Bartow, Fla. (July 20, 2020) — The Polk County Department of Health will be in Bartow for COVID-19 testing on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.
This is a walk up or drive through testing site offering the COVID-19 coronavirus test free, while supplies last, on a first-come, first serve basis. You do not have to have a physician’s referral or show symptoms to be tested. Site and time is:
Wednesday, July 22 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Polk County Courthouse Jury Parking Lot, 255 N. Broadway, Bartow. This is on the west side of the courthouse, across the street from the County Administration Building.
For information regarding testing, please call the Department of Health at (863) 519-7900.
Fatal crash on Hwy 60 West at Old Hwy 60 (west of Mulberry). Crash occurred just before 7am. Please avoid the area, expected to be closed for several hours.
On Monday, July 20, 2020, at about 2:24 pm, the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 911 call regarding a crash on U.S. 98 North at Gibsonia-Galloway Road in Lakeland. The crash killed an elderly couple from Lakeland, and left another person with minor injuries.
Roger and Ethel Nemeth, both 85-years-old, were transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, but died of their injuries. Mr. Nemeth was the driver of a white 2018 Honda Fit, and Mrs. Nemeth was a passenger.
The other car, a black 2015 Mercedes S550, was driven by 21-year-old Andro Attaalla of Orlando. Attaalla was also taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where he was treated for a minor injury and released.
According to the preliminary crash investigation, Nemeth’s Honda entered into the turn lane on southbound U.S. 98 to make a left turn. While crossing the northbound lanes, the Honda entered the path of Attaalla’s northbound Mercedes, which had the right-of-way.
Everyone involved in the crash appeared to have been wearing their seat belts.
The roadway remained closed until about 7:00 pm for the investigation which remains ongoing.
LAKELAND, FL (July 20, 2020) – On Sunday, July 19, 2020, Lakeland Police responded to a report of shots fired in the area of 1000 Monroe Street at approximately 9:24 p.m. When officers arrived on scene they found a female victim inside a residence with gunshot wounds. The 25-year-old victim was declared deceased at the scene by Polk County Fire Rescue at 9:29 p.m. The victim’s three young children were also in the residence at the time of the shooting but were not injured. All are under the age of eight. They have since been reunited with family members. It is unknown where in the house they were at the time of the shooting.
This is still very early in the investigation. Detectives are continuing to follow up on leads and interview witnesses. If anyone has any information related to the case, please contact Detective Hathcock at [email protected] or 863.834.6975. To remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers – call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), visit www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,” or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
A fire in the Oakland community claimed the life of a single victim on Sunday night. The Haines City Fire Department was notified of a structure fire at 1005 Peach Court before 9:50 p.m. When firefighters arrived, the house was fully engulfed. Firefighters were able to pull Lawrence Williams, 57, through the window of the burning house. Williams was transported to AdventHealth Heart of Florida where he succumbed to his injuries. No one else was present at the time of the fire. “Our firefighters bravely did everything they could to save this man’s life,” Chief Jeff Davidson said. “We will keep him, his family and his friends are in our thoughts.” The State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire. An autopsy will be conducted at a later date to determine the cause of death. The Haines City Police Department assisted.
LAKELAND, FL (July 20, 2020) – Lakeland Police are currently working a homicide investigation related to a shooting that took place near the 1000 block of Monroe St. in Lakeland. Officers were dispatched to a report of shots fired shortly after 9 p.m. last evening. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found one adult victim.
It is very early in the investigation, and detectives are actively working to gather information from witnesses in the area. If anyone has any information related to this case, please call 863.834.6966.
No additional information is available at this time. An update will be provided later this morning.
Frostproof, Florida – Polk County Sheriff’s Office Homicide detectives are investigating a triple homicide in the unincorporated area of Frostproof. The victims are: Damion Tillman (23 years old), Kevin Springfield (30 years old), and Brandon Rollins (27 years old). Their information is being released with permission of their families. They are all three from Frostproof.
Preliminary information is as follows: Around 10:06 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020, Brandon Rollins called his dad and said “Help” – his dad knew Brandon had gone fishing with his two friends, Kevin and Damion. Brandon’s dad drove to Lake Streety Road. When he arrived he found his son Brandon barely alive, and his two friends deceased. Brandon was able to say a few things to his dad, which we are not releasing at this time.
Brandon’s dad left his home so fast, he forgot his cell phone. He drove to the nearest gas station to call 911.
When first responders arrived, all three men were deceased. They appear to have been beaten and shot. According to the families, the three men have been best friends for years and were fishing Friday night (on land, not in a boat).
A photo from th The trucks that the victims were in are the red and the white trucks. The black truck belongs to Brandon’s dad.
We are seeking the public’s help in this triple homicide. If anyone has information about this they are urged to contact PCSO at 863-298-6200. Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 CASH REWARD for information that leads to the arrests of the suspects responsible. Visitwww.heartlandcrimestoppers.comor call 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is on the scene of a triple homicide in Frostproof. There are three adult male victims with upper body trauma, all deceased.
Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 9:30 a.m. this morning (Saturday, July 18, 2020) at the scene.
The scene is remote – it is located at Lake Streety Road and US Hwy 27 in Frostproof. PCSO has mobile command center set up.
The victims were on Lake Streety fishing prior to being killed.
Spoofing Alert
What is spoofing? It’s not new.
All over our County, residents have received phone calls from those representing themselves as law enforcement members or from the Social Security Office. Winter Haven Police received numerous calls these past couple of days reporting these types of calls. (The phone number appears legit, but don’t trust your caller ID. It’s the content of the call that you need to be very aware of.)
The caller tells the citizen either their social security number has been compromised or that they have a warrant for their arrest (depending on what ruse the caller is using). They threaten the citizen with arrest unless they purchase Goggle Play, Green Dot or other pre-paid cards with the resident required to read the numbers on the card after purchase.
Poof! There goes the money the hard-working citizen earned.
Remember, law enforcement (and the Social Security Administration for that matter) will NEVER require payment over the phone for a warrant or other service, especially through pre-paid cards. Just Hang Up! (and if you still want clarification, make a phone call yourself to the local agency to verify.)
Learn all about spoofing through the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/calls
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred yesterday, Tuesday July 14, 2020 at some time around 4:30 p.m.
Deputies responded to the Bartow Regional Medical Center to a report of a deceased gunshot victim. When detectives arrived, they made contact with and interviewed the deceased’s friend (18 years-old), a witness to the shooting, who also drove the deceased (19 years-old) to the hospital.
The witness told detectives the deceased texted him (the witness) that he knew a place in Bartow where they could get some “free marijuana.” The witness also stated that once he was in the deceased’s car, the deceased made comments about stealing the marijuana.
The two then traveled to a residence in the unincorporated area east of Bartow where they met a third man (19 years-old) who, according to the witness, provided the marijuana that the three men then smoked together. The witness also stated, that after about 45 minutes, the witness and the deceased said they needed to leave, but the resident asked to first be paid for the marijuana. It is at that time the witness said the resident and the deceased became involved in an altercation, which ended when the resident shot the deceased twice. The witness then drove his friend to BRMC.
“This is a classic example of how drug crimes some people consider to be ‘low-level’ and ‘non-violent’ can quickly escalate to a violent, and even fatal situation.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
PCSO detectives interviewed both the witness and the shooter. This investigation is still on-going.
If anyone has information about this shooting they are urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. If anyone has information and wish to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers – call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,” or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
