Update: On October 28, 2016 Lake Wales Detectives took custody of Mohamed Allam’s cell phone. A citizen told detectives they located the phone in Lake Wales at the intersection of SR60 and Evergreen Dr on October 27, 2016. After finding the phone the citizen became aware of the homicide investigation and notified law enforcement about finding the phone. Detectives confirmed the found phone belongs to Allam and the phone will be processed for evidence. No arrests have been made but detectives are following up on leads as they come in.

Anyone who has information about the homicide of Mohamed Allam is asked to call Detective Aubrey Davis at (863) 678-4223 extension 276 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477. Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspects in this case. The Lake Wales Police Department is offering an additional reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspects in this case.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. As developments happen updates will be provided.

Lake Wales, Florida -he Lake Wales Police Department is investigating an early morning robbery that resulted in a store employee being shot and killed. On October 27, 2016 at 2:22am officers were dispatched to 704 N. Scenic Hwy, the QP Convenience Store, in reference to a call about an injured man lying near a vehicle in the parking lot. A passerby saw the man lying in the parking lot and called to report it. When officers arrived they located Mohamed Allam, a 48 year old Lake Wales resident, lying near the passenger side rear of his 2004 Volvo XC90. Officers located a gunshot wound on the victim and immediately rendered aid. Polk County Fire Rescue also responded to the scene and took over medical treatment of Allam. Allam was transported to the Lake Wales Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Allam’s family responded to the Lake Wales Medical Center where officers notified them. Video surveillance shows Allam, who is a store employee, had closed the business and was walking out to his vehicle to leave. Allam was approached and confronted by two suspects who were wearing hooded clothing to conceal their identity. The video shows Allam removing his pants at the direction of the suspects. One of the suspects takes the pants and at some point during the confrontation Allam was shot with a handgun by one of the suspects. The suspects fled the scene on foot running south toward Dr. JA Wiltshire Ave. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit responded to process the scene. The only property Allam had when he was robbed and shot was his personal property. This is an active investigation and updates will be provided as new information develops. Attached are two photographs of the scene and video surveillance footage. Anyone who has information on the robbery/homicide is asked to contact Detective Aubrey Davis at (863) 678-4223 extension 276 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

On a chilly Saturday at 7am, nothing could be warmer than the reception given to the Lake Wales Football team at the Lake Wales Family Restaurant.

Their motto “Where Friends Are Family” was widely demonstrated when owner Frank Papadopoulos treated the whole team to a big breakfast complete with eggs, bacon, sausage, home-fries and a stack of pancakes. Promptly at 7AM, a steady stream of breakfast dishes flowed out of the kitchen as three servers dedicated their time to quickly deliver breakfast to the hungry team.

“I love giving to the community; when you give to the community it comes back to you” says Frank “They all come to visit me; the locals, the police, firemen, they all visit my restaurant”

After a hard-fought game on Friday night, everyone was in good spirits as the team and coaches enjoyed some laughs and a great breakfast together early Saturday.

The Lake Wales Family Restaurant has been a proud supporter of the community as evidenced by a wall filled with plaques and awards thanking them for their sponsorship and support. Soccer, baseball, softball; you name it….the Lake Wales Family Restaurant has probably sponsored it!

Their dedication to the community and their customers along with their kind hearted spirit has given them the reputation for truly being a family restaurant that makes you feel at home!

LAKE WALES NOON ROTARY PLANS QUIVERING QUADS

Lake Wales, FL – The Rotary Club of Lake Wales has announced its 2016 Quivering Quads, a series of 4 races in 24 hours, and this year they’ve added more perks for participants.

“This is our second year of putting on this race event,” said race coordinator Maryemma Bachelder. “Last year, the weather didn’t cooperate, so we changed our date this year to early November to avoid late summer thunderstorms, and to take advantage of slightly cooler temperatures.”

The Quivering Quads race gives runners – and walkers – a chance to complete four races in 24 hours.

Quivering Quads will be held Nov. 4-5.  It starts Friday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. with a 5K race, starting and ending at the lake across from Kiwanis Park. The second and third races will be held on Saturday morning, Nov. 5, starting with a one-mile sprint at 7 a.m. on the trail behind Kiwanis Park, followed by a 2-mile run along the trail around the lake (starting and ending near the gazebo), at 8:15 a.m. The final race Saturday at 5:30 p.m. will be the same 5K as Friday night. Sweet Ella’s Produce of Lake Wales, one of the race sponsors, is providing fresh fruit for runners at all the races.

“This event is great for runners and walkers of all skills levels and speeds,” Bachelder said. “We encourage people to register for all four, but they certainly can sign up for fewer if they prefer.”

New to this year’s event, all participants who complete all four races will receive a finisher’s medal, in addition to their event T-shirt.

Following the final 5K on Saturday night, participants are invited to enjoy pizza and refreshments at Kiwanis Park, and awards will be announced. Awards will be given in 10-year age divisions, plus Overall Male and Overall Female.

The fee for all four races is $60 in advance, $75 the weekend of the event. Individual races are $20 each, or $25 the weekend of the event. Only those who participate in all 4 races are eligible for prizes and finisher’s medals.

To register, visit www.LWRotaryClub.com.