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 Meghan Petty. 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.

May 22, 2025

Traffic stop leads to big catch

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

A traffic stop north of Davenport on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at around 7:23 pm, ended with a pretty big arrest.

Deputy Iacobucci from the Polk County Sheriff's Office performed a traffic stop on a white 2012 Nissan Altima for making an illegal turn in the area of Ronald Reagan Parkway and Roselli Blvd in Davenport.

The deputy made contact with the driver who was identified as 33-year old Melvin Rafael Pardo Acevedo of Kissimmee.

The deputy soon discovered that Pardo Acevedo had an outstanding warrant out of Osceola County for 1st Degree Murder with a Firearm.

Pardo Acevedo was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail without incident.

It wasn't all bad news for Pardo Acevedo though. Deputy Iacobucci only gave him a warning for the illegal turn.