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Lake Wales Warrant Suspect Wanted For Aggravated Assault With Deadly Weapon Taken Into Custody After Standoff With PCSO

Carl Fish
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Lake Wales Warrant Suspect Wanted For Aggravated Assault With Deadly Weapon Taken Into Custody After Standoff With PCSO

Lake Wales, Florida – On Saturday, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office served a warrant on suspect Eleno Suarez, 30, at a home on Candlelight Dr. in Lake Wales at around 6:50am. The warrant stemmed from a incident that occurred back in September. The warrant was issued for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon w/o Intent to Kill (F3), Poss. of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F2), Poss. of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon (F2), Poss. of an Altered Firearm (M1), Poss. of Cocaine (F3), Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia (M1). While serving the warrant the suspect would not comply nor leave the residence on Candlelight Dr. A woman, Yolanda Gonzalez, 27, was also in the residence with a child.

Suspect Eleno Suarez

Deputies along with the Lake Wales Police Department set up a perimeter and began talking the suspect out of the residence. At approximately 10:50am the suspect, woman and child all exited the residence into the custody of the deputies. The Department of Children and families was also call to assist with the 4 year old little girl.

Suarez is no stranger to law enforcement. He was implicated as the driver of a vehicle that struck and killed a pedestrian on Otto Polk Rd. back in September 22, 2023. Here is a link to that story Fatal Hit & Run. That investigation is still ongoing. In another incident, back in 2013, Suarez threw a cinder lock at his mothers home in anger due to her not wishing to babysit for his then girlfriend. He was adjudicated guilty to criminal mischief and domestic violence. Additionally in 2014, Suarez, was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison following another incident 2013 where he fired shots at law enforcement while fleeing from them. He was released on 3/22/2022.

The woman in the residence Yolanda Gonzalez was charged with resisting arrest without violence and child abuse without great bodily harm, drug possession, drug paraphernalia and an accessory after the fact.

Both were transported to the county jail.

Suspect Yolanda Gonzalez

You Won’t Guess How Long This Stein Holding Champion Lasted at Swantoberfest

Staff Reporter
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You Won’t Guess How Long This Stein Holding Champion Lasted at Swantoberfest

by James Coulter

Brandon Bauer has been visiting Swan Brewing for quite some time. This year was not only his first attending the annual Swantoberfest event but also participating in the stein-holding contest on Saturday afternoon.

Brandon competed alongside nearly a dozen other contestants as they all did their best to hold up a stein filled with nearly three pounds of liquid. Though he struggled alongside the others, he eventually held out for eight minutes and thirty seconds, allowing him to win first place.

“Great!” he said upon winning. “It feels awesome!” And when asked if he would consider coming back next Swantoberfest to compete again, he said, “Absolutely!”

Great beer, food, and fun were had that weekend during the annual Swantoberfest at Swan Brewing. Attendees were able to enjoy craft beer and participate in games like the stein-holding contest or beer marionette.

They could also enjoy food like pretzels and German cuisine served by The Cultivated Pig and Baking Brewer and music performed by The Detectives. New this year was the inclusion of Das Boots, where attendees could purchase boot-shaped beer glasses.

Dan Thumberg, Founder and Owner of Swan Brewing, has been hosting the annual Oktoberfest celebration for the past several years. He even hosted it during the COVID-19 pandemic when eateries were allowed to re-open (albeit with strict limitations).

“Like most traditional Octoberfest celebrations, we celebrate where beer came from, the history of the traditional European beer styles,” Thumberg said. “But Octoberfest is more than just that. It is a celebration of friends and family. That is why you see all of the bright colors and amazing dresses and German clothing.”

The secret to his celebration’s success has been it being hosted later in the month. While most other cities and places host their Oktoberfest celebrations in the first week of October, Swan Brewing hosts its event later in the month when it’s cooler.

“We wait a little bit later in the year than the actual Octoberfest celebrations,” he said. “So here in Florida, it is a little too hot to do that then. So we wait until everyone else in the community has done their Octoberfest. We do it at the very end because the weather is a lot nicer. That is what we wait for. We wait for a chance to be down into the low 80s and high 70s.”

Last year alone, their event drew in 100 to 120 people for the costume contest. This year’s event managed to more than exceed expectations, Thumberg said. Swan Brewing regularly hosts events throughout the year, and the remaining weeks and months are booked, he boasted.

“We are stacked through the end of the year,” he said. “It is a sight to behold. Everyone is coming out in a dress and having a good time. At Swan Brewing, we always pride ourselves on having an amazing live music acts and food trucks in Central Florida. So it is a big party atmosphere. It makes for a memorable creative event.”

Here Is Your Chance To Get A 4% Discount On Paying Your County Taxes

Carl Fish
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Here Is Your Chance To Get A 4% Discount On Paying Your County Taxes

BARTOW, Fla. – The Office of the Tax Collector for Polk County, (TCP), is now accepting payments for 2023 property taxes. This will allow those who owe taxes to enjoy the November discount longer.

This year, TCPC again opens the tax roll to accept payments sooner than usual by one week; by paying now, through November, there is a 4% discount. After November and with each following month until March, the discount lessens by 1% each month.

“We encourage taxpayers to pay as early as they can, to save as much money as possible! For most, these are big one-time expenditures that can be tough to handle,” said Polk County Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder. “That’s why we want to emphasize how helpful the 4% November discount can be,” he continued.

The 2023 Property Tax Notices are set to be mailed this Friday, October 27. However, customers don’t require a bill in-hand in order to pay.

Payments can be made online at www.PolkTaxes.com, by phone at (863) 534-4700, or in person at any Polk County Tax Collector’s five service center locations (in Bartow, Davenport, Lake Alfred, Lake Wales, and Lakeland) before the customer receives the bill through mail.

It is the Tax Collector’s pleasure to serve the people of Polk County, and to make the tax payment process as smooth as possible!

Welcome, World Travelers! Journey of Water Inspired by Moana is a Charming Trek (+Food & Wine Fest Mini-Review)

Allison
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Welcome, World Travelers! Journey of Water Inspired by Moana is a Charming Trek (+Food & Wine Fest Mini-Review)

Welcome, World Travelers! Journey of Water Inspired by Moana is a Charming Trek (+Food & Wine Fest Mini-Review)

by James Coulter

Welcome World Travelers

Moana has quickly become one of the most popular Disney princesses within the past decade. Not only will she receive her own animated series on Disney Plus, but her movie will also receive a live-action remake.

For now, the Polynesian princess has finally received her own attraction at the Disney parks with Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana at Epcot Center. But does this new attraction do justice to show how far this princess will go? Or will it sink deep into the watery depths to be forgotten?

Journey of Water

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is a unique attraction in that it isn’t a roller coaster, or a thrill ride, or even a ride at all. Rather, it’s an outdoor walk-through attraction. In other words, like the Swiss Family Treehouse at Magic Kingdom, it’sessentially an elaborate queue. (When do we get to the ride? This is the ride.)

But don’t let it’s simplicity fool you. While it may not offer high thrills like your run-of-the-mill coaster, this attraction still has enough elaborate Disney Imagineering flare to make it quite the experience for guests of all ages, but especially children.

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana has guests walk through an elaborate path of rock and tropical verdure, where plaques inform them about the water cycle and interactive features allow them to learn more about water by playing with it.

Strum your fingers through strings of water, and music plays. Wave your hands, and water sprays out from rocks. Jump on a special pad, and a geyser erupts from a spring. You can even walk through a waterfall without even getting wet.

All through the ride, guests can hear the iconic musical score from Moana. They can even meet the great goddess Te Fiti in all her green floral glory. And, of course, what ride Inspired by Moana would be complete without a meet-and-greet with the princess herself?

The ride may not be as thrilling as Cosmic Rewind or Test Track, but Journey of Water is a quaint experience that proves both fun and educational. The attraction itself takes less than five or ten minutes to walk through, so it makes for a nice little diversion between rides.

If anything, its focus on teaching guests about the water cycle certainly has the attraction better fit the overall Spirit of Epcot than most of the other rides at the park. As much as I love Cosmic Rewind—and it has quickly become my favorite ride!—if I’m being perfectly honest, it has no business being at Epcot, and it certainly had no business replacing a ride that taught about energy and climate change.

Overall, if you’re looking for something to do while traveling between The Land and Living Seas pavilions or something to pre-occupy your time while waiting for your virtual queue at Cosmic Rewind, consider giving Journey of Water a visit.

Also, as a bonus, here’s a mini-review of two menu items I sampled at this year’s Food and Wine Festival:

– Chimichurri Marinated Skirt Steak Taco with Crushed Avocado, Grilled Corn Salsa, Pickled Red Onions, Queso Fresco, and Cilantro-Lime Cream (Flavors from Fire)

As far as tacos go, this is certainly worth taco-ing about. (Ha!) Though the meat in my taco was slightly tough, everything else in it, especially the sauce, made it quite the savory treat. Certainly worth taking a bite of–or rather, taco-ing a bite of!

– Ramen with Shaved Beef, Shiitake Mushrooms, Pickled Carrots and Dakion Radish, Shaved Peppers, and a Soy Egg in Citrus-Sesame Broth (The Noodle Exchange)

Eh, I’ve had better ramen, especially at the parks. The broth was essentially just soy sauce. On a more positive note, the noodles were still good (though you can hardly mess up noodles), and the peppers added a nice spicy kick to it. Overall, if you want ramen at Epcot, visit Kasturi Grill at the Japan pavilion and buy a proper bowl. (As for me, I think I’ll stick with The Joinery at Lakeland.)

A Winter Haven Pastors, 20 Yr Old Son, Was Shot & Killed Sunday In The Parish Parking – Suspected Killer Arrested

Carl Fish
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A Winter Haven Pastors, 20 Yr Old Son, Was Shot & Killed Sunday In The Parish Parking – Suspected Killer Arrested

The body of 20-year old Roderick Wilson, Jr. was found early Sunday morning, October 22nd, 2023, lying in the parking lot of the Pentecostal Church of God at 1261 34th Street NW in Winter Haven. Wilson’s father is a pastor at the church, and Wilson has been living in an apartment on church property.

Wilson’s killer was arrested later that afternoon and identified as 22-year old Taquion “Quan” Cotton. He lives a couple of streets over from the church.

At about 1:47 am Sunday, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was notified by a passerby about a body at the church.

PCSO deputies quickly arrived and found Wilson with multiple gunshot wounds, and deceased.

PCSO Homicide Investigations and Crime Scene Investigations both responded and began collecting evidence and conducting interviews.

Security video from a building in the area captured the murder.

“Detectives are still trying to determine Taquion Cotton’s motivation to commit this murder. At this time, there is no indication the two men knew each other prior to tonight. Despite the murderer being locked-up, there is still work to be done. Please keep Roderick Wilson’s family in your thoughts and prayers.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Sunday afternoon, while PCSO detectives were in the area searching for the suspect, they spotted Cotton in the roadway, not far from the crime scene. Cotton fled to a nearby residence after seeing a woman entering her home. Cotton battered the woman and put her in a chokehold while trying to get into her home.

Cotton’s mother, who lives in the area, ran to the woman’s aid, and tried to assist deputies with apprehending her son. Cotton then began biting his mother, so deputies were forced to use a Taser on Cotton to protect the two women and get him secured.

Once in custody, Cotton yelled at his mother, demanding that she not press charges against him for biting her.

Cotton’s firearm has not yet been recovered. 

Taquion Cotton was charged with: 1st Degree Murder (FC), Burglary with Battery (F1), Kidnapping (F1), Battery-Domestic with Prior Conviction (F3), Harassing in a Felony Proceeding (F3), Resisting with Violence (F3), Tampering with Physical Evidence (F3), Discharging a Firearm in a Residential Area (M1), and Resisting without Violence (M1).

Cotton’s prior criminal history includes 11 felonies and 6 misdemeanors consisting of: attempted murder, aggravated battery on a pregnant victim, burglaries, thefts, batteries, drug and weapons violations, and resisting.

If anyone has additional information regarding the murder, the firearm, and/or relationship of the two men, you are urged to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 or to remain anonymous, call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS.

Welcome, World Travelers! Once Upon A Studio is a Great Short 100 Years in the Making!

Allison
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Welcome, World Travelers! Once Upon A Studio is a Great Short 100 Years in the Making!

Welcome, World Travelers! Once Upon A Studio is a Great Short 100 Years in the Making!

by James Coulter

Welcome World Travelers

Originally, I was going to review Elemental. The movie had been on streaming for a month now, so it seemed about time to review it. Unfortunately, after watching it, I didn’t feel like I had much to say about it that wasn’t different from my initial pre-conception of, “this feels like Zootopia only with elements.”

So, it says something when a 9-minute animated short is the best thing Disney (including Marvel) has (thus far) released this year.

Disney Once Upon a Studio – image from IMDB

Sometimes, it feels uncanny that movie studios like Disney and Warner Bros. are now more than a century old. For the past 100 years, Disney has remained the gold standard of animation. And to commemorate their milestone, they released a special animated short celebrating their 100-year legacy.

“Once Upon a Studio” is a nine-minute short that premiered earlier this week on Sun. Oct. 15 on ABC. The short is currently available for streaming on Disney Plus and Hulu, and it will be played as an opening short for Wish, which premieres in theaters on Nov. 24.

The story itself is simple. On the evening of the 100th anniversary of Disney Animation Studios, after the building closes for the evening, Mickey and Minnie Mouse come to life and gather the other animated characters from all of Disney’s animated movies for a group picture to celebrate the occasion. Shenanigans ensue–especially when Goofy is tasked with operating the camera!

Screenshot images from trailer

And when I say every character from all of Disney’s animated movies, I mean all of them. This short features a total of 500 characters, all from Disney’s 100-year filmography, from movies and shorts past and present, the most recent character being Princess Asha from Wish.

I won’t spoil any of the characters who appear in this short (and, really, trying to name all 500 of them would take too long anyway!). But trust me when I say that watching the entire short, especially the group shot at the very end, feels a lot like playing “Where’s Waldo” with different Disney characters. If you have a favorite character from a favorite movie, chances are they make an appearance in this short.

Again, when I say every character makes an appearance, I really do mean it. Along with its more popular animated movies, this short also features Disney characters from underrated movies like Bolt and Meet the Robinsons, as well as from classic shorts, animated segments of live-action films, and even from shows at the Disney Parks. (Again, no spoilers, but there’s a character from a short-lived Disney Hollywood Studios attraction whose appearance proved to be quite a pleasant surprise. Disney fans who know will know!)

Perhaps the best aspect of the film is seeing the different characters, both two and three-dimensional, come to life. The animators really did their best to emulate the animation styles of each character so they look and feel like they appear in their respective movies. They even use archival sound clips so many of them sound exactly as they do in their original films. The most notable example is the Genie from Aladdin, who is voiced with un-used audio recording from the late Robin Williams.

And, of course, the best part is seeing all these different characters with different animation styles interact with each other. There are moments where two and three-dimensional characters interact with each other, and–to the animator’s credit—they really do look and feel like they share the same environment. And seeing them interact with each other is a treat. There are plenty of moments that will make you say, “Of course,that character would react that way to that other character” and “Of course, those two characters would get along great!”

Potential spoiler, but there’s a moment where Mickey reminisces about the good old days with Walt Disney. That moment is underscored with a musical rendition of “Feed the Birds” from Mary Poppins. That musical score was performed for the short by the original composer himself, Richard Sherman. Yes, even at 94 years old, he was able to play the piano in Walt’s old office for this particular short. Yes, it is as amazing as it sounds.

Overall, yes, this is an animated short from a large multinational corporation celebrating its century-old virtual monopoly on the animation industry (as well as its current virtual monopoly in the entertainment industry with its past mergers) through a self-congratulatory showcase of its intellectual properties in a style-over-substance animated short that’s essentially serving member berries to the audience. It’s a corporate product. But, dang it, if it isn’t a tasty corporate product.

If you grew up watching Disney movies, watching this short will make you feel like a child all over again. Happy 100th birthday, Disney! Here’s to another 100 years!

Almost A Year Later Lakeland Police Still Trying To Find 17 Yr Olds Killer – $10,000 Reward

Carl Fish
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Almost A Year Later Lakeland Police Still Trying To Find 17 Yr Olds Killer – $10,000 Reward

LAKELAND, FL (October 20, 2023) – This past weekend marked the one-year anniversary of 17-year-old Tye Ketchum. The family has given permission to release Tye’s name and photo in hopes that it will generate someone to come forward with information related to this case.

On Saturday, October 15, 2022, at approximately 10:17 p.m., uniform patrol officers responded to the Park at Palazzo Apartments, located at 3685 Victoria Manor Drive, in reference to a male with critical injuries. On scene, officers located a 17-year-old male victim inside an apartment with a gunshot wound. Officers immediately began securing the location and rendering aid until emergency medical responders from the Lakeland Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived. The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Health, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

In March of this year, Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida announced a reward increase of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case. Although detectives continue to follow up on forensic evidence and leads related to this case, they are once again seeking any tips available from the public.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida. Tipsters will always remain anonymous when sending a tip through Crime Stoppers and could be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest.

Submitting a tip is easy:

  • Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
  • From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
  • Or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
  • Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

—-————— Original Release ———

LAKELAND, FL (October 17, 2022) – On Saturday, October 15, 2022, at approximately 10:17 p.m., uniform patrol officers responded to the Park at Palazzo Apartments, located at 3685 Victoria Manor Drive, in reference to a male with critical injuries. On scene, officers located a 17-year-old male victim inside an apartment with a gunshot wound. Officers immediately began securing the location and rendering aid until emergency medical responders from Lakeland Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived. The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Health, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later. 

Detectives responded to the scene and began processing evidence and interviewing potential witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Zach Condo at 863.834.8958or [email protected].

Or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida:

  • Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
  • From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
  • Or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
  • Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

Tipsters will always remain anonymous when sending a tip through Crime Stoppers and could be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest.

The name of the victim is being withheld in accordance with Marsy’s Law. There is no additional e available at this time. When available, additional information will be provided via media release.

Warrant Suspects Refusing To Come Out Of Lake Wales Home

Carl Fish
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Warrant Suspects Refusing To Come Out Of Lake Wales Home

This morning the PCSO went to serve a warrant at a home on Candlelight Dr. near Candlelight Loop. The neighborhood is just South of the Loves Truck Stop. According to Brian Bruchey, Public Information Officer for PCSO, deputies went to serve a warrant when the suspect(s) refused to come out. Law enforcement officers form LWPD and PCSO surrounded the house and have evacuated the residents surrounding the area. The incident has been ongoing since early this morning. Residents could see officers surrounding the house bringing out rifles. PCSO SWAT is not on scene.

Update: The PCSO advises that two people have now been taken into custody. The immediate incident is over, but we will have more information for you as the investigation unfolds.

Lake Wales Envisioned Plan Officially Adopted by City Commissioners

Staff Reporter
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Lake Wales Envisioned Plan Officially Adopted by City Commissioners

by James Coulter

Imagine a Lake Wales where you can walk or bike where you need to go instead of driving a car. Where the sidewalks are wider, the public spaces are greener, and the houses allow you to become closer to your neighbors. And where sprawling nature trails allow you to appreciate the natural beauty of the surrounding wilderness.

All these things and more are on the horizon for Lake Wales’s future now that the city has officially adopted the bold Lake Wales Envisioned Plan. At their regular city meeting on Tuesday evening, Lake Wales City Commissioners moved to adopt the plan with a unanimous vote of 5-0.

Lake Wales Envisioned, as its website states, was designed to “guide growth and conservation throughout the city and its surrounding utility service area for decades to come.” Though it is not a legally binding contract, the plan will serve as a guide for future city development with an emphasis on growing the economy, improving housing and infrastructure, and conserving the local environment.

Lake Wales Envisioned was created through a collaboration of a local task force with the planning firm Dover, Kohl & Partners, as commissioned by the city commission in December 2022. Earlier this year, the city hosted Charlette Week, where public input and feedback for the plan was collected by residents.

The plan includes four main objectives: economy, green, neighborhood, and mobility. As such, the plan focuses on stimulating economic growth and development, conserving the local environment, creating more tight-knit neighborhoods, and providing a more walkable city suitable for pedestrians and cyclists, thus placing people over cars.

During public comments, residents unanimously and wholeheartedly voiced their approval of the plan and encouraged the city commissioners to adopt it. When the city commissioners finally passed their ordinance with a unanimous vote, thunderous applause from the audience filled the chamber.

One resident, Brandon Alverado, not only urged the city commissioners to approve the resolution adopting Lake Wales Envisioned, but to follow through with the plan and implement its ideas to create a better city.

Another resident, Rusty Ingley called it “a bold vision plan for the future.” Juanita Sanchez urged commissioners to adopt the plan and “have the courage to stick with it.” And Charlene Bennett called the plan a “noble and well-intentioned document.”

Trisha Martin spoke on behalf of Bok Tower Gardens President David Price to express support for the plan. She claimed the plan helped encapsulate the vision of Edward Bok by promoting growth and development while preserving the city’s natural beauty.

“We need such awakening of the senses for the beauty in every municipality,” she said. “We want more growth, more beautiful streets, squares, and roads…Your adoption will be a legacy to benefit future generations.”

City Commissioner Robin Gibson approved the plan, claiming it helped promote the city’s unique qualities, which is where the Bok ethic and Olmstead heritage converge. That mission was stated clearly on the wall of the chamber, which included the words of Edward Bok: “Make the world more beautiful with you having been here.”

“My concern was that we were missing an opportunity because I think we have an advantage as a unique community,” he said. “Back then, almost 100 years ago, Bok was talking about growth which is what we are discussing here today. He did not run away from it. Growth need not be harmful. It can make things better and more beautiful, and that should be our standard…[Lake Wales Envisioned] effectively stands for what makes Lake Wales unique and distinctive.”

To learn more about Lake Wales Envisioned, visit its website at: https://lakewalesenvisioned.com/

Sheriff Describes How Gang Perpetrated 38 Car Burglaries Looking Mainly For Guns

Carl Fish
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Sheriff Describes How Gang Perpetrated 38 Car Burglaries Looking Mainly For Guns

Six gang members who committed at least 38 car burglaries south of Lakeland with the intent of stealing firearms for gunrunning have been arrested by detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The burglaries and thefts of seven firearms occurred over three nights in four different south Lakeland neighborhoods: 

·       March 11, 2023 in Reflections West (13 car burglaries)

·       May 26, 2023 in Christina Oaks (11 car burglaries)

·       May 28, 2023 in Highlands Crossing and Mission Hills (14 burglaries)

“These burglaries were committed by gang members with the sole purpose to steal guns. They specifically targeted vehicles that were most likely to have firearms within them, often looking for window and bumper stickers with pro-gun messages. This is a very bad group of criminals who intended to steal guns to be used for even more crime.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Many of the burglaries were to locked vehicles and the suspects forced entry using a window punch to smash car windows. 

Because the suspects were primarily focused on stealing guns, they ransacked some vehicles without taking other valuables.

So far, two of the seven stolen firearms have been recovered.

All six suspects are documented gang members and four of the six suspects have gang enhancement penalties on their charges. The PCSO is not identifying the name of the gang.

The arrested gang members are:

·       Kingston Pringle, 17, of Bartow– Charged with: Directing Activities of a Criminal Gang (F1), Armed Burglary of Conveyance (F1, 2-counts), Possession of a Machine Gun (F2), Burglary of Conveyance (F3, 19-counts), Attempted Burglary of Conveyance (F3, 12-counts), Grand Theft (F3, 3-counts), Improper Exhibition of a Firearm (M1), Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor (M1, 3-counts), Criminal Mischief (M1, 24-counts), Possession of Firearm by Minor (M1, 2-counts), Culpable Negligence Expose to Harm (M2, 3-counts), and Petit Theft (M2, 4-counts). There is a total of 75 charges with a gang enhancement. 

The State Attorney Office 10th Judicial Circuit will be prosecuting Pringle as an adult on these charges. 

Pringle has prior arrests for residential burglary, conveyance burglaries, and grand theft.

·       Eldred Kellum, Jr., 23, of Lakeland – Charged with: Directing Activities of a Criminal Gang (F1), Armed Burglary of Conveyance (F1, 2-counts), Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon (F2), Felony Petit Theft (F3, 4-counts), Burglary of Conveyance (F3, 18-counts), Attempted Burglary of Conveyance (F3, 12-counts), Grand Theft of Firearm (F3), Grand Theft (F3, 2-counts), and Criminal Mischief (M2, 21-counts). There is a total of 63 charges with a gang enhancement.

Kellum and Pringle coordinated the burglaries and the two of them carried out the Christina Oaks burglaries themselves.

Kellum’s prior criminal history includes Burglary, Theft, VOP, Robbery, Trespassing on School Grounds, Vehicle Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property, Resisting an Officer, Criminal Mischief

·       De’Andre Guilford, 22, of Bartow – Guilford has been charged by Bartow PD with Carrying Concealed Firearm (a firearm that was stolen during one of the PCSO cases) and a warrant arrest for Failure to Appear DWLSR. 

Guilford has had previous arrests for Carrying Concealed Weapon, False Info to LEO, Possession of Marijuana and Carrying a Concealed Firearm. 

·       Taurean Sumrall, 22, of Bartow – Charged with: Directing Activities of a Criminal Gang (F1), Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon (F2), Grand Theft (F3), Possession of MDMA (F3), Possession of Fentanyl (F3), Possession of Amphetamine (F3), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), and DWLSR (M2). There is a total of 8 charges with a gang enhancement.

Sumrall’s primary role was to coordinate the selling of the stolen firearms.

Sumrall has been previously arrested for Carrying Concealed Weapon, False Name to LEO, Obstructing Law Enforcement, Possession of Weapon, Resisting LEO w/o Violence, Violation of Probation and Robbery.

·       Javien Sterling, 19, of Lakeland– Charged with: Burglary of Conveyance (F3, 11-counts), Attempted Burglary of Conveyance (F3, 10-counts), Grand Theft of Firearm (F3, 2-counts), Grand Theft (F3), Tampering with Evidence (F3), Criminal Mischief (M1, 14-counts), and Petit Theft (M2, 2-counts). There is a total of 40 charges with a gang enhancement.

Sterling was recruited by Pringle to be the driver for the group during the burglaries at Highlands Crossing and Mission Hills. 

·       Eric Denson, 18, of Riverview – Denson was the driver during the Reflections West burglaries. He was charged by the PCSO with Carrying a Concealed Weapon (F3), Possession of Marijuana (M1), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1). While in the Polk County Jail, Denson was found to be in possession of a knifelike weapon known as a shiv, for which he was charged with Introduction of Contraband to the Jail (F3). He is also facing charged by the Lakeland Police Department for Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree (3-counts) and Shooting into a Dwelling.

During the course of the investigation, PCSO detectives discovered a disturbing video on Pringle’s cell phone in which Pringle was pointing and mock-firing a Glock handgun at three juveniles, one as young as 17-months old. The Glock had been modified into an automatic firearm and had an extended magazine inserted, and Pringle was using the laser site to point the gun directly at the juveniles.

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