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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.
Feb 18, 2019
Lakeland man arrested for stealing over $3,000 in merchandise from Wal-Mart and Home Depot
Media Contact: Sherrie Morgan, PIO
On Friday, February 15, 2019, PCSO arrested 57-year-old James Gardner of Lakeland and charged him two counts of Grand Theft (F-3).
On Thursday, February 14, 2019, James Gardner walked into the Wal-Mart located at 6745 North Church Avenue in Mulberry and did some five-finger discount shopping. Surveillance video shows him loading $535.86 worth of merchandise—two televisions, a safe, a backpack, toys, and other miscellaneous items—into a cart and then leaving the store without paying. A store employee followed him outside and saw him unload the stolen goods into his red Ford truck with a topper on the back and a handicapped license plate. Using the information, deputies were able to identify Gardner as the suspect.
During the investigation it was revealed Gardner made several fraudulent returns at the Home Depot located at 6335 Florida Avenue South in Lakeland between February 5, 2019 and February 13, 2019. He entered the store with nothing in his possession, grabbed several items from the shelf and proceeded to the return desk without attempting to pay. He would receive a refund in the form of a store credit, or, when he was denied the refund, he walked out of the store with the stolen merchandise.
Detectives were able to locate Mr. Gardner in Southwest Lakeland off of Ewell Road. After searching the house where he was living and his truck, they found the stolen safe, Wal-Mart and Home Depot gift cards, tools, and multiple other stolen items.
“Mr. Gardner was brazen—he thought he could get away with stealing from these businesses. But those who steal, eventually get caught. Surveillance video, observant employees, and good old fashioned police work solved the case.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Gardner has an extensive criminal history which includes burglary, armed burglary, grand theft, resisting arrest, DUI, carrying a concealed weapon, violation of injunction, stalking, battery, and failing to pay child support. According to Mr. Gardner, he receives $900 per month in government assistance.