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4 charged, 2 At Large In Organized Crime Investigation “Operation Heavy Lift”

Carl Fish
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4 charged, 2 At Large In Organized Crime Investigation “Operation Heavy Lift”

Polk County Press Release

Across 16 Florida counties thieves rented, then systematically stole and resold, large outdoor equipment: loaders, stump grinders, trenchers, & mini-excavators from The Home Depot

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Organized Retail Crime Detectives, working with the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, Ashley Moody, Attorney General, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, developed and charged six suspects during an investigation that started in late 2021 when Home Depot organized retail crime investigators, working with law enforcement, developed information regarding rental equipment not being returned to their stores in the central and southeast Florida areas.

The equipment thefts, involving Toro Dingo utility loaders, stump grinders, trenchers, and mini-excavators (and the trailers they sit on) affected 16 counties within Florida, including 12 judicial circuits. 

The investigation began in late 2021 when Home Depot investigators began reviewing large equipment overdue rentals and found a pattern of activity in the southeast region, which includes the Tampa and Orlando area stores. The overdue rentals and thefts had several similarities: they were one-day rentals by renters with Orlando addresses, and the GPS devices installed in the units were disabled within hours of the equipment leaving the store. The stolen equipment was then posted on social media sales sites, such as Facebook marketplace. 

The investigation revealed that a total of 61pieces of equipment and the trailers they were on were stolen, at a loss to the Home Depot of $1.1 Million. The six suspects identified have been charged with least 50 of those fraudulent rentals and thefts. The total depreciated net book value of equipment and trailers identified throughout this investigation was determined to be nearly $600,000.

The thefts occurred in the following counties: Brevard, Broward, Duval, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Seminole, St. Johns, and St. Lucie.

“We appreciate the hard work and cooperation from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution—because of the multi-county theft and fraud that occurred in this case, we could not have held these thieves appropriately accountable without their state-wide resources. Organized retail crime is a serious problem in Florida. It drives up the cost of goods and we all suffer through higher prices. These brazen thieves made a living systematically stealing. They made the mistake of stealing in Polk County—our detectives are among the best in the nation investigating organized retail theft. We will absolutely hold them accountable and put their butts in jail and then prison.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The suspects in this case went to great lengths and long distances to execute this elaborate construction rental scheme—stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in heavy construction equipment. They thought they were being clever by using stolen identities and smashing the GPS trackers on the equipment, but it wasn’t enough to outsmart Sheriff Judd’s deputies, FDLE and my Statewide Prosecutors.”

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said, “Organized retail theft has real-life impacts on our hard-working citizens who pay more for goods because of theft. I appreciate FDLE’s Orlando Regional Operations Center special agents and analysts that worked to recover a portion of the stolen property. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, in partnership with Attorney General Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, will continue to fight these crimes.”

The first reported theft occurred on October 26, 2021, at the Home Depot store number 8545 on US Hwy 1 in Sebastian, FL. The main suspect, Byron Paul Johnson (DOB 3/27/1987) of Orlando, completed a one-day rental form for a Toro Dingo TX427 using his Florida Driver’s license. He then listed an “auger for sale” on Facebook marketplace, and a witness answered the ad due to the fact that his own auger had recently been stolen and he wanted to meet with the seller (Johnson) to see if the listed auger was his. The two arranged to meet, at which time the witness recognized that the auger was a rental from Home Depot. The witness observed Johnson and three other black males attempting to remove the equipment from the trailer, but they were unable to do so. They then appeared to become nervous and suddenly left in a white truck. The witness reported the incident to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, including the tag number of the truck. IRSO deputies responded to the Home Depot and confirmed the equipment had just been rented by Johnson. They issued a warrant for his arrest, charging him with grand theft; he was arrested on that warrant in January 2022 in Orange County and later released after posting bond. 

Johnson was tied to several thefts via video surveillance, social media messages, and text messages. He often used his own identification when completing the rental agreements and his own Facebook page to post the equipment for sale. Johnson told the unsuspecting buyers that he was a “construction worker going out of business,” or “my father passed away and I need money.” 

His co-defendants (listed below) used identification stolen during vehicle burglaries or victims of identity theft. Investigators saw several of the co-defendants with Johnson in store surveillance video filling out the rental forms. 

Johnson was arrested in Polk County on January 27, 2022, after PCSO detectives who were conducting surveillance saw him renting equipment at the Home Depot in Winter Haven, and made a traffic stop. He was taken into custody for DWLSR and transported to a Sheriff’s Office substation to be interviewed. He was released from jail after posting bond, but failed to appear in court. In June 2022, a Polk County warrant was issued for failure to appear.

During the investigation, detectives identified Johnson’s girlfriend, Natasha Tacathy Anderson (DOB 5/30/1995) of Orlando, as part of the theft ring. They also found evidence of his orchestration of thefts by other associates of theirs. 

Ivan Ramirez (DOB 2/14/1987), the owner of Smiley’s Heavy Equipment Services, LLC, in Bradenton, coordinated several fraudulent rentals and thefts of Home Depot equipment with Johnson, and then purchased the stolen equipment from him at a much lower cost than retail.

Byron Johnson directed a criminal organization to steal and make fraudulent sales of unreturned rental machinery from The Home Depot stores. His girlfriend Natasha acted as a coordinator, advising Johnson of potential buyers and letting him know where rentals were available. Johnson paid friends, family members, and other acquaintances to act as “look outs” when meeting potential buyers, to do counter surveillance when making the fraudulent rentals, to use their personal vehicles or rental cars, and asking them to deliver the stolen equipment when he was unavailable. 

On August 6, 2022, PCSO detectives were contacted by a Home Depot investigator who was watching “On Patrol: Live” (a show that airs footage from camera crews who do ride-alongs with law enforcement agencies). The episode that aired on August 5th showed Volusia County deputies following a white SUV that was pulling a trailer with a Toro Dingo TX427 on it. The truck refused to stop, but then broke down on Interstate 95 in Daytona Beach. The driver – Johnson – was arrested by Volusia deputies on his active Polk County warrant for failure to appear. In the video, he puts himself in the backseat before getting out of the SUV. There are three children in the SUV as well. The Toro Dingo on the trailer was the one that was stolen by Johnson in Jacksonville in December 2021. Johnson is currently serving a 1.5 year sentence in Florida state prison for felony fleeing to elude and child neglect based on this arrest. He is scheduled to be released in January 2024.

The suspects who were arrested and charged during this investigation are:

Byron Paul Johnson, DOB 3/27/1987; 846 23rd St, Orlando (currently in FL state prison – charged via Polk Co. warrant):

·        Grand theft over $100,000

·        Scheme to defraud

·        9 counts dealing in stolen property

·        Unlawful possession of personal identification

·        CRIMINAL HISTORY: Grand theft, child neglect, fleeing to elude, resisting arrest, DUI, DWLSR

Natasha Anderson, DOB 5/30/1995; 846 23rd St, Orlando (Polk Co. warrant issued):

·        Grand theft over $20,000

·        Scheme to defraud

·        Dealing in stolen property

·        CRIMINAL HISTORY: Possession of: cocaine, meth, controlled substance, synthetic cannabinoid, marijuana, and paraphernalia; petit theft

Michael Tyrone White, DOB 10/16/1989; 1912 Rockwell Rd, Orlando (arrested March 31, 2023, currently in Orange Co. jail):

·        Grand theft over $20,000

·        Scheme to defraud

·        Dealing in stolen property

·        CRIMINAL HISTORY: Battery, assault on public education employee, possession of cocaine, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, criminal mischief, fleeing to elude, resisting arrest, grand theft of a motor vehicle, racketeering, unlawful use of two-way communication device, DWLSR

Marquiel De’Shai Joseph, DOB 11/5/1991; 1760 Bright Meadow Ct, Orlando (arrested February 20, 2023 on Orange Co. charges, still in Orange Co. jail):

·        Grand theft 

·        Scheme to defraud

·        CRIMINAL HISTORY: Battery on school employee, battery on LEO, aggravated battery, aggravated stalking, robbery, burglary with battery, burglary, grand theft of a firearm, grand theft of motor vehicle, carrying concealed weapon, possession of weapon by convicted felon, fraud, grand theft, petit theft, possession of meth, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, DWLSR

Ivan Flores Ramirez, DOB 2/14/1987; 3304 17th Ave W, Bradenton (arrested in Manatee Co. March 31, 2023, bonded out April 3, 2023):

·        Dealing in stolen property

·        CRIMINAL HISTORY: Trespassing

Dwight Williams, DOB 9/1/1987; 4441 Conley St, Orlando (Polk Co. warrant issued):

·        Grand theft over $10,000

·        Scheme to defraud

·        CRIMINAL HISTORY: Burglary with battery, battery, carrying concealed firearm, armed burglary, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief, grand theft, fleeing to elude, resisting arrest, forgery, possession of controlled substance, possession of synthetic cannabinoid

Byron Johnson

Michael White

Marquiel Joseph

Ivan Ramirez

WANTED:

Natasha Anderson

Dwight Williams

Just Another Day At The Office For Polk Deputy Nason

Carl Fish
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Just Another Day At The Office For Polk Deputy Nason

Polk County Deputy Nason saw a Chameleon crossing the road and not looking too good. She picked him up and got him some help!

Haines City Police Department K9s Matrix, Cash, and Machado Have Received Donation of Body Armor

Carl Fish
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Haines City Police Department K9s Matrix, Cash, and Machado Have Received Donation of Body Armor

Haines City Police Department Press Release

K9s Matrix, Cash, and Machado have received bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Matrix’s vest was sponsored by Nancy Pyon of Huson, MT and embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love – Trained to Serve – Loyal Always”. K9 Cash’s vest was sponsored by Julie Beauchamp of Advest Investment Group, Southington, CT and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Advest Investment Group”. K9 Machado’s vest was embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.”.

The police department’s K9 unit said the dogs are truly their partners and they need to be protected as much as the officers.  These three vests will help protect the four-legged officers that run into any situation, without hesitation, in order to protect the citizens of Haines City,” said Chief Greg Goreck.

“I am very thankful for the support and generosity of individuals such as Nancy Pyon and Julie Beauchamp; as well the Organization that helped make this possible, Vested interest in K-9’s Inc.

 

K-9 Officer Joseph Elam has been paired with his Belgian Shepherd Cash for two years and nine months. Elam said it is an honor to have an extra layer of protection donated to help Cash, who was once struck by a vehicle while trying to locate a fleeing felon.

“Cash is my best friend,” he said. “I spend more time with him than any member of my family,” Elam said.

 

K-9 Officer Ryon Green has been paired with his Belgian Malinois Machado for three years as a team. Green, who has worked at the police department for 8 years, five as a K9 handler, said he appreciates the vest donations because he wants Machado to return home safely.

“Every time I deploy K9 Machado, I am always concerned for his safety,” Green said. “We both love coming to work to do our jobs.”

 

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and NIJ certified.  Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,970 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.  

 

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies.  K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate.  There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. 

 

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $985 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations atwww.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

Fatal Crash Involving Semi-Tractor Trailer & Migrants Grove Worker Bus Blocking Hwy 98 In Ft. Meade

Carl Fish
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Fatal Crash Involving Semi-Tractor Trailer & Migrants Grove Worker Bus Blocking Hwy 98 In Ft. Meade

UPDATE to traffic crash in Fort Meade this morning:

Some of this information has changed from what we previously released, as this is a fluid situation:

Just after 6:00 a.m. this morning the PCSO ECC began receiving 911 calls regarding a two-vehicle crash on US Hwy 98 East, between Adams Rd and Avon Park Cutoff Road.

The vehicles involved are a tanker truck that was transporting unleaded fuel, and a migrant worker bus owned by Overlook Harvesting in Winter Haven. The bus had 38 people on it, heading to Plant City to pick strawberries.

One person on the bus died at the scene. Nine people on the bus were transported to the following hospitals: Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, Sebring Hospital, Lake Wales Hospital, and Tampa General Hospital.

The tanker driver was transported with less serious injuries to Bartow Regional Medical Center.

According to the investigation so far, the bus was heading westbound and for unknown reasons it crossed over into the eastbound lane and struck the tanker head-on as the tanker was heading eastbound.

Some fuel leaked from the tanker. The rest of the fuel is in the process of being transferred to another tanker, and the roads will remain closed until that is complete.

————-

UPDATE to traffic crash in Fort Meade between a semi-tanker truck and a grove worker transport bus:

There were 38 occupants of the bus, and of those, one is deceased, four were trauma alerted to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, and four were taken to Sebring Hospital. The semi-tanker driver was transported to Bartow Regional Medical Center.

The roadway is still shut down in that area.

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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is on the scene of a traffic crash on US Hwy 98 East at Adams Rd in Fort Meade involving a semi-tanker truck and white grove worker transport bus. There are multiple injuries and at least one fatality. The roadway in that area is shut down until further notice. Please avoid the area and use alternate routes.

Argument At Lakeland McDonalds Leads To Shots Fired, Brief Stand-off & Eventually An Arrest For Attempted Murder

Carl Fish
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Argument At Lakeland McDonalds Leads To Shots Fired, Brief Stand-off & Eventually An Arrest For Attempted Murder

Lakeland Police Press Release

LAKELAND, FL (April 2, 2023) – On Sunday, April 2, 2023, Lakeland Police arrested 28-year-old Calvin Jordan Sousa, charging him with two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder in connection with a shooting that took place earlier in the morning. At approximately 2:58 a.m., officers were dispatched to the McDonald’s located at 5325 Frontage Road in reference to a fight between two adult males. While officers were en route, dispatchers received updates from the reportee that shots had been fired.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers located a minivan in the roadway directly in front of the restaurant. Inside the vehicle, officers found a 28-year-old female, who had been shot multiple times, and a 34-year-old male rendering aid. The female was transported to Lakeland Regional Health in stable condition with serious injuries, and the male declined medical treatment at the scene for a minor injury. The suspect had fled the location in a white-colored vehicle. 

Officers were told that prior to the shooting, the victims were in the drive-thru line waiting for their order, which had been delayed due to an error. The suspect, in line behind the victims, became upset and began honking the horn and yelling. Both the male victim and the suspect got out of their vehicles and engaged in a physical fight. After a brief fight, both returned to their vehicles. As the vehicles began to leave the parking lot, the suspect pulled up to the passenger’s side of the victims’ minivan and fired multiple shots into the vehicle.

Through witness statements and evidence at the scene, officers identified the suspect’s vehicle, tracking it to a residence in Highland City. The registered owner of the vehicle was confirmed to be Calvin Sousa. Witnesses at the shooting scene also confirmed Sousa as the suspect. Lakeland Police, with the assistance of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, attempted to make contact with the Sousa at the residence. Sousa initially refused to exit the home, barricading himself inside. Eventually, Sousa did exit the home and was taken into custody. Sousa is charged with two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, Shooting Into An Occupied Vehicle, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Improper Exhibit of a Firearm. 

The names of the victims are being withheld in accordance with Marsy’s Law.

60 Yr Old Davenport Man Who Crashed Into Multiple Vehicles May Have Had Medical Episode

Carl Fish
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60 Yr Old Davenport Man Who Crashed Into Multiple Vehicles May Have Had Medical Episode

The PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit investigated a crash involving four vehicles in Davenport on Friday, March 31, 2023; one of the drivers involved is deceased, possibly from a medical episode. No other parties were injured.

According to the investigation so far, PCSO received a 911 call around 5:42 a.m. that morning from the area of US Hwy 27 North near the intersection of Bella Citta Blvd. When first responders arrived, they found 60-year-old Craig Etheredge of Davenport deceased in his blue 2008 Toyota Corolla. 

 

Etheredge was traveling south on US Hwy 27 in the middle lane approaching the aforementioned intersection when he veered to the right and side-swiped a red 2017 Dodge Charger that was also heading southbound in the far right lane. He then drifted over and across the intersection, and struck a white Chevrolet Silverado truck that was facing northbound and stopped at the red light. This pushed the Silverado into a white 2016 Trex cement truck that was also stopped at the red light beside it.

 

Etheredge’s family told deputies that he was not feeling well and was driving himself to the hospital. It is possible he had a medical event while driving, which caused the crash and resulted in his death. The investigation is ongoing. The roadways in that area were closed for approximately four hours.

29 Yr Old Lakeland Man Charged With Hit & Run Homicide Of Bicyclist

Carl Fish
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29 Yr Old Lakeland Man Charged With Hit & Run Homicide Of Bicyclist

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

During the evening hours of Saturday, April 1, 2023, 29-year-old Colten McMullen(DOB 8/25/93) of Lakeland was arrested on US Hwy 92 west of Auburndale after hitting two vehicles and a bicyclist, and attempting to flee. The bicyclist is deceased.

According to the affidavit, just after 10:00 p.m. the Auburndale Police Department responded to a traffic crash near the Walmart on US Hwy 92, where the at-fault driver (later positively identified as McMullen) had struck another vehicle and fled the scene. 

While fleeing west down US 92 in his white Chevy Silverado, McMullen struck another vehicle within PCSO’s jurisdiction approximately two miles down the road from the first crash. Deputies responded to investigate that crash and search for the fleeing suspect. The victims in the Dodge Journey SUV told deputies that after the Silverado struck the rear of their vehicle, it continued west and swerved right, partially off of the roadway, where it struck an adult male bicyclist. The suspect did not stop to render aid. First responders found the bicyclist, a 37-year-old Lakeland man, deceased from his injuries. Other witnesses in the area also reported the hit-and-run fatality.

After hitting the bicyclist, the Silverado continued until it became disabled, and McMullen stopped the truck approximately 1.5 miles west of Old Dixie Hwy. Deputies arrived and took him into custody. He showed several signs of impairment and told deputies that he had been drinking at the Apple Lounge on Recker Hwy that evening. He told deputies the truck is his and that he “wrecked” but that he wasn’t sure how many times he wrecked. He was taken into custody and charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death, a first degree felony, and leaving the scene of a crash causing property damage, a misdemeanor.

Further charges are pending the toxicological results of his blood alcohol content. He is being held in the Polk County Jail on no bond until a first appearance hearing.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family who are certainly grieving the loss of their loved one, and our gratitude goes out to all of the witnesses who assisted us during this investigation. Thanks to their cooperation and a swift response from law enforcement, we were able to take McMullen into custody before he could hurt anyone else.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Welcome, World Travelers! Shazam: Fury of the Gods is Super Fun

Staff Reporter
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Welcome, World Travelers! Shazam: Fury of the Gods is Super Fun

by James Coulter

The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has proven to be quite the tumultuous movie franchise. Originally, it was marketed as the “darker” and “edgier” competitor of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but its superficial “maturity” only led to cinematic disasters like Man of Steel and Batman v Superman. Only after it shaved off its “edge” and lightened its tone did the DCEU gain momentum with some real successes: Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Suicide Squad, and Shazam!

Without exaggeration and with all sincerity, the original 2019 Shazam! is the best DCEU film, if for no other reason than it’s the most fun and hilarious. How can it not be? The movie has a very fun and hilarious premise: what if a young boy was granted the power to turn into an adult and gain super abilities like super strength, speed, and flight? The answer is a superhero version of 1988’s Big, with a boy taking full advantage of being both an adult and superhero, from performing heroic feats to legally buying beer at a gas station for his teenage companion.

Zachary Levi (despite the glaring fault of his anti-vaccine views) does a great job of playing a young boy trapped inside the body of an adult man with his immature quips and mannerisms. He certainly has you believe he is a young boy turned into a man. And he certainly appears to have fun playing that role, which makes it even more fun watching him play that role.

Shazam: Fury of the Gods follows where the last movie ended. Two years had passed since Billy Baxton and his foster family of children gained the superpowers of Shazam. They try to use their powers to be superheroes and save the day, but, still being young inexperienced children, they often fail in their endeavors, to the point of their team being dubbed the “Philly Fiascos.”

Aside from the many failures of him and his superhero team, Billy also battles with the insecurity of almost turning 18 and soon aging out of the foster system. That, along with his other family members doing their separate things, makes him question his place in his family and worry about his future within it.

Of course, things take an unexpected turn when he and the others are hunted by the Daughters of Atlas, the Greek titan punished with holding up the Earth, and who was one of the legendary heroes whose powers were stolen to create Shazam. His daughters now seek to hunt down Billy and his family and steal back those powers for their own nefarious purposes. Will Billy keep his family together, both figuratively and literally, in the face of these new threats?

Admittedly, this review is going to be short because I don’t have much to say about it. Shazam is your typical superhero movie with your typical message about the importance of family. It follows the typical beats of those stories, and thus you know what the typical outcome is going to be. This movie is typical, which is what I’m trying to get at. It’s average—or “mid”, as the kids these days will put it.

But, again, as with the original movie, what makes this sequel work is Zachary Levi and the other actors, all of whom do a good job of acting like kids inside the bodies of adults. Special

props to Meagan Good, who does an excellent job of playing a young woman being played by a young girl playing a young woman. There’s one scene at the start where she and the team are saving people from a collapsing bridge. She sees a car with a basket of baby kittens. She coos in excitement over their cuteness and snatches them to rescue them, leaving behind the confused human occupants before returning to save them.

Moments like that essentially save this movie from being just average. Like the original movie, it is fun and hilarious. There are plenty of funny moments that certainly prove entertaining and add levity to the heavy action.

For example, one of the scenes involves a little girl having to tame a unicorn to save a city from an army of monsters by tossing Skittles at it and asking it to “taste the rainbow!” If moments like that make you roll your eyes and scoff, you’ll want to avoid this movie. But if you like fun and having fun, then give this movie a chance.

Not many superhero movies know how to be fun anymore. Aside from the Guardians of the Galaxy, Deadpool, and Ant-Man films, most superhero movies take themselves way too seriously. That was especially true for the DCEU at its start. So it’s a real relief to finally be able to watch movies like Shazam that don’t take themselves too seriously and know how to have a good time. We need more movies like that.

So, it’s a real pity that Shazam: Fury of the Gods isn’t doing well at the box office or in reviews. The movie flopped its opening weekend with only a measly $30.5 million, and with a meager 52 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Don’t let its poor performance fool you. The new Shazam! movie may not be great, but it’s pretty good for what it is. If you liked the campy children’s movies of the 1980s, both this and Shazam! 2019 have that exact feel that will make you feel good and make you chuckle. Overall, I’d certainly recommend watching this movie, at least as a matinee.

Two Illegal Immigrants from South America Arrested For Multiple Vehicle Burglaries and Fraud

Carl Fish
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Two Illegal Immigrants from South America Arrested For Multiple Vehicle Burglaries and Fraud

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

On March 29, 2023, Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 33-year-old Ricardo Guerra-Vergara and 32-year-old Eduardo Rojas-Astudillofor multiple vehicle burglaries, grand theft, fraud and other charges. Both Guerra-Vergara and Rojas-Astudillo are Chilean citizens who are in the United States illegally.

Hunt Fountain Park burglaries

On March 25, 2023, detectives began investigating two vehicle burglaries that occurred at Hunt Fountain Park (2020 Duff Road) in Lakeland. An additional vehicle at the park was damaged from an attempted burglary as well. The suspects removed personal items, including credit and debit cards, from the vehicles. The burglaries occurred while the victims were attending youth sporting events at the park.

The victims received multiple notifications from their financial institutions alerting them to fraudulent activity associated with the stolen credit and debit cards while they were at the park, at which time they returned to their vehicles and found them damaged and/or burglarized.

In the first burglary, two victims received multiple alerts of suspected fraudulent activity from their financial institutions. Detectives confirmed that a total of $4,994.19 was withdrawn using the stolen cards, and an additional $9,529.26 was attempted but the transactions were declined. 

Another victim received alerts that someone attempted to withdraw $6669.63 from different credit and debit cards. When the victim checked, all of the fraudulently used cards were still in her wallet, however, $957 in cash was taken from her car. 

Another victim whose car was parked in the lot reported damage to her driver side keyhole, but nothing from within her vehicle was missing.

Lake Parker Park burglary

During the investigation, detectives learned that the Lakeland Police Department was investigating a similar vehicle burglary by the same suspects at the Lake Parker Pavilion Park (830 E. Robson St.) that also occurred on March 25th. The suspects burglarized one vehicle and damaged a second vehicle in a failed attempt to break into it. 

PCSO detectives obtained video evidence at Lake Parker Park that identified a gray Dodge Durango as the suspects’ vehicle. The video revealed three Hispanic males in the Durango—the truck stopped beside a victim’s vehicle and exited the Durango. Two of the men appeared to be look-outs, while the third male entered the victim’s vehicle. All three returned to the Durango and left the park. 

A total of four victims had personal items in the burglarized vehicle. The suspects attempted to withdraw a total of $13,200.66 from the victims’ credit and debit cards. The attempted transactions were declined by the financial institutions. Also stolen from the vehicle was $795 in cash. 

The Dodge Durango was determined to have been rented from Miami, Florida, and the vehicle information was disseminated to area law enforcement agencies.

On March 29th, The Haines City Police Department located the Durango at the Bank of America (905 E. Hinson Ave.) in Haines City. Officers confirmed the identities of the men in the Durango as Guerra-Vergara and Rojas-Astudillo. They were detained until PCSO detectives arrived.

PCSO detectives showed both suspects a photo of themselves from the Lake Parker Pavilion Park security video. Rojas-Astudillo admitted they were the men in the photo. Detectives also heard Guerra-Vergara make the statements, “I was wearing a hat, so they can’t tell it was me,” and “They can’t prove anything, we returned all of the cards.”

“Not only are these criminals in the country illegally, they are preying on the innocent citizens of Polk County. Because of the quick work by my detectives and the partnership we have with other law enforcement agencies, these two thieves are off the street and in jail where they belong. Two key takeaways from this burglary trend are: don’t leave your valuables in plain view when you leave your car parked at a sports field, dog park, or gym, where suspects know women are more likely to leave their purses; and make sure your bank offers fraud alerts – the victims who had that set up on their phones were immediately notified that their cards had been stolen or compromised, which made a huge difference in this investigation.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Ricardo Guerra-Vergara was charged with:

  • Grand theft (F3) (3 counts)
  • Vehicle burglary (F3) (3 counts)
  • Attempted vehicle burglary (F3) (2 counts)
  • Fraudulent use of credit cards (F3) (12 counts)
  • Obtaining property by fraud (F3)
  • Criminal use of personal identification (F3) (6 counts)
  • Criminal mischief (F3) (2 counts) 
  • Traveling across county lines to commit a burglary (charge enhancement)

He is currently in the Polk County Jail and being held on a $29,000 bond.

Eduardo Rojas-Astudillo was charged with:

  • Grand theft (F3) (3 counts)
  • Vehicle burglary (F3) (3 counts)
  • Attempted vehicle burglary (F3) (2 counts)
  • Fraudulent use of credit cards (F3) (12 counts)
  • Obtaining property by fraud (F3)
  • Criminal use of personal identification (F3) (6 counts)
  • Criminal mischief (F3) (2 counts) 
  • Traveling across county lines to commit a burglary (charge enhancement)

He is currently in the Polk County Jail and being held on a $29,000 bond.

PCSO has confirmed with the Department of Homeland Security/United States Border Patrol that both Guerra-Vergara and Rojas-Astudillo are in the United States illegally. The Department of Homeland Security has completed an immigration detainer for each of the suspects and they are being held in the Polk County jail with those detainers, in addition to their bond.

Lakeland Automall Celebrates Grand Opening of Remodeled Facility

Staff Reporter
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Lakeland Automall Celebrates Grand Opening of Remodeled Facility

by James Coulter

Need a new car? Looking for a Toyota, Hyundai, or Genesis? You can shop for all three brands at the newly-refurbished Lakeland Automall. Just as with their old location, they remain dedicated, as their website states, to “convenience, savings, and selection.”

At Lakeland Automall, not only can you expect a diverse selection of Toyota, Hyundai, and Genesis brand vehicles, but you can also expect “exceptional service” with sales focused on your personal needs and finances.

“When it comes to the vehicle you drive, never settle for anything but the best. We believe that everyone should be treated like a guest in our home,” their website states. “This philosophy translates to exceptional service, money-saving specials, and the latest Ford, Hyundai, and used car vehicle inventory selections to its Orlando, Tampa Bay, FL area customers, backed by outstanding service.”

Lakeland Automall relocated their Lakeland Hyundai facility into the former Lakeland Mazda building, all while completely remodeling their 1500 property. As the Lakeland Chamber reported: “For over a year and a $2M reinvestment. [they have] updated the facility with the latest technologies including 2 public access EV fast charging stations, an expanded three-lane service bay and completely remodeled sales and service showrooms.”

Lakeland Automall celebrated the grand opening of its newly-refurbished facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

Over the past year, the facility has undergone its journey towards a complete remodel of its property. Owner Greg Balasco owes their success to their committed staff who have remained steadfast throughout the entire process. Their next venture, he announced, will be to transform their old Mazda building into Genesis.

“In the end, what we see is absolutely beautiful,” he said. “I am proud to be here with everyone here. I am proud that we pulled this off and got everything done. It has been a fun experience. I am glad it is done…Thank you for supporting us through this long journey.”

Bob Kim, National VP of Sales, had traveled from their national headquarters in Atlanta to express his support and gratitude for the Lakeland campus. He presented a golden model of a Korean warship, 11 of which had bravely fought off a Japanese fleet of 201.

Kim has high expectations moving forward with the company. Last year, they sold 700,000 units, and they expect to sell between 1.2 – 1.5 million in a couple of years. They had already invested $1.5 billion in Savannah to build the first all-electric battery plant.

“Our commitment is there, and the partnership there is with you,” Kim said. “It says a lot about you about what you mean to us. We truly appreciate you. We appreciate it.”

Mayor Bill Mutz commended Lakeland Automall for its remodel. As the company has undergone development, so, too, has the city thanks to businesses like theirs. The economic development of

the city and its local businesses mirror each other, and for that, Mutz remains proud of the overall endeavor.

“I cannot tell you what a privilege it is to be reflected in this time and moment,” he said. We want to be reflected and available in our minds and hearts due to the passions that are within us and to fulfill our roles the best we can wherever we are, and when we do that, the rest just works out, think about doing your skills the best you can, make the most of the best and the least of the worst. That is what happened here.”

Lakeland Automall is located at 1430 W Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33815. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.lakelandautomall.com/

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