Pedestrian Struck By Vehicle in Lakeland Early This Morning

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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April 17, 2017

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Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle

LAKELAND, FL (April 17, 2017) – On April 17th, at approximately 2:44 a.m., the Lakeland Police Department responded to 1129 Us 98 South in reference to a pedestrian being hit by a vehicle. A motorist had pulled over into the southbound bicycle lane of US 98 South and the operator, later identified as Jonathan Riley, began walking around trying to flag other motorists down. Another vehicle, which was southbound on US 98 South, swerved to avoid striking Riley. Directly behind this vehicle was a 2004 Infinity, driven by Melissa Corbin, 42 years old. Corbin was unable to react to Riley in the roadway and subsequently struck him. Upon impact Riley was vaulted/thrown into the roadway and tumbled to final rest.

The 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. Riley was transported to the Lakeland Regional Health Center for medical treatment, he was listed as critical condition.

Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. It was determined that Riley was in an area of roadway which was not marked for pedestrian traffic. No charges have been filed at this time and the investigation is still pending.

The roadway was shut down for approximately 3 hours during the investigation. Riley’s vehicle was towed due to him being incapacitated and his next-of-kin has been notified.

The Pedestrian was identified as:

Jonathan Riley, 31 years old of Lakeland, Florida.

PCSO Vice Unit Arrests Four at County Park For Lewd Behavior

Lakeland

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April 15, 2017

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PCSO vice unit arrests four at county park for lewd behavior

On Thursday, April 13, 2017, Polk County Sheriff’s Office undercover detectives conducted an investigation at Gator Creek Reserve in unincorporated Polk County, in response to complaints about lewd activity. Four suspects were arrested and each were trespassed from all county parks.

58-year-old Kenneth Watson, of Lakeland, exposed himself to a male undercover PCSO detective. Watson was arrested and charged with one count soliciting another for lewdness, and one count offering to committing lewdness. Watson has a previous arrest in 1995 for indecent exposure in Winter Haven. Watson was booked into the Polk County Jail and is being held on a $1,250 bond.

63-year-old Dominick Tobia, of Dade City, exposed himself to a male undercover PCSO detective. Tobia was arrested and charged with one count indecent exposure and one count offering to committing lewdness. Tobia was booked into the Polk County Jail and was released on a $750 bond.

71-year-old Joe Wood, of Lakeland, solicited a male undercover PCSO detective. Wood was arrested and charged with one count offering to commit lewdness. Wood was arrested 15 months ago for soliciting lewdness from an undercover detective in Highlands County, FL. Wood was booked into the Polk County Jail and is being held on a $500 bond.

56-year-old Joseph Regalbuto, of Lakeland, solicited a male undercover PCSO detective. Regalbuto was arrested and charged with one count soliciting another for lewdness. Regalbuto was booked into the Polk County Jail and was released on a $500 bond.

Can You Identify These Suspects Who Installed Skimmers on ATM Machines In Lake Wales and Haines City

Staff Reporter

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April 14, 2017

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Can You Identify These Suspects Who Installed Skimmers on ATM Machines In Lake Wales and Haines City

Thanks to Social Media Couple Identified In Walmart Theft

Staff Reporter

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April 14, 2017

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Thanks to Social Media Couple Identified In Walmart Theft

On 4-13-17, the Winter Haven Police Department started receiving tips shortly after a video was posted on Facebook and sent to local media showing a couple making their way around a Walmart associate attempting to request to see a receipt for items in the shopping cart.

Twenty-nine year-old Elaina West (DOB 1-17-88, 271 Ave A, Lake Wales FL) was identified as the female in the footage. Additionally, West started commenting on the police Facebook post stating that she would turn herself in. At approximately 9 p.m., West contacted the detective on the case and turned herself in. Her husband, 30 year-old Patrick West was identified as the male in the video. An excerpt from the affidavit is below:

“The Walmart video was placed on the Winter Haven Police Department social media website and a tip, which led to the identification of the Defendant was generated as a result of the post. The Defendant also replied to the post that she would turn herself in. Post Miranda Warning Rights read to the Defendant, Defendant admitted to being with the Co-Defendant when shown still photos of them on this incident. Defendant advised that she and Co-Defendant stole the items to support their drug habit.”

Elaina West was booked into the Polk County Jail for Grand Theft (F3). Patrick, who was already in the Polk County Jail for an arrest on 4-13-17 for charges of Possession of Cocaine, Criminal Mischief, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Domestic Battery Prior Conviction, was also charged with Grand Theft (F3).

** ORIGINAL RELEASE **
On April 7, 2017 at 10:15 a.m., a male and female enter Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd.) in Winter Haven and head to the housewares area. They choose numerous items and then go to choose a pool.
With a buggy full, they head out to the Garden Center proceeding directly out of the doors without any attempt to pay. The associate in the area asks to see a receipt. The male appears to say the female has the receipt as she blows through the door and turns waving the associate off. The male then continues pushing the cart with the associate directly in front of him and then just walks out.
Anyone with information on the identity of either of these two is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

Armed Suspect Apprehended After Barricading Himself In Lake Wales Home

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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April 13, 2017

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Armed Suspect Apprehended After Barricading Himself In Lake Wales Home

Lake Wales, Florida – On April 13, 2017 at approximately 5:15 p.m., Chaise Sharowski Brown of Lake Wales allegedly decided his fiancé, Courtney VanDiver, had been visiting a neighbor for too long. Brown walked over to 305 East Osceola Avenue to get VanDiver wearing a tactical Level IIIA bulletproof vest loaded with magazines containing ammunition for the AR 15 rifle he was carrying, say Lake Wales Police.

According to reports a child was outside who recognized Brown as he was walking up through the alley to the residence and went inside the residence to get VanDiver. When she came outside, Brown allegedly grabbed her by the hair and told her get home. Stephanie Clark, who VanDiver had been visiting, walked outside to see what was going on. A witness reports Brown pointed his rifle at Clark. VanDiver then entered her vehicle to drive home and Brown began to walk that way. A neighbor was outside in her yard and saw Brown load a magazine into his rifle. As he was walking home, he pointed the rifle at the neighbor. She took cover behind a house while calling 911. As Brown continued to walk down the alley toward home, another neighbor was driving down the alley.

Brown pointed his rifle at her as she drove by and kept it pointed at her as she passed him.

At 5:20p.m., Polk County Sheriff Deputy Tindell and Lake Wales Police Detective Metz were the first to arrive on scene as Brown walked into a residence. Lake Wales Police Officers and Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies surrounded this residence. Shortly thereafter officers began to give commands for Brown to come out with his hands up. Brown opened the front door briefly but would not comply with orders. He then closed the door. Officers learned VanDiver was possibly inside of the residence with Brown, but no one was able to see her inside as the windows were covered. Brown showed himself in a window twice after this during the standoff. The second time officers saw a pistol in his hand. This standoff continued for 55 minutes until Brown was convinced to surrender. Brown came out of the residence with his hands up at 6:15p.m., and officers and deputies took him into custody without a single round exchanged.

VanDiver had been inside, but felt she could not leave for fear of what Brown would do to her. VanDiver was unharmed and now safe.
Officers, deputies and residents were relieved at the peaceful outcome because they realize how bad this day could have truly ended!

Brown is being charged with Dangerous Display of a Firearm, Domestic Violence Battery, Domestic Violence Aggravated Assault, Domestic Violence False Imprisonment, three counts of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Wearing a Bulletproof Vest While Committing Certain Crimes, and Resisting Arrest without Violence. Chaise will be transported to the Polk County Jail.

Winter Haven Police are Investigating a Death From Last Night On Railroad Tracks

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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April 13, 2017

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Winter Haven Police are Investigating a Death From Last Night On Railroad Tracks

Winter Haven Police are investigating a death that occurred last night on the railroad tracks between 15th St., SW and 21st St., SW in Winter Haven.

Last night at approximately 8:27 p.m., a call came in from the conductor of a CSX train that was travelling along the tracks in the area of the Lake Howard Nature Park in Winter Haven.

The conductor stated that as he was operating the train, he saw what appeared to be someone lying down in the middle of the tracks directly in the path of the train. The conductor blew his horn and put the train into an emergency stop mode, but never saw the subject move.

When police arrived, they found the body of 42 year-old Thomas Becker (DOB 1-10-75, Winter Haven) underneath one of the train cars. It appears that an axle on one of the train cars struck Becker causing the fatal injuries.

The crossings at 15th St as well as at 21st St were closed for approximately six hours. Becker’s body was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. Results of the autopsy are pending toxicology reports. The investigation into the crash continues.

The Best Kept Secret in Florida is the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches

Bartow

Staff Reporter

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April 13, 2017

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The Best Kept Secret in Florida is the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches

The Florida Sheriffs Youth Villa in Bartow held a well-attended open-house this past Saturday that included a BBQ lunch, a classic car show, campus tours and even a K-9 demonstration for attendees. This is an annual event open to the public each year to showcase the accomplishments and success of the program. Florida Sheriff Youth Ranch president Bill Frye was on hand to give a warm welcome to visitors.

Although I have driven past the campus on State Road 60 many times over the years; I was not fully aware of its function or how the program was successfully helping abused, abandoned and neglected children as well as troubled youth to find and travel the road to happiness and success.

A former Florida Sheriff Youth Ranch president once stated in The Rancher magazine “I travel the state of Florida and come into contact with people every day who tell me, the Youth Ranches is the best kept secret in Florida”.

According to a magazine called The Rancher, published by the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc., the program was fostered by a pair of veteran sheriffs on a trip to Texas to return a pair of teens to Florida that were wanted for robbery.

Hillsborough County Sheriff R. Ed Blackburn, Jr. and Marion County Sheriff Don McLeod had traveled to Amarillo, Texas in 1955 to transport an 18 year old boy along with a 17 year old girl who was also five months pregnant, back to Florida to face charges for armed robbery.

While in Texas, the pair learned about a ranch for needy and neglected boys founded by an ex-wrestler named Cal Farley. Both had witnessed on a daily basis the neglected and troubled youth in Florida and felt that they could create a program similar to the one in Texas.

That year the program was presented to the Florida Sheriffs Association but was not adopted because funding was not available. Two years later in 1957, the FSA started an Honorary Membership Program that generated $7000.00 within six months and the vision of the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch began its evolution.

Today, the program has opened over 95,000 cases since 1957 and has six facilities throughout Florida.

The Bartow facility residents are mostly girls while other campuses located throughout Florida that house the boys. Most are troubled youth who were placed privately or through placement by a court order.

The Bartow facility has several cottages that house ten girls each, aged 11 to 18 and each cottage is supervised by a married couple who live with the girls to give them a feeling of stability and family. A few years back one of the cottages was renovated to accommodate siblings who were in need, allowing the program to keep families together. There are also four homes on the property that staff members live in full time as well.

The residents of each cottage do things together as a family; they eat meals together at the family table, do homework, attend church and even do chores and cleaning together…..all the things many youngsters are missing in their lives that give them structure and help them grow into healthy young adults who take responsibility for their lives and become successful.

The 125-acre property also houses a barn, pastures for horseback riding, a chapel for worship, a greenhouse for gardening, a sports court for exercise, an administration building as well as maintenance facilities for upkeep.

The girls attend local schools or are tutored on-site at the Villas. They learn self-sufficiency and life skills so they are prepared to live on their own when they leave the program.

The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches motto is “Work, Study, Play, Pray”.

They teach values the old fashion way by teaching residents:

WORK- A day’s wage for a day’s work.

STUDY- A good education can never be taken from you.

PLAY- Healthy recreation can reduce boredom and delinquency.

PRAY- Commitment and love will enable you to build a strong marriage and

help you raise healthy children, and faith in God makes the difference.

The residential program isn’t the only program offered by the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. Throughout the year, the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches offer several camps including summer camp to youngsters as well. There is also word of a possible partnering with Big Brothers and Big Sisters to pair volunteers with young girls and boys which will provide a great resource for one-on-one mentoring.

So there it is!….the secret is out!! The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches play a vital role in helping at-risk youth with housing, education, guidance and faith. And they do it with the help of generous donors like you!

The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches are a non-profit that sustain their efforts through donations and volunteering. To donate visit their website at www.youthranches.org for more information.

Also don’t forget to mark your calendars May 26th-29th for the 54th Annual Youth Villa Classic Golf Tournament in Bartow at the City of Bartow Golf Course located at 190 Idlewood Avenue. Contact Kayla Bianchi at 800-765-3797 for more information on any Youth Villa Classic activity.

Couple Blows Off A Walmart Associate Doing TheirJob As They Walk Out With Housewares and a Pool

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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April 13, 2017

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Couple Blows Off A Walmart Associate Doing Their Job As They Walk Out With Housewares and a Pool

On April 7, 2017 at 10:15 a.m., a male and female enter Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd.) in Winter Haven and head to the housewares area.

They choose numerous items and then go to choose a pool.
With a buggy full, they head out to the Garden Center proceeding directly out of the doors without any attempt to pay. The associate in the area asks to see a receipt. The male appears to say the female has the receipt as she blows through the door and turns waving the associate off. The male then continues pushing the cart with the associate directly in front of him and then just walks out.

Anyone with information on the identity of either of these two is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

Recent Indian Lake Estates Fires Are Suspicious

Staff Reporter

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April 12, 2017

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Recent Indian Lake Estates Fires Are Suspicious

Bartow, Fla. (April 12, 2017) — Polk County Fire Rescue firefighters were called out to the Indian Lake Estates area on Monday and Tuesday to extinguish several fires. According to the Florida Forest Service, the recent fires are suspicious.

“There’s no evidence the fires are occurring naturally,” said Ricky Britt, from the Florida Forest Service. “The cause of the fires needs to be investigated, so investigators will be looking into it.”

Several of the fires came dangerously close to nearby homes. “Thankfully we were able to protect the homes. Our crews will continue to do their best. We don’t want anyone to lose their homes,” said Fire Chief Anthony Stravino.

The Florida Forest Service, Polk County Fire Rescue and other nearby fire departments will continue to work together to keep the residents safe and protect property.

The Florida Forest Service is putting up signs, warning the residents to be on the lookout and report suspicious individuals. If you have information about a wildland fire that was started by an individual, you are asked to call 1-800-342-5869. There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

The fire threat remains high and the current weather conditions cause fires to spread quickly. The burn ban for Polk County is still in effect and yesterday, Governor Scott declared a State of Emergency following increased wilefires across the state.

PCSO Theft Investigation Leads to Arrest of Florida Department of Corrections Employee

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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April 12, 2017

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PCSO theft investigation leads to arrest of Florida Department of Corrections Employee

On Tuesday, April 11, 2017, deputies arrested 33-year-old Diego Calderon of Lakeland, who works for the Florida Department of Corrections (Corrections Officer at the Hardee Correctional Institution), for one count grand theft (F3), one count tampering with physical evidence (F3), and one count of giving false information to a law enforcement officer during an investigation (M1).

According to the affidavit, deputies responded to a call at Home Depot located at 6335 S. Florida Avenue in Lakeland, regarding a theft of multiple items that occurred on April 1, 2017.

Through their investigation, deputies determined that 22-year-old Dariana Garcia-Munoz of Lakeland worked as an employee for the south Lakeland Home Depot store. Garcia-Munoz checked out Monica Echeverry (Calderon’s wife) at her cash register. During the transaction, Garcia-Munoz rang up approximately $565.75 worth of merchandise and then deleted most of the transactions off the register, which changed the total to $15.59. There was also a pressure washer, valued at $150 that Garcia-Munoz never rang up, but allowed Echeverry to leave the store with. Echeverry paid $15.59 and left the store.

Detectives questioned all those involved and subsequently arrested Echeverry, Garcia-Munoz, Calderon, and 31-year-old Jose Santiago, who resides with Garcia-Munoz.

Here is an excerpt from Calderon’s probable cause affidavit, and it is self-explanatory:

On 4/11/2017, D/S Maclean and D/S Roman responded to Monica and Diego Alejandro Calderon’s residence in Lakeland in an attempt to locate the remaining stolen property.

While on scene, law enforcement spoke to Calderon in an attempt to locate the outstanding stolen items. Calderon completed a consent to search form and allowed law enforcement to search the residence for the stolen items. No stolen items were located. Calderon was provided a description of the stolen items but stated he did not know where the items were. During the search, Calderon was requested to allow law enforcement to examine the contents of his truck. Calderon agreed and opened his truck and the outstanding property was located in the trunk.

Calderon did knowingly conceal the one adhesive spreader, one gallon of liquid adhesive, four boxes of vinyl flooring, and one ceiling fan in the trunk of his car from law enforcement. Calderon attempted to misdirect law enforcement by concealing these items in the car.

Calderon knowingly and willfully gave false information to law enforcement during this affiant’s investigation. These actions were intentional and occurred during the investigation of multiple felonies.

Calderon did knowingly and intentionally temporarily derive Home Depot the benefit or use of some of the items relating to the April 1, 2017 theft from Home Depot.

Throughout the investigation, detectives discovered there had been two other thefts that occurred during Munoz’s employment.

“Retail theft continues to be a significant problem in Florida. If someone steals from a store in Polk County, and we catch them, they are going to get a free ride to jail in the back of one of our patrol cars. But that’s the only thing they will get for free.” Grady Judd, Sheriff

Diego Calderon was taken into custody on the aforementioned charges on Tuesday, April 11, and booked into the Polk County Jail. He bonded out after posting a $2,500 bond.

The three other suspects arrested during this investigation were:

Monica Echeverry (DOB 08-25-1979):

Dealing in stolen property
Grand theft (2 counts)
Obtain property by fraud

Dariana Garcia-Munoz (DOB 10/17/1994):

Grand theft (2 counts)
Obtain property by fraud
Director of dealing in stolen property (3 counts)

Jose Santiago (DOB 02/10/1986):

Grand theft

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