Polk County deputies are investigating an armed robbery Friday afternoon at a store in Fort Meade. ...more

January 24, 2009

SEBRING — A Sebring teenager who was booked into jail Feb. 8, 2007, in connection with the armed robbery of the Dollar General store was turned over to the care of his mother Thursday after he pleaded to a lesser charge for his part in the crime. The store is located at 1040 Lakeview Drive in downtown Sebring. After spending 16 months in jail, David Lozano Jr., now 16, was released at 7:40 p.m. Thursday, according to sheriff's booking. Lozano Jr. pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. Assistant State Attorney Richard Castillo said Friday that Lozano Jr. helped plan the robbery, carried the handgun or BB gun to the store and acted as a lookout while Roosevelt Smith, now 17, carried out the robbery. Smith, who pleaded guilty several months ago to robbery with a deadly weapon, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for robbing the store and pistol whipping a female clerk, whose name is being withheld by Highlands Today. ...more

June 15, 2008

SULPHUR SPRINGS - An 8-year-old Sulphur Springs girl said she was walking home from Saturday school, Starburst candy in hand, when a stranger who might have been homeless grabbed her by the ponytail. ...more

September 30, 2007