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Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200
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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.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Arrest Wanted Suspects – Duo Wanted for Homicide in Orange County; Stole Car in Polk; Hillsborough County Stolen Gun Recovered.
Arrested are:
16-year-old Jayvon Joachin of Orlando – charged with WAOJ for Homicide, Fleeing to Elude, Possession of Burglary Tools, NO Valid Driver’s License, Armed Conveyance Burglary, and Grand Theft- Motor Vehicle.
17-year-old Deshawn Miller of Orlando – charged with WAOJ for Homicide, WAOJ for Grand Theft-Motor Vehicle, WAOJ for Dealing in Stolen Property, WAOJ for Grand Theft, Grand Theft-Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, Armed Conveyance Burglary, Grand Theft-Motor Vehicle.
These two suspects are wanted in connection to a Wednesday, December 7, 2016, shooting incident which occurred in Orange County and in which a 27-year-old woman was shot in the face in front of her 5-year-old child. The woman died as a result of her injuries. Orange County Sheriff’s Office can provide addition details of their homicide investigation.
At approximately 12:50 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2016, a Polk County resident had parked his 2013 Dodge Charger at convenience store located at 2600 Havendale Boulevard – he left the car running with windows down as he went inside.
Two black male suspects walked out of the store, got into the Charger and fled. They were later confirmed to be Joachin and Miller. Deputies responded and began to investigate.
Deputies learned the suspects had been at apartment complex located on 26th Street NW, Winter Haven before arriving at the convenience store in stolen maroon 4-door Nissan Murano (Winter Garden case.)
As the investigation continued, deputies learned of the Orange County Homicide. Additional PCSO units, to include Air and K-9, responded to assist in the search.
The suspects were spotted on I-4 traveling west by PCSO deputies shortly after 6:00 pm. Stop sticks were deployed in the area of Highway 557. The suspects hit the sticks and ultimately crashed the Charger in a ditch around 6:21 pm.
The driver, Jayvon Joachin, was found to be in possession of three Swiss-Tech window punches, a common tool used to break windows during vehicle thefts/burglaries.
When passenger, Deshawn Miller, was arrested a handgun was found in his immediate vicinity. Deputies learned this firearm was reported stolen from Hillsborough County during a burglary to a gun store, Tampa Arms Company Gun Shop on November 29, 2016. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office can provide details about their investigation.
The suspects were transported to Heart of Florida Hospital for medical evaluation. Both were treated and released. Both were transported to Juvenile Assessment Center where they are currently being held.
Upon his arrest, Joachin confessed to the homicide and to stealing the Charger from Winter Haven.
Deshawn Miller (17 years old): 20 felony charges; 11 misdemeanor charges; one felony conviction. Arrests beginning in 2013 for: Battery DV; Burglary (multiple arrests); Grand Theft (multiple arrests); Vehicle Theft (multiple arrests); Criminal Mischief (multiple arrests); Obstructing Justice; Robbery w/ Firearm; Resisting w/out Violence (multiple arrests); Disorderly Conduct; Trespass in Conveyance; Violation of Probation (multiple arrests).
Jayvon Joachin (16 years old): 7 felony charges, 2 misdemeanor charges. Arrests beginning in 2014 for: Failure to Appear; Criminal Mischief; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm; Carrying Concealed Firearm; Armed Burglary.