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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.
Jun 7, 2018
Mail & Package thief operating in north Lakeland
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
This story was posted on the PCSO Facebook page, in reference to a mail & package thief in north Lakeland who is dressed as a walker/jogger.
We’re looking for an apparently healthy thief, and we could really use the help of our Facebook fans to identify her.
Ms. Stride-N-Swipe (in the video) can be seen stealing a package from a front porch. Then, she was spotted in the area of another victim’s home on another day, and we believe there are more victims (who may not even know they’re victims) out there.
On May 20th, in the Summer Oaks subdivision in Lakeland (off Duff Road), Ms. Stride-N-Swipe was seen, with a shirt over her head, grabbing a package and walking away. You’ll note that she’s wearing a blue tank top, black shorts, black shoes, and possibly a pink undershirt.
On June 3rd, in the Krenson Oaks subdivision in Lakeland (off Myrtle Rd), Ms. Stride-N-Swipe can be seen walking by a house, flipping through mail. We don’t think that’s her mail. She walks out of the subdivision, then comes back, without the mail. She passes by the house again, this time empty-handed, but not for long. She goes past the house once more, and this time she has something light blue in her hands.
During that same time, a resident reported that someone had taken a package from their front porch. The package contained light blue vinyl.
These two subdivisions are close to each other…just one mile apart, as the crow flies. 1.96 miles, as the crow walks.
In the June 3rd video, Ms. Stride-N-Swipe is wearing a blue tank top, black shorts, black shoes, and possibly a pink undershirt. THE EXACT SAME THING FROM MAY 20TH!!! Does this woman think she’s on Gilligan’s Island and has to wear the same outfit every day? Is she stealing packages with the hope that she’ll get lucky and find a package with a new workout ensemble?
If you know who Ms. Stride-N-Swipe is, or have some other helpful information, please call Detective Thomas or Detective Leblanc at 863-577-1600, or if you'd like to remain anonymous, and be eligible for a CASH REWARD, you can call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Anonymity is guaranteed!
#PCSO #MsStrideNSwipe
#OOTD #OutfitOfTheDayAsTheKidsWouldSay
#FemaleStoleTheMail
#CombiningHerTwoLovesThievingAndWalking
#WeHaveANewOutfitForHerAtTheJail
#LetsDeliverHerToTheJail #IfSheFitsSheShips