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.

Nov 27, 2024

Man in stolen car claimed he bought it; had no title, no paperwork, and can't recall where he got it

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

A Lakeland man was arrested in a stolen vehicle that he claimed he had purchased, but he was unable to show any paperwork, and couldn't remember the location of the convenience store where he said he purchased it.

40-year old Orisleivy Reyes of Lakeland was arrested on November 14, 2024, during a traffic stop in Auburndale at US 92 and Bridgers Avenue.

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office were behind the red 2015 Infiniti Q50 when they discovered it was stolen out of Collier County on November 11th.

A traffic stop was conducted, and Reyes was detained during the investigation.

Reyes claimed he purchased the vehicle "three or four days ago," outside of a Citgo store, and paid $3,000 cash for it. However, he was unable to provide any information about who sold it to him, nor was he able to provide the location of the Citgo store.

Reyes was arrested and taken to the Polk County Sheriff's Office where he was charged with grand theft auto.