INSIDE the Lakeland Police Department

Lakeland Police Investigate Homicide - UPDATE

UPDATE

February 1, 2012

On February 1, 2012, at 1:31 am, officers heard gunshots in the area of Bassadena Circle West which was followed by a witness who reported seeing a white Toyota Camry leaving the area.  Officers located a gunshot victim, Gracia Rosius, 29 (B/M, DOB 2/18/82), lying in the roadway at this location.  The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin has been notified.

A white Toyota Camry was located in the area and was subsequently stopped.  The suspects, Antonio Maurice McClain, 29 (B/M, DOB 12/20/82), and Vartius Monyard Montgomery, 27 (B/M, DOB 1/21/85), were located in the car and a firearm was found. McClain and Montgomery have been arrested and are being charged with Felony Murder with a Firearm, Armed Robbery with a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.  Both suspects will be processed and transferred to Polk County Jail.  Information received is that Mr. Rosius was shot and killed during a robbery.

 ******ORIGINAL RELEASE******

Lakeland Police are investigating a homicide that occurred at approximately 1:31 a.m. in the 2100 block of Bassedena Circle West.  Officers were in the area when they heard shots fired, upon checking the area they located a black male victim. 

This investigation is in the very early stages, CIS is on scene.  Further information will be provided later this morning. 

There is no other information is available at this time. 

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police February "Chief's Chat"

 

Lakeland Police Department’s next Chief’s Chat will be held on Monday, February 6, 2012 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm in the Community Room of the Lakeland Police Department, located at 219 N Massachusetts Avenue.  This month, Chief Womack will be speaking with the group about violent crime in Lakeland and what the community can do to help.

posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Arrest Two for Vehicle Burglaries

Lakeland Police responded to Mondra Court at approximately 5;30 am on January 29, 2012 after receiving a report of a stolen vehicle owned by Timothy and Cheryl Pate..   The suspect, later identified as Ashley Walker (Age 17 of Lakeland), had stolen the 1999 Dodge Durango and crashed disabling the vehicle while attempting to flee the scene.  A relative of the victim made contact with Walker and held her until police arrived.  Walker was arrested for Grand Theft Motor Vehicle and Burglary to a Motor Vehicle. Walker sustained only very minor injuries in the crash.

This investigation into the theft of the stolen Dodge Durango led police to a suspect of another vehicle burglary that was reported at 3:30 am on January 29, 2012 on Houston Drive.  The owner of the 2007 GMC Sierra pickup, William Walker, reported seeing two white males flee from the vehicle when he was alerted by his vehicle alarm.  Walker found that a 45 caliber handgun had been stolen from his truck.  The firearm was recovered in the residence of Wesley Whitmore (Age 18, La Serena Drive, Lakeland).  Whitmore was arrested for Armed Burglary to a Motor Vehicle and Grand Theft. 

No photographs of suspects available at this time.

These investigations continue to be ongoing. Additional charges may be filed in relation to this case. Additional information will be released as it is received. 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigate Armed Robbery

Lakeland Police responded to Southeastern College, 1000 Longfellow Blvd., at approximately 8:30 pm on January 28, 2012 after receiving a report of a robbery.  Two students were approached by three black males wearing dark “hoodies: on the northeast side of the campus.  One of the suspects was armed with a gun.     The suspects robbed the students of personal belongings and fled south on foot from the area.  Police set up a perimeter and utilized a K9 in an attempt to track the suspects. The students were not injured.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding this robbery to contact the Lakeland Police Department at 863.834.6900.

Posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigate Single Vehicle Crash

Lakeland Police responded to 2800 Airport Road at 6:55 am on January 28, 2012 after receiving a report of a motorcycle crash at this location.  Lynn Marshall, (age 34 of Lakeland) was the driver of a 2000 Honda motorcycle that was westbound on Airport Road when the motorcycle traveled off the roadway.  Marshall was ejected from the motorcycle and was transported to LRMC where she is listed in critical condition. Marshall was the single passenger of the motorcycle and was not wearing a helmet.

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigate Shooting

UPDATE:  January 27, 2012: 

Lakeland Police have arrested Shavonte Shaquille Carr, age 18, of Lakeland for Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, and Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle for the shooting that occurred on January 22, 2012, at 10^th Street and Montrose Avenue in Lakeland.  The victim, a 16 year old female, continues to recover from her injuries. 

Carr was arrested at 6:45 pm today without incident while attending a Lakeland High School basketball game.  Carr has been transported to Polk County Jail where he is being held without bond.

No additional information will be released tonight. 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

 

Original Release

On January 22, 2012 at approximately 10:34 p.m., Lakeland Police responded to 10^th Street and Montrose Avenue in reference to a shooting.  The victim, a 16 year old female, was found to have been shot once in the back.  She was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center and is expected to survive.  Initial investigation indicates there was a disturbance at a party prior to the shooting.  It is unknown at this time what prompted the disturbance. 

Detectives are interviewing multiple witnesses.  The investigation is ongoing.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Investigate Homicide - UPDATE 2

UPDATE - 2

January 22, 2012

The victim has been identified as Oberne Paul, 44, B/M DOB 01/21/1968.  Next of kin has been notified.

UPDATE

January 22, 2012

Lakeland Police conducted interviews with several witnesses in reference to the homicide on January 21, 2012.  Indication from a witness is that the decedent was walking toward his vehicle when three young subjects were observed walking briskly toward him.  The witness realized the decedent was about to be robbed and yelled at the three subjects to stop what they were doing.  One of the three subjects pointed a firearm and shot the decedent in the upper torso; all three subjects then fled from the scene.  The decedent attempted to walk north on Texas Avenue before collapsing.  The decedent expired before EMS could provide medical assistance

As a result of further investigation, detectives interviewed several subjects, resulting in the arrest of Denard McCray, 18, B/M DOB 08/19/1993.  McCray was charged with Felony Murder with a firearm and transported to the Polk County Jail.

Next of kin of the decedent has not been notified.  The autopsy should be completed by Monday.

******ORIGINAL RELEASE******

On January 21, 2012 at approximately 7:17 p.m., Lakeland Police responded to the 600 block of N. Texas in reference to a shooting.  When police arrived, they found an adult male who had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.  The victim died on scene.  Identification of the victim is being withheld pending notification to the next of kin.

Initial information is that there was an altercation between the parties and the victim was shot.  Lakeland Police are interviewing witnesses to determine the nature of the altercation that led to the shooting.  No suspect is in custody. 

This investigation is in its infancy and as more information becomes available, further releases will be forthcoming.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO