Home Blog Page 1120

PCSO Vice Unit Arrested Two Men For Lewd Activities At County Parks

Staff Reporter
-
0
PCSO Vice Unit Arrested Two Men For Lewd Activities At County Parks

PCSO Release:

On August 21, 2018, PCSO undercover detectives conducted an operation at Saddle Creek Park and Gator Creek Reserve Park in Lakeland in response to complaints of lewd activity in public.

They arrested 75-year-old Gregory Merrill, of Kissimmee, after he solicited an undercover detective to perform a sex act. He told detectives he went to Saddle Creek Park to meet a stranger for sex. He’s now charged with two counts of soliciting another for a lewd act. He was also issued a trespass from all county parks. Merrill was booked into the Polk County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Detectives also arrested 59-year-old Jose Javier Martinez of Lakeland at Saddle Creek Park, after he exposed himself and solicited an undercover detective for sex in the restroom. Martinez also grabbed the detective’s arm against his will. He was taken into custody where he admitted being arrested there in 2014 for the same offense. He was charged with two counts of soliciting another for a lewd act (2nd offense), battery, resisting arrest and trespass. Martinez was booked into the Polk County Jail on a $3,500 bond.

“We will continue to conduct operations such as this one to get the message across to everyone that we will not tolerate this type of criminal activity at our parks.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff 

One additional arrest was made for possession of meth and possession of marijuana after a park-goer was observed smoking marijuana by detectives.

3rd Positive Rabies Case in 2018 Confirmed in Polk County

Staff Reporter
-
0
3rd Positive Rabies Case in 2018 Confirmed in Polk County

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Section received confirmation on Wednesday, August 22, 2018, that a raccoon has tested positive for rabies. This is the third positive rabies case in Polk County for 2018.

On Monday, August 20, 2018, a couple from Flanders Station Drive in Polk City contacted Animal Control after their dog got into a fight with the raccoon. The owner of the dog shot and killed the raccoon.

The dog, which suffered cuts from the attack, had a current rabies vaccination and was placed into a 45-day quarantine at its home.

The raccoon was sent to be tested, and Animal Control received confirmation Wednesday that it was positive for rabies.

A bat in Lakeland and a bat in Winter Haven were found to have rabies earlier this year.

Residents are reminded that bats and raccoons are among the mammals considered to be high risk species or “rabies vector species” (RVS).Please do not approach any animal which is acting in an unusual or suspicious manner. If you think you or your pet has had an “exposure,” or if you suspect an animal of having rabies, please contact the PCSO Animal Control Section at 863-577-1762.

In the State of Florida, all dogs, cats, and ferrets 4 months of age or older must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian against rabies with a vaccine that is licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture.

 

Detectives Seek The Assistance of the Community as They Work To Solve A Series Of Armed Robberies In Bartow

Staff Reporter
-
0
Detectives Seek The Assistance of the Community as They Work To Solve A Series Of Armed Robberies In Bartow

Detectives seek the assistance of the community as they work to solve a series of armed robberies in Bartow:

On 08/03/2018, detectives with the Bartow Police Department began investigating the Armed Robbery of the ATA Stereo Sound shop located at 1256 North Broadway Ave. According to the store owner, (2) males subjects entered the store armed with handguns and demanded money.  The store owner, Yahia Suwail, complied and handed over (undisclosed) currency to the assailants, who then fled the store. Detectives obtained video surveillance from the store and began investigating this incident.

On 08/09/2018, the Bartow Police Department received a report of an armed robbery and shooting in the area of the Azalea Gardens complex (South Golfview Avenue). Officers made contact with the victims who reported having been assaulted and robbed with in the complex that evening. Victim reported that he began communicating with a subject on social media the day prior, in reference to purchasing an iPhone cellular telephone. Arrangements were made for the purchase the telephone from the subject .

On 08/09/2018, the victims traveled to an address on West Tee Circle, provided by the suspect. Upon arrival, the victims were lured inside the Azalea Gardens complex and were then approached by a black male who motioned for the victims to come toward him. As the victims walked to the rear of building #12, they were confronted by a black male who was armed with a semi-automatic handgun. The subject pointed the gun at the victims and demanded that they hand over currency. As the victim pled with the suspects to allow them to leave, the subject struck 1 victim across the head with the firearm. The subject then struck 2nd victim in the same fashion, causing her to fall to the ground. One of the subjects then stole victims wallet, which contained (undisclosed) cash and various contents, from her person. At that time, both subjects began to flee. The victims gave chase in attempt to stop the fleeing suspects. As they neared building 10, one of the subjects pointed a handgun at the victims and fired a single round. Neither victim was struck by the projectile. At that time, the suspects fled the area and the victims contacted police.

During the investigation, detectives identified Jonathan Lamont Vaugh and Genard Demari Smith, Jr.  as the suspect’s involved in the robbery and shooting at Azalea Gardens. Arrest warrants were obtained for both subjects. On 08/17/2018, Smith was arrested in the Azalea Gardens complex. Through subsequent interviews and investigation, detectives learned that Vaughn had also been involved in the prior stereo shop robbery.

Detectives identified the second subject in the ATA Robbery, as Erik Futch. An arrest warrant for Futch was obtained on the charge of Armed Robbery. Futch was located in the Brandon area and arrested with the assistance of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Further investigation revealed that Vaughn and Futch were assisted in the robbery by Futch’s girlfriend, Keirra Lampley. Lampley was subsequently arrested for having acted as a “lookout” during the robbery of ATA stereo.

Jonathan Vaughn remains wanted on charges of Armed Robbery in the ATA robbery, as well as having an active arrest warrant for Armed Robbery, Possession of a Firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a Firearm in Public and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon in relation to the Azalea Gardens incident.

Any person with knowledge of the whereabouts of Jonathan Vaughn, or information regarding these events, is asked to contact the Bartow Police Department at (863) 534-5034 or to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS.
JONATHAN LAMONT VAUGHN B/M 6/11/1997 of 1050 Golfview Ave #807, Bartow, FL

GENAR DEMARI SMITH JR B/M 11/18/1998 of 1050 Golfview Ave #702, Bartow, FL

ERIK GENARD FUTCH B/M 03/01/1995 OF 808 TEALWOOD AVE, BRANDON, FL

KEIRRA SHAQUAN LAMPLEY B/F 12/12/1995 of 1524 Foxridge Rn SW, Winter Haven, FL

Polk County Deputies Are Conducting a Death Investigation Related To House Fire in Winter Haven

Staff Reporter
-
0
Polk County Deputies Are Conducting a Death Investigation Related To House Fire in Winter Haven

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence at 3346 Timberline Road West, at about 12:12 a.m. on Wednesday, August 22, 2018, in response to the death of an adult woman inside the home.

Polk Fire Rescue and the State Fire Marshall also responded to the scene to extinguish and investigate the fire.

53-year-old Ingrid Ramos was pronounced dead at the scene. She was found in her bedroom. Early indication is that the fire began in the same bedroom, and the fire appears to be accidental. However, the cause for the fire has not yet been determined. Please refer all fire-related questions to the above-listed agencies.

One other adult woman, and seven children between the ages of three and thirteen years of age were in the house when the fire began. An eight-year-old girl was taken to Lakeland Regional Health for chest pains, but she was released. There were no other injuries reported.

The investigation remains ongoing, and an autopsy will be conducted by the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death.

PCSO Detectives Help Connect A Suspect to a String of Baby Formula Thefts

Staff Reporter
-
0
PCSO Detectives Help Connect A Suspect to a String of Baby Formula Thefts
PCSO Release:
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has charged 21-year-old Tampa resident, Alexcia Calhoun, with grand theft for stealing dozens of cans of baby formula from a Lakeland grocery store. She’s currently in the Hillsborough County Jail following a statewide investigation. The charge was added on Monday, August 20, 2018.
On April 17, 2018 around 6:30 pm, Calhoun and an unidentified woman entered Harvey’s Supermarket, located at 2630 Highway 92 East in Lakeland and headed to the baby aisle.Calhoun put 46 cans of formula in a shopping cart and then proceeded toward the front of the store. The women forced the entrance doors to open and walked out with the stolen baby formula. An employee was alerted and followed them to the parking lot. She asked if they planned on paying for the formula and they quickly entered their vehicle and fled the area, leaving 10 cans of Enfamil Gentlease Baby Formula 12.4 oz. in the shopping cart.
Surveillance video from the April incident and a picture on Calhoun’s Instagram account led to her identification and connected her to the Lakeland baby formula thefts. Calhoun is also suspected of other baby formula thefts at other stores in other Florida jurisdictions.
“Surveillance cameras and social media are great tools in helping us catch criminals. Folks, if you’re going to steal, you’re going to get caught. It’s that simple, so don’t do it.” – Sheriff Grady Judd
Calhoun has an extensive criminal history, which includes grand theft and robbery. She is currently being housed in the Hillsborough County Jail and has additional holds from Manatee and Marion Counties related to baby formula thefts.
Detectives are still attempting to identify the second suspect. Anyone who has information regarding her identity is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. Or remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward by calling Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), via the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com by clicking on “Submit A Tip” tab, or with your smart device by downloading the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

Workplace Accident Resulted in Death of Frostproof Man

Staff Reporter
-
0
Workplace Accident Resulted in Death of Frostproof Man
On Monday, August 20, 2018 at 9:22 a.m., deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, along with Frostproof Fire and Polk EMS, responded to a fatal workplace accident at David Keen’s Auto Repair at 101 Scenic Highway North, in Frostproof.
 
53-year-old Brian Jones, of 394 6th Street West, Frostproof, was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics.
 
According to the preliminary investigation, a truck which was being worked on by Jones, began to roll off of a mechanical lift. Jones tried to stop the truck from rolling, and it fell on top of him.
 
Deputies notified the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
 

Florida Air Museum Opens NOAA Exhibit

Staff Reporter
-
0
Florida Air Museum Opens NOAA Exhibit

Florida Air Museum Opens NOAA Exhibit

by James Coulter

In 1900, a category-4 hurricane swept through Galveston, Texas. Killing between 6,000 and 8,000 people, it became the most deadly natural disaster in American history.

Nearly two decades later, a similar hurricane swept through Florida, nearly wiping out most of the Lake Okeechobee area, and killing nearly 4,000 people.

Both of these hurricanes killed so many people because they arrived with little to no warning. There was no scientific agency around during those times to monitor or track such deadly storms.

That all changed in 1970, when The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was established. This federal agency monitors changes within our nation’s oceans and atmosphere, helping to track potentially deadly storms and warns of incoming natural disasters.

Because of their hard work, natural disasters no longer kill as many people as they once did. This is why Hurricane Irma, despite being a category-5 hurricane, only killed 64 people last year.

NOAA’s rich legacy and history is currently being showcased within a new exhibit within the Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum.

The exhibit details the history of the organization, from its earliest ancestor founded in 1807 by Thomas Jefferson, to its current role in monitoring our airs and seas with the latest technological innovations.

Showcased within this exhibit are several pictures and artifacts related to the organization, including military uniforms, past and present scientific tools, and even a message in a bottle that served to track ocean currents back in the 1960s.

Through this new exhibit, museum guests will be able to better learn and appreciate the services provided by the scientific government agency and the role it plays in monitoring our seas and skies and warn of potential danger.

“A lot of what we look at this exhibit is partially about hurricanes, but it is also about the changes of the coast,” explained Jayme Jameson, Aerospace Discovery Manager. “One of the things that are important to us as Floridians is protecting our coastlines and monitoring red tide and changes in the ocean, so this looks at a lot of that.”

The Florida Air Museum celebrated the opening of its newest exhibit with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday morning.

John “Lites” Leenhouts, President and CEO, during his speech, commemorated the exhibit and how it showcased the important work that the agency provides, especially for the local area.

“This is a very monumental moment,” he said. “NOAA is doing the Lord’s work by letting us know when a bad storm is heading towards us. This is to showcase all the things that NOAA does that you don’t even know about.”

Last year, NOAA moved its operations from Tampa to the museum to utilize its facility. Through this move, the museum was able to expand and improve itself to become bigger and better.

Especially useful to NOAA was the Florida Aerospace Academy, which is helping to train young men and women for a future career in aviation and aerospace, and even potentially for NOAA.

“This is where science meets aviation,” Leenhouts said. “You may see museum pieces up here, but in reality, this is a STEM aviation based learning center, so you are in the midst of the future, not just the past.”

Captain Timothy Gallagher, Commanding Officer for the NOAA Operations Center, also spoke that morning and shared his experiences working at NOAA, which included being one mission short of 250 penetrations into hurricanes.

On behalf of NOAA and its relationship with the museum and its facilities, he conferred to Leenhouts and Jaymeson two commemorative Jefferson bowls.

“I am proud to represent NOAA,” he said. “What you see here is definite demonstrations of how that teamwork and cooperation works to help us fly safer and come home every day. We hope that you enjoy this exhibit as much as we enjoy being here.”

The Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum is located at 4175 Medulla Road in Lakeland, and is open daily (except Monday) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit their website at https://www.flysnf.org/ace/

 

Taco Bout Hunger Raises Funds For Local Catholic Charities

Staff Reporter
-
0
Taco Bout Hunger Raises Funds For Local Catholic Charities

Taco Bout Hunger Raises Funds For Local Catholic Charities

by James Coulter

Take me out to the ball game. Take me out to the crowd. But forget the peanuts and cracker jacks. On Saturday evening, baseball fans could eat tacos to raise money for local catholic charities.

Taco Bout Hunger was a special fundraiser that allowed baseball fans to enjoy an evening of baseball and tacos at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland.

For the admission price of $12, they could watch a baseball game hosted by the local team, the Lakeland Tigers, while enjoying tacos served from seven different vendors run by local eateries.

Upon admission, they were provided a chip that they could use to vote for their favorite taco vendor. The vendor that received the most votes, of course, would walk away as the winner of the taco tasting contest that evening.

Chanchos Tacos won first place, with second place going towards Tijuana Flats and third place being conferred to Lucky’s Oyster Bar.

The proceeds for the event would go towards Catholic Charities of Central Florida, a local non-profit organization that seeks to fulfill Christ’s commandments to feed the hungry, take care of the poor, and clothe the needy.

That evening, they managed to overall raise approximately $2,000 through the event with sponsorships, ticket sales, and day-of raffles, said Brooklynne Atwell, Manager of Development Community and Volunteer Relations.

This was the first year that the Catholic Charities had participated with the Lakeland Tigers to help raise funds for their local organization.

Earlier that year, they had volunteered at 18 home games during spring training to help with concession stand work, and in the process raise $15,000, Atwell said.

“They offered us a chance to come back out and host an event this summer and I think it is really great,” she said. “We have seen a couple hundred people come out. We are out here serving tacos and having a good time.”

Their fundraiser that evening more than exceeded expectations, as hundreds of baseball fans turned out to watch a game by their home team and eat tacos served by the local vendors.

“The Tigers did an excellent job setting up everything,” she said. “They have been very gracious bringing us in, allowing us to set up these events and have those funds come back to us.”

Catholic Charities hopes to return next year and help out once again with spring training. Until then, they will be hosting other fundraisers within the area.

One upcoming event will be the Steps4Seniors WalkAThon on Sept. 22 at Santa Fe Catholic High School in Lakeland.

To learn more about Catholic Charities and its other events, visit their website at: www.cflcc.org/LACS

Man Previously Deported By ICE In 2008 Is Charged With 20 Counts Of Sexual Battery Of 16 Yr Old

Staff Reporter
-
0
Man Previously Deported By ICE In 2008 Is Charged With 20 Counts Of Sexual Battery Of 16 Yr Old

A 31-year-old man from Mexico was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Saturday, August 18, 2018, and charged with 20 counts of sexual battery on a 16-year-old girl in Mulberry.

Jesus Ramirez-Velasco told detectives that he knew it was illegal, but he claimed that she was the one who asked for sex from him.

“A crime such as this against a child is heinous; to blame the victim for his behavior is appalling.  ” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Ramirez-Velasco was the boyfriend of the girl’s mother. The victim told investigators that he first initiated sexual contact with her in mid-December, against her will.

Through the investigation, it was determined that the two had sexual intercourse at least 20 times, and this was corroborated by Ramirez-Velasco.

The Sheriff’s Office began investigating over the weekend after the victim came forward and said that Ramirez-Velasco had threatened to harm her mother if she didn’t have sex with him again.

Ramirez-Velasco was charged with 20 counts of Sexual Battery of Custodian Victim over 12 (F-1). Aside from his illegal residency in the United States, there is no known prior criminal history for him.

Jesus Ramirez-Velasco was arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2008 and deported, but he returned illegally. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office notified ICE of Ramirez-Velasco’s current arrest and charges.

The investigation is ongoing.

Bartow Rallies For Politics And Hot Dogs at Polk Politics Candidates Rally

Staff Reporter
-
0
Bartow Rallies For Politics And Hot Dogs at Polk Politics Candidates Rally

Bartow Rallies For Politics And Hot Dogs at Polk Politics Candidates Rally

by James Coulter

What would it take for you to get involved with local politics? Would you do it for free hot dogs and popcorn?

Bartow residents came out Thursday evening for that reason and many more as they met and talked with local candidates during the biennial Polk Politics Candidates Rally.

More than 300 local residents attended the rally at the Bartow Civic Center, where they had a chance to meet up to 34 political candidates running for local, county, and even state offices.

The political candidates had booths set up with flyers and pamphlets explaining their political positions, and they even had a chance to get up on stage and offer a brief explanation of their political platforms.

After attendees had the chance to meet their local candidates and representatives, they were able to cast their votes for which ones they liked best during the event’s straw ballot poll.

Afterward, they could enjoy a free meal with hot dogs, sweet tea, and popcorn—if they hadn’t already eaten their fill of free candy offered by many of the candidates, of course!

For the past 15 years, the Greater Bartow Area Chamber of Commerce has been hosting this event every two years to give local residents the opportunity to get involved with local politics and learn more about their candidates.

Every other year, they host a political forum to give local and city candidates running for local office an opportunity to share their political platform and debate with their opponents.

This year’s political rally proved more successful than previous events, as it managed to draw in six to seven times more people, explained Virginia Condello, Bartow Chamber Communication Director.

“The big draw is that it is open to everyone who wants to come,” Condello said. ” When the votes are all counted, he will blow them all away, because this is Putnam country. We have a lot of good candidates, and it is nice to see them and shake their hands and talk to them personally.”

Aside from the Chamber of Commerce, also sponsoring the event were local businesses such as Centerstate Bank and Kelly Bruick Auto Dealers.

Anita Stasiaa, Center State Branch Manager, has been on the Chamber’s board for many years, and her bank has been gladly sponsoring the event for many more.

Not only does sponsoring the event and attending it allow her business to receive more publicity, but it helps the local community to become better educated about local politics.

“It gives all the candidates a chance to tell them what they are about,” she said. “Too often, we vote by name and we don’t understand who they are, or what they are all about, and this gives them a chance to hear them and find out what they really stand for.”

Max Buton, a representative from Kelly Bruick, mentioned that this event allows local residents to become more publically-minded about the people and policies that affect their everyday lives.

“If you take them one on one and talk to the various candidates, take the time, you learn more than what you usually could,” he said. “There are a lot of intelligent people running for office here.”

Also supporting the Republican candidates that evening was the Lakeland Republican Women’s Club. Colleen Murphy, has attended event such as this throughout the county, and while this event was not as highly attended as the Lakeland Hob Nob earlier that week, it was just as active.

“I am very excited,” he said. “There is a lot of conversation and people moving about, a lot of activity, a lot of action going on.”

1...1,1191,1201,121...1,396Page 1,120 of 1,396