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Retail Theft at Wal-Mart Leads To Multi-Agency Pursuit and Multiple Arrests

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Retail Theft at Wal-Mart Leads To Multi-Agency Pursuit and Multiple Arrests

Retail Theft at Wal-Mart Leads To Multi-Agency Pursuit and Multiple Arrests

On April 4, 2019 at approximately 1:00am, officers with the Lake Wales Police Department responded to 2000 State Road 60 E, in Lake Wales (Wal-Mart) regarding a theft that had just occurred. The witnesses reported multiple individuals had removed several electronics items, valued in excess of $2300.00 from the store. The witness reported the suspects fled the store in a silver or gray sport utility vehicle. A short time later, Officer Edgar Claros observed a silver Toyota 4-runner traveling at a high rate of speed, westbound on Highway 60 near the intersection of 11th St.  Officer Claros attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle but the driver refused to stop and continued westbound at a high rate of speed. Officer Claros was able to obtain the vehicle’s tag number and was advised that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Orlando. The pursuit was terminated at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Ernest Smith Blvd in Bartow over safety concerns. The vehicle information was relayed to other agencies.

A short time later, Lake Wales Police was notified the Lake Alfred Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office were in pursuit of the stolen Toyota on interstate 4. Following a short pursuit, the suspect vehicle crashed into vehicle leaving the Wawa convenience store located at 43582 Highway 27 in Davenport. No injuries were reported and members of the Lake Alfred Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office apprehended five of the six occupants of the stolen vehicle. The sixth person fled from the scene but was not located. The Lake Wales Police Department, Criminal Investigations Section, is working to identify this individual.

The five individuals below were charged with the following:

  • De’eddrick Dedontae Noble, 24, 430 Sunset Dr., Orlando Fl.
  • Fleeing to elude, 3rd degree felony
  • Grand Theft in excess of $300.00, 3rd Degree Felony

  • Desire Deshay Oliver, 24, 430 Sunset Dr., Orlando Fl
  • Grand Theft in excess of $300.00, 3rd Degree Felony

  • Timothy Jerome Wiggins, 19, 5145 Emerson Ave. S. St. Petersburg Fl.
  • Grand Theft in excess of $300.00, 3rd Degree Felony

  • Dequan Dajuan Esters, 27, 2007 Mercy Dr., Orlando
  • Grand Theft in excess of $300.00, 3rd Degree Felony

  • Delicia Mazandra Hogan, 24, 308 Lakeland Ave., N. Orlando
  • Grand Theft in excess of $300.00, 3rd Degree Felony

 

Please refer to Polk County Sheriff’s Office, case numbers 19-16579 and 19-16578 and Lake Alfred Police Department case number 19-231 for additional information and charges stemming from their involvement. Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact Detective Whitney Dukes at the Lake Wales Police Department, (863)678-4223 Ext. 269.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local Protesters Join Nationwide Rally To “Release The Report”

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Local Protesters Join Nationwide Rally To “Release The Report”

Local Protesters Join Nationwide Rally To “Release The Report”

by James Coulter

What do they want? The Muller Report. When do they want it? Now. That was the demand of local protesters rallying at Central Park in Downtown Winter Haven on Thursday evening.

Nearly 50 demonstrators congregated at the park to show their solidarity with other protesters in more than 300 rallies nationwide, demanding the public release of the full report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Following a 22-month investigation into the alleged “foreign collusion” by President Donald Trump with the Russian government during the 2016 election, Muller published a more than 400-page report detailing his findings into the investigation last week.

This report, known colloquially as “The Muller Report”, was submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. However, only a four-page summary of Muller’s principle conclusions has been disclosed to Congress by Attorney General William Barr.

According to the summary, Muller’s investigation found no evidence that either Trump or anyone in his campaign “conspired or coordinated with Russia” during the election. Furthermore, the summary states that “while this report does not conclude that the President commited a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”

Despite this, Trump and his supporters believe that the report does in fact exonerate him of any wrongdoing, while his detractors believe that the full report contains important details being intentionally withheld by Barr to protect Trump of wrongdoing.

While only 36 percent of Americans trust the summary that Trump has been cleared of any alleged wrongdoing, more than 56 percent remain skeptical, with another 75 percent wanting the full report to be made public, according to an NPR poll.

More than 300 rallies were hosted on Thursday evening to voice the public demand for the full release of the report. These rallies drew 300 protesters to New York’s Time Square and 250 to the White House, according to Reuters.

In Polk County, nearly 50 protesters gathered at the park in Downtown Winter Haven to show their solidarity with other protesters nationwide and demand that Barr “Release The Report.”

This local rally was coordinated by Katherine Sutherland, Membership and Precinct Organizing chair for the Polk Democratic Party, with the help of MoveOn, a progressive advocacy group that organized the other rallies nationwide.

“We are here to show the people in our district, in our community, in our country that nobody is above the law,” she said. “We have the backs of the people in Congress, we want to let them know that they can be strong when they are fighting for us, like when they are giving us the Muller Report.”

Like many of the other protesters, Sutherland felt that Barr was intentionally keeping the full report from the public to protect the president who had appointed him.

“It is not okay for Trump to appoint somebody who is obviously politicized, who will try to protect Trump however way he can, and then the Muller Report comes out and we only get a four page summary? That is not okay,” she said.

Bob Doyle, retired circuit judge and former candidate for Florida Senate, was one of the protesters attending the rally that evening. He, too, believed that there were details within the report being purposely withheld from the public. Thus it was up to members of the public to demand that their elected officials release the full report.

“We have to recognize that our expectations are going to be fulfilled over a period of time,” he said. “It will not happen tomorrow or next week, so we have to keep the pressure until it happens. It is up to us to get something done…our part has got to be done tomorrow and the next day and the next day and eventually we will win this thing. We will be able to get the report and read this thing.”

Bill Summer, former criminal defense attorney, and a self-proclaimed “recovering former Republican”, called the entire ordeal with the report and the Presidential administration a “game of wack-a-mole” that required Democrats like himself to maintain their a-game in order to achieve victory.

“They put something up, our side has to be ready to fight it if we are able to fight within that arena,’ he said. “You could not have had Van Gough put up a brand new canvas, take up all his colored pastels, and paint a better picture of a rotten, crooked, no good, Republican son of a pup than William Barr.”

Local Nonprofit Organization Helps Young Girls and Young Women

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Local Nonprofit Organization Helps Young Girls and Young Women

Local Nonprofit Organization Helps Young Girls and Young Women

By Allison Williams

Angels of Destiny Inc. is a local nonprofit that inspires young girls and young women. Dolmecia Fleming is the Founder and President of Angels of Destiny Inc.

“We are a nonprofit organization that seeks to make a positive impact in the lives of families, young girls and young women. Our Mission is to serve as a beacon of Hope in the lives of young girls and young women between the ages of 8-21 through mentoring, building self-esteem, youth empowerment, community involvement, and the development of leadership and key skills for success.”

Fleming and late Angela Hogan founded Angels of Destiny Inc. back in 2014. The organization and what it stands for has been particularly special to both women.

“We both came from a disadvantage background where we have been faced with many hardships, whether that was being homeless, living from place to place or being hungry standing in the line at the salvation army or even being a mother at the age of 15. Angela and I were determined to be that beacon in the lives of young girls to ensure that they would not experience the many hardships that the two of us had to endure.”

In just the few years that Angels of Destiny Inc. has been around, the organization has had the pleasure of helping more than 200 young girls and young women. On top of this, they have helped families with holidays, bills, back-to-school, counseling referrals, food, shelter and even with domestic violence issues.

For those who are interested in learning more or attending an event, Angels of Destiny Inc. has several events and meetings available. At the Auburndale Community Center on the third Monday of each month, the young girls and young women meet from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. This monthly meeting is “Discovering Her Greatness Hour of Empowerment” and is free for anyone to attend.

“We have guest speakers come in and speak to the girls and we also have our ‘Let’s Talk It Out’ sessions during this time. The girls have the chance of opening up and discussing different topics such as identifying inner and outer beauty, bullying, peer pressure, personal issues, academic success, social media concerns, etc.”

Here is a list of upcoming events:

  • Mommy and me Tea and Community Give back: a day for mothers and daughters to get together and laugh and bond over tea. We also go into local women shelters and set up for Mother’s Day. We prepare a meal and gifts for the mothers and kids. (May 2019) We will be at the Salvation Army Women Shelter in Winter Haven on Mother’s Day weekend providing the mothers and kids with a Tea experience.
  • Annual Back to school giveaways: We partner with local hair salons to provide the girls with free back to school hairstyles in exchange for the girls writing an essay. (Topics may vary each year) More info will be available the first week of June.
  • Annual Back to school Jam and sponsorship: Over the last two years we have been able to sponsor over 30 kids with three complete uniforms each, shoes, under garments, hygiene items, and hairstyles for back to school. In 2018 at our back to school jam we were able to give away over 160 back packs filled with school supplies and feed close to 200. More info will be available mid-May on location, date and times.
  • Annual Holiday Drive: We partner with other local organizations to go out and feed the homeless. We choose single mothers or fathers annually for our holiday drive. We will begin announcing this in September.

On top of all the meetings and events Fleming hosts, she has also allotted time to work on a book called Who Will Listen to the Little Girl Cry.

With Angels of Destiny Inc. being a nonprofit (501(c)(3) organization), they are always looking for extra hands, whether is it community partners or sponsors. All donations that the organization receives are tax deductible.

Contact info:

321-304-0472

P.O. Box 728 Auburndale Fl 33823

[email protected]

Angelsofdestiny.org

Fourth Case of Rabies Confirmed in Polk County

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Fourth Case of Rabies Confirmed in Polk County
Fourth Case of Rabies Confirmed in Polk County
PCSO Press Release:
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Section confirmed on Tueday, April 9, 2019, the fourth positive Rabies case in Polk County for the year.
On Saturday, April 6, 2019, PCSO received a call that a dead bat had been located inside a garage at a home on Longleaf Circle in Lakeland. It appeared that no humans or animals were exposed to the bat prior to or after its death, however due to the fact that it was found inside a dwelling, it was sent for rabies testing.
The bat was confirmed positive for rabies on Tuesday, April 9th.
There have been three prior confirmed rabies cases in Polk County so far this year.

UPDATE: Unidentified Pedestrian fatally struck by vehicle Sunday morning

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UPDATE: Unidentified Pedestrian fatally struck by vehicle Sunday morning

The pedestrian who was killed in the vehicle/pedestrian crash early Sunday morning (4/7/19) has been identified as 49-year-old Javier Lopez-Perez of Wahneta.  Below is the original release on the crash.

PCSO Press Release:

Unidentified Pedestrian fatally struck by vehicle Sunday morning

On Sunday, April 7, 2019 at about 2:32 A.M., deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle on Bomber Road at Avenue A West in the Wahneta area of Winter Haven.

The first deputies on scene found an unresponsive man and began life-saving measures on him, but once Polk County Fire Rescue arrived, the man was pronounced deceased.

The victim had no identification on him, and other attempts to identify him up to this point have been unsuccessful.

The vehicle that struck the man was not on scene as the investigation began, but returned a short time later.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 46-year-old Lynwood Stanton of Drew Court in Bartow. He returned to the scene in a white 2001 Chevrolet Sierra Pick-Up truck, which had damage that was consistent with debris found on scene.

Mr. Lynnwood told deputies that he thought he had struck an animal, and checked for damage once he arrived at home. He said that once he realized the damages weren’t likely caused by an animal, he headed back to the scene.

According to the preliminary investigation, the Chevy Pick-up had been travelling east on Bomber Road when it struck the man in the roadway near Avenue A West. A witness to the crash told investigators that the pedestrian, who was wearing dark clothing, was walking or standing approximately 18 inches into the lane of travel.

Mr. Stanton was evaluated at the scene and showed no signs of impairment. Excessive speed and distracted driving are not suspected, but will be further investigated.

Impairment is suspected on the part of the pedestrian.

Bomber Road was closed for approximately 3 hours during the investigation.

Haines City Commission Seat 1 Recount

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Haines City Commission Seat 1 Recount

Haines City Commission Seat 1 Recount

POLK COUNTY, FL (April 8, 2019) – A recount was held today for the City of Haines City Commission Seat 1 following the April 2 election between Jayne Hall and Don Mason. A machine recount was followed by a manual recount.

Upon completion of the recount procedures, Jayne Hall remains the winner of the race with a final tally of 682 votes for Hall and 680 votes for Don Mason.

For more information visit, PolkElections.com or call the Elections Office at 863-534-5888.

Haines City Police Are Investigating Shooting Death of Furious Shell

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Haines City Police Are Investigating Shooting Death of Furious Shell

Haines City Police Department Press Release:

Provided is a clip from an incident that took place on March 31 about 3:15 p.m. at 1604 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The surveillance clip from Family Discount Supermarket shows part of the altercation that took place between Furious Shell, 26, and Devonta Duga, 25.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/plntzxmk3p4kiot/2019-1242.mp4?dl=0

Shell was fatally shot by Duga in an incident that all current evidence suggests was a case of self-defense. However, the investigation is ongoing and the Haines City Police Department continues to look for witnesses to give an account of what took place that afternoon.

If anyone witnessed the incident or knows of anyone who was there at the time of the altercation or moments leading up to or immediately following it, please contact the Police Department at 863-421-3636. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-8477 (TIPS).

 

Original Release:

The Haines City Police Department is investigating a shooting death that took place before 3:45 p.m. Sunday.

Furious Bernard Shell, 26, was fatally shot following an altercation that took place outside a business at 1604 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Shell was taken to Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center where he died from his injuries about 4:13 p.m.

The shooter claims self-defense and is cooperating with the investigation, which is ongoing. There is no danger to the public.

 

Polk County Firefight Arrested For Child Pornography Possession

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Polk County Firefight Arrested For Child Pornography Possession

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

On Monday, April 8, 2019, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 49-year-old Richard Parr of Lake Wales and charged him with 22 counts of Enhanced Possession of Child Pornography (F-2).

The investigation began on March 6, 2019, when detectives received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). An image, first discovered on January 22, 2019 was determined to be apparent child pornography and was forwarded to NCMEC. 21 additional images were subsequently identified and flagged to an IP address associated with Parr’s Lake Wales home.

The images depicted boys and girls between the approximate ages of 5 and 15-years old. The children were displayed in a lewd manner with adults and/or other children.

A search warrant was executed at Parr’s residence on Monday, April 8, 2019. At that time, Parr was arrested, and numerous electronic devices and digital storage devices were taken by detectives. A forensic search of those items will be conducted and additional charges are possible, pending the outcome of that search.

At this point in the investigation, the identities of the children are unknown, as well as where the images originated.

“Make no mistake, those who view, possess, buy, and trade child pornography are complicit in the crime against the child depicted in the images. Some have not gotten the message. People in public trust positions are held to a higher standard and we expect better from them. The person we arrested is in a profession that a lot of kids look up to as a role model. We are going to continue to conduct these kinds of investigations to protect our children from those who trade and download child pornography-the demand for this vile material harms children, and ruins lives.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Richard Parr was a firefighter employed by Polk County Fire Rescue. He immediately resigned at the time of his arrest.

FORT NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AT LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER

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FORT NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AT LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER

FORT NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AT LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER

 

Lake Wales, FL – Noemi Fort, Administrative Assistant in Engineering, was named Employee of the Month for February for Lake Wales Medical Center. Noemi was honored for picking up additional responsibilities in the department after some personnel changes. “She does whatever is necessary to help keep the Engineering department running smoothly,” a supervisor wrote in nominating her for the award.

Lake Wales Medical Center is a 160-bed acute care hospital that has been serving the greater Lake Wales community since 1928. The hospital is an Accredited Chest Pain Center with the American College of Cardiology, and is a Primary Stroke Center. The hospital’s Navarro Center for Behavioral Health provides specialized mental health care for adults and for those over the age of 60. Its Wound Healing Center is a multi-year recipient of the Center of Excellence and Center of Distinction awards from Healogics.

Bellies-2-Babies LLC Helps Families Prepare For The Birth Of Their Children

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Bellies-2-Babies LLC Helps Families Prepare For The Birth Of Their Children

Bellies-2-Babies LLC was created by local Janet Farmer, Certified Birth Boot Camp Instructor and Certified Birth Boot Camp Doula. She is also a Postpartum Doula and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist.

“Bellies-2-Babies has a passion for pregnant families and their newborns,” Farmer said. “Its purpose is to help families prepare for an amazing birth and to support them as they journey into parenthood.

Bellies-2-Babies is located at 229 E Stuart Avenue, Suite 8 in Lake Wales inside the Rhodesbilt Arcade Building right in historic Downtown Lake Wales. This is a space where Farmer provides both group and private classes and consultations that help prepare families for the birth of their children.

Classes offered:

  • Preparing for birth in a hospital setting

  • Preparing for birth at home

  • Preparing for birth in a birth center
  • Comfort measures for childbirth

  • New Parent classes

  • Breastfeeding classes

“We use curriculum and materials from Birth Boot Camp for our classes because it is evidence-based, engaging, and offers practical help and information for the dad as well as the birthing mom,” Farmer said. “We are the only place offering Birth Boot Camp classes in Polk County and we offer an online option as well. In addition, we offer Doula services for both Birth and Postpartum, Breastfeeding support, Birth Plans and Postpartum Plans.”

Bellies-2-Babies is very personal to Farmer, as she has three children of her own and nine grandchildren.

“I started in birth work over 25 years ago after the births of my own children,” Farmer said. “Like many Doulas and Childbirth Instructors, my own birth experiences ignited my passion for birth and babies and the fire inside me still burns bright. I am so grateful for the opportunity to do this wonderful work and feel honored each time a family invites me into their journey in whatever capacity. I have a heart for this community and especially families in the childbearing phase of life.”

Farmer believes that families both need and deserve the services she provides within the community. She said they “deserve the opportunity to have relevant and modern evidence-based information and support right here in their community as they prepare for the birth of their child.”

Farmer added, “It’s also really important for them to gather with others in their community who are also traveling along this epic journey of pregnancy and birth. In addition, access to early support with breastfeeding greatly increases the likelihood the mom will continue breastfeeding longer which has been proven to have long term health benefits for the child. I have seen first-hand how attending a childbirth class series and/or having a doula greatly enhances the overall birth experience for both mom and her partner.”

The families Farmer works with leave her classes with more confidence.

“My clients remark that attending classes left them feeling more confident about what to expect in childbirth, better informed about what options are available to them, and gave them peace of mind to make choices that suited their family best. It’s really about empowering them to create the experience they most desire and preparing them for the unexpected. After all, if you don’t know your options, then you really don’t have any.”

Interested in the services that Bellies-2-Babies provides? She services Lake Wales and surrounding communities and also attends births around Polk County, Plant City and areas between Tampa and Orlando.

For more information, visit www.Bellies-2-Babies.com.

Join Bellies-2-Babies for their upcoming open house. The ribbon cutting will be Friday, April 26 at 3:30 pm. Open house to follow from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served along with several prize giveaways! The ribbon cutting will take place at 229 E Stuart Avenue, Suite 8 in Lake Wales.

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