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News and Investigations

News & Investigations

News Releases and Public Information

Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.

PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Meghan Petty. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org

The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.

Jun 4, 2018

See something, say something - It really works!

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

This story was posted on the PCSO Facebook page, in reference to two separate crimes and the arrests of a Lakeland man and three teens Sunday, after people saw something and reported it.


See something, say something. We love that phrase here at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Basically, if you see something that looks like a crime, let us know, so we can nip it in the bud, as Deputy Bernard P. Fife might say. 

Over the weekend, we had two situations where someone saw something, reported it immediately, and we were able to put a stop to illicit activity and arrest the offenders. BOOYA!

For instance, on Sunday morning along Combee Road North, a suspicious incident was reported and as deputies responded, they were notified that there were two car burglaries that just occurred as well. One of the victims provided a great description of the suspect, and which way he was headed.

One of the deputies located the suspect, and the victim was able to positively identify him. 

The suspect had a backpack, and was searched. He was found to be in possession of some Guess sunglasses and feminine products that were definitely not his. When he’s sitting in the jail, and someone asks what he was in for, he’ll probably tell them burglaries, but we’d bet he won’t tell them what he stole. ARRESTED: ONE BAD GUY.

Another incident happened on Sunday, this time in the Orbundale area (That’s Auburndale, for all of you non-Polk County folks). A resident there saw three kids flipping door handles in his subdivision, called it in, gave a very good description of the li’l crooks, and which way they went. And like vultures on roadkill, our deputies swooped in and captured all three suspects. You get a felony! You get a felony! And you get a felony! ARRESTED: THREE JUNIOR BAD GUYS.

See something – say something. It really works. Great descriptions and direction of travel information helps. 

#PCSO #SeeSomethingSaySomething
#HearSomethingSaySomething 
#TasteSomethingSaySomething#NotReallySureWhatYouMightTasteThatIsCriminalButYouNeverKnow
#JustToClarifyOurDeputiesDoNotEatRoadkill 
#TheKidsWereTwo14YearOldsAndA15YearOld#WhatIDidOnSummerBreak #GotBustedByThePoPo