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Pedestrian Killed In Lakeland Traffic Accident

Carl Fish
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0
Pedestrian Killed In Lakeland Traffic Accident

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

Two Local Teens Arrested For Armed Burglary In Lake Wales

Carl Fish
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0
Two Local Teens Arrested For Armed Burglary In Lake Wales

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.

Building Partnerships for a Safer Community

Sheriff Grady Judd To Brief Media On Prostitution and Human Trafficking Sting

Carl Fish
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0
Sheriff Grady Judd To Brief Media On Prostitution and Human Trafficking Sting

Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 10:00 a.m. this morning (Thursday, September 28, 2023) at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd in Winter Haven, about a seven-day-long multi-agency undercover operation
focused on human trafficking, during which 219 arrests were made of suspects who solicited prostitutes and those who offered to commit prostitution, and other suspects who profited from or aided & abetted prostitution.

During this investigation, 21 victims of human trafficking were identified.

Two suspects so far have been charged with human trafficking, a life felony.

Among those arrested for soliciting a prostitute was a Polk County School athletic director and coach.

Sheriff Judd will be joined by detectives and representatives from local law enforcement agencies, as well as social services organizations who offered
help for human trafficking victims

Polk Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested

Carl Fish
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0
Polk Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has been notified that 35-year old Jose Chaidez of Haines City has been arrested in Lake County.

Chaidez was wanted by the PCSO for: attempted 2nd degree murder, armed burglary with battery, burglary with battery, criminal mischief, and stalking (DV). The charges are the result of Chaidez’s violent attacks on two people in a Haines City store on Saturday.

At this time, we do not have any specific details regarding his arrest. He is being booked into the Lake County Jail and will be brought back to Polk County in the near future.

——— Previous Article ———

35-year-old Jose Chaidez of Haines City is wanted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for battering his 64-year-old former girlfriend and then severely beating another man who tried to intervene in his attack on the woman. 

Chaidez is wanted for: attempted 2nd degree murder, armed burglary with battery, burglary with battery, criminal mischief, and stalking (DV). The attacks occurred at J and S Food Mart located at 3084 East Hinson Avenue, Haines City, Florida on Saturday, September 23, at around 4:23 p.m

Click here to see a video of the attacks: https://youtu.be/8HdXCsFndfM.

Chaidez threatened the woman at the store with a butcher knife, slapped her with the knife, struck her and pulled her by the hair. A 43-year-old Haines City man saw the violence occurring and stepped forward in an attempt to stop the man from beating the woman and taking the woman from the store. Chaidez overpowered the man and repeatedly struck him in the head while he laid unconscious on the floor.

Chaidez then engaged with another man, hitting him, then left the store before deputies and EMS arrived. The second man was not seriously injured and left before deputies could identify or interview him. Deputies are asking for this man to come forward so we can hold Chaidez accountable for the battery.

The Good Samaritan was transported to an area hospital where he remains hospitalized. The victim remains in critical condition at this time but is improving and is expected to recover.

“We need to locate this very violent man and put him in jail where he belongs. Anyone who would beat up a 64 year old woman and then ruthlessly beat up a man who tried to help a woman in distress, is a menace and needs to be locked up. If you know where Jose Chaidez is, call us or call Crime Stoppers. This guy needs to be held accountable.” Grady Judd, Sheriff

An extensive search was completed in an effort to locate the suspect; however, deputies were unable to locate Chaidez. Deputies are asking the public to help us locate and arrest Chaidez. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.

Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous, and be eligible for a cash reward, can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways: 

CALL 1-800-226 TIPS (8477); 

DIAL **TIPS from your cell phone; 

VISIT www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip;” 

or DOWNLOAD the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

Jose Manuel Chaidez’s criminal history includes aggravated assault with a weapon, battery domestic violence, kidnapping/false imprisonment, resisting an officer without violence, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit and run, battery, and battery DV

Lakeland Man Killed In Crash Tuesday Morning

Carl Fish
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0
Lakeland Man Killed In Crash Tuesday Morning

LAKELAND, FL (September 27, 2023) – On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at approximately 10:36 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 600 block of East Parker Street for a traffic crash involving a single vehicle, a black Nissan Versa. At the scene, officers

located an unresponsive male who had been operating the Nissan. The Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to begin life-saving measures. Despite the efforts of first responders, the 55-year-old male was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Based on information gathered thus far in the investigation, officers believe the Nissan was traveling east on East Parker Street when it left the north side of the roadway for an unknown reason.  The vehicle impacted two mailboxes, then a metal electric pole.  The driver was unrestrained at the time of the crash.  

The roadway was shut down for approximately two hours to process the scene for the ongoing investigation. 

Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Traffic Crash Investigator Officer Travis Payne at [email protected]. 

Nissan Driver:

Steven Carr

Age: 55

Address: Lakeland, FL

From Jerky to Figurines: 5th Annual Bartow Fall Fest

Staff Reporter
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0
From Jerky to Figurines: 5th Annual Bartow Fall Fest

by James Coulter

Brian Woods works full-time as a firefighter, so he knows a thing or two about things that are smoking hot. That’s why, on the weekends, he visits local markets and festivals to sell his homemade jerky. Made from beef brisket, Florida’s Finest Jerky Co. sells jerky in 13 different flavors ranging from sweet to savory to spicy and hot.

Woods works as a firefighter, while his girlfriend owns her own business. Together, the two sell their jerky at places like the Bartow Fall Festival. Last Saturday, they attended the Bartow Fall Festival for the first time, and their first time more than met expectations.

“This is our first time here,” she said. “We are always looking for new people to meet and show our jerky to and do our business. This event was really good. I hope they come to have this again.”

Brian and Jennifer were one of several hundred vendors who attended the annual Bartow Fall Fest on Saturday. Hosted by Main Street Bartow, the outdoor market allowed local vendors and food trucks to line up along Summerlin Avenue and nearby streets to sell their wares for the fall season.

Sandy and Ray Landers live in Mulberry. They have been making various handmade crafts for the past five to six years. Prized among their crafts are their sitting characters designed after animals and other cute characters. This year’s fall fest was their first time attending, and their expectations were more than exceeded.

“My daughter-in-law comes out here every year, and she says it is the best around,” said Sandy. “It has been a great day. A great event. A lot of people, friendly people. We will come back.”

Linda Holcomb, Executive Director of Main Street Bartow, was pleased by the overall turnout. She owed the event’s success to the good weather and the growing demand for local events following a summer-long hiatus.

“It has been wonderful,” she said. “The weather has been great. We had lots and lots of people on the streets. They have been shopping. They have been shopping with the merchants. They have been eating down here. Everybody had been very, very happy.”

Main Street Bartow will be hosting various other events soon, including the Honey Bee Festival & Craft Fair in November and the Mistletoe Market in December. She has high expectations that all these events will be bigger and better than the last.

“It certainly draws people down. The more you have to offer, the more people want to come down for,” she said. “I am hoping that each event is more successful than this and they will all have an added element that will make them more different than each other.”

Plant City Celebrates 2nd Annual Oktoberfest

Staff Reporter
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0
Plant City Celebrates 2nd Annual Oktoberfest

by James Coulter

For the second consecutive year, Plant City had the most Wunderbar time with its annual Downtown Oktoberfest. Hundreds of attendees visited Downtown Plant City to eat pretzels and sausage, drink craft beer, listen to oompah music, and peruse several dozen vendors and food trucks in celebration of all things German.

This year’s event was hosted last Saturday, which was coincidentally the first day of autumn; and yet while the trees had not turned their fall colors and the air did not go below 80 degrees, the somewhat cooler weather was undoubtedly a big factor in drawing a large crowd downtown.

“I think it is very successful,” said Christy Lyle, President of Plant City Main Street. “It looks like we have a full crowd. We have more vendors and more entertainment and looks like a good event.”

The Oktoberfest event was proposed by Plant City Manager, Bill McDaniel. As Lyle explained, “He wanted something like this in Downtown Plant City and we decided to do it.”

For the second annual event, this year’s Oktoberfest far exceeded expectations, with residents and officials alike enjoying a local event that brings people together of all stripes and colors; and with their expectations far exceeded, expectations for the future remain high, Lyle explained.

“This is an event that people like to go to and like to attend,” she said. “So, I think our social media presence and getting the word out, we have been advertising for months and people have been looking forward to it. We are just going to get bigger and bigger.”

Haines City Man Wanted For Attempted Murder Of Good Samaritan Who Intervened While Suspect Battered 64 Yr Old Woman

Carl Fish
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0
Haines City Man Wanted For Attempted Murder Of Good Samaritan Who Intervened While Suspect Battered 64 Yr Old Woman

35-year-old Jose Chaidez of Haines City is wanted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for battering his 64-year-old former girlfriend and then severely beating another man who tried to intervene in his attack on the woman.

Chaidez is wanted for: attempted 2nd degree murder, armed burglary with battery, burglary with battery, criminal mischief, and stalking (DV). The attacks occurred at J and S Food Mart located at 3084 East Hinson Avenue, Haines City, Florida on Saturday, September 23, at around 4:23 p.m

Click here to see a video of the attacks: https://youtu.be/8HdXCsFndfM.

Chaidez threatened the woman at the store with a butcher knife, slapped her with the knife, struck her and pulled her by the hair. A 43-year-old Haines City man saw the violence occurring and stepped forward in an attempt to stop the man from beating the woman and taking the woman from the store. Chaidez overpowered the man and repeatedly struck him in the head while he laid unconscious on the floor.

Chaidez then engaged with another man, hitting him, then left the store before deputies and EMS arrived. The second man was not seriously injured and left before deputies could identify or interview him. Deputies are asking for this man to come forward so we can hold Chaidez accountable for the battery.

The Good Samaritan was transported to an area hospital where he remains hospitalized. The victim remains in critical condition at this time but is improving and is expected to recover.

“We need to locate this very violent man and put him in jail where he belongs. Anyone who would beat up a 64 year old woman and then ruthlessly beat up a man who tried to help a woman in distress, is a menace and needs to be locked up. If you know where Jose Chaidez is, call us or call Crime Stoppers. This guy needs to be held accountable.” Grady Judd, Sheriff

An extensive search was completed in an effort to locate the suspect; however, deputies were unable to locate Chaidez. Deputies are asking the public to help us locate and arrest Chaidez. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.

Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous, and be eligible for a cash reward, can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways: 

CALL 1-800-226 TIPS (8477); 

DIAL **TIPS from your cell phone; 

VISIT www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip;” 

or DOWNLOAD the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

Jose Manuel Chaidez’s criminal history includes aggravated assault with a weapon, battery domestic violence, kidnapping/false imprisonment, resisting an officer without violence, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit and run, battery, and battery DV.

Federal Air Marshals Arrested For Domestic Battery In Lakeland

Carl Fish
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0
Federal Air Marshals Arrested For Domestic Battery In Lakeland

51-year-old Fernando Gonzalez of Lakeland was charged with battery domestic violence for pushing his girlfriend during an argument, during which she was trying to leave their shared residence. Gonzalez is employed as a Federal Air Marshal. 

At approximately 1:15 pm on Sunday, September 24, deputies responded to a residence in Lakeland. The victim reported she was pushed against her will against a door in the home by Gonzalez. Deputies observed a small cut mark on the victim’s left wrist that had minor bleeding.

Fernando Gonzalez denied touching the victim during the argument. Deputies observed in the affidavit that the victim’s description of what happened was consistent throughout the investigation and that Gonzalez’ was not consistent, changing his description of the event several times. 

“We expect better from a law enforcement officer. We have notified the Air Marshal’s office of this arrest.” Grady Judd, Sheriff

Gonzalez was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Investigating An Assault At Haines City Convenience Store

Carl Fish
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0
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Investigating An Assault At Haines City Convenience Store

By Carl Fish

Haines City, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a serious injury altercation that occurred Saturday In Haines City. According to Scott Wilder, Director of Communications for the PCSO, the altercation happened shortly after 4pm near J & S Foods (convenience store) on the corner of Hinson Ave. & 30th St. in Haines City.

“Looking for the known suspect “ advised Wilder. At this time the PCSO isn’t releasing any names and the incident is still under investigation.

This is a developing story and we will update as soon as more information is released.

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