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Apparent Suicide Reported As Cause For Closure Of Capps Rd. Friday Night 

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Apparent Suicide Reported As Cause For Closure Of Capps Rd. Friday Night 

​Lake Wales, Florida – A 27 Yr. Old Winter Haven man found dead of apparent suicide. Around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept 2, 2016, witnesses saw a black 2005 Chevrolet Impala driving erratically and swerving heading northbound on Capps Road, just south of Spring Road in Lake Wales. The car then launched into the air and struck
a barbed wire fence, and coasted to a stop in a pasture. Witnesses saw the driver slumped over in the driver’s seat, and approached him, and observed a head wound. They administered first aid while calling for help. When Polk Fire EMS arrived on scene they located a .45 caliber handgun in the driver’s lap, and an apparent gunshot wound to the driver’s head.  The driver was taken to Lake Wales Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office the deceased has been identified as 27-year-old Adam Creel of  Cavalier Road, Winter Haven. An autopsy will be conducted this weekend, however, due to statements by family members, evidence at the scene, and personal history of the decedent, it is apparent that he committed suicide. 

 

PCSO Detectives Charge Lakeland Man with Sexual Battery on Minor, Impregnating 14-Year-Old Girl

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PCSO Detectives Charge Lakeland Man with Sexual Battery on Minor, Impregnating 14-Year-Old Girl
PCSO Detectives Charge Lakeland Man with Sexual Battery on Minor, Impregnating 14-Year-Old Girl
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On September 1, 2016, PCSO Special Victims Unit detectives arrested 32-year-old Imeldo Cano (DOB 12/22/1982), of Pirates Way in Lakeland, for four counts Sexual Battery on a Minor Between 12-17 Years Old (F-1), and one count Person Over 21 Years Old Impregnating Child Under 16 Years Old (F-3), after Cano sexually molested and impregnated a 14-year-old girl with whom he had access.

The following is an excerpt from the affidavit, and is self-explanatory:

The suspect, Imeldo Cano (H/M 32yoa), did knowingly, intentionally and unlawfully violate FSS 794.011 (5c) Sexual Battery (4cts) by making the victim, REDACTED*,engage in sexual intercourse against her will. The suspect additionally violated FSS 827.04 (3) Contributing to the delinquency of a Minor by Impregnating (1ct), by impregnating the victim, who is 3 ½ months pregnant and reported the suspect is the only person with whom she has had sexual intercourse.

The victim was taken to her pediatrician by REDACTED, after experiencing abdominal pains. An ultrasound was conducted, which revealed the victim was 3 ½ months pregnant. The victim disclosed she was pregnant by the suspect, Imeldo Cano. The victim disclosed the suspect made her engage in sexual intercourse on four separate occasions since February 2015. The victim stated these incidents would take place in the suspect’s bedroom, REDACTED. The victim stated the suspect would bring her in the room and lock the door so REDACTED did not see what was happening.

During a Post-Miranda interview, Cano confessed to engaging in sexual intercourse with the victim on four separate occasions since February of 2015. The suspect confessed he knew the victim was 13 years old at the time he first engaged in sexual intercourse with her. The suspect stated a couple times he did not use a condom, but the other two times he did use a condom. The suspect was asked if he felt it was right for him to have sex with a 14-year-old girl and stated, “No.”

Cano has been booked into the Polk County Jail on the aforementioned charges, and will have a first appearance hearing at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon (September 2, 2016). He is being housed in the South County Jail. He has one prior arrest in Polk County, for driving without a valid license.

*Per Florida State Statute 119.071: (h)1. The following criminal intelligence information or criminal investigative information is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s.24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution: b. Any information that may reveal the identity of a person who is a victim of any sexual offense, including a sexual offense proscribed in s. 787.06(3)(b), (d), (f), or (g), chapter 794, chapter 796, chapter 800, chapter 827, or chapter 847.

Knights of Columbus Council 7091 Donate Televisions To Haines City Seniors

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Knights of Columbus Council 7091 Donate Televisions To Haines City Seniors

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Haines City, Florida – Improving the lives of people by performing acts of charity is what the Knights of Columbus Council is all about.

Knights of Columbus Council 7091 of Cypress Gardens demonstrated its commitment to charity in a big way by recently donating a dozen televisions to the Haines City Health Center in Haines City. This random act of charity has reaped huge dividends by bringing joy to seniors who reside in the 120-bed skilled nursing facility.

One of these residents is “Cornelia,” who derives plenty of enjoyment from one of the donated TVs which makes it possible for her to watch her favorite programs each and every day in the privacy of her own room.
“Cornelia is one of our Spanish-speaking residents who appreciates her TV very much because it allows her to enjoy Spanish language shows and also keep up with the news,” said Debby Rayfield, activities director at the health care facility.

“We thank the Knights of Columbus for donating these TVs. They are very
popular with our residents because they allow them to rest and relax while enjoying their favorite programs,” Rayfield added. Echoing this view was Tom Glass, administrator of the center which provides long term care for its residents and rehabilitation services for people who reside in Haines City and nearby communities.

The televisions donated to the Haines City Health Center were originally used as monitors for a charity Bingo program run by Knights of Columbus Council 7091 for many years in the former Red Lobster restaurant building in downtown Winter Haven. The council decided to donate the TVs to a worthy charity rather than sell them when they had to be removed from the former Bingo hall due to the recent sale of the building.
The council chose the Haines City Health Care Center as the recipient based on a recommendation by knight Tom Habina who was lavish in his praise of the care received at the facility by a close relative. Habina and fellow knights Billy Bob Morris, Sal Porta and George Marhefka personally delivered the televisions to the center.

“We are delighted with the outcome of this charitable gesture. It is very
rewarding to us as a council, especially when you see the joy it is bringing to so many senior citizens,” said Marhefka during a recent visit to the center in his role as the
council’s Grand Knight.

The TV charitable initiative is the latest example of K of C Council 7091’s
outreach to the Polk County community. The council provided financial support for a program at St. Matthew Church that equipped needy Polk County students with essential school supplies and donated funds raised through its annual Tootsie Roll Drive to Polk County Special Olympics and the Achievement Academy.

Auburndale Man Arrested & Charged With Lewd Exhibition & Lewd Conduct

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Auburndale Man Arrested & Charged With Lewd Exhibition & Lewd Conduct

859b86ab-3fe5-4631-a5e3-9536e3de6d6bAuburndale, Florida – On Wednesday, August 31, 2016, Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 50-year-old Duane Patten of Auburndale charging him with two counts of Lewd Exhibition and two counts of Lewd Conduct.
At approximately 7:00 pm, on Wednesday, August 3rd, Patten was home alone with two children he had access to – both children were under the age of 14. As the children were in the bathroom preparing for a shower, Patten walked in while the children were undressed and began talking about being a nudist with the children.
According to the arrest affidavit: “After the victims finished taking a shower, the suspect again entered the bathroom and offered to pay them both $5 dollars each if they could tear his shorts off his body. The suspect was not wearing any underwear and when the victims ripped his pants it exposed his buttocks. The suspect continued to ask the victims to pull on his pants and when they did it exposed his penis to the victims.

The suspect then entered his bedroom and removed his shorts and returned to the victims completely naked. The suspect exposed his penis to the victims and again talked to them about being a nudist. The victims advised the suspect’s penis and testicles had silver ring piercings. The victims asked the suspect about his piercings and he told them he had them because he liked going to nude beaches and likes people to see his piercings. During this incident, the witness and mother of the victims, (Redacted), called the victims cell phone and overheard the suspect talking to the victims about being a nudist, his piercings, and about the victim’s breasts.”
As the investigation continued, detectives learned Patten had told the victims that they “had fun” the day of the incident and told the children not to tell their parents what occurred. He also gave the children $10 dollars and asked the victims to “meditate” naked with him – they refused.
During an interview with Patten on August 31st, Patten admitted he “bet” the victim’s they couldn’t rip off his shorts, and that he had exposed his penis to the victims and talked to them about his piercings and being a nudist.
Patten is currently in the Polk County jail on no bond.

Suspect Chose Wrong House In Winter Haven To Rob

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Suspect Chose Wrong House In Winter Haven To Rob

SanWinter Haven, Florida – A Winter Haven man chose the wrong residence to attempt to steal clothes from.

On 8-31-16 at approximately 5:15 a.m., 42 year-old Adrian SanJavier (DOB 5-17-74, Rochelle Dr., Winter Haven) entered the porch of Quinton Jackson (Ave F, SW, Winter Haven) and started taking clothes off of the porch. Jackson, who was getting ready for work, heard his dog barking frantically, which was out of the ordinary.

Upon opening the front door, Jackson saw SanJavier run out of the porch door. Jackson called police while he chased SanJavier and at one point, SanJavier turned and swung at Jackson. Jackson was able to duck and was not struck. However, this enabled Jackson to tackle SanJavier and a physical altercation ensued. Jackson was able to keep SanJavier in check until law enforcement arrived.

Due to his injuries, SanJavier was taken to Winter Haven Hospital where he was treated and then booked into the Polk County Jail. Jackson did not need medical attention.
SanJavier was charged with Burglary to an Occupied Dwelling (F2) and Petit Theft (M1).

4th Annual Food Truck Wars Coming Sept 24th To Winter Haven

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4th Annual Food Truck Wars Coming Sept 24th To Winter Haven
The 4th Annual Food Truck Wars are heading to Winter Haven’s Central Park this coming Sept 24th from 2pm-8pm and will feature 40 gourmet food trucks from all over the state competing for five prestigious awards presented by celebrity judges.
The competition categories includes Top Ticket Taker, Top Food Sales, Delectable Desserts, Causal Cuisine and the coveted People’s Choice Award.
Joining the Celebs in Winter Haven will be Cupcake Wars Champion and local resident, Jillian Hopke as well as Israel Santiago, Chef Instructor at Second Harvest Food Bank.
The food trucks are all in it to win it and your vote counts, so swing by the Voting Station and vote for your favorite!
In addition to the 40 gourmet food trucks and celebrity judges, you will be entertained by a Kids Zone benefiting local charities, a Beer Garden and live music with the Trickle Down Band; a Florida favorite.

A portion of proceeds will benefit local charities through the City of Winter Haven & Main Street Winter Haven.

Bring your appetite to this great family friendly event with food choices for everyone from professional foodies to the pickiest eaters.
Food choices include everything from American, Caribbean and Italian dishes to lobster and everything in between.
And, don’t forget to leave room for dessert! Food costs run on average between $6.00 and $8.00.
FREE ADMISSION / FREE PARKING
Central Park is located on Central Ave between 4th & 5th Street in Winter Haven.
food truck wars

ANNETTE BALDREE, RN NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AT LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER

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ANNETTE BALDREE, RN NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AT LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER

BALDREE NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

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Lake Wales, FL – Annette Baldree, RN, Infection Control, was named Employee of the Month for July at Lake Wales Medical Center. Baldree, who has worked at the hospital since 2000, was recognized for her proactivity.

 

“She is proactive in patient safety, providing new product suggestions and samples to staff to promote compliance in minimizing infection rates,” a coworker wrote in nominating her. “She is an advocate to limit patient exposure to potential infections. She is a medical professional who is first and foremost a patient advocate, and has a true passion for providing quality healthcare.”

Polk County Inmate Records Clerk Arrested For Misuse Of Confidential Information 

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Haines City, Florida – ​Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 22 year old Empris Evans of Haines City for one felony count (F3) of misuse of confidential information (FSS 838.21) late this afternoon. Prior to her arrest she resigned her position as an Inmate Records
Clerk. Had she not resigned she would have been terminated. She was paid an hourly rate of $14.58 and was hired in July of 2014. Evans had no criminal record.

On Friday, August 26, 2016, detectives discovered she texted her boyfriend, 22-year-old Tarance Glanton of Haines City, warning him that the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was conducting a proactive law enforcement initiative that night in the Northeast
area of Polk County (including the Haines City area). Law enforcement initiatives typically involve multiple deputies conducting proactive patrol, warrant and probation checks, and surveillance in areas known for prior illegal drug transaction arrests. Evans
admitted to detectives that she sent the text to Glanton so that he could avoid law enforcement.

Tarance Glanton has been arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail on four occasions for a variety of charges including four felonies and six misdemeanors. The charges include: robbery, possession of cannabis with intent to sell, possession of
drug paraphernalia, possession of cannabis over 20 grams, possession of cannabis, and keeping a vehicle used to sell drugs.

Man Who Beat & Robbed 80 Yr. Old Winter Haven Woman Found Guilty

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Man Who Beat & Robbed 80 Yr. Old Winter Haven Woman Found Guilty

 

ChanceWinter Haven, Florida – Jury finds Polk County man who beat & robbed elderly woman guilty. On September 16, 2014 Winter Haven Police were called to Elonka’s Fashions located at 130 Plaza Roadway in Winter Haven around 5 p.m. At the time a suspect (later positively identified on video as Perry Chance) entered the business which was currently being worked by 80 year old Carol Sleeth was working. Police  say the woman was attacked, beaten & robbed. Chance had dragged her to a back room where he beat her (breaking her neck) and demanded her keys.  He then tied the Sleeth up and gagged her.

After a long investigation canvasing other businesses for video and video inside the shop the suspect, Chance, was identified. Below is the details of the case. Chance will be sentenced on September 14, 2016.

Provided By The State Attorney’s Office 10th Judicial Circuit

When Perry Lee Chance walked into the Winter Haven clothing store where 82-year-old Carol Sleeth was working, Sleeth had no way of knowing the same man would return four days later, rob her and beat her.
Chance, 55, faces life in prison after a jury found him guilty Thursday of burglary with an assault, robbery, kidnapping to facilitate a felony, aggravated battery and burglary.

Assistant State Attorney Steven Alamia showed the jury surveillance video of Chance walking into the store Sept. 16, 2014, where he took money out of the register and beat the victim with his fists. Chance tied her up, gagged her and left her in the store while he stole her keys out of her purse and drove off in her car.
In addition to the video, the 911 call was played.

Sleeth called police after she broke free from her bonds and removed the gag from her mouth. She told law enforcement how Chance kept “beating and beating” her and how she was “bleeding all over.”
“There’s really no dispute about what happened – that she was robbed, that she was beat, that she bled a horrific amount,” Alamia told jurors during his closing statement on Thursday. “You could hear on the 911 call how distraught she was.”

The victim identified Chance as her attacker shortly after the incident. She had a stroke about a year later, which led to her death.
Law enforcement began tracking Chance’s cell phone and located him driving up Interstate-75 in the victim’s vehicle. When officers stopped the car, they found the phone they’d been tracking, the backpack Chance wore in the surveillance video and – laid out on the seat – the shirt and shorts that he was wearing.
“It ties it all together,” Alamia said. “He’s found in her car … what’s found in the car puts him in that video.”
But Alamia said one of the most significant facts of the case was that Chance’s cell phone pings within a mile of the store at the time of the crime.
“All the evidence points to the defendant,” Alamia said. “Not only is it undisputed that all of these crimes happened: this defendant beat her, he robbed her, he tied her up and stuffed something in her mouth.”
“He’s the one who did all that, and the state has proven it beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said.
It only took the jury an hour and a half to come back with a guilty verdict. Chance will be sentenced on Sept. 14.

Woman Killed In Lake Wales Fire Early Wednesday Morning

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Woman Killed In Lake Wales Fire Early Wednesday Morning

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Polk County, Florida – On Wednesday Morning Polk County Fire Rescue advised that a woman was killed in a trailer fire and a male victim in the fire was injured. The fire took place around 4 am on Wednesday morning on Lido Avenue, Lake Wales.

The identity of the people is not currently being released. The male victim is being treated at Lake Wales Medical Center.

Currently the Polk County Sheriff’s Office & the state fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.

We will update when more details are available.

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