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Polk crime down 8.48% since same time last year

Polk crime down 8.48% since same time last year

Polk County, Florida-- Crime in the Sheriff's Office primary jurisdiction for the first six months of 2012 is down 8.48% since the same time last year, Sheriff's officials announced today. 

The Uniform Crime Report (UCR) stats show a total of 455 fewer crimes overall in the first six months of 2012 than in the first six months of 2011.

Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer arrested for child porn

Osceola County, Florida -- A joint effort between the Polk County and Osceola County sheriff's offices resulted in catching a man accused of trafficking and distributing child pornography.

During the course of their investigation into Robert Kevin Britt, Osceola County detectives learned he formerly worked for the Pensacola Police Department as a school resource officer, was affiliated with the Explorer Program, and as a patrol officer. He was also a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida.

Man who met teen on Facebook charged with lewd battery

Mulberry, Florida -- A man faces numerous counts of lewd battery on a minor after a girl who went missing from South Carolina was found at his home in Mulberry.

24-year-old Pablo Garcia-Sanchez told Polk County detectives he met the 15-year-old girl on Facebook about three months ago. When her mother found out, she told her daughter to stay away from Sanchez. That's when he drove up to North Carolina and told her, "I don't care what your mom says, I love you".

Trial for dead toddler's father takes a twist

Bartow, Florida -- A woman, who pleaded no contest last year in the beating death of her son, now says she doesn't remember giving police particular information about her husband's alleged role in the toddler's death.

Ina Brown pleaded no contest last April to charges of aggravated manslaughter and neglect of a child, agreeing also to testify against her husband, Marcus Brown, of Lakeland.

UPDATE: All 4 suspects in custody after Haines City Homicide

UPDATE: All 4 suspects in custody after Haines City Homicide

Polk County,Florida-- Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested three suspects yesterday in relation to the Homicide of 36-year-old Homero Arteaga. Deputies announced today that they have arrested the fourth suspect, 39-year-old Dana Wise.

Wise had a Polk County warrant for her arrest for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, deputies say, after she and Jenny Holmes drove the other two suspects, Christopher Batchelor and John Barrett, to Arteaga's home to rob him. 

3 arrested, 1 at large in Haines City Homicide

3 arrested, 1 at large in Haines City Homicide

Haines City, Florida-- During a joint investigation today, Polk County Sheriff’s detectives and Haines City Police detectives arrested two men and one woman in the homicide of 36-year-old Homero Arteaga. They continue to search for the fourth suspect, who they say remains at large. 

According to the affidavits, on Monday, August 6, Arteaga's's mother found him deceased in his Haines City home when she went to check on him after days of not hearing from him.

Retail theft arrest leads to discovery of meth lab

Retail theft arrest leads to discovery of meth lab

Bartow, Florida-- A man stole Sudafed from a local Walgreens store, and an investigation not only lead police to the suspects, but also to the Meth lab the Sudafed could have been stolen for. 

Police say they responded to the Walgreens, located at 395 E. Van Fleet in Bartow earlier today after receiving the call about the Walgreens theft.

It was during the course of the theft investigation that officers say they determined the suspect, 26-year-old Michael Bottoms, was at his home on S. Dudley Avenue.