INSIDE the Lakeland Police Department

Lakeland Police Need Volunteers for Sun N Fun Fly-In

Lakeland Police Athletic League is now accepting applications for volunteers to work the gates  at Sun N Fun Fly-In at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport from March 29 to April 3, 2011. 

You must be at least 13 years to volunteer.   Volunteers 13 through 17 must have the approval of your parent or legal guardian. 

There will be an information meeting on Tuesday, March 8^th, 2011, at 7:00 pm at the Lakeland Police Department Don Jones Community Room, 219 N Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland.  There will be applications available and other information will be presented about the volunteer process and the event.  Volunteers will receive free admission at Sun N Fun Fly-In, a T-Shirt and Cap, Free Lunch Daily, and Free Drinks During Work Shift.

There are two daily volunteer shifts at the Fly-In:  6:45 am to 11:00 am and 10:45 am to 3:00 pm.

Contact for volunteers is Tim Abram at 863.834.8970.  Download PAL Volunteer Application Form 

Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863-834-6917. 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Search for Missing Children

UPDATE:  March 2, 2011, 5:20 PM:  Cancel Missing Person Bulletin.  The children are no longer missing and havebeen returned.

UPDATE:  February 28, 2011, 3:00 PM:  Police are still searching for the missing children in this case but the children are no longer considered to be endangered.  Police have been in contact with the mother of the children, Lucille Wilson, who stated the children are in her custody and they are safe and unharmed.  The children are still listed as missing until police are able to physically observe the children to ascertain they are safe and with their mother. 

Lakeland Police are searching for two children believed to be in the custody of their mother,  Lucille Elizabeth Wilson (DOB:  10/23/79, Lakeland).  Both children were reported missing on Thursday, February 24, 2011. 

Aparecio Williams, age 9, was reported missing from the bus stop 1134 N Webster in Lakeland.  Aparecio is a black male, 4’0” tall, weighing 62 lbs., and was last seen wearing blue jeans and a red Polo shirt.

Antonio Gray, Jr., age 12, was reported missing from church at 2004 Martin Luther King Avenue.  Antonio is a black male, 5’0” tall, weighing 85 lbs, and was last seen wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

Wilson has weekly visitation with the boys, but not primary custody.   Wilson also has a third son, age 13, that resides with her.  Police believe Wilson has all three boys with her at this time. Wilson is possibly driving a small red hatch back vehicle, and may also be with a unidentified adult male.

Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863-834-6917.

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Attempted Theft Suspect

Lakeland Police have images of a woman who attempted to take merchandise from a retail  store on February 18, 2011.  Suspect is described as a white female, possibly Hispanic, 25 to 30 years old, 5’03” to 5’07”.

If you can identify this suspect please contact Detective Stephanie Burcham at the Lakeland Police Department, 863.834.6900, or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.226.8477. 

Download Original Crime Stoppers Bulletin

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

 

 

 

Lakeland Police Search for Missing Endangered Man

UPDATE:  February 26, 2011, 10:00 pm.  Zachary Henson was  located in Osceola County at approximately 9:30 pm.  Cancel bulletin.

UPDATE:  February 26, 2011, 11:30 am.  There have been several reports by citizens of Zachary seen walking in the Haines City/Davenport area yesterday morning.  The callers stated that Zachary was wearing the same clothing as before.  We would ask citizens in this area to be on the lookout for Zachary.  Please continue to look for Zachary so we can bring him home safely. 

Lakeland Police are looking for Zachary Dean Hansen, a missing endangered person last seen  at 217 N Wabash on February 24, 2011, at approximately 5:30 pm.  Zachary has a medical condition and is required to take medication daily.  Zachary is described as a white male, 31 years old, with brown hair and brown eyes.  Zachary was last see wearing a brown hooded jacket, jeans, white socks, and “slide” sandals.  Zachary left the location on foot.

Police are currently searching for Zachary with patrol and PCSO helicopter.  If you have seen Zachary, or have any information on his whereabouts, please contact the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6900.

Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863-834-6917. 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Mourn Loss of Fellow Police Officer

We are deeply saddened for the loss of St. Petersburg Police Officer David Crawford who was  shot and killed in the line of duty on February 21, 2011.  

Our thoughts and prayers once again go to the members of the SPPD as they mourn and deal with the tragic loss of another brother officer, all the while continuing to do their jobs to hunt down the suspect who remains on the run at this time. Their steadfast dedication to serve the community and their unrelenting professionalism are admirable, especially in difficult times such as these.  We would also like to extend our sympathies to Officer Crawford’s family and friends that have suffered this tragic loss. 

The Lakeland Police Department has extended an offer to assist SPPD in any way and we are standing by to hear where and when we are needed. 

Chief Charles Thompson

Lakeland Police Department

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Arrest Vehicle Burglar After Tip from Witnesses

Lakeland Police responded to Lakeside Village, 1650 Town Center Drive on February 20, 2011,  at approximately 9:20 pm after receiving a report from witnesses of a possible attempted vehicle burglary.  Witnesses stated they were parked at the Cobb Theater when they observed a white male enter a vehicle they knew did not belong to him.  The witnesses yelled at him, “That is not your car”, and the suspect left.  Witnesses called police and gave a description of the suspect. 

Lt. Hans Lehman located Dustin Aderman, (Age 16 of Lakeland) sitting alone in a vehicle at Kohls, 1401 Town Center Drive.  At this time police received another call from a victim, Kathleen Smith (Age 46, Lakeland), of a vehicle burglary that had occurred at the Hampton Inn, 4630 Lakeside Village Blvd.  Property taken in this burglary was in Aderman’s possession. 

Aderman was arrested for Burglary to a Conveyance (F3).

Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863.834.6917.

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Captain Victor White Donates Historical Coin to Museum

Lakeland Police Captain Victor White spent several years of his childhood growing up in Indian  Lake Estates near Lake Wales.  As a young boy he liked to collect different treasures he found in the woods such as coins, bottles, old water pumps - things that had been left to rust in the woods from a time gone by when others inhabited the area.  He said, “I’ve always been drawn to these types of things that represent our history.” These items were kept in a box and forgotten about for several years. 

 

It wasn’t until being interviewed that the subject of his childhood came up along with his fondness for collecting old things.  Captain White remembered a coin he had found that he believed was an old railroad token.  That evening he searched through his box and found the coin.   The coin was in a state of partial decay from the years of exposure in the unforgiving Florida weather before being found by Captain White.  As he examined the coin he could see the word, “Sumica” on it.  Further research showed the coin was not a railroad token, but was old tender from a turpentine and sawmill town that ceased to exist in 1927.  Sumica stands for “Societe Universelle Mining industrie, Commerce et Agriculture”.  The town, originally located near Lake Wales, consisted of 50 houses, a commissary, church, school, and a railroad depot.  The town had its own currency for the company store.  As the pine forest began to diminish so did the town until  it ceased to exist.

 

Captain White began to wonder if the coin would be of interest to a museum, “I thought they probably had a bag of these coins in mint condition and would not care about this partially deteriorated coin.”  Captain White was surprised to find that Historical Preservation Manager,  Myrtice Young, and museum curator, Tom Muir, were very excited about the coin.  The museum had obtained a five cent coin from Sumica, but did not have a twenty-five cent coin, nor did the museum have a coin that actually had the name “Sumica” on it.  As to the value of the coin, “The value is not important to me,” Captain White said.  “I am more concerned with preserving history.”

 

On February 16, 2011, Captain White officially donated his coin to the Polk County Historical Museum.  The coin will be displayed in an exhibit along with other relics from Sumica.  The museum is located at 100 East Main Street in Bartow, Florida, and is free of charge to the public.  You can follow the link    for more information on Sumica  .

 

Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, 863.834.6917. 

 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Have Person of Interest in Home Invasion Robbery

UPDATE:  February 17, 2011, 9:00 am:  Jessie J. Woullard was located late in the evening of February 16, 2011.  Woullard voluntarily spoke with investigators.  Woullard has not been named as a suspect in this case.

February 16, 2011, 1:00 pm:  Police have named Jessie J. Woullard (DOB:  4/14/80) as a  person of interest in the home invasion robbery of Shannon Benton.  Woullard is an ex-boyfriend of Benton’s and was not living with Benton at the time of the home invasion.  Detectives have received information that Benton and Woullard were boyfriend/girlfriend for several years and at one time did live together.   At this time Woullard’s whereabouts are unknown, and police would like the opportunity to speak with Woullard.  Investigators are also confirming that a six year old child was present in the residence at the time of the attack.  She is unharmed and is now safe with relatives.

Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, at 863.834.6917. 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigate Home Invasion Robbery

UPDATE:  February 15, 2011, 6:00 pm.  The stolen 2006 black Dodge Stratus belonging to Shannon Benton has found unoccupied at 5^th Street and Florida Avenue in Lakeland at 4:30 pm.  There are no named suspects at this time.  No additional information will be released tonight.

Lakeland Police responded to 1373 Honeytree Lane West on February 15, 2011, at approximately 10:00 am after receiving a report of a home invasion at this residence.  Officers responding to the residence found resident and victim, Shannon Benton (Age 28) in the residence with multiple injuries.  Benton was transported to LRMC where she is currently listed in critical condition.  It is believed this home invasion occurred during the night.  Benton’s 2006 black Dodge Stratus is missing and believed to have been stolen.  The tag on the vehicle is V158FE. 

 

Police are asking for the public’s help in locating this vehicle.  If the vehicle is seen, please contact police immediately at 863.834.6900 and do not attempt to make contact with the driver or any occupants of the vehicle.  The driver of this vehicle should be considered dangerous.

 

This investigation is ongoing and no further information will be released at this time.   

 

Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, 863.834.6917. 

 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Deliver Stolen Puppy to New Home

Lakeland Police Detectives James Bellendier and Todd Bailey worked tirelessly to locate the puppies stolen from Petland on February 9,  2011.  Against all odds, they were able to find the missing puppies by determination and tenacity and even after all of that – there remained another twist to this case that was unexpected and one that could not have been anticipated. 

 

After the arrest of Samuel Alves for burglary to Pet Land, detectives learned the co-defendant in the case, Richard Clark, had  set out to get rid of the evidence.  Clark drove the puppies to a subdivision in Orlando and let the 8 week old puppies go to fend for themselves.  Luckily for the puppies, eleven year old Aysia Monterro-Ciliberti happened to be playing outside her home and saw the puppies unattended.  Aysia collected the puppies and took them home.  The family knew that something was very wrong.  They began to try to determine how it happened that three purebred puppies were wandering around their neighborhood. 

 

The Ciliberti children went through the area knocking on doors and asking if anyone had lost puppies.   They also began to make some fliers but it was very difficult for them to think about having to give up the puppies.  They hoped, like young children do, that the puppies would go unclaimed and they might be able to keep them – especially the pug puppy. There was a reason the children were so drawn to the little pug puppy.

 

Approximately three years ago, Brittany Ciliberti had been diagnosed with a life threatening medical problem.  She was required  to be hospitalized and had to undergo several neuro surgeries.  During this time the Ciliberti family suffered financially from medical bills and lost their home.   Tracy Ciliberti gave up her job to remain at the hospital for long hours with Brittany.  The Ciliberti’s found it necessary to move in with family members and were unable to keep their beloved family pet – a pug named Honey Bun. 

 

As time went on, Brittany began to recover.  The family now has their own home once again, and Tracy Ciliberti is again employed. The kids did not forget about Honey Bun and the family had made unsuccessful attempts to locate Honey Bun to see if there was any hope of getting her back.   When Aysia Ciliberti found the pug puppy on February 10, 2010, she was very excited.  The puppy looked just like Honey Bun.

 

“Although they wanted that puppy very badly, my kids did the right thing,” said Tracy Ciliberti.  “They began making fliers, we discussed how we were going to go about finding the owners of the puppies and were developing a plan of action when the knock came at the door.” 

 

The knock at the door was Detectives Todd Bailey and Jim Bellendier who had been scouring the neighborhood looking for the puppies.  Both detectives had been knocking on doors, looking in every crook and cranny for the puppies after obtaining information on the general area where the puppies had been put out.  Detective Bellendier was concerned, “It was disconcerting to think what might have happened to three poor, defenseless puppies abandoned like that.  The traffic, other animals, cold weather . . . it didn’t look good.”    The detectives caught a break when they stopped to ask a man in the area if he had seen any puppies wandering around and were pointed to the Ciliberti residence.   

 

The Ciliberti’s were happy to have the mystery solved, amazed that the puppies had come all the way from Lakeland, and sad to have to say goodbye to them.  The puppies were returned to Pet Land in Lakeland, taken to a vet, examined, and given a clean bill of health.

 

Once Pet Land Manager Karl Rich heard about the story of the Ciliberti family that had found, cared for, and returned the puppies to the store he made a decision that he said was a very easy one.  “Pet Land is giving the pug puppy to the Ciliberti family.  It is meant to be.”

 

Detective Bailey, Detective Bellendier, and Karl Rich drove to Orlando on February 11, 2011, to the Ciliberti residence with the puppy.  The girls knew they were going to be interviewed for finding the puppies, but only their mother knew the little pug was coming home to stay.

 

Police officers work a lot of cases that do not end happily.  To have the opportunity to meet the Ciliberti family and see the surprise of the children upon learning that the little pug was theirs to keep was a great experience.  It was a true “Oprah” moment.  And the little pug, now officially named “Baby Bobo”, seems to be the luckiest of all.  I think everyone agrees with Karl Rich – it was meant to be.

 

Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, 863.834.6917. 

 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith