Realizing four men were in the house, Fredrickson pulled out his camera phone and told them he had their pictures. “Three fled on foot and one almost hit me with the car when he drove away!” Fredrickson said.

Fredrickson caught the suspect’s plate numbers and called 911. He gave location information to Lakeland Police Department officers until the K-9 team caught the suspects near State Road 33, not far from the scene of the robbery. One suspect was taken to Lakeland Regional for treatment for K-9 bites.

The investigation is ongoing and LPD plans a release of the suspect’s names this afternoon. Sgt. Terri Smith, LPD Public Information Officer, said all suspects were taken into custody and the situation was contained without danger to any Bridgewater residents.

Fredrickson had a final word for the suspects:

Lakeland Local will publish additional information as it becomes available.

Update: 5:13pm from LPD Media Alert:

Lakeland Police responded to Bridgewater Subdivision after a report of a burglary to an unoccupied residence. Victim, Ginger Fredrikson, was not at home at the time of the burglary that occurred at 5608 Aral Drive in Lakeland. Witnesses observed a 4 door Buick parked in the driveway they knew did not belong at the residence. Witnesses then observed the door had been kicked in and saw a black male, later identified as Marcus Cesar (DOB: 2/18/91), run from the residence, enter the Buick, and drive away. Three black males ran from the back of the residence into a wooded area pulling socks off of their hands as they ran.

Witnesses provided vehicle information to police. Officer Tony Williams observed the vehicle on South Rd 33 south of Bridgewater Subdivision and stopped the vehicle driven by Marcus Cesar. Officers established a perimeter and Officer Jose Bosque and his K-9 partner tracked the suspects that ran into the woods.

Garry Foote (DOB: 6/8/90) was apprehended in a pond, and Stedman Hawthorne (DOB: 11/22/91) and Ladarius McGlown (DOB: 3/7/91) were apprehended in the woods approximately one fourth mile from Bridgewater. McGlown was bitten by K-9. Money and property taken from the residence were recovered from the suspects. All suspects were charged with Burglary to an Unoccupied Dwelling (f3) and Grand Theft (F3). In addition to this, Marcus Cesar was also charged with Possession of Burglary Tools ((F3). Suspect Stedman Hawthorne also had an outstanding warrant for Burglary.

photo credit: Rosie Cafarelli for Lakeland Local

Homeowner’s Father Foils Daylight Burglary

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The signs lead tipsters to call or contact Heartland Crime Stoppers. Wayne Cross, program coordinator for the HCS, said the organization often provides law enforcement organizations with signs. He added the Presbyterian Homes wanted something more permanent and purchased their own metal signs.

Anyone with information for any crimes in the area can call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800.226.8477, text “Tip 196″ to 274637 or at the Crime Stoppers website, www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com.

Map of Area:

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photo credit: Chuck Welch for Lakeland Local

Presbyterian Homes Looking for Help Solving Crimes

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The Polk County Sheriff’s office spends considerable time training officers. Just before the Thanksgiving holiday the department added a tool to improve that training. Imagine a room with a wall size video screen. Like a videogame on steroids, videotaped actors move through scenarios, responding or not to a live trainee’s commands and weapon fire.

You’re a deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. You’ve standing in front of a mini-van as a father explains why he has pulled to the side of the road. He’s upset, but attempting to explain his predicament. A teen sits fidgeting in the front seat. Younger children in the back seat are yelling at the teen. You’re watching inside the van as you glance back at the father. His hands are down at his side, palms open and facing you. The children are agitated. You start to step toward the minivan’s passenger side as the teen opens the door. You shout for him to stay seated. He continues opening the door.

You see his hand come up. Is that a smile? Is he angry? Does he have a gun? You have less time than it takes to read this sentence to decide. Decide while his father is yelling. Decide while children are jumping in the back seat. Decide while the teen continues out of the car.

One-third of a second has passed. You take too long to decide. You’re shot and killed.

In the facility, officers use standard weapons and tools outfitted with sensors instead of bullets. Cameras track officers as they work through real-life, real-time scenarios. Instructors use interactive media to alter the scenarios to respond to the skill level of the trainee. After the training scene is over, instructors can replay the video and show officers where they did well, and where they could improve.

Running though a scenario quickly starts to feel real. The actors fall when shot. They shoot back when they’re missed or only wounded. Trainees don’t feel the return shots, but the video turns red if the officer would have been killed.

Lieutenant Rick Wright is the training supervisor at PCSO Burnham McCall Training Center, “We are the first in this area to bring this simulated training to use.”

Wright points out how little an officer know when responding to a call. They know the location and a very brief description such as “shooting” or domestic disturbance. “Deputies don’t really know what they’re getting into,” Wright says. He says the department uses the video facility to train officers to make informed situation-based decisions.

Scenarios are about two minutes long with branching options that allow a single scenario to have various outcomes. The videos are guided. An officer can’t choose to open a door or not. Though some scenarios seem to start slow, action happens lightening quick.

Trainer Sgt Larry Traylor, points out that the methods is realistic. “In these scenarios, we’re training action and reaction all at real-life speed.” Wright says the scenarios are short for a good reason, “We’re focusing on the decision-making process.”

In addition to the realistic training, Wright finds the system cost effective, “It was half the cost of most simulators on the market.” He added that the department will see significant savings, “A case of 1000 rounds (of ammunition) is approximated $260. A case of the CO2 cartridges (to power the training weapons) is $340.“ A quick bit of math, and Wright figured the Sherriff’s Office gets around 45,000 rounds out of that CO2 case.

Wright says the training isn’t only for new officers. Veteran deputies spend time in the facility. “You can never get enough training,” says Wright. He expanded on the cost effective aspect of the facility, “We need just one instructor in here versus seven in an old-fashion simulation training. Weather is also a big factor. We can now operate during inclement weather.”

Lt, Rick Wright prepares to fire as Sgt. Larry Traylor manages the training scenario.

That’s because of the interactive nature of the training facility. An instructor sits at a computer behind the trainee. He watches and listens and can alter the direction of the scenario based on the responses of the trainee. If the deputy uses the proper language to handle an explosive situation, the instructor can show the video actor calming down. Improperly handle the scene, and the actor gets belligerent and the situation escalates.

Wright explains that they focus on two major training procedures: analytic and intuitive. Classrooms are big on giving analytic training – ask the right questions and learn the right answers. “We train the intuitive thought process through this training,” Wright says of the facility, “It paints a cognitive map in the deputy’s mind. In the field the deputy now has an idea in his mind what he should do.”

The training facility has proved very popular with the deputies. “I haven’t heard one negative comment. Once they start they don’t want to stop,” Wright said.

With over 150 scenarios, each with numerous branching options, the facility offers something new each time a trainee use it. If one were to run through each scenario, Wright is prepared, “We automatically receive video updates at no cost.”

The department can also build scenarios using Polk County locations and actors. Using simple built-in tools, Sheriff’s Office video is imported, potential targets are identified, and branching options programmed. Wright says they have already constructed a simple scenario of the department shooting range.

Training isn’t all video and shooting though. Instructors can display department policies, case law, constitutional amendments, and outside video and photos to help a deputy understand the particulars of a scenario.

One aspect of the training that Wright highlights is the video of the trainee during training. An unobtrusive camera records the trainee and the screen. After the scenario, the instructor can show the trainee where he or she performed well or missed an important clue.

“We’re trying to teach them to see beyond the obvious. You get that thorough experience and that is what this (facility) does,” says Wright.

The department’s training isn’t the cutting edge of the technology. The next step is 3D to allow a trainee to step into the middle of scenarios. It adds another level of realism to the training, “It is just like me and you looking at each other,“ Sgt Traylor says. He did the yeoman’s work to find the present system and has studied the new 3D equipment. He pointed out that the department’s current system can be easily upgraded when the 3D projector is released from the manufacturer.

Lt. Wright can’t wait, “3D is going to open a plethora of training opportunities.”

New Training Facility for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office

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The incident began at 4 pm when a teenage girl boarded a city bus at 2410 North Crystal Lake Drive. According to a witness who called 911 while the bus was on route, Dekle visible admired the girl’s shoes. The witness reported that Dekle indicated that he was going to take the shoes from the girl.

The witness reported to 911 dispatch that Dekle had a gun in his waistband and was shifting it about. The witness was able to report to police the location of the bus as it traveled through Lakeland. As the bus approached the downtown terminal, LPD officers stopped the bus and removed Dekle. They found the weapon was an unloaded pellet gun.

LPD reports that Dekle and the 15 year-old victim did not know each other prior to the incident. LPD charged Dekle with Armed Robbery, a first degree felony.

Gun taken from Dekle by LPD

Photos of Neil Dekle and the gun taken from his possession are from the Lakeland Police Department

LPD Apprehend Bus Riding Gun Wielder

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Police report Tuccinardi was on the Lake Hollingsworth walking path just after midnight “when the suspect pulled up in a small sedan and asked Tuccinardi for directions. As Tuccinardi stepped up to the vehicle, the driver (and sole occupant) shot the victim and fled the scene.”

Police describe the suspect “as a fair skinned white male, 18 to 21 years of age, clean shaven with a military type “buzz” haircut.” They add that the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $6000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Call Crime Stoppers at 1.800.226.8477 or the Lakeland Police Department at 863.834.6900

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LPD Search for Shooting Suspect

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A spokesman for the sheriff’s office issued the following release:

38-year-old Corey Lynn Swindler, principal of Sikes Elementary School in Lakeland, has been arrested early this morning and charged with six counts of lewd molestation on a child less than 12 years of age and one count of sexual battery on a child under 12 years of age.

The charges are not related to a student at the school.

The specific charges were six counts of 800.04 (5b): “An offender 18 years of age or older who commits lewd or lascivious molestation against a victim less than 12 years of age commits a life felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082(3)(a)4.”

The seventh count was 794.011(2a) “(2)(a) A person 18 years of age or older who commits sexual battery upon, or in an attempt to commit sexual battery injures the sexual organs of, a person less than 12 years of age commits a capital felony, punishable as provided in ss. 775.082 and 921.141.”

Sikes Elementary is located at 2727 Shepherd Road in Lakeland. According to the school website, “Mr. Swindler is in his 4th year at Sikes Elementary” and has been an educator since 1998.

More information as it becomes available.

Update: At 11:41 am this morning the Polk County Sheriff’s Office released additional information.

The victim is 11 years-old. On Wednesday, she reported to her aunt that Swindler had been touching her inappropriately for years. The aunt contacted PCSO detectives who interviewed the victim, and a witness to one incident, at the Child Advocacy Center in Bartow. Based on the investigation and an interview with Swindlet, he was arrested. Details can be found in the PCSO arrest affidavit.

Swindler’s first appearance will take place on Friday, December 18th, at 1:00 p.m

Sikes Principal Swindler Arrested

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Immediately we started playing the suspect game.  We had an inkling it was our neighbor because it looked like the person made multiple trips and walked/ran with our belongings.  Also a few days later they put their vacuum cleaner on the street for the trash collection.  Coincidence?  I think not.  We gave the lead to the detective and the police on the scene had multiple fingerprints and blood.  There we also about five more break-ins in a two week period and someone in the neighborhood told a neighborhood source (just protecting identity) who it was, yep our neighbor.  We pass this information along to the police as well.

Easy case, right?  No. On either the 15th or the 16th of OCTOBER we finally get a call saying the blood work was back and a positive ID was made.

Guess who it was?  Sure enough our neighbor CHARLES KIRKLAND.

Great news right?  No really because about 3 weeks ago he skipped out.  He was in our neighborhood for TWO months and did the police even knock on his door?  (I don’t know the answer to that question, but I would like to know.)

We are grateful for the work the police have put into the case and grateful to have a confirmation of who broke into our house.  Something needs to be done though when there are solid leads in a case.  I know the department is completely understaffed and having to wait THREE months for fingerprints and blood is a bit, ridiculous.  That is a crazy back log.  Of course we also realize this is on the bottom of the priority list, as it should be.  Maybe a guest from the department would be willing to respond with ways we can assist the department.  I don’t know for sure, but I bet break-ins are up from 3-5 years ago.

There is a warrant out for this man’s arrest and we would greatly appreciate your help.  We know our stuff is long gone, but we still would like justice. He isn’t safe in any neighborhood. If you see this man please call the Lakeland Police IMMEDIATELY.

Do You Know This Man?

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