PCSO Detectives Help Connect A Suspect to a String of Baby Formula Thefts

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August 22, 2018

PCSO Detectives Help Connect A Suspect to a String of Baby Formula Thefts

PCSO Release:

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has charged 21-year-old Tampa resident, Alexcia Calhoun, with grand theft for stealing dozens of cans of baby formula from a Lakeland grocery store. She’s currently in the Hillsborough County Jail following a statewide investigation. The charge was added on Monday, August 20, 2018.

On April 17, 2018 around 6:30 pm, Calhoun and an unidentified woman entered Harvey’s Supermarket, located at 2630 Highway 92 East in Lakeland and headed to the baby aisle.Calhoun put 46 cans of formula in a shopping cart and then proceeded toward the front of the store. The women forced the entrance doors to open and walked out with the stolen baby formula. An employee was alerted and followed them to the parking lot. She asked if they planned on paying for the formula and they quickly entered their vehicle and fled the area, leaving 10 cans of Enfamil Gentlease Baby Formula 12.4 oz. in the shopping cart.

Surveillance video from the April incident and a picture on Calhoun’s Instagram account led to her identification and connected her to the Lakeland baby formula thefts. Calhoun is also suspected of other baby formula thefts at other stores in other Florida jurisdictions.

“Surveillance cameras and social media are great tools in helping us catch criminals. Folks, if you’re going to steal, you’re going to get caught. It’s that simple, so don’t do it.” – Sheriff Grady Judd

Calhoun has an extensive criminal history, which includes grand theft and robbery. She is currently being housed in the Hillsborough County Jail and has additional holds from Manatee and Marion Counties related to baby formula thefts.

Detectives are still attempting to identify the second suspect. Anyone who has information regarding her identity is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. Or remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward by calling Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), via the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com by clicking on “Submit A Tip” tab, or with your smart device by downloading the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

Click here to see surveillance video.

Workplace Accident Resulted in Death of Frostproof Man

Frostproof

Staff Reporter

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August 22, 2018

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Workplace Accident Resulted in Death of Frostproof Man

On Monday, August 20, 2018 at 9:22 a.m., deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, along with Frostproof Fire and Polk EMS, responded to a fatal workplace accident at David Keen’s Auto Repair at 101 Scenic Highway North, in Frostproof.

53-year-old Brian Jones, of 394 6^th Street West, Frostproof, was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics.

According to the preliminary investigation, a truck which was being worked on by Jones, began to roll off of a mechanical lift. Jones tried to stop the truck from rolling, and it fell on top of him.

Deputies notified the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Florida Air Museum Opens NOAA Exhibit

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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August 21, 2018

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Florida Air Museum Opens NOAA Exhibit

by James Coulter

In 1900, a category-4 hurricane swept through Galveston, Texas. Killing between 6,000 and 8,000 people, it became the most deadly natural disaster in American history.

Nearly two decades later, a similar hurricane swept through Florida, nearly wiping out most of the Lake Okeechobee area, and killing nearly 4,000 people.

Both of these hurricanes killed so many people because they arrived with little to no warning. There was no scientific agency around during those times to monitor or track such deadly storms.

That all changed in 1970, when The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was established. This federal agency monitors changes within our nation’s oceans and atmosphere, helping to track potentially deadly storms and warns of incoming natural disasters.

Because of their hard work, natural disasters no longer kill as many people as they once did. This is why Hurricane Irma, despite being a category-5 hurricane, only killed 64 people last year.

NOAA’s rich legacy and history is currently being showcased within a new exhibit within the Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum.

The exhibit details the history of the organization, from its earliest ancestor founded in 1807 by Thomas Jefferson, to its current role in monitoring our airs and seas with the latest technological innovations.

Showcased within this exhibit are several pictures and artifacts related to the organization, including military uniforms, past and present scientific tools, and even a message in a bottle that served to track ocean currents back in the 1960s.

Through this new exhibit, museum guests will be able to better learn and appreciate the services provided by the scientific government agency and the role it plays in monitoring our seas and skies and warn of potential danger.

“A lot of what we look at this exhibit is partially about hurricanes, but it is also about the changes of the coast,” explained Jayme Jameson, Aerospace Discovery Manager. “One of the things that are important to us as Floridians is protecting our coastlines and monitoring red tide and changes in the ocean, so this looks at a lot of that.”

The Florida Air Museum celebrated the opening of its newest exhibit with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday morning.

John “Lites” Leenhouts, President and CEO, during his speech, commemorated the exhibit and how it showcased the important work that the agency provides, especially for the local area.

“This is a very monumental moment,” he said. “NOAA is doing the Lord’s work by letting us know when a bad storm is heading towards us. This is to showcase all the things that NOAA does that you don’t even know about.”

Last year, NOAA moved its operations from Tampa to the museum to utilize its facility. Through this move, the museum was able to expand and improve itself to become bigger and better.

Especially useful to NOAA was the Florida Aerospace Academy, which is helping to train young men and women for a future career in aviation and aerospace, and even potentially for NOAA.

“This is where science meets aviation,” Leenhouts said. “You may see museum pieces up here, but in reality, this is a STEM aviation based learning center, so you are in the midst of the future, not just the past.”

Captain Timothy Gallagher, Commanding Officer for the NOAA Operations Center, also spoke that morning and shared his experiences working at NOAA, which included being one mission short of 250 penetrations into hurricanes.

On behalf of NOAA and its relationship with the museum and its facilities, he conferred to Leenhouts and Jaymeson two commemorative Jefferson bowls.

“I am proud to represent NOAA,” he said. “What you see here is definite demonstrations of how that teamwork and cooperation works to help us fly safer and come home every day. We hope that you enjoy this exhibit as much as we enjoy being here.”

The Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum is located at 4175 Medulla Road in Lakeland, and is open daily (except Monday) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit their website at https://www.flysnf.org/ace/

Taco Bout Hunger Raises Funds For Local Catholic Charities

Staff Reporter

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August 21, 2018

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Taco Bout Hunger Raises Funds For Local Catholic Charities

by James Coulter

Take me out to the ball game. Take me out to the crowd. But forget the peanuts and cracker jacks. On Saturday evening, baseball fans could eat tacos to raise money for local catholic charities.

Taco Bout Hunger was a special fundraiser that allowed baseball fans to enjoy an evening of baseball and tacos at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland.

For the admission price of $12, they could watch a baseball game hosted by the local team, the Lakeland Tigers, while enjoying tacos served from seven different vendors run by local eateries.

Upon admission, they were provided a chip that they could use to vote for their favorite taco vendor. The vendor that received the most votes, of course, would walk away as the winner of the taco tasting contest that evening.

Chanchos Tacos won first place, with second place going towards Tijuana Flats and third place being conferred to Lucky’s Oyster Bar.

The proceeds for the event would go towards Catholic Charities of Central Florida, a local non-profit organization that seeks to fulfill Christ’s commandments to feed the hungry, take care of the poor, and clothe the needy.

That evening, they managed to overall raise approximately $2,000 through the event with sponsorships, ticket sales, and day-of raffles, said Brooklynne Atwell, Manager of Development Community and Volunteer Relations.

This was the first year that the Catholic Charities had participated with the Lakeland Tigers to help raise funds for their local organization.

Earlier that year, they had volunteered at 18 home games during spring training to help with concession stand work, and in the process raise $15,000, Atwell said.

“They offered us a chance to come back out and host an event this summer and I think it is really great,” she said. “We have seen a couple hundred people come out. We are out here serving tacos and having a good time.”

Their fundraiser that evening more than exceeded expectations, as hundreds of baseball fans turned out to watch a game by their home team and eat tacos served by the local vendors.

“The Tigers did an excellent job setting up everything,” she said. “They have been very gracious bringing us in, allowing us to set up these events and have those funds come back to us.”

Catholic Charities hopes to return next year and help out once again with spring training. Until then, they will be hosting other fundraisers within the area.

One upcoming event will be the Steps4Seniors WalkAThon on Sept. 22 at Santa Fe Catholic High School in Lakeland.

To learn more about Catholic Charities and its other events, visit their website at: www.cflcc.org/LACS

Man Previously Deported By ICE In 2008 Is Charged With 20 Counts Of Sexual Battery Of 16 Yr Old

Mulberry

Staff Reporter

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August 20, 2018

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Man Previously Deported By ICE In 2008 Is Charged With 20 Counts Of Sexual Battery Of 16 Yr Old

A 31-year-old man from Mexico was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Saturday, August 18, 2018, and charged with 20 counts of sexual battery on a 16-year-old girl in Mulberry.

Jesus Ramirez-Velasco told detectives that he knew it was illegal, but he claimed that she was the one who asked for sex from him.

“A crime such as this against a child is heinous; to blame the victim for his behavior is appalling. ” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Ramirez-Velasco was the boyfriend of the girl’s mother. The victim told investigators that he first initiated sexual contact with her in mid-December, against her will.

Through the investigation, it was determined that the two had sexual intercourse at least 20 times, and this was corroborated by Ramirez-Velasco.

The Sheriff’s Office began investigating over the weekend after the victim came forward and said that Ramirez-Velasco had threatened to harm her mother if she didn’t have sex with him again.

Ramirez-Velasco was charged with 20 counts of Sexual Battery of Custodian Victim over 12 (F-1). Aside from his illegal residency in the United States, there is no known prior criminal history for him.

Jesus Ramirez-Velasco was arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2008 and deported, but he returned illegally. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office notified ICE of Ramirez-Velasco’s current arrest and charges.

The investigation is ongoing.

Bartow Rallies For Politics And Hot Dogs at Polk Politics Candidates Rally

Staff Reporter

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August 20, 2018

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Bartow Rallies For Politics And Hot Dogs at Polk Politics Candidates Rally

by James Coulter

What would it take for you to get involved with local politics? Would you do it for free hot dogs and popcorn?

Bartow residents came out Thursday evening for that reason and many more as they met and talked with local candidates during the biennial Polk Politics Candidates Rally.

More than 300 local residents attended the rally at the Bartow Civic Center, where they had a chance to meet up to 34 political candidates running for local, county, and even state offices.

The political candidates had booths set up with flyers and pamphlets explaining their political positions, and they even had a chance to get up on stage and offer a brief explanation of their political platforms.

After attendees had the chance to meet their local candidates and representatives, they were able to cast their votes for which ones they liked best during the event’s straw ballot poll.

Afterward, they could enjoy a free meal with hot dogs, sweet tea, and popcorn—if they hadn’t already eaten their fill of free candy offered by many of the candidates, of course!

For the past 15 years, the Greater Bartow Area Chamber of Commerce has been hosting this event every two years to give local residents the opportunity to get involved with local politics and learn more about their candidates.

Every other year, they host a political forum to give local and city candidates running for local office an opportunity to share their political platform and debate with their opponents.

This year’s political rally proved more successful than previous events, as it managed to draw in six to seven times more people, explained Virginia Condello, Bartow Chamber Communication Director.

“The big draw is that it is open to everyone who wants to come,” Condello said. ” When the votes are all counted, he will blow them all away, because this is Putnam country. We have a lot of good candidates, and it is nice to see them and shake their hands and talk to them personally.”

Aside from the Chamber of Commerce, also sponsoring the event were local businesses such as Centerstate Bank and Kelly Bruick Auto Dealers.

Anita Stasiaa, Center State Branch Manager, has been on the Chamber’s board for many years, and her bank has been gladly sponsoring the event for many more.

Not only does sponsoring the event and attending it allow her business to receive more publicity, but it helps the local community to become better educated about local politics.

“It gives all the candidates a chance to tell them what they are about,” she said. “Too often, we vote by name and we don’t understand who they are, or what they are all about, and this gives them a chance to hear them and find out what they really stand for.”

Max Buton, a representative from Kelly Bruick, mentioned that this event allows local residents to become more publically-minded about the people and policies that affect their everyday lives.

“If you take them one on one and talk to the various candidates, take the time, you learn more than what you usually could,” he said. “There are a lot of intelligent people running for office here.”

Also supporting the Republican candidates that evening was the Lakeland Republican Women’s Club. Colleen Murphy, has attended event such as this throughout the county, and while this event was not as highly attended as the Lakeland Hob Nob earlier that week, it was just as active.

“I am very excited,” he said. “There is a lot of conversation and people moving about, a lot of activity, a lot of action going on.”

Lakeland Woman Arrested for Stealing Several Identities

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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August 20, 2018

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Lakeland Woman Arrested for Stealing Several Identities

Tara Thompson was arrested on June 26 during a retail theft investigation at the Lowes on Highway 98 North in Lakeland after deputies learned she had an active warrant for failing to appear for work release stemming from a petit theft charge with prior conviction. Upon her arrest, deputies found 8 credit/debit cards with different names in her purse. Thompson initially told detectives they were pre-paid cards. When asked if she knew the names on the cards, she stated one person lived at her house and other cards were mailed to her address.

Deputies subsequently searched her house on Parker Street West in Lakeland where they found notebooks and pieces of paper which listed several names, personal identification numbers, social security numbers, bank account numbers and other important information. Contact was made with 10 victims discovered during the search who stated they did not know or give permission to Thompson to have their information in her possession. Thompson admitted to having stolen merchandise at her house, including a Wal-Mart merchandise scanner, an anti-theft device countermeasure tool, an activated Staples Card which belonged to one of the victims, and a home video surveillance system. Detectives eventually identified 16 victims including individuals and financial institutions.

Due to Thompson being in possession of multiple victims’ personal identification forms without their consent, she was charged with unlawful possession of Personal ID (5 or more). She was also charged with Criminal Use of personal ID for using a victim’s personal identification to activate a Staples Store Credit Card, as well as receiving bank checks in a victim’s name changed to her address.

Thompson was also charged with Grand Theft (2 counts) for having stolen goods and for possessing a victim’s bank check with Thompson’s own signature. She is also charged with one count of scheming to defraud a financial institution after submitting applications six times to open new bank accounts in other peoples’ names.

“I appreciate the hard work of our investigators in this case to hold Ms. Thompson accountable for her multiple thefts and fraud. We are going to continue to work with our local retailers and financial institutions to fight retail theft and financial ID theft.” Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Thompson has an extensive criminal history: (Florida) Petit Theft, Grand Theft, Criminal Use of Personal ID, Burglary of Dwelling, Artifice to Defraud a Financial Institution, Forgery, Utter Forged Instrument, Scheme to Defraud; (Kentucky) Theft of Identity of Another, Contempt of Court, Shoplifting; (Ohio) Receiving Stolen Property, DUI, Attempted Theft, Theft, Possession of Criminal Tools, Taking Identify of Another, Forgery, Auto Theft, Obstructing Official Business, Trespass; (Tennessee) Theft of Property and Trespass.

Thompson was booked into the Polk County jail and then released after posting a $9,000 bond.

Rhode Island Girl Designs, a Unique Handcrafted Pet Accessories Business

Staff Reporter

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August 20, 2018

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Rhode Island Girl Designs, a Unique Handcrafted Pet Accessories Business

By Allison Williams

Photos provided by Sandra Oliva

Don’t let the name fool you. This business is located right in Winter Haven. Sandra Oliva, local Winter Haven resident opened her business nearly four years ago. She was born and raised in Rhode Island and brought her ideas to Florida where she lives now.

Oliva has always had a love for all animals, especially dogs. In fact, she used to train dogs. She spent many years traveling by sailboat and RV before buying a home and settling down in Winter Haven.

Her niece, Melissa Beckwith one day asked her to make her something. Even though it was non-pet related, it was the artsy spark to starting her business.

Beckwith owns her own shop called Serendipity in Wickford, Rhode Island: https://www.facebook.com/SerendipityRI/

This was the shop that inspired Oliva. “My business there is huge and every winter I find more and more people from Rhode Island that have been in her shop,” Oliva said. “Small World. She is the person who I credit in me getting started in all this. I’ve been in her shop from day one. If it were not for her I would not even be doing this.”

Almost four years ago, the business started off small with collars and leashes. Over time, her ideas have expanded causing her business to explode. She now also designs bandanas, bow ties, pet coats, blankets, key fobs, and sailor knot chew toys. After all, she is a sailor at heart.

One of Oliva’s hottest designs lately has been the harness dress.

“I pride myself on saying each dress is one of a kind,” Oliva said. “You’ll never see two dresses identical. I don’t want you to be embarrassed at the dog park if you see a dog in the same dress.”

She carefully comes up with each design detail, and creates a truly one-of-a-kind dress each time.

You can find Rhode Island Girl Designs at many markets and events around Florida later this year. She has her sights set on the Barktoberfest Rescue Show, coming up on October 6. This event will take place at Stuart Park in Lake Placid. She plans to attend markets around Polk County for the upcoming season as well.

Oliva will be at the Honey Bee Festival in Bartow on November 10, the Holiday Haven in Winter Haven on November 17 and the Carols in the Park event in Winter Haven on December 1.

Anxious to place an order before the vendor season starts back up? Oliva accepts custom orders. You can find her store and contact her via Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/rhodeislandgirldesigns/

Oliva feels that the key to her continued success is her customers. She believes that people love their pets and want them to be fashionable. “My boss Steve from the UK had me make him 2 LEGO collars and now Rhode Island Girl Designs is across the pond in the UK!”

“All my collars and leashes are made with top quality side release buckles, nylon webbing and cast D rings to ensure long-lasting use,” Oliva said. “My goal is to provide high quality pet products to pamper your furry friends.”

Lilly Pulitzer, Martingale, college sporting teams, NFL teams, LEGO, Star Wars, Disney, holiday-themes, super heroes, you name it! Oliva is ready to make your pet’s unique pet accessory, whether it is for your goat, ferret, cat, bunny or other pet!

2 Men Critically Injured In Frostproof Hwy 27 Crash

Frostproof

Staff Reporter

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August 17, 2018

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2 Men Critically Injured In Frostproof Hwy 27 Crash

Frostproof, Florida – On Thursday evening approximately at 8:05 pm Polk County Fire Rescue & Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a crash on Hwy 27, about a mile north of Collany Lane in Frostrproof.

A black 1999, Ford F350, pickup, driven by Lucas Hernandez (27) of Moses Lake, Washington along with two passengers: Issac Blast, 26 of Georgia and Osiel Vasquez, 23 of Georgia lost control and went into the median and rolled. A white 2005, Ford F350, pickup, driven by Dokrys Mejia (39) of Miami Gardens, Florida was hit by flying parts off the other pick up.

According to Brian Bruchey, Polk County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer,
Hernandez was airlifted to Osceola Regional in critical condition and one of his passengers, Issac Blast was transported via ambulance to Lakeland Regional Medical Center in critical condition. Mejia was not injured and no known injuries to Vasquez.

The crash is still under investigation and the roadway was closed for a few hours.

Cake & Bake Celebrates Ribbon Cutting In Haines City

Haines City

Staff Reporter

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August 16, 2018

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Cake & Bake Celebrates Ribbon Cutting In Haines City

by James Coulter

Have you ever had a cake that looked like a Yeti cooler? Or the Death Star from Star Wars? Or the Tardis from Doctor Who?

Have you ever wanted a cake that looked like any of that? You can most certainly have your cake and eat it too when you order it from Haines City’s newest bakery, Cake and Bake.

This new cake shop can make any cake that looks like anything you want. If you can name it, then its owners, Sharon & Cyndol Haller, can certainly make it.

“Whenever a customer comes to us, we try to do whatever they ask for,” said Sharon Haller. “They come to us and ask up for a cake. And we tell them we will do it and try. If we don’t, we don’t charge them for it.”

Sharon and her daughter Cyndol have been working together for the past six years to make cakes of every shape and size, from a small Yeti cooler to a tall replica of the Eiffel Tower.

Whatever their customers want, this mother/daughter team will attempt to create; and whatever they create will most certainly taste just as good as it looks.

“We want our cakes to look as beautiful as they taste,” Sharon said.

Their business recently opened shop in Haines City, where they celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday evening.

The two of them started their business in 2012 during the midst of the recession. Even though the economy was rough when they started, they did well enough that what started as a part-time job eventually became full-time job in only six months.

“We didn’t realize how talented we were until people started buying our cakes,” she said. “Ever since then, we have been going strong with our business.”

For their creatively tasty (and tastefully creative) cakes, Cake and Bake has received too many awards for them to count, from baking the best baked goods to giving back to their community.

Cake and Bake started in Old Town in Orlando, but has since moved their location to Haines City, where the two owners originated from.

Wanting to give back to the local community where they first started, the two decided to open their new shop within the downtown area.

They hope to continue growing their business there. If their reception at the ribbon cutting was any indicator, they most certainly will.

“We are very appreciative,” she said. “We really enjoyed our time here thus far. People are so friendly, and we are very happy to be here in the community.”

Karen Tiner, Board of Director’s Chair at the Haines City Chamber of Commerce, remembers first tasting one of their cakes during a wedding reception in Boca Rotan.

While the bride’s cake was an elegant, flowery design of multiple flavors, the groom’s cake was designed like a Yeti cooler with a dead fish. Both still tasted just as great as they looked (or, in the case of the latter cake, better than it looked.)

Having tasted their cakes before, and knowing of their reputation prior to them opening, Tiner knows that this new business will be a new fit for the community.

“We are beyond excited,” Tiner said. “The fact that they chose here, that will bring downtown a lot of value.”

Mayor Morris West himself commended the business for the outstanding job they have done with their merchandise, and even assured them that he and his wife would be potential customers.

“I am a strong supporter of small business,” he said. “Small businesses are the backbone of our community. Every business started as a small business before it became a really big business.”

Cake and Bake is located at 621 Ingrahan Avenue in Haines City. For more information, call 863-353-8251, or visit m.me/cakeandbakefla

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