Winter Haven Police Department
And we’re back after a brief pause from the ticket switchers.
The guy pictured below went to Walmart (355 Cypress Gardens Blvd) on June 10 around 4 p.m. He selected four DVDs and placed lower priced stickers on each one. What should have cost $99.84 actually rang up to $1.36.
He was seen leaving on foot past the garden center and towards 5th St and Piedmont Dr.
Anyone who recognizes him should call Detective Maldonado at 863-837-0946.
An Intercession City man and Davenport woman were arrested early Monday morning for among other crimes, ramming an officer, attempting to run over a K-9 and his handler and breaking into the Haines City Mayor’s home.
Matthew Swett, 31, is being charged with armed burglary, two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, use of a deadly weapon on a police K9, fleeing to elude, leaving the scene of a crash, criminal mischief, driving on a suspended license, resisting arrest without violence, driving an unregistered vehicle and possession of Buprenorphine. Kaila Ellig, 32, of Davenport is charged with burglary of an occupied structure and resisting arrest without violence.
Officer William Tucker was patrolling at about 2 a.m. when a blue 2003 Toyota was seen parked at a construction site. When Swett was alerted to the presence of the officer, he ran and jumped into his vehicle and drove directly at Officer Tucker who was in his patrol car with his emergency lights activated, and intentionally struck Officer Tucker’s patrol car causing damage to the front end.
K-9 Officer Joseph Elam and his partner Cash were able to locate the suspect vehicle as it exited onto Old Polk City Road. After a short pursuit, the vehicle ran into a ditch and stopped. Officer Elam heard the doors open on the suspect’s vehicle so he deployed his partner Cash, on a lead, while giving the occupants clear directions.
The commands were ignored and Swett put the vehicle in reverse and intentionally drove toward the two, striking Cash. Officer Elam, seeing what was about to happen, used the leash to pull Cash away from the accelerating vehicle into his arms, and ran, with Cash in his arms, to avoid being run over. Thanks to his quick action, K-9 Cash was not injured.
Swett continued backwards and struck Officer Elam’s patrol vehicle causing damage to the front end then drove off at a high rate of speed before crashing in the area of Prado Grande Avenue and Old Polk City Road. Swett and Ellig exited the vehicle and ran into a wooded area. Shortly after, the vehicle caught fire.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office assisted with tracking the suspects and implementing a perimeter. The Aviation Unit from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office provided air support.
The suspects ultimately climbed over a fence and cut a hole to access the back screened-in porch area of an occupied home in the Randa Ridge subdivision belonging to Haines City Mayor, Morris West. The Osceola aviation observer was able to see Swett concealing an object in the front of his pants and notified officers and deputies on the ground.
“I am thankful we have such a professional Police Department who literally work day and night to protect our city,” Mayor West said. “Our officers and their county partners showed tenacious resolve to stay on the heels of these suspects and bring this to a peaceful conclusion.”
Officer Justin Vasquez, Elam and his partner Cash were the first to respond to the Randa Ridge location where the officers once again directed Swett to peacefully surrender. Swett refused, continually reaching into his waistband and ignoring commands to exit with his hands visible.
Fearing a further escalation with occupants in the home, Officer Elam directed his partner Cash to apprehend Swett who was bitten on the leg, allowing the officers to physically secure him. Subsequent to the arrest, a large fixed blade knife was found in Swett’s waistband. Ellig cooperated and was arrested without further incident.
Swett was also in possession of prescription drugs, for which he has no prescription, at the time of the apprehension. He was transported to AdventHealth Heart of Florida to be treated for the dog bite. He was released and taken to the Polk County Jail.
Neither the vehicle nor the tag were registered to the suspects. Swett has not had a valid driver’s license since 2017. Swett’s criminal history includes robbery, burglary, dealing in stolen property, drug, and driving offenses. Ellig has been charged in the past with grand theft, fraud, and drug possession.
“This was fantastic police work by our officers and surrounding law enforcement partners,” Interim Chief Loyd Stewart said. “Because of their efforts, no one was seriously hurt and one very dangerous man and his accomplice are in jail.”
Traffic alert:
Tractor trailer disabled in right lane at the intersection of 27 S and Crump Road. Drive with caution. Police on scene behind disabled trailer.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigating murder in unincorporated Bartow; suspect arrested
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a homicide investigation in the area of Transport Road and Spruce Road in unincorporated Bartow. Deputies responded to that area Friday morning, June 11, 2021, at around 5:49 AM, in reference to a man being shot.
The victim, a white adult male whose name is not being released due to Marsy’s Law, was found deceased inside of a residence.
Deputies made contact with two witnesses at the residence and gathered suspect information. They were able to quickly locate the suspect in a car that was leaving the area, and the vehicle was stopped.
The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Raul De Alejandro Rodriguez, Jr. who resides at 5316 Kirk Road, Bartow.
Based on evidence and witness statements at this early point in the investigation, De Alejandro Rodriguez was involved in an argument with the victim about the suspect dating the victim’s daughter. De Alejandro Rodriguez then shot the victim with a shotgun and fled the area with the weapon.
When deputies detained De Alejandro Rodriguez, he was in possession of a single shotgun shell in his pocket and another in a bag.
“The responding deputies arrived so quickly that they were able to set-up a tight perimeter and the Aviation Unit easily spotted the suspect trying to get away; he was detained very quickly. The investigation is ongoing, and Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators are working hard to gather evidence and statements.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Raul De Alejandro Rodriguez, Jr’s prior criminal history consists of six felony and eight misdemeanor arrests. His charges includes: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Drug Possessions, Hit and Run, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Disorderly Conduct, DUI, DWLSR, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Failure to Appear.
Raul De Alejandro Rodriguez, Jr, has been charged with the following:
* First Degree Murder
* Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
* Armed Burglary with a Firearm
* Tampering with a Witness
* Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
* Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon
The victim’s daughter, who De Alejandro Rodriguez was reportedly dating and having a sexual relationship with, is 17-years-old. The PCSO had been trying to investigate that relationship since January of this year, but the victim and her mother have been uncooperative in that investigation.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges against De Alejandro Rodriguez are possible.
City of Winter Haven
ROAD ALERT UPDATE: Beginning JUNE 14 (Not June 7 as previously posted) construction will occur along Old Lucerne Park Road west of Century Drive, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. for 4 weeks to install a new right turn lane and relocating a water main. The closed lanes will reopen each evening. If you have questions, contact Gayle Coutant at Blue Ox Enterprises, LLC at (407) 701-2222.
On Friday, June 11, 2021, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 50-year-old Lee Anne Huff of Clearwater for DUI.
At around 2:30 a.m., deputies responded to the entrance of the Hamptons Golf and Country Club in Auburndale and found a red Volkswagen Beetle parked with its rear tire on a curb and Huff in the driver’s seat slumped on the steering wheel. The vehicle was running.
According to the affidavit, when deputies spoke with Huff, they “observed her to have bloodshot watery eyes, and could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her breath and heard her to have slurred speech.”
When Huff got out of her vehicle, deputies “observed her to have a front to back sway of approximately 2 to 4 inches.” Also in the car’s center console cup holder was an opened can of White Claw Hard Seltzer.
Deputies asked Huff for her driver’s license, instead she gave deputies a credit card. When asked how much she had to drink, Huff told deputies, “It was f***ing awesome!”
Huff told deputies she is a 5th grade math and science teacher at Leila Davis Elementary School in Pinellas County.
“Teachers should be setting positive examples for their students and the community. Drinking and driving is the opposite of that. There is never an excuse to drink and drive. Please, take advantage of the many resources out there, and don’t drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Huff was arrested for DUI (M1) and transported to the Polk County Jail where her blood alcohol level was recorded as 0.174 and 0.170 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. The legal threshold for DUI is 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. She is currently being held without bond.
Local Firehouse Subs franchisee Bobby Sahgal owns both restaurants in Bartow and Winter Haven alongside his son Abhay, who serves as the General Manager. The father and son duo have just as a strong working and personal bond outside of their restaurant as they do in it and Abhay plans to one day take over his dad’s restaurant, continuing the family tradition.
When asked what’s one thing that most people don’t know about owning and operating a restaurant within a family dynamic, Bobby responded, “Things are easier because you can trust someone and feel strong about running a restaurant because you can always rely on your family members.”
Bobby and Abhay are dedicated to sharing the brand’s commitment to giving back through Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which has granted more than $1.2 million in the greater Tampa area. A portion of every sale at their Firehouse Subs restaurants and all in the U.S. benefit the Foundation to help achieve its mission of providing lifesaving equipment and resources to first responders and public safety organizations across the country.
Guests can enjoy any FREE medium sub with the purchase of a medium or large sub, chips and a drink for one day only on Father’s Day, June 20*. *Dine-in or takeout only (not valid for online or delivery orders).
On Monday, June 7, 2021, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 29-year-old Andrew Pierce Weaver of Lakeland, the youth pastor of Highlands Church of Christ in Lakeland, for attempting to have sex with a minor.
On June 3, 2021, Highlands Church of Christ staff contacted PCSO detectives to report that Weaver may have been engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old girl in his youth group. The alleged contact occurred for approximately five months between September of 2020 and January of 2021.
During an interview, the victim told detectives that Weaver had been giving her informal guidance. She told detectives that she told Weaver that she was having sexual fantasies and at one point Weaver asked her if any of the fantasies had involved him. She said she told him she did have sexual fantasies about him.
The following is an excerpt from the affidavit describing what the 17-year-old victim told detectives, and is self-explanatory:
The VICTIM disclosed she showed Weaver naked pictures of herself on her cell phone device, and Weaver would frequently ask to see these pictures, but insisted she never transmit them to him electronically. The VICTIM believed he requested this to avoid getting in trouble, as he also requested she keep their relationship secret.
The VICTIM also disclosed on a non-specific date in late December or early January she and Weaver went to the Best Western Hotel in Mulberry, FL. The VICTIM disclosed she drove to the Highlands Church of Christ and met Weaver there. The VICTIM then got into Weaver’s vehicle and he asked her how she felt about getting a hotel room for the two of them.
Weaver then drove himself and the VICTIM to the hotel. She and Weaver were at the hotel for approximately 30 minutes and were naked from the waist up in their room. The VICTIM disclosed she and Weaver were making out, and Weaver touched and kissed the bare area of her breasts. The VICTIM advised she and Weaver were interrupted by a maid knocking on the door, but the maid did not enter the room. The VICTIM disclosed this startled Weaver, and they both put on their clothes and returned to the church. The VICTIM advised she believed their sexual contact would have continued to progress if they had not been interrupted by the maid.
During an interview on June 7th, Weaver confirmed he took the victim to the hotel in Mulberry after the two had been discussing sexual fantasies. According to the affidavit:
Weaver advised he believed he had “crossed a line” with the VICTIM, which he further explained that he was closer to the VICTIM emotionally than he should have been. Weaver subsequently confessed to driving around with the VICTIM on the day of 12/29/20, and discussing more of the VICTIM’s sexual fantasies. Weaver stated he struggles with impulse control and then drove himself and the VICTIM to the Best Western Hotel in Mulberry, FL after discussing the VICTIM’s sexual fantasies. Records were obtained from the Best Western Hotel, which confirmed Weaver checked into the hotel on 12/29/20 at approximately 13:13 hours.
“Youth ministers are entrusted with mentoring our children. This minister betrayed that trust and he must be held accountable. Thankfully, the church leadership did the right thing by reporting his inappropriate behavior.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff Weaver was arrested for Attempted Unlawful Sex with a Minor (F3) and Interference with Child Custody (F3) due to Weaver taking the child from the church and to the hotel with the intent to have sex with her. He is currently in the Polk County jail and has no bond. Weaver told detectives he is married.
PCSO Homicide detectives have arrested two 16-year-old suspects in the homicide of 17-year-old Taigur Taguri – both suspects have been charged with first degree murder, along with other felonies. At least two other suspects are still at large.
Based upon interviews with witnesses, suspects, and others, and evidence collected so far in the investigation, at around 9:40 p.m. on Monday, June 7, 2021, Taguri drove to Gordon Heights Park near Bartow with the intention of selling marijuana to someone with whom he was communicating on social media. He was accompanied by a female.
When Taguri arrived at the park, he stopped his truck. Several unknown black male suspects approached the truck. One suspect opened the driver’s door, and another suspect opened the passenger side door. During this time Taguri was heard saying “no” and “don’t.” Multiple shots were fired at Taguri by both suspects. The passenger was not injured. A total of 3-4 suspects are believed to be involved.
After being shot, Taguri accelerated, and the truck crashed into a fence then came to a stop against some playground equipment. The suspects fled in an unknown direction. The passenger called 911 and another witness in the area called 911. When first responders arrived on-scene, Taguri was deceased.
During the investigation, detectives gathered evidence including spent shell casings at the scene, and searched social media channels for any communication between the victim and others. Detectives discovered and were provided with several names of people with whom Taguri had been communicating on social media – one of those people was tentatively identified as 16-year-old Jevon Berrien, Jr., who lives on Gause Street in Bartow.
Detectives responded to the residence, and interviewed Berrien. Detectives also found 16-year-old Margus Johnson hiding in the home, unbeknownst to some in the family who were in the home. During a search of the residence, detectives found a loaded Glock 9 mm handgun in Berrien’s room. The gun and casings found at the scene were taken to the FDLE lab for testing. FDLE confirmed that the shell casings found at the scene matched the handgun and ammunition that was submitted for testing. Detectives also found numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia, including a grinder, scale, and glass jar, all containing marijuana residue, and a burnt marijuana cigar in Berrien Jr.’s room.
16-year-old Jevon Berrien, Jr. was charged with:
· First degree murder (Capital felony)
· Attempted armed robbery (F2)
· Conspiracy to commit armed robbery (F2)
· Unlawful possession by a minor of a firearm (M1)
· Possession of marijuana (M1)
· Possession of paraphernalia (M1)
Berrien, Jr. has previous arrests for robbery by sudden snatching and battery domestic violence.
16-year-old Margus Johnson was charged with:
· First degree murder (Capital felony)
· Attempted armed robbery (F2)
· Conspiracy to commit armed robbery (F2)
During the search of Berrien’s home, detectives found another loaded firearm in Jevon Berrien Sr.’s room, along with a large red container of methamphetamine, and several items of drug paraphernalia. Inside Berrien Sr.’s car detectives found a camera bag with a digital scale, multiple plastic baggies, and individually packaged baggies of marijuana. A lunchbox contained another digital scale and a gallon-sized bag of marijuana.
47-year-old Jevon Berrien, Sr., was placed under arrest and charged with:
· Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (F2)
· Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (F2)
· Possession of methamphetamine (F3)
· Possession of marijuana with intent to sell (F3)
· Possession of paraphernalia (M1) Berrien Sr.’s criminal history includes three arrests in Georgia (trafficking in cocaine, drug sales, violation of controlled substance act); an arrest in Oklahoma (DUI); and 7 felonies and 4 misdemeanors in Florida (possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of synthetic marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, DWLSR, failure to appear, probation violation, non-payment of child support) including a felony conviction.
| THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO MORE SUSPECTS AT LARGE AND DETECTIVES ARE SEARCHING FOR THEM. THERE IS A $5,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION! If you have any information about this investigation and wish to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers – call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), dial **TIPS from your cell phone, visit the www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,” or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet. |
Traffic Alert
Two car accident slowing down traffic Cypress Gardens Blvd in front of Advent Health Centra Care (just before Lake Fox Drive
Please drive with caution
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