Mulberry Man Facing Vehicle Homicide Charges From Lakeland Accident Last August

Kyle T. Cooper

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.

UPDATE: Serial Purse Snatching Suspect Sought In Polk County

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.

jones

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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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

POLK MUGSHOT OF THE DAY – MARCH 16, 2016

mack

TAVARIS MACK

Race: B Sex: M DOB: 8/13/1989 Height: 510 Weight: 200

Charge Number 1

Statute: 782.04 First Degree Murder
Charge on Arrest Docket: First Degree Murder
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Charge Number 2

Statute: 782.04 First Degree Murder
Charge on Arrest Docket: First Degree Murder
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Charge Number 3

Statute: 782.04 First Degree Murder
Charge on Arrest Docket: First Degree Murder
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Charge Number 4

Statute: 782.04 First Degree Murder
Charge on Arrest Docket: ATTEMPT FIRST DEGREE MURDER
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Charge Number 5

Statute: 810.02 Smash and Grab Burglary
Charge on Arrest Docket: ASSAULT ARMED BURGLARY (DWELLING)
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Charge Number 6

Statute: 918.13 Destroy/Tamper with/Fabricate Physl.Eviden
Charge on Arrest Docket: TAMPER/FABRICATE W PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
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Charge Number 7

Statute: 812.13 Robbery with a Mask
Charge on Arrest Docket: ARMED ROBBERY (FIREARM)
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Ewing, Blackwelder, & Duce Insurance is an independent insurance agency that has been serving Polk County since 1984

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Lakeland man in car stolen during February armed carjacking flees from deputies; apprehended in Lakeland

Lakeland man in car stolen during February armed carjacking flees from deputies; apprehended in Lakeland
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies charged 19-year-old Kevvon R. Oneal of Lakeland with Aggravated Fleeing to Elude, Grand Theft (Vehicle), and No Valid Driver’s License after he fled from deputies in a stolen car.
 
At approximately 10:50 pm, on Monday, March 14, 2016, a PCSO deputy was patrolling the area of Highway 98 and County Road 540A in Lakeland.  The deputy was stopped at a red light behind a 2005, red, four-door Toyota Corolla.  The PCSO deputy requested the tag number be checked for the vehicle and discovered the car was a vehicle stolen during an armed carjacking being investigated by the Lakeland Police Department (occurred February 27, 2016).
 
The PCSO deputy followed the vehicle north on Highway 98 until additional back up patrol units responded to assist when a traffic stop was made. During this time, the Corolla traveled at or below the posted speed limit and obeyed all traffic laws.  Upon the arrival of the PCSO helicopter and K-9 support, the deputy initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of Lake Hollingsworth Drive and Ingraham Avenue South in Lakeland at approximately 11:05 p.m. The driver of the stolen vehicle, Oneal, did not stop and the deputy began to pursue the stolen vehicle using lights and sirens.
 
The vehicle fled on Hollingsworth to Belmar to Florida Avenue north to George Jenkins Boulevard (west). As Oneal drove west on George Jenkins Boulevard the Corolla began driving in the east bound lane and lost control, left the roadway and crashed into a fenced property on Southern Mining and Lumber property located at 1508 George Jenkins Boulevard in Lakeland at approximately 11:07 p.m. The car flipped over as it left the roadway.
 
Oneal was located outside of the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident.  A passenger in the stolen Corolla, 17-year-old Efrem Allen of Lakeland, was also in the car during the incident. A fire started in the stolen Corolla -deputies extinguished the fire and removed Allen safely from the vehicle.
 
Both Oneal and Allen were transported to an area hospital for their injuries.  Allen was treated and released.  Oneal is in serious but stable condition with non-life threatening injuries. Upon release from the hospital, Oneal will be booked into the Polk County Jail.
 
Efrem Allen was arrested today and charged with Trespassing in a Conveyance.
 
Both Oneal and Allen have previous arrest histories in Polk County; Allen is a documented gang member.  Their criminal arrest histories appear below:
 
Oneal’s 2015 Booking Photo

Kevvon R. Oneal:

 
06-29-15 Failure to Appear – Winter Haven PD
06-19-15 Petit Theft – Winter Haven PD
06-16-15 Petit Theft, Resisting LEO Without Violence – Winter Haven PD
02-24-15 Possess Cannabis Under Twenty Grams – Lakeland PD
07-10-12 Burglary – Dwelling – Lakeland PD
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allen’s 2015 Booking Photo

Efrem Allen (documented gang member):

 
05-22-15 Possess Cannabis Over Twenty Grams, Drug Paraphernalia – Lakeland PD
10-25-12 Burglary – Dwelling (five counts), Criminal Mischief (two counts), Grand Theft (two counts) – PCSO
05-13-11 Trespass on School Grounds – PCSO

COOKING ON THE RIDGE: Braided Easter Egg Bread

Braided Easter Egg Bread

braided easter egg bread

Ingredients for 10 servings

Directions

  • Prep 45 m
  • Cook 55 m

  • Ready In 3 h 25 m

  1. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and yeast; stir well. Combine milk and butter in a small saucepan; heat until milk is warm and butter is softened but not melted.
  2. Gradually add the milk and butter to the flour mixture; stirring constantly. Add two eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
  3. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
  4. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal size rounds; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each round into a long roll about 36 inches long and 1 1/2 inches thick. Using the two long pieces of dough, form a loosely braided ring, leaving spaces for the five colored eggs. Seal the ends of the ring together and use your fingers to slide the eggs between the braids of dough.
  5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place loaf on a buttered baking sheet and cover loosely with a damp towel. Place loaf in a warm place and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes. Brush risen loaf with melted butter.
  6. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until golden.

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Purse Snatching At Eagle Ridge Mall

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Lake Wales, Florida – On Sunday, March 13, 2016 in the afternoon the Lake Wales Police Department was dispatched to Dillard’s in reference to a robbery by sudden snatching.  The reporting person stated she exited the northwest section of Dillard’s and began walking to her vehicle, which was parked in the handicap parking space in front of the store’s northwest entrance/ exit doors.  While walking to her vehicle, she stated a medium complexion black male, wearing a polo shirt and shorts approached her.  She stated the male was in his early twenties, approximately 6’01 to 6’02 in height, and weighed roughly 200 hundred pounds.  She advised the male approached her and asked her “Is this the Eagle Ridge Mall?”, at which time she replied yes. She advised the male then snatched her purse from her shoulder causing the chain to break and fled on foot towards a gray or silver in color sport utility vehicle.  She advised the male entered the vehicle through the rear passenger’s door, at which time the vehicle fled westbound towards Eagle Ridge Drive and Highway 27.  She reported the vehicle was occupied by at least three occupants. Officers circulated the area, however were unable to locate the suspects or vehicle. This investigation is ongoing.

PCSO Vice Detectives Arrest Two Men at Lake Fannie Boat Ramp for Lewd Activity

PCSO Vice Detectives Arrest Two Men at 
Lake Fannie Boat Ramp 
On Thursday, March 10, 2016, the PCSO Undercover Vice Unit conducted an operation at Lake Fannie Boat Ramp in unincorporated Winter Haven, in response to complaints about lewd activity. Two suspects were arrested.
john reynolds
83-year-old John Reynolds, of Haines City, solicited and performed a lewd act in front of an undercover PCSO detective. Reynolds was arrested and charged with one count Offering to Engage in Lewdness, and one count Trespassing in County Park After Warning. He was previously arrested in September 2014 at the same park for the same thing. He was released from jail on $750.00 bond. 
 carney
51-year-old Andrew Carney of Winter Haven, exposed himself in the presence of an undercover PCSO detective. He was arrested for one count Indecent Exposure, and issued a permanent trespass from all Polk County parks. He told the detectives he is married. He does not have prior arrests in Polk County. He was released from jail on $500.00 bond.

Two Winter Haven Men Arrested in Connection with Multiple Fire Extinguisher Thefts

Two Winter Haven men have been arrested in connection with multiple fire extinguisher thefts from the Winter Haven Parking Garage, located at 220 Ave. A NW in Winter Haven. The most recent thefts were discovered on March 9, 2016 when four were taken from the boxes inside of the garage.

Twenty year-old Bray Alexander Woodard (DOB 4-22-95, Lake Shipp Dr., S) and 21 year-old Junior Frantz Abnert (DOB 12-19-94, Woodhill Ct., Winter Haven) have been arrested on grand theft charges of the fire extinguishers. At least ten fire extinguishers have been stolen with a total value of $2,000.
On March 11, 2016, Winter Haven Detectives obtained video from the parking garage that recorded the thefts of the four extinguishers on March 9. With a decent view of the truck used and a distinguishing sticker seen on the vehicle, Detectives were canvassing area neighborhoods when they located a truck with similar distinguishing sticker in the back window as seen on the truck that was captured in the video.

The truck, located on Lake Shipp Dr., S in Winter Haven was a red Ford Ranger.

As Detectives approached the front of the residence, a red fire extinguisher and a white powdery substance was visible in the bed of the truck along with a pile of leaves. Detectives made contact with Bray Alexander Woodard who, after being shown images from the video, stated that the vehicle seen in the images is his truck. Woodard, who stated he is a student at Polk State College studying for be a History teacher, told Detectives that the other person in the truck was Junior Frantz Abnert.

On March 13, 2016, Detectives contacted Abnert at his home and was interviewed. Abnert, who also stated he is a full-time student at Polk State College, was shows images from the parking garage and he confirmed he in fact was the person seen with Woodard in the video. He stated that after they took the fire extinguishers, they took them to a residence in Lakeland.
When Detectives questioned both Woodard and Abnert in regards to the fire extinguisher thefts in December 2015, Woodard told detectives he was a passenger in the vehicle seen in those photos and did take part in stealing a fire extinguisher. Abnert stated that he was in the back seat of the vehicle, but did not take a fire extinguisher.
Woodard was booked into the Polk County Jail on March 11, 2016 on two counts of Grand Theft. Abnert was booked into the Polk County Jail on March 13, 21016 on one count of Grand Theft.   The investigation continues to positively identify the driver of the vehicle from the December incident and whether the driver participated in the thefts.