Winter Haven Police are asking for assistance in identifying the male in this video. On Monday, Feb. 1, 2023, the male (approximately 18-19 years-old) seen in the video entered the T-Mobile store (997 Havendale Blvd) and went to the iPhone display. He forcibly removed an iPhone 14 Pro, valued at $1,100. As he begins to exit the store, a store associate attempts to block the exit, however the male pushes the associate and runs eastbound away from the store.
Video here: https://fb.watch/isN3msmMrj/?mibextid=wACSiI
If you recognize this suspect, please contact Detective Moore at 863-837-9754. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
Or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet. You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.
Greater Winter Haven Chamber Of Commerce- Join us in Downtown Winter Haven on March 4th for a day full of FREE family fun. Guests can look forward to games, entertainment, character meet & greets, activities and so much more.
Polk City, Florida – On January 30, 2023, PCSO detectives arrested 18-year-old Vincent Smith of Polk City for attempted first degree murder (3 counts) and other related charges after he shot a 17-year-old Eagle Lake teen.
According to the investigation and witness statements, around 10:45 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023, Smith, the victim, and others were hanging out near Surveyors Lake in unincorporated Bartow. The victim noticed a red laser light pointed toward him and told his two friends that they needed to leave because he believed someone may have a gun.
Smith approached the victim, and the two began to argue about the laser light. Smith then punched the victim in the face, removed a handgun from the waistband of his pants, and pointed it at the victim.
The victim and his two friends immediately retreated to their vehicle. As they drove away from the area, Smith fired several rounds at the vehicle, and one struck the victim in the back.
The victim told his friends he had been shot, and they drove him to a local hospital where he is being treated for his injuries. He is expected to make a full-recovery.
Crime Scene Investigators recovered around 28 spent shell casings from the scene.
“The victims in this shooting tried to leave when the argument became heated, but Smith let his anger turn violent. Now a teenager has been shot, and Smith faces a lengthy prison sentence.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Detectives found Smith at a residence in Auburndale and took him into custody. He is currently in the Polk County Jail charged with:
Polk County residents who commute to and from Orlando can expect less traffic congestion in the next four years now that road projects have been expedited to reconstruct existing interchanges and add more lanes along I4.
At a press conference on Monday at the SunTrax Test Facility in Auburndale, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a proposal for a traffic congestion relief plan that will expedite more than 20 major interstate and roadway construction projects over the next four years.
Two of these proposed projects will improve traffic conditions to and from Polk County, including adding new lanes and reconstructing new interchanges on I4 between ChampionsGate and Osceola Parkway and adding new lanes on I4 between US 27 and ChampionsGate.
Named “Move Florida Forward”, this $7 billion initiative will include $4 billion from the general revenue surplus, and it will leverage innovative financial and contracting tools for an additional $3 million. Gov. DeSantis owed his proposal’s generous budget to the state’s economic growth and development under his fiscally-responsible leadership.
Gov. DeSantis boasted of having the largest budget surplus and the lowest unemployment rate in the history of the state of Florida. He mentioned how more people have been employed in the state since before the COVID-19 crisis and how the overall labor force has grown by 3.5 percent, which is more than double the job creation rate in other states.
“[This initiative] is the right thing to do, but it is only possible because we have been prudent with how we manage the state’s fiscal policy,” he said. “We tax lightly but spend conservatively, and we regulate a very reasonably with a very good climate for economic activity. I am excited about it and I think it will make a big difference.”
Other initiatives he recently pushed forward include a half-billion dollar toll relief program, which he claimed to be the biggest in Florida, and a permanent tax relief for infant items such as diapers, baby food, and cribs. As for Move Florida Forward, the lofty investment will expediate construction projects that would have otherwise taken a decade or two to complete.
“This [investment] makes sense to do,” he said. “These are things we have to do anyway. We have more than enough resources to make them happen much sooner. If we think about waiting in the normal pipeline, most of these problems will be exasperated by then. So I think we need to be getting moving on it, and I am looking forward to being able to do this with the legislators.”
Jack Perdue, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary, mentioned how Florida’s projected influx of new residents will exacerbate existing traffic problems, and how the infrastructure projects proposed in the Governor’s proposed initiative will help alleviate these problems.
“This initiative cast a bold new vision for Florida’s transportation system,” he said. “It will benefit communities throughout the state for many decades to come. A proposal of this magnitude is truly historic. This type of commitment has not been seen in my 20 years at FDOT. …Our strong vision like this is exactly why Florida remains a national leader in transportation. As Florida continues to grow, the Department is seeking bold innovative solutions and cutting through unnecessary red tape to keep Florida on top.”
Vicky Ortiz is an insurance consultant and a wife and mother of two. Her business has her traveling across the county. As someone who regularly commutes, she appreciates the Governor investing so much money toward making her commute less strenuous and time-consuming. She is especially grateful for his toll relief program.
“Thanks to DeSantis for keeping it [tolls] low,” she said. “We do not have a state tax, so why are we complaining?”
Josh Borum has served in fire protection for five years. He oversees a team of 14 employees and assists 4,000 customers. As they service 12 thousand of jobs in the Orlando area each year, he and his employees often spend 480 hours (or 12 weeks) sitting in traffic, which amounts to $50,000 in lost income. These proposed improvements will allow him and his team to save money and time.
“I love Gov. DeSantis being a common sense leader that is getting things done for Floridians,” he said. “I am excited to see the improvements coming in the next 10 years rather than 20 years. I am 44 years old. I would not see these changes until after I retire if not for this budget surplus.”
Officers and Detectives with the Lakeland Police Department are currently investigating a shooting investigation involving multiple victims. Officers were called to the location near Iowa Avenue North and Plum Street at approximately 3:43 p.m. today. At this time we believe there are nine victims, two with critical injuries and seven with non-life-threatening injuries.
Chief Sam Taylor will be available to brief the media at 7:00 p.m. at the Lakeland Police Department
A crash involving two vehicles in the Dundee area Sunday evening, January 29, 2023 resulted in the death of one of the drivers.
At about 9:21 pm, deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, along with Lake Hamilton Police, and Polk County Fire Rescue, were dispatched to the crash on US 27, north of Dundee Road (State Road 542).
Upon the arrival of first responders, 28-year old Michael Huggins of Haines City was found deceased.
Mr. Huggins was the driver of a silver 2008 Audi A6.
The other driver, 36-year old Roel Avila Almaguer of Frostproof, was operating an orange 2017 Volvo semi-tractor and trailer. He was not injured.
The PCSO’s Traffic Homicide Unit collected evidence and witness statements, and determined that Mr. Avila Almaguer’s truck was stopped in traffic in a southbound lane on US 27 for a traffic light.
Mr. Huggins approached the semi from behind in the same lane, and at the last moment, tried to swerve to miss the trailer. The Audi’s driver side collided with the rear passenger-side of the trailer, causing significant damage to the car, and fatal injuries to Mr. Huggins.
Investigators found that the trailer lighting was functional and had no defects.
Southbound US 27 was shut down for approximately three hours.
A newborn baby girl was found by deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office early Saturday morning, January 28, 2023, in Mulberry, after someone reported hearing a baby crying outside.
At about 1:47 am, deputies found the girl, wrapped in a blanket, on a small hill near the Regal Loop Mobile Home Park, just off of Bailey Road. She was still attached to the placenta.
Polk County Fire Rescue medics estimated that the girl had born approximately one hour before she was found, based on the infant’s body temperature.
In the Mulberry area overnight, the outside temperature was in the lower 50s. PCFR transported the girl to a local hospital and she was reported to be healthy and stable.
Meanwhile, deputies attempted to locate the mother of the infant. A K-9 unit, drone, Aviation unit, and bloodhound were used in the search. Deputies also began going door-to-door, but have so far been unsuccessful in locating her.
“It was by the Grace of God that we found the abandoned baby girl when we did, before exposure to the cold or any animals caused her any harm. She was left in an extremely vulnerable condition, but she’s a strong little girl, and it looks like she’s doing great.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind mothers about Florida’s Safe Haven Law, enacted in 2000, which allows for parents to leave their unharmed newborn child (under a week old) at any Safe Haven facility (hospitals or properly staffed EMS/Fire Station) anonymously, and without fear of prosecution.
If anyone has any information about the mother of this baby, they are asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.
Traffic Homicide investigators from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a third fatal crash on Saturday, January 28, 2023.
Deputies were dispatched at about 11:55pm to a crash on New Tampa Highway (US 92) in Lakeland, about a thousand feet east of the Polk Parkway.
The crash involved two pickup trucks: a black 2009 Chevrolet and a white 2004 Toyota.
51-year old Selestino Vega Bocanegra Mata of Lakeland was the driver of the Toyota. When first responders arrived, he was found in his vehicle deceased.
The Chevy truck was driven by 25-year old Leonardo Barrera Zurita. He was taken to a local hospital and treated for a broken leg and hand.
The passenger in the Chevy truck was 32-year old Frederico Garcia Duran. He was taken to the hospital and treated for bruises and abrasions.
Both men in the Chevy truck are from Lakeland.
Detectives determined that the Toyota had been traveling east on New Tampa Highway and the Chevy was going west.
As the two vehicles approached each other, the Chevrolet crossed over the center line and struck the Toyota.
All occupants were wearing seat belts.
The roadway was closed in both directions for approximately four hours.
Criminal and civil charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, which is ongoing.
Single-vehicle crash in Frostproof Saturday night results in the death of a Lake Alfred man
A Lake Alfred man died Saturday evening, January 28, 2023, after being involved in a single-vehicle crash in the Frostproof area.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at about 8:11pm, to the crash scene on US 27 near Charles Street, southwest of Frostproof.
38-year old Bryam Torres, the driver of a gray 2011 Isuzu Trooper, was found with life-threatening injuries and flown to a local hospital. He was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.
The PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit began collecting evidence and witness statements.
The preliminary investigation determined that Mr. Torres was traveling north on US 27 when his vehicle left the roadway in a slight curve. The vehicle flipped multiple times, causing Mr. Torres to be ejected. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
The two northbound lanes of US 27 were shut down for one hour, then operated with only one northbound lane for an additional two hours.
Haines City concluded its weeklong celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with its annual parade on Sat., Jan. 21. More than 55 units from marching bands and dance troupes to fire and rescue vehicles and decorated vehicles made their way through Downtown Haines City.
The parade started at Main Street near the Haines City Public Library and City Hall, made its way through downtown, and ended at 7th Street near Myers and Wiley Field where the Unity Day festival was hosted.
“The parade has been successful because we understand the importance of honoring the rich legacy of Dr. King,” said Sameka with the Haines City Northeast Revitalization Group. “The marches through the streets were a way to show solidarity against the injustices towards blacks having equal rights. As we continue to parade decades later, it is a way to keep his dream alive.
The parade capped off a week-long celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King and his legacy. The week of events started on Sunday with Praise in the Park, where local pastors gathered to pray over the city.
Other events included a literacy event on Tuesday evening at the library and a scholarship brunch on Thursday where two local high school seniors were conferred scholarships.
Sameka appreciated how the weeklong celebration allow the local community to commemorate the life of a great civil rights leader. An old classmate even traveled from Ohio and Tallahassee to attend the parade, she said.
“This is also one day in the year where a family can enjoy themselves,” she said. “In addition to the parade, I enjoy the keynote speakers and honoring the Grand Marshall. Both the keynote speaker and Grand Marshall embodies the meaning of keeping the dream alive. Performers, vendors and spectators travel from Orlando and other surrounding cities. They provide food and entertainment to help make the cultural experience great.”
