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Six Polk County Teens Arrested Tuesday Morning for Vehicle Theft And Burglary

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Six Polk County Teens Arrested Tuesday Morning for Vehicle Theft And Burglary

Six Polk County Teens Arrested Tuesday Morning for Vehicle Theft And BurglaryPCSO Press Release:

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office captured six teens early Tuesday morning, April 23, 2019, after a witness reported seeing them trying to break into a car on Rangers Path in Lakeland.

The witness called at about 3:07 A.M. Tuesday, and the first deputy arrived on scene less than five minutes later.

Deputies found an abandoned black Chevy Malibu, which was reported stolen out of Osceola County, and a witness said that she saw three boys and three girls get into the car, but the car wouldn’t start. The teens fled on foot from there.

In addition to K-9, Aviation, and the Aerial Response Team (drone), multiple calls from residents reported suspicious individuals which helped lead to all six of the suspects being located.

A deputy caught 17-year-old Adonai Rivera-Moran as he was trying to go over a fence. His 19-year-old brother Abram Rivera-Moran was also captured by a deputy while trying to scale a fence.

15-year old Crystal Shafer and 16-year-old Trinity Richardson were found together in a wooded area.

The final two suspects, 15-year-olds Zirus Barnes and Rachel Rent were caught hiding near Kinsman Way.

“We responded to this after someone saw something and then said something to us immediately. Several other people saw our deputies on scene and heard our helicopter flying above and called us to report suspicious people running this way and that way. We have some great tools to help us find the bad guys, but having a community willing to help out can really make the difference.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

At the time of their arrests, Adonai Moran-Rivera and Zirus Barnes were listed as Missing Persons with outstanding Violation of Probation warrants, and Crystal Shafer was on home probation.

Twelve victims have been identified, but the investigation is ongoing to determine if any additional crimes had been committed.

Abram Moran-Rivera, 19, Lakeland: charged with Burglary Conveyance (3 counts), Attempted Burglary Conveyance, Criminal Mischief, Resisting an Officer without Violence, Loitering/Prowling, Petit Theft, Burglary of Occupied Residence, Conspiracy Commit Burglary, 5 counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, False Info to LEO during Missing Persons Investigation, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle and Violation of Probation. Abram has a lengthy criminal history consisting of 8 felonies and 1 misdemeanor with arrests for armed burglary, residential and conveyance burglary, theft, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

Adonai Moran-Rivera, 17, Lakeland: charged with Conveyance Burglary (3 counts), Attempted Burglary of a Conveyance, Criminal Mischief, Resisting a LEO with Violence, Resisting a LEO without Violence, Battery on a LEO, Providing a False Name to LEO, Petit Theft, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Violation of Probation, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, False Information to LEO during Missing Persons Investigation, Violation of the Youth Protection Ordinance. He has an extensive criminal history consisting of 24 felonies and 11 misdemeanors including arrests for armed burglary, grand theft auto, burglary to both residences and vehicles, possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.

Zirus Barnes, 15, Winter Haven: charged with Conveyance Burglary (3 counts), Attempted Burglary of a Conveyance, Criminal Mischief, Resisting a LEO without Violence, Providing a False Name to LEO, Petit Theft, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Violation of Probation, Conspiracy Commit Burglary, False Information to LEO during Missing Persons Investigation and Violation of the Youth Protection Ordinance. He has a criminal history consisting of 3 felonies and 4 misdemeanors, including arrests for residential burglary, narcotics violations, trespassing and resisting law enforcement.

Crystal Shafer, 15, Lakeland: charged with Conveyance Burglary (3 counts), Attempted Burglary of a Conveyance, Criminal Mischief, Resisting a LEO without Violence, Petit Theft, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Violation of Probation, Loitering and Prowling, Conspiracy Commit Burglary, False Information to LEO during Missing Persons Investigation and Violation of the Youth Protection Ordinance. Shafer has a criminal history consisting of 5 felonies and 6 misdemeanors including arrests for grand theft auto, multiple petit thefts.

Rachel Rent, 15, Lakeland: charged with Occupied Residential Burglary, Loitering and Prowling, three counts of Conveyance Burglary, Attempted Burglary of a Conveyance, Criminal Mischief (3 counts), Burglary if a Structure, Resisting a LEO without Violence, Petit Theft, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Conspiracy Commit Burglary, False Information to LEO during Missing Persons Investigation and Violation of the Youth Protection Ordinance. Rent has a criminal history consisting of 4 felonies and misdemeanors including arrests for burglary, theft, domestic assault and violation of probation.

Trinity Richardson, 16, Lakeland: charged with Burglary Conveyance (3 counts), Attempted Burglary Conveyance, Criminal Mischief, Loitering/Prowling, Resisting an Officer w/o Violence, Petit Theft, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Unarmed Burglary of an Occupied Residence, Conspiracy Commit Burglary, False Info to LEO during Missing Persons Investigation and Violation of the Youth Protection Ordinance.

 

Lakeland Woman Charged With Aggravated Manslaughter Of Her Daughter

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Lakeland Woman Charged With Aggravated Manslaughter Of Her Daughter

Lakeland Police Department Press Release

On Tuesday, April 23, 2019, Lakeland Police Detectives arrested Pamela Black in the death of her infant daughter Serenity Gunter.

On October 23, 2018, at around 6:30 p.m., Serenity Gunter, 11 months, was in the care and custody of her mother Pamela Black, 21 years old at their residence, on Socrum Loop Rd North #85 in Lakeland. According to Black’s sworn statements, she decided to give her daughter a bath in the kitchen sink, filling it up with water equal to her daughter’s chest. Black said she bathed her daughter and then gave her toys so she could play with them in the water.

Black then stated she was cleaning off the kitchen countertop for approximately two minutes before she heard her daughter whining. Black stated she turned around and then noticed the hot water was on and she stated that her daughter must have “bumped it”. Black stated she turned the water off, grabbed the child and wrapped her in a towel.

Black and her husband, Taylor Smith, who was also at the residence, stated they put aloe and baby powder on the child’s burns. A friend that was in the apartment drove them to Lakeland Regional Health nearly 1½ hours after the injuries were sustained. Due to the severity of the child’s injuries, third-degree burns to over 50% of her body, medical staff at Lakeland Regional Health ordered that she be transported by helicopter to Tampa General Hospital (TGH) that same night for more intensive care.

On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at approximately 6:30 am, Serenity Gunter was pronounced deceased by TGH medical staff. The Medical Examiner (M.E.) performed an autopsy on the child and discovered she also had a “brain bleed.” The burn pattern indicated that her daughter was intentionally compressed inward and the burn was consistent with an immersion burn. The M.E. noted that it would take approximately two seconds for her daughter to sustain third degree burns, with the water temperature at 145 degrees. `

Detectives obtained statements from medical professionals that the burn patterns did not match Black’s account of what occurred. Based on the physical evidence from Serenity Gunter’s body, detectives believe these burns were purposely inflicted and her body was manipulated prior to being immersed into scalding water in the kitchen sink. The autopsy revealed evidence to support that the child had been purposely shaken during the same time the burns were sustained.

On April 23, 2019, Pamela Black was arrested, with the assistance of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, at 4741 Country Trails Drive, Polk City, Florida without incident and transported to the Polk County Jail. She was charged with Aggravated Child Abuse and Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child. Black is being held with no bond.

Help Winter Haven Police Locate Woman

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Help Winter Haven Police Locate Woman

Release by Winter Haven Police Department:

Have you seen Linda Contes?


Winter Haven Police are asking anyone who has seen or spoken with Linda Contes to contact them. Linda was last seen leaving the Budget Inn located at 401 6th St. NW in Winter Haven on Sunday, April 21 at 11 a.m. Linda was seen walking from the property in an unknown direction. Linda is 41 years-old and has distinctive tattoos that you see in the picture.
Her family and authorities just want to ensure she is safe since there has been no contact with loved ones since Sunday. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Detective Josh Hall at 863-401-2256.

America’s Best Hearing In Lake Wales Celebrates Grand Opening

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America’s Best Hearing In Lake Wales Celebrates Grand Opening

America’s Best Hearing In Lake Wales Celebrates Grand Opening

by James Coulter

Whether you have a hard time hearing the phone ringing from across the room, or whether you have a ringing in your ear that won’t go away, you can get all the help that you need to improve your hearing with America’s Best Hearing in Lake Wales.

The hearing clinic opened its newest location in Lake Wales, within the Publix Shopping Center along Highway 27. It celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday hosted by the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce.

America’s Best Hearing offers free hearing evaluations. After which, their staff can determine any potential hearing problems and seek out the best solutions that are right for you. Aside from hearing tests, the clinic provides an array of other different state-of-the-art treatments and services.

Whether you need a new hearing aid, or if you need a new part for the one that you already have, America’s Best Hearing provides services for most make and models of hearing aids. Even if you didn’t purchase your aid at the clinic, the clinic will still be able to help fix and improve your hearing aid.

“We really try to provide a very family-oriented service,” said Jeffery J. Bush, a state-licensed audiologist at the clinic. “We are not just a factory in, factory out kind of people: we want to know our patients so that we can best provide them with the best service that we have. We have a wide range of options to meet every person’s price, range, or need.”

As a local Lake Wales resident, Bush appreciates the new clinic opening in his hometown, as he had previously worked at their original clinic in Sebring. With the steady increase in traffic and housing opportunities, especially with more seniors moving to the area, he expects business to pick up real soon.

“We really hope to be the one servicer and provider for this community, [and] we look forward to really working closely [with them],” he said. “I live here, so I want to be able to go out there and see my patients in the store, and see them with a smile not a frown. So that is our main goal to make people comfortable and happy that they are with working for us.”

America’s Best Hearing originally opened in Sebring six years ago. Since then, they have expanded their services throughout the state, as well as in Minnesota and Michigan. They opened a second location in Winter Haven, with their newest location in Lake Wales.

“We have a location in Winter Haven, and a location in Sebring, so this is right in the middle,” said Steve Reinshutle, Owner. “There was a lack and need of a hearing aid dispensary in Lake Wales, so we saw the opening and took advantage of it.”

Their commitment towards offering a high volume, low cost hearing aid dispensary has allowed their clinic to offer the best services as the best prices for their patients, which has in turn allowed their business to flourish and expand so greatly in recent years, Reinshuttle explained.

Lake Wales itself has experienced nearly ten percent growth within the local area, especially with more senior citizens and retirees moving down to Florida. As such, Reinshuttle expects business to continue picking up within the near future.

“We believe in taking care of our patients and giving them full service, making sure they have plenty of visits, giving them lifetime care, and really treating our patients as family,” he said. “The clinic has great expectations, the people of Lake Wales who came out [today] were fantastic, and we really appreciate the community support.”

America’s Best Hearing is located within the Publix Shopping Center at 23773 US 27, Lake Wales, FL 33898. For more information, call 863-949-4837, or visit their website at: https://americasbesthearing.com/

Highlands Hammock to Begin Summer Schedule For Park Tram Tours and Museum Operation

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Highlands Hammock to Begin Summer Schedule For Park Tram Tours and Museum Operation

Highlands Hammock to Begin Summer Schedule For Park Tram Tours and Museum Operation 

 

Sebring:  The guided, narrated tram tour of Highlands Hammock State Park operated by the Hammock Inn concession will transition to summer hours beginning May 3.  Tours will be limited to weekend operation on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.  The tram tour passes along the Loop Road beneath the ancient towering oaks of a magnificent hydric hammock and continues into restricted areas of cypress swamp and pineland.  Visitors may observe alligators, turtles, and water birds relatively close up and occasionally glimpse an otter as the tram returns through a wetland of bay trees, cypress and ferns along South Canal. The tour is approximately one hour and 20 minutes long.  Tram tickets are sold at the Hammock Inn on the day of the tour and/or one day in advance.  The cost is $10 per adult and $5 for children six to twelve years old.  Children aged five and younger are free.  Private, pre-arranged tours for groups and organizations may be booked for $100 plus tax according to availability. The tram is wheelchair accessible. The Hammock Inn is currently open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Days and hours of operation are subject to change and may vary during the summer season.  The days and hours of operation of the tram tour are also subject to change.  Visitors are advised to call the Hammock Inn at 863-402-0061 for more information and changes to the schedule. The regular schedule will resume in the fall at which time the tram will run at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with additional tours offered at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. based on visitor demand.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum is normally open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.  A summer schedule for the CCC Museum is now in effect for the remainder of April through autumn.   Hours of operation may vary from a full eight-hour day to a four-hour day.  On days where volunteer availability is limited, the CCC Museum will be open from either 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Visitors planning a tour of the museum are advised to call the Ranger Station at 863-386-6094 and speak with a ranger to verify the hours of operation. Park entry fees of $6.00 per vehicle (up to 8 people) and $4.00 per single occupant vehicle remain in effect.  Highlands Hammock State Park is located at 5931 Hammock Road, Sebring.

 

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Summer Tram Tours

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

11 am & 1 pm

Highlands Hammock State Park

5931 Hammock Road

Sebring, Florida

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Winter Haven PD Searching for Burglar in Lake Elbert Area

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Winter Haven PD Searching for Burglar in Lake Elbert Area

Winter Haven Police responded to a residence on 6th S NE this morning following a resident who found that the house had been burglarized. The resident indicated the burglar was possibly still in the area due to seeing someone running through an adjacent yard.

Police along with the Police County Sheriff’s Office helicopter unit circulated the area looking for the subject. In an abundance of caution, officials of Elbert Elementary placed the campus on heightened security.

Nobody was found immediately, however the investigation is ongoing. The school was on heightened security until roughly 10:30 a.m.

Man Tries To Remove HCPD Officer’s Weapon During Altercation

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Man Tries To Remove HCPD Officer’s Weapon During Altercation

Man Tries To Remove HCPD Officer’s Weapon During Altercation

HCPD Press Release:

HAINES CITY, FL – A man was arrested late Sunday night after a foot chase and altercation with an officer where the suspect violently tugged for the officer’s gun.

Ervin Eugene Belford, 44, is being charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, depriving law enforcement of radio communication, resisting arrest with violence, resisting arrest without violence and violation of probation. Officer William Tucker responded to 1603 Bartley St. after receiving word that a suspect with an active warrant was at the location.

Upon seeing the officer, Belford fled on foot and was caught by Officer Tucker near 1305 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Belford, who had an active warrant out of Tallahassee (VOP regarding previous charges), refused commands given by Officer Tucker and initiated a fight, pulling his mic from the officer’s vest and throwing punches.

The struggle ensued in a confined space where Belford began tugging and pulling on the officer’s firearm, attempting to remove it from the holster. Officer Tucker was able to free an arm and deploy his Taser.

The first attempt yielded negative results; Officer Tucker deployed his Taser a second time, which caused Belford to lose his grip on the officer’s weapon. Officer Tucker was able to handcuff Belford.

“Every day, officers stand in the gap between good and evil,” Chief Jim Elensky said. “When a suspect aggressively attempts to gain control of an officer’s weapon, his intentions are clearly for the sole purpose of harming that officer. Officer Tucker was in a fight for his life and I’m beyond grateful that he won this fight.”

Officer Tucker was able to regain use of his radio and call for other units to respond. Belford was taken to Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center where he was treated for minor injuries, cleared and ultimately transported to the Polk County Jail. Fortunately, Officer Tucker did not receive any injuries that required medical attention.

Belford has an extensive adult criminal history in Polk County that goes back to 1993. Belford has served seven different stints in a Florida state prison for crimes including manslaughter, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft auto and aggravated stalking. He was most recently released in October after serving more than eight years.

“Our residents deserve to live a life free of Belford and those like him,” Elensky added. “Clearly, his time away from prison was not something he cherished. I’m going to ensure he returns to the gated community that he’s become very familiar with.”

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Residents at E.C. Towers Evacuated After Suspected Kitchen Fire

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Residents at E.C. Towers Evacuated After Suspected Kitchen Fire

Residents at E.C. Towers Evacuated After Suspected Kitchen Fire

At approximately 7:50 p.m., members from the winter Haven Fire Department responded to an alarm call at E.C. Towers (500 Ave. L NW, Winter Haven).  When units arrived, the suspected fire was out, however there was water damage to units directly below the initial apartment. The more than 200 residents were evacuated to ensure the building was safe. It was antipcaipated that residents would be able to re-enter their units by 10 p.m.

The approximately 50 units below the initial unit where the suspected fire occurred suffered water damage and residents will be temporarily displaced. Red Cross responded and is assisting these residents with temporary housing until all water is cleaned up. ServePro responded immediately and were beginning their initial assessment.

“The fire sprinkler system did exactly what is was designed to do,” said Public Safety Director Charlie Bird. “Although there is some water damage to lower units, there is minimal damage overall.”

Members from the WInter Hsven Police and Winter Hsven Fire Departments went door-to-door ensuring all residents were accounted for and safely evacuated. Residents gathered what precious items they could carry for the evacuation – many including their beloved cats and dogs.

“Fire sprinkler systems are imperative for the safety of citizens,” said Deputy Fire Chief David Knwles. “The fire sprinker system went off exactly as it needed – directly over the source, resulting in all residents being able to be evacuated swiftly and safely.”

According to the  National Fire Protection Association, fire Springer systems  can reduce the risk of dying in a fire by 85 percent.

Family Thanks Individuals Who Rescued Them After Car Veered Into Lake Silver

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Family Thanks Individuals Who Rescued Them After Car Veered Into Lake Silver

Release by Winter Haven Police Department:

Heartwarming Presentation
At last night’s City of Winter Haven Commission meeting, the family who had the unfortunate incident when their vehicle veered into Lake Silver had the opportunity to say “Thanks” to those who came to their rescue. Henry Saint-Hilaire, Suzanne Casseus and their 2 year-old daughter Zahlia thanked Kat MacCalla and Roger Dodsworth for their selfless acts in rescuing the family. Public Safety Director Charlie Bird presented the citizens with Director’s Commendations and everyone received a Public Safety Challenge Coin (including little Zahlia.)

Other citizens who also came to the family’s rescue, but were unable to attend are Andrew Petzold, Roger Alexander, Williams Simmons and Faith McHugh.

Accidental Shooting in Lake Alfred

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Accidental Shooting in Lake Alfred

PCSO Press Release:

Around 11:30 p.m. on April 18, 2019, Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Alfred Police Department responded to 826 Lake Cummings Blvd in the city of Lake Alfred.

The call for service was listed as an accidental shooting. Deputies and LAPD officers located an adult male being treated by his adult brother (the brother was also the one who called 911). Investigation revealed that the victim heard a noise outside & went to investigate. While the victim was coming back into the house from being outside, his brother heard the sound of someone coming into the home and thought it was an intruder, so he retrieved his firearm which he is legally allowed to own. The brother fired several rounds at who he thought was an intruder before realizing who it was coming into the home. The victim was struck twice, once in his side and once in his leg, and has non-life-threatening injuries. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Everyone has been cooperative and this appears to be an accident, however, it is still under investigation.

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