Half-Naked FL Man Holding Carpet Cleaner Breaks Into Home: Reports

The man claimed he was high on drugs at the time he was accused of breaking into a FL home and grabbing carpet cleaner, reports say.

FL Gang Members Charged In Scheme To Defraud Banks, Residents

Nineteen people are facing charges after prosecutors said they defrauded more than two dozen banks and hundreds of people and businesses.

Man Beating Wife With Hammer Fatally Shot By Polk County Deputy

Deputies received a call Saturday from a 61-year-old woman who said she was being violently beaten by her husband.

435,000+ Convicted Criminals Entered U.S. Under Biden-Harris per ICE

Under Harris-Acting ICE Director Patrick Lechleitner said 13000 illegal immigrants convicted of murder-15,000 sex offenders entered U.S.

FL Teen Killed Mom, Previously Charged In Dad's Death: Sheriff

A FL sheriff said a 17-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing his mom last weekend was charged in 2023 in his dad's shooting death.

Fight Over Cat Injures 2 People In Lakeland: Report

Three people were arrested after an argument over the ownership of a cat turned violent in Lakeland, a report said.

Attorney Stole More Than $1.7M From Trust: Polk County Sheriff

A Polk County attorney gambled more than $1.7 million of a deceased client’s money at Seminole Hard Rock Casino, the sheriff's office said.

Couple Visiting FL Fatally Hit By Car While Walking With Daughter, 7

The couple was visiting Lakeland from Everett, Massachusetts with their 7-year-old daughter when they were fatally struck.

‘Crazy’ FL Mom Ran Over Toddler, Husband: Polk County Sheriff

The 16-month-old boy was hospitalized in critical condition after his mother ran over him and his father, the Polk County sheriff said.

$3.5M FL Drug Bust: 5 Charged With Trafficking Fentanyl In Polk Co.

Four of five suspects charged on suspicion of trafficking fentanyl over 28 grams were arrested in Polk Co. while a fifth person is at large.

2 Polk County Deputies Hurt, Suspect Killed In Shootout: Police

Sheriff Grady Judd said deputies approached the man in his car near Hunt Fountain Park before he started shooting.

Suspected Car Thief Returns Mother's Ashes To FL Man: Report

The Winter Haven man told WFLA the accused car thief had "a good heart" for returning his mother's ashes after allegedly stealing his car.

300 Child Porn Charges Filed Against Lake Alfred Commissioner: Reports

A Lake Alfred city commissioner and former mayor was charged with 300 counts of child pornography, the Polk County sheriff said.

Pre-Med UF Student Stabs Mother To Death In Polk County: Sheriff

A 21-year-old University of Florida student killed his mother in Frostproof while visiting for a family event, the sheriff’s office said.

1 Dead In Lakeland Plane Crash: Reports

Though the person was not identified Tuesday, a media outlet reported the pilot was the sole person aboard the plane.

Remains Of Missing Hillsborough Woman Identified 2 Years Later: Police

The Hillsborough and Polk county sheriff's offices partnered to locate Kelly Vazquez, who disappeared in May 2021.

Teen Pulled Gun On Spring Breakers At FL Beach: Volusia County Sheriff

A 16-year-old who pulled a gun on spring breakers at a FL beach threw the firearm and bags of marijuana into the ocean, authorities said.

24 Charged In Child Sex Crime Sting, Sex Offender Crackdown: Sheriff

The Polk County Sheriff has arrested or issued warrants for 24 people accused of child sex crimes or sex offenders violating the law.

FL Man Arrested For Storming U.S. Capitol On Jan. 6: U.S. DOJ

A Lakeland man was arrested on charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol building, U.S. Department of Justice said.

FL 'America's Most Wanted' Suspect's Daughters Turn Him In: Report

"Of all the places he could've gone, Lakeland was the wrong one," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

FL Man Dies After Lemon Juice Tanker Spill, Crash In CA

A 66-year-old Lake Wales man died from injuries he suffered when a tanker hauling lemon juice overturned in a CA crash five days before.

Man Handed Cops A Meth-Covered Driver's License Before Arrest: Police

Polk County deputies discovered several grams of methamphetamine in the man's car following a traffic stop Sunday, authorities said.

Suspect In Sierra Hernandez Killing Arrested In Polk County: Police

Enrique Martinez was wanted in connection with the death of Sierra Hernandez, who was reported missing on Jan. 14.

60-Foot-Deep Sinkhole Opens Outside Polk County Home

A sinkhole outside a home in Polk County is being monitored by the fire and rescue department.

Driver Injured After Crashing Into Lakeland Waffle House: Reports

The 65-year-old driver suffered minor injuries after the Florida Avenue crash, media reports say.

Lakeland Nurse Accused Of Poisoning Neighbor's Cats, Pregnant Dog

The woman denied the accusations she intentionally poisoned her neighbor's two cats and a pregnant Chihuahua because they entered her yard.

Airbnb Scammer Who Targeted Travelers Owned FL Property: Authorities

​A man believed to have spun a web of lies while making millions off of travelers using rental platforms has been charged, authorities said.

36 Animals Saved From Feces-Covered Polk Co. Home; Woman Charged: PCSO

Authorities said the Polk County woman was caring for an 82-year-old woman, who has been relocated to family members.

309 Animals Found In Mobile Home, Teacher Charged: Polk County Sheriff

A 2nd-grade teacher was charged with animal abuse, neglect after 142 cats, 164 fowl were found in her mobile home, Polk County sheriff said.

200 Cats, Chickens, Ducks Found Living In FL Mobile Home: Sheriff

More than 200 animals were found living with two women in a Polk County mobile home, the sheriff’s office said.

FL Man Stole Vodka, OJ For ‘Screwdriver’ On Thanksgiving: Sheriff

A man broke into an apartment to steal ingredients to make a “Screwdriver” vodka drink on Thanksgiving, the Polk County sheriff said.

Haines City Cop Accused Of Shoplifting From Walmart Multiple Times

David Griffin resigned from the Haines City Police Department after authorities charged him with multiple counts of retail theft.

Police Sergeant Injured In Hit-And-Run While On Duty: Report

A media report says the police sergeant was responding to an initial hit-and-run when he was hit by a minivan at Van Fleet Drive East.

Man Accused Of Nov. 22 Drive-By Shooting In Lake Wales Jailed: Sheriff

Polk County detectives said Daquan Carey is a documented gang history with a long history of felony arrests.

Sex Offense Against Student Leads To Teacher Arrest At Charter School

A ​second teacher was arrested at a Polk County charter school in less than a week for sex offenses against teenage girls, the sheriff said.

15-Year-Old Lakeland Boy On Bike Hit And Killed By School Bus

Police said evidence at the scene indicates the teen was trying to cross Pipkin Road when the bus struck him.

Family Of Girl Killed In Crash Demands Police Officer Be Fired

Civil rights groups are demanding the U.S. Department of Justice investigate a 5-year-old's death when hit by a police officer's vehicle.

FL Newborn Abandoned In Woods Gets Adopted 10 Months Later: Reports

A media outlet reported the newborn was believed to be an hour old when she was abandoned on Jan. 28 in Polk County.

Sub Teacher Arrested For Sex Offenses Against 2 Polk Students: Sheriff

Two Lakeland charter school students said their substitute teacher sent them videos showing him masturbating, said the sheriff.

Math Teacher Charged For Inappropriate Relationship With Student: Cops

Kevin Rodriquez-Febus, a teacher at Haines City High School, told police he loved the victim and wanted a relationship with her.