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Lakeland Man Killed In Lake Wales Crash Thursday Night

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Lakeland Man Killed In Lake Wales Crash Thursday Night

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

On Thursday, July 23, 2020, at about 8:49 pm, the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 911 call regarding a two-vehicle crash in front of the Enchanted Mobile Home Park located at 5137 Scenic Highway in Lake Wales. The crash killed 57 year-old Thomas Robert Mason of Lakeland.

Mason was transported to the Lake Wales Medical Center, but died from his injuries. Mason was the driver of a 2013 black, Nissan Rogue.

The second vehicle involved was a 2000 red, Ford F150 pick-up truck driven by 23 year-old Ignacio Ubieta.

According to the preliminary investigation, Ubieta was stopped northbound behind a vehicle which was turning into the Enchanted Mobile Home Park, when Mason’s Nissan struck the rear of the Ford F150. The two vehicles continued northwest for approximately 70 feet before coming to a stop on the west shoulder of Scenic Highway.

Ubieta was wearing a seatbelt prior to the crash. Mason was not wearing a seatbelt prior to the crash.

The road was closed for about three hours during the investigation, which remains open.

Missing Highlands County 5 Yr Old Body Found In Water Of Lake Lelia

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Missing Highlands County 5 Yr Old Body Found In Water Of Lake Lelia

Highlands County, Florida – We have some tragic news. The body of 5-year-old Chance Peterkin was located in the water of Lake Lelia.

Sheriff Paul Blackman, who had been on a boat searching for several hours, located Chance in the water around 12:20 a.m., ending an extensive search of the area in and around the lake.

The search involved deputies on foot and ATVs and multiple K-9s scouring the heavily wooded area around the lake. Multiple boats from the HCSO and the FWC searched both Lake Lelia and Lake Glenada.

A FLIR-equipped drone and a Polk County Sheriff’s Office helicopter also conducted aerial searches, both of which failed to locate a heat signature during the search.
Chance and his mother, 29-year-old Philletta Moransit were reported missing around 6 p.m. Thursday evening after having not been seen since around 9 a.m., when they left a home on Purcell Street on foot.

Moransit was located shortly before 8 p.m. on the campus of South Florida State College, but was uncooperative with the investigation.
Deputies located some of her clothing near the water, which focused the search area on the eastern side of the lake.

The investigation is continuing and charges on Moransit are pending.

Winter Haven Police Department Advises Lucerne Park Rd Completely Shutdown

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Winter Haven Police Department Advises Lucerne Park Rd Completely Shutdown

Lucerne Park Rd. is completely shut down due to a crash. A semi truck has overturned at Wildflower Dr.


Drivers who utilize Lucerne Park Rd from Hwy 27 into Winter Haven need to take alternate routes until further notice.


There are no specific details on the crash at this time.

16 Yr Old Winter Garden Teen Charged With DUI In Polk Hit & Run Crash – Dragging One Victim Female Victim 450 Feet

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16 Yr Old Winter Garden Teen Charged With DUI In Polk Hit & Run Crash – Dragging One Victim Female Victim 450 Feet

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a hit and run crash that occurred in the Loughman area of Davenport Wednesday night, which injured four 16-year-olds. The driver, who is also 16-years-old, was arrested after he crashed his car approximately eight miles away, and tried to flee on foot.

Deputies responded to the Cypress Pointe neighborhood off of Old Lake Wilson Road at about 9:37 pm, initially due to a loud house party at 1032 Cypress Pointe Boulevard. When they arrived, teenagers began to quickly disperse.

According to the preliminary investigation, the four victims were standing at the edge of the driveway of 1126 Cypress Pointe Boulevard, when Ryan Colom of Winter Garden, driving a black 2020 Kia Stinger, struck them with the car.

Three of the victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but a fourth victim was dragged under Colom’s car as it continued driving. The Kia struck a parked Jeep Cherokee and travelled across driveways and lawns before the female victim was dislodged from the Kia. It is estimated that the girl was dragged about 450-feet.

Colom fled the area, but crashed his car about eight miles away on Deen Still Road, near the intersection of Old Deen Still Road. With the car inoperable, Colom fled on foot, and was located by deputies in the parking lot of the Amazon Distribution Center on Deen Still Road.

The female victim who was dragged was flown to Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando in critical condition with internal injuries, multiple fractures, and losses of skin and muscle.

The suspect and the four victims were all from Orange County.

Deputies noted that Colom exhibited signs of impairment and had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. During a breath test provided by the suspect, he blew a .121 on two samples (.08 is the legal limit).

“Detectives are still working to determine who was responsible for renting the vacation home, and who invited all of the teens – further charges are possible related to that portion of the investigation. This is one of those events that parents always fear…a mix of unsupervised teens, a house party, alcohol, and a horrific result.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Ryan Colom was charged with the following felonies and misdemeanors: DUI, DUI with Property Damage (2 counts), DUI with Bodily Injury (3 Counts), DUI with Serious Bodily Injury, Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Serious Bodily Injury, Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Bodily Injury (3 counts), Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage (2 Counts). Information about juveniles charged with felonies is public record, per FSS 119.
Colom was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center in Bartow.

The investigation is ongoing, and more charges are possible in this case.

Pair Charged In Bartow Attempted Murder Case

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Pair Charged In Bartow Attempted Murder Case

On Friday, July 10, 2020 at 11:03 pm, members of the Bartow Police Department responded to the area of Indica Court and Parker Street in reference to a subject who had been shot.

At approximately 10:56 pm, the victim was at the Circle K Store located on West Main Street. The victim was inside the store shopping as the both suspects arrived outside in a vehicle. The female suspect, Cheyanne Prentice (age 24), entered the store. The male suspect, Elvin Brea (age 25) exited the passenger side of the vehicle and approached the window. He is observed on video motioning to Prentice to exit the store. Prentice did exit the store and returned to her vehicle, leaving the victim inside the store.

A short time later, the victim exited the store and left on his bicycle. As the victim began travelling south bound on Floral Avenue, the suspects left the parking lot, following the victim. Once on South Floral Avenue, Prentice, who was driving the vehicle, swerved toward the victim, in an apparent attempt to strike the victim. The victim swerved and sped west on Parker Street.
The suspects followed the victim west on Parker Street, and approached the victim at a high rate of speed, stopping beside the victim as Brea extended his arm out of the vehicle and shot the victim, striking him in the torso. The suspects fled the area.

The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Both suspects were located and arrested on 07/22/20 and were charged with Attempted Murder (1st Degree). Prentice faces an additional charge of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Brea faces an additional charge of Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle.

Flipping Door Handles and Stealing Cars

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Flipping Door Handles and Stealing Cars

Release by Winter Haven Police Department

Flipping Door Handles and Stealing Cars
On 7-12-2020 at approximately 1:53 a.m., the two subjects seen in this video were going driveway to driveway along Woodpointe Dr. flipping door handles until they located a vehicle that was unlocked. Inside of the vehicle were the keys to the vehicle and the garage door opener. The subjects used the opener to gain entry into the garage where another vehicle was located with keys. Both vehicles were stolen.
Ultimately, they were recovered in the area of Whispering Trails and returned to the owners.
“We implore citizens to lock vehicles and never leave keys inside,” said Public Safety Director Charlie Bird. “Couple that with a garage door opener and the potential for entry into a home greatly increases which could lead to more dangerous crimes.”
Anyone who recognizes either of these subjects, backpacks or clothing they are wearing is asked to call Det. Lozado at 863-401-2256. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a cash reward.

Polk Deputies Searching For Hit & Run Driver Who Left Three People Hospitalized

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Polk Deputies Searching For Hit & Run Driver Who Left Three People Hospitalized

In reference to your inquiries, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a hit & run crash in a gated community in the Loughman area. The crash was reported Wednesday night, July 22, 2020, at about 9:51 pm.

Three pedestrians were struck by a vehicle. The victims were transported to the hospital for their injuries and their conditions are unknown at this time.

The vehicle fled the scene, and deputies are currently working to get details of the driver and the vehicle from witnesses.

The crash occurred in the Cypress Point subdivision, just off of Old Lake Wilson Road.

Off-Duty Auburndale Police Officer Arrested For Aggravated Battery While In Florida Keys

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Off-Duty Auburndale Police Officer Arrested For Aggravated Battery While In Florida Keys

Auburndale Police Department Press Release

Off-Duty Auburndale Police Officer Arrested in Islamorada
At about 1:00 a.m. this morning, an off-duty Auburndale Police officer was arrested by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for aggravated battery (domestic) and false imprisonment (domestic).

Dane A. Henwood was booked-in at their jail facility following his arrest. Mr. Henwood has been employed in Auburndale since June, 2019.

An official with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office notified the Auburndale Police Department of the arrest this morning. In compliance with the department’s written directive system, Mr. Henwood was summarily relieved from duty pending the completion of an administrative investigation of the incident.


Due to Florida law, we are unable to provide any further details at this time.

Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. Collecting Donations on Behalf of Victims’ Families of Frostproof Triple Homicide

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Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. Collecting Donations on Behalf of Victims’ Families of Frostproof Triple Homicide

Polk County Sheriff’s Office:

In response to your inquiries, Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc., will collect funds on behalf of the victims’ families of the triple homicide in #Frostproof that occurred on Friday, July 17, 2020.

The victims were: Brandon Rollins, Keven Springfield, and Damion Tillman. Their names were released early in the investigation with their families’ permission.

To donate by check, please send donations to Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. and write “Frostproof Homicide Victims’ families” in the memo line.

Our address is:
1891 Jim Keene Blvd
Winter Haven, FL 33880

To donate by credit card, go to http://www.polksheriff.org/donate and choose “Other” and type in “Frostproof Homicide Victims’ families.”

All funds received & designated as such will be distributed to the families of these three victims.

Three People Arrested In Frostproof Triple Homicide

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Three People Arrested In Frostproof Triple Homicide

Polk County, Florida –  
 
Three suspects arrested in Frostproof triple homicide

Polk County Sheriff’s Homicide detectives have arrested two brothers, and one of the brother’s girlfriend, in the triple homicide that occurred in the unincorporated area of Frostproof on July 17, 2020.

During a search of the crime scene, detectives found a Dollar General bag and receipt dated the night of the murders, and worked their way backwards from there. They responded to the Dollar General store, and retrieved store video surveillance that showed one of the victims – Damion Tillman – making some purchases. Detectives spoke with the clerk, who knows Damion as a frequent customer. The clerk told detectives that Damion said he was going fishing. The clerk also saw the suspects in the store at the same time, and they are also seen in the video. The clerk told detectives that the suspects heard Damion say he was going fishing, and that Keven would be with him, as the clerk listened to all of them talk to each other about it.

Detectives also received tips that one of the suspects might be Tony Wiggins. Tony Wiggins was positively identified as the person in the video at the Dollar General.

On July 20, 2020, detectives served a search warrant at a parcel of land on Sarver Avenue (nearest cross street, Sandollar Street) in Lake Wales, Florida, where a travel trailer was parked. The travel trailer is occupied by 26-year-old Tony “TJ” Wiggins and his girlfriend, 27-year-old Mary Whittemore; Tony’s brother, 21-year-old William “Robert” Wiggins, lives in another trailer on the same plot. Detectives found two SKS rifles, two Mossberg shotguns, and ammunition for both in a gun safe belonging to TJ Wiggins. TJ is a convicted felon, so he was placed under arrested for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (F-2), and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (F-2).

TJ Wiggins was recently arrested in March 2020 for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and was released on bond. Due to the fact that he committed crimes while out on bond, he violated his pretrial release conditions, and a Parker vs. State hold was applied (meaning he is not allowed to bond out on the new charges). Detectives continued their investigation.

The search warrant at the trailer also yielded ammunition that was compared to the shell casings found at the scene of the triple homicide. The ammunition was sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) lab for testing. The FDLE expedited the testing. The test results came back positive – the ammunition found in the trailer is the same ammunition fired from the gun that night, a Smith & Wesson handgun.

Detectives learned that Whittemore purchased the ammunition for TJ in Lake Wales on July 9, 2020. They are seen in video surveillance purchasing it at the store, and detectives have the receipt confirming the purchase.

Detectives interviewed all three suspects, and their stories were inconsistent and contradicting each other. Whittemore admitted to purchasing the ammunition, and to being with the brothers on the night of the murder. She did not make any additional statements. The Wiggins brothers statements were inconsistent.

William “Robert” Wiggins was interviewed again. During that interview, Robert admitted to seeing Damion in the Dollar General store on Friday evening while he stood in line behind Damion with his brother TJ. When they left the store, TJ directed Robert (who was driving) to turn onto a particular road, instead of going home. Two trucks, occupied by the three victims, passed Robert on that road, at which time TJ told Robert to make a U-turn and follow the trucks.

Robert followed the trucks to Lake Streety Road in Frostproof. Robert stayed in the truck with Whittemore, while TJ got out and confronted Keven Springfield, punching him and yelling at him, accusing Keven of stealing his truck. Brandon Rollins and Damion Tillman get out of their truck, and TJ continues to scream at all of them. Robert told detectives he watched as TJ shot all three victims. TJ then asked Robert to help him put Damion into the back of one of the trucks.

After the brutal killings, the three suspects drove to McDonald’s, where they ordered 10 double cheeseburgers, and two McChicken sandwiches. They went home to eat. On Saturday morning, July 18th, Robert took his truck to a car wash in Lake Wales and washed the clay from it.

Neither Tony Wiggins nor Mary Whittemore are cooperating with detectives.

Tony “TJ” Wiggins, 02/25/1994 has been charged with:
        First degree murder (Capital felony)
        Tampering with evidence (F-3)
        Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (F-2)
        Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (F-2)

His criminal history includes 230 felonies with 15 convictions, 26 misdemeanors, and 2 trips to state prison. He has several assault and battery charges, armed burglary charges, and weapons charges.

William “Robert” Wiggins, DOB 01/04/99, has been charged with:
        Tampering with evidence (F-3)
        Accessory after the fact of capital felony (F1)

Mary Whittemore, DOB 07/07/93, has been charged with:
        Accessory after the fact of capital felony (F1)

Tony Wiggins
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