Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales Police Department had a section of Campbell Ave. (near 11th St.) blocked off this afternoon. At this time no official statement has been released. We know at this time a man was found at the scene and had apparently been in an accident. A bicycle and broken mailbox were a few feet from where his body was laying.  

It is unknown at this time if the man is the victim of a hit & run driver or if he may have crashed into the mailbox on his own. He could have also been forced off the roadway. 

The condition of the bicyclist is unknown, but he was transported to Lake Wales Medical Ctr. via ambulance. We will update as more information is available. 

Update 3pm Monday, July 3rd – On Monday, July 03, 2017, autopsies were completed on 44-year-old Kenneth Rhoden and 57-year-old Dawn Curtis-Rhoden of 4778 Breezer Drive in Lake Wales. The autopsy revealed no signs of injury or trauma. The determination of the cause and manner of death are pending toxicology.

We will update as more information is available. 

Update 5:15 pm – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation related to two adults, a man and a woman, who were found this morning deceased at 4778 Breezer Drive, Lake Wales in the Pedaler’s Pond manufactured homes community. 

 
Deputies were called to the scene this morning because neighbors had not noticed the residents at the address for several days. Detectives have not positively identified the two bodies due to body decomposition. An autopsy will be conducted by the medical examiner’s office to help determine the cause and manner of death.
 
We will provide the identities of the two once we have positively identified the bodies and made next of kin notification.
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Lake Wales, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a home on Breezer Drive. At this time no details have been released. Multiple crime scene units are on scene conducting the investigation. Accord to witnesses the PCSO has been on scene since 7 am this morning.

It is believed that a couple live in the home.

We will update this article as soon as more information is released.

UPDATE – ARREST MADE ROBBERY OF DOLLAR TREE ASSISTANT MANAGER

After a two week investigation and following up on leads, Detective Aubrey Davis was able to identify the suspect in this robbery case as 16 year old female, Yesenia Tardis of  East Polk Avenue, Lake Wales. On Friday, July 14th at approximately 3:43 p.m., Yesenia was located and arrested for robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a delinquent and grand theft. She was later transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.

Original Article

On June 29, 2017 at approximately 10:10p.m., Dollar Tree employees Assistant Manager Veronica Cruz and Rose Marsh had just finished their shift and closed the store at 140 State Road 60 East. Blake Marsh, husband of Rose, was waiting outside to pick her up. As Veronica sat in her vehicle, a black male approached with his face covered. The suspect pointed a handgun at Veronica, demanded money and threatened her. This occurred as Mr. and Mrs. Marsh stood nearby. Veronica had an undisclosed amount of money in a deposit bag from the day’s transactions. Veronica gave the suspect the money and he fled the area.

The suspect was described as a black male, possibly in his mid-late 20’s, about 5’5”-5’10”, slim build and wearing dark clothing. Officers arrived and a perimeter was set up. A police canine track was conducted but no suspect was located. This suspect is still at large and Lake Wales Police Department is looking for any leads as to who this suspect may be.

Nearby surveillance video caught the suspect walking toward the Dollar Tree and running from it.

Anyone having information on this robbery is asked to call Detective Aubrey Davis at (863) 678-4223 extension 276 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.