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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 Alicia Manautou. 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.
May 18, 2023
15-year old arrested for attempted murder during a robbery attempt at a Lakeland McDonald’s
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
A 15-year old male was arrested by detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office early Thursday morning, May 18, 2023, and charged with attempted murder and other crimes.
The suspect is Demarion Wilson of Mulberry. His charges include: Attempted Murder (FL, 3-counts), Attempted Armed Burglary (F2), Discharging a Firearm in a Public Place (M1), and Possession of Marijuana (M1) and Paraphernalia (M1). The investigation is ongoing and more charges are likely.
PCSO Deputies responded to the McDonald’s restaurant at 1805 Shepherd Road in Lakeland, following reports of gunshots in the parking lot, at about 1:38 am.
Wilson attempted to rob an employee at gun-point behind the restaurant. The victim told two people in a parked vehicle nearby to call 911, and Wilson fired three shots toward the car, striking it once. Wilson fled the scene on foot, and none of the victims were injured.
Deputies created a perimeter around the area and a K-9 Unit located Wilson hiding in the bushes behind a Publix shopping plaza. He was in possession of a Glock 9mm and a black mask.
“It’s aggravating that a 15-year old would be out in the middle of the night robbing people at gunpoint and shooting at people. It’s completely unacceptable, so we’re going meet with the State Attorney’s Office about charging this suspect as an adult. We need juveniles to realize that we’re not going to tolerate such abhorrent, dangerous behavior.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff