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Florida scrub-jays play starring role at Feb. 3 festival

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Florida scrub-jays play starring role at Feb. 3 festival
Florida scrub-jays play starring role at Feb. 3 festival
scrub-jay
FWC photo by Craig Faulhaber.
Florida scrub-jays play a starring role among the many birds you see in Florida. They are the only bird species that lives exclusively in this state. You won’t find them anywhere else.
They are in the spotlight again at the upcoming Florida Scrub-Jay and Wildlife Festival on Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Lyonia Preserve in Deltona. The free festival in Volusia County offers an 8 a.m. early-bird hike, and continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with eco-buggy rides, guided hikes, wildlife exhibits and presentations, and activities for kids.
Scrub-jay populations have decreased by about 90 percent since the late 1800s, primarily because of the loss of scrub habitat in Florida. Lack of natural or prescribed fire to maintain vegetation height and sandy openings on scrub lands also contributed to their decline. Florida scrub-jays are currently listed as a federally-designated threatened species.
Increase your opportunities for seeing and helping Florida scrub-jays by:
  • Visiting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) wildlife management areas with scrub habitat – such as Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area, Salt Lake WMA and Platt Branch WEA – to watch Florida scrub-jays in the wild. Ocala National Forest and Seminole State Forest also are good places to look for scrub-jays.
  • Volunteering with Jay Watch, a citizen science effort coordinated by Audubon Florida. Jay Watch volunteers are trained to conduct scientific surveys that measure the population numbers and nesting success of Florida scrub-jays. The FWC is a Jay Watch partner.
  • Keep your cats indoors if you live near scrub-jay habitat.
  • Reduce use of pesticides around your home, since scrub-jays feed on insects.
  • Report harassment or harm to scrub-jays or their nests to FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline, 888-404-FWCC (3922).
What is the Florida scrub-jay call like? More like a screech than a song, since it is related to species like the crow. And like crows, scrub-jays are bold, smart and full of personality. Hear thesound of a Florida scrub-jay by going to AllAboutBirds.org and searching for Florida scrub-jay.
Florida scrub-jay biology and behavior information can be found at MyFWC.com.

Man Killed In S.R.60 Crash Saturday Night

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Man Killed In S.R.60 Crash Saturday Night

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating fatal crash in Mulberry.

On Saturday, January 27, 2018, around 9:44 p.m., PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit responded to a two-vehicle crash on S.R. 60 at County Line Road in Mulberry, involving a Mercedes-Benz driven by 39 Year Old Reginald Rogers of Bartow, and a 2006 white Toyota Rav 4 driven by 28-year-old Eloy Pedro of Mulberry.

Preliminary investigation suggests:

Witnesses and evidence at the scene indicate the Mercedes-Benz, entered into the outside (right) eastbound lane of S.R. 60 from a convenience store located on the south side of the roadway. At the same time the Toyota Rav was eastbound on S.R. 60 in the outside (right) lane. The Mercedes-Benz pulled out of the convenience store approximately 75 feet east of the traffic signal when it was struck in the rear by the front of the Toyota Rav 4.

The Mercedes-Benz had significant rear end damage and travelled approximately 50 feet East before coming to final rest facing northeast in the inside (left) lane. The Toyota Rav travelled southeast and came to final rest in a shallow ditch on the south side of SR 60. Rogers was killed.

Based on the driver and witness interviews, the Toyota Rav had a green light just prior to the crash, and the Mercedes-Benz violated his right-of-way by pulling out in front of him from the parking lot and entering the lane in front of the Toyota.

Due to vehicle damage, no airbags deployed in the Mercedes-Benz, and it is unclear if the driver was seat-belted. Pedro was seat belted and the front airbags in his car deployed.

Pedro was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail for not having a valid FL DL. He posted a $250 bond and was released.

Eastbound SR 60 in the area of the crash was closed for approximately 4 hours. Westbound lanes remained opened.

The investigation is on-going.

Teenage Intruder Shot By Elderly Polk County Home Owner Early Sunday Morning

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Teenage Intruder Shot By Elderly Polk County Home Owner Early Sunday Morning

Lakeland Police Department Press Release

LAKELAND, FL (January 28, 2018) – On Sunday, January 28, 2018, shortly after 3:00 a.m., Lakeland Police Officers responded to a residence at 1496 Shorewood Place in reference to an intruder who had been shot. Officers discovered Gabriel Jacobs, age 19, had been shot by homeowner Michael Ives, age 66.

Michael and Charlotte Ives were awoken shortly before 3:00 a.m. after hearing their doorbell ring. Charlotte immediately notified police as Michael attempted to communicate with Jacobs through the closed front door. Jacobs continued to repeatedly ring the doorbell, yell profanities and kick the front door. As Jacobs’ behavior escalated, Michael Ives continuously warned Jacobs that he was armed with a shotgun and to stop. Jacobs ignored the warnings and kicked open the front door. Again, Ives warned Jacobs not to come any closer or he would shoot. Jacobs continued to walk through the doorway, toward Ives and was shot once in the chest.

Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene to perform life-saving measures. Jacobs was conscious and combative with emergency personnel as he was transported to Lakeland Regional Health.

A canvass of the crime scene and surrounding area revealed several traffic signs knocked to the ground and an unoccupied red Chevrolet Impala, belonging to Jacobs’ stepfather, located near the residence. Jacobs’ stepfather confirmed that Gabriel had been in possession of the vehicle. An accident investigation is underway.

At the time of this release, Jacobs remains in critical condition. A charge of Burglary to an Occupied Dwelling is pending upon completion of this investigation.

At this time, the Ives family is requesting privacy and do not wish to be contacted for comment on this incident.

Suspect
Gabriel Jacobs
DOB: 02/20/98
Address: Cardinal Place, Lakeland, FL

Man Who Punched & Robbed Mother Holder Her Child At Winter Haven Park Has Been Arrested

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Man Who Punched & Robbed Mother Holder Her Child At Winter Haven Park Has Been Arrested

Winter Haven Police Department Press Release

Suspect in Park Robbery Identified And Arrested

Winter Haven Police received numerous tips yesterday and throughout the night following the release of surveillance video of a suspect who punched and robbed a mother as she held her toddler in a Winter Haven park.

Nineteen year-old Marques Jarvelle Haines (DOB 10-12-98, 237 Kings Pond Ave SW, Winter Haven) was identified as the suspect who punched a mother in Kiwanis Park on Thursday. Detectives continued to follow leads and tips, ultimately arresting Haines.

Haines, who has been arrested before for Battery, is seen in surveillance footage using the victim’s credit card to purchase cell phones at an Auburndale cell phone store.

Haines was booked into the Polk County Jail late this afternoon.
At this time no charges have been filed on the driver of the truck. (The driver identity is not available at the time of this release.)

“This guy thinks he’s a big man to attack a vulnerable mother holding a small child in a park,” said Chief Charlie Bird. “He is now where he belongs… behind bars.”

Thank you to all of the media who assisted with getting the video and images out to the public. Your assistance was paramount in identifying and ultimately capturing this suspect.

19 Yr Old Man Killed & Others Injured In Polk City Crash

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19 Yr Old Man Killed & Others Injured In Polk City Crash

Polk County Sheriff Press Release

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating fatal crash in Polk City.

On Friday, January 26, 2018, around 4:00 p.m., PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit responded to a single-vehicle crash involving a 1992 blue, Honda Accord driven by 25-year-old Rosetta Presley of Cocoa, when she crashed her vehicle on Deen Still Road in Polk City.

Preliminary investigation suggests:

Presley was traveling west on Deen Still Rd approximately 1 ½ miles east of Commonwealth Ave when her right tires left the roadway.  Presley over corrected as she was attempting to move the vehicle back on the roadway.  Presley then lost control of her car and the car slid sideways and struck a tree on the passenger side of the car.  Due to the impact, the rear right passenger (Lisbon) was declared deceased on-scene and the left rear passenger (Elder) with critical injuries.  Presley and Parris Jr. are expected to recover fully.

The passengers are:

Deceased – 19-year-old Thaddeus Lisbon of Cocoa, FL: Right, rear side passenger.

Minor Injuries –  24-year-old Brunsrick Parris Jr. of Cocoa, FL: Front seat passenger.

Critical Condition – 21-year-ld Jaimee Elder of Spring Hill, FL: Left, rear side passenger.

Presley and Parris Jr. were transported to LRHMC by ground and Elder was transported by air to LRHMC.

Presley told detectives that she was unfamiliar with the roadway and when a vehicle passed her on the left she moved over to the right and her tires left the roadway.  Presley stated she attempted to return to the roadway but lost control of the vehicle and struck the tree after she slid.

The posted speed limit on the roadway was 55 and speed is thought to be a factor in the crash.

The two rear passengers in the vehicle were not wearing seatbelts.

The driver and front passenger were wearing seatbelts.

The investigation is on-going.

Man Who Set Off Flares At Eagle Ridge Mall Captured After Trying To Flee Police

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Man Who Set Off Flares At Eagle Ridge Mall Captured After Trying To Flee Police

Lake Wales Police Department Press Release

Date: January 27, 2018

On January 21, 2018, first responders evacuated the Eagle Ridge Mall in Lake Wales following the report of a possible pipe bomb that had detonated inside a corridor. Following an extensive investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies, we learned the devices were not pipe bombs, but marine flares disguised with black electrical tape resembling pipe bombs. Further investigation revealed an unknown suspect had ignited the flares and attempted to throw them into the drop ceiling above the corridor and Kay Jewelers, which is immediately adjacent to the corridor. Initial reports led officers to believe there may have been more than one suspect involved in the incident. As the investigation continued, law enforcement collected hours of video from surrounding businesses, followed up on leads and processed physical evidence discovered at the scene.

 

The Lake Wales Police Department (LWPD) was the lead agency in this investigation, assisted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (FBI JTTF), the Safe Streets Task Force, the state Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigation Bomb Squad (BFAI) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

 

The investigation revealed a suspect leaving the scene of the crime, which resulted in a composite being released on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. Throughout the week, investigators worked tirelessly, following up on tips and on Friday, January 26, 2018, the FDLE Crime Lab contacted us. FDLE indicated that five of the items left behind by the suspect had a DNA profile on them, resulting in a Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) hit on32-year-old Patrick Joseph Collins of Auburndale, Fl.

 

Investigators determined Collins was possibly residing at 315 Leta Street in Auburndale and the Auburndale Police Department quickly joined in the effort to locate Collins. As detectives conducted surveillance at this location, Collins exited the residence. PCSO deputies approached to speak with Collins in the yard as he walked toward a 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle. Upon sight of law enforcement, Collins attempted to flee on the motorcycle and ran into one of the deputy’s vehicles. After crashing the motorcycle, he ran from the scene but was apprehended and taken into custody following a brief struggle. Due to the crash, Polk County EMS transported Collins to the Winter Haven Hospital where he was medically cleared then released.

 

During questioning, Collins admitted to igniting the flares at the Eagle Ridge Mall on Sunday evening. He provided no explanation or motive for his actions or his reasoning for disguising the flares with electrical tape. Collins stated he was trying to sleep in the corridor when people began to chase him and he ignited the flares to keep them from getting him. Witness statements and video surveillance disprove his account of the incident. Collins stated no one else was there to help him and that he acted alone. He further stated that within the last two weeks he was terminated from his job where he worked on cell phone towers.

Building Partnerships for a Safer Community Detectives and the BFAI Bomb Squad executed a search warrant at 315 Leta St. and located two marine flares in the saddlebag of the motorcycle Collins had driven. The flares were similar to those recovered from the scene; however the outer portion of their housings had been removed. Inside the residence, detectives located black electrical tape along with black nitrile gloves similar to those left behind at the mall Sunday evening following the incident. Multiple fall protection harnesses were also located within the residence.

 

Investigators had recovered a black bag from the mall corridor Sunday evening with the words ͞Guardian Fall Protection͟ on it. Guardian is a manufacturer of fall protection harnesses and safety equipment similar to that found inside the residence. Collins’ criminal history includes carrying a concealed firearm, possession of marijuana, driving on a suspended license, failure to appear and violation of probation. The Lake Wales Police Department charged Collins with attempted arson and manufacturing/possessing a hoax bomb. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office charged Collins with resisting an officer without violence. Collins is scheduled for first appearance on Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m.

 

Chief Velasquez thanks all of the assisting agencies for their continued support throughout this investigation. ͞This is a perfect example of your local, state and federal law enforcement working together as a team to keep you safe and hold those that break the law accountable. It is also a perfect opportunity to remind the public if you see something, say something.͟This investigation remains active. Anyone with information should contact Lake Wales Police Detective Whitney Dukes at 863-678-4223 ext. 269 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-8477

After Numberous Inquiries, Winter Haven Fire Says There is No Fire Danger at Leoland Hotel

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After Numberous Inquiries, Winter Haven Fire Says There is No Fire Danger at Leoland Hotel

Due to numerous inquiries, this alert is being sent on behalf of the Winter Haven Fire Department regarding a call to the Legoland Hotel.

At approximately 10:20 p.m this evening, a call was received regarding a possible fire at the Legoland hotel in Winter Haven. There was not a fire nor were there any injuries.
All guests and staff are safe and are being allowed back to their rooms.

When fire and police arrived, it was discovered that a candle was left unattended in a room on the fourth floor, which cause smoke and the alarm. This was all confined to one room.

In an abundance of caution, the hotel was evacuated until the source of the smoke was located.
Everyone is safe and there were no injuries.

Help Bartow Police Identify Armed Robbery Suspect

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Help Bartow Police Identify Armed Robbery Suspect

On 01/25/2018 at 9:47 pm, an armed robbery occurred at the Family Dollar Store located at 775 Highway 17 South in Bartow.

 

A black male (pictured) wearing a dark blue hoodie, blue sweat pants, and black/green shoes, entered the main entrance of the store. The suspect then displayed a handgun and robbed the store clerks of money. The suspect fled just prior to police arrival.

 

We need your help to identify the suspect. You CAN receive up to $3,000.00 CA$H and remain Anonymous. Call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-226-8477.

Bartow Man Arrested After Shooting Another Man During Altercation

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Bartow Man Arrested After Shooting Another Man During Altercation

On 01/22/2018, officers with the Bartow Police Department responded to the Bartow Regional Medical Center in regards to a reported gunshot injury. Upon arrival, officers learned that a male subject (Christopher Henson, B/M, Age 45, of Bartow), had been involved in an altercation involving a firearm.

Henson reported that he became involved in a verbal dispute with an unidentified black male subject earlier the same date. This altercation occurred in the area of 1070 Martin Luther King Blvd. After exchanging words, the male subject brandished a black handgun of an undetermined caliber and fired a shot into the ground near the victim. Henson took flight; however, he was pursued by the subject. At some point, the victim fell to the ground at which time the suspect began striking Henson about the face and head. As he did so, the firearm discharged and Henson was struck in the right hand. At that time, the suspect disengaged and began to walk away. Henson fled to his nearby residence and was subsequently transported to BRMC by family members.

During the investigation, detectives received information which led to the identity of the suspect. 43 year old, Clifton Williams Jr, B/M of Bartow was identified as the shooter. A warrant for the suspects arrest was obtained, as police began to search for his whereabouts.
On 01/26/2018, officers located Williams in the area of the 2000 block of East Church Street, near his residence. Williams took flight upon contact with law enforcement and was apprehended a short time later, without further incident.

Clifton Williams, Jr. is charged with Aggravated Battery by Firearm, Discharging a Firearm in Public, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Carrying a Concealed Firearm.

Winter Haven Woman Robbed in Broad Daylight While at the Park With Toddler

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Winter Haven Woman Robbed in Broad Daylight While at the Park With Toddler

A Winter Haven woman was robbed in broad daylight while at a park with her toddler.
On 1-25-18 at approximately 10 a.m., the victim was at Kiwanis Park, located at 301 Ave C NE in Winter Haven. She and her toddler were in the fenced area of the park. There was nobody else at the park during the time.

The victim saw a black male wearing a black hooded sweater and dark pants come into the park from the west. She saw a second black male approach from the east. The second male was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and gym shorts.

The two entered into the fenced area where the victim and her child were located. She felt uneasy, so she picked up her child and started heading towards her car. As she was approaching her car, both subjects walked behind her and one said, “Give me your money or I’ll shoot!” She felt something in the middle of her back and the subject wearing the gym shorts punched her on the right side of her face. The punch caused her to fall to the ground holding her child. The child was not injured.

While she was on the ground, the subject that punched her grabbed her purse from around her neck and both men ran east. The victim immediately ran to a business located directly across the street from the park.

During a canvass of the area, Detectives located a man who was working on a nearby house who stated he saw two black men wearing clothes that matched the description given by the victim. The two were seen getting out of an older model gold pickup truck, possibly a Chevrolet S10 with an extended cab and head towards the park. Both are described as black males, between 18 – 25 years old and approximately 6′ – 6’4″ tall.

The victim’s bank card was utilized approximately 45 minutes after the attack at a Redbox located at CVS (99 Magnolia Ave.) in Auburndale. A short time later, the card was used at Ace Wireless (413 Magnolia Ave.) in Auburndale to purchase 2 cellphones.

“We are urging the public to take a good look at the video we obtained,” said Chief Charlie Bird. “To target a mother with her toddler in brought daylight is reprehensible. These guys must be caught before someone is seriously injured.”


Video surveillance of the truck was obtained at the CVS and the suspect who punched the victim is seen inside of the Ace Wireless store. Anyone who can identify the suspect is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

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