An Auburndale man was arrested on November 1, 2024 after a disturbance at a local Dollar General.
The defendant was allegedly causing a disturbance in the store stating that “WOMENS LIFE ARE LESS THAN MINE.” and the store employee who reported the disturbance wanted him trespassed.
The defendant was identified as Daniel Lee Gonzalez, DOB 10/24/1978. Gonzalez is a homeless man who stays in the Auburndale area.
After police arrived on scene, Gonzalez then attempted to open the door of the Auburndale Police vehicle (unsuccessfully as it was locked).
Gonzalez was placed under arrest for trespassing and attempted burglary.
It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by Auburndale Police Department. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. Winter Haven Daily does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to your own conclusion.
“On 11/01/2024, I responded to the Dollar General located at REDACTED in reference to a disturbance involving the defendant at the location. Upon my arrival contact was made with the defendant in the parking lot. The defendant was identified as Daniel Lee Gonzalez by his Florida driver’s license.
The defendant was advised that nothing happened in the store besides him making a purchase. Contact was also made with the reportee REDACTED, which she confirmed the defendant was causing a disturbance stating that “WOMENS LIFE ARE LESS THAN MINE”. The reportee REDACTED, a store employee advised she wished for the defendant to be trespassed.
Contact was made again with defendant Gonzalez. The defendant was informed of the trespass warning and was requested to leave the property. The defendant continued to remain on the property asking officers where they were from. I requested the defendant to leave the property approximately 5 times, but the defendant refused to comply with the trespass warnings and remained on the property. On the fifth request to leave the defendant gathered his belongings and began walking towards the parking lot exit. Defendant Gonzalez walked past my agency issued vehicle which read Auburndale Police on the side. My Emergency red and blue lights were active as well. The defendant stopped walking, turned and faced the front passenger side door of my patrol vehicle and with his right hand grabbed my vehicle’s door handle attempting to open the door. The defendant was unable to gain entry to my patrol vehicle since it was locked.
The defendant was quickly detained in hand cuffs. The defendant spontaneously stated that he was just joking and that he plays a lot of the video game Grand Theft Auto. Contact was made with Polk County Sheriff Office CIC to conduct a warrant/probation check. CIC operator Claudia (ID#8675) advised that Gonzalez did not have any active warrants and was not on probation. The defendant was placed under arrest for trespassing and attempted burglary.”
AR Workshop Gives Customers Opportunity to Make Their Own Arts and Crafts
by James Coulter
When her daughter was a little girl, Glenda Mercado loved making arts and crafts with her. Now, Mercado is giving other people the same opportunity to bond over arts and crafts through her studio at AR Workshop in Winter Haven.
For the past six months, Mercado has been running AR Workshop. The local studio offers arts and crafts classes and workshops on making anything and everything, from porch signs to Christmas ornaments.
“AR Workshop is your destination for all things DIY,” their website states. “This charming boutique studio offers hands-on craft classes, group activities, private parties, and a curated selection of gifts and on-trend home decor.”
Even if you’ve never made a single thing with your hands ever, AR Workshop caters to all customers of any skill level. Their instructors will walk you through the process step-by-step so you can make something truly your own.
“Leave perfection at the door,” is what Glenda tells her customers. “We like people to come here and be able to unwind, have a good time and make memories, and be creative and innovative.”
Mercado recalls a time when a customer arrived at her store and he wanted to make something with his wife’s favorite animal. He was unsure about his own skill level, but Mercado walked him through the process, asking him personalized questions about his wife’s interests, and in the end, she was able to make him something his wife would truly love.
“His wife was so happy,” Mercado said.
Don’t have the time to sit down and make your own craft? No problem. AR Workshop also provides a “Make It For Me” service where, true to the name, the store will make crafts for you.
One customer wanted to make a personalized porch sign as a gift, but, as she did not have the time to make one herself, she ordered one through “Make It For Me,” and she was pleased with the purchase.
AR Workshop opened earlier this year in May. Since then, the store has experienced great success. Their art pieces proves especially popular on social media.
Another aspect of their success has been through hosting events at their venue and coordinating with others events like Hispanic Heritage Month in Haines City. At that event, AR workshop allowed children to paint their home country’s flag on canvas.
AR Workshop hosts many events at their studio, especially private events like summer camps, ladies’ night out, and baby and bridal showers. However, Mercado recommends that people register for events ahead of time to ensure they can participate.
With Christmas around the corner, AR Workshop has big plans to host workshops and classes on making Christmas ornaments and other decorations. Gift cards for the store also make for great stocking stuffers, Mercado said.
Whether you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or holiday, or whether you simply want a good reason to make something with loved ones, AR Workshop is certainly worth the visit.
“It is just a way to be have fun and create memories with loved ones and have bonding moments and make new friends at these events,” Mercado said.
AR workshop is located at 5535 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Suite 210, in Winter Haven. For more information, call 863-347-4566, or visit their website at: https://www.arworkshop.com/winterhaven/
Also, be sure to follow AR Workshop on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
On the evening of November 6, 2024, Polk County Fire Rescue responded to an “appliance fire” call at Polyglass USA Inc, a building material supplier, located at 1231 American Superior Blvd in Winter Haven.
Crews were dispatched at 7:10 p.m and arrived on scene shortly after at 7:16 p.m.
It was reported that a mixer at the building had caught fire.
Polk County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer Nathaniel Gale confirmed the reports that a mixer was on fire and he advised that once PFCR crews arrived, they emptied the mixer tank to mitigate any further risks.
The scene was cleared at 8:33 p.m. No injuries to fire crew or building staff were reported.
A sinkhole appeared in the front yard of a Royal Crest Drive home in Highland City yesterday. The same home experienced a sinkhole earlier this year.
Wednesday afternoon, homeowners called 9-1-1 when they noticed an opening near their driveway. The sinkhole is currently about 8 feet wide by 20 feet deep and is located on their lawn about halfway between the road and the home. Polk County Fire Rescue, Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County’s Emergency Management and Roads and Drainage divisions responded. First responders cordoned off the sinkhole and monitored it for changes.
The sinkhole does not appear to be impacting the home’s foundation. Emergency officials explained to residents the decision to stay in the home or go elsewhere was up to them.
Director of Polk County Roads and Drainage Division, Jay Jarvis said, “We filled a sinkhole at this location back in January because the right-of-way was impacted. The new opening is essentially right next to the previous sinkhole. Anytime there’s an opening or sinkhole and you fill it, there is a possibility things can shift or reopen.”
Polk County is currently working with a geo-technical firm to assess the sinkhole in relation to the home and right-of-way, and to fill it in. The roadway remains open.
“Because of the recurrence and the proximity to the initial sinkhole, the county will address it,” said Jarvis.
The sinkhole that occurred in January was approximately 15 feet wide by 60 feet deep; The opening did encroach into public right-of-way, and in response, the county hired contractors to fill it with sand and clay.
Just before 3:00 p.m. on November 6, 2024 Polk County Fire Rescue, Winter Haven Fire Department and Winter Haven Police Department responded to a bus vs vehicle collision in Winter Haven.
The accident occurred at 2nd Street NW and Avenue D NW in Winter Haven.
One of Polk County’s public transit buses, a Citrus Connection bus was involved in the crash. The other vehicle appeared to be a dark colored SUV.
We reached out to Polk County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer Nathaniel Gale, and he confirmed one patient was transported from the scene via ground to a local hospital.
The extent of the patient’s injuries is unknown, though law enforcement classified the crash as minor.
A report for this crash is in the works and is not yet available, so that is all the information we have regarding the crash at this time.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Vice Unit conducted a two-day undercover operation beginning Monday, November 4, 2024, which resulted in the arrest of 21 individuals.
Undercover detectives went to various massage parlors in the Davenport, Dundee, Lakeland, and Winter Haven areas of Polk County to purchase lawful massages from licensed massage therapists. During these massages, twenty of the massage therapists offered to commit sexual acts for money during the sessions. One suspect, Jinxia Huang, battered the undercover detective when he denied her advances. Another suspect, Xiu Lin, was arrested outside of a massage parlor for resisting arrest due to interfering while detectives placed another woman under arrest for prostitution.
“We want our communities to be safe and free from illegal activities, and criminals who take advantage of people. These arrests are part of our ongoing efforts to hold those who break the law accountable. We’re focused on keeping our neighborhoods safe, and we’ll keep cracking down on businesses that operate outside the law.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The suspects arrested in this case and their charges are as follows:
ARRESTED AT XI XI SPA, 7554 Cypress Gardens Blvd: • Qiuhua Zhang (10/14/1974) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2), and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1) • Jinxia Huang (5/23/1987) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2), Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1), Battery (M1), and False Imprisonment (F3) ARRESTED AT NEW COAST SPA, 28079 U.S. Hwy 27: • Rose Wang Walker (3/28/1963) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2). She told deputies that she is the owner of the business. • Hongxin Yang (7/8/1970) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) ARRESTED AT QUEEN DAY SPA, 1947 21st Street NW: • Qui Qiaojun (9/19/1993) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1) • Li An (2/8/1973) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1) ARRESTED AT HEALTH ASIAN MASSAGE, 1222 6TH Street NW: • Shuangyan Hu (6/11/1983) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1) • Xuekun Lin (11/18/1974) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1) ARRESTED AT SHANGRILA MASSAGE, 1134 1st Street South: • Ying Lin (1/11/1976) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) • Xiu Lin (9/6/1969) – Charged with two counts of Resisting Arrest (M1) ARRESTED AT NEW ORIENTAL MASSAGE, 6000 Lucerne Park Road: • Baohua Zhang (12/10/1972) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2). She told deputies that she is the owner of the business. ARRESTED AT TOP OASIS SPA, 1975 E Edgewood Drive: • Yanfei Ye (3/27/1971) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1) • Ruifen Ren (9/2/1960) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) ARRESTED AT I-SPA MASSAGE, 1114 Mayflower Drive: • Shixin Zhang (5/23/1968) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) ARRESTED AT OCEAN MASSAGE STAR, 127 Alamo Drive East: • Hong Xia Sok (8/27/1974) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Resisting Arrest (M1) • Yihua Yu (12/4/1981) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Lewd Behavior (M2) ARRESTED AT LUCKY ASIAN MASSAGE, 3234 S Florida Avenue: • Zhuling Liu (6/1/1962) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) • Fenghua Jiang (5/6/1966) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) ARRESTED AT EASTERN MASSAGE, 105 Allamanda Drive: • Yan Luo (9/9/1960) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) • Jinfeng Mu (11/29/1964) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2). She was arrested in a similiar operation in December 2023. ARRESTED AT SUN SPA, 110 Polo Park East: • Yuling Zhang Collins (3/29/1967) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
Anyone with information about illegal activities or suspected human trafficking occurring in a Polk County massage parlor business is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-TIPS (8477) or visit www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com & click the “Submit a Tip” tab. Citizens may also download the P3TIPS app on their cell phone or mobile device.
When I schedule a ride with the Lake Wales Police Department to observe what might happen on any average night, it turned out not to be what I expected.
I was there when, after a fairly quiet evening of proactive police patrol, a call came in just before 9:30 PM.
View from my position of the stop on Hwy. 60 in Lake Wales. Photo by Maria Iannucci
The following is a redacted, but unedited portion of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit (It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts provided by law enforcement. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Lake Wales Daily does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions. A suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.) :
“On 11/01/2024, at approximately 2124 hours, I, D/S Santos-Diaz #8279, responded to the intersection of Highway 60 East and Alturas Road, Bartow, FL., in reference to information given by dispatch on a vehicle that was marked in FCIC/NCIC as a vehicle being associated with a person with a warrant.
“The initial information given by dispatch was a red 2008 Saturn SUV, bearing FL license #QEE4U, possibly being driven by Leanne Keisling W/F, DOB 03/21/1973 (has an active warrant from Clay County, Indiana).
“Southeast Delta platoon members located and conducted an investigative stop on Highway 60 just west of Highway 27, and made contact with the driver.
“ I then arrived on scene and announced myself as a deputy sheriff from Polk County Sheriff’s Office, FL, and made contact with the white female driver, who identified herself as Leanne Yi Keisling. I was able to confirm his identity by an Indiana Driver’s License she provided (REDACTED).
“I then contacted CIC, who was able to confirm the Fugitive From Justice warrant is out of Clay County, Indiana for Leanne Keisling. The warrant(s) on the NCIC system was for Failure to Appear – Burglary (Case #11D01-2404-F4-000346).
“Leanne fled the jurisdiction of this agency in attempt to avoid being apprehended by law enforcement. Clay County, Indiana advised they would extradite.
“During an inventory of her vehicle prior to it being towed from the scene of the stop, a small pink metal container (eyeglasses container) was located in the rear passenger side floorboard of the vehicle. The contents of the pink container were a glass pipe with burnt substance and a white grainy residue in small baggie.
“Utilizing a NARK #15 test kit, I conducted a field test on the burnt substance inside of the glass pipe and the grainy substance, which achieved a blue color indicating the presumptive positive for the presence of methamphetamine.
“Post Miranda, Leanne stated she was not aware she had a warrant out of Indiana, as she had believed her lawyer had told her she was good until a further court date. As per the white grainy substance located in her vehicle, she informed me she had no clue it was there and she denied ever using or having any drugs in her possession.
“Leanne fled the jurisdiction of Clay County in attempt to elude being apprehended, and is a fugitive of justice, as defined in FSS 941.13, Fugitive from Justice.
“Leanne was also in possession of methamphetamine, as defined in FSS 893.13(6a), Possession of Methamphetamine, as well as, in possession of a glass pipe and containing methamphetamine, as described in FSS 893.147(1), Possession of Paraphernalia.
“I transported Leanne to the Sheriff’s Processing Center without further incident.”
As a passenger in a Lake Wales Police Department police vehicle, I was able to observe the situation as it occurred from the time we arrived at the scene.
It’s important to know that members of both Lake Wales Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office were on scene.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Vice Unit conducted a two-day undercover operation beginning Monday, November 4, 2024, which resulted in the arrest of 21 individuals.
Undercover detectives went to various massage parlors in the Davenport, Dundee, Lakeland, and Winter Haven areas of Polk County to purchase lawful massages from licensed massage therapists. During these massages, twenty of the massage therapists offered to commit sexual acts for money during the sessions. One suspect, Jinxia Huang, battered the undercover detective when he denied her advances. Another suspect, Xiu Lin, was arrested outside of a massage parlor for resisting arrest due to interfering while detectives placed another woman under arrest for prostitution.
“We want our communities to be safe and free from illegal activities, and criminals who take advantage of people. These arrests are part of our ongoing efforts to hold those who break the law accountable. We’re focused on keeping our neighborhoods safe, and we’ll keep cracking down on businesses that operate outside the law.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The suspects arrested in this case and their charges are as follows:
ARRESTED AT XI XI SPA, 7554 Cypress Gardens Blvd:
Qiuhua Zhang (10/14/1974) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2), and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1)
Jinxia Huang (5/23/1987) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2), Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1), Battery (M1), and False Imprisonment (F3)
ARRESTED AT NEW COAST SPA, 28079 U.S. Hwy 27:
Rose Wang Walker (3/28/1963) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2). She told deputies that she is the owner of the business.
Hongxin Yang (7/8/1970) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
ARRESTED AT QUEEN DAY SPA, 1947 21st Street NW:
Qui Qiaojun (9/19/1993) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1)
Li An (2/8/1973) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1)
ARRESTED AT HEALTH ASIAN MASSAGE, 1222 6TH Street NW:
Shuangyan Hu (6/11/1983) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1)
Xuekun Lin (11/18/1974) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1)
ARRESTED AT SHANGRILA MASSAGE, 1134 1st Street South:
Ying Lin (1/11/1976) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
Xiu Lin (9/6/1969) – Charged with two counts of Resisting Arrest (M1)
ARRESTED AT NEW ORIENTAL MASSAGE, 6000 Lucerne Park Road:
Baohua Zhang (12/10/1972) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2). She told deputies that she is the owner of the business.
ARRESTED AT TOP OASIS SPA, 1975 E Edgewood Drive:
Yanfei Ye (3/27/1971) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Unlicensed Massage Therapy (M1)
Ruifen Ren (9/2/1960) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
ARRESTED AT I-SPA MASSAGE, 1114 Mayflower Drive:
Shixin Zhang (5/23/1968) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
ARRESTED AT OCEAN MASSAGE STAR, 127 Alamo Drive East:
Hong Xia Sok (8/27/1974) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Resisting Arrest (M1)
Yihua Yu (12/4/1981) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2) and Lewd Behavior (M2)
ARRESTED AT LUCKY ASIAN MASSAGE, 3234 S Florida Avenue:
Zhuling Liu (6/1/1962) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
Fenghua Jiang (5/6/1966) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
ARRESTED AT EASTERN MASSAGE, 105 Allamanda Drive:
Yan Luo (9/9/1960) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
Jinfeng Mu (11/29/1964) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2). She was arrested in a similiar operation in December 2023.
ARRESTED AT SUN SPA, 110 Polo Park East:
Yuling Zhang Collins (3/29/1967) – Charged with Offering to Commit Prostitution (M2)
Anyone with information about illegal activities or suspected human trafficking occurring in a Polk County massage parlor business is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-TIPS (8477) or visit www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com & click the “Submit a Tip” tab. Citizens may also download the P3TIPS app on their cell phone or mobile device.
