A 58-year-old Sebring man, Mahadeo Balkeran, is behind bars after a major drug bust on Ellington Avenue. Highlands County deputies seized nearly 10.23 ounces of cocaine and 18 oxycodone pills during a search warrant executed on Wednesday, April 16th. After a lengthy investigation, a total of over 1.9 pounds of cocaine was reportedly recovered between the search and prior undercover operations. Balkeran faces multiple drug trafficking and distribution charges. Sheriff Paul Blackman praised the Crime Suppression Unit for keeping drugs off the streets.
Highlands County deputies are investigating a stabbing near the Avon Park Community Center on Main Street that occurred early Thursday morning. Around 6:24 a.m., deputies found a 27-year-old man with multiple stab wounds about a block from the scene. He was airlifted to a regional hospital and is expected to survive. Deputies searched the area near the railroad tracks and directed traffic for over two hours. So far, no arrests have been made.
Four Polk County teenagers who were on FSU’s campus are safe after the deadly shooting. A Florida State University student killed two people and injured six during yesterday’s shooting on campus. Lake Wales High School says four of its students were visiting FSU yesterday for a tour when the shooting happened. None of them were hurt.
A high school teacher and football coach is being arrested for inappropriate behavior toward female students. Tyler Eden faces several charges including voyeurism after making sexual comments to several girls attending Bartow High School. PCSO says Eden had made several comments about there being no cameras in locker rooms. As many as three female students spoke with police about Eden’s inappropriate behavior with them.
A Lakeland woman was arrested Wednesday for allegedly defrauding her employer, NAPA Auto Parts in Winter Haven, of more than $13,700.Police say 39-year-old Tiffany Johnson processed 54 fake refunds between August 2024 and April 2025, using her own credit cards to pocket the cash. The scheme was uncovered through internal audits and surveillance footage. Johnson reportedly admitted to the theft and now faces charges of grand theft and obtaining property by fraud. She was booked into the Polk County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.
A 35-year-old Bartow man wanted on multiple felony warrants was arrested early Thursday after Polk County deputies found him hiding in a secret compartment beneath his home. Jarred Kraizgrun was discovered behind a fake wall during a 2:45 a.m. search on Bowers Road. After a brief standoff and the threat of a K9 deployment, he surrendered without incident. Kraizgrun was booked into the Polk County Jail on charges including grand theft, meth possession, and resisting arrest.
The weather is heating up, and that could have deadly consequences for young children. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital held a press conference yesterday in St. Petersburg as part of Hot Car Death Prevention Month. Over twenty children in Florida have died in the last five years from being left in hot cars. Dr. Danielle Mercurio says many are shocked to learn how hot the inside of a car can get. She suggests leaving an item, like a cell phone, in the backseat with your child so you don’t forget they’re there.
The alleged Florida State University shooter is no stranger to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Phoenix Ikner is accused of killing two men and injuring six people in yesterday morning’s shooting on the school’s campus near the student union. The 20-year-old is the son of Leon County deputy Jessica Ikner. The 18-year veteran is an SRO at Raa Middle School. Phoenix was also a member of the LCSO’s Youth Advisory Council. Sheriff Walter McNeil says Phoenix was steeped in the LCSO family and engaged in a number of their training programs. Tallahassee Police say the gun he allegedly used belongs to his mother. It used to be her service weapon, and she bought it for her personal use. Phoenix was shot by police, but he’s expected to survive. The six surviving victims are in stable condition