The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation near Victoria Road (near the intersection of Grady Mock Road and Old Polk City Road) in unincorporated Lakeland.
Deputies responded to the area on Wednesday morning, February 2, 2022, at around 10:33 AM, following a report of a vehicle submerged in a retention pond.
The PCSO Underwater Search and Recovery Team (USART) entered the water and confirmed that a brown 2012 KIA Soul was in the water. After the vehicle was removed from the water, a body was recovered from within.
The identity of the victim has not yet been verified, but the vehicle is related to a missing persons case from 2021.
That is all we have at this time, and we expect to have more information to release tomorrow.
On Tuesday, February 1, 2022, the Polk county Sheriff’s Office arrested 34-year-old Desmond James Walker II of Haines City on fraud charges. He electronically deposited a county payroll check into his bank account and then, a day later, cashed the check at an Amscot store.
The investigation began on December 7, 2021, when the Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Division contacted PCSO detectives to report a possible payroll fraud incident. During the investigation detectives learned that in October of 2021 Walker had accessed his online employee payroll information using his assigned username and password to make changes to his direct deposit banking institution.
According to policy, when an employee makes this type of change, as an internal security control, the payroll department confirms with the bank, and then on the next paycheck the employee is issued a physical check. Issuing a physical check allows the payroll department to intervene without resulting in a financial loss in the event the change was not made or approved by an employee.
After making changes to his direct deposit information, Walker received his next paycheck of $2,772.06 on November 19, 2021 as a physical check. The same day, Walker deposited the paycheck into his bank account as an online mobile deposit.
The next day (11-20-21), Walker took the physical check, which had already been electronically deposited into his bank account, to Amscot Financial Services in Haines City where he cashed the check, receiving cash minus the check cashing fee.
Amscot attempted to deposit Walker’s paycheck twice; each time was unsuccessful as it had already been negotiated as a deposit into Walker’s bank account. Amscot then sent a letter to the Board of County Commissioners office stating Amscot had sustained a monetary loss as a result of this incident.
Detectives were provided a photo-copy of the check from Amscot that includes a thumb print of the person who cashed the check. The thumbprint was confirmed as belonging to Walker.
Walker admitted to detectives that he spent both the deposited money in his bank account and the cash he received from Amscot for bills and vacation expenses. He also admitted to discovering a missed call from Amscot on his cell phone, but did not return the call. He admitted to deputies that he did not contact his bank, Amscot, the county payroll office, or his supervision about the double payment.
“Those who work in public service are held to a higher ethical standard. Walker will be held accountable for his actions.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Walker was arrested for Scheming to defraud a Financial Institution (F2), Grand Theft (F3), Fraud (F3), and Cashing a Worthless Check with intent to Defraud (F3). He is currently in the Polk County Jail being held on $8,000 bond.
For inquiries concerning his employment status, please contact the Polk County Board of County Commissioners.
Bartow, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2022) — Polk County Waste and Recycling customers experiencing delays in their solid waste collection now have the option to self-haul their residential waste to the North Central Landfill at no additional charge.
Those wishing to self-haul must first call Waste and Recycling’s customer service center at (863) 284-4319 to report their missed collection. At that point, a customer service agent will log their information, verify the missed collection and provide instructions on where to take the items in their missed waste collection.
Only items verified as missed in regular collection pick-up will be allowed to be self-hauled. After the verification process, customers will be contacted by customer service and given a Resident Recovery Service Request number, which will only be valid from the time it is issued until the customer’s next regularly scheduled collection day. Separate numbers will be given for missed residential waste and recycling materials.
Jacqueline (Stidham) Engleman, 84, Mooresville, passed away January 8, 2022, at Franciscan Hospice House, after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Engleman was born August 7, 1937, in Pierceton, Indiana, to the late Lawrence and Bessie (Taulbee) Stidham. She married the love of her life Dr. Jack L. Engleman, DDS on January 30, 1958, and he preceded her in death on December 20, 2018.
Jackie graduated with honors from Parkview College School of Nursing in 1957. She was a registered nurse and worked in her husband’s oral surgery practice for many years. She was a longtime member of the Southport Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis and also the First Presbyterian Church in Haines City, Florida where Jack and Jackie wintered for many years and where they ultimately retired. They also taught AWANAs there for several years. Jackie enjoyed cooking, golfing, playing tennis, reading (especially historical pieces) as well as Bible study. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her memory will be cherished by a loving family and many friends.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Lowell Stidham, Leah Kay Martin, and Linda Carmichael.
Survivors include her son, Dr. Eric Engleman and wife Janet; daughters, Dr. Erin Wittrig and husband Dr. Matthew, Pastor Eden Pfotenhauer and husband Dr. David, Elana Engleman; seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Private services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Franciscan Hospice House. Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the family. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
On Tuesday, February 1, 2022, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle crash around 10:15 a.m. on US 98 near the 11000 block in unincorporated Lakeland. The two vehicles involved were a silver 2001 Honda Accord being driven by 49-year-old Angela McDaniel of Lakeland, and a burgundy 2019 Volvo Semi-truck and trailer being driven by 28-year-old Tyler Palmer of Irmo, SC.
According to the investigation so far, Ms. McDaniel was driving southbound on US 98, when for unknown reasons her Honda entered the northbound lane and into the path of the semi-truck, where the two vehicles collided. The Honda was redirected to the west and came to a final stop on the west shoulder of the roadway. The semi-truck slid northwest across the southbound lane where it entered the wood line and struck several trees.
Ms. McDaniel died at the scene. Mr. Palmer was uninjured.
Witnesses told detectives that Ms. McDaniel’s vehicle had drifted across the center line and the fog line multiple times over several miles just prior to the crash.
Bartow, Fla. (Feb. 2, 2022) — Polk County Parks & Recreation is hosting the Sixth Annual Hunt for Sasquatch 10k, 5k and 1-mile trail runs this weekend.
The races are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 5 at Bone Valley ATV Park, 104027 County Road 630 W, Mulberry. Runners can sign up to participate in the races that will wind thru the various trails of the park.
The race will be timed by FITniche and will end with an awards ceremony for various age groups. Runners can pre-register at http://bit.ly/22-Sasquatch.
Costs for each race vary and include a t-shirt and swag bag while supplies last. Runners can also register the day of the event at the park for an additional $10 per race with t-shirt and swag bag available while supplies last.
For more information about the Hunt for Sasquatch 10k, 5k and 1-mile run call (863) 534-6911.
Bone Valley ATV Park will be closed to all off road vehicles during the event. The park will resume normal operations after 1 p.m. and will be free entry for all dirt bikes, ATVs and riders. For more information on the park, along with all regulations, visit www.BoneValleyATV.com or call (863) 428-0525.
Lake Wales, Fla. (Jan. 28, 2022) –Jordan Colon, a student at Victory Ridge Academy in Lake Wales got a big surprise when City of Lake Wales police officers presented him with a Kaye Dynamic Stander, a multi-positional standing aid with 360 degrees of movement.
Colon has a developmental disability that affects his balance and postural control, making it difficult to walk unaided.
“This is something special the Police Officers Association wanted to do for Jordan,” said David Black, Deputy Police Chief. “It’s part of our annual Shop with A Cop program that we hold every year with children,” he noted.
The Kaye Dynamic Stander is designed to enable users to pair postural control with function, experiencing the typical weight shifts that accompany reaching, manipulation, speech, eating and self-care activities.
“This is such a bonus for Jordan,” said Dr. Erika Timpe, Director of Therapy Services at Victory Ridge Academy.
The base of the standing aid is equipped with a spring that activates Jordan’s lower extremities and core muscles, strengthening his ability to stand in an upright position.
“As Jordan works with this adaptive device, he will be able to build muscle strength that will enable him to use a walker with adult assistance,” Dr. Timpe noted.
Not only will Jordan be able to move more freely now, he will also be able to expend some stored-up energy, which is so important for adolescents, mentioned Police Chief Chis Velasquez.
The Lake Wales Police Officers Association is a non-profit organization for police officers to join voluntarily.
Victory Ridge Academy is a non-profit learning center serving students with a variety of special needs, such as Autism, Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome and many more.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in unincorporated Lakeland. According to the preliminary investigation, at around 7:20 p.m. on Monday, January 31, 2022, 25-year-old Neil Bourcy of Mulberry stole a dark color Dodge Nitro from a business on Old Tampa Highway in unincorporated Lakeland. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDU5okEWLzY He then drove the stolen vehicle to the area of Ruby Street in Lakeland where he abandoned the car near a park in the area. According to witnesses, Bourcy entered a residential community, began banging on the front doors of several residences, and unsuccessfully attempted to steal a vehicle at one of the homes. Bourcy then went to another home where he again attempted to steal a vehicle. When the home owner refused to give Bourcy the car keys, Bourcy cut the homeowner with a knife. The victim is in stable condition at a local hospital. The Lakeland Police Department is investigating the stabbing. Bourcy then went Josephine Street in Lakeland where he stole an unlocked Lincoln MKX. At around 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, during the course of the investigation, deputies located the stolen Lincoln MKX on US 98 and CR 540A in Highland City. The vehicle turned northbound on Combee Road and deputies followed while communicating with other units their direction of travel. Bourcy drove the stolen vehicle to the area of Denver Street in unincorporated Lakeland, where he abandoned the vehicle after it became stuck in the backyard of a residence. The PCSO aviation unit located Bourcy in a residential back yard and directed 31-year-old Deputy Sheriff Christopher Warren to the suspect’s location. Bourcy fled from Deputy Warren. The air unit advised Deputy Warren to “Use caution. He just did something with his waistband. Use caution.” Bourcy told Deputy Warren that he had a gun, and shortly afterward he pulled a black object from his pocket and pointed it at Deputy Warren. Deputy Warren shot Bourcy six times then immediately began life-saving measures. Bourcy was transported to a local hospital where he is being treated for his injuries. Detectives located a black cell phone and a box-blade style knife next to Bourcy. Deputy Warren was uninjured. “Once again this shows the dangers that deputies face every day. By stating he possessed a gun and then pointing and unknown object at my deputy, Bourcy chose this outcome. My deputy did exactly what he had to do at that exact moment in time to protect himself and others from this violent criminal.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff Bourcy’s previous criminal history includes 9 physical arrests, including 8 felonies, and 8 misdemeanors. His previous charges include: robbery, assault, harassment, burglary, DUI, various drug possession charges, and probation violations. He also served a prison sentence in Florida State Prison. Deputy Warren was hired as a deputy sheriff in December 2020. He served three years as a police officer with the Bartow Police Department. Per agency protocol he will be on administrative leave with pay during the initial phase of the investigation. Standard protocol for all deputy-involved shootings includes three independent investigations: PCSO will conduct a criminal investigation, PCSO Administrative Investigations will conduct an administrative inquiry, and the State Attorney’s Office will conduct a separate investigation.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred in the early morning hours Sunday, January 30, 2022. The shooting happened around 1:13 a.m. in the area of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and 11th Street NE in unincorporated Winter Haven when individuals driving in a silver Toyota Camry and a dark colored sedan exchanged gun fire. All four individuals in the Toyota were shot. Three are in local hospitals in critical condition (26-year-old black male, 17-year-old Hispanic male, and 20-year-old black male). The front-seat passenger, a 20-year-old black male, is deceased. All are from the Polk County area. After the shooting, the dark colored vehicle was seen at a local hospital where one person was dropped off. That person was shot and is in critical condition
Update to PCSO investigation of Sunday’s fatal Winter Haven shooting
These are pictures of the second vehicle involved in the early Sunday morning (January 30) shooting between two vehicles that occurred at about 1:13 a.m. near Winter Haven on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., near 11th Street NE. It is a four door blue sedan with a sunroof, possibly a Lexus IS 250 sedan between 2006 and 2013.
These photos are from Winter Haven Hospital’s surveillance cameras. A man with gunshot wounds was dropped off from this vehicle at Winter Haven Hospital minutes after the shooting.
Anyone who has any information about this vehicle, its owner, or anyone who was in this vehicle in the Winter Haven area early Sunday morning or late Saturday night are asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 or Crime Stoppers.
. If you wish to remain anonymous, or if you would like to receive a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect, 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.
Lake Wales Marine Veteran Honored At Orlando Magic Basketball Game
by James Coulter
Orlando Magic honored a Lake Wales veteran for their service during a basketball game on Friday evening.
Kathryn “Kat” Gates-Skipper, a local retired U.S. Marine, was formally recognized for her military service by honoring her as a “hometown hero.”
“Kat” served 20 years in active reserve and became the first female marine in combat operations. Her achievements inducting her into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame. She is married to an Army veteran, and they have had two sons together: one in the Navy, and one in the Air Force.
Orlando Magic periodically recognizes first responders, fire fighters, police officers, medical professionals, or military personnel as a “hometown hero” during their games.
“We look forward to receiving nominations for any and all Central Florida heroes,” its website states. “We love seeing nominations for individuals who play a big part in our community and have been recognized for specific achievements.”
Kat was previously scheduled to be recognized at an Orlando Magic game two years ago, but that honor was postponed, along with most games, following the start of the ongoing pandemic.
She and her family were given free tickets and parking passes to attend the game. She arrived there with her son and grandson. They sat at front seats near the court. They were also able to visit the VIP Lounge where they could enjoy free food and drinks.
Prior to the game, the arena hosted a presentation with an announcement on the Jumbotron with pictures of Kat in military uniform and a brief biography of her life and achievements. The national anthem was then performed by a children’s choir prior to the game’s start.
“They took really good care for us,” Kat said. “It made me queen for the day.”
Her favorite part of the game was being able to enjoy it with her family, especially her grandson. He enjoys basketball, and being able to watch a game in person is better than watching it on television, she said.
“I was happy to have one of my children and grandson to recognize my recognition,” she said. “That overwhelmed my heart.”
While she appreciated the honor for her military service, Kat humbly admits that her motivation is purely for the love of her fellow Americans, especially her fellow retired veterans.
“I do things not to give anything in return, but it does make you feel good when people respect you and appreciate the things that you do for others,” she said. “I am just so appreciative that magic would honor me as their hometown hero, and it is good they have such a program available to do that, and I was glad to be a part of it.”
Daily Ridge had reached out to Orlando Magic for an official comment, but had not received a response.
