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Don’t Commit Murder In Polk County – Sheriff To Brief Media On Road Rage Killing This Past Weekend

Carl Fish
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Don’t Commit Murder In Polk County – Sheriff To Brief Media On Road Rage Killing This Past Weekend

Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 12:30 p.m. this afternoon (Wednesday, October 18, 2023) at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center in Winter Haven with details about the arrest of the suspect who fatally shot 58-year-old Kevin Berry in Davenport on Sunday, October 15th, during a road rage incident.

———- Previous Press Release ————

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent road rage incident and shooting that occurred just after 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 15, 2023, on the I-4 off-ramp to US Hwy 27 in Davenport. The victim, 58-year-old Kevin Berry of Altamonte Springs, was heading to work in Polk County when he was shot by an unknown suspect. He is in grave condition at a local hospital. 

Sheriff Grady Judd gave an update on this case and it is posted on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/BZfJve8tZKI 

Berry was heading west on I-4 and had just exited when the shooting occurred. One witness who came forward reported seeing a white Dodge truck (Berry’s) and a dark-colored two-door car driving around each other aggressively, moving back and forth between lanes on the off-ramp and then stopping. The witness heard both drivers yelling at each other. The witness reported possibly three other vehicles in the area at the time, whose drivers/occupants may have also witnessed the incident. The suspect could have fled south down US Hwy 27 or got back onto the Interstate.

Berry was found on the ground outside his truck parked in the middle lane of the off-ramp.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have seen or heard something between 2:00 and 2:15 a.m. to please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 and reference case number 23-42221.

If you have information regarding this crime and wish to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:

  • CALL 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
  • DIAL **TIPS from your cell phone
  • VISIT the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
  • DOWNLOAD the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

You will always remain anonymous and you may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

Polk County Introduces New, Website

Carl Fish
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Polk County Introduces New, Website

BARTOW, Fla. (October 17, 2023) – Polk County’s Board of County Commissioners introduced a new website on October 13. The site was developed by the Zimmerman Agency and it can be viewed atwww.polk-county.net.

 

“The new website is a great tool for Polk County’s residents,” said Commissioner George Lindsey. “Planning started about two and a half years ago, and a significant amount of work has gone into it to make sure residents have access to the information they need. In particular, this website showcases the county’s commitment to transparency.”

 

User friendliness and accessibility was prioritized with the development of the new website, so information about county services is easier to find than in the past. The search capabilities are improved, too, and the site can be viewed in Polk’s most spoken languages: English, Spanish and Creole. Additional languages will be added.

 

The new website also features a “Things To Do” section where residents can filter through Polk County’s parks, searching for particular amenities, etc., and a blog.

 

“About 90 people per day are moving to Polk County,” Lindsey said. “It’s important that the website is a resource for them, that it introduces them to what the county has to offer.”

Man Clinging To Life After Apparent “Road Rage” Shooting Near Hwy 27 & Interstate 4

Carl Fish
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Man Clinging To Life After Apparent “Road Rage” Shooting Near Hwy 27 & Interstate 4

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent road rage incident and shooting that occurred just after 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 15, 2023, on the I-4 off-ramp to US Hwy 27 in Davenport. The victim, 58-year-old Kevin Berry of Altamonte Springs, was heading to work in Polk County when he was shot by an unknown suspect. He is in grave condition at a local hospital. 

Sheriff Grady Judd gave an update on this case and it is posted on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/BZfJve8tZKI

Berry was heading west on I-4 and had just exited when the shooting occurred. One witness who came forward reported seeing a white Dodge truck (Berry’s) and a dark-colored two-door car driving around each other aggressively, moving back and forth between lanes on the off-ramp and then stopping. The witness heard both drivers yelling at each other. The witness reported possibly three other vehicles in the area at the time, whose drivers/occupants may have also witnessed the incident. The suspect could have fled south down US Hwy 27 or got back onto the Interstate.

Berry was found on the ground outside his truck parked in the middle lane of the off-ramp.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have seen or heard something between 2:00 and 2:15 a.m. to please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 and reference case number 23-42221.

If you have information regarding this crime and wish to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:

  • CALL 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
  • DIAL **TIPS from your cell phone
  • VISIT the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
  • DOWNLOAD the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

You will always remain anonymous and you may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

PCSO With Help Of DNA Evidence Solves Brutal Polk County Murder 37 Years Later

Carl Fish
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PCSO With Help Of DNA Evidence Solves Brutal Polk County Murder 37 Years Later

Nearly 37-years after 29-year old Teresa Lee Scalf was brutally murdered in her Lakeland home, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigation can finally be closed following the analysis of DNA which confirmed the identity of her killer.

With assistance from Othram, Inc., a private lab specializing in forensic genetic genealogy in cold case investigations, PCSO Homicide detectives were able to determine that Donald Douglas was responsible for the death of Ms. Scalf. Donald Douglas died of natural causes in 2008 at the age of 54. He was 33-years old at the time of Ms. Scalf’s murder.

Making the connection was made more difficult since Douglas had no criminal history and his body was cremated after he died, therefore his DNA was never able to be obtained by law enforcement and put into a database for comparison. 

The attack and murder of Teresa Scalf occurred in the afternoon of Monday, October 27, 1986.

PCSO detectives determined that the attack was sexually motivated. Ms. Scalf’s neck had been severely cut, and she had significant defensive wounds on her hands.

There were no obvious suspects at the time. 

Among the evidence that was collected at the scene was some blood that didn’t come from the victim. It was submitted and entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a consortium of local, state, and national databases of DNA profiles from convicted offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence, and missing persons. 

For more than three decades, the sample remained unmatched to any known individuals.

Then, in 2022, the PCSO partnered with Othram, Inc. on the case. Othram, Inc. analyzed the suspect’s blood and they were able to narrow the scope to distant relatives of the still unknown suspect. Interviews were conducted with those relatives, and eventually detectives narrowed their search down to close relatives of Donald Douglas who lived directly behind Ms. Scalf at the time of her murder. Douglas had been interviewed by detectives in 1986 during a routine canvass, but at that time, there was no evidence to link him to the murder. 

The direct connection to the identity of the murderer came about after detectives obtained a sample of DNA from a son of Donald Douglas. The results of a genetic analysis of the DNA confirmed that the blood found at the murder scene did indeed belong to Donald Douglas, because the DNA profile indicated a 100% confidence of a parent/child biological relationship compared to Douglas’ son’s DNA profile. 

“We are extremely grateful for the assistance from Othram, Inc., who provided us with multiple investigative leads and ultimately the missing genetic evidence needed to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion. With their help, our detectives were able to negotiate through a family tree that led to the identity of Teresa Scalf’s killer. I want to thank Mr. Douglas’ son, who was cooperative and willing to assist our detectives. Thanks to Othram, Inc., our detectives hard work, and Mr. Douglas’ cooperation, we were able to help bring long-awaited closure to Theresa Scalf’s devastated family.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

The State Attorney Office 10th Judicial Circuit determined the case should be cleared as solved with the offender deceased. 

PCSO Homicide Detectives informed Ms. Scalf’s family of the results of the investigation.

Lake Wales Man, 24, Killed In Scenic Hwy Crash

Carl Fish
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Lake Wales Man, 24, Killed In Scenic Hwy Crash

The crash occurred in Lake Wales just after 10:00 a.m. on North Scenic Hwy near Egg Farm Road. Witnesses and evidence indicate that 24-year-old Angel Velasquez Jeronimo of Lake Wales was traveling south on Scenic Hwy in a silver 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier when, for unknown reasons, he entered into the northbound lane while negotiating a curve. The Cavalier struck a blue 2019 Kia Sorrento being driven north by 82-year-old Ralph Riedel of Lake Wales with his wife, 82-year-old Judith, in the front passenger seat. Jeronimo suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. The Riedels were both transported to local hospitals. Judith has critical injuries but is stable. Ralph was expected to be treated and released on Sunday with minor injuries.

 

The investigation is ongoing but no charges are pending. The roadway was shut down for several hours

Motorcyclist Reportedly Traveling At High Rate Of Speed Killed Lakeland Crash

Carl Fish
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Motorcyclist Reportedly Traveling At High Rate Of Speed Killed Lakeland Crash

A crash occurred in Lakeland just after 6:00 p.m. on Old Tampa Highway near the 3100 block. A 2022 black Indian motorcycle being operated by 46-year-old Roscoe Emanuel of Lakeland was traveling at high rate of speed eastbound when it crossed over the double yellow solid lines in an attempt to pass another vehicle that was heading east. The motorcycle entered into the path of a 2020 black Jeep Gladiator heading west and being driven by 45-year-old Migadali Fernandez of Lakeland. Fernandez swerved in an attempt to avoid hitting the bike but the two vehicles collided and Emanuel was ejected and struck the Jeep’s windshield. He landed on the north shoulder of the road, where he suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Fernandez was not injured.

The investigation is ongoing.

Motorcyclist Reportedly Traveling At High Rate Of Speed Killed Lakeland Crash

Carl Fish
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Motorcyclist Reportedly Traveling At High Rate Of Speed Killed Lakeland Crash

A crash occurred in Lakeland just after 6:00 p.m. on Old Tampa Highway near the 3100 block. A 2022 black Indian motorcycle being operated by 46-year-old Roscoe Emanuel of Lakeland was traveling at high rate of speed eastbound when it crossed over the double yellow solid lines in an attempt to pass another vehicle that was heading east. The motorcycle entered into the path of a 2020 black Jeep Gladiator heading west and being driven by 45-year-old Migadali Fernandez of Lakeland. Fernandez swerved in an attempt to avoid hitting the bike but the two vehicles collided and Emanuel was ejected and struck the Jeep’s windshield. He landed on the north shoulder of the road, where he suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Fernandez was not injured.

The investigation is ongoing.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Searching For Attempted Murderer Who Shot Man On The Roadway Sunday Morning

Carl Fish
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Polk County Sheriff’s Office Searching For Attempted Murderer Who Shot Man On The Roadway Sunday Morning

At 2:15 this morning (Sunday, October 15, 2023) we responded to the area seen on this map, which is the offramp to US Hwy 27 from I-4 in Davenport and located an adult male victim who had been shot while exiting the Interstate. The victim was found near his white Dodge truck – he appeared to have been traveling westbound on I-4 and just exited to go onto Hwy 27. He was taken to a local hospital. We believe he was shot by someone in another vehicle who then fled the scene.

If you saw or heard anything suspicious in this area during that time frame please contact PCSO regarding case number 23-42221.

If you have information regarding this crime and wish to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:

**CALL 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
**DIAL **TIPS from your cell phone
**VISIT the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
**DOWNLOAD the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

You will always remain anonymous and you may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida

One Person Killed And Others Injured In Scenic Hwy Crash In Lake Wales – Roadway Shut Down

Carl Fish
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One Person Killed And Others Injured In Scenic Hwy Crash In Lake Wales – Roadway Shut Down

Lake Wales, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed one person has been killed and others injured in a two vehicle crash on Scenic Highway in Lake Wales.

Shortly after 10am a call came in regarding a two vehicle crash on Scenic Hwy (17) at the intersection with Egg Farm Rd. According to initial reports one victim was pronounced deceased at the scene and others were injured. Fire Fighters had to extricate a trapped victim from one of the vehicles. One victim was transported to the Eagle Ridge Mall for medical helicopter evacuation. The vehicles are listed as a grayish silver vehicle and a blue Kia Sorento.

The roadway is completely shut down while they conduct a traffic fatality investigation. The roadway is detoured between Hickory Hammock Rd to Mt Lake Cutoff Rd.

We will update as further information released.

Scenic Hwy Totally Blocked In Lake Wales For Very Bad Accident – Roadway To Be Shutdown For Hours

Carl Fish
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0
Scenic Hwy Totally Blocked In Lake Wales For Very Bad Accident – Roadway To Be Shutdown For Hours

Story Update Here: One Person Killed In Scenic Hwy Crash

We have reports of an accident blocking all of Scenic Hwy (17) at Egg Farm Rd – Multiple ambulances on scene or enroute! The roadway will be shut down for an extended period of time. The accident occurred at 10:07 am.

Currently a helicopter evacuation is taking place. Firefighters are working diligently to get entrapped victim out of a vehicle.

Vehicles involved are a blue Kia Sorento and a gray vehicle.

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