Update Thursday 3:50pm: Winter Haven Woman Wanda Imber has been found guilty by a jury of embezzling nearly 2 million dollars from her step-father. The trial which started on Monday with jury selection lasted several day. Deliberation by the jury lasted less than two hours. The trial saw Imber take the stand herself on Wednesday and again on Thursday, but jurors didn’t believe the the money she had embezzled was a gift from her step-father, William Adams. Currently we don’t have sentencing details, but Imber faced as much as 30 years in prison.

Bartow, Florida – Today March 21, 2016 Jury selection will start in a trial of Wanda Imber who allegedly embezzled nearly 2 million from her 89 year old stepfather, William Adams, in 2014. Adams who suffers from dementia was business owner who owned multiple companies including W.G. Adams Inc.

Imber faces up to 30 years in prison on 8 counts of scheme to defraud and one count of grand theft. The DailyRidge.com will keep track of what happens at this trial and report back.

Previous Article:

Winter Haven, Florida – The States Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for the arrest of Wanda Livingston Imber, 67, of Winter Haven for allegedly embezzling 2 million dollars from her step-father. Imber was arrested on the streets of Lake Wales Tuesday afternoon. She had her first court appearance on Wednesday and she has been charged with multiple first degree felonies. Those felonies include exploiting an elderly person, grand theft, scheme to defraud and money laundering.

According to the States Attorney’s Office Imber allegedly stole money from William Adams who suffers from dementia. She has held multiple positions in her step-fathers companies including Director of W.G. Adams Inc., Treasurer of Adams Containerized Citrus Trees Inc, Director Adams Citrus Nursery. All the businesses are listed as being in Haines City. Imber also was William Adams caregiver & bookkeeper for the last several years.
Published reports advise that William Adams son discovered discrepancies in the finances. Forensic audits were conducted on multiple businesses and personal accounts to determine the theft of monies.

Lake Wales, Florida – On Friday morning Lake Wales Police responded to Central Ave and Martin Luther King Blvd. in reference to a vehicle crash. Upon arrival officers investigated the crash. Once that investigation was complete officers started conducting a criminal investigation for DUI. The officers had the driver Isaiah Lopez complete some field sobriety exercises which he could not complete successfully, according to police reports. Lopez was arrested for DUI. At the Polk County Jail Lopez’s breath samples were .101 and .100. A passenger in Lopez’s vehicle lied to officers about his identity. Officers discovered the lie and arrested Antonio Ramiro Jaimes for resisting and upon search incident to arrest officers found Jaimes in possession of marijuana (less than 20g).

Both subjects were transported to the Polk County Jail. Lopez was charged with DUI and Property Damage. Jaimes was charged with Resisting Officer without Violence, Cannabis Pocession (less than 20 grams) and Violation of Probation for Possession of Stolen Goods.

Lake Wales, Florida – On March 19, 2016 at approximately 11:30 p.m., Officers John Schwarze and Charles Peck were completing a traffic stop in the area of Washington Avenue and Hwy 27 N when a crash occurred in front of them.The crash involved a white Jeep Cherokee and a pedestrian riding a bicycle. Officers immediately rendered aid to both the vehicle driver as well as the bicyclist. The crash occurred when the bicyclist, Samuel Marshall age 48 of Lake Wales, entered the roadway, failing to yield to a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 44 year old David Bankasingh, also of Lake Wales who was traveling South on Highway 27 at Washington Avenue.

Marshall was ejected from his bicycle and was initially breathing but unconscious when Officers got to him. Within moments Officers were unable to locate a pulse from Marshall and they began CPR. Within a short time Marshall regained a pulse and began breathing on his own.

Lake Wales Fire Department and Polk County Emergency Medical personnel arrived and Marshall was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition. Bankasingh was not injured in the crash and no charges have been filed at this time.

The crash remains under investigation and anyone with information about this crash are encouraged to contact Detective David Hernandez at 863-678-4223.

Blue Thumb Pool Care Services Lake Wales, Frostproof, Babson Park, Indian Lake Estates, and Surrounding Areas!

Customers want more from a pool service than just a clean pool.  They want the assurance of knowing that all their pool equipment is working properly and that their calls with any questions or concerns will be returned promptly.  They want assurance that their pools will be serviced as promised.

Blue Thumb Pool Care is reliable and dependable, and provides quality work at a reasonable price. If you want quality pool maintenance at reasonable prices, including Residential Service, equipment repairs, upgrades and remodeling, then give Blue Thumb Pool Care a call today. Free Home Estimate For a free at home estimate call 863-528-0979 or email us at [email protected]

Lake Wales, Florida – According to readers a semi tractor trailer either caught fire or broke down in the eastbound lanes of S.R. 60 near the intersection to Buckmoore Rd. in Lake Wales. The incident occurred around 10am and traffic is down to one lane as crews clean up fuel spill on the roadway. Traffic is moving and no reports of injuries at this time.

Lake Wales, Florida – On 2/29/2016 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was called to a residence in unincorporated Lake Wales (outside of city limits). According to a reportee a suspect, Dylan Standridge (DOB:01/21/1994), may have been having sexual intercourse with a minor, according to an arrest affidavit. Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a recorded statement with the underage victim in which she alleges to have had consensual sex with Standridge multiple times, according the affidavit. Deputies then conducted a recorded statement with Standbridge post Miranda. Standridge allegedly confessed to having sexual intercourse with the underage victim multiple times both vaginally and orally.

Standridge was arrested and charged with multiple counts of Lewd Battery, multiple counts of Lewd Molestation.

Latest UPDATE:  5 Arrested in String of Thefts, Burglaries, Robberies that span across Lakeland, Hillsborough County, Haines City, Lake Wales, Winter Haven, Bradenton, Clearwater and Auburndale.

On March 16, 2016 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Officer Aubrey Davis of Lake Wales Police Department Crime Suppression Unit was patrolling the Publix parking lot on US 27 North in Lake Wales in an unmarked vehicle.  The Unit was attempting to locate a stolen vehicle from Lakeland on March 9^th believed to be involved in a string of thefts, burglaries and robberies which spanned Lakeland, Hillsborough County, Haines City, Lake Wales, Winter Haven, Bradenton, Clearwater and Auburndale.

Officer Davis noticed a vehicle matching this description driving through the Publix parking lot.  He was able to obtain a tag number which match the tag given out by Winter Haven Police Department.  Lake Wales Police Officers and Polk County Deputies responded to the area.  The vehicle was running on a flat tire and the driver pulled into the Green Gables parking lot which is located south of the Publix on US 27 North.

The suspect drove behind The Sizzlin’ Grill and parked.  Officers and Deputies converged on this parking lot and took five suspects into custody and recovered the stolen vehicle.  Of the five subjects, only one was an adult, Chrishawn Laboris Jones, 19 years of age, form Eagle Lake.  Jones is being charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Violation of Probation.  Jones is on probation for Giving False Information to a Recycler.  Two of the suspects were 17 years of age and two were 16 years of age.  Shelton Jerome McNeal, age 17 of Lakeland, was in possession of the keys when arrested.  He is being charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle.  The other three juveniles are being charge with Trespass of a Conveyance and are from Lakeland.

Detectives from Lake Wales Police Department, Winter Haven Police Department, Auburndale Police Department, Lakeland Police Department and Haines City Police Department arrived to assist in the investigation and attempt to close local cases.  These investigations are still ongoing and further charges are pending.

Anyone having information on these thefts and robberies is asked to call Detective Stephanie Goreck at (863) 678-4223 extension 269 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

9:30pm update: According to Troy Schulze, LWPD spokesperson, a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle was spotted in the Publix Parking lot in Chalet Suzanne Rd. & Hwy 27. The vehicle was spotted by unmarked police cars in the parking lot. Additional units were called in and the suspect vehicle proceeded southbound on Hwy 27. Unmarked police vehicles were waiting for marked units to arrive before stopping the suspect vehicle which appeared to be unaware of the unmarked units which now followed them. The suspect vehicle had tire issue & pulled into the Green Gables Inn parking lot where LWPD & PCSO unit converged on the suspect vehicle. 5 suspects were taken into custody. The arrest of 1 adult & 4 juvenile suspects without incident. More details to follow.

Winter Haven, Florida – Winter Haven Police are investigating a purse snatching that left a 71 year-old woman with a broken wrist. The incident is one of a rash of occurrences that started with a vehicle stolen from Lakeland on March 9 and has been linked to six other cases.

On 3-15-16 at approximately 7:00 p.m., the 71 year-old victim parked in the east side of the Publix parking lot, located at 1350 6th St. NW in Winter Haven.  The victim was headed to St Joseph’s Catholic Church which is directly across the street from the parking lot.
As she got out of her vehicle, a 2001 Gold Jeep Grand Cherokee (FL tag 379MSR) approached her and the rear passenger opened the door. The passenger, described as a black male, approximately 30 years old, clean-cut look with short hair approached the victim and asked for directions to a church.  The suspect was holding a paper, making it appear he had the name of the church on the paper. As the victim stepped closer to converse with the suspect in order to help him with directions, the suspect grabbed her purse straps and jumped back into the vehicle as it began to speed away.
The victim had the purse around her left shoulder and the motion of the vehicle caused her to fall to the ground. The vehicle sped through the parking lot and head westbound towards Lake Howard down Ave. L NW. Witnesses who heard the squealing tires looked just as the victim was falling. The witness was able to see that there were four black males inside of the vehicle. The witness immediately called law enforcement while running to assist the victim.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a black roof rack and a right-side (passenger) brake light that is out. Additionally, the top window brake light does not work either.
“It takes an absolute cowardly thug to prey upon a senior adult female and use a ruse about directions to a church in order to victimize her,” said Chief Charlie Bird. “It’s obvious they stalked her and when she was at her most vulnerable, they sprang into action by taking advantage of her kindness.”  Everyone should be extra diligent in surveying their surroundings before exiting their vehicle and if there is ever a doubt, stay inside and lock the doors.
The victim was taken to the Winter Haven Hospital Emergency Room where she was treated for a broken wrist along with multiple scrapes and contusions.
Two of the four suspects were described by the victim and witness as black males, one (driver) with a short afro-style haircut, possibly with a mustache/goatee and not wearing a shirt. The second suspect (passenger who exited vehicle) is “clean cut” with a short/tight haircut and approximately 30 years old.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for the CASH reward of up to $3,000.

Breakdown of suspected cases connected to this stolen vehicle:
(Please note the average age of the victims are older than 65 years of age.)

Wednesday, March 9th 2016 (6:45 – 8:30 p.m.)
Lakeland/Calvary Baptist Church, 1945 Florida Avenue North (Stolen Vehicle)
Lakeland Police Department Case 2016-4911
The victim parked his 2001 Jeep Cherokee (Florida Tag # 379MSR) (Color: Gold) in front of the church. When he came out of church his vehicle was gone.

Friday, March 11th 2016 (2:30 p.m.)
Seffner (Hillsborough County)/Publix Parking Lot 11782 Dr. King Blvd E
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Case  2016-169495
The suspect briefly stopped behind the victim’s vehicle and exited the driver’s seat, removing the victim’s purse out of her shopping cart.  He then entered back in the Jeep on the passenger side as the passenger moved to the driver’s seat.

Saturday, March 12th 2016 (4:15 p.m.)
Haines City/Walmart Parking Lot 36205 Highway 27
Haines City Police Department Case 2016-878
The victim was in the Walmart parking lot when the suspect vehicle drove up and the passenger exited and approached the victim asking directions.  The suspect then grabbed the victim’s purse from the cart and ran back to the vehicle.

Sunday, March 13th 2016 (4:49 p.m.)
Lake Wales/Eagle Ridge Mall, Dillard’s Parking Lot 100 Eagle Ridge Drive
Lake Wales Police Department Case 16-660
The suspect approached the victim asking her “Is this the Eagle Ridge Mall” at which she replied yes, he then snatched her purse from her shoulder causing the chain to break and fled on foot towards a sport utility vehicle.

Sunday, March 13th 2016 (6:43 p.m.)
Winter Haven/Walmart Parking Lot 355 Cypress Gardens Boulevard SE
Winter Haven Police Department Case 16-1646
The victim was loading her groceries in her vehicle when the black male suspect exited the passenger side, grabbed her purse out of the cart and jumped back into the Jeep.

Monday, March 14th 2016 (12:00 noon)
Bradenton (Manatee County)/Publix Parking Lot 4651 Cortez Road W
Bradenton Police Department Case 16-002149
The victim was leaning inside her trunk as she packed her groceries away, she felt a tug on her purse and when she turned around she saw the suspect trying to snatch her purse.  The suspect grabbed her upper left arm and during the struggle the victim fell to the ground.  The suspect ran back to the waiting vehicle and entered the passenger seat.

Monday, March 14th 2016 (1:30 p.m.)
Clearwater (Pinellas County)/WalMart Parking Lot 23106 US Hwy 19 N
Clearwater Police Department Case 16-36599
The suspects are seen entering the victim’s vehicle and taking a purse from inside. They are seen on video in a gold or tan Jeep Grand Cherokee

Tuesday, March 15th 2016 (6:50 p.m.)
Winter Haven/Publix Parking Lot 1384 6th Street NW
Winter Haven Police Case 16-1698
The female victim was approached by the suspect who asked her directions to a Baptist Church.  When the victim stepped closer to speak with the suspect he grabbed the victim’s purse strap which was still wrapped around the victims arm. The victim held on to her purse and a struggle took place that resulted in the victim falling to the ground and breaking her wrist

Ewing, Blackwelder, & Duce Insurance is an independent insurance agency that has been serving Polk County since 1984, with 6 locations around the county that are located in Lake Wales, Lakeland, Haines City, Bartow and two in Winter Haven. As an independent agency Ewing, Blackwelder & Duce represents many insurance companies, which give us an advantage over others to offer great pricing with great coverage. We have the experienced and diversified staff to offer you coverage for all your insurance needs. Come by one of our locations to see one of our staff members to take care of your personal, business, health, or life insurance needs.

Lake Wales, Florida – On Sunday, March 13, 2016 in the afternoon the Lake Wales Police Department was dispatched to Dillard’s in reference to a robbery by sudden snatching.  The reporting person stated she exited the northwest section of Dillard’s and began walking to her vehicle, which was parked in the handicap parking space in front of the store’s northwest entrance/ exit doors.  While walking to her vehicle, she stated a medium complexion black male, wearing a polo shirt and shorts approached her.  She stated the male was in his early twenties, approximately 6’01 to 6’02 in height, and weighed roughly 200 hundred pounds.  She advised the male approached her and asked her “Is this the Eagle Ridge Mall?”, at which time she replied yes. She advised the male then snatched her purse from her shoulder causing the chain to break and fled on foot towards a gray or silver in color sport utility vehicle.  She advised the male entered the vehicle through the rear passenger’s door, at which time the vehicle fled westbound towards Eagle Ridge Drive and Highway 27.  She reported the vehicle was occupied by at least three occupants. Officers circulated the area, however were unable to locate the suspects or vehicle. This investigation is ongoing.

“On 03/10/2016 at approximately 7:37 a.m. Polk County Deputies responded to
Combee Rd North in Lakeland, in reference to a suspicious vehicle parked in the reportee’s yard. Deputies made contact with a white male later identified as Tad Ray Whitworth, 02/12/1966. Mr. Whitworth was seated inside the vehicle acting agitated and rocking back and forth, stating he did not want to go back to jail. Mr. Whitworth refused to exit the vehicle. Deputies attempted to make entry into the vehicle, at which time he fled the scene in the vehicle. The deputies on scene pursued the vehicle north on Combee Rd. The vehicle is described as a 2001 Chevy Silverado 1500.

Mr. Whitworth traveled at a high rate a speed attempting to elude marked patrol cars with their emergency lights and sirens activated for approximately 14.5 miles.   Mr. Whitworth drove through the front gate of a residence near S.R 33/Commonwealth Ave North and Deen Still Rd in Polk City. Mr. Whitworth then drove west around the residence. Deputies arrived on scene and blocked the entrance/exit to the residence. Mr. Whitworth, still attempting to evade law enforcement, drove back east through the pasture. Mr. Whitworth intentionally drove his vehicle through a fence, ditch, and struck a vehicle parked on the side of the roadway occupied by four people (the vehicle was pulled over, yielding to law enforcement vehicles). The suspect’s actions were intentional and committed while in the act of committing a felony.

The victim’s truck, a 2013 White Ford F250, suffered minor damage to the front passenger side bumper and fender. The damage is estimated in excess of $1000.00. The victims were not injured but were jolted and moved about inside the vehicle due to the suspect intentionally striking them with his vehicle.

The suspect then fled south bound on S.R 33 until he exited the roadway and intentionally drove through numerous fences and private property. The suspect eventually made his way to Campbell Rd where he was taken into custody.

The suspect intentionally used his vehicle during the commission of a felony to strike the aforementioned truck occupied by the four victims. The suspect is currently out on bond for animal cruelty.”

Whitworth was booked into the Polk County Jail for four counts Aggravated Battery, one count Felony Fleeing to Elude, one count Resisting Arrest, one count Criminal Mischief, one count Culpable Negligence.

Previous Arrest:
Date: Sat Oct 17, 2015 15:45:54
From: Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Thanks to an anonymous Crime Stoppers tip, 49-year-old Tad Whitworth, who has a Polk County Warrant for his arrest for two counts Felony Animal Cruelty for beating two dogs with a sledgehammer, was taken into custody peacefully earlier this afternoon at a residence on Lake Kotsa Drive east of Lake Wales.

We appreciate your interest in this case. As previously reported, the two dogs are now in the care of the SPCA of Lakeland. There is no additional information to release on this investigation.