Winter Haven Woman Used Meth Before Crash That Killed Boy, Injured Another: Police

The crash also led Polk County deputies to launch a separate investigation that ended with the arrests of six people.

Lakeland Substitute Teacher Accused Of Inappropriate Conduct With Students: Sheriff

A Polk County substitute teacher was charged with lewd and lascivious conduct on a minor, the sheriff’s office said.

Pedestrian Fatally Struck By Car On Interstate 4 On-Ramp In Polk County

The on-ramp was closed for several hours following the collision, according to authorities.

Man Fatally Shot Outside Lakeland Pool Hall, Accused Shooter In Custody

Police said the shooting occurred early Thursday morning at the business in Lakeland.

House Cleaner Accused Of Stealing Jewelry From Client In Polk County

The arrest is the third for the woman, who was previously accused of stealing jewelry from clients in both Polk and Hillsborough counties.

Lakeland Woman Practiced Veterinary Medicine Without License: Polk County Sheriff

A Lakeland woman was arrested on multiple charges, including practicing veterinary medicine without a license and animal neglect, PCSO said.

Man Accidentally Shot Self, Falsely Reported Drive-By Shooting: Polk County Sheriff

A Mulberry man falsely reported a drive-by shooting after accidentally shooting himself, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

Teacher Caused 5-Acre Brush Fire By Burning Debris In Backyard: Polk Sheriff

A Polk County teacher was arrested for burning debris in his yard and cursing a 5-acre brush fire despite a burn ban, the sheriff said.

Biker Zoomed Past Cop At 130 MPH Then Crashed: Sheriff

A motorcyclist in Polk County zoomed past a sheriff's deputy at 130 miles per hour, authorities said. A chase led to a fiery crash.

Substitute Teacher ‘Drunker Than Cooter Brown’ Arrested For DUI At School: Polk Sheriff

A subtitute teacher was arrested for DUI in the parking lot of a school in Lake Alfred, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

Sexy Money Murder FL Gang Leader Convicted Of Multiple Charges: FL Attorney General

A leader of the Sexy Money Murder gang faces up to five consecutive life terms in prison, the FL attorney general said.

Driver Attempts To Walk Away From Lakeland Crash: Sheriff

He struck a parked vehicle and 2 mailboxes, the sheriff says.

Burglar Found In Lakeland Barn Helps Himself To Whiskey: PD

A burglar drank about half the Crown Royal whiskey he found stashed in a barn — and then resisted arrest, sheriff says.

Retired FL Cop Arrested After Making Threats Over Parking Ticket At Publix: Sheriff

A retired Lakeland cop was arrested for threatening a volunteer officer for giving him a ticket for parking in Publix fire lane, PCSO said.

FL Man, Shot Killed Wife During Argument About ‘Monday Night Football’: Sheriff

The Lakeland man also shot his 13-year-old stepdaughter, critically injuring her, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

Active Church Member, Father Faces 76 Child Porn Charges: Polk County Sheriff

An Auburndale father and active church member was found with 76 child pornography photos and videos, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

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.