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2 Lake Wales Woman Charged With Burglary Of Burger King 

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2 Lake Wales Woman Charged With Burglary Of Burger King 

Lake Wales, Florida – On Sunday October 2, 2016 Officers from the Lake Wales Police Department responded to Burger King located at 100 State Road 60 E regarding a burglary that occurred overnight. Managers reported that someone had entered the store between 2:00 AM and 5:55 AM and had taken over $4000 from the store’s safe.

During the investigation Officers and Detectives learned Rochelle Vann, age 21 who lives at  Carillon Place in Lake Wales, was the night shift manager. Vann locked up the business after it closed around 2:00 AM Sunday morning but deliberately failed to set the stores burglar alarm.

About mid morning Sunday, Officers located Vann as she left her apartment. Officers conducted a traffic stop on Vann’s vehicle and observed that she had packed clothing and appeared to be leaving town. During questioning about the missing money, Detectives learned that Vann was gone for less than one hour after closing the store. She returned to the store at around 2:52 AM with Jennifer McDonald who is a former employee of Burger King. Vann stated she dropped McDonald off at the store and allowed her to enter the store using Vann’s key. Once inside, McDonald used spray paint to cover a security camera as she entered the manager’s office. McDonald used Vann’s key to unlock the safe and then used a tool to break the locking system to make it look like a burglary. She then allegedly removed $4599.31 from the safe. McDonald then exited the store and was picked up by Vann. The two later divided up the money from the safe and went their separate ways.

Detectives and officers recovered over $2,200 from inside of Vann’s vehicle
belonging to Burger King.

Later Sunday, Officers located McDonald, age 28 who lives at  in Lake Wales, and detained her for questioning. McDonald admitted to entering the store and stealing the money. McDonald claimed Vann approached her about committing the crime and it appears the two worked in unison. Detectives were able to recover $1400 from McDonald. McDonald used over $400 to purchase groceries and pay bills. Detectives were able to recover a total of over $3900 of the stolen money. At this time both Vann and McDonald have been arrested and are being charged with burglary and grand theft. They will be transported to the Polk County jail.

If you have any information regarding this case please contact Detective Aubrey
Davis at 863-678-4223 Ext 276 or you may remain anonymous by calling Heartland
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).

Gary Carroll Sentenced for the Hit & Run That Took the Life of Eric Pope On November 22, 2014

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Gary Carroll Sentenced for the Hit & Run That Took the Life of Eric Pope On November 22, 2014

Gary Carroll was Sentenced Yesterday to 25 Years in Prison for the Hit & Run of Lake Wales Native Eric Pope, who was residing in Lakeland at the time.

20 Years for Leaving the Scene and 5 years for Tampering with Evidence.

 

Previous Release:

 

From The State Attorney’s Office

Gary CarrollGary Carroll said there were a number of reasons he didn’t stop after striking and killing someone with his vehicle on the way home from a party.

In addition to claiming he hit an animal, to which there was no physical evidence, Carroll left the scene and removed the evidence of the crash from his vehicle.

After three hours of deliberation, the jury found Carroll guilty of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and destroying, tampering with physical evidence.

The 32-year-old victim was riding his bicycle on Reynolds Road about 1:20 a.m. on Feb. 22, 2014, when he was struck by Carroll’s vehicle and was thrown from his bicycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Carroll testified Friday, claiming he was blinded by a light and swerved as a deer jumped into his path, causing him to hit it. As a result, he said, the hood of his truck was damaged, and the headlights were busted.
Carroll, 48, whose testimony changed based on what questions were asked, said he hit the deer on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, but he didn’t replace his hood and headlights for three days.

“If those headlights were knocked out by a deer on Thursday, wouldn’t he have fixed them right away?” Assistant State Attorney J.C. Hill asked the jury in closing statements on Friday.

“The deer didn’t happen. That’s why,” she said. “There was no damage. There was no deer.”
A Polk County Sheriff’s Office detective testified that law enforcement never found a deer and that the damage on Carroll’s truck was not consistent with hitting a deer.
Carroll eventually placed himself at the scene of the accident but defended himself saying he didn’t realize what he hit because the tint on his truck windows and the height of his vehicle skewed his perception.
Hill refuted Carroll’s claims by reminding the jury that the only tint on Carroll’s windshield was at the very top. She also showed them photos of the truck that indicated the victim’s head and shoulders would have been above the level of the hood.

As she picked up a paper bag containing evidence, Hill told the jury the victim would’ve been highly visible because he was wearing a reflective safety vest.

But the main reason Carroll said he didn’t stop was because he “didn’t think it was that significant.”
“He should have known, based on the fact that it was a big truck versus a bicycle, that there would be a significant injury or a death,” Hill said.

“There are innocent accidents that happen all the time, but you have to stop,” she said.
Carroll will be sentenced by Judge Sharon Franklin on Sept. 30.

The victim in this case was Eric Pope. He was the father of a beautiful little girl. Pope was wearing a reflective vest, was riding his bicycle, with lights on it, north on the east edge of Reynolds Road near Lisa Lane when he was struck from behind by Carroll. Pope was carried on the vehicle or thrown approximately 100 feet, and then landed in a ditch. “He was coming home from work. He was wearing a reflective vest and he had lights on his bicycle. This guy hits him in the middle of the night and leaves him dead on the side of the road. It infuriates us,” said Sheriff Grady Judd shortly after Carroll’s arrest. Carroll has a long history of arrests including shining a laser at the PCSO helicopter.

Police Capture Fleeing Registered Felon In Dundee After He Allegedly Dumps Guns & Meth

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Police Capture Fleeing Registered Felon In Dundee After He Allegedly Dumps Guns & Meth
Richard Romero
Richard Romero

Dundee, Florida – On September 26, 2016 a Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy made a traffic stop on Hwy 27 & Lincoln Avenue in Dundee at 1:20am. Prior to the vehicle coming to a stop deputies say that two Hispanic males exited the moving vehicle and fled the scene. The deputy had to stop the motion of the vehicle and the suspects got away. Air support from the Polk County Sheriff’s Department helicopter and K-9 deputies arrived on scene shortly after.

In the car deputies found a Ruger .22 caliber rifle and two 20 round banana clips of ammo.

Deputy Zeigler & his K-9 partner Recon were able to pick up a track for the suspects. Along the track deputies found a wallet which contained 6.7 grams of methamphetamine and $342 in cash. Additionally a mesh pouch was found containing a loaded HiPoint .45 caliber handgun, a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun, $2,680 in cash, a small key, and a narcotic ledger was found along the track path.

During the inventory of the vehicle, deputies located a backpack containing court documents in the name of Richard Romero and a small lock box.  Deputies determined that there was warrant out for the arrest of Romero for failing to register as a Career Offender.

jose-rebollar
Jose Rebollar

Deputies were able to determine the suspect’s fled to a mobile home on Garden Gate Rd. Deputies responded to the home and made contact with the homeowner, Seth Chaney. Chaney is currently on supervised probation with a Submit to Search Clause as a condition of his probation. Chaney allowed deputies to search his house and they located  Richard Romero and Jose Rebollar hiding in the residence. The initial deputy was able to identify the two men as being those that abandoned the vehicle and ran from the scene. Romero was identified specifically as the driver.

Deputies also learned that Romero’s drivers license was suspended for failure to pay a traffic citation.  At the time of Romero’s arrest he allegedly had a necklace with a lock box key on it. The key successfully opened the aforementioned lock box, which contained a baggie with a small amount of marijuana, a small baggie containing Methamphetamine residue, and numerous empty small baggies similar to those containing the marijuana and meth residue.

A closer look at the mess bag, that was found, also revealed a lock box key that fit the lock box in the car.

It was determined that the .22 caliber rifle was stolen in a residential burglary on 6/15/2016.

Romero & Rebollar were taken into custody and transported to Polk County Jail.

 

Lake Wales Film Production Company Will Premiere “Beneath The Crown” At 2016 Charlotte Film Festival

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Lake Wales Film Production Company Will Premiere “Beneath The Crown” At 2016 Charlotte Film Festival

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Lake Wales, Florida – Her Little Red Productions, a Lake Wales Film Production Company, has announced the world premiere of the documentary Beneath the Crown at the 2016 Charlotte Film Festival.

In 1967, Sylvia Hitchcock won Miss Alabama in a borrowed bridesmaid’s dress. Less than a year later, this athlete and artist was crowned the most beautiful woman in the world, but when the spotlight and sparkles fade, what remains beneath the crown? BTC stars Lake Wales’ resident Sylvia Hitchcock Carson. (Sylvia was a Lake Wales’ resident until her passing.)

Co-director/narrator: Susan Gallagher; SAG actor, resident of Babson Park, FL
Co-director: Dr. Lisa Mills; University of Central Florida, Emmy Award winner
Executive Producer: Susan Gallagher
Producer: Mary Rachel Dudley

Her Little Red Productions is a Florida based production company with an emphasis on female filmmakers. In a field dominated by men, they are pleased to support women in film. Founder and CEO Susan Gallagher has been a successful SAG Union actress for 30 years.

In 2006, the Charlotte Film Festival was created to give established and emerging filmmakers a weekend festival to showcase their works for industry peers and avid enthusiasts of independent film. The Festival has grown to include state of the art venues attracting filmmakers from around the world.

Beneath the Crown premieres Saturday October 1st, 12:15 pm, shorts block #2: Ayrsley Grand Cinemas, 9110 Kings Parade Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28273

The production company is working on plans to have a local Polk County release of the documentary in the future.

For more information about Her Little Red Productions you can go to WWW.HERLITTLEREDPRODS.COM

Lakeland Man Killed While Riding Scooter On US Hwy 98

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Lakeland Man Killed While Riding Scooter On US Hwy 98

 

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Lakeland, Florida – At approximately 8:57 pm, on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a motorcycle crash on US Highway 98 North at Fox Lake Drive, Lakeland.

Upon their arrival, deputies found 55-year-old Richard Randall Riley of Lakeland, and a black and red Baja 200 Scooter lying on the east shoulder of the roadway. Riley was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Center via ground ambulance as a trauma alert.

It appears as if Riley was riding the scooter southbound along the east shoulder of US 98 about 20 feet east of the road edge. While riding, the front forks separated from the fork tubes, possibly when the scooter hit a depression in the grass shoulder area. After the front forks separated, Riley lost control of the scooter at which time it crashed. Riley was ejected from the scooter. He was not wearing a helmet or any protective gear.

The scooter was equipped with a headlight, but it is not known if it was illuminated or operational at the time of the crash. There were no witnesses to the crash identified at the scene.

A close inspection of the scooter did not reveal evidence of other vehicles being involved in this crash. A search of the scene was also negative for evidence of additional vehicles being involved.

Speed, distracted driving, and impairment do not appear to be factors at this time. US 98 was reduced to one northbound lane during the course of the investigation.

Riley succumbed to his injuries during the evening hours of Wednesday, September 28, 2016.

The investigation is ongoing.

Accidental Diesel Fuel Spill at Babson Park Water Treatment Plant

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Accidental Diesel Fuel Spill at Babson Park Water Treatment Plant
 
Accidental Diesel Fuel Spill at Babson Park Water Treatment Plant
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Bartow, Fla. (September 29, 2016) — Polk County Utilities notified the Florida Department of Environmental Protection today of an accidental diesel fuel spill at the Babson Park Water Treatment Plant, located at 11 ½ Catherine Ave. in Frostproof. The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. Approximately five gallons of diesel fuel was spilled during refueling of a generator.
The majority of the spill was confined within the containment walls, however a small portion of the five gallons was spilled outside of containment on-site. This spill did not impact adjacent properties. The spilled fuel was absorbed as much as possible. The contaminated soil was recovered by Utilities employees, and was properly disposed at the North Central Landfill in Winter Haven.
There is no anticipated potential risk to public health, safety or welfare, and there were no flows to surface water or observed contact with groundwater.

Winter Haven Search Warrant Resulted In Two Convicted Felons on Drug and Weapons Charges

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Winter Haven Search Warrant Resulted In Two Convicted Felons on Drug and Weapons Charges

A search warrant of a Winter Haven residence resulted in the arrest of two convicted felons on drug and weapons charges.

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On 9-28-16 at approximately 6 a.m., members of the Winter Haven Police Department served a search warrant on the property of 1205 6th St NW in Winter Haven. The search warrant was obtained after receiving numerous complaints from the community about possible drug activity at the home.
Members gained entry into the home by breaching the door after numerous attempts to have someone open the door. Once the door was open, 34 year-old Dale Lavon Nickerson (DOB 5-30-82, 1205 6th St NE) was standing in the room. He was immediately instructed to get on the floor and he complied. As officers walked through the residence, 33 year-old Marquita Anjanette Battles (DOB 7-19-83, same address) was located lying on the floor. Both Nickerson and Battles were detained in a common area of the residence in order to get identification while other members searched the home.
Inside of the residence, officers located 254.8 grams of cannabis; 191.8 grams of synthetic cannabis; 7.2 grams of crack cocaine; 13.8 grams of powder cocaine; .9 grams of Molly/MDMA; 2.7 grams of alprazolam; 3 arrests; 1 loaded firearm (which was determined to be stolen from a 2016 case in the unincorporated area of Polk County); and $2394.30 cash.
During interviews, Battles initially gave officers her sister’s (Monique Battles) identification information including name and birthdate. A short time later, the sister (Monique) contacted officers and she confirmed that her sister was using her information without her permission because she has a warrant for her arrest. Monique reported to the Winter Haven Police Department to confirm her identity and officers were able to add an additional charge of Criminal Use of Personal Identification, which is a third degree felony.
Both Battles and Nickerson was transported to the Polk County Jail and charged with the following:
Nickerson: Possession With Intent To Sell Cannabis within 1000 of College (F2), Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon (F2) and Possession of Paraphernalia (M1).
Battles:  Criminal Use of Personal Identification (F2); Possession With Intent To Sell Cannabis within 1000 of College (F2), Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon (F2), Possession of Paraphernalia (M1) and Resisting Arrest W/O Violence (M1).
The criminal histories of Nickerson and Battles are:
Nickerson: (numbers in parenthesis are times arrested for those charges) Resisting officer without violence (3); Burglary (2); criminal mischief; Trespassing;  No valid DL; Grand Theft MV (2); Poss of burglary tools; Possession of cocaine WITS (2); Possession of cannabis (2); Battery (3);  Poss of cocaine (4); Loitering; False info to LEO (5); DWLSR (2); Petit Theft
Battles: No valid DL; Dealing in stolen property; False verification of ownership to pawn; DWLSR; False info to LEO; Resist officer w/out; Fraudulent use of CC; Petit Theft; Forgery; Uttering forged instrument. Battles was also charged on the active warrant from a 2007 case of theft and violation of probation.
(NOTE:  The homeowner, 72 year-old LT Townsend, Sr (DOB 6-15-44, same address) was located outside of the residence sleeping in his vehicle. He told officers that he rented the room out to Nickerson and Battles and knew they were selling narcotics from the residence. Due to his poor health, Townsend was given a Notice To Appear on charges of Keeping Location/Vehicle for Drug Sales (M1).
Townsend also has a criminal history of the following: DWLSR (10); Possession of cannabis (2); Battery; Dealing in stolen property (2); Retail Theft (2); Petit Theft; Trespassing (2); Reckless Driving

Polk State Student Receives Coca-Cola Leader of Promise Scholarship

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Polk State Student Receives Coca-Cola Leader of Promise Scholarship

coke

Winter Haven, Florida – Polk State student Kaitlyn Beebe has won the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship through Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges.

Beebe is vice president of fellowship for Polk State Winter Haven’s Xi Pi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.

“I’m very grateful for this award,” Beebe said. “It will help me to save for things down the road.”

Beebe, a resident of Winter Haven, will receive a total of $1,000 in scholarship assistance. She is one of 200 students in the nation selected for the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship. Recipients were selected based on their academic achievements and leadership potential.

Beebe is currently pursuing her Associate in Arts degree. Ultimately, she plans to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education and teach graphic and web design at the high school level.

Members of Phi Theta Kappa must have completed 12 college-level credit hours and have at least a 3.5 grade-point average.

Polk S.W.A.T. Medics Train to Stay Sharp

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Polk S.W.A.T. Medics Train to Stay Sharp

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Bartow, Florida – On Monday, Sept. 26, at the Burnham-McCall Training Center, eight Polk County Fire Rescue tactical medics partnered to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics team completed training with three Tampa General Hospital Aeromed 4 crewmembers.

During this training, Polk Fire and Aeromed 4’s crews conducted:

· Patient assessment in the tactical environment
· Treatment of injures in the tactical environment
· Evacuation
· Helicopter operations

Polk Fire SWAT medics train approximately eight hours a month. Their skills are of the utmost importance and continuous training keeps members’ medical abilities sharp.

Polk County Fire Rescue tactical medical program began in June 1995 and has nine paramedics, one tactical HAZMAT emergency medical technician and two doctors assigned to the team. The medics respond with the Sheriff’s SWAT team. These include high-risk warrants, hostage situations, barricaded subjects, training exercises and large-scale events.

The Polk Fire employees who completed the training exercise with Aeromed 4 are:

· Lt. Jason Villeneuve
· Lt. Blaise Dillman
· Engineer Nate Holyfield
· Lt. Anthony Sardegna
· Emergency Medical Technician Rob Brown
· Battalion Medical Chief Yevgeniy Gorokhov
· Engineer Carl “Bubba” Gilileo
· Medical Training Officer Ramon Gonzalez

Early Morning Mobile Home Fire Displaces 3 Families In Lake Wales

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Early Morning Mobile Home Fire Displaces 3 Families In Lake Wales

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Lake Wales, Florida – According to reports the Polk County Fire Rescue was called to a fire at 5137 N Scenic Hwy, Lake Wales, FL 33898 which is the Enchanted Grove Mobile Home Park.  A mobile home in the park was fully involved and eventually became a total loss. The fire is believed to have started around 5 am. According to the person living in the home at the time (we are not releasing that person’s name at this time) his family was able to escape the fire without injury. The home was being rented by the person who advised he and his family has lost everything, but are very thankful to be alive. A smell of burning wires alerted them to exit the trailer before it quickly became engulfed in flames. The mobile homes on either side of the trailer that caught on fire are also currently unlivable until a determination can be made if the intense heat damaged the wiring in those homes. The Red Cross is helping the families with temporary living the next few days. A neighbor advised that they have been in touch with the Lake Wales Care Center to see if they may be able to also assist.

According to the Polk County Fire Rescue they received the 911 call at 5:15am and arrived on scene at 5:29am. The home was fully involved. The fire is still under investigation.

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