Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested After Anonymous Tip: Sheriff

“I’m the one you’re looking for,” a Winter Haven man wanted for attempted murder told Polk County deputies arresting him.

8 PA Teens Arrested For Stealing From FL Dick’s Sporting Goods Store: Sheriff

A group of teens from Philadelphia who were in Polk County for a football tournament were arrested for retail theft, authorities said.

Driver Claims ‘Dirty Bomb’ Is In Truck At Publix: Police

A Florida driver faces multiple charges after claiming he had a “dirty bomb” in his truck during a traffic stop at a Publix, police said.

Winter Haven Woman Fatally Struck By 2 Cars In Polk County

Florida state police said the incident happened early Saturday morning in Polk County.

Speeding Car Overturns In Crash With Police Patrol SUV: FL Highway Patrol

A speeding driver and officer were injured in an early morning crash in Winter Haven, the Florida Patrol said.

5 Injured In Crash Involving Fire Rescue Battalion Chief: Polk County Officials

A crash that injured 5 people and involved the Polk County Fire Rescue battalion chief triggered a mass casualty incident, officials said.

2 People Thrown From Motorcycle In Lakeland Crash: Police

The impact of the crash caused both the driver and his passenger to be thrown from the motorcycle, police say.

Motorcyclist Killed In Crash In Polk County

The crash occurred Saturday morning on South Florida Avenue, police said.

Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty Months After 2 Dead Dogs Found In Yard: Polk County Sheriff

A woman was charged with animal cruelty after her deployed brother's two dogs died in her care in Polk County, the sheriff's office said.

32 Arrested In Massive FL Crackdown On Drugs

A murder suspect, a kingpin who authorities say controlled a Polk County town and 30 others are arrested in an alleged drug ring.

Gator Caught FL Woman In Death Roll: Update

A new report on a fatal gator attack in Polk County says the reptile performed a death roll on a woman before dragging her underwater.

Wanted Man Who Taunted FL Sheriff On Social Media Arrested On Multiple Felony Charges

Lakeland police arrested a wanted man on multiple felony charges after he taunted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on social media.

Man Bitten By Alligator, Killed By Cops After Charging Them: Police

The man swam an alligator-infested lake to access a gated community, refusing a life preserver and growling at one person, police said.

Man Fatally Stabbed Victim 113 Times In 'Violent Death': Polk Sheriff

A man fatally stabbed another man 113 times because of the "voices in (his) head," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

Pedestrian Struck, Killed In Hit-And-Run In Winter Haven: Reports

Deputies were called to Spirit Lake Road at around 2:29 a.m., WFLA reported.

Man Sleeping In Front Of Gas Pump Bit K-9 Deputy’s Ear: Polk Sheriff

When two men were found sleeping in front of a gas pump at a Polk County gas station, one bit a K-9 deputy’s ear, the sheriff’s office said.

FL Teen Acquitted Of Killing Mom 2 Years After Shooting Dad

Nearly two years after the Polk Co. teen was accused of shooting and killing his father, he was tried for murder in the death of his mother.

FL Grandma Found Guilty Of Leaving Granddaughter In Hot Car

Seven-month-old Uriel Schock died in November 2022 when her grandmother, Tracey Nix, left her in a hot car in Hardee County.

'Pervert' Touched 16-Year-Old At Chick-Fil-A: Polk County Sheriff

The suspect, previously accused of groping several women, was released from prison in October, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

‘You People Are Next’: Lakeland Woman Threatens Health Insurance Co.

A Lakeland woman was arrested for threatening a Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance rep, saying, “delay, deny, depose,” reports said.

FL Man Found Guilty Of Jan. 6. U.S. Capitol Riot Charges: U.S. DOJ

A Lakeland man tried to grab a baton from an officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol building, the U.S. DOJ said.

Man's Body Pulled From Retention Pond In Lakeland: Reports

Residents alerted the Polk County Sheriff's office, WFLA.com reported.

Half-Naked FL Man Holding Carpet Cleaner Breaks Into Home: Reports

The man claimed he was high on drugs at the time he was accused of breaking into a FL home and grabbing carpet cleaner, reports say.

FL Gang Members Charged In Scheme To Defraud Banks, Residents

Nineteen people are facing charges after prosecutors said they defrauded more than two dozen banks and hundreds of people and businesses.

Man Beating Wife With Hammer Fatally Shot By Polk County Deputy

Deputies received a call Saturday from a 61-year-old woman who said she was being violently beaten by her husband.

435,000+ Convicted Criminals Entered U.S. Under Biden-Harris per ICE

Under Harris-Acting ICE Director Patrick Lechleitner said 13000 illegal immigrants convicted of murder-15,000 sex offenders entered U.S.

FL Teen Killed Mom, Previously Charged In Dad's Death: Sheriff

A FL sheriff said a 17-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing his mom last weekend was charged in 2023 in his dad's shooting death.

Fight Over Cat Injures 2 People In Lakeland: Report

Three people were arrested after an argument over the ownership of a cat turned violent in Lakeland, a report said.

Attorney Stole More Than $1.7M From Trust: Polk County Sheriff

A Polk County attorney gambled more than $1.7 million of a deceased client’s money at Seminole Hard Rock Casino, the sheriff's office said.

Couple Visiting FL Fatally Hit By Car While Walking With Daughter, 7

The couple was visiting Lakeland from Everett, Massachusetts with their 7-year-old daughter when they were fatally struck.

‘Crazy’ FL Mom Ran Over Toddler, Husband: Polk County Sheriff

The 16-month-old boy was hospitalized in critical condition after his mother ran over him and his father, the Polk County sheriff said.

$3.5M FL Drug Bust: 5 Charged With Trafficking Fentanyl In Polk Co.

Four of five suspects charged on suspicion of trafficking fentanyl over 28 grams were arrested in Polk Co. while a fifth person is at large.

2 Polk County Deputies Hurt, Suspect Killed In Shootout: Police

Sheriff Grady Judd said deputies approached the man in his car near Hunt Fountain Park before he started shooting.

Suspected Car Thief Returns Mother's Ashes To FL Man: Report

The Winter Haven man told WFLA the accused car thief had "a good heart" for returning his mother's ashes after allegedly stealing his car.

300 Child Porn Charges Filed Against Lake Alfred Commissioner: Reports

A Lake Alfred city commissioner and former mayor was charged with 300 counts of child pornography, the Polk County sheriff said.

Pre-Med UF Student Stabs Mother To Death In Polk County: Sheriff

A 21-year-old University of Florida student killed his mother in Frostproof while visiting for a family event, the sheriff’s office said.

1 Dead In Lakeland Plane Crash: Reports

Though the person was not identified Tuesday, a media outlet reported the pilot was the sole person aboard the plane.

Remains Of Missing Hillsborough Woman Identified 2 Years Later: Police

The Hillsborough and Polk county sheriff's offices partnered to locate Kelly Vazquez, who disappeared in May 2021.

Teen Pulled Gun On Spring Breakers At FL Beach: Volusia County Sheriff

A 16-year-old who pulled a gun on spring breakers at a FL beach threw the firearm and bags of marijuana into the ocean, authorities said.

24 Charged In Child Sex Crime Sting, Sex Offender Crackdown: Sheriff

The Polk County Sheriff has arrested or issued warrants for 24 people accused of child sex crimes or sex offenders violating the law.