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.

Mar 24, 2020

Lakeland couple caught stealing over $600 worth of clothing and shoes from Mulberry Walmart

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

Just before 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020, loss prevention officers working at the Walmart store located on Church Avenue North in Mulberry caught two shoplifters in the act of stealing over $600 worth of clothing and footwear, and alerted PCSO.

"If criminals like these think they're going to take advantage of stores and merchants while they might otherwise be distracted dealing with COVID-19 related issues, they can think again. We aren't going to tolerate any crime, big or small, and we will continue putting those who commit crimes in jail." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

The man and woman were observed by the loss prevention officers selecting clothing and shoes and placing them into their shopping cart, and then attempting to walk out the door with the stolen merchandise. When confronted, the man said he was trying to find his girlfriend so they could pay for the items - he then took off running and jumped into a waiting SUV, being driven by his girlfriend.

Deputies quickly caught up to them and conducted a traffic stop on South Florida Avenue, and detained both suspects. They found several stolen hand-baskets inside the vehicle from Walmart and Publix.

Cleveland Car, DOB 2/22/79, was arrested and charged with:
• Dealing in stolen property (F2)
• Petit theft, 2nd offense (M1)
• 2 counts unlawful possession of shopping cart (M1)
• Giving false information to pawn dealer (F3) (warrant)
• Grand theft (F3) (warrant)

His criminal history includes arrests in Tennessee for grand theft and failure to appear, and a warrant for VOP in West Virginia. He also had a previous failure to appear in Florida in 2017.

Carr's live-in girlfriend, Jolene Parlett, DOB 5/12/98, was arrested and charged with:
• Petit theft, 1st offense (M2) ($250 bond)
• 2 counts unlawful possession of shopping cart (M1) ($500 bond each count)

Carr had two Polk County warrants for his arrest for dealing in stolen property and giving false info to a pawn dealer, and remains in jail on no bond. Parlett is being held in lieu of $1,250.00 bond.