Winter Haven, Florida -- An 18-year-old man was arrested last week when numerous stolen items were found in his possession during a traffic stop.
During the stop, officers found a small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia in Geronimo Conchiese Gordon-Watson's possession prompting a full...more search of his belongings. The stolen items, including a piece that had the victim's name engraved on it, were found in his backpack.
Detectives discovered the items were those reported missing from a home of a 65-year-old woman that was recently burglarized. During a check of area pawn shops more pieces of jewelry were found from the burglary.
Gordon-Watson is being charged with Burglary, three counts Dealing in Stolen Property and two counts of False Verification to a Pawn Dealer.

Winter Haven, Florida-- Winter Haven Police ask for the public's help in locating a violent and dangerous man who threatened a pregnant woman at knifepoint after he kicked in her door overnight.
On May 14 at approximately 2:50 a.m., Jimmy Wayne Reddick, Jr., 35, of Winter Haven, kicked in...more the door of his former girlfriend's apartment in the 4000 block of Vista Del Lago Dr., NE in Winter Haven.
The girlfriend is seven months pregnant and also had her 8-year-old son in the apartment at the time.
Once Reddick kicked in the door, he went to the kitchen, grabbed two steak knives, and held one to the victim's throat and poked her in the stomach threatening to kill the unborn child.
Reddick is described as a black male, 5'7", 175 pounds, last seen wearing a black sleeveless t-shirt, jeans and sneakers. 
Reddick only has one eye, his left, but is known to wear sunglasses.
Police consider Reddick extremely dangerous, and a warrant has been issued for Burglary of

Winter Haven, Florida-- Are you thinking about homeschooling your child? 
If so, you can attend the R.E.A.D. 2 p.m.event on Saturday, May 19 at the Winter Haven Library.
According to the MyWinterHaven.com:The  R.E.A.D. Series is an educational program designed to offer information...more and resources to the public regarding learning concerns, such as dyslexia, auditory processing disorders, and other educational issues.  The series offers workshops and seminars on a monthly basis to the public free of charge.
Lynda McCartney of ABC Tutoring Services will instruct this workshop as a part of the many R.E.A.D. presentations. For more information, contact The Winter Haven Library at 291-5880 or Lynda McCartney at 863-293-6172.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - During tax season, most people scramble to gather their W-2s and receipts, while some look for any last minute deductions they may have overlooked. But most want to make sure they file their tax returns correctly and on time.

So how is that so many people are...more stealing other people's identities and filing fake income tax returns, easily getting back thousands of dollars seemingly unchecked?

That's the question Sheriff Grady Judd of the Polk County Sheriff's Office says he's frustrated over after his deputies arrested 19 suspects for creating 399 fake identities that totaled nearly half a million dollars in fraudulent tax returns.

Mug Shot Gallery: Polk tax fraud arrests

Polk detectives say in many of the cases the suspects would steal names, Social Security numbers, and birthdays from nursing homes. Then they file fake tax returns, making up the financial information to receive the highest amount possible.

Sheriff

Winter Haven, Florida-- Visit the downtown Winter Haven Farmers' Market any Thursday, including this coming, May 10, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Downtown Trailhead Park.
According to Mywinterhaven.com, you'll find farm-fresh produce and other items offered by local vendors.
The park is located at Third Street NW and South Lake Silver Drive.

Winter Haven, Florida -- A lieutenant with the Winter Haven Fire Department was arrested for inappropriately touching a girl for 6 years from the time she was 9 years old.

During an interview with detectives on May 3, 44-year-old Bobby Creech admitted to touching the girl's...more breasts from 1997 to 2006 during what he called "sweet hugs" and "tickle fights".

In a statement, he apologized to the girl, now 24, for everything he had done to her and that he has hated himself for so long for what he did.

Creech, of Tampa, is being charged with Lewd Molestation.

Back in February 2012, Creech was charged with Kidnapping, Battery and Tampering with a Victim after he forced his former girlfriend into a vehicle after an argument. Police say the woman had abrasions and she told them he threatened her life.

Winter Haven, Florida -- A Winter Haven mother was arrested Thursday after police say she beat her 4-year-old son with a belt across his stomach, legs, arms and face because he jumped on a bed.

According to the Winter Haven Police Department, on May 2, around 6 p.m., a neighbor...more called police after the boy, covered in welts and bruises, was found walking around the Villas of Lake Smart apartment complex alone.

Officers arrived and the boy was taken by ambulance to Winter Haven Hospital where his mother, Sheila Renee Smith, later met up with him.

Detectives interviewed Smith who told them she hit him with a belt about 12 times for jumping on the bed. She also told them instead of leaning him over her knee, she hits him while he's standing.

Police say the child's injuries, including those on his face and back, were consistent with him trying to shield himself from being hit.

Smith told detectives she left him at the apartment to go to

Winter Haven, Florida-- On the first Friday of every month, Winter Haven Hospital and the City of Winter Haven host a free community sing-along music event in downtown Central Park.
This coming Friday's (May 4) event takes place from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
The sing-alongs take place on the...more first Friday of every month from September through May, and they feature local musicians.
For details, call Nat West,  297-9387.

WINTER HAVEN, Florida (AP) - The Polk County Sheriff's Office is investigating a double shooting in Winter Haven.

The Lakeland Ledger reports the two victims were hospitalized Tuesday with gunshot wounds after a shooting at a home. Their conditions have not yet been...more released.

Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Donna Wood says the initial 911 call was for a home invasion robbery. Deputies found the two victims, who were transported to the hospital.

No arrests have been made.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - There were no hot dogs or pies in an eating contest on the Polk State College campus in Winter Haven. "Peanut Butter and Nutella -- we've been making them all morning," says one student.

With each sandwich eaten, the families of three fellow Polk State College...more students will benefit from pledges and donations. "That was their favorite sandwich, and in honor of them, we are eating peanut butter and Nutella," says one of 22 students getting ready to participate in the eating contest on the front lawn across from the student center.

It was one of the favorite hangout places for three 19-year-old students and best friends since childhood who, police say, were gunned down last week. Christian Rodriguez and Joe Palacios died. Esteban Zavala is recovering at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Police say 32-year-old Joshua Davis shot the men in his apartment while his 6-year-old daughter hid underneath a table.

Police say Davis confessed to

LAKE WALES, Fla. - Polk County Sheriff's homicide deputies are investigating the brutal stabbing death of a 69-year-old Lake Wales woman.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 29, deputies arrested 23-year-old Christopher Chase Whaley and charged him with first degree murder...more after he admitted to stabbing his grandmother, Barbara Denmar, to death.

According to the arrest report, Whaley told detectives he got into an argument with his grandmother and his aunt on Saturday while he was in Daytona Beach. He said he decided after the argument that, when he returned home, he would kill them both. Whaley had been living with his grandmother in her mobile home in Lake Wales for the past five years. His aunt, Cassandra Pippin, also lives in Polk County.

Whaley tells deputies that when he got home, he sat in his bedroom and thought about committing the murders. He then went into the kitchen and grabbed two knives, went to find his grandmother, and stabbed

Winter Haven, Florida - Police describe an accused local gunman in three words:  cold-blooded killer.

Davis made his first appearance in court today on Murder, Attempted Murder and Child Abuse charges.

He became emotional only when the judge brought up his little...more girl.

Investigatos say that Joshua Davis was so heartless that not only did the 32-year-old execute two of his own friends and wound another, he did it all while his six-year-old little girl hid under a table nearby.

"He says he fears for his life," said Winter Haven Police Chief Gary Hester.  "Well, we are hoping for the lethal injection for him. We are seeking justice."

So, what caused this young man to snap?

The chief told reporters Wednesday that Davis was addicted to the video game, Battlefield 3 and played out violent scenarios non-stop.

Chief Hester said, "[Davis] told the detectives freely and talked very freely about playing that game on a

Winter Haven, Florida -- A mother and her two children were arrested Wednesday after numerous drugs were found in their home.

According to police, around 9 a.m., detectives searched the home at 1425 Sheridan Drive and found loose pills hidden in containers that weren't prescription...more bottles, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Cash was also found in various places throughout the home. A car was also seized after drugs were found inside.

Police arrested Marie Russell, 45, Ashley Russell, 27, and Logan Comparato, 18, and charged them with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, Possession of Marijuana Over 20 Grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Controlled Substance Without Prescription and Maintaining Dwelling or Vehicle for Narcotics Use Sales. 

Marie and her son, Logan, were out on bail for previous drug charges.

Winter Haven, Florida-- Attend the 2012 Central Park Stroll in Winter Haven and see the winning sculptures featured in the 2012 Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition.
The Central Park Stroll takes place from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., May 3, in downtown Winter Haven.
Cast your vote for your...more favorite sculpture for the People's Choice Award. Other prizes will be awarded in this one-of-a-kind sculpture competition.
There will be hands-on art activities for kids, aand live jazz music for the enjoyment of everyone.
For more information about this free community event, contact Jennifer Kovac at 863-291-5880, or jkovac@mywinterhaven.com.