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Woman Arrested & Charged With Attempted 2nd Degree Murder Of Haines City Man

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Woman Arrested & Charged With Attempted 2nd Degree Murder Of Haines City Man

rodriguez

Haines City, Florida – On December 2, 2016 the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged Valerie Mercado-Rodriguez with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder. The charges stem from an alleged stabbing incident on November 21, 2016.

According to arrest report the victim, Gregorio Mendez-Diaz, offered to give Rodriguez and a male subject a ride home from Memo’s Tequila Bar. Diaz however was took drunk to drive so he allowed Rodriguez to drive. Rodriguez allegedly became upset with Diaz after he started to argue with her about certain turns Rodriguez was making. Rodriguez allegedly began striking Diaz with what he thought was just a fist. Rodriguez allegedly struck him about the face and chest. He then found that he was bleeding.  He thought it was related to being struck.

The trio arrived at a white mobile home near Powerline Road in Davenport. Rodriguez and the male passenger went into the trailer and then came back out with other people. She allegedly began striking Diaz again and he covered his face with his arms. Rodriguez reportedly threw Diaz keys, but he was able to grab them and get in his car and get away.

Diaz was headed to his home in Haines City when he noticed his shirt soaking with blood and he had difficulty breathing. When he arrived home he made contact with his son saying he could not breath and he was dying. He some noticed a hole in his chest. Emergency medical crews arrived and transported Diaz to Heart of Florida Hospital and the transferred to Lakeland Regional Medical Center by helicopter.  He underwent surgery and was placed in critical but stable condition at the time.

Deputies were able to speak with the victim and he picked the Rodriguez out of a photo lineup. Deputies saw the multiple wounds to Diaz’s arms which was consistent with defensive posture. Deputies felt that there was enough probably cause existed to make an arrest.

Deputies tried to locate the suspect, but were not able to at the time.  A warrant for her arrest was issued and executed on December 2, 2016.

Former George Jenkins Graduate Killed In Line Of Duty As New Jersey State Trooper

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Former George Jenkins Graduate Killed In Line Of Duty As New Jersey State Trooper
Frankie Williams (Photo Courtesy of the New Jersey Police Department)
Frankie Williams (Photo Courtesy of the New Jersey Police Department)

Millville, New Jersey – New Jersey State Police Colonel Rick Fuentes said Trooper Frankie Williams, 31, of the Port Norris Station died at Cooper University Hospital in Camden following a head on collision on Monday night along the highway in Millville near exit 24 for Route 49. Williams was responding to a call for service.

Williams graduated from George Jenkins High School in 2002. He was well known and well liked.

A Toyota Corolla traveling southbound crossed the grass median and went onto the northbound lanes hitting Williams’ marked cruiser head-on. The driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead at the scene, according to State Police, who did not disclose the driver’s identity. An earlier tweet identified the driver as a woman, but police described the driver as a man in an updated announcement.
The exact cause of death for both still remains under investigation. Route 55 reopened around 3:45 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Williams was a member of the 156th State Police Class, which graduated in January, and was a resident of Atlantic County.
“Trooper Williams was highly respected by his peers, establishing himself very early in his career as an outstanding trooper able to think quickly on his feet and make sound decisions,” State Police wrote on their Facebook page.

Gov. Christie offered condolences and prayers for Williams’ family in a tweet on Tuesday morning. Bridgeton Police offered condolences on their Facebook page while NJ State PBA President Patrick Colligan tweeted “we have lost a hero.”

Scam Alert! PCSO detectives warn residents about “TV subscription scam”

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Scam Alert! PCSO detectives warn residents about “TV subscription scam”
Scam Alert! PCSO detectives warn residents about “TV subscription scam”
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives warn residents about “TV subscription scam”
Similar Scam, New Twist. This is also known as the “utility worker scam.”
scam-alert
A Polk County resident recently received a call from someone claiming they were with Direct TV & they were calling about a promotion. The caller said the citizen was qualified for a “special promotion” from Dirtect TV, AT&T, and Amazon.com. Ultimately, our citizen was scammed out of $300.
Here’s what happened: The scammer told our victim that for $59.00 per month she would receive the premier package and that in order to receive this special promotion she would need to pay $300 with Amazon gift cards that would cover the first five payments & after that her monthly payment would be $59 for the premier package. The victim told deputies that the caller told her that after she purchased three $100 Amazon gift cards to call a 1-888 number and give the person who answers the promotion code CXDDTV2210. The victim bought the gift cards and called the number and provided the “promotion” code. The unknown person then asked for the security numbers located on the back of each Amazon gift card, which the victim gave.
Unfortunately, this was not a legitimate offer, and by giving the security numbers to the gift cards, she allowed the scammer access to the $300, which is now all gone. The caller ID on the victim’s phone gave a spoofed (fake) number.
PCSO Detectives give the following advice: JUST HANG UP. NEVER, EVER respond to any financial offers made over the phone. There is a near 100% chance that the caller is trying to scam you. Only conduct business over the phone or via the Internet to trusted sources with whom you initiate contact.
Here are other scams where Polk County residents, often senior citizens, have been victimized & we warn the public against:
The “grandparent scam.” A caller tells the victim that their grandchild is in jail and needs bail money—the easiest way to get the cash is through a gift card of some kind (in this case, it was Target gift cards).
Publisher’s Clearinghouse scam case—the victim was instructed to wire money out of country.
Dating website scams—scammers make contact through dating websites & build up an online relationship & then some kind of emergency happens—like a family member is stuck somewhere and needs travel money, etc. The victim usually is asked to send gift cards or money cards (green dot or Western Union, etc.).
The ever popular IRS scams are still going on. Remember, the IRS will not call you, threaten you or e-mail you.
False warrant & jury duty scams: This is where the scammer tells the victim to send money for a warrant the victim doesn’t have or that the victim didn’t show up for jury duty  & to send a money for a fine or a warrant will be issued.
The bottom line is this: NEVER wire money or provide the numbers from a gift card or credit card to someone you don’t know.

PCSO Deputies Use State Agriculture Rescue Team Equipment to Save Horse

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PCSO Deputies Use State Agriculture Rescue Team Equipment to Save Horse
 PCSO Deputies Use State Agriculture Rescue Team Equipment to Save Horse
 horserescue
Shortly after 3:00 pm, on Saturday, December 3, 2016, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a horse trapped in a pond near Sleepy Hill Road in Lakeland.
When deputies arrived they found the 20-year-old mare Quarter horse stuck in approximately six feet of water.  The surrounding area of the pond had decomposing wood mulch and muck making it difficult for the horse to find solid ground.  Members of the Agriculture Unit were requested and arrived with the Florida Department of Agriculture’s SART (State Agriculture Rescue Team) Equipment Trailer and began an emergency rescue. (Information about the SART team and trailer are below–the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Agriculture Unit is the designated SART team coordinator for this area.)
Only the head and small a portion of the horse’s back were visible; the rest of the horse’s body was submerged.  The A-Frame rescue system was assembled and deployed.  Polk County Fire Rescue Squad 591 and Fire Engine 111 responded to the scene assisting with the rope and pulley system used to extract the horse from the pond.
Volunteer members of the PCSO Mounted Search and Rescue Team, or MSART, and two veterinarians also responded to assist.
horserescue2
The horse was lifted out of the water using the A-Frame rescue system and placed on the dry ground beside the hole.  The horse was dried with towels and with assistance, was able to stand after being in the water for almost 2.5 hours.  The horse was then covered with a horse blanket and placed in a covered barn with hay for the evening.  The horse was evaluated by a veterinarian and was in stable condition after the rescue effort.
*The PCSO’s Agriculture Crimes deputies have received large animal rescue training provided by the State Agriculture Response Team, or SART, through Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in conjunction with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, UF College of Veterinary Medicine, and the United State Department of Agriculture.  In addition to training, the PCSO Support Services Section is home to the Florida State Agricultural Response Team (SART) Region 4 Large Animal Technical Rescue trailer. This trailer covers Region 4, specifically Polk, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas Counties, and is deployment ready 24/7.
The SART Rescue trailer contains an array of rescue equipment to include the rope and A-Frame lifting systems, as well as personnel safety equipment, assorted ropes, webbing, carabineers, and pulleys for improvised rope systems.  Deputies have access to rescue glides for livestock, rescue slings/harnesses for livestock and small animals, and both a Nikopoulos loop and mud lances for mud rescues.  

New Location as Snow Central Returns to Winter Haven on Dec 16th

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New Location as Snow Central Returns to Winter Haven on Dec 16th

Winter Haven’s favorite winter wonderland event will be returning December 16th, 2016 to a new location!

snowcentral

The event will be from 5-9pm at Chain of Lakes Park (behind the Chain O Lakes Complex).

There is an admission fee of $2 per adult and $1 per child.

Come out and enjoy the Snow Pile, Snow Slides, Pictures with Santa, Home Depot craft area, Cookie Decorating, lights, music, food and more!

The Chain O Lakes Complex is located at 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33880

For more information contact the Parks, Recreation and Culture Division at 863-291-5656.

Come See Live Nativity, Stable and Bethlehem Square at First Presbyterian Dec 10th in WH

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Come See Live Nativity, Stable and Bethlehem Square at First Presbyterian Dec 10th in WH

Come see the Live Nativity, visit the Stable and Bethlehem Square and boost your holiday spirit at First Presbyterian Church in Winter Haven on Saturday, Dec 10th.

A living nativity will be presented under the stars with angels, shepherds and their sheep, kings, and the Holy Family with their donkey.

Join the celebration on Saturday, December 10 at First Presbyterian Church, Winter Haven to enjoy the performances with live music in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Performances are at 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.

Following the nativity presentation, guests will gather in Bethlehem Square for food and drink and in-door activities for the children.

The children will be invited to pet the sheep and donkey at the stable. This event is First Presbyterian’s gift to the community in celebration of Christ’s birth.

First Presbyterian Church located at 637 6th Street, NW, Winter Haven, FL

Parking is behind the church * Handicapped friendly event

Call: 863-294-3121 for more information or visit www.firstpreswh.org

firstpresnativity

Polk Home Owner Expresses How She Found Out A Porch Pirate Stole Package

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Polk Home Owner Expresses How She Found Out A Porch Pirate Stole Package

Lakeland, Florida – Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a wanted suspect. 43-year-old Brandi Michelle Sumner is wanted on 5 felony warrants and is a suspect in a recent Burglary and Grand Theft investigation.

Local home owner Cari Anne Baker explains below how she found out her package was stolen.

** We suggest you watch Fox 13 this evening at 6pm for more on this interview with Cari Ann Baker **

Baker put this post out on facebook this weekend and it was shared thousands of times:

#Lakeland I need your help! This woman stole a VERY expensive package off of our porch on Friday afternoon. Please look at her walk, her shirt, her hair, the car with the hubcap missing, all of it! If you know her please text me! I dont have messenger so if you don’t have my number but you have Lances text him please. I’m on a mission to find her. One of the first things we learn as a child is not to steal! I would like to personally remind her. Lance works his a** off and I’ll be damned if I just let some criminal take what he worked for. I hope you don’t mind but I’m tagging everyone local to me that I can quickly think of. Thank you for helping me, I’ll post a sunshiney something er rather after I catch her 🙂 Have a great day yall and God bless X
Ps. We did file a police report on Friday and I’m talking to all of the local stations at some point tomorrow. Thank you all so much for your help!

 

 

Suspect Brandi Sumner
Suspect Brandi Sumner

At approximately 3:40 pm, Sumner allegedly is seen on video taking packages from the porch of a residence in north Lakeland, on Thursday, December 1, 2016. She was seen driving a brown or tan four-door vehicle.

Sumner’s outstanding warrants are for: 1) Felony Fraud – VOP Illegal Possession of Credit Card, Credit Card Fraud, Petit Theft, Grand Theft, 2 counts of Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle, and Felony Petit Theft, 2 or more previous arrests. 2) Felony Fraud – Failure to Appear for Weekend Work Release; Possess/Receive Stolen Credit Card; and Fraudulent use of Credit Card. 3) Felony Larceny, Failure to Appear for Weekend Work Release – Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle. 4) Felony Larceny- Failure to Appear for Weekend Work Release. 5) Felony Larceny- Failure to Appear for Weekend Work Release.

Sumner has two very distinct tattoos on her neck. Behind and just below both the left and right ear, Sumner has a blue tattooed star.

Anyone with information in Sumner’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863.577.1600, or 863.298.6200.

Cooking on the Ridge: The Best Parmesan Chicken Bake

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Cooking on the Ridge: The Best Parmesan Chicken Bake

The Best Parmesan Chicken Bake

parmchick

Ingredients

Directions

  • Prep 15 m

  • Cook 35 m

  • Ready In 50 m

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. Coat the bottom of a 9×13 inch casserole dish with olive oil, and sprinkle with garlic and hot red pepper flakes.
  3. Arrange the chicken breasts in bottom of the dish, and pour marinara sauce over chicken. Sprinkle basil over marinara sauce, and top with half the mozzarella cheese, followed by half the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle on the croutons, then top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese.
  4. Bake in preheated oven until cheese and croutons are golden brown and the chicken is no longer pink inside, about 35 minutes to an hour, depending on the shape and thickness of your chicken breasts. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chicken breast should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

12 Year Girl Critically Injured By Hit & Run Driver 

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12 Year Girl Critically Injured By Hit & Run Driver 

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Poinciana, Florida –  Polk County Sheriff’s Office traffic crash investigators are looking for help identifying a suspect in an early morning vehicle / pedestrian crash that occurred today, Monday, December 5, 2016 in Poinciana. The hit-and-run crash occurred about 100 yards south of Fairway Road on Marigold Avenue. 12-year-old Myrthel Michel of Blanc Court in Poinciana was crossing Marigold Avenue near Fairway Road from the eastbound shoulder to the westbound side of the roadway. As she was crossing the southbound lane, she was struck by an unknown vehicle and driver traveling southbound on Marigold Avenue. Myrthel was transported to Osceola Regional Medical Center and she was subsequently flown to Tampa General Hospital with trauma related injuries. She is in critical condition.

A witness described the vehicle as a recent model 4 door import type sedan that was possibly silver in color. The vehicle was also described as having square or rectangular tail lights. The witnesses further stated that the vehicle slowed after impact and then accelerated away from the scene going south on Marigold Avenue.

During the hit-and-run investigation, Myrthel’s parents reported her missing to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. The family had last seen her at approximately 10:00 p.m. Sunday and had not known she was missing or injured. They traveled to Tampa to be with her.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION WHO WANTS TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CASH REWARD IS ASKED TO CALL HEARTLAND CRIME STOPPERS AT 1-800-226-TIPS or LOG ONTOwww.P3tips.com to submit your tip via the web. For a secure and password protected mobile app for your smart device, go to the app store and download the free “P3tips” mobile app. No caller ID, no recorded lines, no tracking cookies, no saved IP addresses. ANONYMITY IS GUARANTEED!

3 People Injured In Scary Crash In Lake Wales

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3 People Injured In Scary Crash In Lake Wales

Lake Wales, Florida – On 12/04/2016 at about 10:00 a.m. 56 year-old James Titsworth of Dade City, was driving a 2005 Gulfstream Motorcoach West on Mammoth Grove Road approaching the stop sign at the intersection of Masterpiece Road.  Mr. Titsworth failed to stop at the intersection and then proceeded into the path of a 2012 Ford Escape, that was traveling North on Masterpiece Road.  The 2005 Motorcoach drove into the path of the Escape driven by 28-year-old Anthony Strickland of Frostproof, who was traveling at highway speeds, approximately 55 miles per hour, according witnesses.  The Ford Escape struck the left front corner of the Motorcoach causing it to spin and turn over onto its side on the left shoulder of Masterpiece Road.  Anthony Strickland, and his passenger, 30 year old Priscilla Johnson of Frostproof, came to final rest on the left shoulder at the intersection of Masterpiece Road and Mammoth Grove Road.  A fire ignited in the engine compartment of the Ford Escape and it was extinguished by witnesses at the scene prior to the arrival of the Fire Department and law enforcement.

All three were flown to area hospitals due to trauma related injuries. All involved in the crash were conscious and talking.

Both vehicles sustained significant damage and had to be towed.    Both drivers and the passenger of V-2 were in stable condition and did not appear to have any life threatening injuries.  Masterpiece Road was closed during the crash investigation and reopened when the patients were transported to the hospitals.  At this time the crash is under investigation and traffic charges are pending.

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