style haircut, possibly with a mustache/goatee and not wearing a shirt. The second suspect (passenger who exited vehicle) is “clean cut” with a short/tight haircut and approximately 30 years old.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for the CASH reward of up to $3,000.
Breakdown of suspected cases connected to this stolen vehicle:
(Please note the average age of the victims are older than 65 years of age.)
Wednesday, March 9th 2016 (6:45 – 8:30 p.m.)
Lakeland/Calvary Baptist Church, 1945 Florida Avenue North (Stolen Vehicle)
Lakeland Police Department Case 2016-4911
The victim parked his 2001 Jeep Cherokee (Florida Tag # 379MSR) (Color: Gold) in front of the church. When he came out of church his vehicle was gone.
Friday, March 11th 2016 (2:30 p.m.)
Seffner (Hillsborough County)/Publix Parking Lot 11782 Dr. King Blvd E
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Case 2016-169495
The suspect briefly stopped behind the victim’s vehicle and exited the driver’s seat, removing the victim’s purse out of her shopping cart. He then entered back in the Jeep on the passenger side as the passenger moved to the driver’s seat.
Saturday, March 12th 2016 (4:15 p.m.)
Haines City/Walmart Parking Lot 36205 Highway 27
Haines City Police Department Case 2016-878
The victim was in the Walmart parking lot when the suspect vehicle drove up and the passenger exited and approached the victim asking directions. The suspect then grabbed the victim’s purse from the cart and ran back to the vehicle.
Sunday, March 13th 2016 (4:49 p.m.)
Lake Wales/Eagle Ridge Mall, Dillard’s Parking Lot 100 Eagle Ridge Drive
Lake Wales Police Department Case 16-660
The suspect approached the victim asking her “Is this the Eagle Ridge Mall” at which she replied yes, he then snatched her purse from her shoulder causing the chain to break and fled on foot towards a sport utility vehicle.
Sunday, March 13th 2016 (6:43 p.m.)
Winter Haven/Walmart Parking Lot 355 Cypress Gardens Boulevard SE
Winter Haven Police Department Case 16-1646
The victim was loading her groceries in her vehicle when the black male suspect exited the passenger side, grabbed her purse out of the cart and jumped back into the Jeep.
Monday, March 14th 2016 (12:00 noon)
Bradenton (Manatee County)/Publix Parking Lot 4651 Cortez Road W
Bradenton Police Department Case 16-002149
The victim was leaning inside her trunk as she packed her groceries away, she felt a tug on her purse and when she turned around she saw the suspect trying to snatch her purse. The suspect grabbed her upper left arm and during the struggle the victim fell to the ground. The suspect ran back to the waiting vehicle and entered the passenger seat.
Monday, March 14th 2016 (1:30 p.m.)
Clearwater (Pinellas County)/WalMart Parking Lot 23106 US Hwy 19 N
Clearwater Police Department Case 16-36599
The suspects are seen entering the victim’s vehicle and taking a purse from inside. They are seen on video in a gold or tan Jeep Grand Cherokee
Tuesday, March 15th 2016 (6:50 p.m.)
Winter Haven/Publix Parking Lot 1384 6th Street NW
Winter Haven Police Case 16-1698
The female victim was approached by the suspect who asked her directions to a Baptist Church. When the victim stepped closer to speak with the suspect he grabbed the victim’s purse strap which was still wrapped around the victims arm. The victim held on to her purse and a struggle took place that resulted in the victim falling to the ground and breaking her wrist
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