2017 Dawg Dayz Blues Fest is set for Sat. Aug.12 at Tanners Lakeside.
Starting at 2pm: the Jug Brothers
3pm:the Blue Roosters
4pm:Soul 2 Earth
5pm:Kevin Maines and the Volts
6pm:the Steve Arvey band
7 pm: harmonica wizard, Rockin’ Jake band(New Orleans)
8pm:the Legandary JC’s !
All day on the outside deck:Jim&Judy’s jammers!!
All procedes to Citrus Center Girls and Boys clubs!!!
Lakeland, Florida – On Saturday evening, July 22nd, at approximately 10:07 PM, Florida Highway Patrol received multiple calls about a reckless driver
traveling westbound on I-4 near the mile marker 38. An FHP Trooper patrolling the area located a 2009 Dodge Journey, driven by Tyson McMorrow,36, of Lakeland. Before the Trooper could attempt a traffic stop, McMorrow reportedly drove through the median and cable barrier into the eastbound lanes of I-4 while still traveling westbound. McMorrow soon stopped his vehicle westbound on the inside shoulder of eastbound I-4. As FHP Troopers approached McMorrow, he then drove to the outside shoulder and stopped. After a brief investigation, McMorrow was arrest for DUI, DUI Property Damage, Leaving the Scene of a Crash, and Driving on the Wrong Side of a Divided
Highway. McMorrow was transported to the Polk County Jail.
Lakeland Police Department Press Release
LAKELAND, FL (July 21, 2017) – On Friday, July 21, 2017 at approximately 7:30 a.m., a tree limb fell on top of a vehicle traveling on Success Avenue. Karen Barron was traveling northbound on Success Avenue, approaching Lake Morton Drive, when a tree limb, approximately 12 inches in diameter, came crashing down on top of the hood of her 2014 Dodge Challenger. In addition to the damage to Barron’s car, the limb also knocked over a portion of a brick wall on a neighboring property. The estimated damage to the brick wall is $750.00. The limb fell from a well known Lakeland tree, Lover’s Tree, which is reported to be over 300 years old.
Barron did not appear to suffer any injuries from the impact of the limb, but was transported to Lakeland Regional Health to be medically checked. City of Lakeland Risk Management and Parks and Recreation personnel responded to the scene and removed the limb. The roadway was closed for approximately three hours.
Initial inspections show that the limb did not exhibit any signs of decay or damage, making it impossible to predict that it would have fallen.
Lakeland Police Department Press Release
LAKELAND, FL (July 21, 2017) – On July 20th, at approximately 6:28 p.m., the Lakeland Police Department responded to a traffic fatality in the 5900 Block of State Road 33. A red, 1998 Ford Ranger 2 door truck was northbound and a white 2012 Saddle Creek Freightliner Semi-Tractor Trailer was southbound. The Semi-Tractor was slowing down in the turn lane to turn left onto North Combee Road. A silver in color 2008 Dodge Caravan was also traveling southbound in the 5900 block of SR 33, traveling behind the Freightliner Semi. At the time of the crash, there was heavy rainfall and the roadways were wet.
As the Ford Ranger was traveling northbound, the Ford Ranger lost control and began sliding. After losing control, the Ford Ranger went over the raised concrete median and went head on into oncoming traffic and collided with the Freightliner Semi head on. The force of the collision caused the Ford Ranger to spin around facing south. While the Ford Ranger was spinning, a tool box from the bed of the Ford Ranger was ejected and struck the Dodge Caravan which was traveling southbound on SR 33. After colliding head-on with the Ford Ranger, the Freightliner Semi came to final rest just off the west side of the roadway. The Dodge Caravan came to a controlled stop just south of the impact location.
Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on scene and began to provide life saving measures and securing the scene. The Ford Ranger operator was deceased on the scene,Rachel R. Gunter, 41 years old of Polk City, as determined by PCFR/LFD. The operators of the Freightliner Semi and Dodge Caravan suffered no injuries.
Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The preliminary investigation revealed that the Ford Ranger lost control and began sliding, ultimately going over the raised median into oncoming traffic. Per witness statements, the Freightliner Semi had nowhere to go and collided head on with the Ford Ranger. The roadway was shut down for approximately 4 hours during the investigation.
POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’s OFFICE PRESS RELEASE
Former Kathleen Middle School Principal (2014-2015 school year), 46-year-old Ginger Collins, was arrested for 60 counts dealing in stolen property (F-2); 16 counts passing forged or altered documents (F-3); 2 counts fraudulent use of credit card (F-3); 1 count obtaining property by fraud (F-2); 1 count money laundering (F-2); 1 count grand theft ($10,000-$20,000) (F-3).
These crimes occurred while Collins was the Principal of Kathleen Middle School. She resigned as Principal of Kathleen Middle School in June 2015, and was hired in July 2015 by Seth McKeel Academy as Assistant Director of Academics. As previously released and reported, she resigned from that position in September 2016 when confronted by school officials about suspected fraud and theft (total amount stolen, $105,426) at Seth McKeel Academy, and was arrested by PCSO on January 10, 2017, for grand theft, fraud, fraudulent use of credit card, money laundering, and criminal use of personal ID. She was released from jail on January 12, 2017, after posting bail (total amount, $39,000). That case is still pending outcome.
Collins was taken into custody without incident this morning at her residence in north Lakeland.
She will have a first appearance hearing tomorrow morning, Saturday, July 22, 2017. We will bring you more details of the investigation and charges as they become available.
Previous Release:
PCSO Detectives Arrest former Assistant Director of Academics for Seth McKeel Academy
On Tuesday, January 10, 2017, Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 45-year-old Ginger Collins of Black Hawk Lane in Lakeland, for grand theft, fraud, fraudulent use of credit card, money laundering, and criminal use of personal ID. She resigned from the school in September 2016, when confronted by school officials about suspected fraud and theft (total amount stolen, $105,426), and was arrested by PCSO on January 10, 2017, on the aforementioned charges.
The following is an excerpt from her affidavit, and is self-explanatory:
| PRB_CAUS On 09/16/2016 Alan Black, Director of the Schools of McKeel Academy, and Assistant Director of Operations Julie Ehnle contacted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to report the embezzlement and theft of school funds by a former known Administrator. The suspect was identified as Ginger Collins, also known as Ginger Rosenau, who served as the Assistant Director of Academics until her resignation on the same date of 09/16/2016. The defendant resigned when Director Alan Black confronted her about the theft and fraudulent accounting scheme. Director Black further advised Ginger Collins confessed to the theft, fraudulent activity, and intentionally altering invoices when confronted before her resignation. The confession was witnessed by the defendant’s sister, identified as Kaci Gingras, who later provided a sworn recorded interview confirming the initial report. Director Alan Black reported the defendant was hired in July 2015 and worked at his office located at 1810 West Parker Street, Lakeland, Polk County, Florida. During this time of employment Ginger Collins had access to five (5) credit card accounts belonging to the Schools of McKeel Academy. The accounts, funds contained within the accounts and subsequent lines of credit, were all the property of the school with each account paid in full on a monthly basis. The five (5) credit cards involved were identified as American Express Gold account numbers: 3715 581977 8 1097, 3715 581977 8 2095, American Express Business account number: 3795 732013 4 1079, and Capital One Visa, account numbers 4154 1785 9851 4205 and 4154 1785 9851 0624. The defendant was only authorized to use these accounts for approved school related items or functions. At no time was Ginger Collins authorized or permitted to use the funds for personal use or gain. The defendant had routine access and use of the above listed accounts for the purpose of making travel arrangements for eighteen (18) McKeel Academy staff members to attend a trip to Finland in December 2016. Defendant Ginger Collins was tasked with making travel arrangements as part of her duties. The defendant also supervised fund raising activities and a transitional program budget. Assistant Director of Operations Julie Ehnle advised your affiant The Schools of McKeel Academy accounting department initially noticed suspicious transactions on the defendant’s assigned Capital One Visa account ending with # 4205 in early September 2016. Defendant Ginger Collins used the account to purchase a prom dress and false eyelashes. The two (2) transactions did not appear to be academic related and were not approved by the school. The defendant wrote “Legacy Funds” and “Marketing” across the receipts she turned in, but the purchases could not be attributed toward a specific program or class. The incident prompted additional auditing during which significant discrepancies were documented. A detailed review of the defendant’s expenses confirmed Ginger Collins initially stole more than $47,000 from her employer, The Schools of McKeel Academy, while making travel arrangements for the staff trip to Finland. Assistant Director Julie Ehnle confirmed $150,000 was budgeted for the Finland trip, but the actual cost was closer to $95,000. As the trip planner, the defendant became aware of the undocumented surplus and devised a scheme to covertly steal the money. Electronic evidence, certified bank records and the defendant’s admissions confirm she created three (3) separate and fictitious companies that do not exist. These companies are identified as Elite Travel, the main instrument through which most of the theft was conducted, Finpeda and Atticusprint. Atticusprint was purported to be a print and marketing company. All three companies were created by the defendant who, records show, also established an internet website for Elite Travel through the website domain Square Space under <http://elitetravel.squarespace.com.> The $30 a month rental fee for this site was paid for by a McKeel Academy credit card assigned to Ginger Collins. These monthly invoices were billed to the school as “marketing and advertisement” by the defendant. Ginger Collins then used different credit card processing sites to bill and invoice The Schools of McKeel Academy for fictitious products or services. SquareUp and PayPal were initially used for payment processing, and the services of Stripe was later added to avoid suspicion and detection. Evidence shows the defendant opened several different fraudulent Paypal accounts in the name of Julie Ehnle, and two (2) other identified McKeel Academy staff members, Lauren Hazell and Olivia Hazell, without their knowledge to avoid routing numerous transactions through the same vender. All of these Paypal accounts were linked to the defendant by her email records and telephone number. Evidence collected from the certified records of the Sun Trust Bank, and other financial institutions, established the defendant intentionally routed payments from these three (3) companies into her joint account that she owns with her two (2) children, Jake and Jaci Iatarola. A confirmed trail has been documented from the five (5) McKeel Academy credit cards issued to the defendant, through her self-created companies, and into her joint Sun Trust bank account. The defendant then transferred the funds into her individual personal checking account. Bank records show these funds were used to buy clothing, pay personal bills, purchase home furnishings and make personal credit card payments. Defendant Ginger Collins utilized her work computer to create, manipulate, and email fraudulent invoices to herself. She would then intentionally submit the fraudulent documents to her employer. Ginger Collins’ scheme ensured the total amount of each invoice, documenting fictitious services, would match the purchase amounts on the school’s incoming credit card statements. At the conclusion of the accounting audit, it was determined former employee Ginger Collins intentionally stole $102,432.14 of school funds from The Schools of McKeel Academy. This includes unauthorized purchases and transactions routed through her fraud scheme. The theft was conducted through the five (5) credit cards identified above. Your affiant has conducted an independent review of the certified bank records, certified credit card statements, invoices, receipts, and transactions to confirm over $105,426.34 was stolen from the victim. The affiant observed the altered invoices in which the actual description of what was purchased was intentionally changed to appear to be school related expenses. Your affiant conducted sworn recorded interviews confirming the theft as described. Between the dates of November 2015 and September 2016 Ginger Collins created three fictitious businesses through online and mobile payment processing services. Collins charged the victim’s credit cards through the services and submitted fraudulent invoices to match the credit card statement transactions. The funds were deposited into two separate bank accounts and the defendant then transferred the deposits into her personal individual account. This process was committed intentionally by the defendant to conceal the funds. The defendant made unauthorized purchases with the victim’s credit cards for personal purchases. The defendant altered invoices and created fictitious invoices to conceal the actual items purchased. The defendant’s intentional actions and course of conduct defrauded the victim of over $100,000. |
Charges
| Charge | Counts | Level | Charge Literal | Warrant No | Warrant ORI | Other Booking No |
| 896.101 (5)(B) | 1 | F2 | MONEY LAUNDER TRANS. | |||
| 817.034(4)(A)1. | 1 | F1 | OBTAIN PROPERTY BY F | |||
| 817.568(2)(A).. | 3 | F3 | CRIMINAL USE OF PERS | |||
| 817.61…. | 1 | F3 | FRAUDULENT USE OF CR | |||
| 812.014(2)(A)1 | 1 | F1 | GRAND THEFT – $100,0 |
Update: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE PRESS RELEASE
PCSO Homicide detectives arrest Miguel Cosme for second degree murder
On Friday, July 21, 2017, PCSO Homicide detectives arrested 46-year-old Miguel Cosme of 1001 US Hwy 98 West in Frostproof, for one count second degree murder, after Cosme fatally stabbed his roommate during an argument.
The following is an excerpt from the affidavit, and is self-explanatory:
On July 20, 2017, at approximately 2251hrs Polk County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 1001 Hwy 98 W, Frostproof, Florida, in reference to a report of an armed altercation with a subject possibly being killed. Upon the arrival of law enforcement, Miguel Cosme, H/M, 09/28/70, was located standing in the front yard with his arms raised. He told deputies he “did it.”
Miguel Cosme was detained and law enforcement conducted a precautionary search of the residence locating the victim, an adult Hispanic male, immediately inside the doorway. The victim sustained multiple lacerations. Polk County Emergency Medical Service pronounced the victim deceased at 2315hrs.
Further examination of the decedent identified multiple lacerations to the neck and shoulder area. A small kitchen knife was located to the west of the victim.
A post-Miranda interview was conducted with Miguel Cosme at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Operation’s Center. Miguel advised he and the victim are roommates and have been for approximately three months. He stated they were sitting on the couch at their residence consuming beer. The victim was intoxicated according to Miguel. The victim began stating, “I don’t like the way you are.” Miguel advised this statement was offensive and discriminatory toward him. Miguel became enraged by these statement and punched the victim in the face with a closed fist. As the victim fell to the floor due to the punch, Miguel kicked him in the head and groin with his steel-toed work boots.
Miquel stated he went into his own bedroom and armed himself with a kitchen type knife. The suspect stated he thought the victim would harm him so he jabbed and cut the victim’s neck several times.
Based upon this investigation the suspect committed an act imminently dangerous to another and evincing a depraved mind regardless of human life. The suspect initiated the violence by striking the victim with his fists and then kicking him numerous times in the head and groin area with steel toed boots. Following this he armed himself and without any overt act on the part of the victim he stabbed the victim multiple times with a knife resulting in his death. This is probable cause to charge Miguel Cosme with Murder in the Second Degree with a Weapon.
Cosme was booked into the Polk County Jail this morning, and will be held on no bond until a first appearance hearing on Saturday, July 22, 2017.
—-Original article —-
Frostproof, Florida – Early Friday morning local residents woke up to a large law enforcement presence in West Frostproof.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, Carrie Horstman, advised they are conducting a death investigation. The incident is located in West Frostproof on Hwy 98, just East of the South County Jail. It appears to be close to Gilberto Jose Rd.
This is a developing story and we will update this article as soon as more information is released.
The 2017 spiny lobster season opens with the two-day recreational sport season July 26 and 27, followed by the regular commercial and recreational lobster season, which starts Aug. 6 and runs through March 31, 2018.
Planning on catching some of these tasty crustaceans? Here is what you need to know before you go.
Where to harvest
Know where you can go. Lobster harvest is always prohibited in Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Biscayne Bay-Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary, certain areas of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and no-take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. During the two-day season, all harvest of lobster is prohibited throughout John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater,” “Recreational Regulations,” “Lobster” and “Regulations for Recreational Harvest and Lobster Information for Monroe County” to learn more about areas in Monroe County that are open to spiny lobster harvest.
Bag limits
Stick to the bag and possession limits so there will be enough lobsters for all your friends and family. During the two-day spiny lobster sport season, recreational harvesters can take up to six lobsters per person daily in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park waters or 12 lobsters per person daily in other Florida waters. You may possess no more than the daily bag limit of lobsters when you are on the water. When you are off the water, you may possess no more than the daily bag limit on the first day of the sport season and no more than double the daily bag limit on the second day. See the chart below for an easy-to-read guide on the two-day sport season bag limits. During the Aug. 6 to March 31 regular season, the daily recreational bag and on-the-water possession limit is six spiny lobsters per person for all Florida waters.
| Two-day Sport Season | |||
|
Where? |
Daily bag limit and max number you can possess while on the water either day | Max number you can possess off the water on July 27 | Max number you can possess off the water on July 28 |
| Monroe County and Biscayne National Park | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| Elsewhere | 12 | 12 | 24 |
Size limit
No one wants a small lobster for dinner, and recently approved legislation specifies that each undersize spiny lobster found in a violator’s possession may be charged as a separate offense. In addition, recreational or commercial violators with 100 or more undersized spiny lobsters are to be charged with a third-degree felony. Remember to always check the size of lobster you catch. If the carapace length is not larger than 3 inches, it may not be harvested (see image on how to measure spiny lobster). For divers, measuring devices are required and lobsters must be measured while they are in the water.
Egg-bearers
To protect the next generation and your future chances to have lobster for dinner, harvest of egg-bearing females is prohibited. Egg-bearing lobsters have hundreds of thousands of eggs that are easily visible and attached under the tail. While most lobsters have completed reproduction by the start of the fishing season, finding lobsters with eggs is common in July and August.
Nighttime harvest and bully netting
While the waters may be less crowded at night, diving for spiny lobsters after the sun goes down is not allowed in Monroe County during the two-day sport season.
Bully netting, however, is allowed at night, and is a popular method of harvest. Keep in mind, bright lights and loud noise on the water late at night can be disruptive. Keep lights directed down and avoid shining lights at houses along the shoreline. Keep sound levels low when near shoreline residences. Bully netters have a right to fish, but should be courteous of others by minimizing disruptions and not trespassing on private property.
Whole condition
Bring a cooler big enough to hold the entire lobster. Spiny lobsters must remain in whole condition until they are brought to shore. Also, do not take spiny lobster with any device that might puncture, penetrate or crush its shell.
Licenses and permits
Make sure to have the proper paperwork. A recreational saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit are required to recreationally harvest spiny lobsters unless you are exempt from recreational license requirements. Information about these licenses and permits is available online at MyFWC.com/License or you may purchase your license today at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Invasive lionfish
Do double duty while you are in the water and remove invasive lionfish. These nonnative species are often found in the same areas as spiny lobster, and they negatively impact Florida’s native wildlife and habitat. Help keep the lionfish population under control by removing them from Florida waters. If you plan to take lionfish with a spear, be aware of no-spearing zones before planning your spearfishing trips. Learn more about spearing rules by visiting MyFWC.com/Fishing and clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Spearing” or “Monroe County Spearfishing.” Visit MyFWC.com/Lionfish to learn more or to participate in the Lionfish Challengereward program.
Diving safely
Always remember: Safety first. Divers, even those who wade in, should stay within 300 feet of a properly displayed divers-down warning device (red with a white diagonal stripe on a flag or buoy, for example) when in open water and within 100 feet of a properly displayed divers-down warning device if on a river, inlet or navigation channel. Boat operators must slow to idle speed if they need to travel within 300 feet of a divers-down warning device in open water or 100 feet of one on a river, inlet or navigational channel.
Divers-down warning symbols displayed on vessels must be at least 20 inches by 24 inches. If you are using a flag, a stiffener is required to keep it unfurled, it must be displayed from the highest point of the vessel, must be visible from all directions and must be displayed only when divers are in the water. So when the divers are out of the water, don’t forget to take it down. Divers-down symbols towed by divers must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches. More information on divers-down warning devices is available online at MyFWC.com/Boating by clicking on “Boating Regulations.”
More
Additional information on recreational spiny lobster fishing, including how to measure spiny lobster, is available online at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Lobster.”
Typically, the Dog Days of Summer are hot, but at Main Street Bartow’s Friday Fest, they’re way cool!
Join us on July 21, from 6-9 p.m., for a tail-waggin’ good time in Downtown Bartow. The fun isn’t just for humans this month. Pets who are well-behaved and current on vaccinations can join in, too.
Pets may strut their stuff in the Pet Fashion Contest,
competing for Funniest Outfit, Most Unique, or Cutest. Registration is from 6-6:30 p.m. at the beverage tent. The contest begins at 6:30. Dogs must be leashed at all times and each must have its own walker. Gather at the stage five minutes before the start of the fashion parade.
Do you have the most talented pet ever? We’ve got a contest for that,too. Register for the Pet Talent Contest at the beverage tent between 6 and 6:30 for a chance to win a gift basket full of goodies. Starting at 8 p.m., all pets are welcome to show off their skills, from rolling over to singing and dancing. Judges will select a winner in three trick categories: Most Creative, Silliest, and Best Overall.
DJ Denny Robarts will present the sounds of summer music, plus we’ll have exhibitors, pet adoptions, K-9 demonstrations, and the Cruise-in Car Show presented by Kelley Buick GMC. For more information about the car show, call 863-581-0309.
Also returning this month is a chance to save lives by donating blood on the OneBlood mobile unit. Each donor receives a free OneBlood Tervis ®tumbler and a wellness check. You can drop in or make an appointment online at www.oneblooddonor.org and use sponsor code #19598. Blood can only come from generous blood donors. OneBlood says if every donor gave just one more time each year, there would be no more blood shortages
Friday Fest also features vendors offering food, drink and all kinds of goodies, kids’ activities and dancin’ in the street. Don’t forget to visit local restaurants and shops that are open that night.
A big thank you goes to Kelley Buick GMC, our July Friday Fest sponsor. This street party is held on the third Friday of every month and is hosted by Main Street Bartow, Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency, the City of Bartow,and Kelley Buick GMC.
On July 12, 2017, after 25 minutes of deliberation, a jury found John Decesare, 74, guilty of attempted second-degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle and discharging a firearm from a vehicle. Decesare faces a minimum of 20 years for attempted second-degree murder and will be sentenced August 25.
Original Release:
The victim is identified as Robert Daniel W/M, 04/24/1980.
The suspect is identified as John Anthony Decesare, W/M, 05/29/1943
At 6:14 this morning PCSO deputies responded to the area of Masterpiece Road & Mammoth Grove Road in reference to a shooting of a vehicle. Upon their arrival they located the victim who had no injuries.
During the investigation it was determined that the suspect fired three bullets into the victim’s truck. Two struck the driver’s door and the third struck the driver’s side front tire.
During an interview with the victim, he stated that he was driving north on Masterpiece Road when a black corvette pulled along him as if it were passing him. The victim stated he felt the impact of the rounds striking the door and the driver’s window shattered. The victim stated the black corvette continued north as he pulled to the side of the road and called law enforcement. When asked if anyone would want to hurt him, the victim stated that a white male on a motorcycle has been following him recently. The victim stated the black motorcycle has been riding beside him and looking into his truck window. The victim also stated the motorcycle would pull in front of him and hit his brakes several times before driving off.
Upon hearing the details of the case a Deputy involved in the investigation advised that he has seen a white male named John that lives in Indian Lake Estates that drives a black corvette and a black motorcycle. The Deputy responded to Indian Lake Estates to conduct a neighborhood canvass. As the Deputy entered Indian Lake Estates he observed the black motorcycle and recognized the driver as “john”. The Deputy conducted a traffic stop on the motorcycle at Buck Moore Road and Highway 60. The driver, identified as John Decesare, was found in possession of a .45 handgun.
Detectives conducted an interview with the suspect and gained a confession about the shooting.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrest suspect in two separate armed robbery cases at two Davenport McDonalds locations.
UPDATE:
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Robbery detectives arrest suspect in two separate armed robbery cases at two Davenport McDonald’s locations
PCSO robbery detectives arrested 22-year-old Timothy Stephon “Man” Williams of 3782 Huntwicke Blvd in Davenport on Wednesday, July 20, 2017, for two counts armed robbery, two counts armed burglary with assault, VOP, and DWLSR. These robberies occurred in Davenport on May 21, 2017, at 8006 Osceola Polk Line Road, and on July 11, 2017, at 5825 US Hwy 27 N.
According to the affidavit, on May 21, 2017, deputies responded to the McDonald’s located at 8006 Osceola Polk Line Road Davenport, Florida in reference to an armed robbery. During the investigation and viewing video surveillance, detectives saw an unknown black male suspect enter the McDonald’s around 3:57 a.m. wearing dark clothing and pointing a black handgun at two employees. He directed them to the room where the manager was counting money. The suspect demanded the employees to put the money in a bag that the suspect had.
Victims told detectives the suspect resembled a new McDonald’s employee named Timothy Williams, who works the night shift and knows the closing and register counting procedures. Detectives contacted Williams and he told them he worked at McDonald’s until just before 2 a.m. that night, and went to the Kissimmee area for the morning, and was not in the area of McDonald’s during the time of the robbery.
On July 11, 2017, deputies responded to McDonald’s located at 5825 US Highway 27 N Davenport Florida in reference to an armed robbery that occurred at approximately 4:00 a.m. During the robbery, a black male with a black handgun entered the business wearing a dark colored jacket with the word “MEXICO” written in large letters on the back in neon green/yellow.
The jacket also had matching neon yellow/green trim along the bottom and shoulders. The suspect was wearing black sweatpant type pants, red/orange shoes, black gloves, a boonie/fisherman style hat with red white and blue designs with a white cloth with unknown designs under it covering the top portion of his face and a dark cloth covering the bottom portion of his face, carrying a dark backpack possibly with a camouflage design and carrying a black handgun.
The suspect approached one employee in the kitchen area and physically directed him to the back room where the manager was counting money. The suspect directed a third employee in the back room where the suspect then obtained cash and large brown envelopes from the vault and placed it in a dark colored backpack. You can see the McDonald’s surveillance video of the July 11th robbery on the PCSO Facebook Page.
In reviewing Timothy Williams’ Facebook account. Timothy was observed wearing red shoes that appear to match the shoes observed in the video surveillance of the robbery that occurred on 7/11/2017.
Williams was also observed in photographs wearing a similar jacket to one that was worn in the robbery that occurred on 7/11/2017 with the word “MEXICO” written in large letters on the front, which indicates that he owns similar clothing as the suspect. Williams also has photographs of himself wearing multiple boonie/fisherman style hats like the one that was worn by the suspect in the robbery on 7/11/2017. Williams has a scar or mark near his right eye, which matches the suspect description given by at least two victims.
Through the investigation detectives were able to determine he was at the McDonald’s during the time of the robbery on May 21, about which he initially lied.
William’s also owns similar hats as the one worn by the suspect of the robbery that occurred on 7/11/2017. Williams had multiple pictures of himself in Florida Gator attire, which is consistent with the description given of the duffel bag, used in the robbery that occurred on 5/21/2017. Williams also had a picture that contained a black and blue duffle bag with an orange stripe down the middle that has a logo on it, possibly a Gators logo as described in the robbery on 5/21/2017.
Contact was made with Williams’ employer at the McDonald’s located at 8006 Osceola Polk line Road in Davenport, and it was confirmed Williams was not working on the date of the robbery that occurred on 7/11/2017.
Based on the totality of the circumstances of the two robberies and confirmation that Timothy Williams was in the area of both robberies when they occurred, along with Williams matching the description of the suspect and his knowledge of McDonald’s procedures, and witness statements, detectives had probable cause to arrest and charge Williams with both robberies. On July 19, 2017, PCSO detectives observed Williams, who has a suspended license, driving to his home in Davenport. They conducted a traffic stop and took Williams into custody without incident, for DWLSR and VOP (original charge – petit theft). He was booked into the Polk County Jail and additionally charged with the robberies and assaults.
Timothy Williams has a previous criminal history to include: failure to appear, felony petit theft, DWLSR, VOP, petit theft, out of county warrant, and fraudulent use of a credit card.
Williams was booked into the Polk County Jail on the aforementioned charges and is being held on no bond.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrest suspect in two separate armed robbery cases at two Davenport McDonalds locations.
PCSO deputies arrested 22-year-old Timothy Stephon Williams of 3782 Huntwicke Blvd in Davenport on Wednesday, July 20, 2017, for two counts armed robbery, two counts armed burglary with assault, VOP, and DWLSR. These robberies occurred in Davenport on May 21st, at the 8006 Osceola Polk Line Road in Davenport and on July 11th at the 5825 US Hwy 27 N.
Check back for updates about this arrest.
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