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Winter Haven Man Arrested and Charged with Throwing Deadly Missile Into Auburndale Building

Staff Reporter
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Winter Haven Man Arrested and Charged with Throwing Deadly Missile Into Auburndale Building

45-year old Robert Biddle of Winter Haven got arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, January 8th.

The crime Biddle stands accused of occurred on January 4th at around 10:38pm, at a store located in the Auburndale area of K-Ville Avenue and Thornhill Road.

The suspect got out of a white van and threw a concrete rock through a front glass door, causing about $1,200 worth of damage.

This sounds like a pointless act of criminal mischief, but it was much more.

The owner of the store recognized the suspect as Robert Biddle, a repairman who had done some work at the store a few months prior.

The day after the door was smashed, Biddle showed up at the store driving a white van and asked if the owner had any repair work that needed to be done.

The detective investigating the case discovered that Biddle was currently on probation for….criminal mischief/property damage.

The detective arrested Robert Biddle and took him to the Polk Pokey where he was charged with throwing a deadly missile into a building, cheating or gross fraud, stalking, and violation of probation.

Police Chase Ends in Vehicle Crash at George Jenkins and Kathleen Road Intersection in Lakeland

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Police Chase Ends in Vehicle Crash at George Jenkins and Kathleen Road Intersection in Lakeland

UPDATE

We also reached out to Polk County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer to confirm injuries and Nathaniel Gale confirmed 3 patients were transported via ground. Of these patients, two were trauma alerts.

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January 9, 2025

The Lakeland Police Department assisted Florida Highway Patrol with an “active scene” that took place at the intersection of George Jenkins Blvd and Kathleen Road in Lakeland. The roadway was shutdown for a period of time.

Preliminary information per Lakeland PD earlier this afternoon: Until further notice avoid Kathleen Rd and George Jenkins Blvd in Lakeland due to a Traffic crash. *The roadway is now clear.

A 911 call came in for a traffic crash at 2:55 p.m.

We reached out to Florida Highway Patrol for information and they advised a stolen vehicle fled from law enforcement. Troopers located the vehicle and the suspect fled. Troopers pursued the vehicle to George Jenkins Blvd & Kathleen Road where the suspect collided with two other vehicles. 

The suspect resisted following the crash but was successfully taken into custody. Non-life-threatening injuries to several persons. The suspect faces several felony charges. 

Additional information will be supplied when available. 

City of Winter Haven Receives Site Plans for Big Box Store Coming to Winter Haven

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City of Winter Haven Receives Site Plans for Big Box Store Coming to Winter Haven

April 8, 2025 UPDATE

Big news! Target is officially coming to Winter Haven!

The City of Winter Haven’s Director of Public Affairs & Communication Katrina Hill has confirmed this information, along with Target.

The new Target be will located at U.S. Highway 17- 3rd Street SW, and Avenue R SW, covering approximately 149,000 sq. ft.

Photo source: Target Corporate

Here is a quote from the Target Corporate website: “We’re always exploring locations for new stores. But how do we decide where to open a new Target next? We look at a number of factors, like how we can best meet a community’s needs, site constraints, other area Target stores and more. And each step of the way, we work closely with local officials and guests to develop stores that truly make shopping easy, inspiring and affordable.”

The current nearby Target locations in Polk County are:

-NE Polk County – 5000 Grandview Pkwy in Davenport

-Lakeland South – 3570 Harden Blvd in Lakeland

-Lakeland North – 4005 US Hwy 98 in Lakeland

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Original Post January 9, 2025:

There has been recent speculation about a new Target coming to Winter Haven, but is this true?

We reached out to the City of Winter Haven’s Director of Public Affairs & Communication Katrina Hill for confirmation and details.

She was able to confirm the following details:

The City of Winter Haven has received site plans for a big box store. The developer has confirmed it is a national chain.

At this time, those are the ONLY details the city is allowed to share. No timeframe can be shared yet. Of course if and when we get new details, we will update!

So to answer the rumors, YES a big box store/national chain is in the works but we cannot confirm which store and the timeframe per the city’s request.

Sex Offender Who Ripped Firearm From Polk County Deputy & Then Fled Was Caught After He Jumps In Lakeland Lake

Carl Fish
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Sex Offender Who Ripped Firearm From Polk County Deputy & Then Fled Was Caught After He Jumps In Lakeland Lake

PCsO Press Release

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office was involved in a foot pursuit of a sexual offender suspect near the 700-Block of North Lorri Avenue in Lakeland that began at approximately 2:46 PM on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Deputies were in the area searching for the suspect, 53-year-old Curtis Novell Young, for failing to follow sex offender registration requirements. Young was located in the area on foot, and when a PCSO deputy attempted to speak with him, he physically assaulted the deputy. During the struggle, Young was able to rip a PCSO firearm away from its holster. He then fled on foot and jumped into Lake Bonnet, on the western side of the lake. 

PCSO Air, Marine and K9 Units responded to the scene, and a perimeter was set up to prevent Young from escaping the area. He was located by the Marine Unit, hiding in aquatic vegetation, approximately 50-75 yards offshore. He was arrested at approximately 4:30 PM, and charges for the assault of the deputies and the foot pursuit are still pending further investigation at this time. 

Curtis Young’s criminal history includes arrests for lewd & lascivious battery on a victim between 12 and 15 years old, battery, aggravated assault, kidnapping, fraud, forgery, grand theft, grand theft of a motor vehicle, DUI, and failure to register as a sex offender.

“This violent and dangerous suspect wasn’t going to escape after assaulting my deputy. He was quickly apprehended and my detectives will thoroughly investigate the incident to file all appropriate charges. Also, I don’t recommend jumping in a lake in this weather Even if you’re trying to run from law enforcement. You’ll just end up going to jail cold and wet.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Four Winter Haven Residents Suffer Serious Injuries in Multi-Vehicle Accident in Hillsborough County

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Four Winter Haven Residents Suffer Serious Injuries in Multi-Vehicle Accident in Hillsborough County

On January 9, 2025 at 6:08 a.m., Florida Highway Patrol responded to a vehicle crash in Hillsborough County SR-400.

Vehicles 1, 2 and 3 were traveling westbound on SR-400.  East of Thonotosassa Road, Vehicles 2 and 3 were stopped in traffic when Vehicle 1 failed to stop.  As a result, Vehicle 1 collided with the rear of Vehicle 2 which rotated into the median.  Vehicle 1 continued forward and collided with the rear of Vehicle 3.  Post-impact, Vehicle 1 traveled into the median and collided with a guardrail while Vehicle 3 came to rest in the travel lanes.  The occupants of Vehicles 1 and 2 were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries.  Driver 3 suffered minor injuries and was not transported. 

 

Vehicle 1: Hyundai Entourage

Vehicle 2: Chevy Tahoe

Vehicle 3: Chevy Silverado

 

Driver 1 and 3 passengers in Vehicle 1 are currently unknown

Driver 2: male, 35, Winter Haven

Passenger in V-2: female, 34, Winter Haven

Passenger in V-2: female, 60, Winter Haven

Passenger in V-2: male, 63, Winter Haven

Driver 3: female, 25, Lakeland

 

Cold Weather Advisory Issued for Polk County

Staff Reporter
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Cold Weather Advisory Issued for Polk County

Description

* WHAT…For the Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills as low as 28 expected. For the Frost Advisory, temperatures as low as 34 will result in frost formation.

* WHERE…Coastal Hernando, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Pasco, and Polk Counties.

* WHEN…From 4 AM to 8 AM EST Thursday.

* IMPACTS…Very cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure. Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.

Action Recommended

Make preparations per the Description.

Affected Area

Polk

Issued By

National Weather Service

Photo source National Weather Service Tampa Bay

Sad Update on 6-Year-Old Who Suffered Gunshot Wound to the Head

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Sad Update on 6-Year-Old Who Suffered Gunshot Wound to the Head

LAKELAND, FL (January 8, 2025) – On Sunday, January 5, 2025, at 3:44 p.m. Lakeland PD officers responded to report of a 6-year-old who sustained a gunshot wound to the head. The incident occurred in a vehicle which was parked at a residence in the 200 block of West Crawford Street. Prior to officers arriving, the child was transported via personal vehicle to Lakeland Regional Health (LRH).

Based on evidence thus far, detectives learned the Victim, six-year-old Major Smith, had been in the care of his father, Myron Smith Sr. and also in the company of his adult brother, Myron Smith Jr. just before the incident occurred. All three had just returned from the store and Myron Jr. remained in his rental vehicle (grey Nissan Altima) for a short time while Myron Sr. and Major got out and were sitting on the porch. 

Myron Jr. got out of his vehicle, closed the door and went into the residence briefly. Myron Sr. was still outside but making a phone call when Major was able to get into the Nissan and access the Glock 19X which was left between the driver’s seat and the center console.

Hearing the gunshot, Myron Sr. responded to find Major with an injury to his head and the firearm on the driver’s seat. Major was quickly driven to LRH in the rental vehicle by Myron Jr. for treatment. Myron Jr. stayed at LRH with Major whose injuries were severe and critical. On January 7, 2025, in the afternoon hours, Major Smith succumbed to his injuries at LRH.

No charges have been filed at this time; however, the case is still open and active. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Neal Robertson at [email protected].

The original article about the shooting can be found here: https://www.winterhavendaily.com/index.php/2025/01/06/6-year-old-boy-in-critical-condition-after-gunshot-wound-to-head/

Auburndale Police – Missing Endangered Person

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Auburndale Police – Missing Endangered Person

MISSING ENDANGERED:

On 01/06/2025, officers responded to a report of a missing endangered person identified as APALONIA LAQUANA BRIMMER (Black Female, Date of Birth: 01/11/1990).

Brimmer requested an Uber to the Kissimmee Gateway Airport on 01/02/2025. Brimmer arrived safely at the airport however left a short while later.

Brimmer suffers from a mental health disorder and was currently on her medication; however, it is believed she stopped taking her medication on or just prior to her leaving the residence on 01/02/2025.

It is unknown what she was last seen wearing. Below is photograph of Brimmer. The only change to her appearance is her hair, which is currently in a short ponytail fashion. She has visible tattoos just above her left eye, on her chest and her right leg.

If you have any information, please contact Corporal Alfredo Marenco at 863-956-7755 or by email at [email protected]

Lakeland Fire Department Responds to House Fire That Could Have Been Prevented

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Lakeland Fire Department Responds to House Fire That Could Have Been Prevented

Lakeland Fire Department:

Our firefighters, unfortunately, ran this call already this week; we definitely don’t want any more. Please do not throw hot embers, ashes, or coals into a trash can. It seems harmless, but it is one of the leading causes of preventable house fires.

Whether from a backyard fire pit, a charcoal grill, or even a fireplace, improperly discarded embers can smolder for hours before igniting nearby combustible materials.

Trust us, you don’t want the Lakeland Fire Department showing up to your house uninvited!

Here’s what can happen:
-Slow Smoldering: Even if embers look cool, they can stay dangerously hot inside for up to 24 hours.

-Ignition Risk: A trash can filled with paper or plastic turns into the perfect fuel for those lingering embers.

-House Fire: Once the trash can catches fire, it can spread quickly to walls, furniture, or even the entire home.

Prevention Tips:
-Always place embers and ashes in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid and store it away from your house.
-Let ashes cool completely for at least 24-48 hours before tossing them.
-Pour water over hot embers to ensure they’re fully extinguished.
-Never use plastic or paper bags for ember disposal.

Fatal Crash Blocking Northbound Hwy 17 In Bowling Green

Carl Fish
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Fatal Crash Blocking Northbound Hwy 17 In Bowling Green

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a fatal crash that occurred between Fort Meade and Bowling Green Wednesday night, January 8, 2025, in which a bicyclist was killed.

 

Units were dispatched at 6:28 pm to the crash on US 17 at Bill Bryan Road.

 

Upon their arrival, they found the 58-year old male bicyclist deceased. The driver of the black 2012 Chevrolet Caprice that hit the bicyclist was not injured.

 

Based on evidence and witness statements, Traffic Homicide detectives determined that the bicyclist was northbound on US 17 when the Chevrolet, also northbound, hit the victim from behind.

 

The bicycle was not equipped with lights, and the victim was wearing dark clothing.

 

The northbound lanes of US 17 were closed for approximately three-and-a-half hours.

 

No charges are anticipated, but the investigation remains ongoing.

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