Boy, 3, Dies After Accidentally Shooting Self With Father’s Gun: Polk Sheriff

A 3-year-old boy died after accidentally shooting himself with his father’s gun in a car at a Bartow Burger King, Polk County sheriff said.

2 Dead, Including Student, In School Bus Crash: Polk County Sheriff

A school bus crash left two people dead, including a 10th-grade girl who attended Winter Haven High School, Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said.

Emu Takes A Stroll On FL Highway, Prompting An Unusual Rescue

An emu wandered onto Polk Parkway before Florida troopers corralled the flightless bird to safety.

Family Of Florida Woman Killed In Fiery McLaren Crash Seek Aid To Bring Daughter Home

The family of a 22-year-old woman killed in a violent crash in California Sunday sought help from the community to bring her remains home.

Victim In Fiery McLaren Crash With Auto Influencer ID'd As FL Hooters Calendar Girl

The second passenger involved in a violent McLaren crash in Orange County that left the car split in half was identified as Florida woman.

Barefoot 8-Year-Old Found Crossing Highway Alone In Lakeland: Watch

The boy told a FL trooper that he had left his house to get snacks and didn’t tell his mother, reports said.

Live Korean War-Era Hand Grenade Brought To FL Police Station

A live hand grenade was brought to a FL police station by a person who found it while helping a family member clean out their belongings.

Polk K-9 Ace Goes Home After Losing Leg In Line-Of-Duty Shooting: Watch

Polk County Sheriff's Office K-9 Ace was released from the animal hospital after losing his leg in a line-of-duty shooting.

Polk K-9 Critically Wounded, Suspect Dead After Deputy-Involved Shooting

K-9 Ace was critically wounded by a suspect he was tracking, who was shot and killed by Polk County deputies. The dog's leg was amputated.

Son Charged With Mother's Murder After U.S. 27 Crashes: Polk County Sheriff

A 21-year-old man was charged with his mother's murder and leaving the scene of a crash, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

HIV+ FL Pastor Arrested In Child Sex Abuse Investigation: Sheriff

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said a Winter Haven pastor faces charges involving a 14-year-old boy and HIV disclosure allegations.

Rabid Cat That Terrorized Lakeland Neighborhood Linked To 5 Bites, Puppy Attack

A stray cat tied to five bites and a puppy attack in north Lakeland tested positive for rabies, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

FL Deputy With Cowboy Hat In Hand Wrangles Large Gator

A FL deputy wrangled a large gator, climbing onto its back to keep it in place until a licensed trapper arrived.

Missing FL Girl Found Hiding In Sex Offender’s Closet: Sheriff

A missing 17-year-old FL girl who ran away from home was found hiding in the closet of a registered sex offender, authorities said.

Stolen Truck With Flat Tire, Little Gas Hampers Theft Suspect: Police

Polk County officials quickly arrested a man accused of stealing a pickup truck after he abandoned it because it had a flat tire and no gas.

Winter Haven Woman Used Meth Before Crash That Killed Boy, Injured Another: Police

The crash also led Polk County deputies to launch a separate investigation that ended with the arrests of six people.

Lakeland Substitute Teacher Accused Of Inappropriate Conduct With Students: Sheriff

A Polk County substitute teacher was charged with lewd and lascivious conduct on a minor, the sheriff’s office said.

Pedestrian Fatally Struck By Car On Interstate 4 On-Ramp In Polk County

The on-ramp was closed for several hours following the collision, according to authorities.

Man Fatally Shot Outside Lakeland Pool Hall, Accused Shooter In Custody

Police said the shooting occurred early Thursday morning at the business in Lakeland.

House Cleaner Accused Of Stealing Jewelry From Client In Polk County

The arrest is the third for the woman, who was previously accused of stealing jewelry from clients in both Polk and Hillsborough counties.

Lakeland Woman Practiced Veterinary Medicine Without License: Polk County Sheriff

A Lakeland woman was arrested on multiple charges, including practicing veterinary medicine without a license and animal neglect, PCSO said.

Man Accidentally Shot Self, Falsely Reported Drive-By Shooting: Polk County Sheriff

A Mulberry man falsely reported a drive-by shooting after accidentally shooting himself, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

Teacher Caused 5-Acre Brush Fire By Burning Debris In Backyard: Polk Sheriff

A Polk County teacher was arrested for burning debris in his yard and cursing a 5-acre brush fire despite a burn ban, the sheriff said.

Biker Zoomed Past Cop At 130 MPH Then Crashed: Sheriff

A motorcyclist in Polk County zoomed past a sheriff's deputy at 130 miles per hour, authorities said. A chase led to a fiery crash.

Substitute Teacher ‘Drunker Than Cooter Brown’ Arrested For DUI At School: Polk Sheriff

A subtitute teacher was arrested for DUI in the parking lot of a school in Lake Alfred, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

Sexy Money Murder FL Gang Leader Convicted Of Multiple Charges: FL Attorney General

A leader of the Sexy Money Murder gang faces up to five consecutive life terms in prison, the FL attorney general said.

Driver Attempts To Walk Away From Lakeland Crash: Sheriff

He struck a parked vehicle and 2 mailboxes, the sheriff says.

Burglar Found In Lakeland Barn Helps Himself To Whiskey: PD

A burglar drank about half the Crown Royal whiskey he found stashed in a barn — and then resisted arrest, sheriff says.

Retired FL Cop Arrested After Making Threats Over Parking Ticket At Publix: Sheriff

A retired Lakeland cop was arrested for threatening a volunteer officer for giving him a ticket for parking in Publix fire lane, PCSO said.

FL Man, Shot Killed Wife During Argument About ‘Monday Night Football’: Sheriff

The Lakeland man also shot his 13-year-old stepdaughter, critically injuring her, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

Active Church Member, Father Faces 76 Child Porn Charges: Polk County Sheriff

An Auburndale father and active church member was found with 76 child pornography photos and videos, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested After Anonymous Tip: Sheriff

“I’m the one you’re looking for,” a Winter Haven man wanted for attempted murder told Polk County deputies arresting him.

8 PA Teens Arrested For Stealing From FL Dick’s Sporting Goods Store: Sheriff

A group of teens from Philadelphia who were in Polk County for a football tournament were arrested for retail theft, authorities said.

Driver Claims ‘Dirty Bomb’ Is In Truck At Publix: Police

A Florida driver faces multiple charges after claiming he had a “dirty bomb” in his truck during a traffic stop at a Publix, police said.

Winter Haven Woman Fatally Struck By 2 Cars In Polk County

Florida state police said the incident happened early Saturday morning in Polk County.

Speeding Car Overturns In Crash With Police Patrol SUV: FL Highway Patrol

A speeding driver and officer were injured in an early morning crash in Winter Haven, the Florida Patrol said.

5 Injured In Crash Involving Fire Rescue Battalion Chief: Polk County Officials

A crash that injured 5 people and involved the Polk County Fire Rescue battalion chief triggered a mass casualty incident, officials said.

2 People Thrown From Motorcycle In Lakeland Crash: Police

The impact of the crash caused both the driver and his passenger to be thrown from the motorcycle, police say.

Motorcyclist Killed In Crash In Polk County

The crash occurred Saturday morning on South Florida Avenue, police said.

Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty Months After 2 Dead Dogs Found In Yard: Polk County Sheriff

A woman was charged with animal cruelty after her deployed brother's two dogs died in her care in Polk County, the sheriff's office said.