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.

Aug 14, 2018

Polk County Sheriff's deputies nab Lakeland thieves who stole trailer filled with equipment from Plant City

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

On Monday, August 13, 2018, PCSO deputies assisted the Plant City Police Department with the recovery of an enclosed utility trailer stolen from their jurisdiction and the arrests of the suspects, both of whom are from Lakeland. The trailer belongs to Full Tilt Construction and was stolen between August 11th and 12th.

According to their affidavits, PCPD received a tip that the stolen trailer was possibly in the area of SR 60 and Coronet Road in Mulberry. The trailer had $42,000 worth of equipment inside of it. They responded to the area and located the trailer, which was empty, then requested assistance from PCSO. The tipster also told law enforcement that the trailer was previously seen parked at a home on Cesara Drive in Mulberry.

PCSO and PCPD detectives responded to 104 Cesara Drive and served a search warrant. A majority of the stolen equipment was found in the backyard, with one of the larger pieces covered by a tarp. Detectives learned that two suspects, Shawn Hackney and David Wyatt, left the equipment at the residence. While the detectives were on-scene, Hackney and Wyatt drove by in two separate vehicles, a Chevy Tahoe and a Hyundai car. The detectives conducted traffic stops on both vehicles and detained both suspects, who refused to cooperate.

The Chevy Tahoe, which is registered to Hackney, was seen pulling the stolen trailer the day it was seen being off-loaded on Cesara Drive, and was subsequently seized as part of the investigation.

The investigation into the theft of the trailer is ongoing, by Plant City P.D., and more charges are pending.

"Thieves like this think they're wise by crossing jurisdictions, but what they don't realize is, we all work together to solve crime and put bad guys in jail." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

Hackney (DOB 10/11/78 of Sylvester Road in Lakeland) was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:

Grand theft $10,000-$20,000 (F-2)
Dealing in stolen property (F-2)
Vehicle burglary (F-3)
Possession of oxycodone (F-3)
Possession of meth (F-3)
Possession of paraphernalia (M-1)

Hackney is being held on $13,500 bond ($5,000 for each F-2; $1,000 for each F-3; $500 for the M-1). His criminal history includes prior arrests for grand theft, fraud, giving false info to LEO, larceny, marijuana possession, and VOP.

Wyatt (DOB 2/13/74 of Scenic View Street in Lakeland) was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with:

Grand theft $10,000-$20,000 (F-2)
Vehicle burglary (F-3)

Wyatt is being held on $10,000 bond ($5,000 per count). His criminal history includes prior arrests for battery, resisting arrest, grand theft, burglary, trespassing, loitering, DUI, DWLSR, and cocaine possession. He's been to state prison one time.