News and Investigations

On Saturday, May 14, 2016, the PCSO Homicide Unit arrested three suspects during the investigation into the homicide of 21-year-old Tyler Macklin. Arrested were:


18-year-old Joseph Edward Brandon, Jr., of Kings Pond Ave, Winter Haven; charged with one count First Degree Murder, one count Armed Robbery, one count Armed Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, and one count Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery. His criminal history includes previous arrests for grand theft, burglary, and VOP.

21-year-old Jonathan Felix of Avenue J NW, Winter Haven; charged with one count First Degree Murder, one count Armed Robbery, one count Armed Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, one count Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, one count Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, one county VOP. His criminal history includes serving four years in state prison (2010-2014) for armed robbery, battery on a LEO, and burglary. 

20-year-old Dylan Kindred of 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven; charged with one count Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery. His criminal history includes a narcotics arrest in January 2016. 

According to their affidavits, around 11:05 p.m. on May 11, 2016, first responders were dispatched to a shooting at 1244 Tangerine Parkway NE in unincorporated Winter Haven. When they arrived, they found the victim, Tyler Macklin, deceased from an apparent fatal gunshot wound. An autopsy was later performed, and the victim's death was ruled a homicide.

During the investigation, detectives located and interviewed 20-year-old Dylan Kindred. Post-Miranda, Kindred told detectives that he, Brandon, and Felix drove to Macklin's home to rob him of cash. Brandon was in possession of a handgun at the time. Brandon and Felix forced entry into Macklin's home, while Kindred remained in the car. Kindred heard a gunshot, then the two suspects ran back out and got into the car. They were in possession of $300 cash.  

All three suspects were booked into the Polk County Jail on the aforementioned charges.