Lake Wales, Florida – On May 9, 2013 Lake Wales Police Officers responded to a vehicle crash on S.R. 60 @ Marietta Street. Once there we learned that a Ford Excursion being driven North on Marietta Street by Paulino Salazar failed to yield at the stop sign at S.R. 60. He pulled into the path of a Ford F-250 traveling East on 60 towing a 30+ foot travel trailer. After they collided the F-250 jack knifed, crossed into the West bound lanes and struck a West bound Lexus. The Excursion continued North into the parking lot of Hillcrest Elementary where it crashed through the concrete benches and struck the large brick school sign.

Salazar was transported to LWMC for treatment where his blood alcohol was found to be .210. After being released from the hospital he was transported to the Polk County jail for DUI. He also admitted to drinking up to 7 beers before the crash. The driver of the Lexus was transported for minor injuries. No one in the F-250 was injured. We had S.R. 60 closed in both directions from 11th Street to 10th Street. Traffic was diverted East down 10th to Cohasset to Minnesota. West bound was diverted down 11th to Campbell to 9th. Transfield also responded and assisted with traffic control.

Woman Killed Near Tiger Lake

Winter Haven, Florida – Around 10:20 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2013, a witness reported that a black Polaris ATV traveling westbound on Bomber Road passed them going at a high rate of speed, just west of Gerber Dairy Road in Winter Haven. According to the witness, the ATV did not have any lights activated. The witness then saw the ATV’s brake lights ahead in the darkness, which appeared to swerve as if the ATV was taking evasive actions. As the witness approached the area where it saw the brake lights, they found the ATV lying upside down in a ditch on the north side of the road, and a mangled bicycle nearby.

There were four victims also lying on the ground north of the roadway – it is unclear which victims were on the ATV and which were on the bicycle due to the extensive injuries they suffered and their inability to communicate last evening.

There were no helmets observed on any victims or at the scene. The ATV’s lights were not activated, and there were no lights on the bicycle. Speed and impairment may be a factor. The investigation is ongoing.

The victims and their conditions are:

18-year-old Israel Bible Jr, DOB 5/18/1994, of Madera Drive in Winter Haven – he is deceased;

19-year-old Danny Bermea Jr, DOB 2/25/1994, of Orrin Ave SW in Winter Haven – he is in critical condition at LRMC;

21-year-old Ginno Cano, DOB 5/20/1991, of Diamond Acres Road in Davenport – he is in critical condition at LRMC;

21-year-old Jose Luis Cano-Mendez, DOB 1/12/1992, of Avenue B NW in Winter Haven – he is in critical condition at LRMC.

Weekend Shooting Sends Two To Hospital

Winter Haven, Florida – An early morning encounter with Ledger a newspaper delivery vehicle has landed a man in the hospital with three bullet wounds and charges of Discharging a Firearm in Public.
On 5-12-13 at approximately 2:50 a.m., Ledger carriers Tiffany Simo and Douglas Romeo were delivering newspapers in the area of West Lake Cannon Terrace when a vehicle started following behind them. The vehicle, driven by Brian Scott Dickey, II (W/M, DOB 11-29-89, 2007 Ave. G., NW, Winter Haven) stayed behind the carriers for a short period of time. The carriers stopped to prepare a few more papers for delivery when they heard four pops. Dickey had discharged four rounds from a .380 Bersa handgun. Before they realized what was happening, Dickey was at the driver’s side banging on the window with the gun and pointing it at them demanding they open the door.
Fearing for both of their lives, Romeo retrieved his concealed firearm from a lockbox inside of the vehicle and fired through the window three times. Romeo does possess a valid State of Florida Concealed Weapons Permit.
Dickey was struck three times, once just under the collar bone on the right side, another entry a few inches below the first and a third graced his right arm. None of these were life threatening injuries.
A neighbor heard the shots and called 9-1-1 followed by another call from the victims. By the time police arrived, Dickey had left the scene in his 1996 4 door Oldsmobile.
A short time later, another call to 9-1-1 was received about a man who was at 2007 Ave. G., NW (Dickey’s resident, approximately .2 miles away from the shooting scene) with gunshot wounds. Officers found Dickey at the home and he was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center by ambulance.
After interviewing other residents at the home, it was determined that Dickey had consumed a large amount of alcohol earlier in the evening. He got into a verbal argument with his girlfriend and she contacted Dickey’s brother to come and intervene. When Dickey’s brother arrived at the home, they argued and it escalated. The brother left the home and Dickey got his .380 Bersa and drove off to locate his brother. He followed a vehicle, which he thought was his brother’s vehicle, onto West Lake Cannon Terrace. This vehicle turned out to be the vehicle of the victims, Simo and Romeo.
“This guy got much more than he bargained for,” said Chief Gary Hester. “These victims feared for their lives and did exactly what they needed to do. This could have turned out so much worse than it did.”
At the time of this release, Dickey remains at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in stable condition. Once he is released, he will be booked into the Polk County Jail on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Discharging a Firearm in Public.

Poinciana, Florida – Around 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, May 12, 2013, a black 2002 Dodge Neon which was heading eastbound on Cypress Parkway just west of Laurel Avenue in Poinciana, being driven by 23-year-old Cassandra Beniquez of St. Cloud, for unknown reasons crossed the center line and struck a red 2008 Suzuki SX4 car which was heading westbound. The collision forced both vehicles to rotate and then come to a rest on the north shoulder of the roadway.

Beniquez, the driver of the Dodge Neon, was taken to Osceola Regional Medical Center, where she is in stable condition. It is unknown if she was wearing a seatbelt.

Her front seat passenger, 19-year-old Ezequiel Velazquez of Kissimmee, is deceased. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

There were three children in the backseat, and they are:

6-year-old Giselle Carattini of St. Cloud – she is in critical condition at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital; she was wearing a seatbelt.

4-year-old Gissiah Carattini of St. Cloud – he is in critical condition at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital; he was wearing a seatbelt.

2-year-old Isaiah Martinez of St. Cloud – he is in critical condition at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital; he was in a carseat.

The driver of the Suzuki car, 30-year-old Ricardo Ortiz of Kissimmee, was treated and released from Osceola Regional Medical Center. He was wearing a seatbelt. He was the only occupant of his car.

The investigation is ongoing, and charges are pending.

By Amber Love Johnson

I recently saw a cute “Bride to Be” sash on Pinterest. I decided to make my own. I bought a spool of 2.5” polyester ribbon, 3.5 yards of lace, a few dainty flower appliqués, a small tube of fabric paint and micro glitter. I plugged in my hot glue gun and attached the lace to an appropriate length of ribbon. Then I carefully painted the words, “Bride to Be” with the fabric paint and shook a light sprinkle of glitter on top. After drying overnight, I placed the sash over my cousin’s shoulder and across her body to get a good fit. I hot glued the bottom pieces together and added an appliqué flower to cover the fused section. Perfection!

Amber Love Johnson is a local writer who has graciously agreed to share her blog with DailyRidge.Com. Depending on her mood, Amber likes to share DIY projects, capture photos, describe places, discus health tips or find thrifty treasures. It’s life…according to her. Here is a link to her blog http://amberlovejohnson.wordpress.com/

Winter Haven, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has advised that a total of 92 suspects were arrested for Offering to Commit Lewdness and other charges, after responding to ads posted by undercover detectives posing as prostitutes, or prostitutes themselves who posted ads and came to the undercover location offering their services.

Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media later today with the details of the operation along with further information regarding charges.

We will update this article when more information has been obtained.

Every weekday around mid-day we will have the Polk Mugshot of The Day. The mugshot will be someone arrested in Polk County in the past couple of weeks. The mugshot along with the charges will be posted. Please remember these individuals are innocent until proven guilty.

HOLLIS, STACY  RAE

DOB: 1/15/1989

Charges: ARMED BURGLARY DWELLING/STRUC/CONV Surety$15000, LARC-GRAND THEFT 5K LESS THAN 10K DOLS Surety $1000, FALSE OWNER INFO PAWNED ITEMS $300 MORE Surety $5000, DEALING IN STOLEN PROPERTY Surety $5000, LARC-GRAND THEFT 300 LESS THAN 5K DOLS Surety $5000, BURGLARY UNOCC STRUCT UNARMED A/O 5/11 Surety $1000, GRAND THEFT $5K<$10K A/O 5/11 Surety $1000,

Previous Charges Include:  2007 Grand Theft & Burglary, 2009 Violation of Probation, 2011 NONMOVING TRAFFIC VIOL-DRIVE WHILE LIC SUSP 1ST OF

The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of DailyRidge.Com or any employee thereof.

The DailyRidge.Com reserves the right to delete, edit, or alter in any manner it sees fit comments that it, in its sole discretion, deems to be obscene, offensive, defamatory, threatening, in violation of trademark, copyright or other laws, or is otherwise unacceptable.

Here Is Link To Story: 92 People Arrested In Undercover Prostitution Sting

Click To Enlarge Photo & Name

Lake Wales, Florida – On the late evening of Saturday, May 11, 2013, a traffic stop was made on a vehicle at Dr J A Wiltshire Ave/3rd Street North n Lake Wales. During the course of the stop, Anthony Richardson was identified as being the rear passenger. Ofc. Landry attempted to place handcuffs on Richardson and he tried to push Ofc Landry off him and then “HEADBUTT” Ofc. Landry. Ofc Landry fell to the ground and Richardson took flight. Ofc. Palmer deployed his tazer but only had one dart make contact. A perimeter was set and K9, Air Unit was unable to locate Richardson.

After an extensive search the suspect Richardson turned himself into the county jail.

Richardson has been arrested several times in Polk County and charged with petit theft, larcenty grand theft, cocaine possession, batter, battery on an officer.

Mugshot & Facebook Photo of Kimberly Sabiston

Winter Haven, Florida – According to the PCSO 42-year-old Kimberly Sabiston (02/16/1971) of Winter Haven, Florida was among 92 people arrested in an undercover online prostitution sting. Police say Sabiston went by the name “Autumn Storm”.  She was arrested when she came to the undercover location and allegedly offered to  commit lewdness. She was charged with: one count Prostitution, one count Giving False Info to LEO; she has no prior arrests. Sabiston who is a mother was arrested on the 10th of May was released on May 12th, Mothers Day, according to the PCSO.

Another interesting fact is the PCSO reports she receives food stamps.

Lakeland, Florida – According to the PCSO 24-year-old Kathleen Britt, DOB 10/22/1988, of Lakeland, was arrested when she came to an undercover location offering to commit lewdness; she was charged with: one count Prostitution; she has prior arrests for Prostitution; Aggravated Battery; Petit Theft; FTA (Battery); Giving False Info to LEO.

60-year-old Sandy Anthony Dimillo, DOB 5/25/1952, of Lakeland, was arrested when he arrived at the undercover location after answering an ad posted by an undercover PCSO detective posing as a prostitute; he was charged with: one count Solicit Prostitution; he has prior arrests for Patronizing Prostitution and Loitering.

26-year-old Lance Reedy, DOB 3/10/1987, of Lakeland, was arrested when he arrived at the undercover location after answering an ad posted by an undercover PCSO detective posing as a prostitute; he was charged with one count Soliciting Prostitution; he has no prior arrests.

45-year-old Dharmeshkumar Desai, DOB 6/23/1967, of Lakeland, was arrested when he arrived at the undercover location after answering an ad posted by an undercover PCSO detective posing as a prostitute; he was charged with one count Soliciting Prostitution; he has no prior arrests.

New York City, New York – According to reports Dr. Joyce Brothers has passed away at the age of 85. The details of her death have not been released at this time.She had her own relationships advice TV show in New York by 1958 … and her books have been translated into 26 different languages.

According to TMZ Brothers became famous after winning “The $64,000 Question” game show in 1955 — the show that triggered the game show scandal in the ’50s.

Brothers won by answering a series of questions on the subject of boxing — and although there was a lot of talk that producers slipped her the answers, it was never proven and Brothers emerged unscathed.

The good doc went on to do countless television and radio appearances. She was always the go-to person for reporters when a criminal did something that defied logic.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com#ixzz2TDNA5Sh0

Photo Courtesy of L.Donley

Lake Wales, Florida – According to readers an accident has blocked all lanes of traffic on Scenic Hwy in Lake Wales near Mountain Lake Cutoff Rd. A car appears to have flipped onto it’s side and leaning against a power pole. We currently do not have details from local police. We will update when we have more info.

Lake Wales, Florida – Students entering 6th, 7th or 8th grade who are interested in auditioning for the accelerated arts and academic classes at McLaughlin this fall need to submit their application by this Friday, May 17, 2013. The deadline for submission is at 4:00PM. Packets can be found online at http://schools.polk-fl.net/mclaughlin/, in the school’s front office, or from a teacher at McLaughlin.

Each discipline has specific criteria for auditions. This information can be found within the packet. All applicants require one recommendation from a teacher and a student information form.

Auditions will be held May 28, 2013 through May 30, 2013, by appointment only. All auditions are held at the McLaughlin campus. All auditions are closed to observers. For question please contact elizabeth.reeves@polk-fl.net or call the school at 863-678-4233

On May 12, 2013, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Mulberry man and charged him with multiple charges related to running a chop shop on his 10-acre property.

According to the affidavits (see attached) the investigation began on Saturday, May 11, 2013, when deputies responded to the home of 30-year-old Gary Williams (DOB 3/25/1983) at 4195 Hillgrade Road in Mulberry, after they received information that Williams may be operating a chop shop there.

After an extensive search of the property, deputies discovered several stolen pieces of heavy equipment, trailers, trucks, and vehicle components, that were reported stolen to the following law enforcement agencies:

PCSO
Lakeland Police Department
Bartow Police Department
Plant City Police Department
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

A detailed list of each recovered stolen item is included in the affidavit.

According to interviews with Williams’ family members, Williams claims he purchases vehicles and parts to salvage out. Detectives located evidence that Williams is selling stolen vehicle parts on Craigslist.

The investigation is ongoing.

Williams was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail for the following 68 charges:

one count Dealing in Stolen Property (F-1)
one count Possession of Burglary Tools WIT Use (F-3)
one count Own/Operate a Chop Shop (F-3)
one count Criminal Conspiracy (F-2)
one count Failure to Comply with Environmental Regulations
7 counts Tampering with VIN (F-1)
18 counts Burglary of a Conveyance (F-3)
19 counts Possession /Sale of Motor Vehicle with Altered VIN (F-3)
21 counts Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle (F-3)

He has been placed on a Nebbia hold in jail (meaning he cannot post bond unless he can prove that the money is coming from a legitimate, non-criminal source).

Every weekday around mid-day we will have the Polk Mugshot of The Day. The mugshot will be someone arrested in Polk County in the past couple of weeks. The mugshot along with the charges will be posted. Please remember these individuals are innocent until proven guilty.

GAINES, LEE  MICHAEL  

DOB: 8/15/1990

Charges: FORGERY OF-ALTER PUBLIC RECORD CERTIFICATE ETC Surety $1000, PASS FORGED-ALTERED INSTRUMENT Surety $1000,LARC-GRAND THEFT 300 LESS THAN 5K DOLS Surety $1000,  FRAUD-IMPERSON-MISREPRESENT SELF COMMIT PERSONAL ID Surety $1000, DRUGS-DELIV/DISTR-DELIVER METHAMPHETAMINE Surety $5000, DRUG EQUIP-POSSESS-AND OR USE Surety $250, POSS OF PRESCRIPTION WO PRESCRPITION Surety $500, DANGEROUS DRUGS-KEEP SHOP OR VEHICLE ETC FOR DRUGS Surety $500

The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of DailyRidge.Com or any employee thereof.

The DailyRidge.Com reserves the right to delete, edit, or alter in any manner it sees fit comments that it, in its sole discretion, deems to be obscene, offensive, defamatory, threatening, in violation of trademark, copyright or other laws, or is otherwise unacceptable.

Lake Wales, Florida – Bertie A. Grose 72 of Lake Wales died on 05/11/2013 from cancer. A memorial service will be held Thursday 05/16/2013 at the Westside Baptist Church in Lake Wales.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to Our Children’s Academy at 555 Burns Ave  Lake Wales, FL 33853, (863) 679-333. Mrs. Grose had a soft spot in her heart for the school and the children who go there.

Advertisement

A Winter Haven man has been arrested for Armed Robbery after he grabbed a chain from a man’s neck while brandishing a black revolver in broad daylight.
On 5-13-13 at approximately 5:55 p.m., the victim Peter Valente II of Winter Haven was at Dewdney’s Car Wash, located at 2654 1st St., N in Winter Haven. While he was there, suspect Phillip Alphonse  approached Valente with a revolver and started arguing. Alphonse then snatched a chain with a cross on it from Valente’s neck and fled the scene.
Officers were able to locate Alphonse in the back yard of a 2nd St., NE residence a short distance away. The chain and cross were found in the yard along with Alphonse hiding underneath a vehicle in a carport area of the residence. When Alphonse was taken into custody, he resisted officers numerous times to include kicking at officers.
Alphonse was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with Armed Robbery, Resisting Arrest With Violence, Resisting Arrest Without Violence and Improper Display of Firearm. (He has a history with charges of Battery on Law Enforcement Officers and Resisting Arrest With Violence.)

On May 13, 2013 at 6:58pm Lake Wales Police Officers were dispatched to an in progress residential burglary at 326 Steedley Ave. A witness reported seeing two black males beat on the side door of the house and received no response from anyone inside the house. One of the two black males then removed a screen from one of the windows and gained entry into the house. Once inside, the black male opened a door for the second black male and they both entered. The witness was able to describe the suspects in detail and added one of the black males was wearing a backpack when he entered the home. Minutes later, the two suspects exited the house and the backpack appeared to be full of items from inside the house.

After exiting the house one of the suspects got on a bicycle, the other sat on the handle bars and they rode away traveling toward 4^th St and Steedley Ave. Officers located and engaged the suspects at the intersection of 4^th St and Steedley Ave. One suspect was taken into custody without incident and the other was taken into custody after a short chase. Once in custody both suspects became cooperative and admitted to committing the burglary. The suspect who fled was identified as Javeion Robinson, a 17 year old Lake Wales resident, and the other suspect was identified as Anthony Reeves, an 18 year old Lake Wales resident. Robinson was wearing the backpack at the point he was taken into custody. Robinson and Reeves were searched after being arrested. Officers searched the backpack and found items which were stolen from the house. The items found were watches, jewelry, electronics, and bottles of Yoo-Hoo. Personal items found on Robinson were a small amount of marijuana, a small scale and a screw driver.

Upon completion of the investigation Reeves was charged with burglary and grand theft. He was booked into the Polk County Jail. Robinson was charged with burglary, grand theft, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of burglary tools. Robinson was booked into the Juvenile Assessment Center.

This is a perfect example of a citizen promptly calling police when they witness suspicious activity. This witness’s willingness to get involved guided police right to the burglars. Also, the victim has their property back and the comfort of knowing the intruders were arrested.

Every weekday around mid-day we will have the Polk Mugshot of The Day. The mugshot will be someone arrested in Polk County in the past couple of weeks. The mugshot along with the charges will be posted. Please remember these individuals are innocent until proven guilty.

OSTERMAN, LINDSEY  

DOB: 7/13/1960

Charges: TRESPASSING-PROPERTY NOT STRUCTURE OR CONVEY Surety $250, OPEN CONTAINER Surety $250

The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of DailyRidge.Com or any employee thereof.

The DailyRidge.Com reserves the right to delete, edit, or alter in any manner it sees fit comments that it, in its sole discretion, deems to be obscene, offensive, defamatory, threatening, in violation of trademark, copyright or other laws, or is otherwise unacceptable.