Lake Wales, Florida – On November 8, 2016 at approximately 11:30am officers with the Lake Wales Police Department were dispatched to a traffic crash at the intersection of HWY27 and Star Lake Dr. Upon arrival officers discovered the crash was between two vehicles and after colliding the vehicles came to rest in the middle of the northbound side of the intersection. Officers immediately began providing aid to the vehicle occupants, radioed for medical personnel to respond, and asked for traffic assistance to reroute northbound vehicles. Traffic was rerouted at HWY27 and Chalet Suzanne Rd while the traffic crash investigation was going on. The area of HWY27 northbound between Chalet Suzanne Rd and Star Lake Dr was closed during the investigation. The investigation revealed the following:

     Hikmat Zaben, a 23 year old Winter Haven resident, was traveling southbound on HWY27 driving a 2011 Volkswagen 2.0. At the intersection of HWY27 and Star Lake Dr. Zaben attempted to make a left turn across the northbound lanes of HWY27 onto Star Lake Dr. Zaben was the only occupant in this vehicle. Kathryn Freeland, a 69 year old Sebring resident, was traveling northbound on HWY27 driving a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country. Freeland was traveling in the inside lane and was passing through the intersection of HWY27 and Star Lake Dr. Jane Klingensmith, a 77 year old Lake Placid resident, was a passenger in this vehicle. When Zaben made the left turn, attempting to cross HWY27, he collided with Freeland in the middle of the intersection. Both drivers stated they had a green signal so they proceeded through the intersection. Officers watched the traffic signal for several cycles and the signal was working as it should. Zaben and Klingensmith were alert and talking at the scene but were airlifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center due to their injuries. Freeland was transported by ambulance to Florida Heartland Hospital in Sebring due to her injuries. We have not received any updates on their conditions.

     HWY27 northbound traffic was reopened to its normal traffic flow at approximately 2:21pm. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by tow trucks. This is an ongoing investigation and at this point no charges have been filed against either driver. Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to contact Officer Alfredo Carlos at (863) 678-4223 extension 563 or Officer John Schwarze at (863) 678-4223 extension 524.

Lake Wales, Florida – On October 25, 2016 Lake Wales resident Richard Mosely contacted the Lake Wales Police Department to report his mother’s 2010 Chrysler minivan stolen. The van had been left unlocked with the key inside on Curran St.

Early in the morning on October 26th the van was located by Auburndale Police on Alberta Street in their city. The van was processed for evidence and towed from the location because the only key to it had been taken.

Later in the day on October 26th two black males were observed by residents on Alberta Street walking back to where the stolen van had been. After realizing their stolen van was gone, the males asked a neighbor if they knew where the van had gone. The neighbor immediately called Auburndale Police who responded back and detained the two males. One of the males, Patrick Brown Jr, 17 yrs old from Auburndale was found to have the van keys.  

A short time later during an interview with Detective Alvin Maultsby, Brown admitted that he had been driving the stolen van. He also admitted that he knew the van was stolen. During the investigation Detective Maultsby learned who originally took the van and gave it to Brown. Brown was arrested by Auburndale Police on unrelated charges along with vehicle theft for this case. Brown was charged with auto theft.

Detective Maultsby identified the second suspect as Marvell Parkinson, 17 yrs old from Lake Wales. On November 3, 2016 Detective Maultsby and Detective Travis Worley located Parkinson on C Street. Parkinson resisted arrest but was taken into custody for vehicle theft. He was later transported to the juvenile assessment center in Bartow for auto theft and resisting arrest.  

Both Parkinson and Brown have prior arrests.  

If you have information regarding this case please contact Detective Alvin Maultsby at (863) 678-4223 extension 265.