‘Suicide by cop:’ Man with knife shot dead by Polk deputy, Auburndale officers, sheriff says
A man with a knife who allegedly jumped from bushes at law enforcement in an Auburndale neighborhood Tuesday evening was shot and killed by two officers and a Polk County deputy, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.
‘Wrong place at the wrong time:’ 2 arrested in Polk County fatal shooting of dirt biker, sheriff says
Two people were arrested after a man was fatally shot in March while riding a dirt bike one of the suspects paid for and decided not to buy, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a Tuesday news briefing.
Bodies of missing boaters found in Lake Eloise, Sheriff Grady Judd says
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Sunday held a news conference to provide new details in the search for two men who went missing on Lake Eloise the day prior and are presumed dead, as well as the circumstances that led to their disappearance.
Polk sheriff speaks out after New Year begins with blundered burglary, 2 drive-by shootings
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Wednesday held a news conference to wish a happy New Year to listeners and “a sad New Year for some shooting suspects,” referencing two drive-by shootings reported in his jurisdiction since 2023 began, as well as a burglary involving a man who Judd described as “the dumbest person on the face of the Earth.”
Arson suspect shot by deputies, captured after chase on I-4 in Polk and Hillsborough counties, sheriff says
A 30-year old Lakeland man faces multiple charges after he attempted to start a house fire in Lakeland and then led deputies on a chase that made its way onto Interstate 4, closing parts of the highway on Sunday, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
‘We’re still counting bullet holes:’ 1 dead, 4 injured in road shooting, Polk sheriff says
A 20-year-old man was killed and four others were hospitalized in critical condition from an exchange of gunfire between two moving cars in unincorporated Winter Haven early Sunday morning, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
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Lake Wales man faces murder charge after driving victim’s car around, Polk sheriff says
Javorice Tramel, 21, was initially arrested on Sept. 22 for grand theft of the victim’s vehicle and violation of probation, but after an investigation by the Polk Sheriff’s Office, he has been charged with first degree murder and using a two-way device to commit a felony.
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Florida gunman kills 4, including woman holding infant, in apparent random attack
A Florida sheriff says a man wearing full body armor fatally shot four people, including a mother and the 3-month-old baby she was cradling, and engaged in a massive gunfight with police and deputies before getting wounded and surrendering.
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‘Vile and demented:’ Polk County man had over 600 child porn images, videos, sheriff’s office says
A Winter Haven man was found with over 600 images and videos depicting child pornography and tried to factory reset his phone after “battering a victim in the home” before deputies arrived, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
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11 suspects face felony charges after receiving illegal CARES Act funds, deputies say
Ebony Chaney, 34, of Lake Wales - Charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, obtaining property by fraud, grand theft and cheating/gross fraud. Phyllis Tirado, 49, of Lake Wales - Charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, obtaining property by fraud and cheating/gross fraud. Takila McBurrows, 36, of Lake Wales - Charged with obtaining property by fraud, grand theft and criminal use of personal ID. AdTashai Newman, 43, of Winter Haven - Charged with obtaining property by fraud, grand theft and criminal use of personal ID. Derrick Dawsey, 50, of Lake Wales - Charged with obtaining property by fraud, grand theft and criminal use of personal ID.
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Polk County educator accused of hitting fence during DUI crash
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Polk County Public Schools employee crashed her pickup truck and was arrested for driving under the influence, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies responded to Lake Mabel Loop Road around 4:03 p.m. Sunday where a black Chevrolet Silverado was crashed into a barbed wire fence. Following a field sobriety test, Steele was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail. Deputies also collected two breath samples that read .183 and .178 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. “Thankfully, this was not a serious crash, but the issue of driving while impaired is still a very serious problem.”According to the sheriff’s office, Steele is currently employed by Polk County schools in the curriculum and instruction department as a social science coach.
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Polk County paramedic allowed fire captain to take COVID-19 vaccines, sheriff says
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Polk County paramedic is accused of stealing highly sought-after coronavirus vaccine doses, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. Polk County Fire Rescue contacted the sheriff’s office after determining the doses were not given to firefighters and were missing. The sheriff, along with Polk County Fire Chief Robert Weech described Tuesday during a news conference how authorities learned of the missing doses. Polk County Fire Rescue paramedic arrested Sheriff Grady Judd, along with PCFR Fire Chief Robert Weech and Deputy County Manager Joe Halman, is giving details about the arrest of Polk County Fire Rescue paramedic Joshua Colon in the theft of three Moderna vaccine doses. The captain was formerly a reserve deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
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Man stole lights from triple homicide victim’s grave because ‘they were pretty,’ deputies say
“He was laid to rest in a grave in Fort Meade, there were solar lights placed in his grave by his family and a worthless individual stole those lights. They installed a game camera that downloaded text and put more solar lights up,” Judd said. We have caught us a thieving animal on the game camera, they notify the sheriff’s office, we immediately responded and arrested Kevin Wheeler with more stolen lights from Damien Tillman’s grave,” Judd said. I thought they were cool so I stole them off of a dead young man’s grave, who was viciously murdered,’” Judd said. His criminal history includes grand theft and vehicle theft charges, as well as receiving a special court martial by the U.S.
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Lake Nona High School student arrested after 4 teens hurt at house party
An 18-year-old Lake Nona High School student was arrested Monday in connection with a house party that left four teens injured, including a girl who was dragged under a car for 450 feet, Polk County sheriff’s officials said. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said Mateo Pinzon Penagos was arrested in Orlando on charges of burglary with damages over $1,000, criminal use of personal identification and allowing minors alcohol at an open house party. Sheriff’s officials said the vacation home sustained more than $2,000 in damage, and detectives later determined that it was hosted by Penagos. They said they were also able to locate witnesses who saw Penagos with the stolen identification and had first-hand knowledge that he was responsible for arranging the open house party. “At the very least, open house parties are loud and disruptive to neighborhoods and leave litter and damages behind,” Judd said.
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Lakeland school custodian accused of grabbing woman by neck during domestic violence incident
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A custodian at a Lakeland elementary school is accused of grabbing a woman by her neck during a domestic dispute, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. News 6 is not naming the suspect in order to protect the identity of the victim. The man is facing a domestic violence charge of battery on a person over the age of 65. In this particular case, this man was arrested for a violent act. Losing his temper and becoming violent is not acceptable behavior for anyone, especially someone who is around a lot of children each day,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news release.