News and Investigations

"This is more evidence of a broken juvenile justice system. Instead of being in school, these kids were out stealing with no apparent fear of consequences." - Grady Judd, Sheriff 

Late Monday afternoon, on August 28, 2017, Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested four juveniles who fled from deputies after a traffic stop.  

Arrested were: 

16-year-old Marquel Rashard Gabriel, of Blossom Circle East, Lakeland. Marquel was charged with: Trespass Property other than a Structure/Conveyance-2 counts, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Criminal Mischief-2 counts, Possession of Burglary tools, Burglary unoccupied conveyance unarmed, Conspiracy to commit Grand Theft Auto, Conspiracy to commit Burglary Conveyance, Resisting a law enforcement officer without violence, Trespass on School Grounds, and Petit Theft. 

17-year-old Anthony Campbell of Norton Road, Lakeland. Anthony was charged with: Criminal Mischief (2 counts), Trespass Structure/Conveyance, Burglary unoccupied conveyance unarmed, Conspiracy to commit Grand Theft Auto, Conspiracy to commit Burglary Conveyance, Unarmed Burglary-Occupied Burglary; Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Possession of Burglary tools, Trespass on School Grounds, Resisting a law enforcement officer without violence, and Petit Theft. 

17-year-old Victor Maurice Daniels Jr. of Wayman Street, Lakeland. Victor was charged with: Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Possession of Burglary tools, Criminal Mischief-2 counts, Resist a law enforcement officer without violence, Trespass on School Grounds, Conspiracy to commit Grand Theft Auto, Conspiracy to commit Burglary Conveyance, Petit Theft, Burglary unoccupied conveyance unarmed, and Violation of Probation. 

14-year-old Rashan Harris of Bellgrove Street, Lakeland. Rashan was charged with Burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, conspiracy to commit grand theft motor vehicle, trespass, criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools with intent to use, no valid driver's license, resisting a law enforcement officer without violence, trespass on school grounds, conspiracy to commit burglary conveyance, fleeing to elude law enforcement, petit theft, disrupting a school function.  

At approximately 1:30 p.m., the Sheriff's Office received a call regarding four black males who were seen wearing socks on their hands and checking door handles of cars in the area of Tierra Vista Circle. A Florida tag of CPAD43 of the vehicle (a blue 2014 Nissan) in which all the males were observed riding in was reported-the vehicle came back as stolen out of Lakeland (Lakeland Police Department case). (LPD Case #17-17401). Deputies began circulating the area and observed the vehicle enter into the parking lot for George Jenkins High School. A traffic stop was attempted and the vehicle fled a short distance in the parking lot. At the eastern end of the parking lot all four males jumped out and fled. 

Victor Daniels was taken into custody shortly after entering the gym area for George Jenkins High school. Victor Daniels is on active probation for Fraud and Providing False information to Law Enforcement. 

The three other juveniles fled in an eastern direction through the school grounds an entered into the fenced in area of a water tower located on Gus Stewart Road. Deputies in foot pursuit gave numerous loud verbal commands of, "Sheriff's Office" and "stop running." All three suspects ignored the commands and continued to run. A perimeter was established - two of the remaining three juveniles were ultimately located.  

The second suspect located, Marquel Gabriel was found hiding under a boat in the back yard of the residence located at 2533 Peterson Road. 

The third suspect located, Anthony Campbell, was found hiding in a trashcan at the residence located at 2527 Peterson Road. The trashcan was located underneath the roofed-in portion of the residence. The residence was also determined to be occupied. 

The fourth suspect was not immediately located, and all three in custody told deputies the fourth subject was a friend of theirs named "Shann." Deputies later positively identified the suspect as 14-year-old Rashan Harris of Bellgrove Street, Lakeland, and placed him under arrest.    

The first three juveniles arrested told deputies they knew the car in which they were riding was stolen. Detectives determined the juveniles were riding in the car and were actively going through subdivisions checking vehicle door handles. While checking door handles a vehicle located on Hickory Ridge Drive in Lakeland was entered after the window was broken with a window punch. Approximately 100 music CD's were removed the vehicle. 

A cell phone was located on one of the juveniles - several pictures and a video were observed showing the juveniles riding in the stolen vehicle and posing with the stolen vehicle. The PCSO investigation is ongoing in an attempt to identify any additional potential victims.  

All four juveniles were transported to Juvenile Assessment Center without incident. 

George Jenkins High School was placed on heightened security during the incident and the grounds of the school were searched for the fourth subject with negative results. 

Marquel Rashard Gabriel has been in trouble with law enforcement before: He was arrested for throwing a deadly missile into a dwelling/vehicle/etc. and criminal mischief with property damage (7-16-15); and larceny/petit theft and resisting recovery of stolen property (6-7-17). 

Anthony Campbell was arrested on 05/24/2017 (PCSO) for possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a restricted area. 

Victor Daniels has an extensive criminal history dating back to the age of 12. : 02/17/2017 - LPD, Battery; 11/07/2016 - PCSO, Probation Violation (2 counts); 06/29/2016 - LPD, False ID to LEO, Probation Violation; 02/29/2016 - PCSO, Probation Violation; 11/12/2013 - LPD, Probation Violation; 09/19/2013 - LPD, Failure to Appear; 07/31/2013 - LPD; Probation Violation, 07/03/2013 - LPD, Explosives Using Throwing; 06/12/2013 - LPD, Failure to Appear; 09/25/2012 - PCSO, Failure to Appear; and 07/23/2012 - PCSO, Burglary, Grand Theft, Burglary, Criminal Mischief.