Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 14-year-old teen, Jeremiah C. Hamm of Tampa, early Wednesday morning (approx. 1:00 a.m.). Deputies were following a stolen 2000 Nissan pickup on I-4 (eastbound) near mile marker 49. With the assistance of the FHP and Lake Alfred Police the stolen vehicle was boxed in and Hamm was taken into custody and charged with Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, No Valid FL DL, Criminal Mischief x2, and Fleeing to Elude LEO.
Deputies located another stolen vehicle shortly after 1:00 a.m., a 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck at the Circle K located at Hwy 27/ Ronald Regan Parkway; the driver, later identified as 24-year-old Tamari Lucas of Tampa, and an unknown passenger exited the truck and flee on foot. Tamari Lucas was apprehended by deputies; the passenger was not found. Lucas was charged with Grand Theft Motor Vehicle and Resisting Officer w/out force.
Both stolen vehicles were observed driving together eastbound on I-4. Subsequent investigation determined that both are suspected of committing multiple burglaries using the two stolen vehicles in Tampa and Pasco County.
Hamm asked deputies after he was arrested: “What am I getting charged with grand theft auto?” And he told deputies that he had court the following day for a previous Grand Theft and was worried he would miss court.
Lucas told deputies he wouldn’t be in jail long because he was in Osceola County. He was informed that he was being arrested in Polk County. Lucas stated “OH MY GOD, NOT GRADY JUDDare you f***ing serious, this really sucks, because you guys don’t play in Polk County.”
“These two thieves are running rampantthey obviously don’t take our criminal justice system seriously. Why is this 14 year old out at 1:00 in the morning stealing cars and committing burglaries? Where are the adults in his life? We will absolutely hold these two accountablewe are just not going to tolerate this nonsense.” -Grady Judd, Sheriff
Lucas has an extensive criminal history: he has 30 previous felony charges, 12 previous misdemeanor charges, and 19 re-arrest charges. His previous charges include: Aggravated assault with a weapon and aggravated battery, improper exhibition of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, burglary (multiple), grand theft auto (multiple), dealing in stolen property (multiple), grand theft (multiple), drug possession (multiple), false information to a pawn broker, resisting arrest (multiple), larceny, violation of probation, and failure to appear in court. He has 8 felony convictions.
Hamm, at the age of 14, has four previous arrests that include robbery with a firearm, armed burglary, grand theft, aggravated assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, possession of drugs, and trespassing.
Grand Theft Auto Suspect Shocked He Was Being Arrested In Polk County & Not Osceola County
Deputies Searching For Hit & Run Driver Who Struck Bicyclist During This Past Weekend IRONMAN Competition
Lake Wales, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office advised the Daily Ridge a hit & run crash occurred at about 9:12am, Sunday, at Scenic Hwy and Masterpiece Road during the annual IRONMAN competition.
PCSO deputies were on scene for traffic control for the event.
A gold Mercury Grand Marquis turned into the Sunoco gas station despite deputies yelling and signaling for the vehicle to stop due to oncoming bicyclists participating in the competition.
The vehicle did not stop and struck one bicyclist, who as a result, suffered abrasions and lacerations. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital for his injuries.
A deputy attempted a traffic stop on the Grand Marquis, but it fled.
The vehicle came to a stop after entering an orange grove.
According to Brian Bruchey, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, the driver got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. As of this time “The driver has not yet been located”.
No additional details have been released about the suspected driver or owner of the vehicle.
If additional information is provided we will update this article.
Sweet Treats at Candyland Themed Christmas Parade in Downtown Lakeland
by James Coulter
Gingerbread men, sugarplum fairies, and other sweet treats and creatures marched their way through Downtown Lakeland during the city’s annual Christmas parade on Thursday evening.
Nearly 100 units including floats, marching bands, and fire and rescue vehicles traveled along this year’s parade route, which started at the RP Funding Center and made its way along Main Street through the downtown area.
Hosted by the Junior League of Greater Lakeland, this year’s parade was themed to Candyland, with floats decorated in various candies and even after the eponymous board game.
Many special guests appeared during the parade including Smokey the Bear, the Lakeland Tiger mascot, and even the big man himself, the reason for the season, and everyone’s favorite personality this time of year—Sheriff Grady Judd! (Oh, and Santa Claus, too!)
Deborah Matthews has been participating with the Hogs Life 4H Club for several years. This year, their float was themed to Candyland with children dressed in their pajamas.
“I have participated in this before,” she said. “I love to see the joy on these kids’ faces. My expectations are just to have fun.”
Audra Montalbano from Medulla Elementary has been participating in the parade with her school for seven to eight years. She loves designing the float with staff and students and being able to help their community usher in the holiday season.
“It is fun,” she said. “We have a blast. We love designing the floats, and it is a blast. I look forward to being with the children and staff members and having fun.”
Elizabeth Wisneski from the Family Martial Arts Center was proud to have their fearless dragon blowup figure to protect its candy hoard on the float. Having participated for the past 10 to 12 years, she loves being able to celebrate the holidays with her community.
“I love the community spirit, and I look forward to the love and the community spirit, and I look forward to the family time,” she said.
She Discovered Her Infant Son’s Grave Marker Buried. Our Article Shed Light on Her Situation. The City Has Since Fixed It.
by James Coulter
A few weeks ago, Diana Koloc visited the grave of her late infant son, Xavier, who had passed away 14 years ago as a stillborn baby 38 and a half weeks into her pregnancy.
She discovered that his grave marker had been covered by debris from fresh graves dug nearby and buried several inches deep in the ground.
Diana had visited the cemetery office and even visited city hall to complain about the situation, yet she felt her complaint had fallen upon deaf ears.
Shortly after we published an article about her situation, and several other readers aired their own grievances about the city cemetery in the comments, Diana discovered the city had cleaned up her son’s grave site.
When she visited her son’s grave site the following afternoon of the article, she noticed several workers driving to the office in the back of the cemetery and from the direction of her son’s grave site. She saw that the grave marker had not only been raised, but polished.
“It looks like a brand new grave,” she said.
Although she would like to believe that her situation was handled after she had contacted the city, she feels it was most likely the news article and the public feedback it generated that prompted the city.
“I would love to think that they did it because we contacted them,” she said. “The timing makes me feel it came from the article, I feel that if they read the article with the comments, they would see that there are a lot of people that are concerned about the cemetery.”
When her story was published on the Daily Ridge, several residents posted their comments on Facebook airing their own frustrations about the lack of upkeep at the city cemetery.
“My dad is buried down to the left of this baby and the same thing happens with his headstone all the time,” one user wrote. “I live in Georgia and have no one to take care of it and every time we visit, the headstone is literally in the ground and we have to dig it out.”
“I know when I’ve come home, I’ve had to cut limbs away from my aunts stone,” another user wrote. “We did not plant the tree but we have to cut it. Last time I was home it was cut back. I guess they didn’t like the way I cut it.”
Diana had frequently visited the cemetery following her son’s passing. She did not visit as often this past year due to road construction.
“When I would visit the new section of the cemetery, there were ants, no trees, no benches,” she said. “It was hard to visit when it was not peaceful and inviting. It makes that time harder to
really meditate and be peaceful as a garden would be.” Xavier is in the original section of the cemetery.
She had chosen a flat stone marker for her son’s grave site due to city regulations about the type of markers permitted in certain locations in the cemetery.
Unfortunately, the cemetery’s current level of upkeep (or rather, lack thereof) has left her feeling concerned, but she is hopeful because of the city’s swift actions after the article this week.
Diana has floated the idea of a watchdog group to routinely patrol the cemetery grounds every month or so and report any problems or issues with the city.
“I would like some conversation about how we can make sure it does not happen again, and what can we do together to make sure the cemetery is honoring our loved ones and making it a place that we would want to visit” she said.
The City of Lake Wales Cemetery Division can be contacted at 863-678-4182.
Man Driving With Suspended License Charged With Vehicular Homicide
LAKELAND, FL (December 11,2023) – On December 7, 2023, traffic crash investigators obtained a warrant and arrested Alexander Collins in connection with the fatal crash which occurred on June 19, 2023, in the 2100 block of North Crystal Lake Drive. Collins was charged with Vehicular Homicide (F2) and Driving While License Suspended or Revoked Causing Death or Serious Injury (F3).
The post-crash investigation determined Collins was traveling 42 miles per hour, five seconds prior to impact and increased speed to 52 miles per hour, one second prior to impact. The posted speed limit for the roadway is 30 miles per hour. The vehicle’s recorded data showed no indication Collins applied the brakes in attempt to avoid the crash. A vehicle inspection found no evidence of mechanical failure prior to the crash.
Based on the evidence collected thus far, investigators determined that Collins’ careless and/or negligent operation of the vehicle was the direct causation of the crash which resulted in the death of the victim.
Collins’ driver’s license had also been suspended since December 2020.
This remains an open and active investigation.
********** Original Release **********
LAKELAND, FL (June 20, 2023) On Monday, June 19, 2023, at approximately 4:12 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving a single vehicle and a residence in 2100 block of North Crystal Lake Drive. Just before the crash, a 2016 Dodge Durango was traveling southbound on Longfellow Boulevard, approaching the intersection of North Crystal Lake Drive. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop at the stop sign and continued across North Crystal Lake Drive, striking two signposts before crashing into the occupied residence. The vehicle came to final rest inside the residence, striking a 24-year-old male who was inside the home.
The Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to begin life-saving measures. The victim inside the home was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the scene. The driver and passenger of the Durango and two additional persons inside the home did not require medical treatment.
The intersection was shut down for approximately five hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation. At this time, the deceased’s name is not being released pending the open investigation.
Anyone with additional information regarding the crash should contact investigating Officer Travis Payne at [email protected].
Victim:
Male
Age: 24
Address: Brazil
Driver:
Alexander Dalton Collins
Age: 27
Address: Lakeland, FL
This Local Woman Went to the Lake Wales Christmas Parade. She Left with An Engagement Ring
This Local Woman Went to the Lake Wales Christmas Parade. She Left with An Engagement Ring.
by James Coulter
Makayla Lisk set up her chair alongside Central Avenue in Downtown Lake Wales on Saturday evening. She expected to watch the annual Christmas parade.
She did not expect her boyfriend to ride by in the Rotary on the Ridge car, step out, and bend on one knee to offer her a ring.
She said, “Yes”, of course!
Trae Fraizer had been dating Makayla for two years. He decided they had been dating long enough for him to propose, and he considered the parade to be the best time to pop the question.
“I love her,” he said. “She does everything for me. She takes care of me. She makes my heart warm.”
As for being proposed to during the parade, Makayla considered it both “shocking” and “surprising.”
Nearly 100 units consisting of holiday-themed floats, marching bands, and rescue vehicles participated in the annual Christmas parade hosted by the City of Lake Wales and Rotary On The Ridge.
The units were set up at Polk Avenue Elementary School and then made their way through Downtown Lake Wales along Central Avenue and First Street before traveling through Lake Wailes Park.
Hector Cedeno of Cypress Nutrition participated with his wife dressed in their Christmas outfits and hats and with advertisements for their health drinks and snacks at Cypress Nutrition.
Hector has been participating in the parade for many years. He loves his community and loves the opportunity to get into the holiday spirit.
“We are attending the holiday event to support the community,” he said. “We love this community. We are grateful. This is a great way to give back to the community. We keep doing this because of the community. We are part of it. We are here to stay and support the community however we can as possible and help the small businesses.”
Andy Blair of Refuge on the Ridge has participated in the parade with his congregation for three straight years. Of course, he and his church rode in a float based upon the Biblical nativity.
“We feel like supporting our community is very important because they support us and it is a way for us to give back in a small way, and, more importantly, to let the community know about Refuge on the Ridge,” he said. “We always have new guys. They have no idea what they are in for. They all get blessed doing this every year.”
Shaneque Simmons of Central Florida Heat participated in the parade for the first time. She and her crew rode along with a gingerbread house decorated with softballs and other sports memorabilia.
“This is our first year,” she said. “We want to get out the energy and looking forward to seeing everyone in the community.”
Polk Deputy’s Arrest Haines City Police Officer And Charge Him & A Suspected Accomplice With Retail Theft
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested an officer from the Haines City Police Department on Saturday, December 9, 2023 after he and another person were detained by Walmart security for retail theft.
48-year old David Griffin of Mulberry was arrested by PCSO deputies after they responded to the Mulberry Walmart store at 6745 Church Avenue North Saturday evening. It was learned that Griffin had been employed as a police officer in Haines City. He resigned from HCPD upon his arrest.
Griffin was accompanied by 28-year old Shelbi Dubose, who was also arrested.
“It is always disappointing to me when someone in law enforcement commits a crime and betrays the trust of their community. Haines City is a wonderful city and they have a top notch professional police department. We will absolutely hold Griffin accountable for his actions. The only thing he did right was immediately resign upon his arrest.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
PCSO detectives found that a Walmart employee noticed that Griffin was placing items in bags without scanning them. An employee approached Griffin, made him aware of the unscanned items, and assisted him in rectifying the problem. When the employee walked away, Griffin and Dubose both continued to bag additional items without scanning them.
Walmart security stopped the pair as they attempted to leave.
Together, Griffin and Dubose had scanned and paid for $207.72 worth of merchandise, but did not scan merchandise worth $343.22.
Walmart personnel checked their records of Griffin’s debit card usage at the store, pulled security video of those transactions, and determined that Griffin had committed four similar thefts on October 15, October 29, November 10, and November 26. Dubose participated in the thefts on three of those occasions.
David Griffin was charged with Retail Petit Theft (M2, 5-counts). Shelbi Dubose was charged with four counts of the same crime.
“I want to assure the public that we hold our officers to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. The recent arrest of one of our officers is deeply troubling and contrary to the values of our department. This behavior is not representative of the dedicated men and women who serve our community with honor and commitment every day. Let it be known, had Officer Griffin not resigned, his removal from duty would have been swift and decisive. We have zero tolerance for such actions and are committed to maintaining public trust through accountability and transparency.” – Police Chief Greg Goreck, Haines City Police Department
Help Find Missing & Endangered 77 Yr Old John Scaife
HAINES CITY- Haines City Police investigators need your help in finding missing 77-year-old endangered adult, John Scaife. He was last observed on Sunday, December 10 between 5–7 p.m. at his residence, Savanah Court Assisted Living Facility. According to gathered information, it seems that Scaife departed from the facility on his mobility scooter in an unknown direction. He has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, requiring constant medication and medical attention. While Scaife’s current whereabouts are unknown, he may have connections to the Bartow area.
Anyone with information please contact the Haines City Police Department at (863) 421-3636.
Bartow Police Officer Struck By Minivan While Investigating Hit & Run Crash
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a vehicle/pedestrian crash in Bartow in which a sergeant from the Bartow Police Department was struck by a minivan at around 7:10 pm.
The BPD sergeant suffered non-life-threatening injuries from the collision, but was transported by ambulance to a local hospital as a trauma alert.
Bartow PD officers initially responded to a hit and run crash, and during that investigation, the sergeant was struck by the minivan at 1050 Van Fleet Drive East in Bartow, which is in front of the Walmart store.
The scene was cleared at 9:19 pm, but the investigation is ongoing.
FHP On Scene Of Three Vehicle Accident On Scenic Highway In Lake Hamilton
Lake Hamilton, Florida – the Florida Highway Patrol is currently on scene of a three vehicle accident in Lake Hamilton. The crash is being listed at 829 Scenic Highway North. The crash was reported at 10:42 AM.
According to initial report, some road blockage is occurring. Dundee Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue are also on scene. You may want to find an alternate route for a short period of time. Will update this article if initial information is released.
