LPD Online News

Lakeland Police Conducting Homicide Investigation

The Lakeland Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2008, at 1227 Robert King High Drive, Lakeland, Florida.

The victim has been identified as Ronald Rodman Jr., B/M, date of birth – May 5, 1987.

The suspect in this homicide is not in custody. Detectives are continuing the investigation at this time. Media inquiries should be directed to Mr. Jack Gillen, LPD PIO, at 863-834-6949.

View the media release here.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Police Department Participates in Hurricane Expo

The Lakeland Police Department will be participating in a free  hurricane preparedness seminar hosted by the  Presbyterian Church in the Highlands, 1010 Lake Miriam Drive (corner of Cleveland Heights Blvd. and Lake Miriam Drive) on Saturday, May 31, 2008, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

A presentation on home preparedness and generator safety will be conducted at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.  There will be vendors, Emergency Operations Personnel, and Displays on hand.  Food and soft drinks will also be available.

The Lakeland Police Department encourages citizens to attend to learn valuable information to prepare for this 2008 hurricane season!

Media inquiries should be directed to Jack Gillen, Public Information Officer, 863.981.0196.

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigating Bank Robbery

The Lakeland Police Department is investigating a bank robbery that occurred this morning at the Bank of America, 4330 North Road 98.

The suspect is described as a white male, in his early 20s, 5'5" - 5'7", approximately 170 lbs with a medium build. The suspect passed a note demanding money and fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.

All media inquiries should be directed to Mr. Jack Gillen, Public Information Officer, at 863-834-6900. View media release.pdf.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Police Announce Peace Officer Memorial

The Twenty-First Annual Peace Officer's Memorial Service will be held on May 8, 2008, at 10:00 A.M., at the Polk County Law Enforcement Memorial site located in the City of Lakeland Bicentennial Park on Lake Beulah Drive, adjacent to the Lakeland Center located at 701 West Lime Street, Lakeland, Florida.

The public is invited to attend.

All media inquiries regarding this event should be directed to Jack Gillen, Public Information Officer, at 863.981.0196. Click here for map to Lakeland Bicentennial Park.pdf

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Arrest City Employee for Grand Theft

The Lakeland Police Department today arrested Robert A. Hudson, (W/M, DOB: 12/13/56), 4815 Sand Mountain Road, Auburndale, Florida, on the following charges in connection with the theft of City of Lakeland property: Dealing in Stolen Property (F2), Grand Theft (F3), Scheming to Defraud (F3).

Mr. Hudson is a supervisor at the City of Lakeland Wastewater Plant and all of these thefts involved scrap metal taken on more than one occasion from the wastewater facility located on 1825 Glendale Street in Lakeland. Mr. Hudson has been employed by the City of Lakeland since June 3, 1986. His salary is $58,718 per year.

All media inquiries regarding this event should be directed to Jack Gillen, Public Information Officer, at 863.981.0196.View Media Release.pdf

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Dive Team Searches for Firearm

The Lakeland Police Department Dive Team will be conducting an operation on Thursday, April 17, 2008, at Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland beginning at 9:00 am.  The target location is next to Fire Station #1 and directly behind the Lakeland Fire Department Administration Building.

The Dive Team will be utilizing the dredge and the magnet for this operation to recover a firearm (click here to read entire media release).pdf

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Home Invaders Arrested in Georgia

An arrest has been made in Douglas County, Georgia, of two suspects believed to be responsible for the home invasion that occurred in Lakeland, Florida, on April 2, 2008.  The suspects were arrested after committing a crime in Georgia using methods similar to the ones used in the Lakeland home invasion.

Read the complete media release.pdf

All media inquires should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith 863.834.6917.