Polk County Sheriff’s deputies are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect or suspects responsible for a home invasion trend that is sweeping the north Lakeland area, the most recent taking place on Sunday, around 2:30 am.
On six separate occasions during the early morning hours, homeowners were awakened to find an unknown armed black male inside their homes, rummaging through their things, and demanding ATM cards and/or prescription drugs. On several of those occasions, the suspect also demanded that the victims drive him to an ATM using their ATM cards to withdraw cash. The suspect wears all black clothing and a partial mask over his face and is brandishing a handgun, deputies said.
The suspect who confronts the victims inside their homes is described as a black male in his 20’s, with a thin build, 5’7” to 5’9” tall, 130-150 lbs., covered in dark clothing, usually a hoodie-style sweatshirt, and a mask over most of his face. He also wears gloves.
Detectives believe he has an accomplice who stays outside the victims’ homes during the home invasions, possibly driving a getaway vehicle. There is no description of this suspect.
See list of home invasion crimes below:
On Sunday, May 22, at 3033 Sutton Road in Lakeland, the female victim got up to use the bathroom, and saw an unknown black male suspect standing in her living room. The suspect already had several items from her purse in his hands. He demanded she take him to an ATM to remove money from her account – he then demanded prescription drugs from her. When the victim refused to comply with the suspect’s demands to drive him to an ATM, he struck her in the face with a handgun. He then fled the scene.
At 1160 Galloway Road in Lakeland, on May 11, around 3:30 am, a female victim was awakened by an unknown black male suspect pointing a handgun at her, demanding she wake up and drive him to the bank to withdraw money from her account. The suspect disconnected the electricity and phone before breaking into the home. After taking her cash, the suspect fled the scene.
Earlier on May 11, around 1:30 am, a female victim was awakened at her home on 4201 Kathleen Road in Lakeland, by a sound outside her home. She looked outside and saw an unknown black male suspect attempting to kick in the door to the home, after having disconnected the electricity and phone cables. She screamed and the suspect fled the scene.
Two similar home invasions were reported on May 10th where victims were awakened by an unknown black male suspect rummaging through their home. When they confronted the suspect, the man pointed a handgun at them and demanded jewelry. He had already taken credit cards from the female victim’s purse.
Deputies said, on May 7, around 7:00 am, two victims at 425 Chestnut Road in Lakelane heard a knock on their bedroom door and were confronted by a suspect, who pointed a black handgun at them and demanded they get down on the ground and cover their heads. The suspect took their wallets, cash, credit cards, and cell phones, and fled the scene.
Residents are urged to keep all windows and doors locked, illuminate your homes with exterior lights, and report any and all suspicious activity in your neighborhoods to law enforcement.
If you have any information about these incidents you are urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863.298.6200 or 1.800.226.TIPS (8477). Anyone with information who wants to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call, 1-800-226-TIPS or LOG ONTO www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. ANONYMITY IS GUARANTEED! iPhone and Droid users can download a free tip submit app to anonymously report crime. To install this free apps, please visit www.tipsoft.com.
