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 Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Alicia Manautou. 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.

Aug 26, 2020

One arrested one still at large in armed robbery and carjacking in Winter Haven

Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO

Around midnight during Tuesday evening/the early morning hours of Wednesday, August 26, 2020, two black males entered the Carefree Cove area of Winter Haven, and approached a vehicle that had two people sitting inside.

According to the victims, the two black males forced the driver from the vehicle and battered him. The victims also stated one of the men pointed a firearm at them, stole some jewelry, and then fled on foot. The other robber stole the vehicle with one of the victims still inside.

The victim/passenger was later allowed to exit the vehicle unharmed. The victim/driver stated he called 911 from a neighbor’s phone.

PCSO deputies responded, located and attempted to stop the stolen vehicle. The suspect refused to stop, and deputies engaged in a pursuit, assisted by the PCSO Helicopter. The pursuit ended when the stolen vehicle crashed into another vehicle occupied by one person. That person was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries and released.

The suspect fled on foot. With the assistance of the Drone and K-9 Units the suspect, identified as 19-year-old Jhamari Jones, was quickly apprehended and arrested.

Jones is charged with Armed Robbery (FL), False Imprisonment (F3), Grand Theft Auto (F3), Battery (M1), Fleeing to Elude (F2), and Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injuries (F3). Jones’ criminal history includes 2 felonies and 1 misdemeanor, as well as 6 burglary charges from Georgia.

The second suspect is still at large. He is described as a black male, between 25-30 years of age, approximately 6 feet tall, with gold teeth on both top and bottom, and light facial hair. He was brandishing a black, semi-automatic handgun.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident or the suspects in question, or any other information that might be helpful to this investigation, please call Detective Escheu at 863-298-6200, or to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers - call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), visit ww.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on "Submit A Tip," or download the free "P3tips" app on your smartphone or tablet.