by MOD 1 » 12/19/11 22:09:46
From TampaBay.com
LAKELAND — A 19-year-old man accused of shooting a Lakeland police officer turned himself in Monday morning after a manhunt shut down the Crystal Lake area for nearly 10 hours.
Kyle Williams of Lakeland was arrested about 8:30 a.m. Monday in the attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer.
Police believe Williams shot Officer Arnulfo Crispin, 25, around 10:15 p.m. Sunday at the Crystal Grove Apartments, 1661 Crystal Grove Lane, after Crispin went into the apartment complex to investigate Williams and two other men for suspicious activity.
Crispin suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he underwent surgery early Monday morning, officials said. Lakeland police said Crispin was in "grave" condition following his surgery Monday.
Crispin, who has been with the department for 18 months, was alone when Williams shot him, police spokesman Ann Dinges said. A second officer arrived around 10:22 p.m. and found him wounded and unresponsive. Williams and the two other men had fled.
The two other men involved, who were not immediately identified, were taken into custody Monday morning and were cooperating in the investigation, police said. They are not considered suspects in the shooting.
Williams was apprehended near the Crystal Court Apartments, 1969 Crystal Grove Drive, after his mother helped to persuade Williams to give himself up, police said.
"We are certain we have the right person," said Lt. Al Wilson at a news conference Monday morning.
Williams has a history of arrests on charges that include resisting arrest without violence, burglary and disorderly conduct.
Crispin was released from surgery around 3 a.m., but remained in serious condition throughout the morning, police said.
Police chief Lisa Womack said finding Williams was a top priority for fear that he could harm someone in the community or another police officer.
"That's something we just couldn't have," Womack said. "It's a relief to know that we have him in custody."
During the 10-hour search Monday, police cordoned off the area around Crystal Lake, Combee Road and Bartow Road. Police dogs scoured the area and vehicles were stopped at checkpoints, where officers searched the trunks of cars. Police knocked on doors and questioned neighbors in the area.
At 7 a.m., parts of U.S. 98 S, N Crystal Lake Drive, S Crystal Lake Drive and Commerce Point Drive remained closed to vehicles.
Some residents were being barred from re-entering their homes around 4 a.m., according to published reports.
Several agencies were helping Lakeland police with the manhunt Monday, including the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and the Winter Haven, Bartow, Haines City and Tampa police departments.
Information from the Lakeland Ledger and Bay News 9 contributed to this report.
From TampaBay.com
LAKELAND — A 19-year-old man accused of shooting a Lakeland police officer turned himself in Monday morning after a manhunt shut down the Crystal Lake area for nearly 10 hours.
Kyle Williams of Lakeland was arrested about 8:30 a.m. Monday in the attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer.
Police believe Williams shot Officer Arnulfo Crispin, 25, around 10:15 p.m. Sunday at the Crystal Grove Apartments, 1661 Crystal Grove Lane, after Crispin went into the apartment complex to investigate Williams and two other men for suspicious activity.
Crispin suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he underwent surgery early Monday morning, officials said. Lakeland police said Crispin was in "grave" condition following his surgery Monday.
Crispin, who has been with the department for 18 months, was alone when Williams shot him, police spokesman Ann Dinges said. A second officer arrived around 10:22 p.m. and found him wounded and unresponsive. Williams and the two other men had fled.
The two other men involved, who were not immediately identified, were taken into custody Monday morning and were cooperating in the investigation, police said. They are not considered suspects in the shooting.
Williams was apprehended near the Crystal Court Apartments, 1969 Crystal Grove Drive, after his mother helped to persuade Williams to give himself up, police said.
"We are certain we have the right person," said Lt. Al Wilson at a news conference Monday morning.
Williams has a history of arrests on charges that include resisting arrest without violence, burglary and disorderly conduct.
Crispin was released from surgery around 3 a.m., but remained in serious condition throughout the morning, police said.
Police chief Lisa Womack said finding Williams was a top priority for fear that he could harm someone in the community or another police officer.
"That's something we just couldn't have," Womack said. "It's a relief to know that we have him in custody."
During the 10-hour search Monday, police cordoned off the area around Crystal Lake, Combee Road and Bartow Road. Police dogs scoured the area and vehicles were stopped at checkpoints, where officers searched the trunks of cars. Police knocked on doors and questioned neighbors in the area.
At 7 a.m., parts of U.S. 98 S, N Crystal Lake Drive, S Crystal Lake Drive and Commerce Point Drive remained closed to vehicles.
Some residents were being barred from re-entering their homes around 4 a.m., according to published reports.
Several agencies were helping Lakeland police with the manhunt Monday, including the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and the Winter Haven, Bartow, Haines City and Tampa police departments.
Information from the Lakeland Ledger and Bay News 9 contributed to this report.