Wanted Man Who Taunted FL Sheriff On Social Media Arrested On Multiple Felony Charges

Lakeland police arrested a wanted man on multiple felony charges after he taunted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on social media.

Man Bitten By Alligator, Killed By Cops After Charging Them: Police

The man swam an alligator-infested lake to access a gated community, refusing a life preserver and growling at one person, police said.

Man Fatally Stabbed Victim 113 Times In 'Violent Death': Polk Sheriff

A man fatally stabbed another man 113 times because of the "voices in (his) head," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

Pedestrian Struck, Killed In Hit-And-Run In Winter Haven: Reports

Deputies were called to Spirit Lake Road at around 2:29 a.m., WFLA reported.

Man Sleeping In Front Of Gas Pump Bit K-9 Deputy’s Ear: Polk Sheriff

When two men were found sleeping in front of a gas pump at a Polk County gas station, one bit a K-9 deputy’s ear, the sheriff’s office said.

FL Teen Acquitted Of Killing Mom 2 Years After Shooting Dad

Nearly two years after the Polk Co. teen was accused of shooting and killing his father, he was tried for murder in the death of his mother.

FL Grandma Found Guilty Of Leaving Granddaughter In Hot Car

Seven-month-old Uriel Schock died in November 2022 when her grandmother, Tracey Nix, left her in a hot car in Hardee County.

'Pervert' Touched 16-Year-Old At Chick-Fil-A: Polk County Sheriff

The suspect, previously accused of groping several women, was released from prison in October, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

‘You People Are Next’: Lakeland Woman Threatens Health Insurance Co.

A Lakeland woman was arrested for threatening a Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance rep, saying, “delay, deny, depose,” reports said.

FL Man Found Guilty Of Jan. 6. U.S. Capitol Riot Charges: U.S. DOJ

A Lakeland man tried to grab a baton from an officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol building, the U.S. DOJ said.

Man's Body Pulled From Retention Pond In Lakeland: Reports

Residents alerted the Polk County Sheriff's office, WFLA.com reported.

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.