Winter Haven, Florida – According To Brian Bruchey, PCSO Public Information Officer, A Semi-truck vs car occurred this afternoon. Only minor injuries. Dundee Road is completely blocked at Cypress Blvd. Spilled oranges, and fuel. Just waiting for vehicle removal and clean up.
Charges may be pending, but we are still waiting to hear from PCSO. We will update if more information is available.
Haines City Police Department Press Release
HAINES CITY, FL – Haines City Police Department is in search of a suspect in a local homicide. Police responded to the area of N 18th Street, Haines City in reference to a gunshot victim early morning, March 17. The victim was located outside of a residence and later transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
The suspect, Maclovio Salas, 38, had three children in common with the victim, Ricio Mozqueda, 37. The children ages 17, 14 and a 6-years-old were all at the residence when the crime occurred.
“As if this isn’t already horrific enough, the children were exposed to the scene with massive amounts of blood,” said Chief Elensky. “They watched their mother die in cold blood.”
The suspect is possibly driving a black, Toyota Camry with the Florida license plate number 1075VU, which is registered to his sister. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Please call 911 if you see this vehicle.
Detectives were able to obtain a murder warrant with the assistance of State Attorney, Brian Haas and his team. Chief Elensky will be available for comments at the Haines City Police Department at today at 1:00 p.m.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the suspect is encouraged to contact the Haines City Police Department at 863 421-3636.
Anyone with information who wants to REMAIN ANONYMOUS and be eligible for a CASH REWARD is asked to call HEARTLAND CRIME STOPPERS AT 1-800-226-TIPS or log onto www.P3tips.com to submit your tip via the web. For a secure and password protected mobile app for your smart device, go to the app store and download the free “P3tips” mobile app. No caller ID, no recorded lines, no tracking cookies, no saved IP addresses. Anonymity is guaranteed!!
Press Release Polk County Board Of Commissioners/Polk County Fire Rescue
Bartow, Fla. (March 17, 2018) — Polk County Fire Rescue has seen an increase in fire calls this week, with several outdoor fires. Dry weather conditions and high winds have contributed to more brush fires.
On Thursday, the Division of Forestry released an announcement encouraging no open burning. While Polk County has not issued a burn ban, the Keetch Byram Drought Index (KBDI) indicates that Polk remains in the 400-499 range countywide; the average is 431.
Large burn piles, greater than eight feet in diameter, require authorization from the Florida Forest Service. Yard waste, such as grass clippings, brush, leaves, tree limbs and palm fronds, may be burned if you meet required setbacks in your community. Yard waste fires must fit in an eight-foot diameter pile or be burned in a non-combustible container.
PCFR urges you to use caution while burning and to keep fire suppression equipment on hand as you observe your burn pile.
PCSO Press Release
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Lakeland woman for leaving the scene of a fatal crash which occurred Friday night, March 16, 2018, at Highway 98 North and West Socrum Loop Road in Lakeland.
Two cars were involved in the crash at about 6:20 p.m., and witnesses were able to describe the woman who immediately fled the scene on foot. She was identified as 36-year-old Christina Westdorp.
According to the affidavit, a Toyota Camry with three occupants was stopped at a stop sign on West Socrum Loop Road, and attempted to make a left turn onto southbound Highway 98. The Camry pulled into the path of Westdorp’s northbound Mitsubishi Galant, and the two cars collided in the intersection, causing the Camry to roll once, and coming to a rest on its tires. Westdorp got out of the Mitsubishi, and fled from the scene.
Deputies surrounded the area, and a K-9 unit responded to locate Westdorp. She was eventually found at a residence on Lake Gibson Lane, where she was arrested.
The driver of the Camry was pronounced deceased at the scene. The two other passengers in the Camry were transported to Lakeland Regional Health, and were said to be in stable condition. The names of the occupants of the Camry are being withheld at this time, until the driver’s next of kin can be notified.
“According to the preliminary investigation, the other driver was at fault in this crash, but because the suspect fled the scene, she is facing a serious felony charge.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Westdorp admitted to deputies that she had used marijuana and methamphetamine that evening, but denied she was involved with the crash.
She was arrested, and booked into the Polk County Jail, and charged with Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving a Death (F-1).
Polk County Sheriffs Press Release
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a newlywed couple on Friday, March 16, 2018, one of whom works in the Records Department of the Lakeland Police Department, for marijuana possession.
At about 2:04 p.m., in the area of Charlotte Road and Havendale Boulevard in Auburndale, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a 2016 Chevrolet, after observing 28-year-old Joshua Johnson of Polk City, driving without having a seat belt on.
Deputies smelled marijuana coming from the car, and Johnson confirmed that he had a marijuana blunt in the ash tray. Johnson, who works for Quality Concrete, also stated that he had marijuana in his wallet. Johnson’s wife, 28-year-old Alysen Johnson, who was in the passenger seat, also admitted to having a blunt in her purse.
Mrs. Johnson told deputies that the couple was married a couple of weeks ago, and a friend gave them a half ounce of marijuana as a wedding gift.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were both arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana/Less than 20 grams (M1) and Possession of Paraphernalia (M1), and booked into the Polk County Jail.
For all questions related to Alysen Johnson’s employment, please contact the Lakeland Police Department.
Lake Wales, Florida – According to Brian Bruchey, PCSO Public Information Officer, a Hit and run suspect is being sought in Lake Wales. The call came in around 2:49pm. ” There was a property damage only hit & run on Santa Maria Rd. between Beverly Dr. and Bellview Dr. Suspect fled on foot”, according to Bruchey.
The search has reach all the way to Ridge Manor and apparently the shores of Lake Wales Lake. McLaughlin Middle was placed on lockdown. According to Lake Wales Police Lt. David Black, LWPD Public Information Officer, the lockdown was lifted at 4:30pm.
We will update as more information received.
The FIU bridge, located at 109th Ave and 8th Street, collapsed this afternoon trapping a number of cars underneith.
There are reports of numerous people injured.
The bridge was erected last week and weighs 950 tons.
We will bring you updates as they become available.
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