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 Alicia Manautou. 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.

Oct 22, 2024

Traffic stop in Eloise leads to warrant arrest

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

A traffic stop in Eloise on Sunday, October 20, 2024, led to the arrest of a man who was wanted for grand theft.

At around 8:20 am PCSO deputy initiated a traffic stop on a VW Jetta in the area of Snively Avenue and 7th Street.

The driver was identified as 30-year old Frank Vito Bianchi of Land O' Lakes.

The deputy discovered that Bianchi was driving with a suspended license, in possession of a suspended license, and had no required motorist insurance.

Bianchi also had a Polk County warrant for grand theft.

The warrant was for a September investigation which determined that Bianchi had stolen $500 from a friend's home.

Frank Bianchi was arrested without incident, and booked-in at the Polk County Jail.