INSIDE the Lakeland Police Department

Lakeland Police SWAT and HNT Respond to Barricaded Suspect in Attic

Lakeland Police responded to a domestic battery at approximately 4:00 AM on March 30,  2011.  Suspect, Jonathan Oner (DOB:  8/7/84), forced his way into an apartment, battered the victim, committed a robbery, and fled to another residence in the area..  The Lakeland Police SWAT and HNT (Hostage Negotiation Team) responded to 512 Dade Avenue after Oner went into the attic at this location and refused to come out.  The Hostage Negotiation Team was able to establish contact with Oner and eventually talk him out.  Oner surrendered at 7:44 AM.  Oner claimed he was sleeping and was unaware that officers were outside.  Officers went into the attic and found a long gun in the area where Oner had been located. 

Oner was charged with Domestic Battery, Robbery, and Resisting an Officer Without Violence. 

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

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigate Aircraft Accident

The Lakeland Police responded to Sun N Fun Event, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, runway 927 on  March 29, 2011, at approximately 1:30 pm after receiving a report of an aircraft accident.  Pilot, Gordon Gardner III (Age 56, Gainesville, FL) was landing the aircraft when the aircraft nosed down and made contact with the runway causing damage to the prop and nose of the 2003 Foxtrot IV fixed wing single engine airplane.  Gardner was the single occupant of the aircraft and was not injured.  The owner of the airplane is Dennis Moellman of Williston, FL.  The runway was closed approximately 40 minutes while the incident was investigated.

 

This investigation has now been turned over to FAA/NTSB.

 

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

 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigate Armed Robbery

The Lakeland Police responded to KK Food Mart, 4275 New Tampa Highway on March 29, 2011, at approximately 2:45 am after receiving a report of a robbery.

 

Victim, Jacob Dixon (age 21) was working at the KK Food Mart when a black male, 5’9”, 150 lbs, with long dreadlocks and appearing to be in his late 20’s entered the store.  The suspect displayed a firearm and demanded money.  Victim was not harmed.

 

The suspect fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash..

 

No additional information is being released at this time.  Media inquiries should be made to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863-834-6917. 

 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigate Shooting

Lakeland Police are investigating a shooting that occurred on March 29, 2011, at approximately 1:45 am at 700 Ohio Avenue. 

 

An officer was in the area when he was approached by the victim, Mark Harris (Age 44, 4234 Old Highway 37, Lakeland) being helped by another person.  Harris stated he had been walking on Ohio Avenue near the intersection of Pear Street and Ohio Avenue when he was shot.  Harris was taken to LRMC by ambulance where he was listed in serious condition.

 

No additional information is being released at this time.  Media inquiries should be made to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863-834-6917. 

 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigate Aircraft Accident

The Lakeland Police responded to Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, 3404 Airfield Drive West in Lakeland after a report of an aircraft accident on March 27, 2011, at 9:30 PM.  A 2005 single engine prop Mooney airplane landed at the airport without the landing gear lowered. Pilot, John M. Corneal (Age 61, Petersburg, PA), was not injured in the crash.  The plane was lifted via cable straps and the landing gear lowered.  There appeared to be moderate damage to the bottom of the airplane as well as to the prop.

The investigation has been turned over to FAA/NTSB.

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

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Participate in Law Enforcement Torch Run for 2011 Florida Special Olympics

The Lakeland Police will participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the 2011 Florida  Special Olympics. This event is scheduled for April 8, 2011, at 9:00 AM.   Runners will begin at 2515 S Florida Av (Publix Southgate) and run to 4730 S Florida Avenue (Publix Lake Miriam). 

The media and public are invited to attend and support this worthy cause by cheering the runners on.

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

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Arrest Man for Homicide of Arlene Arocho

The Lakeland Police have arrested Tony Renard McNeal (DOB:  8/12/63) for the homicide of  Arlene Arocho, age 43.  Arocho was found deceased in her apartment on August 14, 2010 at 515 Bon Air Street, #145.  Arocho shared the apartment with her boyfriend, Tony Renard McNeal.  McNeal ran to the apartment complex office at 9:00 am on August 14, 2010, and stated Arocho was unresponsive.  Office personnel called 911.     EMS responded and pronounced Arocho dead at the scene. 

The medical examiner has determined that Arocho bled to death as a result of a stab wound. 

McNeal has been charged with Manslaughter with a Weapon and Tampering with Physical Evidence.  McNeal was taken into custody today at approximately 4:00 pm without incident after a warrant had been issued for his arrest. 

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

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Department Open House

The Lakeland Police Department held it's 8th annual Open House on March 19, 2011.   This    Open House was eventful because it was the first opportunity for the public to meet our new Police Chief, Lisa Womack.  Chief Womack opened the event with comments welcoming the public and stated, "I am very happy and honored to be the Police Chief of this department. You will find that I believe that the police are here to serve the community and make our community a  safe place to live.  But this event is more about you and not so much about me.  Please enjoy yourselves today and see what the Lakeland Police Department is all about.  Please do not hesitate to ask any officers you see here any   questions you may have."  Chief  Womack then remained in the crowd meeting citizens and was warmly received by the community. 

The Open House offers a variety of things for people of all ages.  There were all kinds of activities for children:  bounce houses, face painting, basketball toss, cotton candy, hotdogs, popcorn, and pictures.  Children also received bicycle helmets and other trinkets.   There were tours of the police department that included information on gangs, the disaster communication center, the communication center, the holding facility,  and the crime lab.  There was also a demonstration by the K9 unit, and exhibitions set up by the many different areas within the department. 

This Open House was a great success.  Special thanks to the Community Services Unit that works so hard to put this event on each year.  Also a big thanks to the volunteers  that donate their special skills and time to our community.    This is a chance for the citizens of Lakeland to see the department, get information about current trends occurring in the community, ask questions about concerns or issues, and relax and have fun all in a  family atmosphere.  

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

 

 

 

Lakeland Police Investigate Traffic Fatality

Lakeland Police responded to 2850 New Tampa Highway at approximately 12:30 am on March 20, 2011, after receiving a report of a traffic crash.  A Publix tractor trailer driven by Curtis Robinson (Age 63, 714 W Carver Street, Lakeland) was entering the roadway from Publix warehouse gate 7 located on the north side of New Tampa Highway.  A 2006 Ford F150 pickup driven by Juan Carvajal (Age 23 of 4161 Bald Eagle Drive, Kissimmee, FL) pickup was traveling eastbound on New Tampa Highway west of Gate 7.  The tractor-trailer was entering the eastbound lane and was not completely straightened out when the pickup impacted the trailer on the passenger side.  The impact resulted in the pickup truck becoming embedded underneath the trailer. 

The pickup driver, Juan Carvajal, was entrapped and pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.  The passenger in the pickup, Luis Carvajal Gonzal (Age 51, 11550 Lakeview Drive, Leesburg, FL) was transported to LRMC with life threatening injuries.  Juan Carvajal and Luis Carvajal Gonzal were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Juan Carvajal and Luis Carvajal Gonzal are father and son.

Robinson was not injured and was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. 

This crash remains under investigation.  No citations have been issued at this time.  No further information will be released at this time.

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

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigate Armed Bank Robbery

<p style="text-align: justify;">Lakeland Police responded to a bank robbery at The Railroad Industrial Credit Union, 2315<a href="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef014e5ff4c5f9970c-pi" style="float: right;"><img alt="11_43a" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341c896d53ef014e5ff4c5f9970c" src="http://www.insidelakelandpd.com/.a/6a00d8341c896d53ef014e5ff4c5f9970c-800wi" style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px;" title="11_43a" /></a>&#0160; Drane Field Road, at approximately 4:00 pm on March 18, 2011.&#0160; One man entered the bank wearing a mask, displayed a gun, and demanded money.&#0160; The men fled with an undisclosed amount of money in a white 4 door Honda, possibly a 2000, with a Florida tag.&#0160; Three symbols on the tag are believed to be “084” or “D84”.&#0160; Police believe there was an accomplice driving the get-away car.&#0160; Police are releasing these images of the robbers.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">If you can identify these suspects, or have any information on this crime, please contact the Lakeland Police Department, 863.834.6900, or crime stoppers 1.800.226.8477.&#0160;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863.834.6917.&#0160;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em>- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith</em></p>