News and Investigations

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives have charged Keyshawn Wilson, who is already in the Polk County Jail on an unrelated case, with 46 additional crimes related to vehicle burglaries and vehicle thefts that occurred in the Jan Phyl Village area of Winter Haven between April and May 2024. 

Wilson was identified through fingerprint evidence and analysis. Our Forensic Investigators and Identifications Section members are simply the best – they were able to collect fingerprints from one of the stolen vehicles that was recovered, and positively match them through latent print analysis (commonly known as fingerprint identification) to Wilson. In honor of Forensic Science Week, we would like to thank them for their tireless efforts to identify the suspect, who stole cash, vehicles, and firearms. 

“We appreciate our Forensic Investigators and Identifications Section for being the behind-the-scenes heroes that oftentimes crack our toughest cases. Their efforts and expertise enable our deputies and detectives to arrest suspects that disrupt the peace and safety the citizens of Polk County deserve and expect us to maintain. We also ask that citizens remember to always lock their car doors. Almost all of the items stolen from cars were stolen because the vehicles were left unlocked. Please, Lock it or lose it!” - Grady Judd, Sheriff

Wilson, currently incarcerated on charges of armed burglary and grand theft of a firearm (an Auburndale Police Department case), admitted to his involvement in these crimes during an interview with PCSO detectives. He admitted to stealing money and that he sold one of the two stolen firearms. Wilson lives in the area where the burglaries occurred, and was seen on video surveillance riding his bike or running to and from the crime scenes. When detectives looked at the clothing he was wearing when he was booked in back in June it matched the clothing he was seen wearing in the videos. In all, there are 30 separate PCSO cases attributed to Wilson. 

The investigation into the individual who purchased the firearm and the search for a second suspect involved in one of the vehicle thefts are ongoing.

Detectives have charged him with 12 counts of petit theft, 17 counts of unoccupied vehicle burglary, 13 counts of armed burglary, 2 counts of grand theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, and dealing in stolen property.