Update: The Polk County Sheriff’s Department has opened a death Investigation after the occupant of the car has died. According to reports deputies were called to the scene of a crash involving a gunshot wound on Old Dixie Hwy and Taylor Rd. Friday. No further details are being released at this time.
Auburndale, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently Investigating a vehicle crash on Old Dixie Hwy and Taylor Rd. According to the public information spokesperson with the PCSO the occupant of the vehicle appears to be suffering from a gunshot wound. How or when the occupant was shot is not available at this time. The accident occurred at 10:57am and deputies were called to the scene minutes later.
The roadway is shut down in all directions. This is an ongoing situation.
We need your help to solve a crime. While you were sleeping Sunday night (6-13-21) and into the wee hours of Monday morning (6-14-21) several vehicles were burglarized in the Garden Grove and Lake Ned areas of Winter Haven.
PCSO is working the Lake Ned area crimes, because they occurred in our jurisdiction. In this area, several unlocked vehicles were hit and at least two firearms were stolen.
WHPD is working the Garden Grove area, because that area is in their jurisdiction.
Here is video of two suspects. As you can see, they go into the neighborhood and flip door handles, looking for unlocked doors. When they find an unsecured vehicle, they ransack the vehicle and steal anything they can get their hands on. These burglars appear to be tall, thin, black males wearing all black clothing, with some sort of writing or logo on their pant legs.
PLEASE do not leave anything of value in your vehicles overnight – especially firearms – and please lock your doors. There’s a reason we say “Lock It or Lose It.”
If you recognize any or all of the suspects involved, or you have any knowledge about the crime, please call us at 863-298-6200.
Or, if you would like to stay anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers:
Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
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.
Buy some soup and take a fishing reel.
Someone will recognize this guy – especially the tattoos.
Using the self-checkout at Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd.), he purchased items adding up to $6.15, but bagged up a $77 fishing reel without paying.
Anyone who recognizes him is asked to call Det. Hebson at 863-291-5620.
Fishing For a Heart Reels in The Big One for a Big Cause
by James Coulter
Hunter Boykin loves to fish. So, when he saw promotions on Facebook for the Fishing For A Heart tournament last Saturday, he knew he had to rev up his boat and take to the lake.
He took that chance and reeled in a whopping 7.9-pound catch. His catch landed him the winning title of Biggest Bass at the tournament.
Boykin owes his success to his rat-l trap. He loved achieving the rank of Biggest Bass. But he especially loved being able to go out on the water for a good time and an equally good cause.
“It feels great,” he said about his win. “This is a great cause. We just came out here to have a great time, and [we] had a great time.”
While Boykin won the biggest catch, first place overall went to the team of Trever Stephen and Andrew Ready. Both reeled in an overall catch of 26.68 pounds. Both owed their success to their jig baits.
The two had been fishing for several years. They learned about the tournament last week through advertisements on Facebook. They considered it a good cause, so they decided to give it a try.
“It feels fantastic,” Stevens said. “I enjoy the good time and good vibes and fishing with a lot of friends.”
The Fishing For A Heart tournament was hosted last Saturday on Lake Shipp in Winter Haven. The event kicked off earlier that morning at Lake Shipp Park and concluded at Tanner’s Lakeside with the weigh-in and after party.
Prizes were conferred to the winners who won first, second, and third place, and for biggest bass. Other activities that day included live musical performances, bounce houses, raffles, and barbecue dinners.
The event was hosted to support the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation, a local non-profit organization that raises money to assist local first responders and other rescue workers. Proceeds from this fundraiser went towards the installation of defibrillators throughout the Winter Haven area.
The Culpepper Cardiac Foundation was started in memory of Michael Culpepper, a local security guard who was the fiancée of Melanie Brown Culpepper. Last year, he suffered from cardiac arrest, and despite the best efforts of first responders, he passed away.
Since then, Melanie started the foundation and hosted several fundraising events in his honor. This was the first fishing tournament hosted for the foundation, and the fourth overall that she had hosted as a local fundraiser. She has hosted many fundraising events in the past for local causes.
This event drew in 37 boaters. Melanie was overall impressed by the turnout, especially for a hot summer day.
“In the beginning, it was slow, but all of the anglers have come in and exceeded [our expectations],” she said. “For my very first tournament for myself and the foundation, I think it turned out very well. Everybody coming together in the community to support this.”
Melanie woke up as early as 3:30 in the morning to help coordinate the event. Even well into the afternoon she continued to maintain her energy and the momentum of the overall fundraiser and its festivities.
“Me and my girl has been up every night at 2am,” she said. “We are all on three hours of sleep. So, all of my team of girls who come together, and even when I get antsy and worried…the turnout is what I love the most.”
Cheryl Brewer, director and chaplain of the Lakeland Junior Hawg Hunters, helped coordinate the tournament. As someone who has participated in countless fishing tournaments, she was especially impressed by the turnout for this event.
“I think it exceeded our expectations, we had more boats than we thought we would,” she said. “Glad to see our community coming out in support. I loved being able to come out and raise money for the cardiac foundation and the area out there. Love the bass fishing. Love the outdoors. Love to see the anglers on the water.”
Winners
1st Place: Andre Ready & Trevor Stephen: 26.68 lbs.
2nd Place: Michael Cabaong: 26.67 lbs.
3rd Place: Eric Conant & Michael Foster: 22.03 lbs.
Haines City Celebrating Third Annual Juneteenth This Weekend
by James Coulter
The Fourth of July is less than a month away. The holiday marks the occasion when the Declaration of Independence was signed and America became a country. It is a time when we reflect upon the freedoms we enjoy as American citizens.
Nearly 87 years after the signing of the Declaration, another important document, the Emancipation Proclamation, was signed, officially freeing African American slaves and declaring them to be American citizens.
As such, the date of June 19 is celebrated as Juneteenth, commemorating the occasion when the country founded upon “liberty and justice for all” truly lived up to its name by recognizing black and white Americans as equal citizens with equal rights.
This Saturday, the City of Haines City will be hosting its third annual Juneteenth Celebration, an all-day celebration that will kick off with a parade and continue with a concert, food trucks, children’s games, and other festivities.
The celebration will start the day before on Friday with the First Annual Juneteenth Black Tie Gala at the Lake Eva Center, located at 799 Johns Avenue, from 6 pm to 9 pm. The evening’s event will include a dinner, live musical entertainment, and a guest speaker.
Saturday’s event will kick off with the parade at 11 a.m. The parade route will start at Trinity Worship Center (2795 N 10th St.), with the parade heading south on 10th St., a left turn on Ave. N., right turn on MLK Way, and right turn on Ave. A.
Shortly following the parade, the festivities will continue with the “Juneteenth Soul Concert”, to be hosted at 1 p.m. on Myers & Wiley Field (915 Avenue E.) Performing that day will be “Solivita” from Kissimmee, FL (5 p.m.), CeCe Teneal & the Soul Komotion Band from Orlando, FL (6 p.m.) and Omar Cunningham from Jackson, MS.
The remaining Juneteenth festivities that day will include various youth activities, cultural arts, culture dance presentations, food and more, all on a fun-filled, family event.
Terrel Griffin, Haines City Parks and Recreation Director, expects city residents to not only enjoy a day of fun and games, but also to be enlightened about the celebration’s significance, especially to the local African-American community.
“Juneteenth means a lot to me personally,” he said. “Simply because, without the Emancipation Proclamation, I would not be able to express many of the freedoms that I am afforded due to the freeing of slaves. I feel this is momentous occasion in American history that should be celebrated by all.”
To ensure public health and safety, temperatures will be taken upon entry into the venues and hand sanitizing stations will be available. Overall, expectations remain high, especially with the current pandemic winding down and vaccination rates increasing.
“[I look forward to] seeing the community come together as one to celebrate and commemorate the end of slavery in the United States,” Griffin said. “As a City, we pride ourselves on the following: Haines City Forward – One City, One Vision. This will be on display throughout the Juneteenth celebrations on both Friday and Saturday.”
For more information regarding the event, please call (863) 421-9963, or visit the City of Haines City Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hainescity
On June 15, 2021, 24-year-old Eduardo Martinez of California was arrested for four counts of Transmitting Harmful Material to a Minor (F3) and eight counts of Using a Computer to Lure a Child (F3). In May of this year, the victim’s mother reported to the school resource deputy at her 12-year-old daughter’s school that she had discovered nude and sexually explicit photos and videos on her daughter’s cell phone. She also found sexually explicit SnapChat messages between her daughter and an unknown man. The school resource deputy turned the information over to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Computer Crimes Unit.
Detectives conducted a forensic search of the victim’s phone and discovered a pattern of sexual grooming, including SnapChat messages where the suspect asked the victim to send him images and videos of her performing sexually exploitive acts, to which the victim complied. Detectives also found a conversation between the suspect and the victim where the suspect told the victim that he wanted to get her pregnant. The victim replied to the suspect that she was 15-years-old and did not want to be pregnant. The suspect then responded, “Idc you are a baby. I want a baby.”
Detectives found multiple text messages where the victim referred to the suspect as Eduardo. Also found were a nude photo of an adult male and a photo of a Hispanic male with dark short hair.
During the investigation, using investigative resources, detectives identified the suspect as Eduardo Martinez of Red Bluff, California. A Polk County warrant was obtained. PCSO detectives contacted the Red Bluff Police Department who assisted by arresting Martinez. When interviewed, Martinez told Red Bluff detectives he did send the victim sexually explicit videos and images. He also told detectives there will be “hundreds” of sexually explicit images and videos of the victim on his phone, along with similar videos and images of other underage girls with whom he had also been communicating. He told detectives that he moved to Red Bluff from Oregon in January of this year for a “fresh start.”
“I can’t say this often enough: Predators are lurking online and on apps looking for children to groom for sex. This is why it is so important for parents to make it their business to check their child’s electronic devices often. Because this mother checked her daughter’s phone and told law enforcement, a predator was stopped before something worse could happen. As far as this sexually deviant creep in California, he will be held accountable for his despicable behavior.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Martinez was booked into the Tehama County Jail in California on the Polk County warrant and is being held with no bond. He will be extradited to Polk County at a later date.
Richard’s Fine Coffees Celebrates 25th Anniversary
by James Coulter
For the past quarter century, Richard’s Fine Coffee has been Downtown Winter Haven’s go-to location for locals to either start the morning with a fresh brew or to drop by for a bite for breakfast or lunch.
Richard’s recently celebrated its 25th anniversary last Friday on its opening day of June 11 with a free mug giveaway, live musical performances, and overall camraderie with loyal customers. The first 100 customers that morning received their own commemorative mug, while local musicians like Marcus Brixa performed on the patio.
The Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce commemorated the occasion with a ribbon cutting hosted earlier that morning around 9 a.m. Katie Worthington Decker, President/CEO, occasionally frequents the cafe. She appreciates how the small local eatery has remained in business for as long as it has, and she hopes that it continues to remain successful.
“Dave [the owner] took a chance on the downtown when it was blighted and sleepy,” she said. “Richard’s became a cornerstone business in the downtown’s revitalization. We are excited to celebrate his 25th anniversary in business and the many loyal customers that have been with him through the years.”
David Tuttle opened the cafe 25 years ago on June 11, 1996. He initially wanted to bring something unique to Downtown Winter Haven, as well as Polk County. Since there was no independent coffee house, he decided to open one in Winter Haven.
Originally, Richard’s Fine Coffees opened in its own location within the Arcade Building. However, when the Winter Haven Public Library opened its new building in 2005, the cafe took up shop inside. Its location near the library entrance and the patio fountain, right across the street from the park, made it the ideal locale.
Ultimatley, its main key to success has been its dedication to customer service. Most other coffee shops want customers in and out, to take their cup of joe and go. However, Richard’s offers a more laid-back atmosphere where customers can sit back, relax, and enjoy their drink or food.
“We want people coming in looking like they are family,” Tuttle said. “They are welcome each and every time. We treat them like our family, and we expect by doing so that they will continue to return and they do. So that is what has kept us in business. It is not our product, or our selection, or our location, it is how people are treated when they walk in our front doors.”
Of course, Tuttle also owes his success to the hard work of the Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Winter Haven, and the City of Winter Haven to renovate the downtown area over the past 25 years and to keep its cityscape up to par, ensuring that the place is hospitable to both businesses and customers alike.
“Those folks have worked tirelessly for the last 25 years creating what they created down here to make it a destination for people in the community,” Tuttle said. “Without them, there would be no one here.”
As for the future, Tuttle remain hopeful. Though the past year has proven rough with the pandemic, he hopes to keep moving forward one day at a time, and that their expectations adjust with whatever the future ultimatley brings their way.
“When it comes down to it, with the participation with the city of Winter Haven, the Chamber, and Main Street, without those folks and the incredible community giving support, of what we go through, [business] has been incredible,” he said. “They have been there for us and we appreciate the fact that they have given us these 25 years, and we will continue to provide the level of service that they have come to expect from us.”
Richard’s Fine Coffees is located near the Winter Haven Public Library, located at 330 Avenue A NW Winter Haven, FL 33881. The cafe will be celebrating its anniversary all month long with various specials every day. For more info, visit their website at: www.richardsfinecoffees.com.
Can you help identify these three? The video is from the second story, but hopefully somebody can help identify these three. They were pulling on door handles in the parking lot of apartments on San Marcos Dr in Winter Haven. One entered a vehicle while the other two appear to be watching out. Items were taken from the glove box and strewn about. The victim found it when entering the vehicle later in the day. This occurred on May 30 around 6 p.m. If anyone recognizes either of these three, please contact Detective Taylor at 863-837-9074. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.
How many sheets of plywood can fit in the back of a Dodge Caravan? Sounds like the beginning of a commercial. But it’s not. The van in this video is seen entering the area of Lake Smart Estates on June 9th around 2:11 a.m. Apparently making multiple trips, the van is seen loaded down with sheets of plywood. All together, 100 sheets valued at $6,500 were taken from two construction sites. Although the video is grainy, the van appears to be silver or gray and missing a rear driver’s side hubcap. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Sgt. Josh Hall at 863-291-5736.
On Tuesday June 15, 2021 emergency personnel responded to a vehicle crash on Highway 27 at Owens Road. The crash involved a 2018 Toyota being driven by 38 year old Yanier Reyes of Lake Wales and a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by Lonnie Garvey, a 56 year old Lake Wales resident.
By witness information and evidence at the scene it appears both vehicles were traveling South on Highway 27 approaching Owens Road with Garvey’s vehicle coming up behind Reyes, with both vehicles in the outside lane. As Garvey’s vehicle closed in on Reyes, he began to change lanes in order to pass her. The vehicles collided in a sideswipe motion as Garvey lost control of his vehicle. His truck entered the median and began to roll as it entered the North bound lanes of travel. As the vehicle rolled Garvey was ejected, with both him and his vehicle coming to rest on the shoulder of the North bound lanes. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Reyes was not injured.
There are no charges at this time and speed appears to be a factor in the crash.
If you have any information regarding this crash, please contact Officer Sean Robertson or Detective Michael Waldron at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223.
