LPD Online News

Lakeland Police Arrest Man on Bus With Gun

Lakeland Police Department responded to a 911 call today from a man riding on a city bus.  The man stated a man on the bus was threatening a young girl with a gun.  The man was later identified as Neil Dekle, white male,  23 years old.

At approximately 4:00 pm today, the victim boarded the bus at 2410 North Crystal Lake Drive, in Lakeland, Florida.  Once on the bus,  Dekle began to admire the victim’s shoes.   Dekle continued to make remarks to the victim about her shoes indicating that he intended to take them from her.  As Dekle was making these remarks, he began handling and moving the gun around on his waistband.  A witness on the bus called police and gave a description of the suspect, as well as information about where the bus was as it travelled through the city.  As the bus approached the main terminal in downtown Lakeland, police were able to stop the bus and take Dekle into custody after a brief scuffle.

The gun in Dekle’s possession was a pellet gun that was not loaded.  Dekle and the 15 year old victim did not know each other prior to this incident. Dekle was charged with Armed Robbery, a first degree felony. 

Media inquiries should be directed to Terri Smith at 863.834.6917.  

Download Arrest Affidavit with Original Media Release 

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Arrest Juvenile for Attempted Homicide

On November 17, 2009, just before midnight, Lakeland Police were in the area of the 1706 West Parker Street assisting PCSO in reference to a search for a suspect.  The suspect had fled from the scene of a burglary that had just occurred.  The scene of the burglary was in the county and the suspect had fled into the city limits of Lakeland. 

A short time later, there was a call of a residential burglary in progress at 353 Dawn Street - the area that the suspect had fled to.  The suspect broke into the residence at 353 Dawn Street through a window and was confronted by the victim.  At that time, the suspect stabbed the victim approximately 30 times. 

The victim (Daniel Granton, DOB:  8/20/54) sustained wounds to his chest area as well as other parts of the body causing life threatening injuries.  The suspect, Noel Cruz-Diego (DOB: 3/26/95), also took the victim’s wallet, then fled the scene and was later apprehended by police and charged with Attempted Felony Murder, Home Invasion Robbery and Burglary to a Conveyance (2 counts).

The victim was transported to LRMC where he remains in critical condition at this time. Media inquiries should be directed to Jack Gillen, 863-834-6949.  

Download original media release with map of location and additional photo of suspect 

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Search for Missing Endangered Person - Cancel had been FOUND

UPDATE 10/23/09 10:00 a.m.: Zachary was located early this morning walking on Highway 60 west of Mulberry after an anonymous tip from a citizen was phoned in to police.  The citizen stated that he had observed a subject fitting the description of a missing person he had heard on the radio.  Zachary was found unharmed and in good condition, and had apparently walked to this location from his residence.

Lakeland Police are looking for Zachary Dean Hansen, a missing endangered person last seen at 722 East Myrtle Street on October 21, 2009 (yesterday) at 8:30 PM.  Zachary has a medical condition and is required to take medication daily.  Zachary is described as a white male, 30 years old, with brown hair and brown eyes.  Zachary was last see wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt and red plaid pants. 

If you have seen Zachary, or have any information on his whereabouts, please contact the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6900.

Media inquiries should be directed to Jack Gillen, 863-834-6949. 

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting

Three Lakeland Police Officers were involved in a shooting that occurred at 4514 Micanope Crescent Drive at approximately 11:41 pm on Wednesday, February 25, 2009.

Bruce Wooley, age 58, was home alone and contacted his sister by telephone in North Carolina. Wooley made statements to his sister that he was “armed and wanted to die”, but didn’t want “to do it”. Wooley’s sister contacted police who responded to the area and established a perimeter. Police established telephone contact with Wooley who advised that he was okay and did not intend to harm himself, but that he was “wanted to get some beer”. Officers observed Wooley leave his residence and enter a vehicle car carrying a shotgun. Wooley then began driving erratically through the neighborhood. Wooley then returned to his residence where he got out of his vehicle with the shotgun in his possession and pointed the gun a Lakeland Police Officer.

All three officers then fired upon Wooley. Wooley was struck by gunfire and disarmed. Wooley was found to be armed with two other guns, one in a shoulder holster. There were indications that Wooley had been drinking alcohol, but the amount is unknown. Wooley was conscious and speaking at the scene. Wooley was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he was admitted.

Wooley’s family has been notified of his condition and has been cooperative in this investigation. This investigation is ongoing.

The complete media release is available here.

- Sgt. Terri Smith

GEICO Awards DUI Education Grant

Impaired driving continues to be a deadly crime across our nation, but one that can be prevented. The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration reports in 2006 that more than 13,000 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Car crashes are also known to be the leading cause of death of adolescents.

Enforcement and education are two proven methods to reducing the number of impaired drivers on our highways. To that end, GEICO Insurance today provided a financial grant to the Lakeland Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to fund a joint educational effort to reduce impaired driving. The grant is a philanthropic donation by GEICO to purchase a special vehicle that simulates impaired driving.

The Simulated Impaired DriviNg Experience®, or SIDNE®, is a battery-powered vehicle that simulates the effects of impairment from alcohol or other drugs on a motorist’s driving skills. The goal of this collaborative initiative is to create a program that educates young drivers how dangerous impaired driving can be.

Program instructors have complete control of the SIDNE® vehicle and can switch it from normal driving to impaired driving mode to demonstrate effects of impairment on driving skills. Participants experience with a sober brain how it feels when reaction time is slowed and they are unable to make a turn or stop, even when they have ample time and space.

SIDNE® vehicles are used in conjunction with FATAL VISION® goggles that vividly demonstrate the concept of impairment by showing the effects of alcohol and drugs on the human brain.

The Lakeland Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are teaming together to bring this educational program to the entire county. This joint effort is another demonstration of the commitment by Lakeland Police Chief Roger Boatner and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd to work together to reduce impaired driving on our roads and highways.

For more information on FATAL VISON® and SIDNE®, visit the company’s website at http://www.fatalvision.com/fv/home.php.

 

Download SIDNE Media Release

 

Product shot from company website.

 

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Police Investigating Two Robberies on Memorial Blvd

The Lakeland Police Department is investigating two commercial robberies that occurred at businesses on East Memorial Boulevard Tuesday evening, December 23, 2008. At 7:30 PM, an attempted robbery occurred at the Krystal's restaurant. About one hour later, a robbery occurred at the Dollar General Store.

The suspect in both of these crimes was described as a white male, approximately 6-00 tall, 170 pounds, brown hair balding on top with a very distinct high hairline and no facial hair. The suspect was last seen wearing a long sleeve button-down green and white checkered shirt, blue jeans, and dark shoes.

The public is asked to look at the attached composite sketch and help us identify this suspect. Anyone with information regarding these crimes is asked to call the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6900.

The entire media release is available here.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Police Arrest Man on Warrants after Citizen Complaints

Officers investigating complaints of fraud end up arresting man on outstanding warrants after it is discovered he is using an alias.   Read the Complete Media Release.pdf

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigating Deadly Shooting on Doris Drive

The Lakeland Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at 325 Doris Drive, in Lakeland, Florida, early this morning.

At approximately 4:30 a.m., four men were drinking at the residence of Christopher Thomas Morgan, (DOB: 7/22/86) 325 Doris Drive when an argument broke out. As a result of the argument, two men were shot by Morgan. Steven Burke, (DOB: 5/23/84, 1400 Banana Road #89), and Joshua Britton, (DOB:7/20/87) and Kevin Michael Kirk (DOB: 10/10/87). All left the residence in a  vehicle and drove to the area of Lockheed Martin on Frontage Road where they called for help. Both Burke and Britton were transported to LRMC by ambulance where Burke later died from his injuries. Britton is listed in serious condition at this time.

At this time, charges have not been filed on Morgan. Morgan is being represented by his attorney, Rusty Franklin, and has stated that anyone wishing to contact him needs to do so through his attorney.

This incident is still under investigation. No further information will be released tonight. This information is also available on www.lpdonlinenews.com. Media questions should be directed to Jack Gillen, PIO, 863-981-0196.

Copy of media release available here.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Police Are Now On Twitter

After conducting a bit of research and discovering a few other police departments around the country are beginning to use Twitter, I decided we would take the leap and join. You can find us on Twitter under our account name LakelandPD.

Be patient as we look for creative ways to use this form of communication technology to keep the public informed of events, emergencies, and general news around the Lakeland Police Department.

Here is a link to a previous blog post on INSIDELakelandPD where we discussed the potential use of Twitter.

 

- Asst Chief Bill LePere

Lakeland Police Investigate Holiday Traffic Fatality

The Lakeland Police Department is investigating a single vehicle traffic crash.  Police received notification of the crash at approximately 6:19 a.m. on July 5, 2008.  The exact time the crash occurred is unknown.  The investigation indicated that Miguel Angel Alvarez, Jr., (DOB:  8/10/85) was operating a 1990 Chevrolet Blazer in the 2000 block of East Lake Parker, when the vehicle appeared to leave the roadway.  Once the vehicle initially left the roadway, it appeared Alvarez was unable to regain control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete electric pole.  Emergency Medical Personnel pronounced Alvarez dead at the scene.  There were no passengers in the vehicle and no known witnesses to the crash.  Next of kin has been notified. 

This crash is still under investigation. Anyone with information relating to this crash is urged to contact Officer Mike Catalano at 863.834.2507.  No further information will be released today.

Sergeant Terri Smith