INSIDE the Lakeland Police Department

Lakeland Police Attempt to Locate Wanted Person

Clark has been arrested, cancel bulletin.

Lakeland Police are attempting to locate Michael McArthur Clark, Jr..  Clark is a black male,   DOB:  8/1/84, 5’06” tall and weighing approximately 145 pounds.  Clark has a tattoo on his left wrist “Mike”.

Clark was last known to reside in Lakeland, Florida, and currently has an outstanding warrant for burglary.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Michael McArthur Clark, Jr., is asked to contact the Lakeland Police Department at 863.834.6900, or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.226.8477.

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

 

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Grand Theft Suspect

Lakeland Police are attempting to identify a grand theft suspect that occurred at the Lakeland  Eye Clinic, 4708 S Florida Avenue on March 25, 2011.  The suspect pictured in the images entered the store and removed property from the business.

Police are asking anyone that may be able to identify this suspect or that has information regarding this theft to contact the Lakeland Police Department, 863.834.6900, or Crime Stoppers, 1.800.226.8477.

This information is also available at www.insidelpd.com.

Download Crime Stoppers 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

 

Lakeland Police Investigate Shootings

Lakeland Police responded to 1537 W 2nd Street at approximately 5:30 pm on April 27, 2011,  after receiving reports of a person shot.  Dominique Howard (age 15, 1202 Jewell Avenue, Lakeland) was walking in the area when a Ford Expedition stopped near him.  Several persons exited the vehicle and Howard ran as he heard shots being fired.  Howard realized he was shot and was able to make it to a relative’s house and call police.  Howard was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with non life threatening injuries.  Witnesses identified Donald Anderson (DOB:  11/16/94, 614 N New York Avenue, Lakeland) as the shooter.  Anderson voluntarily responded to the Lakeland Police Department where he was arrested for Aggravated Battery with a Firearm and Violation of Probation.

At approximately 6:30 pm, police responded to the area of 530 Myrtle Street after receiving reports of shots fired.  A group of young males was gathered at this location when a Cadillac pulled up and pointed a gun out of the window.  The group ran and heard shots being fired.  As they fled toward the 98 Bypass a Ford Explorer passed near them and they heard more shots fired.  A juvenile in the group entered a business at 505 Martin Luther King Blvd, and called police. 

The Lakeland Police Street Crimes Unit responded to the area and observed a blue van suddenly accelerate and flee from the area.   As they attempted to stop the vehicle, a male later identified as Quinton Owens (DOB:  12/18/89, 1114 W 14^th Street, Lakeland) fled from the vehicle as it was still in motion.  As Owens stepped from the vehicle he pulled a handgun that was concealed on his body and turned and pointed the handgun at officers.  Owens lost his footing, fell, and lost control of the handgun.  Owens then fled on foot disregarding officers’ commands to stop and was apprehended at 845 N Lincoln.  Owens was charged with Aggravated Assault with a Firearm on a Law Enforcement Officer (F2), Convicted Felon in Possession of a Handgun (F2), Carrying a Concealed Firearm (F3), Improper Exhibition of a Firearm (M1), and Resisting Arrest Without Violence (M1).   There were no reports of injuries as a result of the shots fired reports received at 6:30 pm. 

It has not been officially determined at this time that these shootings are all related.  Many involved with the 6:30 pm shootings are not cooperating in this investigation.

This investigation remains ongoing.  Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, 863.834.6917. 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Fit Students for Bicycle Helmets

Lakeland Police crime practitioner Anna Ricks fit several students for bicycle helmets today. It  all started when Mrs. Verplanck was teaching bicycle safety in her kindergarten class.  When asked who had helmets, there were several students that did not raise their hands.  Mrs. Verplanck inquired about helmet availability and word got back to Anna Ricks, crime practitioner.  Anna made a visit to Southwest Elementary School this week and fitted Mrs. Verplanck’s class for helmets.  Students that did not have helmets as well as students that needed a new helmet were fitted and all received new helmets.  This was all possible because of a few helmets left over from the 2011 Lakeland Police Department Annual Open House.

Lakeland Police Department provides fittings and free helmets to all kids at their annual Open House each year held in March.  Most of these helmets are donated by private businesses.  Free bicycle helmets are also provided by the Amscott Helmet Giveaway scheduled yearly in October. Exact date and time will be established as we get closer to the date.  Lakeland Police encourage parents to take advantage of these two dates to receive free bicycle helmets for their children.

In addition to ensuring that children wear helmets when riding bicycles, parents need to also check to see that helmets are fitting properly and children have not outgrown them.  Lakeland Police are committed to keeping our smallest citizens safe on the road.

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith     

Lakeland Police Investigate Vehicle vs. Pedestrian Accident

Lakeland Police responded to the intersection of Martin Luther King Avenue and West 9^th Street on April 25, 2011, at approximately 6:10 pm after the report of a vehicle vs. a juvenile pedestrian at this location.

A 2011 Dodge driven by Crystal Hartley (age 28, Lakeland) was traveling northbound on Martin Luther King Blvd, when Jayden Jackson (age 6, Lakeland), suddenly darted into the path of the vehicle at the intersection of West 9^th Street.  Ms. Hartley took evasive action by braking and steering to the right but Jayden was still struck by the left side of the vehicle.

Witnesses at the scene confirmed that Jayden had been in the company of an adult and had suddenly and unexpectedly broken free and darted into the path of vehicle.  

Jayden was transported to LRMC with non-life threatening injuries.  No citations have been issued in this incident and it is not anticipated that there will be any charges filed in the future.

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

Lakeland Police Investigate Shooting Incident

Lakeland Police responded to 3003 Pinedale Street on April 24, 2011, at approximately 1:30 am  after a report of shots fired into a moving vehicle.  Yolanda Rodriguez (age 29, Lakeland), Kevin Diggs (age 19, Lakeland), and Frank Clintron (age 20, Lakeland) were driving in the area when Yorge Ortiz (DOB:  4/30/60, 3003 Pinedale Avenue, Lakeland) ran into the street and fired a shot from a handgun through the window of her vehicle.   Rodriguez knew Ortiz and stated he had threatened her in the past.  Frank Clintron received a minor injury as the bullet grazed his left side.  Rodriguez and Diggs were not injured.

At approximately 2:30 am, officers located Ortiz in a vehicle in the area of Edgewood Drive and New Jersey Road.  Ortiz had a 9 MM handgun tucked into the waistband of his pants.  Ortiz was taken into custody and charged with Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle.

This case is still under investigation. Additional charges may be filed. No additional information will be released at this time.

Media inquiries should be made to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863-834-6917.  This information is also available at www.lpdonlinenews.com.   

Lakeland Police Investigate Single Vehicle Crash

Lakeland Police responded to 2915 Swindell Road on April 24, 2011 at approximately 7:00 pm after receiving a report of a traffic crash at this location.  Jose Garcia (age 38, Lakeland) was driving a 2000 Ford Focus eastbound on Swindell Road. Garcia lost control of the vehicle, entered a ditch, and came to rest by striking a telephone pole.  Garcia was ejected from the vehicle and was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.  There were no other occupants of the vehicle.  Garcia was transported to LRMC with life threatening injuries. 

This case is still under investigation.  No additional information will be released at this time.

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

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Arrest Two in Connection to Street Robbery

Lakeland Police are investigating two street robberies that occurred on April 21, 2011.  At  approximately 9:45 pm, police responded to 201 N Ingraham Avenue after receiving a report of a robbery.  Victim Richard Taylor was walking alone in this area when he was attacked by a group of four males that knocked him to the ground, punched and kicked him, and took his wallet and other property in his pockets, and then fled the area.  Taylor received minor injuries as a result of the incident.

At approximately 10:00 pm, police responded to 1120 E Lemon Street after a report of a robbery. Victim, Francine Rabideau was walking alone in the area when she was approached by a group of four males that initiated contact with her.  Rabideau attempted to flee from the group when she was struck in the head.  One of the suspects grabbed Radideau’s purse ripping the strap from the purse.  The suspects then ran from the scene.  Rabideau received minor injuries as a result of the incident.

Officer Adam Williams of the Neighborhood Enforcement Team was in the area and observed the four males fleeing.  The NET team began to follow the group as the call came in regarding the recent strong armed robbery that had just occurred in the area.  K9 tracked the suspects to the 1300 block of Lake Bonny Drive West.  Two suspects were located and charged in the robbery on 1120 E Lemon Street. Brendan Green (DOB:  2/17/95, 871 Butter Cup Drive) was charged with Strong Armed Robbery.  Julius Dixon (DOB:  12/7/90, 1969 Crystal Grove Drive) was charged with Principal 1^st Degree of Strong Armed Robbery.

At this time it has not been determined that the same group was responsible for both robberies.  This continues to be an ongoing investigation and additional charges may be filed.  No additional information will be released on these cases at this time. 

Chief Womack, “We are dedicated to protecting the citizens of Lakeland and are working very hard to make the streets of Lakeland safe.  We are very concerned with the victims of these crimes.  The Neighborhood Enforcement Team did an outstanding job of reacting to this situation and taking these criminals off the streets.”

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

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Dollar General Store Burglary Suspect

Lakeland Police are attempting to identify a burglary suspect that entered the Dollar General  Store, 649 N Wabash Avenue on three separate occasions between March 9 and March 29, 2011, and removed property from the store.

Police are asking anyone that may be able to identify this suspect or that has information regarding this burglary to contact the Lakeland Police Department, 863.834.6900, or Crime Stoppers, 1.800.226.8477.

This information is also available at www.insidelpd.com.

Download Crimes Stoppers Bulletin 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

 

Lakeland Police Attempt to identify Burglary Suspect

Lakeland Police are attempting to identify a burglary suspect that entered the XYZ Liquor &  More, 1359 Ariana Street on  April 9, 2011, at approximately 3:30 am and removed property from the business.

Police are asking anyone that may have be able to identify this suspect or that has information regarding this incident to contact the Lakeland Police Department, 863.834.6900, or Crime Stoppers, 1.800.226.8477.

Download Original Crime Stoppers 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith