INSIDE the Lakeland Police Department

Lakeland Police April Chief's Chat

Lakeland Police Department’s next Chief’s Chat will be held on Monday, April 2, 2012 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm in the Community Room of the Lakeland Police Department, located at 219 N Massachusetts Avenue.  

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Grand Theft Suspects

Lakeland Police are attempting to identify two suspects that shoplifted merchandise from Golf Etc., 1527 Town Center Drive, Lakeland, Florida,  on March 11, 2012.  Two men entered the store with a female child, concealed merchandise under their clothing, and exited the store. 

Both men are white males with brown hair, approximately 5’09” to 5’11” tall.  One of the men has facial hair, the other is clean shaven.  The clean shaven suspect was wearing a Florida Gators track suit and baseball cap.

If you can identify these suspects please contact Crime Stoppers, 1.800.226.8477. 

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

Download Crime Stoppers Bulletin

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith 

Lakeland Police Investigate Homicide - UPDATE

 

 

 

 

UPDATE

March 26, 2012

On March 26, 2012, an autopsy was performed on Ronnie Barnes.  The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.  Natasha Turner, 37 (B/F, DOB 04/30/1974), was arrested and charged with third degree murder in the death of Ronnie Barnes. 

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

On March 24, 3012 at approximately 2:45 a.m., Lakeland police responded to 913 Quincy Street in reference to a suspicious death.  Upon arrival, officers found Ronnie Barnes, 63 (B/M, DOB 05/02/1948), who had suffered upper body trauma and died as a result of those injuries.  Detectives have interviewed several witnesses in this incident.  An autopsy has been scheduled.  No charges have been filed, at this time.

Further updates will be done as information is developed.  This case is under investigation.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

 

Lakeland Police Investigate Homicide

On March 24, 3012 at approximately 2:45 a.m., Lakeland police responded to 913 Quincy Street in reference to a suspicious death.  Upon arrival, officers found Ronnie Barnes, 63 (B/M, DOB 05/02/1948), who had suffered upper body trauma and died as a result of those injuries.  Detectives have interviewed several witnesses in this incident.  An autopsy has been scheduled.  No charges have been filed, at this time.

Further updates will be done as information is developed.  This case is under investigation.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Investigate Suspicious Death

On March 24, 2012 at approximately 6:22 a.m., Lakeland officers responded to 1853 Crystal Grove Drive in reference to a disturbance.  Upon arrival officers found a black male unresponsive, with no pulse on the living room floor.  There are no physical signs of injuries to the victim, cause of death is still being investigated.  Information from a witness indicated there was another individual involved who had fled the scene in a white vehicle. 

The second individual, who fled the scene in the white vehicle, was involved in a crash at US 98 and Coombee Road.  FHP is conducting the crash investigation.                          

The victim has been indentified as Lucus Kelly, 26, (B/M, DOB 3/9/86).  Next of kin has been notified.  An autopsy will be scheduled.

Further updates will be done as information is developed.  This case is under investigation.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Suspects of Attempted Bank Robbery

Lakeland Police are attempting to identify two suspects that attempted to rob the Fifth Third Bank, 4012 Lakeland Hills Blvd., on March 13, 2012, at approximately 11:00 am.  Two men, both wearing black hoods, pulled up to the bank in a vehicle, exited the vehicle holding guns, and attempted to enter the bank. The bank doors were locked and the suspects got back into the car and fled the area. 

Officers responding to the area located the suspects' getaway vehicle (a white 2005 Dodge Stratus) abandoned at a location near the bank.  The getaway vehicle had been reported stolen from the Paddock Club Apartments on March 22, 2012.  After dropping off the Dodge Stratus, the suspects were seen leaving in a small, compact, dark colored vehicle.  Also attached are composite sketches of the suspects.  

 These men should be considered armed and dangerous.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding this crime to contact the Lakeland Police Department, 863.834.6900. 

Download Crime Stoppers Bulletin

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Arrest Three for Burglary to Church Without Walls

Lakeland Police have arrested Kolette Johnson (DOB:  4/11/84 of 3725, Lakeland), Nicholas Sheldon (DOB:  3/25/87, Lakeland), and Morgan Patton (DOB:  2/23/90, Lakeland) on charges of Burglary, Grand Theft, and Possession of Burglary Tools in connection with a burglary to the

Carpenter’s Home Church Without Walls property located at 777 Carpenter’s Way, Lakeland, FL, on March 22, 2012, at approximately 8:30 pm.

The LPD Community Response Team observed a black pickup drive to the rear of the building and park.  The occupants exited the vehicle and forced entry inside through a side door.  The occupants removed several large property items and placed them into the bed of the pickup.  They were stopped by the Community Response Team as they attempted to drive away with the property.  The Community Response Team had been monitoring the area after the same vehicle was observed on March 21, 2012 when property was stolen from the same location.

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Daily Significant Calls for Service

Daily Significant Calls for Service for 3/21/12

Download Daily Significant CFS 03 21 2012

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO

Lakeland Police Accidental Death

On March 21, 2012, at approximately 11:20 a.m., Lakeland Police responded to 1404 Unitah Avenue, in reference to an accidental death.  Information received is the victim, Carlyle Lamson, II, 64, (DOB 4-20-47) was working on his RV, which was up on jacks at the time.  His wife checked on him around 9:30 a.m. and he was under the front doing work.  When she went out again around 11:15 a.m. to check on him, she found him under the RV, and indication is the jacks had collapsed trapping the victim.  As a result, he sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.  There is no indication of foul play, this is a tragic accident.

- posted Ann Dinges, PIO

Arrest Made in Sexual Battery

Lakeland Police arrested Corey Lee Sutton, 14 (B/M, DOB 1/29/98) in the March 18, 2012 sexual battery at the Hyatt Hotel.  Sutton is being charged with Sexual Battery w/serious personal injury, Attempted 2^nd Degree Murder, and Robbery.

On Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at approximately 6:00 p.m. Violent Crimes Unit Detectives followed leads that identified juvenile, Cory Lee Sutton, as a possible suspect in the sexual battery, which occurred on March 18, 2012 at the Hyatt Hotel at the Lakeland Center.  He had been reported missing by his mother since last Friday.  Detectives conducted a formal interview with the juvenile with the mother’s permission.  Detectives obtained a full confession from the juvenile; he communicated about his original intent to rob the victim of her purse, and how he attempted to choke her with both hands.  Additionally, he admitted to continually beating her with his fist; and to the sexual assault that followed.  Although he is only 14 years of age, he stands approximately 5.7 and weighs about 215 lbs.

Lakeland Police will have a representative available at 11:00 a.m. for any interested media.

- posted by Ann Dinges, PIO