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 Meghan Petty. 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.

Feb 24, 2025

UPDATE: Theft of swans in Polk County

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

27-year old Jordan Montoya of Homestead surrendered to Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies on Friday night, February 21, 2025, at around 11:30 pm.

Montoya, along with 29-year old Alfredo Casanova of Homestead, are accused of stealing two black swans and six eggs from the Highland Village neighborhood in Lakeland on February 12th.

Casanova was booked-in to the Polk County Jail on February 19th.

Both men have been charged with burglary of a structure (with an enhancement for crossing county lines) and grand theft.

PCSO deputies recovered the swans and eggs and returned them to their home on February 17th.