Several Lakeland Police Department Employees, along with their friends and family, participated in the 2010 Special Olympics Florida Polar Plunge held at Sea World Aquatica Orlando on January 16, 2010. This event is held to raise money for the Special Olympics. Teams must raise money to participate, and meet at Sea World Aquatica to plunge into water that is ice cold. (More photos attached below)
For more information on the Special Olympics, and to see how to get involved and participate in future events, go to:
http://www.specialolympicsflorida.org/about/newsletter/365-09-october.html
All media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863.834.6917.
Download Additional Polar Plunge Photos
Lakeland Police are investigating a strong armed robbery that occurred on February 22, 2010, at 5011 Williamstown Blvd. (Carlton Arms Apartments), in Lakeland, Florida, at approximately 11:00 PM. Victim, Amanda Rivas, age 24, was retrieving items from her parked vehicle when the suspect, later identified as Miguel Angel Rodriguez, age 18, ran up to Rivas and took a bag from her. Rodriguez then ran and entered a vehicle containing other occupants and fled the scene. The victim’s boyfriend, Jeremy Williams, age 22, and his roommates, chased the suspect vehicle.
As the victims followed the vehicle, Rodriguez intentionally produced a 22 caliber rifle and fired several shots at the victim’s vehicle, at which time the victims abandoned the chase.
The occupants of the suspect vehicle fled on foot after the suspect vehicle struck a curb and was rendered inoperable. Lakeland Police Officers responded to the area and located Rodriguez in an adjacent neighborhood walking on foot. The investigation found Rodriguez was the person who shot at the victims and who took the bag from Rivas.
Rodriguez was arrested and charged with Strong Armed Robbery (F2), Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle (F2), and Aggravated Assault with a Firearm (F3).
This case is still under investigation. Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863.834.6917.
Download Redacted Complaint Affidavit
Sgt. Terri Smith
Lakeland Police Lieutenant Ralph Schrader tendered his letter of unconditional resignation to Lakeland City Manager Douglas Thomas the morning of February 19, 2010. Lieutenant Schrader did so immediately before the City was to begin its administrative Due Process hearing. Although tendered this morning, the content of the letter of resignation establishes the effective date of that resignation as February 18, 2010. City Manager Thomas accepted Ralph Schrader’s resignation.
The administrative Due Process hearing scheduled for this morning would have provided Ralph Schrader an opportunity to challenge the allegations and evidence against him arising in a recently closed administrative investigation. The principal and primary allegations against Ralph Schrader are that his actions violated Departmental General Orders involving Unlawful Conduct, Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and the Code of Ethics.
Ralph Schrader began his law enforcement career with the
Media inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Terri Smith, PIO, 863.834.6917.
Lakeland Police have arrested Sabrina Stevenson, DOB: 7/5/66, for First Degree Murder in the death of victim, James Milliken, DOB: 8/19/40. Earlier today, police responded to 1030 West Walnut Street at approximately 8:30 am after a citizen made a report of some suspicious material found in a dumpster in the area near apartments at this location.
When officers arrived and investigated an area near the dumpster, a body later identified as James Milliken, was found concealed by debris. It was later determined that Milliken had died from knife wounds. Milliken had been living in apartment 105 with girlfriend, Sabrina Stevenson.
No further information will be released today. Media may contact Sergeant Terri Smith, 863-834-6917 tomorrow for further information.
Sergeant Terri Smith
