Ledger reporters John Chambliss and Kimberly C. Moore follow up on several angles of Wednesday’s fatal shooting of a shoplifting suspect by City Commissioner Michael Dunn. Among them: Dunn attorney Rusty Franklin says the shooting was justifiable since victim Christobal Lopez was holding the hatchet he had taken from Dunn’s military surplus store. Lakeland Police […]
Category: Crime / Justice
Posted inCrime / Justice
Commissioner Dunn Fired Deadly Shot at Suspected Thief
City Commissioner Michael Dunn shot and killed a man he accused of trying to steal a hatchet from his store, Vets Army Navy at 819 N. Florida Ave., this afternoon, according to the Lakeland Police Department. The victim was identified as Cristobal Lopez, 50. Police said as Lopez’ father was making a purchase around 2:30 p.m., […]
Posted inCrime / Justice
Tampa Bay Times: Move Appeals Court From Lakeland
The Second District Court of Appeals has been hearing cases in Tampa since the court’s Lakeland headquarters building was declared uninhabitable in 2016. In an editorial, The Tampa Bay Times argues the court should stay in Tampa. Half of the court’s business originates in the Tampa Bay region and 41 percent of the population of […]
Posted inCrime / Justice
From the Police Beat
Keely Rai Oltmanns, 15, of Lakeland, died Tuesday evening when the car she was riding in failed to stop at a flashing red signal north of Dade City | Tampa Bay Times A 22-year-old convenience store co-owner faces charges after video captured him shooting into the car of a fleeing beer thief | WFLA The […]
Posted inCrime / Justice
Charges Filed in Thursday’s Police Officer Shooting
@LakelandPD has charged Terrese Lafate Colston of Tampa with attempted 1st degree murder of a law enforcement officer following yesterday’s carjacking, chase and gunfire exchange. The officer, Alexander Rethwisch, is recovering. ✓ Affidavit: https://t.co/H7yVHplMAZ#lkld pic.twitter.com/xu5upst8eG — Lkld Now (@LkldNow) July 13, 2018 ✓ Background: Yesterday’s story via 10 News ✓ Today: Update via theledger.com
Posted inCrime / Justice
Smash-and-Grab Car Thieves Target Circle B Reserve
Parking lots at parks and gyms are being hit more often by thieves, Sheriff Grady Judd says. It’s not enough to hide your stuff in your car because burglars know what to look for, he says, adding: “It’s got to be locked in the trunk and out of sight.” Source: News Channel 8
Posted inPublic Safety
UPDATE: LPD Says Officers Were Justified in Using Force
UPDATE: Lakeland police say their preliminary review of an incident of officers restraining and kicking a homeless man showed the officers “were justified in their response and acted within our Use Of Force policy.” Photos and video of the officers kicking the man who resisted arrest under an interstate overpass generated a huge response on Facebook. […]
Posted inCrime / Justice
Sheriff: Stolen Urn Contained LPD Retiree’s Ashes
Deputies are asking the public’s help finding the person driving a white minivan who they say burglarized three homes in south Lakeland and took an urn containing the cremated remains of retired Lakeland Police Officer Buddy Newsome. Source: Fox 13 News
Posted inCrime / Justice
Car Break-Ins Reported at New Dog Park
Visitors to the new Dog Leg Woods on Cleveland Heights Boulevard said thieves broke into their vehicles and in some cases smashed windows. Police advise people to keep valuables out of plain sight. ELSEWHERE: Lakeland police arrested a 15-year-old and are seeking another suspect in car burglaries that took place at Autumnwood Village Apartments, 1776 Harden Blvd. […]
Posted inCrime / Justice
Lakeland Teen Arrested in Snapchat School Threat
The Polk Sheriff’s Office arrested a 14-year-old who was recently expelled from Lakeland Christian School; he is accused of making threats involving students at George Jenkins High School. Source: News Channel 8