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Two Law Enforcement Officers and Suspect Shot in Bartow, Florida

Staff Reporter
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Two Law Enforcement Officers and Suspect Shot in Bartow, Florida

The Officer-Involved Deadly Incident (OIDI) task force for the 10th Judicial Circuit is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred around 5:25 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025, in the parking lot of the Atkins Building on North Broadway in Bartow.

There were two BPD officers involved, and a PCSO deputy sheriff.


The deputy is Edwin “Ed” Alexander, and he has been a deputy for 30 years (hired in May 1995). The BPD officers involved are Mark Sills and Vincent Agostino.

Deputy Alexander and Officer Sills were both shot, and transported to local hospitals where they are in good condition. Alexander was shot in the arm and Sills took a round to the chest. Thankfully Sills was wearing a vest.

The suspect, 34-year-old Wayne Volz (DOB 07/18/90) is deceased. He has a criminal history that includes previous arrests for battery domestic violence, larceny, burglary, violation of probation, and failure to appear.

Per standard protocol, there are four investigations currently underway: an independent investigation by the 10th Judicial Circuit’s Officer Involved
Deadly Incident (OIDI) Task Force; an internal investigation by the PCSO Administrative Investigations Unit; the Polk County Medical Examiner conducts the autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death; and all investigative
findings are forwarded to the 10th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office for their investigation and review.

Criminal illegal aliens linked to Venezuelan Tren De Argua gang arrested by Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Carl Fish
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Criminal illegal aliens linked to Venezuelan Tren De Argua gang arrested by Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Polk Sheriffs Office Press Release

A group of criminal illegal aliens committing organized theft crimes in the central Florida area have been arrested by Polk County Sheriff’s Organized Retail Crime Unit detectives. The group is suspected of committing crimes across the central Florida area, and detectives are working with the Statewide Prosecutor to file additional organized crime charges against them. 

In early March 2025, store personnel at the Sam’s Club in north Lakeland contacted law enforcement regarding a group of five suspects who forcibly attempted to steal a shopping cart filled with high-end liquor valued at $3,200.00. 

The suspects, described as Hispanic males, filled up the shopping cart with 14 cases of liquor. As they proceeded toward the exit, an employee grabbed the cart to stop them, but they rammed the cart into the employee, injuring her. She was able to keep them from moving the cart any further, but they grabbed two cases of liquor out of the cart and ran to a silver Ford Focus, then drove away. 

The Focus became disabled as they tried to drive it over a concrete curb in the parking lot, and the suspects left it behind fleeing the area on foot. Through their investigation, detectives determined they eventually summoned an Uber and left the area. The Lakeland Police Department responded to the scene to recover the abandoned vehicle. The Sheriff’s Office joined in the investigation, and during a search of the vehicle, detectives found the stolen liquor, cell phones, and a passport.

Two of the suspects were positively identified and detectives determined they were incarcerated in Osceola County for a different robbery. Those suspects are Samuel Oglis David Anthony Charle, 25, and Ildemaro Miguel Escalona Mendoza, 26. Once the three other suspects were identified – Alexis Jose Rodriguez-Benavides, 27, Darwins Smith Vasquez Leon, 28, and Ramon Jesus Carpintero-Luna, 26 – PCSO detectives obtained arrest warrants charging all five with robbery, which is upgraded to a first degree felony due to their gang status. 

All of the suspects are in the United States illegally from Venezuela. 

Rodriguez-Benavides, Vasquez Leon, and Carpintero-Luna were arrested last night, April 17, 2025, in Osceola County. All five suspects have ICE detainers placed on them. All are currently incarcerated.

Two of the suspects – Alexis Benavides and Samuel Charle – are known Tren De Argua gang members, and the three others are gang associates. The suspects are linked to over three dozen retail thefts across the central Florida area in five judicial districts with total losses estimated at over $30,000. 

The statewide prosecutor and Department of Homeland Security are working with detectives to charge the suspects accordingly. 

The suspects have criminal histories including immigration violations, thefts, robbery, drug possession, resisting arrest, fraudulent use of and possession of personal identification, false reports to law enforcement, robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence (listed as armed and dangerous), and driver’s license offenses. 

Sheriff Grady Judd to Brief Media on Arrests of Illegal Alien Gang Members in Polk County

Carl Fish
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Sheriff Grady Judd to Brief Media on Arrests of Illegal Alien Gang Members in Polk County

WINTER HAVEN — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd will hold a press conference at 11:00 a.m. this morning, Friday, April 18, 2025, at the Sheriff’s Operations Center in Winter Haven.

The briefing will address the arrests of an organized group of gang members and affiliates who have been linked to a series of crimes, including robbery, in and around Polk County. According to the Sheriff’s Office, all individuals arrested are in the country illegally, and their charges have been enhanced due to their immigration status.

All suspects are currently in custody and are being held on ICE detainers. Further details are expected during the media briefing.

A Lakeland woman has been arrested for stealing more than $13,700 from her employer in Winter Haven.

Staff Reporter
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A Lakeland woman has been arrested for stealing more than $13,700 from her employer in Winter Haven.

On April 16, 2025 at approximately 3:50 p.m., Winter Haven Police responded to a call involving fraudulent refunds at NAPA Auto Parts, located at 1640 3rd St SW in Winter Haven.

Officers made contact with the loss prevention (LP) member of the store who advised of being notified by another employee that 39 year-old Tiffany Johnson (DOB 12-4-85, 1112 Gilmore Ave., Lakeland FL) had been committing credit card fraud. (None of the transactions involved customer cards.)

The LP employee started an investigation on April 15, 2025 right after being notified of the accusations. A 12-hour review of transactions uncovered that, through video obtained of transactions, Johnson would look up invoices in the store computer system and utilized those transactions to enter in a refund. Johnson was then seen tapping her own card on the card reader to have the refund go back to her account. The transactions dated back to August 2024, when a new management company took over.

Johnson utilized four different cards to obtain the refunds, each card number linking back to Johnson by her employee account. The four cards were refunded in 54 transactions: $7,173.10, $3,067.90, $529.78 and $2,998.43 to total $13,769.21.

Upon being interviewed, Johnson told officers that she learned of the process by another NAPA employee who works out of state. Johnson completed the transactions approximately every other week for several months and she confirmed the money went back to her only.

Johnson was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail for one count of Grand Theft (F3) and one count of Obtaining Property by Fraud (F3).

Winter Haven Police Hosting Free Shred & Prescription Take-Back Event Coming Up This Month

Staff Reporter
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Winter Haven Police Hosting Free Shred & Prescription Take-Back Event Coming Up This Month

The Winter Haven Police Department is thrilled to announce the ever-popular shredding event that will be held in conjunction with the DEA Prescription Pill Take-Back on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
This event is designed to help citizens safely dispose of expired or unused medications AND safely take care of any important documents that need to be disposed of by way of shredding. And the best part – IT’S FREE!  (No businesses please)

The FREE event will be held in the parking lot of the Winter Haven Police Department, located at 125 N. Lake Silver Dr., NW in Winter Haven.
There is no limit to the amount of shredding or medications for disposal. (No electronics accepted)

Saturday, April 26, 2025 starting at 10 am until 2 p.m.

For more information, call 863-291-6178.

“I Want to Kill You”: Auburndale Man Accused of Stabbing Woman in Winter Haven

Staff Reporter
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“I Want to Kill You”: Auburndale Man Accused of Stabbing Woman in Winter Haven

An Auburndale man has been charged with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder after a stabbing occurred in Winter Haven.
On April 16, 2025 at approximately 8:30 p.m., Winter Haven Police responded to a call of a stabbing that occurred at a residence on Ave. Q NW in Winter Haven. Due to the injuries, the female victim was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health where she remains in critical but stable condition.
The victim advised officers that after a trip to the store, as she returned to the residence, 54 year-old Michael Laverro Patterson (DOB 12-15-70, 1203 Price Ave., Auburndale, FL) appeared from behind a building asking, “Why can’t we talk, why did you stop talking to me?” The victim could tell Patterson was agitated and attempted to calm him down, requesting that he allow her to place her items into the residence.
As the victim attempted to put the key into the lock, Patterson stated, “I really want to hurt you bitch, I really want to hurt you, I want to kill you.” The victim then felt punches on the left side of the back of her neck and shoulder and immediately felt blood. As she screamed for help, Patterson walked away from the area.
The victim knew Patterson and had been previously talking with him over the telephone until he became verbally abusive, so she stopped all communication. After ending communication, Patterson would follow her to her residence where ultimately she had him trespassed in January 2025. He had not shown back up at the residence until this incident, however he had been to her place of employment. 
Officers searched the area and located Patterson at the top of the bridge on the Chain of Lakes Trail near Martin Luther King Blvd. NW and Unity Way. Patterson was detained, however refused to speak with officers.
Patterson was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail for one count of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder (F1) and one count of Trespass after Warning (M2).

Two Dead, Multiple Injured in Florida State University Campus Shooting; Suspect in Custody

Carl Fish
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Two Dead, Multiple Injured in Florida State University Campus Shooting; Suspect in Custody

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — April 17, 2025 — A tragic shooting unfolded Thursday on the campus of Florida State University, leaving two people dead and at least six others hospitalized, including the alleged gunman, authorities said.

In an afternoon press conference, officials identified the suspected shooter as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a current FSU student and the son of a Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) school resource deputy. Sheriff Walt McNeil confirmed Ikner had been a “longstanding” member of the LCSO Youth Advisory Council. One of the weapons recovered at the scene, officials added, was a former LCSO-issued firearm that had been purchased by the deputy for personal use.

FSU Police stated that neither of the two individuals killed in the shooting were students.

The first reports of gunfire came just before noon, centered around the Student Union building. Emergency alerts from the university urged students and staff to shelter in place: “Lock and stay away from all doors and windows and be prepared to take additional protective measures.” For several tense hours, law enforcement from the FSU Police Department, Tallahassee Police Department (TPD), Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and the FBI swarmed the campus.

By 3:15 p.m., TPD confirmed the campus was secured, and an FSU alert shortly afterward said, “Law enforcement has neutralized the threat.”

When officers confronted Ikner, he reportedly failed to comply with commands to stand down, leading officers to open fire. Details on how many shots were fired or how many officers discharged their weapons remain unclear. Ikner was taken into custody and hospitalized.

TPD Chief Lawrence Revell announced that the department is leading the investigation into both the homicides and the officer-involved shooting.

Scenes of Chaos and Fear

Witnesses described chaos erupting on campus. A graduate student told WCTV News he saw a young man with a handgun emerge from the Student Union. Students inside said they heard between 15 and 20 gunshots and fled to a nearby church to hide.

Gabriel Santoro, a senior studying economics at FSU, recalled barricading his classroom door with desks after receiving the university’s emergency alert. “We kind of all realized something was going on,” he told WCTV.

Chris Pento, a father visiting campus with his twin daughters, said he was reading a menu when the gunfire started. “I couldn’t believe it. Shots fired. It was surreal. People just started running. She got trampled over,” he said, describing a panicked rush to safety, including cramming into a service elevator with about 50 others.

Law enforcement escorted students and faculty out of classrooms with their hands raised. Buses ferried evacuees from the scene as emergency vehicles clogged Tennessee Street and surrounding areas.

A reunification point for students and families was established at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, where counseling and other support services were also made available.

State and National Reaction

The shooting has drawn responses from officials across Florida and the country.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wrote on social media, “Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding.”

President Donald Trump addressed the tragedy during a press conference, calling it a “shame” and a “horrible thing,” adding that more information would be shared later.

State Representative Gallop Franklin (D–District 8) also issued a statement, calling it “a time of great concern, worry, and anguish for the FSU community and all of Tallahassee and Leon County.”

Medical officials at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) confirmed they are treating victims. In a statement to WCTV around 12:50 p.m., a TMH representative said, “We want to assure the community that our teams are fully mobilized and prepared to provide the highest level of care and support to all those affected.”

Campus Shutdown

In the wake of the shooting, FSU canceled all classes through Friday and suspended all campus activity, including Seminole Athletics events through Sunday. Florida A&M University also canceled all classes Thursday.

For those in need of immediate assistance, the university urges individuals to call 911 or the FSU Police Department at 850-644-1234.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Reporting credit: WCTV News and the Associated Press

From Ground Zero to Greatness: Haines City Youth Dance Team Makes Championship Debut

Staff Reporter
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From Ground Zero to Greatness: Haines City Youth Dance Team Makes Championship Debut

By Anita Todd

HAINES CITY – The Flossy Diamonds, a standout hip-hop dance team from the Glamorous All-Star Cheer and Dance program, are lighting up the stage at the prestigious All-Star Worlds Championship in Orlando.

After an undefeated season, the team earned their invitation to the global competition held at the Orlando Convention Center. Their journey to the world stage has been nothing short of inspiring.

“These girls are amazing,” said Daystina Ford, Co-Director of the Glamorous All-Star Cheer and Dance program. “Many of them had no prior dance experience, so we truly started from ground zero. To see them perform at this level now is incredible.”

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The Flossy Diamonds are one of five teams in the Glamorous All-Star program, which launched in 2024. The organization supports athletes ages 2 to 18, focusing on both athletic excellence and academic growth.

“Some of these girls entered the program believing they couldn’t succeed,” said Tamika O’Hara, Owner and Co-Director. “I hate the word ‘can’t.’ My goal has been to motivate them, push their limits, and help them realize the potential they didn’t know they had.”

According to Ford, many parents have been blown away by the growth they’ve seen in their children—both on and off the dance floor.

The Diamonds have had a flawless season, winning all seven competitions leading up to the championship.

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“We’re not just teaching them dance,” said Ford. “We’re shaping leaders, encouraging academic achievement, and living by our motto: ‘Faith, Focus, Finish Glamorously.’ It reflects our dedication to community impact and honoring the legacy of Miss Ruby Wells. We’re proud to be building a supportive village right here in Haines City.”

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Families interested in joining the program are invited to an informational meeting on May 3 at noon. The meeting will be held at the practice facility located at 2195 S. 30th Street, Haines City.

Editor’s Note: The Daily Ridge will continue to provide updates on The Flossy Diamonds’ progress at the All-Star Worlds Championship as information becomes available.

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“Total Creep”: Bartow High Coach Arrested After Alleged Lewd Acts Toward Students

Carl Fish
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“Total Creep”: Bartow High Coach Arrested After Alleged Lewd Acts Toward Students

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

A 31-year-old male teacher and head football coach at Bartow High School was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after reports of inappropriate conduct towards female students led to a criminal investigation. 

Tyler Eden, DOB 01/18/1994, of Bartow has been charged with Lewd Offense against a Student by an Authority Figure (F2), Lewd and Lascivious Touching of a Minor (F3), and Voyeurism (M1). 

The investigation began on April 2, 2025, after a parent reported inappropriate conversations Mr. Eden had with their daughter when the student met with him to perform extra-curricular work for community service hours. 

During the investigation, that included interviews with students and a school administrator, detectives learned that Mr. Eden asked a student if she wanted to earn community service hours by helping him with athletic chores. The student agreed, and went to the locker room where she began to sort football helmets at his direction. During this first interaction, Eden talked to the female victim about a teacher who wanted to have sex with him in the locker room. The victim said she told the coach that she didn’t want to talk about that. Eden continued the conversation, telling the victim that he was married, but still wanted to engage in sexual activity with the teacher.

The next day, the female victim went back to perform more community service. As the victim was helping Eden break down boxes, her hoodie jacket got caught on one of the boxes and the zipper broke open. The hoodie served as her top, so she asked Mr. Eden for a T-shirt that she could put on, as she wished to cover herself up. Eden responded by reaching out and unzipping her jacket all the way, at which point she told him that she was uncomfortable—the only clothing she was wearing underneath the hoodie was a bra. Eden repeatedly tried to fix the jacket, but eventually handed her a t shirt. The victim walked into a separate locker room area to change. When she turned around, he was standing right behind her, watching her. He then complimented her bra, and told her repeatedly there were no cameras there. The victim told Eden she was uncomfortable, at which time Eden asked her not to report the incident. The student reported the incident to her parents that evening, and then to school administrators the next day.

When asked by school administrators what occurred, Eden first said that he only provided the student with a shirt. Then as he was told that he was being placed on administrative leave, he said that he wanted to admit something, and told the staff that, at the student’s request, he attempted to help her fix her zipper.

“Not only is this highly inappropriate behavior by a teacher, imagine just how frightened this student was. Here was the head football coach who was already discussing lewd behavior, unzipping her clothes, then following her into a locker room where he remarked there are no cameras, and complimenting her undergarments. This guy is a total creep, and now he’s going to jail. We are not going to tolerate anyone – especially school teachers and coaches – preying on our children.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

During the investigation, detectives interviewed two other female students. One student reported that Eden told her there were no cameras in the locker rooms and how it would be “easy to do certain things in there.” He also stated that he was popular and that another teacher wanted to have sex with him in the locker room. The other student told detectives that Eden asked her what she wanted to do when she graduated – she told him that she wanted to go to college and be an obstetrician/gynecologist. Eden told the student that he himself would be a good Ob/Gyn because he liked to perform oral sex on women, using crude and graphic language. He then asked the student if she wanted to earn community service hours, and she declined.

“It’s unconscionable that an educator and coach would engage in this kind of behavior with students. This individual has shown that he cannot be trusted, and deserves to face justice for his actions. We commend the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their thorough investigation, and for taking action to protect students.” — PCPS Superintendent Fred Heid

Tyler Eden was booked into the Polk County Jail, and will have a first appearance hearing on Thursday, April 17th. Please direct your inquiries regarding Eden’s employment to Polk County Public Schools.

Check Out Local Bookstores at the 4th Annual Lakeland Book Crawl

Staff Reporter
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Check Out Local Bookstores at the 4th Annual Lakeland Book Crawl
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by James Coulter

Ever been to a beer crawl? Wish you could experience a similar event, only for books? Well, you can at the upcoming Lakeland Book Crawl.

From Thur. Apr. 24 to Sat. Apr. 26, you can visit seven different bookstores in Downtown Lakeland for special deals and giveaways.

The following venues will be participating in this year’s book crawl with the following special deals and offers:

Bookends Used Books: 30% off, excludes classics

Unbound Bookery: 20% off purchase

Inklings Book Shoppe: 10% off & free sticker with purchase

Pressed Books & Coffee: Free coffee with the purchase of a new book

Crash Bookshop: 10% off new books

Bookareaderville: Buy 2 books, get 1 free

Little Bus Books: 50% of proceeds go towards Hope House “Literacy Landing”

For more info about the Lakeland Book Crawl, visit their website at: lakelandbookcrawl.com.

Sandi Silverman will be participating in this year’s event with her bookstore, The Unbound Bookery. Established in April 2019, her shop specializes in antique, rare, vintage, and collectible books covering all genres.

“It is a dream of mine that I had for years,” she said. “I decided that I was going to live my dream. And I was fortunate enough to find a space here in Bungalow Boutique. I rent this beautiful little space. This is a sun porch located in this 1920s bungalow.”

Sandi and the other local bookstore owners have successfully organized their annual book crawl for more than four years. What has allowed their event to remain successful has been the promotion.

“We have been really successful in what we are doing, and we all work together to try and promote across the state so people can come to Lakeland and see what it has to offer with independent bookstores.”

Recently Sandi appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss her bookstore and the upcoming book crawl. Listen to the full episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-59-art-fests-and-book-crawls-wellen-kimble-sandi-silverma

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