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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 Meghan Petty. 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.
Nov 2, 2016
PCSO Vice Unit Arrests Two Men at Saddle Creek Park
Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO
On Tuesday, November 1, 2016, the PCSO Undercover Vice Unit conducted an operation at Saddle Creek Park in unincorporated Polk County, in response to complaints about lewd activity. Two suspects were arrested.
34-year-old Todd Aaron Grau, of Lakeland, solicited an undercover PCSO detective to perform a lewd act at Saddle Creek Park, exposed himself to the detective, and grabbed the detective against his (the detective's) will. Upon his arrest, detectives located marijuana in his pocket. Grau was arrested and charged with one count Offering to Engage in Lewdness, one count Indecent Exposure, one count Battery, one count Possession of Marijuana, and one count Possession of Paraphernalia. He was also issued a trespass from all parks in the county. He was released from jail on $2,250.00 bond.
70-year-old Kenneth Jennings, of Lakeland, solicited an undercover PCSO detective to perform a lewd act at Saddle Creek Park, exposed himself to the detective, and grabbed the detective against his (the detective's) will. During his arrest, he attempted to flee. Jennings was arrested and charged with one count Offering to Engage in Lewdness, and one count Resisting Arrest. He was also issued a trespass from all parks in the county. He was released from jail on $1,250.00 bond.