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.

Oct 16, 2025

Would-be car thief attempts escape from patrol car

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey

An attempted motor vehicle theft occurred at the Circle K on North Combee Road, east of Lakeland, on Wednesday, October 15th, at around 11:35 pm.

The owner of the vehicle confronted the suspect, and the suspect attempted to punch him.

A PCSO deputy arrived on scene quickly and detained the suspect who was identified as 32-year old Samuel Damon-Kyle Hudgins of Winter Haven.

Hudgins was handcuffed and placed into the back of a patrol car while the deputy began his investigation.

During the investigation, Hudgins kicked out the window of the patrol car and tried to get out of the vehicle, but his attempt was swiftly foiled.

Hudgins resisted, and threatened to kill deputies.

Samuel Hudgins was transported to the Sheriff's Processing Center and charged with: Escape, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Threatening a LEO, Resisting, Criminal Mischief, and Assault.