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 Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. 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.

Sep 9, 2017

Deputies arrest two Lake Wales men for burglarizing a residence during a State of Emergency

Media Contact: Michele Cash, PIO

Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested 18-year-old Marvell Parkinson and 17-year-old Martell Scott both of Lake Wales for grand theft of a motor vehicle (F3), burglary of an unoccupied dwelling during a State of Emergency (F1), resisting arrest without violence (M1), possession of tools with intent to use for a burglary (F3), and unarmed burglary of a residence (F3). Parkinson was also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor (M1). Witnesses called PCSO after seeing two suspects hiding behind her neighbor's home.

On Friday, September 8, 2017, around 1:45 p.m., a witness observed two suspects crouched at the rear of her neighbor's home on Beverly Drive in Lake Wales. Both suspects ran upon seeing the witness and ran north towards Santa Maria Dr. Suspect Martel Scott ran north towards Scenic Hwy and Winston Ave and was apprehended by deputies. After he was apprehended, deputies found a window punch in Scott's pant pocket. Parkinson began running towards Orangemont Apartments where he was quickly apprehended by deputies.

"We want everyone to be safe during the hurricane. And we will not tolerate thieves taking advantage of those evacuating their homes. Looters need to be prepared to go to jail if they try to take advantage of people during a state of emergency." -- Grady Judd, Sheriff

Martel Scott told deputies they walked through the neighborhood and found a residence that was not boarded up. They walked to the back of the house and entered the unsecured residence through the back door. A few minutes later, they exited the residence and walked over to the detached garage. Parkinson shattered the glass on the detached garage with a window punch. Scott opened the garage door and Parkinson ran in with a set of keys that he stole from within the residence. They attempted to steal the victim's 2001 Dodge Intrepid, however the battery was dead.

Both suspects have criminal histories to include burglary, grand theft, and possession of marijuana. Parkinson has been on juvenile community control since June 30, 2016.

Marvell Parkinson was transported and booked into the Polk County Jail on the above charges. Martell Scott was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.