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18 Yr Old Arrested & Charged With Multiple Counts Of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder Following Robbery At Auburndale Flea Market

Carl Fish
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18 Yr Old Arrested & Charged With Multiple Counts Of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder Following Robbery At Auburndale Flea Market

On February 29, 2024 Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested and charged Michael Angle Prado with multiple charges including 2 counts of 2nd Degree Attempted Murder. The arrest came following an alleged robbery at Market World International Flea Market In Auburndale, Florida.

The following is an arrest affidavit from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (It should be noted that this is an unedited, but redacted, report of facts by A law enforcement agency. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions. Additionally, the offender in this case is a minor, but he has been charged with a felony and thus their name has been released):

“On 01/21/2024 at approximately 1420 hours, I, Detective Quattlebaum #9005, arrived at the International Market World Flea Market located at 1053 Highway 92 West, Auburndale, Florida in reference to a retail theft investigation. Through my investigation, I learned the following:

On 01/21/2024 at approximately 1137 hours, a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident involving a golf cart with two occupants and a white pickup truck was reported at 1053 Highway 92 West, Auburndale. The occupants,VICTIM1 (Victim 1) and VICTIM2 (Victim 2) reported minor injuries and VICTIM1 was transported to Lakeland Regional Hospital for treatment. The suspect vehicle, described as a white Dodge pickup bearing the Florida tag #50DEZB, fled the scene before law enforcement’s arrival.

Deputies responded to the scene and learned the truck was also involved in a retail theft at the flea market.VICTIM3 (Victim 3) advised a young adult white male subject entered her booth, took a basket of video games, and proceeded to leave the market, passing all points of sale. VICTIM3 advised he was not allowed to take these items and at no point attempted to pay for the items. VICTIM3 advised the games were worth approximately $350. VICTIM3 stated she observed the suspect meet with two other young adult white male subjects and were going through the basket of property and advised she began chasing the suspects towards the parking lot. Security was made aware and security guards VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 responded in attempt to stop the three suspects. VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 were in a golf cart, VICTIM1 was driving and VICTIM2 was riding in the passenger seat.

VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 were flagged down by a customer that one of the suspects was seen getting into a white Dodge pickup truck bearing the Florida tag #50DEZB. VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 observed the vehicle beginning to pull out of the parking lot. VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 both observed the truck come to a complete stop and then proceed to accelerate toward the golf cart they were seated in. VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 advised there was plenty of room to maneuver around them, but the truck accelerated towards them and struck the front of the golf cart. The truck then proceeded to flee the scene onto Highway 92 West. VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 advised they were in fear for their lives at the time of the crash.

At approximately 1213 hours, a report of a stolen vehicle was received at REDACTED, Lakeland, Florida byVICTIM4 (Victim 4). The vehicle was described as a white Dodge Dakota pickup bearing the Florida tag #50DEZB and was owned by VICTIM4. VICTIM4advised REDACTED, Michael Prado, told her over a phone call that he took VICTIM4 ‘s truck and was in possession of it at the time of the phone call. VICTIM4advised Prado had no permission to take the vehicle. VICTIM4 further stated he left the keys and his cell phone inside the truck and that Prado was not allowed to take or access these items.

At approximately 1158 hours, Auburndale Police Department located the truck at the Shell gas station located at 1795 Berkley Road, Auburndale. The vehicle was unoccupied at this time. During a search of the area, deputies located a white and blue jacket that was observed being worn by Michael Prado in the video footage of the retail theft behind the Shell gas station. A firearm and mask was also located behind a residence at REDACTED Shalisa Blvd., Auburndale, where a witness advised the truck was observed driving through a nearby yard and throwing the gun and mask over a fence.

At approximately 1709 hours, I arrived at REDACTED, Lakeland to make contact with REDACTED, who advised Michael Prado is REDACTED and VICTIM4 is her boyfriend. REDACTED advised she had gotten a call from Prado stating he was in possession of the truck and had hit a golf cart at International Market World in Auburndale. Prado advised REDACTED he knew he was on camera and was going to get caught and stated he fled the scene after striking the golf cart. Prado toldREDACTED he was with two other guys but did not advise who. Prado told REDACTED he ran out of gas at Berkley Road and Denton Ave., which is where the vehicle was located, and advised he had gotten an Uber.”

The following are the updated charges Prado is facing:

BURGLARY OF A CONVEYANCE

GRAND THEFT (MOTOR VEHICLE)

PETIT THEFT ($100 OR MORE)

ATTEMPTED MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE (WEAPON)

ATTEMPTED MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE (WEAPON)

DELINQUENT IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM OR AMMUNITION

ATTEMPTED TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE

Two Teenager Brothers Busted Allegedly Preparing To Burglarize PCSO Undercover Location

Carl Fish
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Two Teenager Brothers Busted Allegedly Preparing To Burglarize PCSO Undercover Location

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently holding a press conference on a prostitution and human trafficking investigation with over 250 arrests! During the sting two brother reportedly showed up looking like they were ready to rob the undercover house where the sting was occurring. Here is the initial information from PCSO:

Two brothers, ages 16 and 17 years old, came to the location armed with a BB gun, wearing hoodies and ski masks, and creeping around the undercover location as if they were about to commit an armed robbery of the undercover detective who was posing as a prostitute whom they solicited online.

Omar and Kalem Najjar were both charged with attempted armed robbery, a felony, as well as loitering/prowling. 

“During these types of undercover investigations, I can truly say that we have ‘seen it all’ and yet we are still surprised by some of the violent acts we encounter. These two teenagers were incredibly lucky that they did not brandish a firearm while stalking who they thought was a prostitute, at a location filled with law enforcement officers. This could have ended very badly for them. This should also illustrate just how dangerous it is to agree to have sex with someone in exchange for money – there were 13 other suspects who brought firearms to the location.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Sheriff Grady Judd To Brief Media Tomorrow On Arrest Of Over 200 Suspects In Prostitution & Human Trafficking Sting

Carl Fish
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Sheriff Grady Judd To Brief Media Tomorrow On Arrest Of Over 200 Suspects In Prostitution & Human Trafficking Sting

Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd in Winter Haven, about an eight-day-long multi-agency undercover investigation, “Operation March Sadness 2024” focused on human trafficking, during which 228 arrests were made of suspects who solicited prostitutes and those who offered to commit prostitution, and other suspects who transported prostitutes to the undercover location.

During this investigation, 13 victims of human trafficking were identified.

Among those arrested were a school teacher, coaches, and active duty military members, among other professions.

Of the 228 arrested, 21 are in the country illegally.

Sheriff Judd will be joined by detectives and representatives from local law enforcement agencies, as well as social services organizations who offered help for human trafficking victims.

Haines City Man Killed In Old Polk City Road Crash

Carl Fish
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Haines City Man Killed In Old Polk City Road Crash

Haines City, Florida – The Florida highway patrol is reporting that a Haines City man has been killed after an accident on Polk City Road. According to FHP Sergeant Steve Gaskins at approximately 3:30am Saturday morning a Nissan Rogue, was traveling westbound on Polk City Road.  A second vehicle, a Honda Pilot, was traveling eastbound on Polk City Road.  Near the intersection of Prado Grande Avenue, the driver of the Rouge reportedly lost control and entered the path of the Pilot.  As a result, the front of the Pilot collided with the passenger side of the Rouge.  A passenger traveling in the Rouge later expired from injuries suffered during the crash.  

Here is a breakdown of those in the vehicles:

Rouge Driver: Male, 35, Haines City, Minor injury

Passenger in Rouge: Male, 50, Haines City, Fatal injury

Pilot Driver : Male, 29, Haines City, Minor injury

 Pursuant to Marsy’s Law the Florida Highway Patrol does not release names of crash victims.

Fourteen Year Old From Bok Academy South Middle School Charged After Kids Get Sick From Ingesting THC Gummies

Staff Reporter
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Fourteen Year Old From Bok Academy South Middle School Charged After Kids Get Sick From Ingesting THC Gummies

Lake Wales, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested one student and is continuing to investigate an incident that made students sick at Bok Academy South Thursday February 29, 2024. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office they have arrested 14 yr old Lawton Coleman (DOB:11/25/2009) charging him with a third degree felony for allegedly tampering with evidence and a misdemeanor culpable negligence.

The following is an arrest affidavit from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (It should be noted that this is an unedited, but redacted, report of facts by A law enforcement agency. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions. Additionally, the offender in this case is a minor, but he has been charged with a felony and thus their name has been released):

“Incident Location:
Bok Academy South located at address 13901 US Highway 27, Lake Wales, Florida 33859.

Probable Cause:
On February 29, 2024, at approximately 1600 hours, on the direction of supervision, I responded to the above address in reference to investigating minor children at the above school allegedly using THC edibles.

Upon arrival, I made contact with Deputy REDACTED and learned REDACTED, REDACTED, Lawton Coleman, REDACTED, and REDACTED were possibly involved in a scheme to sell THC gummies.  During this scheme, REDACTED, REDACTED, and Lawton ingested THC gummies.  REDACTED and REDACTED were taken home by their biological mothers to sleep off the effects of the gummies.  REDACTED and Lawton were taken to Lake Wales Advent Health Hospital for observation.  Principal April Barnhardt had searched all persons and did not locate any illegal narcotics or paraphernalia.  

Biological parents of REDACTED and Lawton signed Polk County Sheriff’s Office HIPPA Authorization and Medical Release Forms for their children.  I recovered the medical records in reference to this incident and learned REDACTED and Lawton had THC in their system.

Video was recovered depicting Lawton, REDACTED, REDACTED, and REDACTED sitting on the floor upon raised steps.  This video shows Lawton removing items from inside his pants (not pockets) and then handing those items to REDACTED.  REDACTED, is then seen passing an item to REDACTED. Both person’s are seen placing items into their mouth.

I conducted a post Miranda interview on Lawton, I learned the following:

Lawton admitted to receiving six (6) gummies from REDACTED.  REDACTED tells Lawton that the six (6) gummies are worth approximately $35.00 and to sell them.  Lawton states that he gave two (2) gummies to REDACTED, two (2) to REDACTED whom ingested one (1) and gave one (1) to REDACTED.  Lawton stated that he received $10.00 from REDACTED for the two gummies.  Lawton then states that he ingested the last two (2).  Shortly after ingesting the THC gummies, the kids begin to feel dizzy, sick, vomit, with REDACTED and REDACTED being picked up from the mothers and REDACTED and Lawton being taken to the hospital.    Once Lawton became sick and knew the other boys also became sick he stated he believed the gummies were laced with something, due to the gummies being laced with something he made the decision to flush the clear baggie that contained the THC gummies down the toilet.  

A reasonable, prudent person knows, or should have known that six (6) pieces of gummies are not worth $35.00.  Lawton received the THC gummies with the purpose of selling them to make money.  Lawton then hid those items inside his pants and then discretely sold those items.

(1)It is unlawful for any person, knowing that a criminal trial, proceeding, or investigation by a duly constituted prosecuting authority, law enforcement agency, grand jury, or legislative committee of this state is pending or is about to be instituted, to:

(a)Alter, destroy, conceal, or remove any record, document, or other item with the purpose to impair its verity or availability in such proceeding or investigation; or

(1)Whoever, through culpable negligence, exposes another person to personal injury commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082

Lawton Coleman observed the children he sold the THC gummies to were getting sick.  Due to the knowledge of a pending investigation was going to be instituted destroyed physical evidence by flushing the clear baggie in the toilet.  Lawton was placed under arrest per Florida Statutes.  Due to Lawton exposing another person to personal injury was charged additionally per Florida statutes.

The Department of Children and Family REDACTED was contacted.

Lawton Coleman’s mother Kristen Boyte was advised of the situation and knows that he is being transported to the Polk County Juvenile Assessment Center.
 
Coleman is being charged with a third degree felony for tampering with physical evidence and a misdemeanor culpable negligence.

The incident is still under investigation and we do not know if additional charges will be added.

J.C. Reviews: Dune Part 1 is an Interesting Slowburn of a First Part

Staff Reporter
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J.C. Reviews: Dune Part 1 is an Interesting Slowburn of a First Part

by James Coulter

Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi epic Dune has long been considered an unfilmable story due to its grandiose length and scale. Then again, the same was said of Lord of the Rings, which is roughly the same length. So, if Lord of the Rings could be successfully adapted, why not Dune?

That question has been asked many times before, as attempts have been made before to bring Dune to screens big and small. David Lynch famously filmed his theatrical adaptation in 1984, which, while now a cult classic, was then a financial and critical flop. The SyFy Channel attempted another adaptation with a mini-series in 2000.

Now, nearly 20 years later, acclaimed film director Denis Villeneuve has taken up the challenge to bring Dune to the big screen with a multi-part film series. Part 2 was recently released in theaters. But what about the first part? Did Part 1 justify creating a Part 2? Or should the first movie have been left in the desert to be eaten by sand worms?

Young Willy Wonka* is the heir apparent to a royal house. His family has been sent to Space Iraq to oversee the mining of Space LSD. However, it turns out they were sent there as a trap so that the other royal family, led by Drax the Destroyer, could kill them and take over. Now, Young Willy Wonka, along with the help of his companions, Aquaman and Thanos, must go on a journey to avenge his father.

Complicating matters is that Young Willy Wonka is seen as the Space Messiah by the native inhabitants of Space Iraq. The reason being his mother is part of a line of Space Nuns who are prophesized to bring about the birth of the Space Messiah. As such, he has special powers, including clairvoyant dream that give him visions of MJ from Spider-Man, who may or may not be tied to his destiny. Can Wonka avenge his family while avoiding a Space Holy War in the process? (Also, the giant butthole worms that live on that planet?)

Dune is a story set in a fantastical sci-fi setting that is simultaneously otherworldly yet familiar. For example, on the desert planet which the main story takes place, people wear special suits that keeps them hydrated them by recycling their bodily fluids, and they fly in gyrocopters that look and fly like dragonflies. However, the overall setting looks and feels like the Middle East. (Hence the glib remark about it being Space Iraq!)

Far from being yet another sci-fi action thriller, Dune is more like Star Wars meets Game of Thrones with a heavier focus on political struggle and infighting, as multiple factions vie for control over a planet and its precious resources. In fact, while the setting is otherworldly, the subtext remains rather on the nose about this world’s politics. After all, the story takes place in a desert setting whose people and resources are exploited by an imperialist empire for the sake of profit. (Sadly, not much about the Middle East has changed since Frank Herbert’s original story that it remains pertinently relevant today!)

Cinematically, the first movie is a visual marvel with grandiose thematic settings and which weaves an intricate web of lore and backstory to develop a fleshed-out world filled with intriguing characters all with their own unique motivations. Unfortunately, the entire movie is a

real slowburn with mostly consists of all setup and no real payoff–well, that is, until the next movie, that is.

How can I best describe this movie? Imagine you’re in a D&D session. Your DM spends an hour and a half explaining in excruciating detail the backstory of your game’s settings, its characters, and the overall objective of your campaign moving forward. Then, right when you finally expect to start playing the game, they announce, “Okay, come back next week and we’ll actually play the game this time.”

That’s how watching this movie feels!

Dune: Part 1 spends most of its time setting up the story, and takes most of its time doing so that what little plot moves at a snails pace without much else happening. Some people could compare this movie to Fellowship of the Ring, but, really, it feels more like if that movie consisted of the first act stretched out to the same three-jour runtime and ending with Frodo leaving the Shire. All set up, no pay off, and blatantly telling you to come back next time for the rest of the story which promises to be more interesting.

So, yeah, Dune: Part 1 is a good prologue to what will hopefully be a better, more interesting movie. Let’s hope Part 2 lives up to the hype this movie gave it.

*Yes, I know these characters have real names, but it’s funnier to refer to them by the other characters that their actors have played.

Nearly 77 Acres Approved for Future Development of Mixed-Use Neighborhood Through Zoning and Future Land Use Amendments

Staff Reporter
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Nearly 77 Acres Approved for Future Development of Mixed-Use Neighborhood Through Zoning and Future Land Use Amendments

by James Coulter

Approximately 76.95 acres of land located in northwest Lake Wales may soon provide residential housing for single and multi-family homes now that city commissioners have approved amendments to its zoning and future land use.

At their recent meeting on Tues. Feb 20, Lakes Wales City Commissioners voted to unanimously approve two ordinances that would amend the zoning and future land use designations to nearly 77 acres of land located north of Burns Avenue and west of Mammoth Grove Road/Buck Moore Road.

The first ordinance changed that land’s future land use designation from Low Density Residential (LDR) to Medium Density Residential. This change will allow the land’s proposed density to increase to 6.76 units per acre.

The second ordinance changed the land’s zoning designation to an R-3 Zoning Designation, which would permit a “mix of housing types and uses” on the property. This zoning change will permit the development to construct “single-family attached, single-family detached, multi-family, and support commercial” buildings.

According to the city staff memo: “The applicant has worked with City Planning Staff to design a mixed-use neighborhood, including a mix of both front-loaded and alley-loaded single-family homes and townhomes, multi-family, and a support commercial component.”

City commissioners motioned and seconded to approve both ordinances, which all passed through a unanimous roll call vote.

David Price, President of Bok Tower Gardens, approached the city commissioners in a public comment to request that some of the land within the 76.95 property be set aside for a potential trail.

Price claimed that a potential trail would be compatible with the Trails Program of the Department of Environmental Protections and could receive potential government funding.

“There is a proposed trail that will go onto Masterpiece Road and onto Burns Avenue. I ask that you consider leaving space between this development and Burns Avenue for a trail,” he said. “As we grow our city, we should allocate land for that because once we lose that land, we can never put a trail in there.”

Polk Deputy’s Investigating Accident With Injuries On Hwy 27 & South Lake Wales

Carl Fish
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Polk Deputy’s Investigating Accident With Injuries On Hwy 27 & South Lake Wales

Lake Wales, Florida- The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Polk County Fire Rescue are currently on scene of an accident with injuries on Hwy 27 & Jackson St. in South Lake Wales. According to reports the accident occurred at 5:02pm.

It appears the accident was between a semi-tractor trailer and a white sprinter van.

We currently don’t have specifics on injuries, but we can confirm at least one individual is currently being transported for treatment.

Photo Courtesy of DailyRidge Reader

Multiple People Injured In Burns Avenue Crash Monday Morning

Carl Fish
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Multiple People Injured In Burns Avenue Crash Monday Morning

Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales Police Department, Lake Wales Fire Department and approximately 4 Polk County Fire Rescue ambulances are on scene of multiple vehicle crash on Burns Avenue in Lake Wales.

According to Troy Schulze, Deputy Chief, with the Lake Wales Police Department the “crash is at Burns Ave and Tower Blvd. There are two vehicles involved. The vehicle crossing Burns Ave reportedly violated the right of way of a westbound vehicle on Burns Ave.” The accident was reported at 10:16am.

According to Schulze it appears 4 patients are involved. 2-3 of those patients may be transported by helicopter evacuation.

At this time it does not appear that these injuries are life threatening, but traumatic enough to warrant helicopter transport.

Stolen 8 Week Old Puppy “Willow” Recovered & Returned To Teenager By Winter Haven Police

Carl Fish
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Stolen 8 Week Old Puppy “Willow” Recovered & Returned To Teenager By Winter Haven Police

Editors Note: We apologize we accidentally put 8 months rather than 8 weeks in our initial headline.

On Saturday, February 24, 2024, Winter Haven Police reunited Willow, the tiny Pomeranian with her 15 year-old owner this afternoon.  

Willow was 8-weeks old when she was taken from the girl on February 14 as she walked through a parking lot on 6th St SE in Winter Haven after school. She received the puppy as a gift for her extraordinary work on a Youth Fair project. 

Little details of the rescue are available at this time, however after detectives continued to dig in and follow leads, they were able to obtain the dog unharmed and in good condition.

“We are absolutely thrilled that we had this reunion today,” said Police Chief David Brannan. “The most important thing right now is this young girl has her puppy back safe and sound.”

No further details are being released at this time as the investigation is still ongoing. If and when charges are filed we will update you.

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