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Arrests After Drive-By Lead To Charges In Carjacking

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TBO.com

Published: January 29, 2008

Winter Haven police officers thought the man they arrested looked familiar.

They were right, and a man initially arrested Monday on a marijuana possession charge now faces charges in connection with an armed carjacking 10 days earlier, according to a news release from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Police recognized Matthew Ryan Fitzgibbons, 20, , of 2721 Sequoyah Drive, Haines City, from a sketch of a man who carjacked a vehicle in Winter Haven on Jan. 17.

A 15-year-old Winter Haven youth, Lance Orrick of 1520 Ave. H N.E., was arrested with Fitzgibbons on Monday.

After further investigation, armed carjacking charges were lodged against the two and a warrant was issued for a third carjacking suspect, Lewis F. Short, 19, of 4806 Cynthia Drive, Bartow.

Investigators gave this account:

Winter Haven police were called to a home in the 500 block of Avenue O Southeast on Monday morning in response to a drive-by shooting.

Witnesses said a man drove by the address, fired three rounds from a handgun and fled.

Later that morning, police stopped a vehicle that matched the description of the car in the drive-by shooting and arrested the driver, Fitzgibbons, and his passenger, Orrick, on the marijuana charge.

A search of the vehicle turned up a loaded handgun with three rounds missing, investigators said. The remaining rounds were similar to casings found at the drive-by shooting scene. The serial number on the gun had been filed off, investigators said.

When asked about the gun, Fitzgibbons said he purchased it for $90 on a street corner. He also said he fired the gun to "get everyone's attention," investigators said.

Fitzgibbons now faces added charges of discharging a firearm in public, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number and dealing in stolen property.

While questioning Fitzgibbons, officers noted his resemblance to the sketch from the carjacking, which occurred Jan. 17 on Country Club Road in Winter Haven.

Police contacted Polk sheriff's investigators, who obtained a statement that led to the carjacking charges.

Anyone with information on Short is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (1800-226-8477).

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