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March 27, 2009

Lakeland Police Search for Armed Robbery Suspects

Warrants have been issued for Joshua Antwon Holland and Joshua D. McCall for <a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef01156e76b187970c-popup" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" style="FLOAT: right"><img alt="CS09_11a" border="0" class="at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef01156e76b187970c image-full " height="302" src="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef01156e76b187970c-800wi" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 49.74%; HEIGHT: 234px" title="CS09_11a" /></a> Armed Robbery with a Firearm.  If you have any information regarding these suspects or know of there whereabouts, please contact the Lakeland Police Department, 863.834.6900, or Crime Stoppers 1.800.226.TIPS.  These suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.  If you come into direct contact with them, do not approach, but call police immediately. <a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/files/cs09_11.pdf">Download Crime Stoppers Bulletin for Reward Information 1</a> Sergeant Terri Smith

Posted at 05:58 PM | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

March 25, 2009

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Grand Theft Suspect

Lakeland Police are attemtping to identify individual suspected of stealing merchandise <a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef01156f542402970b-popup" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" style="FLOAT: right"><img alt="CS09-10" border="0" class="at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef01156f542402970b " src="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef01156f542402970b-800wi" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" title="CS09-10" /></a>from Target, 3570 Harden Bl., Lakeland, Florida, on three separate occasions. <a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/files/cs09_10.pdf">Download Heartland Crime Stoppers Bulletin for additional information on crime suspect and details to collect reward for information_10</a> Sergeant Terri Smith

Posted at 05:34 PM | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

March 23, 2009

DTRT Scholarships Announced

The Lakeland Police Department's Do The Right Thing program is committed to recognizing individual youths of this community who have distinguished themselves as students through their school and community involvement, citizenship, and academic success. With this in mind, the DTRT program is offering three scholarships to seniors from local public high schools.

Two $500 cash award scholarships will be awarded to two high school seniors. One additional $500 cash award scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior pursuing a degree and/or career in the law enforcement field.

These scholarships are awarded based on the following criteria:

academic performance
school and community involvement
personal statement of applicant
exemplary citizenship

You can download the DTRT Scholarship Requirements and DTRT Scholarship Application forms in PDF format here.

The deadline for submission is soon. Application packets must be postmarked no later than Saturday, April 18, 2009. Complete instructions and address for mailing the applications on are on the forms.

Good luck!

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Posted at 02:04 PM in Community Policing, Department Events, Miscellaneous, Public Information Office | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

March 22, 2009

LAKELAND POLICE INVESTIGATE DROWNING

At approximately 12:45 p.m., police responded to the Kingston Inn, 910 E Memorial Bl.,  Lakeland,  Florida, in reference to a drowning.  Jacqueline Powell, age 38, was caring for 4 year old Tia Green and another 3 year old child at the motel.  Jacqueline later stated she had fed both children breakfast and gone back to sleep.  When Jacqueline woke up, the children were no longer in the room.   The desk chair was near the door and the door chain unlatched allowing the door to be opened.  Jacqueline went looking for the children and found rescue workers at the pool with Tia.  Witnesses had found Tia in the swimming pool at the motel and called  EMS. Tia was transported to  Lakeland Regional Medical Center where she later died.<o:p></o:p> At this time, this case appears to be an accidental drowning, and no charges are expected to be filed.  Tia Green’s father, Timothy Green, was not at the motel when the incident occurred.  The other child was located unharmed.  Next of kin has been notified in this case.  No additional information will be released tonight.    Sergeant Terri Smith

Posted at 08:36 PM | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

March 21, 2009

Lakeland Police Identify Armed Robbery Suspect

3/20/09:  At approximately 5:46 pm, police received a call that a person had been shot at <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">1510<a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef01156e37cb30970c-pi" style="FLOAT: right"><img alt="09_14bRodneySmith" border="0" class="at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef01156e37cb30970c " src="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef01156e37cb30970c-800wi" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" title="09_14bRodneySmith" /></a> Kathleen Road in  Lakeland.  Police responded and found two victims of a personal robbery.  One victim had been shot, and the other “pistol whipped” by the suspect, </st1:address></st1:street>now identified as Rodney Deshun Smith, DOB:  10/7/79, or 11148 Stoney Pt Ln W, Jacksonville, FL.  Witnesses stated that the suspect had fled in a Ford sedan.  The shooting victim was transported to  Lakeland Regional Medical Center.  <o:p></o:p> The victim that was shot in this incident is Ronald Fernandaz, 221 Eastside Dr.,  Lakeland, age 25.  The victim that was pistol whipped is  Santos Perez, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">2415 Houchen Rd.,  Ft. Meade,  FL, age 43.  Three other victims of this same robbery are Domingo Lavander, 6727 Lois Av., Tampa, FL, age 34; Bladimir Salgado, 1940 Elliott St., Lakeland, FL, age 35;  and Ramone E. Fradera, 2451 Deltona Bl., Spring Hill, FL, age 32. <o:p></o:p></st1:address></st1:street></st1:address> Officers spotted the Smith’s vehicle at the location of 98 Bypass and <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">South Florida Avenue in  Lakeland.  Smith fled from officers and crashed into a pole at <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">400 South Lake Avenue in  Lakeland.  Smith fired shots at officers and fled on foot from the scene.  <o:p></o:p></st1:address></st1:street></st1:address></st1:street> Smith then carjacked victims driving a Nissan Maxima at the location of <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">811 East Palmetto Street.  The car jacking victims were not injured.  </st1:address></st1:street>The victim in the Nissan Maxima is Breanna N. Young, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">725 E Orange St., #7,  Lakeland, age 18.  The suspect approached Ms. Young who was sitting in the car at the Laundromat with two young children in the vehicle and ordered her and the children from the vehicle.  <o:p></o:p></st1:address></st1:street></st1:street></st1:address> Officers located the Nissan Maxima in the area of <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Rushing Avenue and <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">McDonald Street.  Officers pursued this vehicle to <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">County Line Road and <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Shepherd Road where police were able to disable the vehicle Smith was driving at approximately 6:14 pm.  Smith died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  <o:p></o:p></st1:address></st1:street></st1:address></st1:street></st1:address></st1:street></st1:address></st1:street>   Officer Scott Kercher received minor injuries during the course of this incident, and was treated and released from  Lakeland Regional Medical Center.  No shots were fired during this event by  Lakeland Police Officers.  This investigation is ongoing. No additional information will be released tonight.  Next of kin for Rodney Smith has been notified.  For additional information tomorrow, contact Sergeant Terri Smith, Acting PIO, at 863.981.0196.

Posted at 11:00 PM | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

March 20, 2009

The Speed of Rumors

It amazed me just how fast the recent hoax e-mail suggesting gang violence would occur at a local merchant made its way across Florida and Georgia on Wednesday. Talk about speed and efficiency! We were still getting calls about the hoax yesterday.

This whole episode got me wondering...

What would happen if I sent out an e-mail to all my friends (not that I have that many friends to begin with, but I digress) announcing with a high degree of certainty someone's unlocked car would get burglarized today at a local shopping mall, so be sure to lock your vehicle and put your valuables out of sight.

Would panic set in and suddenly people would send the e-mail all over Florida? Would folks start locking their cars and putting purses or cell phones or computers or GPS units in a secure container (say a locked trunk) - and thereby reduce our motor vehicle burglary rate by 50% or so?

Nah - probably not because there is nothing sensational to a car burglary, unless it's your stuff getting stolen and your car getting damaged! But just imagine for a moment how a single e-mail could send a simple message of crime prevention and reduce victimization in our community.

Ah, the speed of rumors...

But if you just happen to remember one thing the next time you park your car -- please lock it or risk losing something valuable from it because I am quite sure a car burglary is going to happen somewhere today. You can count on that e-mail message being factual.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Posted at 11:54 AM in Community Policing, Crime Prevention Tips, Miscellaneous, Public Information Office | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

March 19, 2009

UPDATE: Lakeland Police Charge Man with Lewd & Lascivious Act on a Child

<img class="at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef01116908bc40970c " title=09_13Mauro style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" alt=09_13Mauro src="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef01116908bc40970c-800wi" border=0>   On 3/19/09, the following additional chargers were filed on Christopher Dominic Mauro, (DOB:  7/10/79): <O:P></O:P>     1.   Sexual  Battery on a Child under 12 (3 Counts) Capital Felony     2.   Molestation on a child under 12 (2 Counts) Life Felony<O:P></O:P>    3.  Battery of a Child Expelling Fluids (3 Counts) 3rd Degree Felony.  <O:P></O:P> <O:P></O:P> These additional charges are the result of forensic examination of digital images found in Mauro’s home.  No additional information will be released on this case until sometime next week.  The case remains under an ongoing investigation.   On 3/18/09, police executed a search warrant at 6258 Peacock Run, Lakeland, after a roommate<A style="FLOAT: right" href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef01116908bc40970c-pi"></A> advised she had found explicit photographs of a young girl on her roommate’s computer.   <O:P></O:P> <O:P></O:P> Police found explicit images of a child Mauro had been babysitting for a few days on a computer belonging to Christopher Dominic Mauro (DOB:  7/10/79).  The child belonged to an acquaintance of Mauro’s from Largo,  Florida. Mauro was arrested without incident when he was located in  St. Petersburg with the child. The child was not physically harmed. Mauro’s computer contained a collection of pornographic images which is still being examined.  The lead investigative agency on this case is the FBI Innocent Image Task Force, comprised of officers from several agencies including the Lakeland Police Department and FDLE.<O:P></O:P> <O:P></O:P> Mauro has been charged with Promoting Sexual Performance of a Child, Sexual Performance of a Child and Lewd and Lascivious Molestation.   Other State and Federal Charges are pending based on forensic examination of the computer.    Sergeant Terri Smith

Posted at 06:34 PM | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Subject Arrested on Child Sex Abuse Charges

On 3/18/09, the Lakeland Police Department responded to 6258 Peacock Run, Lakeland, in reference to a witness discovering explicit photographs of a young girl on her roommate's computer. Members of the Special Investigations Section and Crimes Against Children Unit responded to the location to investigate. A search warrant was obtained and later executed on the residence to search the computer and residence.

It was discovered that one of the explicit images of a child on the computer was that of an acquaintance of the suspect. The suspect had been babysitting the child for a few days. The FBI Innocent Images task Force and Florida Department of Law Enforcement assisted in the investigation by locating the suspect in Largo at the child's residence. The child was not harmed. This location is not being disclosed to protect the identity of the child victim.

Arrested was:

Christopher D. Mauro, W/M
DOB 7/10/79
6258 Peacock Run
Lakeland, Florida 33809

Mauro was taken into custody without violence and transported to the Pinellas County Jail where he was later interviewed by Lakeland Police detectives and agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Subsequently, Mauro has been charged with Promoting Sexual Performance of a Child, Sexual Performance of a Child and Lewd and Lascivious Molestation.

The investigation continues and is a collective effort of the Innocent Images Task Force, Lakeland Police Department and Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Sgt. Gary Gross will be standing by at the Lakeland Police Department until 6:00pm for any additional questions. 863-834-8980

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Posted at 03:58 PM in Public Information Office | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

March 18, 2009

Misinformation in Hoax E-mails

A flurry of e-mails have circulated throughout the area reporting that a gang-related act of violence will occur at a local Wal-Mart, in particular targeting women. I have seen a couple of versions now, and we have received numerous calls at the police department asking if the e-mails were true. We are now learning these e-mails made the rounds throughout Florida and Georgia.

It's amazing how fast a rumor like this one can spread.

The information in the e-mails is false and carries no credibility with law enforcement agencies in our state. I encourage folks to feel free to continue shopping at Wal-Mart.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Posted at 05:27 PM in Public Information Office | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Warrant Issued in Attempted First Degree Murder, Lakeland Police Search for Suspect

UPDATE:  GIBSON WAS ARRESTED ON 3/29/09.   A warrant has been issued for Cornelius Patrick Gibson for Attempted First Degree Murder as a result of a <a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef011169010540970c-pi" style="FLOAT: right"><img alt="09_12Gibson" border="0" class="at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef011169010540970c " src="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef011169010540970c-800wi" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px" title="09_12Gibson" /></a>shooting that occurred on Monday, March 16, 2009, at approximately 12:05 am, at 1734 Crystal Grove Drive, Lakeland.  The victim in this shooting, Alfred Lawrence Dodd (age 29), was transported to  Lakeland Regional Medical Center.  Dodd’s condition is unknown at this time.  <o:p></o:p> Gibson’s last known address is 1667 Crystal Park South, Lakeland,  Florida.  Anyone who may know the whereabouts of Gibson is asked to contact  Detective Stacey Pough, 863.834.8978, or the  Lakeland Police Department at 863.834.6900.<o:p> Do not approach Gibson on sight.  Gibson should be considered armed and dangerous.  If you come into contact with Gibson, contact police immediately.  <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p>   For additional information contact Sgt. Terri Smith, Acting PIO, 863-981-0196.    <a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/files/cs09_9homicidewarrant-2.pdf">Download Crime Stoppers Bulletin </a>   Sergeant Terri Smith </o:p>

Posted at 02:47 PM | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

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March 27, 2009

Lakeland Police Search for Armed Robbery Suspects

March 25, 2009

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Grand Theft Suspect

March 23, 2009

DTRT Scholarships Announced

March 22, 2009

LAKELAND POLICE INVESTIGATE DROWNING

March 21, 2009

Lakeland Police Identify Armed Robbery Suspect

March 20, 2009

The Speed of Rumors

March 19, 2009

UPDATE: Lakeland Police Charge Man with Lewd & Lascivious Act on a Child

Subject Arrested on Child Sex Abuse Charges

March 18, 2009

Misinformation in Hoax E-mails

Warrant Issued in Attempted First Degree Murder, Lakeland Police Search for Suspect

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