LPD Online News

Lakeland Police Department Hold Retirement Party for George Butler

George Butler, age 86, is retiring from his job in the Community Service Unit of the Lakeland Police Department that he has held since 1988.  This was not George’s first job, and as I sat and talked with him, I don’t think it will be his last. 

George was born in Patterson, New Jersey, and was raised in Pennsylvania.  He served in the Air Force during World War II from 1943 to 1946.   In 1946, George was honorably discharged from the military as a Buck Sergeant.  His last assignment was as a Crew Chief on a C47 that flew USO groups around the States for performances.  Bob Hope and Martha Ray were two of the performers. 

After leaving the military, George married Gloria, his wife of 65 years.  George and Gloria had attended grade school together, and were reunited upon George’s return from the military.  George quipped, “It is a good thing this stubborn Irishman married a good German Catholic woman, because Catholics do not believe in divorce.  Otherwise, she probably would have thrown me out years ago.”   

George began working for a construction materials manufacturing company where he worked for 25 years.  George was a commission salesman, and he was very successful in his employment, but wanted to go into business for himself.  George read about the plans
for a business opening up in Florida called Disney World in 1959.  George started Butler Corporation, General Contractor and Building Supply, and was awarded the contract with Disney for the below ground construction on their hotels and other buildings.  This is how George came to live in Florida.

George retired and passed on the business to his sons in 1988, but he didn’t stay retired for long.  He was reading the newspaper and saw an article about the Citizen’s Police Academy.  George attended and is now a part of the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni.  From here George became a part time Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, and eventually a full time member of the Community Services Unit. 

George has eight children, 27 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren plus one on the way.  George and seven of his children are avid Pittsburg Steeler fans, and they regularly get together to watch the games.  George said he has one son that follows another team.  He is not sure how it happened that his son took up with another team, but thinks possibly “someone dropped him on his head when he was young”. 

George said that his father gave him the secret to such a long tenure of employment, and that is “Never call work, work.  If you don’t like what you are doing, stop doing it and find something you do like.  Life is too short.” 

When asked what he is now going to do with his time, George said he is going to South Carolina to spend time with his kids.  Of course, he also said that he saw an opportunity to manage a warehouse storage facility, and he has been thinking about that.  We all wish George success in his retirement, and want him to know that he will be missed here at LPD. 

George's retirement will be held at The Lakeland Police Department, 219 N Massachusetts Ave, Room 2A on Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at 3:00 pm.  The public and media are invited to attend. 

Media inquiries should be made to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863.834.6917.

-posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigate Shooting at Chestnut Woods Drive

 

UPDATE:  8/27/10,  Police have filed charges on Terrell Agee for the shooting incident that occurred on 8/26/10 at 2578 Chestnut Woods Drive at approximately 11:00 a.m.  Agee has been charged with Attempted Felony Murder (F1), Armed Robbery w/Firearm (F1), and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F2).  

 

Derrick Robinson has not been charged in the shooting as of this time, but was arrested on outstanding warrants.  Additional charges may be filed in this case pending review of the State Attorney’s Office.  Complaint Affidavit Attached Below.

 

Lakeland Police responded to 2578 Chestnut Woods Drive at approximately 11:00 a.m. today after reports of a person shot.  Police arrived and found victim, George William Castro, age 34, had been shot.  EMS responded and Castro was taken to LRMC where he remains in critical condition at this time.

Witnesses reported a vehicle arrived at the location and two people went to the door of the residence and made contact with the victim outside.  An argument occurred and gunshots were heard.  The suspects then returned to the vehicle and left the location.  A bolo was issued with the vehicle description.   An officer observed a vehicle fitting that description while enroute to the scene.  As the officer got behind the vehicle, the vehicle departed at a high rate of speed, travelled a short distance, and crashed, overturning.  The two occupants of the vehicle fled on foot.  A firearm was located inside the vehicle.  Both occupants were apprehended by police.  Both were treated at LRMC for minor injuries sustained during the vehicle crash.

The suspects are Derrick D. Robinson, DOB:  7/12/91, and Terrell R. Agee, DOB:  10/23/91.   Both were arrested for outstanding warrants.  Neither suspect has been charged for the shooting at this time.  The motive for the shooting is under investigation.  Victim, Castro, does not live at the incident location and his current place of residence is unknown at this time.

Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863.834.6917.

 

Download Complaint Affidavit 

 

- posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Investigate Shooting

Lakeland Police responded to LRMC on August 25, 2010, at approximately 2:15 AM to investigate a report of a person shot after Jalessa Munford, age 21, arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound. 

 

Munford was a front seat passenger in a Dodge Charger driven by Shontia Fleming, age 29.  Eric Sirmons (age 32) and Dion West (age 32) were back seat passengers in the vehicle.  All four persons had been at Ale Gators Sports Bar and Restaurant located at 1330 E. Memorial Blvd earlier in the evening.  As they left the bar they noticed they were being followed by an orange Dodge Challenger.  Witnesses stated that when the vehicle was in the area of the 3400 Block of West Memorial Blvd, the Dodge Challenger pulled up next to them and someone from inside the Dodge Challenger started firing a weapon at their vehicle, and left the scene.  Munford was shot during this incident, and was the only person injured.  Officers found 9 bullet holes in the vehicle Munford was riding in. 

 

There were also at least 5 other bullet holes in the other side of the vehicle where the vehicle had been shot at on August 18^th during an  incident that occurred in Tampa.

 

A bolo was issued with a description of the suspects and the vehicle involved in this shooting.  Within a short period of time,  Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies located the  

vehicle in Highland City, Florida.  The vehicle was occupied by Nathaniel Cauley, DOB: 9/5/81, and Errol Jones, 6/9/82.  Inside the vehicle deputies found a large sum of money, cocaine, and a firearm. 

 

Nathaniel Cauley was placed under arrest for Possession of a Firearm or Concealed Weapon by a Convicted Felon (F2). 

 

Errol Jones was placed under arrest for Armed Trafficking of Cocaine Enhanced (F1), Utilize Dwelling/Vehicle to Sell/Traffick in Narcotics (F3), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1). 

 

Lakeland Police are anticipating that charges will be filed in connection with the shooting of Jalessa Munford pending completion of forensic examination of the firearm.  The condition of Jalessa Munford was listed as critical this morning, but is unknown at this time.

 

All media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, 863.834.6917. 

 

-posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

 

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Armed Robbery Suspects

Lakeland Police are investigating a armed robbery that occurred at the Circle K Store, 111 W Robson Street, Lakeland, on August 5, 2010, at approximately 9:45 PM. 

 Both suspects entered the store and robbed the clerks.  Suspect 1 is a white male, tall and skinny, with dirty blonde/brown hair and was armed with a knife.  Suspect 2 is a black male, shorter than suspect 1, and armed with a long gun.

 If you feel you have information that could lead to the identity of these suspects, please contact the Lakeland Police Department, 863.834.6900, or Crime Stoppers, 1-800-226-8477.  You may be eligible to receive a cash reward. 

  

 

 

 

Download Original Crime Stoppers Bulletin

 -Posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Attempt to Identify Residential Burglary Suspect

Lakeland Police are investigating a burglary that occurred in an unoccupied residence in the 1700 block of the Crystal Grove Drive area.  This burglary occurred on July 9, 2010. 
 
The suspect is described as a black male, mid to early 20’s, approximately 6’ tall, medium build, short hair, and a goatee.
 
If you feel you have information that could lead to the identity of this suspect, please contact the Lakeland Police Department, 863.834.6900, or Crime Stoppers, 1-800-226-8477.  You may be eligible to receive a cash reward. 

Download Original Crime Stoppers Bulletin 
 
Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, 863.834.6917. 

Posted By Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Urge Citizens to Be Attentive as School Year Begins Monday

Lakeland Police will be dedicating resources to local school sites as the new school year begins to assist with traffic control and enforcement of traffic control devices with the goal of a safe and smooth beginning of the 2010 school year.

All citizens in the community are reminded that the school year is beginning and to be aware there will be children crossing streets and extra traffic at local schools as parents drop off and pick up their children from school.

While we focus on primary schools during this time, citizens are also reminded to take care at college school crossings, especially crosswalks that are marked by flashing yellow lights.  Students may believe that vehicles are required to stop for a flashing yellow light and, while they are required to stop for a pedestrian in the crosswalk, these lights are not stop lights.  Drivers need to be extra cautious of students in the crosswalk and students getting ready to cross – and pedestrians need to remember to use caution at these sites and avoid stepping out into the crosswalk in front of oncoming traffic.

 

 Download School Safety Tips 

All media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, 863.834.6917. 

 

Posted by Sergeant Terri Smith

Lakeland Police Conduct Death Investigation

Lakeland Police responded to 515 Bon Air Street, #145, on Sunday, August 15, 2010, at approximately 9:00 a.m., to a call of an unresponsive woman.   Police arrived on the scene and learned that Anthony McNeil had come to the property manager’s office and stated that he had found his girlfriend, Arlene Arocho, age 43, unresponsive.  Both McNeil and Arocho reside together at 515 Bon Air Street, #145.  Officers found Ms. Arocho in bed at the residence deceased.  An autopsy was performed by Medical Examiner, Dr. Nelson, on the decedent on Monday, August 16, 2010.  At this time the cause of death is undetermined, and the death has not been ruled as a homicide.

Next of kin has been notified.  This is an ongoing investigation.  Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, 863.834.6917.  This information is also posted on www.lpdonlinenews.com.

Lakeland Police Arrest Vehicle Burglars After Citizen Tip

 

Lakeland Police responded to Golds Gym, 3625 S Florida Avenue on August 11, 2010, after a caller reported a vehicle burglary in progress.  A witness sitting in her vehicle observed a man in the process of breaking into a vehicle parked in the parking lot of the business.  When police arrived, the suspect entered a vehicle in the parking lot occupied by another suspect.  The witness was able to give police directions to the location of the suspects as well as a good description.  Both suspects were apprehended and arrested. 

 

Javier F Rojas-Ardila, DOB:  2/10/78, of 3525 Estile Avenue, Toronto, Canada, was charged with  Burglary to a Motor Vehicle and Possession of Burglary Tools.  Alexandra Linares Ramirez, DOB:  6/17/75, of 1408 25^th St. Dennis Drive, Toronto, Canada, was charged with Principal of the First Degree (Burglary Motor Vehicle).

 

This is a good example of the community working together with the police to stop a crime in progress.

 

Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, 863.834.6917. 

Lakeland Police Arrest Man in Connection With Crystal Park Circle Shooting

Lakeland Police arrested Kary Burch, DOB:  5/21/76 in connection with the shooting incident that occurred at 1660 Crystal Park Circle South at approximately 6:00 PM. on July 18, 2010.  Police responded to this location after receiving 911 calls from residents in the area reporting a shooting had occurred.  Officers arrived on the scene and found an Isuzu Ascender in the roadway that had been shot multiple times.  Witnesses in the area stated that there had been an altercation between two groups of adult males earlier in the afternoon.  The groups dispersed, and later returned to continue the conflict.  Shots were fired at the Isuzu Ascender and the occupants of the vehicle fled on foot.     

One man sustained a gunshot to the hip.  Reginald Rivers, age 54, was taken to LRMC with non life threatening injuries.  Rivers is believed to have been involved in the conflict. 

Another victim, an 11 year old girl, was shot in the arm by a stray bullet that travelled through a window of her residence.  The girl’s residence is in close proximity to where the incident occurred.  The girl, Alexis Lewis, was taken to LRMC with non life threatening injuries.  Both victims are expected to be treated and released from LRMC tonight. 

There were several unoccupied vehicles in the area that also were damaged by gunfire, and at least two apartments were struck by stray rounds.

On August 10, 2010, police arrested Kary Hendrick Burch, age 34, 1662 Crystal Park Circle, for Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon (F2), after witness identification of Burch as being in possession of a rifle. The investigation in this case is still ongoing, and additional charges may be filed. 

Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, 863.834.6917. 

Lakeland Community Comes Together to Assist Crime Victim

In July, 2010, Richard Werner was battered by four suspects as he rode his bicycle around Lake Morton.  Officer Adam Williams was jogging at the time and, with the aid of a good Samaritan, Monica Gonzalez, was able to assist Mr. Werner.  Lakeland Police officers were able to apprehend all four suspects and take them into custody. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that Mr. Werner is handicapped and unable to obtain a driver’s license.  Mr. Werner depends on his bicycle for transportation, and because of limited funds, is unable to ride the bus.  Mr. Werner’s bicycle has no brakes and is missing a part of the seat, yet he still rides it everywhere he needs to go.    

 

As a result of the publicity from this incident, members of the community came forward, and a special presentation has been scheduled for Friday, August 13, 2010, at 9:00 am, at the Lakeland Police Department, 219 N Massachusetts Avenue.  The Citrus Connection will be presenting Mr. Werner with a bus pass, and an anonymous donor has given Richard a new bicycle that will also be presented at this time.

 

The public and media are invited to attend.

 

Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, 863.834.6917.