Local Restaurant Serves More Than Great Food

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December 23, 2016

Local Restaurant Serves More Than Great Food

A local restaurant made the Christmas wishes of several Lake Wales High School students come true this holiday.

Through the use of a red and white fishing-themed Christmas tree and the generosity of their guests, The Crooked Bass Grill and Tavern was able to make wishes come true for 24 students in the Lake Wales High School “Students In Transition” (SIT) program.

The first name and three wishes for each of the 24 students were written on tags that were placed on the tree and guests who dined in the restaurant were asked to consider “adopting” one of the students for Christmas.

The response was overwhelming. “We have known since we opened and have gotten to know many of our customers quite well that they are awesome people, but we saw just how incredible they are when we began asking them to help with this project,” stated Tammy Bracewell, co-owner of the restaurant with her husband Tim.

“Some of them took not only one, but two or more names and came back with armloads of gifts,” she added.

In addition to collecting the gifts, the restaurant also collected $1,125 in gift cards and cash that could be used to help fund other needs of the program, which assists students who are without a permanent nighttime residence or who are living in substandard housing.

The SIT program is funded totally by private donations from area churches, businesses and individuals. Therefore, Bracewell hopes that, by doing projects like the Christmas tree giving project, awareness of the program can be increased and, in turn, more donations can be raised to fund two major needs that have been identified – housing, such as a home or multi-unit residence that could be used as transitional housing where the unaccompanied students could live in a safe environment with a house parent, and transportation.

During the 2015-2016 school year, over 100 students qualified for this program and the number has continued to grow in the 2016-2017 school year. Of these 100+ students, 45% live doubled-up with friends or relatives, in a motel or in a car; 40% live in substandard homes with no water, electricity, etc; and 15% are unaccompanied by either parent and are considered as “couch surfers” in others’ homes.

Despite their living conditions – which would cause many people to simply give up – these students continue to attend school and give their best effort to earn a high school diploma.

The students in the SIT Program are great kids who, for various reasons beyond their control, have been dealt a hard hand in life. Most of them, despite the challenges, maintain A’s and B’s on their report cards, have no attendance issues and they love school. They realize the value of education and are fighting with everything that is within them to rewrite their future.

With the help from others, the program can continue to supply them with their basic needs, a safe and secure haven in which they can land to catch their breath and – most importantly – the love that they so desperately need.

Haines City Hosting 38th Annual Chamber Awards Banquet on Jan 12th

Haines City

Staff Reporter

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December 23, 2016

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Haines City Hosting 38th Annual Chamber Awards Banquet on Jan 12th

The Haines City Area Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating their 38th Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at the Lake Eva Event Centerlocated at 799 Johns Avenue in Haines City from 6 – 9 p.m.

The Banquet will honor the Chamber’s outgoing Board of Directors and Chair, Committee Chairs, Volunteer of the Year and Citizen of the Year.

The Chamber’s 2017 Board of Directors and the 2017 Adult Leadership Class will also be introduced at the event.

The City of Haines City will also recognize and honor the City of Haines City Employees of the Year and Executive of the Year.

Tickets are $40 per person.

For more information email [email protected] or call 863-422-3751 to RSVP.

Please note: This is a pre-paid event and no tickets will be sold at the door.

The Jewett Alumni are hosting their 2016 Reunion Parade this Saturday.

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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December 23, 2016

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The Jewett Alumni are hosting their 2016 Reunion Parade this Saturday.

The Christmas Eve daytime parade, filled with purple and gold decorations, will consist of vehicles, plenty of floats, walkers, and will also have a marching band.

The parade starts at 10AM and begins at 2nd St. NE and ends at the Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center (801 Ave. T NE).

Frostproof Man & Others Charged With Trafficking In Methamphetamine 6.7 Pounds Seized

Frostproof

Staff Reporter

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December 22, 2016

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Frostproof Man & Others Charged With Trafficking In Methamphetamine 6.7 Pounds Seized

Frostproof, Florida – Don’t be fooled by those who would have you believe drug traffickers are somehow ‘minor, non-violent’ offenders. The drug trafficker in this case, Ignacio Munoz-Delgado, was armed to the teeth, including two AR-15s, a shotgun, and two rifles. And he was
arrested for armed Cocaine trafficking in 2009. He was in the country illegally then as he is now—he served a short sentence in prison and was deported to Mexico in 2010. Guess what: he came back again. Now he’s dealing in Methamphetamine. Lots of it. We know
Meth is one of the most destructive illegal drugs on the streets in central Florida. It ruins lives, destroys families, fuels violence, drives up property crime, and wrecks neighborhoods. Anyone associated with it—especially those who sell and traffic it—are
doing violence to people and causing harm in our communities.” – Sheriff Grady Judd

During a two-month-long investigation Polk County Sheriff’s Office undercover detectives, working with the Central Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking (HIDTA) Task Force, the Florida Highway Patrol, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Tampa Office,
U.S. Border Patrol, and the State Attorney’s Office of the 10th Judicial Circuit, arrested six suspects and seized approximately 6.7 pounds of Methamphetamine ICE, approximately $39,000 in US currency, and five firearms.

“Munoz is exactly the kind of guy, a drug dealer with firearms charges, that the current administration is commuting sentences for or out-right pardoning. Of the 1,176 commutations during the Obama administration (so far), 211 included firearms charges.
Munoz was in the country illegally—he was released from prison, deported, and he’s right back at it again, trafficking in Methamphetamine, a drug that is so devastating to our community. Munoz is exactly the kind of guy—a convicted criminal drug trafficking
illegal alien—that the next president wants to deport to his country of origin after he serves his prison term.” —Sheriff Grady Judd

The investigation, Operation Numero Dos, was a result of a 2015 investigation named “Operation Numero Uno,” where detectives arrested multiple suspects and seized multiple pounds of Methamphetamine, US currency, two vehicles, and seven firearms all in connection
to a Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization. Details of that investigation can be found at

http://bit.ly/1Kk7wdQ.

The investigation, Operation Numero Dos, was a result of a 2015 investigation named “Operation Numero Uno,” where detectives arrested multiple suspects and seized multiple pounds of Methamphetamine, US currency, two vehicles, and seven firearms all in connection
to a Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization. Details of that investigation can be found at

http://bit.ly/1Kk7wdQ.

From the first investigation detectives learned of a Polk County distributor who was receiving shipments of Methamphetamine from an unknown Mexican source. As a result of the follow-on investigation, the following were arrested here in Polk County:

43-year-old Ignacio Munoz-Delgado, 4 Garcia Lane, Frostproof – head of the Polk County organization; charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams (F1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), two
counts of Maintaining a Structure for drug trafficking (F2), Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams (F1), unlawful use of a two- way communication device (F3), maintaining a residence for drug trafficking (F3), possession of stolen firearms (F3). (Munoz-Delgado
was arrested in April 2009 charged with Armed Trafficking in Cocaine and Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine under an unrelated 2009 PCSO case. After receiving a plea deal and serving approximately one year in prison, Munoz-Delgado was released in October 2010,
and deported to Mexico.)

30-year-old Willis Bullard IV, 304 Thomas St, Frostproof – charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine 200 or more (F1), and Unlawful use of 2-way and Communications Device (F3).

Four suspects were arrested in Texas:

24-year-old Ana Maria Flores Morales, Hudspeth Avenue, Dallas, Texas – charged with Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device

25-year-old Jose Antonio Ledesma Rosa, Hudspeth Avenue, Dallas, Texas – charged with Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device

41-year-old Federico Antonio Medellin, East Corporate Drive, Lewisville, Texas – charged with Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device

39-year-old Ronald Castro, South Carrier Parkway, Grand Prairie, Texas – charged with to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device There are two suspects at large with outstanding warrants.

Deputies are looking for: 55-year-old Tamara Smith, Chuck Wagon Way, Lake Wales – wanted for Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and maintaining a residence for drug trafficking.

36-year-old Kevin Brown, Luke Street, Frostproof – wanted for Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device

During Operation Numero Dos, detectives identified the distributor who was receiving shipments of Methamphetamine from a Mexican source as
43-year-old Ignacio Munoz-Delgado. Munoz-Delgado had been previously arrested and convicted on Polk County drug charges and ultimately deported to his country of origin, Mexico. He since illegally returned to the U.S and to Polk County.

Through the investigation, detectives learned Munoz-Delgado was using local distributors and out-of-state curriers to run his drug trafficking business in Polk County. Through the investigation, detectives learned
Munoz-Delgado provided Tamara Smith, Willis Bullard and Kevin Brown with large quantities of Meth which they would in turn resell to their own customers in smaller increments.

Detectives also learned Ana Maria Flores Morales, Jose Antonio Ledesma Rosa, Federico Antonio Medellin, and
Ronald Castro acted as curriers bringing shipments of Meth to Munoz-Delgado from Texas and taking payments back to an unknown source. (The original source is thought to be from Mexico – the investigation is ongoing.)

During September 2016, detectives acting in an undercover capacity arranged to purchase nine ounces of methamphetamine from Munoz-Delgado. On October 17, 2016, detectives learned
Flores and Ledesma delivered two kilograms of methamphetamine to Munoz-Delgado
at his ranch located at 2000 West Frostproof Road.

On October 19, 2016, detectives coordinated a traffic stop by the Florida Highway Patrol and as a result, detectives seized $22,680 from
Flores and Ledesma; payment from Munoz-Delgado.

On November 20, 2016, detectives learned Castro and Medellin delivered methamphetamine to
Munoz-Delgado at his ranch.

On November 22, 2016, detectives arrested Munoz-Delgado and subsequently executed three search warrants at three different locations:

4 Garcia Lane, Frostproof (Munoz-Delgado’s residence). Inside the residence, detectives located five firearms, two of which were reported stolen from Highlands County; approximately $2,000.00 is U.S. currency, drug paraphernalia, and business ledgers
detailing Munoz-Delgado’s transactions. (The guns located were: two AR15s, a 12-guage Kel-Tec rifle, a 22 Marlin rifle, and a Russell 22 – the stolen guns were the Kel-Tec and one of the ARs.)

2000 West Frostproof Road, Frostproof; a property Munoz-Delgado referred to as “the Ranch.” Detectives located two water coolers buried in the ground, one of which contained two kilograms of methamphetamine ICE – the other contained approximately
16 ounces of methamphetamine ICE for a total weight of 2.551 kilograms or 5.9 pounds.

2942 Chuck Wagon Way, Lake Wales – the residence of Tamara Smith where a small amount of Meth was located. Smith had left the county prior to the search warrant – she has an outstanding warrant for her arrest.

During the course of this investigation Kevin Brown was positively identified as mid-level methamphetamine dealer being supplied by Munoz-Delgado. Brown has a long criminal history to include domestic battery, possession of methamphetamine, burglary,
larceny failure to appear, vehicle theft, weapons possession, cocaine possession, and carrying concealed firearm. Detectives learned Munoz-Delgado had been providing
Brown with pound quantities of methamphetamine each week and up to several times a week.
Brown has an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Detectives traveled to Dallas, and working with the Dallas DEA Taskforce Group 1, conducted warrant arrests in which
Flores and Ledesma were taken into custody. Flores was located at her residence where detectives seized $14,000 in U. S. Currency.

Castro and Medellin ultimately surrendered to Dallas authorities. All four Texas suspects are awaiting extradition to Polk County.

The investigation is ongoing.

Previous Criminal Arrests for Suspects:

Munoz-Delgado – five previous felony arrest charges and 1 misdemeanor charge from 2009.
Munoz-Delgado was arrested in April 2009 charged with Armed Trafficking in Cocaine and Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine under an unrelated 2009 PCSO case. After receiving a plea deal and serving approximately one year in prison, Munoz-Delgado was released
in October 2010, and deported to Mexico

Willis Bullard IV – 23 previous felony arrest charges, 12 misdemeanor charges, and one failure to appear.
Bullard has been in state prison three times. Beginning in 2003, Bullard has been charged with crimes such as: Possession of Short Barreled Gun, VOP, Dealing in Stolen Property, Smuggle into Detention Facility (Highlands County), Tamper/Fabricate Evidence,
Maintaining Vehicle/Structure/Dwelling for Drug Use, Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, Resisting, and multiple charges of Possession of Drugs-Methamphetamine-Amphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Kevin Brown – 37 previous felony arrests, 28 misdemeanor charges, and 11 Failure to Appear charges.
Brown has been in state prison 5 times. Beginning in 1996, Brown has been charged with crimes such as Domestic Violence Battery, Burglary, Larceny, DWLSR, Grand Theft, Resisting, Aggravated Fleeing to Elude, Burglary with Assault or Battery, Failure
to Appear, multiple VOPs, Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, DUI, and multiple charges of Methamphetamine Possession and Paraphernalia Possession charges.

Tamara Smith – 7 previous felony charges, and 10 misdemeanor charges. Beginning in 1989,
Smith has been charged with crimes such as Fraudulently Obtaining Property, Battery Domestic Violence, Aggravated Assault, DWLSR, Disorderly Conduct (Fighting), VOP, and multiple Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Methamphetamine charges.

Poinciana Man Allegedly Punch’s 11 month Old Child In The Head Knocking Her Unconcious

Poinciana

Staff Reporter

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December 21, 2016

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Poinciana Man Allegedly Punch’s 11 month Old Child In The Head Knocking Her Unconcious

Poinciana, Florida – On December 20, 2016 at approximately 830 a.m., Osceola County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Arnold Palmer Hospital, Orlando Florida, regarding a report of Aggravated Child Abuse.

According to Captain Kevin McGinley, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation revealed the following: An eleven month old juvenile victim was crying in her play pen while the suspect, Daniel Holmes of Sequoia Way Poinciana, was trying to sleep nearby. This allegedly enraged Holmes and he punched the child in the head causing the child to lose consciousness.

The child was transported to Arnold Palmer via Osceola County Fire Rescue and is in critical but stable condition. Holmes was taken into custody and is cooperating with this investigation and is currently being held without bond in the Osceola County Jail.

Winter Haven 5 Year Old Bitten In The Face By Family Dog While Reaching For Fallen Christmas Tree Ornament

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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December 21, 2016

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Winter Haven 5 Year Old Bitten In The Face By Family Dog While Reaching For Fallen Christmas Tree Ornament

Winter Haven, Florida – The Winter Haven Police Department is advising a five year-old boy was inside of his home at on Ave G SE in Winter Haven when he was bitten in the face by the family dog. According to Jaime Brown, public information officer with WHPD, the child was being cared for by a baby sitter when an ornament fell off the Christmas tree and as the boy was reaching to pick the ornament up from the floor, the family dog (Rottweiler mix) bit the child once in the face.

As part of protocol with a pediatric injury, the child will be airlifted to a medical facility for treatment. Currently no criminal charges are pending and the family is fully cooperating. Polk County Animal Control is on scene and will be handling the case.

PCSO Deputies Arrest Winter Haven Woman for Aggravated Manslaughter in Death of her Newborn Baby

Staff Reporter

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December 21, 2016

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PCSO Deputies Arrest Winter Haven Woman for Aggravated Manslaughter in Death of her Newborn Baby

On Tuesday, December 20, 2016, PCSO Homicide Detectives arrested 25-year-old Erin Piche-Pitts of Kenwood Drive SE in Winter Haven and charged her with one count Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child (F-1) after her negligence caused the death of her newborn.

According to the affidavit, in August 2009 when Erin was six months pregnant, she had a face-to-face counseling with a Florida Department of Health employee, who through the “Healthy Starts” program, explained to Erin the dangers of sleeping in the same bed as your baby, and the importance of infants being placed on their backs to sleep. Erin gave birth to her first child, a baby girl, on November 21, 2009.

On December 4, 2009, Erin fell asleep in her bed while breastfeeding the baby. When Erin awoke, the baby was unresponsive, and pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the hospital. The baby’s cause of death was ruled asphyxia “due to probable overlay and co-sleeping” and the manner of death was ruled an accident. The baby was 13 days old.

In March 2016, Erin was pregnant again, and attended another “Healthy Start” training program, and was again provided with counseling and information on the dangers of co-sleeping, and the safe way to put a baby to sleep. Erin’s mother also had several conversations with her about being more cautious with this baby, due to the death of the baby born in 2009.

Erin gave birth to a baby boy on September 18, 2016. Prior to being released from the Winter Haven Women’s Hospital, she was given more information about properly caring for her infant, including the dangers of co-sleeping.

On September 21, 2016, Erin took the baby for a routine newborn exam, and the baby’s primary care physician, who was aware of the first baby’s death, had a conversation with Erin ensuring she did not sleep in the same bed with the newborn. Erin assured the physician that she would not.

During the early morning hours of October 6, 2016, the baby woke up and began crying. Erin prepared a bottle of formula, took the baby from the bassinette located directly next to her bed, and propped the baby up with a pillow next her to her in her own bed, and placed his head in the crook of her arm. Erin then fell asleep. When she woke up approximately 2.5 hours later, the baby was unresponsive. He was pronounced deceased at Winter Haven Hospital. The baby was 18 days old.

Due to Erin having received repeated warnings on the dangers of co-sleeping, multiple face-to-face counseling sessions, and educational information given to her about the dangers of sleeping in the same bed with her baby, detectives determined probable cause existed to charge Erin with aggravated manslaughter of a child, due to the death of her baby through her own culpable negligence.

Erin Piche-Pitts (DOB 9/28/91) criminal history includes:

May 10, 2005 – Arrested by WHPD for Battery Domestic Violence
April 4, 2010 – Arrested by WHPD for Aggravated Battery
August 14, 2011 – Arrested by PCSO for Battery Domestic Violence
October 29, 2012 – Arrested by WHPD for Larceny
April 14, 2013 – Arrested by PCSO for Failure to Appear, VOP
November 21, 2013 – Arrested by WHPD for Battery Domestic Violence
February 9, 2014 – Arrested by PCSO for Burglary, Larceny
May 6, 2014 – Arrested by WHPD for Interference With Child Custody, Fraud
July 16, 2016 (while pregnant) – Arrested by PCSO for Possession of Meth, Paraphernalia

Christmas Grinch is in the Polk County Jail

Staff Reporter

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December 20, 2016

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Christmas Grinch is in the Polk County Jail

“Children in need. ‘Toys for Tots.’ These things are synonymous with Christmas. And sadly, in this case, so is the Grinch. Tammy Strickland spent a long time filling out fraudulent applications for non-existent children to receive toys. And when she arrived at the ‘Toys for Tots’ warehouse to collect those toys, this Grinch was arrested. Now she’ll be spending a lot of time in jail.”

38-year-old Tammy Strickland of Eagle Lake was arrested on Monday, December 19, 2016, charged with Grand Theft (F3), 28 counts of Providing False Statement to Obtain Credit/Property (M1), Obtain Property by Fraud (F3), and 164 counts of Create/Use/Possess Counterfeit /Fictitious Identification (F3).

On November 16, 2016, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding Strickland indicating she had kept toys from “Toys for Tots” intended for children in need in the Eagle Lake area. Strickland is a former volunteer for the widely known charitable origination.

Detectives began investigating Strickland’s association with “Toys for Tots” and learned Strickland submitted a large number of applications requesting assistance from the organization on behalf of dozens of children.

In review of the applications, detectives found the following information: Strickland was listed as the “contact person” on each of the applications. Other standard information listed on the applications are: the parent or guardian’s name, last 4 of the parent or guardian’s Social Security Number (SSN), primary contact phone number, and home address. On the back of the application were children’s names, the last four digits of Social Security Numbers, and the gift each fictitious child wished to receive.

Using law enforcement resources available to them, detectives researched the family information on the applications and learned the applications were counterfeit.

Detectives learned Strickland used 140 fictitious children’s names, and 28 fictitious adult names on falsified “Toys for Tots” applications.

Acting in an undercover capacity, detectives arranged to meet Strickland at the “Toys for Tots’” warehouse on Monday in order for her “to collect the donations for the children on the applications.” Strickland arrived at the warehouse shortly after 10:00 am, and with the help of several family members accompanying her, Strickland loaded the toys on a utility trailer. She was taken into custody, arrested, and transported to the Polk County jail without incident. Strickland’s vehicle, a 2005 Cadillac Escalade was seized.

Detectives served a search warrant as Strickland’s home and found 118 unwrapped toys still in their packaging. A witness in the home said the toys were from “Toys For Tots.” Detectives determined that Strickland submitted “Toys for Tots” applications during 2015 as well. Those applications are currently under review for authentication—several have already been determined by detectives to have been fictitious. The investigation is ongoing & other charges are possible.

Strickland’s criminal arrest history is: 05/12/2016 – PCSO, Leave Scene of Crash with Property Damage; 08/24/2013 – PCSO, Battery DV; 03/11/2006 – PCSO, and Felony Battery Result with Bodily Harm Disability.

*During 2016, “Toys for Tots” provided services for 8,942 children representing 3,349 Polk County families. To learn more about “Toys for Tots,” please visit http://toysfortots.org.

Winter Haven Man Shot & Suspect Sought

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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December 20, 2016

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Winter Haven, Florida – Winter Haven Police have a person of interest in for questioning regarding a shooting this morning that landed a man in the hospital with serious injuries.

Today at approximately 7:10 a.m., 42 year-old Antonio Deon Thomas (DOB 3-13-74, 628 Ave T NE, Winter Haven) was inside of his apartment along with his girlfriend when the motion sensors he installed outside of the apartment alerted him to movement. Thomas went to a back room of the apartment to see what caused the sensors to go off and saw three people inside of the back room. The three possibly entered the residence through an open window in the back of the apartment.
As soon as Thomas entered the room, two shots were fired and Thomas was struck once in the chest and once in the left thigh. The three ran from the apartment and Thomas’ girlfriend called 9-1-1. Thomas was rushed to Lakeland Regional Health where he is in serious but stable condition.
After interviewing Thomas, he identify the shooter as 20 year-old Noakeem Jahad Williams (DOB 1-26-96, 3143 Woodhill Ct., Winter Haven). Members from the Winter Haven Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s office located Williams at his home where he was detained for questioning.. The other two who were inside the apartment with Williams have yet to be identified.

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Suspect Flees Police & Then Carjacks Winter Haven Man At Knife Point

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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December 19, 2016

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Suspect Flees Police & Then Carjacks Winter Haven Man At Knife Point

Hill

Redner

Winter Haven, Florida – A traffic stop conducted on Dec. 16, 2016 ended with an armed carjacking, a large amount of drugs recovered and two men going jail.

On Dec. 16, 2016 at approximately 3:20 p.m., a Winter Haven Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 26 year-old Christopher Redner (DOB 5-18-90, 6662 Crescent Loop, Winter Haven) traveling 40 mph in a 25 mph zone. The traffic stop was conducted in the area of Post Ave SE and 7th St SW in Winter Haven. Thirty-two year-old Jovante Hill (DOB 12-28-83, 2500 Ave A SW, Winter Haven) was a passenger in the vehicle.

When the officer approached the vehicle, he smelled a strong odor of marijuana and asked Redner for consent to search the vehicle. Redner gave consent and both he and Hill exited the vehicle. In the driver’s side door was a straw that had cocaine inside and also 19 Alprazolam (Xanax) pills and drug paraphernalia were located in his pockets. Also, a shoebox was located underneath the passenger seat where Hill was sitting. The moment the officer located the shoebox, Hill took off running south on 7th St. Redner was held at the scene by officers. Hill ran to the Taco Bell parking lot where he jumped into the passenger side of a vehicle in the parking lot where the victim, 33 year-old Walter Bridges (of Winter Haven) was sitting. Hill pulled out a pocket knife and held it to Bridges’ chest and told him to drive. Officers who chased Hill were able to get the vehicle description and tag number, immediately broadcasting it over the radio. The vehicle traveled south on Hwy 17 and into the area of King Rd. where a Lieutenant with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office saw the vehicle and began following in his unmarked car. The PCSO helicopter was called in and additional officers arrived in the area and a traffic stop was conducted in the area of 42nd St and Spirit Lake Rd. where Hill was taken into custody.

The box found under the seat where Hill was sitting in the original car had Heroin, multiple plastic baggies of marijuana, powder cocaine and multiple pills. (See list below for exact amounts of drugs located inside of the box.)
Redner was arrested and charged with Possession of Cocaine (F3), possession of Alprazolam (F3) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).

Hill was taken into custody and charged with Armed Carjacking (F1), Trafficking Cocaine (F1), Trafficking Oxycodone (F1), Trafficking Heroine (F1), Possession of Alprazolam with Intent to Sell (F3), Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell (F3), Possession of Oxymorphone (F3), Possession of Buprenorphine (M2), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1) and Resisting Officer without Violence (M1).

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