LPD Online News

Lakeland Police Arrest Man for Video Voyeurism

The Lakeland Police Department responded to Leon’s Tanning Salon, 1221 South Florida Avenue, in Lakeland, to investigate reports of a subject taking unauthorized photographs of a patron while she tanning.  The suspect was a customer tanning at the salon and was taking photographs of another adult female customer in various stages of undress while she was tanning without her knowledge or permission.  The victim noticed an arm reaching over the wall of the area she was occupying holding a cell phone.  The victim reported the incident to police and Mark Douglas McElwee, DOB:  2/6/68, was arrested on the charge of Video Voyeurism (F3). 

Police seized the cell phone of the suspect and it was placed into evidence.  McElwee and the victim did not know each other.       

This incident remains under investigation.  Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863.834.6917.

Lakeland Police Department Arrests Man of Attempted Homicide of Infant

The Lakeland Police Department is investigating a suspicious incident regarding significant injuries that occurred to an infant on March 6, 2010.  The grandmother of the infant, Bridgit Ward,  is the legal guardian of the infant.  Ward returned home from work and discovered the infant not breathing.  The infant had been in the care of his stepfather, Ryan Joe Clarke, DOB:  3/27/80, while Ward was at work.  Ward and Clarke rushed the infant to L.R.M.C.  The infant was air lifted to Tampa General Hospital where he remains in critical condition with life threatening injuries.

The investigation indicated that the suspect intentionally inflicted injuries on the infant while he was in his care.  Lakeland Police Department obtained a warrant for the arrest of Clarke who lives in Orlando.  Clarke was taken into custody late this afternoon without incident by the Orlando Police Department, who was working in conjunction with Lakeland Police Detectives.  Clarke is currently in Orange County Jail and has been charged with Attempted Felony Murder (F1), and Aggravated Child Abuse (F1). 

This incident remains under investigation.  Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863.834.6917.

Download Original Media Release and Complaint Affidavit Face Sheet 

 

Sergeant Terri Smith

2009 Annual UCR Report

Download 2009 UCR Crime Statistic Report 

Lakeland Police Host Open House - Focus on Cyber Safety

The Lakeland Police Department will be hosting an open house for the community on March 20, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the main station located at 219 North Massachusetts Avenue in Lakeland.  This event is free to the public and drinks and refreshments will be served. 

There will be tours of the police department, crime lab, emergency operations center, and communications.  There will be activities for children and equipment displays.  There will also be demonstrations by the SWAT Team, K-9 Team, Helicopter, Crime Scene, DUI Unit, Aviation and Hostage Negotiations Unit.

This is a great opportunity to have fun and learn more about your local police department.

View Open House Flyer 

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Participate in "Pill Drop Off Day"

The Lakeland Police and the Drug Prevention Resource Center are sponsoring a “Pill Drop Off Day” for citizens that would like to discard pills they may have accumulated in the back of their medicine cabinet or cupboards.  It does not matter how many, what size, or what kind they are.  Pills need to be placed in a clear, air-tight sealed plastic bag, and may be dropped off on Saturday, March 20, 2010, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., where police officers will be present to accept the pills.

Three Additional Locations for Safe Disposal

Haines City Police Department – 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL  (863) 421-3636

Lakeland Police Department – 219 N Massachusetts Av, Lakeland, FL  (863) 834-6900

Polk County Waste Resource Management – 10 Environmental Loop S, Winter Haven, FL (863) 284-4319

This event has been designed to bring about awareness.  Accidental prescription drug overdose is reportedly on the rise.  Storing excess pills you do not intend to use, or storing outdated medication in your home can pose a risk for accidental ingestion or abuse.    Disposing of pills by flushing them down the toilet or sink can cause contamination to lakes and ground water.

For additional information, contact Sergeant Terri Smith, Public Information Officer at 863.834.6949.  

Lakeland Police Participate in "Click It or Ticket" Safety Belt Enforcement

The Lakeland Police Department will be participating in the 2010 Florida Click It or Ticket Safety Belt Enforcement Wave  that begins today, and will conclude on Monday, March 15, 2010.    Officers will be on the lookout for unbuckled drivers and passengers.   During this time period, drivers and passengers will be ticketed if they are not buckled up.

Safety belt use in Florida climbed to 81.7% last year, almost reaching the national average of 82%.  The minority of Floridians who do not wear a seat belt continue to make up the majority of traffic fatalities in the state, according to the Florida Department of Transportation website.  The 1 in 5 Floridians who did not buckle up accounted for 3 in 5 traffic fatalities.  

So remember, If you Click It, You Won’t Get a Ticket.
 
Click It or Ticket is a cooperative effort of the Florida Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Administration, and law enforcement agencies across the nation.

 National Highway Administration  

 Florida Department of Transportation    

Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Department Accepting Applications for Victim's Assistance Program

Lakeland Police are still looking for volunteers for their Victim Assistance and   Domestic Violence programs.  Volunteers receive 40 hours of training to prepare them to assist victims of vehicle accidents, robberies, home invasions, assaults, domestic violence, as well as other related crimes.

Volunteers are trained to respond to crime scenes or to hospitals to comfort victims.

Classes will be held at the Lakeland Police Department in the evenings on Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning March 1, 2010, and ending May 17, 2010.  Class size is limited to 10 students.  The class lasts approximately 12 weeks and the date the class begins will be announced.

For more information, call the Victim Assistance Office at 863.834.6900.  Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, 863.834.6917.  

Sergeant Terri Smith