The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has temporarily closed South Combee Road between US 92 and Main Street near Lakeland.
At about 4:37am, deputies responded to the area in reference to a man suffering a mental health crisis.
The man climbed onto a rail road lighting structure that extends over South Combee Road.
For his safety, as well as the safety of motorists, the roadway is closed off until deputies are able to talk the man down.
We will update as more information is released.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
UPDATE TO FATAL HIT-AND-RUN CRASH IN FORT MEADE LAST EVENING
The driver who struck and killed 9-year-old Andres Martinez was located late last evening and has been booked into the Hardee County Jail. He will be transferred to the Polk County Jail at a later date. I do not have a mugshot for him.
His name is Gilbert Almaguer, DOB 1/14/1978, of 604 Avon Street, Bowling Green.
Here is his affidavit, and it is self-explanatory:
PRB_CAUS
On 09/29/2023 at approximately 1659 hours Polk County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a vehicle verse a bicycle crash located on Hutchins Road east of Kristen Loop East. Evidence recovered at scene, along with video recovered indicates that a 2016 -2019 Chevrolet Silverado was eastbound on Hutchins Road. Pedestrian/ Bicyclist Andres Martinez, H/M 10/27/2013, came out of his driveway onto Hutchins Road heading eastbound to a friend’s house. The right front corner/ center of the Chevrolet impacted the rear of the bicycle. Upon impact Martinez was ejected and landed approximately 50 feet east of the area of impact. The driver, of the vehicle continued eastbound fleeing the crash site.
Parts were recovered on scene that come back to a 2016 to 2019 Chevrolet Silverado. Video was recovered from nearby residence on Hutchins Road west of the crash scene, which shows a red Chevrolet pickup eastbound just prior to the crash location. Video reviewed show there are no other vehicles that match the suspect vehicle. The driver/vehicle did not stop to render aide or never called 911 to assist Martinez. Martinez was pronounced deceased on scene by Polk County EMS.
A witness called and advised she observed a red Chevrolet matching the description southbound on SR 17. The vehicle had red what appeared like a K in the back window.
At approximately 2231 hours, Gilbert Almaguer called Hardee County Sheriff’s Office to advise he was a passenger in the vehicle that struck Martinez. Almaguer advised the vehicle was registered to his mother and located at his residence.
Hardee County Sheriff’s Office along with Bowling Green Police Department responded to 604 Avon Street and made contact with Almaguer and the red Chevrolet pickup. Hardee County Sheriff’s Office notified the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at which time members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene.
Upon arrival I met with Deputies with the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office and observed a 2016 red Chevrolet Silverado in the back yard of 604 Avon Street. The vehicle was enclosed with crime scene tape. Detective Ralph Marshall of the PCSO traffic Unit walked up to the vehicle with pieces from the crash site. He visually inspected the vehicle and he observed that several of the pieces recovered from the crash site match the damage on the vehicle at this location.
I met with Almaguer at his residence and met with him. Almaguer was willing to speak to me about the crash and of his own free will went to the Bowling Green Police Department, which is located a short distance from his residence. Almaguer told me that a Hector Ramirez was driving his vehicle when the crash occurred. Almaguer stated that after the crash Ramirez drove to Bowling Green and then got out of the vehicle close to a set of railroad tracks located at East County Line Road and Central Avenue. After this occurred Almaguer got back into the driver seat and drove to his residence at 604 Avon Street. Almaguer stated that he did not know what Hector Ramirez hit and thought maybe it was a mailbox or post. He knows Ramirez but did not know exactly where he lived or had a phone number for him.
Almaguer stated that he let Ramirez drive because he was tired and knows that he does not have a valid license. During the entire interview Almaguer stated that he was not driving. He stated Ramirez was driving and his was the passenger.
After the interview was over Almaguer asked if he was free to go and wanted to return to his residence. Almaguer was taken back to his residence as requested. I remained on scene at the residence while a search and seizure warrant was being obtained for the vehicle that Almaguer was operating. While standing on Avon Street away from Almaguer’s residence he approached me and stated he need to talk to me. Of his own free will Almaguer stated that he was the driver of the vehicle and he is the one that hit the kid. He stated that he was sorry and just got scared. He explained that the kid came out of nowhere and he did not mean to hit him. Almaguer confirmed that no one else was in the vehicle with him and he was the sole occupant operator at the time the crash occurred. Following the crash he immediately came home and later after seeing on Facebook that a 9 year old boy died he called Hardee County Sheriff’s Office to report the incident.
Based on the before mentioned facts and evidence there is Probable Cause to believe that Gilbert Almaguer was in violation of the following Florida State Statue.
316.027 (2)(C) – Leaving the scene of a crash on public or private property without rendering aid (involving death), a first degree felony
The man, a former gang leader named Duane Keith Davis, has said the four shots that killed the rapper in 1996 came from the vehicle he was riding in.
More than 25 years after the killing of Tupac Shakur became a defining tragedy in hip-hop, a self-described gang member who has repeatedly proclaimed that he participated in the drive-by shooting of the rapper was indicted on a murder charge, Las Vegas prosecutors announced on Friday, reviving a blockbuster investigation that had long stalled.
The man, Duane Keith Davis, has said in interviews and a memoir that he was in the passenger seat of the white Cadillac that pulled up near the vehicle holding Shakur on a night in 1996, after a Mike Tyson-Bruce Seldon prizefight in Las Vegas.
Complete Article Here: NY Times
Welcome, World Travelers! Fine, I’ll Review the Live-Action Little Mermaid!
by James Coulter
I didn’t want to watch or review this movie. I didn’t see it when it was in theaters. And even when it was released on Disney Plus, even though I watched it on its release day, I’m only now writing about it.
And why should I? It’s yet another Disney live-action remake–a transparently cynical attempt by the Walt Disney Company to repackage its classic animated flicks and resell them in live-action.
The last time I watched a live-action remake in theaters was 2010’s Alice in Wonderland. Considering how the financial success of that film prompted Disney to remake even more of its animated films into live-action, I’ve regretted buying that movie ticket ever since.
Since then, I’ve made it a personal priority to never watch any of these Disney live-action remakes in theaters. I only feel I’d be enabling Disney’s bad habit by doing so. Even when they’re finally released onto streaming, I still don’t watch them. Why waste my time watching a mediocre live-action remake when I can watch the far superior animated movie it’s based on?
If it sounds like I’m talking around this movie rather than talking about it, that’s because I am. Because, well…what’s there to talk about? It’s a live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Did you watch the original animated movie? Well, this movie is the exact same thing, only in live-action.
And let me make this clear: I do not hate this movie because they made Ariel black. Personally, I thought Halle Bailey’s performance was this movie’s only saving grace, and her singing voice was certainly the reason why she was chosen for this movie.
Am I annoyed Disney has decided (yet again) to gain diversity brownie points by race-swapping a character in a movie rather than making an original movie starring a person of color? Yes. (And considering how Disney allowed an original animated movie with a POC main character like Strange World wither and die on the vine, I’m especially peeved!)
But am I also annoyed by the racist backlash this movie has received from angry dorks online. Yes. Unequivocally, yes. Like, it’s ridiculous that some folks are so mad about a black actress playing a white mermaid that they have to argue that it’s scientifically inaccurate for a mermaid to be black. (Hey, you know what else is scientifically inaccurate? Actual mermaids!)
Again, if it sounds like I’m talking around this movie rather than about it, that’s because I am. What else is there to say? It’s the animated Little Mermaid in live-action with a black actress. And like every other live-action remake, this movie takes what was magical and fantastical and strips it away for the sake of “realism.”
Take the “Under The Sea” scene. The song was evidently written for an animated film. It has lines about different sea creatures playing musical instruments. (“The newt play the flute. The carp play the harp.” etc.) You can portray that in animation.
In live-action, however? Especially if you’re trying to look “photo-realistic”? Not so much.
So what do we get instead? Ariel floating in a swarm of jellyfish, riding a flotilla of marching sea turtles, and passing by uncanny valley-style sea creatures unnaturally gyrating to the music. Again, it takes away everything magical about the animated movie in a futile attempt to appear more “realistic.”
To its credit, the movie adds three new songs. One is sung by Prince Eric, and it’s so forgettable that I forgot all about it rightafter it was sung. The other is sung by Ariel when she arrives on land for the first time, and like the other new song, it’s so forgettable that I forgot all about it right after it was sung. The only new song I didn’t forget about was the one sung by the seagull Scuttle—and that’s because it’s less a song and more a screeching hate crime against eardrums.
Oh, but the movie is notably different in one way. You know how in the original movie, Ariel was curious about the surface world, but her father forbids her from going up there to explore it because he had an irrational hatred of humans? Well, in this movie, along with all that, Prince Eric is curious about the world outside his island home, but his mother forbids him from exploring it because she has an irrational hatred of mermaids and other sea creatures. (Get it! Sigh.)
In conclusion, if you want to watch a movie about a little mermaid, don’t watch this movie. Watch the animated classic it’s based on. It’s better and shorter. Watch that. Don’t watch the live-action remake. It sucks seaweed.
And with that, I am never reviewing another live-action Disney remake. Especially the upcoming remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs—excuse me, Seven “Magical Creatures.” Ugh!)
** Update: On September 29, 2023, at 2:45am all lanes of travel were re-opened. This an active and ongoing investigation.
——- Original Post ———-
Multiple Vehicle Traffic Crash Shuts Down
HWY 27 at Chalet Suzanne Rd in Lake Wales
On September 28, 2023, at 6:34pm Lake Wales Police Officers were dispatched to a multiple vehicle traffic crash at HWY 27 and Chalet Suzanne Rd. There are 16 passenger vehicles and 1 tractor trailer involved in the crash. As a result of the crash, several people were injured and have been transported to area hospitals. Three of the injured were transported by helicopter. Numerous other agencies are providing assistance.
A northbound Chrysler 200 violated the right of way of a northbound tractor trailer by making a left turn in front of it causing a collision between the two vehicles. The collision caused the tractor trailer driver to lose control, cross the median, and collide into southbound traffic that was stopped at a red traffic signal. There were a variety of injuries among those who were involved, one of which may be life threatening.
This intersection is closed and will remain closed until a safe and thorough investigation can be completed. If possible motorists should avoid this area. Any motorists who travel in this area should expect to be detoured or rerouted.
Further details about this investigation will be released as they become available.
Update: A total of 3 Helicopters have been requested for the scene. One has landed and left transporting patient. A second just landed around 7:15pm. A 3rd helicopter has a 20 minute estimated time of arrival.
—— original post ——
The Polk County Fire Rescue, Lake Wales Fire Department & Lake Wales Police are working a crash on Hwy 27 & Chalet Suzanne Rd. The crash occurred at 6:35pm .
A total of 13 fire and ambulance crews are headed to the scene. No details on injuries yet.
This is a fluid situation. We will update when we have more information.
A drive-by shooting in west Lakeland early Wednesday morning, September 27, 2023, culminated with the arrests of three teens by Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives.
No one was injured in the shooting which occurred at about 1:26 AM Wednesday at a residence in the area of Chestnut Road and West Parker Street in an unincorporated area of Lakeland.
“While investigating this shooting, our detectives found that it was linked to two other drive-by shootings. The same three suspects were out there putting innocent lives at risk, motivated by revenge—in essence because their feelings were hurt that the victims didn’t want to be around them anymore. And of course there was some social media drama thrown in there as well. They wanted to act like some big bad-boys, and now they’re charged with big bad-boy crimes.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
A total of nine bullet casings were recovered from the scene Thursday, with damages to a vehicle parked at the home and to the mailbox.
The suspects were identified immediately as having ongoing issues with the victim and his friend.
The victim told detectives that he and his friend stopped associating with the suspects, and that didn’t sit well with them. The victim’s friend has been a victim of two drive-by shootings, one on August 9th and the other on September 20th. The PCSO has been investigating those two cases already.
The victim also informed investigators of recent threats he has received from the suspects via text messages and social media.
During the investigation, a firearm believed to have been involved in the shootings was seized from the home of one of the suspects. Another firearm being sought has not yet been located.
In each one of the shootings, there were four people inside the residences, all of whom were uninjured.
PCSO detectives interviewed the three suspects and ultimately arrested them for all three drive-by shootings. They are:
– Bryann Charles, 17, from Lakeland.
– Aryann Charles, 16, from Lakeland (Bryann and Aryann are
brothers).
– Delfino Perez-Garcia, 14, from Lakeland.
Each suspect was charged with: Attempted 2nd Degree Murder (F1, 12-counts), Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling (F2, 3-counts), Shooting from a Vehicle (F2, 3-counts), Shooting in a Residential Area (M1, 3-counts), Improper Exhibition of a Firearm (M1, 3-counts), Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 18 (M1, 3-counts), and Culpable Negligence (M2, 3-counts).
During a seven-day undercover human trafficking operation, which began on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Vice Unit arrested Maria Guzman and Freddy Escalona for human trafficking.
Maria Guzman, DOB 5/29/1987, of Orlando, was charged with Human Trafficking (F1), and Deriving Proceeds. Guzman trafficked two victims from a hotel in Orlando. She set up their “dates” and profited from the money they made.
According to Sheriff Judd Guzman is here illegally in the United States.
Freddy Escalona, DOB 9/6/1993, of Chicago, Illinois, was charged with Human Trafficking (F1), and Deriving Proceeds from Prostitution (F2). Escalona loaned a victim money to fix her car and made her prostitute herself to pay back the money. He drove the victim to the undercover location, and was taken into custody. He told detectives that he had “several females that he worked” who paid him to transport them and “keep them safe.” The investigation is ongoing, and further charges are pending.
This sting is a developing story.
LAKELAND, FL (September 28, 2023) – On Thursday, September 28, 2023, at approximately 12:26 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 2500 block of Kathleen Road for a traffic crash involving a pedestrian. At the scene, officers located an unresponsive male who had been struck by a black Lexus. The Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived to begin life-saving measures. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, the pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Based on information gathered at the scene, officers believe the Lexus was traveling southbound on Kathleen Road in the inside lane approaching Mall Hill Road. At the same time, the pedestrian was attempting to cross the roadway eastbound and entered the path of the Lexus and was struck. The driver of the Lexus remained at the scene and was not injured.
The roadway was shut down for approximately 6 hours to process the scene for the ongoing investigation. At this time, the deceased’s name is not being released pending the open investigation in accordance with Marsy’s Law.
Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Traffic Crash Inspector Officer Tyler Anderson at [email protected].
Driver:
Adams Torres
Age: 19
Address: Lakeland, FL
Pedestrian:
Male
Age: 19
Address: Lakeland, FL
On September 27, 2023 Lake Wales Police responded to a disturbance in the area of Highway 60 and 4th Street in Lake Wales. When Officers arrived they met with an adult victim who reported he was approached by a male subject who was armed with a handgun. The male reportedly opened the victim’s car door, pointing the handgun at him. The victim attempted to flee at which time he crashed his vehicle into a small concrete pole. The suspect fled the area in a silver Kia Soul as the victim called 911.
Within minutes of the call, Officers located the Kia in the alley between Polk and Townsend Avenues near Polk Avenue Elementary school. Initially, Officers believed one subject may have fled on foot at which time the school was placed in a state of heightened security. A short time later it was determined Officers had located and detained all the subjects involved and the school was notified to release students as normal.
During the investigation two 18 year old males were arrested and charged with the following: Joemil Olivers, of Lake Wales, was charged with armed burglary with an assault. Also charged was Alberto Cervantes, also of Lake Wales, who was charged with possession of a firearm by a delinquent person.
This does not appear to be a random act, as the victim was an acquaintance of the suspects.
If you have information regarding this case please contact the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223. Or, if you would like to stay anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers:
• Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
• From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
• Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
• Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
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