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 Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. 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.

Aug 12, 2026

Mulberry man receives numerous felonies after failed scooter theft attempt

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey

On Friday, August 7, 2026, at around 9 am, PCSO deputies responded to a residential burglary on North Grady Avenue.

It was reported that an unknown white male entered a screened porch and stole an electric scooter valued at approximately $300.

PCSO deputies arrived and found the suspect outside of a nearby hotel, attempting to conceal something under a discarded mattress near a dumpster.

The suspect was identified as 31-year-old Robert Lee Williams of Mulberry, and the item he was trying to hide was a Ruger .22 caliber handgun. Williams is a convicted felon and prohibited to possess firearms.

Williams was in possession of a baggie containing pills (MDMA/Molly), methamphetamine, a smoking device, a digital scale, and several syringes.

Williams confessed to the burglary and theft and revealed where he put the stolen scooter.

He was taken to the Sheriff's Processing Center and charged with: Occupied Burglary of a Residence (F2), Grand Theft from Dwelling (F3), Armed Trafficking of MDMA (FL), Possession of Methamphetamine (F3), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F2), Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon (F2), Possession of Paraphernalia (M1), and Tampering with Evidence (F3, 2-counts).