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.

Sep 10, 2026

Septuagenarian suspect arrested following a string of retail thefts

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey

An elderly Lakeland man who was suspected of a string of retail thefts since July has been locked-up by detectives from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

74-year-old Saad Abouelala had a warrant for his arrest for Multiple Retail Thefts (F2) and Defraud to Obtain Property (F3).

On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at around 7:35 pm, a PCSO deputy spotted Saad's silver 2016 Kia Sorrento on Fitzgerald Road in Lakeland.

Rather than conducting a traffic stop at that time and risking a vehicle pursuit, the deputy held off and radioed additional units.

Once backup arrived, a traffic stop was performed in the area of Francis Pipkin Road at Emerald Cove Loop.

The vehicle was blocked-in and Saad was taken into custody without incident.

Saad Abouelala was booked-in at the Sheriff's Processing Center on his warrant.

He is accused of committing retail thefts at two Polk County Walmart stores on July 10, July 13, August 1, August 7, August 10, August 12, August 14, August 15, August 22, August 29, and September 2.

The total value of his thefts is about $1,000, but the investing is ongoing.