LAKELAND, FL – The Lakeland Police Department conducted a “Street Safe” initiative involving members of the Street Crimes Unit, the Neighborhood Liaison Officers and Uniform Patrol Division. This initiative was conducted between the nights of December 28^th, Saturday, December 29^th and December 31, 2018 from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

A total of twenty (20) officers concentrated on the downtown establishments along with bars, restaurants and gas stations along Memorial Boulevard and any other areas that became problematic. The purpose of the “Street Safe” initiative was to add supplemental coverage to patrol officers for the New Year’s Eve holiday weekend and to ensure the safety of the citizens in Lakeland.

As a result of the initiative, 33 arrest were made, 13 firearms were seized, to include two AR-15 style rifles. A variety of charges were made which included possession of illegal narcotics to possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon which were among the most serious of charges made.

“I’m proud of the work these officers did over the weekend. Many of them left their families and rearranged their holiday plans to participate in this safety initiative. My top priority is the safety and security of our citizens and all those who visit our great City.” – Chief Larry Giddens

Highlights from the initiative:

• Seized Spikes Tactical AR15 type rifle, loaded with two magazines taped together. Driver said it was stolen and he was holding it for a friend. The rifle was not listed as stolen as of yet.
• Traffic Stop resulted in two wanted subjects.
• Traffic stop resulted in a possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Traffic stop resulted in a possession of marijuana, possession of MDMA, possession of drug paraphernalia and a warrant.
• Traffic stop resulted in a possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and a passenger charged with possession of MDMA.
• A rental vehicle was left abandoned at Rumors nightclub and officers could see in plain view a handgun with an extended magazine sticking out from the driver’s seat floorboard. The recovered 9mm handgun had a round in the chamber and had a loaded extended 30 round magazine.
• After responding to shots fired in the air on News Year Eve, officers located a subject with a loaded Glock 9mm in his pocket, a AR15 type rifle and 45 caliber revolver on the front passenger seat. The suspect was charged with carrying a concealed firearm sell after it was discovered he had no CCW permit and possession of marijuana with intent to sell. Officers conducted a search of the house and recovered a stolen Glock 40 caliber semi-auto pistol and a MK4 .223 caliber carbine rifle with a 1×4 optic on it. The owner of the house stated they had no knowledge of the weapons being there. In an open lot to the east of the house, officers located 194 casings on the ground.
• Illegal tint on a vehicle resulted in the driver being observed with a firearm and he was a convicted felon. He was arrested for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The firearm, a Glock 9mm was reported stolen out of Volusia County. Serval bags of marijuana packaged to sell were also located around the suspect and he was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell. Several loose rounds of 9mm ammunition were located on the floorboard were a passenger who is a convicted felon was seating. As such, this passenger was charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
• After a traffic stop, the driver admitted to having a concealed weapon, 9mm handgun, wedged between the drivers seat and center console. This subject did not have a carrying concealed weapons permit and was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon.

26-year-old Austin Cabanas of Lakeland charged with vehicular homicide death of his 5-year-old son

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

26-year-old Austin Cabanas of Lakeland has been charged with vehicular homicide for his at-fault December 23rd crash that resulted in the death of his five year old son, Ayden Cabanas. He was taken into custody at his home on Old Dade City Road New Year’s Eve, where there was a party going on. Cabanas is being held in the Polk County Jail on no bond.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office traffic homicide detectives determined that on December 23rd at approximately 8:35 p.m. Cabanas was fleeing an attempted traffic stop by a Lake Alfred Police Officer and at the time of the crash he was exceeding the speed limit driving approximately 68 to 73 mph in a 35 mph zone, exceeded the posted speed limit by approximately 33 to 38 miles per hour. Additionally, the investigation determined that Cabanas ran through a red light at US Highway 17/92 and East Pomelo Street, crashing into another vehicle that had the right-of-way (which resulted in a passenger receiving a concussionno other life threatening injuries). Cabanas was driving on a suspended driver’s license at the time. Two children in the back seat were not properly restrained at the time of the crash.

According to the arrest affidavit, in part:

“On December 23rd, 2018 at approximately 8:35 p.m. Austin Lee Cabanas was operating a 2006 Volvo S60 R sedan bearing State of Florida registration JLR-Z80 and vehicle identification number YV1RH527562522007 eastbound on US Highway 17/92 near the intersection of E. Pomelo Street, Lake Alfred, Polk County, Florida. At the time Cabanas was attempting to flee from Officer Robert Fuore of the Lake Alfred Police Department who was attempting to conduct a lawful traffic stop. Officer Fuore stated to the affiant that he had activated his marked patrol car’s overhead emergency lights to conduct the traffic stop and witnessed Cabanas intentionally accelerate rapidly away from him. Officer Fuore also stated to the affiant that in his opinion, Cabanas was intentionally attempting to flee. Additionally, Officer Fuore stated to the affiant as he approached the intersection of E. Pomelo Street he observed Cabanas’ vehicle crash into a light pole. Officer Fuore did not observe Cabanas’ vehicle crash into a 2012 Ford Taurus that occurred prior to the light pole. Because of the crash, Ayden Cabanas (passenger, 5yoa) received fatal injuries.”

“Cabanas intentionally and willfully fled from a law enforcement officer conducting a legal traffic stop with their emergency lights activated. While fleeing, Cabanas intentionally and will fully accelerated and exceeded the posted speed limit by approximately 33 to 38 miles per hour. Additionally, Cabanas intentionally and willfully ran a red light while exceeding the posted limit by 33 to 38 mph. Cabanas was also aware he had his wife and two young children in the vehicle as he fled and he either knew or should have known his children were not secured in car seats or seat belts. Cabanas’ actions were willful and he either knew or should have known that his actions jeopardized the safety of his family and the public.”
“As a direct result of Cabanas’ actions, his son Ayden Cabanas (human being) Caucasian male with a DOB of 06/15/2013 was killed in the resulting motor vehicle crash. ”

“Cabanas was reckless and negligenthe is responsible for the death of his 5 year old son. When law enforcement makes a traffic stop, you pull over. It’s that simple. You don’t recklessly flee endangering the lives of others.” Grady Judd, Sheriff