On 11/20/2024, a retail theft occurred at Walmart located at 2120 Highway 92 West, Auburndale, FL. The unknown White female suspect was seen entering the store through the front grocery entrance pushing a shopping cart. Suspect went to the clothing section and concealed multiple clothing items and household items inside her purse. The suspect then walked out of the store passing all points of sale without making any attempt to pay. She was seen leaving in a black SUV.
SUSPECT 1 – White female, with long brown hair, dark sunglasses on top of her head, brown/black/white pattern shirt, black pants, black slippers, and a large brown purse/bag.
If you have any information, please contact Officer Persaud at 863-965-5555 or by email at [email protected]
LAKELAND, FL (February 18, 2025) – On Monday, February 17, 2025, at approximately 9:09 p.m., officers responded to a crash involving a pedestrian near the 3300 block of US Highway 98 North. Based on witness statements and evidence gathered at the scene, prior to the crash, a pedestrian was attempting to cross US Highway 98 North in a westerly direction, not in a marked crosswalk, when he walked into the path of a 2016 blue 2-door Toyota sedan which was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed in the outside lane. The driver of the vehicle, 23-year-old Jason Jules, continued southbound on US 98 and then westbound on Griffin Road where he stopped and fled on foot into a nearby apartment complex.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Units, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department arrived on the scene and began life-saving measures. The pedestrian was transported to Lakeland Regional Health with critical injuries.
Jules returned to the scene 44 minutes later, accompanied by family members. Jules was arrested for Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Serious Bodily Injury.
Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately four hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Officer Travis Payne at [email protected].
Bartow, Fla. (Feb. 18, 2025) – The Polk County Board of County Commissioners approved funding for 75 additional Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) Firefighter Paramedic/Emergency Medical Technician positions during today’s board meeting in an effort to reduce department overtime.
The 75 additional positions will cost an estimated $9.2 million annually and the positions will help the county reduce overtime for PCFR field operations personnel.
Editors note:Overtime was estimated at around $10 million last year. This may not save the county any money, but fire rescue personnel should have a day or two less per month to work. It doesn’t sound like much, but retention for the department is very bad and it in part is due to the extra days working. They work 24 hour shifts and they are sometimes working back to back days. Sure pay is great, but being all set with plans and then you get stuck working another 24 hour shifts can be stressful.
An additional benefit is to create a better work life balance for Polk County Fire Rescue personnel.
“On behalf of Polk County Fire Rescue, I want to thank the Polk County Board of County Commissioners for approving 75 additional positions during today’s board meeting,” said Deputy County Manager of Public Safety Joe Halman Jr.
“It is my privilege to oversee the Fire Rescue team. I value and commend their tireless dedication to this county’s residents. By minimizing the need for excessive overtime, we can ensure they have the time to rest and recover, which in turn enhances their ability to deliver the highest level of service to our community.”
Haines City, Florida, is poised for significant growth with the upcoming development of the Crossroads Village Center, a comprehensive mixed-use project set to transform the local landscape. Strategically located at the southwest corner of the US Highway 17-92 and US Highway 27 interchange, this 120-acre development aims to seamlessly blend residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, offering a holistic living and working environment for residents and visitors alike.
Photo of TSCG Proposal
A standout feature of the Crossroads Village Center is its expansive retail component, encompassing over 300,000 square feet of space. This area is designed to attract a diverse array of businesses, from national retailers to local boutiques, ensuring a vibrant shopping experience. Notably, the development is set to welcome Haines City’s first Target store, serving as a major anchor and signaling the project’s potential to draw both local and regional shoppers.
Zonda Housing Study
Beyond retail, the Crossroads Village Center is committed to fostering a sense of community through thoughtfully designed residential areas. These neighborhoods will offer a variety of housing options, catering to different lifestyles and preferences. The integration of green spaces, pedestrian-friendly pathways, and communal areas underscores the development’s emphasis on creating a cohesive and engaging environment.
The project’s significance extends beyond its physical footprint. In June 2021, the establishment of the Crossroads Village Center Community Development District (CDD) marked a pivotal step in the project’s progression. This special-purpose government entity, authorized by Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes, is tasked with overseeing the planning, acquisition, and maintenance of community infrastructure within the development. The CDD structure ensures that the community’s facilities are developed to high standards and maintained effectively, providing long-term benefits to residents and stakeholders.
The introduction of the Crossroads Village Center is anticipated to have a profound economic impact on Haines City and the surrounding areas. The influx of new businesses and residents is expected to stimulate job creation, boost local commerce, and enhance the city’s appeal as a destination for both living and leisure. Moreover, the development’s strategic location at a major transportation nexus positions it as a convenient hub for regional connectivity.
As the Crossroads Village Center progresses, it embodies Haines City’s forward-thinking approach to urban development. By harmoniously integrating commercial vitality with residential comfort and community-oriented spaces, the project is set to redefine the city’s landscape and serve as a model for future developments in the region.
The developers have a completion goal of the Summer of 2026. – Link to developers website: Crossroads Village Center TSCG
AADT Numbers For Haines City – *AADT stands for Annual Average Daily Traffic, a measurement of how much traffic uses a road or highway in a year. It’s a key metric used in transportation planning and engineering.
The Auburndale Public Library presents: HOLLYWOOD STARS Family Night! Join us on Thursday, February 20th, from 4:30pm to 6:00pm at the Auburndale Public Library for movie themed crafts, games, and family fun!
34-year old Juan Martinez of Winter Haven got arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, February 16th.
At about 9:30pm, PCSO deputies were dispatched to an in-progress burglary occurring in the area of Thornhill Road and Temple Street, west of Winter Haven.
Upon the arrival of the first deputy, Juan was found leaning inside of a vehicle that he was burgling. Juan was immediately detained.
During the investigation, Juan provided a false name.
Juan became increasingly agitated and demanded that the deputy remove the handcuffs from him, and threatened to murder the deputy.
Juan was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail, and his true identity was discovered.
Juan Martinez was charged with burglary of conveyance, corruption by threat on a LEO, providing false identity to LEO, petit theft, and resisting.
The Polk County Fire Rescue & Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently on scene of a mass casualty level 1 crash on Marigold Ave & Cypress Parkway in Poinciana. The call came in around 6:39pm. The crash involves multiple vehicles and involves 8 injured patients.
According to the units on scene non of the injured are trauma alerts and helicopter evacuation is not needed. A total 5 ambulances are enroute to the scene.
Please avoid the area. This is a developing story. We will update if more information is released.
*A mass casualty level 1 is when there are between 5-10 injuries that overwhelms responding units.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two known suspects who have Polk County warrants for their arrests for stealing two black swans and swan eggs from the Highland Village neighborhood in Lakeland on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
At approximately 5:00 AM on February 13, the caretakers of the swans (Luna and Sturling) found them missing from the property and called deputies. PCSO Agricultural Crimes (Ag) detectives responded to the scene to begin an investigation.
Thanks to a tip from a concerned citizen, Luna, Sturling, and their eggs were located safely in Miami-Dade County. PCSO Ag detectives retrieved the missing birds on Monday, February 17, 2025, and returned them home to Highland Village.
“I’m thrilled that these swans were quickly and safely found and will soon be back home. My sincere thanks to this member of the community for doing the right thing by reaching out to us upon discovering they had been stolen. We couldn’t accomplish these good outcomes without the support of outstanding citizens.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
PCSO agricultural detectives have identified Alfredo Casanova, age 29 of Homestead, FL and Jordan Montoya, age 27 and also of Homestead, FL as the thieves. They both have arrest warrants for felony burglary and grand theft for stealing the swans. We are actively searching for these suspects and encourage anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact our Ag detectives at 863-534-7205. Tips can be emailed to [email protected]. Alfredo Casanova was previously convicted of grand theft (and other charges) out of Monroe County, and spent over 2 years in state prison. Jordan Montoya does not have a criminal history in Polk County.
If you have information regarding the whereabouts of these suspects and wish to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:
The Polk County Fire Rescue & Polk County Fire are currently working a multiple vehicle crash on C.R. 547 (Old Lake Wilson Rd.) & Bowen Rd. As many as 5 vehicles may be involved. The accident occurred at 5:24pm and emergency responders arrived shortly after.
One person is trapped inside a vehicle and will be listed as a trauma patient. The PCFR has requested helicopter evacuation and it will be landed at Davenport School of the Arts. Multiple additional injuries, but not trauma patients.
This is a developing story and we will update as more information is received. Motorists are advised to avoid the area. This is a two lane road and it is completely blocked per readers.
A 63-year old man died Monday morning, February 17, 2025, after being struck by a vehicle at 3305 Spirit Lake Road, just north of Thornhill Road, near Winter Haven.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched to the scene at about 2:29am.
Upon arrival, first responders attempted life-saving measures, but the victim succumbed to his injuries.
The victim has been identified, but detectives are still working to notify next-of-kin.
The vehicle that struck the victim fled the scene, and at this time Traffic Homicide detectives do not have a description of the vehicle.
According to the preliminary investigation, the victim was walking or standing in the northbound lane of travel of Spirit Lake Road at the time he was hit.
The crash scene was well-lit, but the victim was wearing all-dark clothing.
Spirit Lake Road was closed for about three hours during the investigation.
If anyone has any information regarding this case, they are urged to call PCSO Detective Lucas at 863-668-3100.
To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, tips can be called in to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-TIPS (8477).
