Deputies are searching for a suspect they say shot at a Polk County Sheriff’s Office helicopter.

  • Perimeter set up near Mammoth Grove Rd and SR 60 in Lake Wales
  • Deputies say suspect shot at PCSO helicopter
  • Suspect wanted in earlier carjacking out of Bartow

Deputies were assisting the Bartow Police Department locating the suspect, who was wanted in an armed carjacking case.

Deputies say the driver stopped and the suspect got out of the truck and fired shots at the PCSO helicopter and pilot that was following the stolen truck.

The pilot flew away and out of range from the suspect. No shots have been fired at the suspect.

A perimeter has been set up near Mammoth Grove Road and SR 60 in Lake Wales.

The PCSO SWAT team was called out and responded to the scene.


Photo of the stolen truck and excavating equipment. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)

Bartow armed carjacking

Deputies say the suspect stole a 2005 Chevrolet 6500 Flat bed truck earlier in the afternoon in the area of Bay Street and 7th Avenue.

Police say the suspect stole the truck which had been left running as the driver checked on the vehicle's load.

This truck was towing a commercial trailer which was hauling a commercial excavating equipment. At that time, police say the suspect drove away from the scene, despite the driver's attempts to stop him.

When co-workers attempted to follow and confront the suspect, police say he struck their vehicle and brandished a firearm.

The stolen vehicle continued onto State Road 60 East toward Lake Wales.

When police were unable to locate the stolen vehicle, the report was relayed to the Polk County Sheriff's Office and surrounding agencies.

The vehicle was later located in or near Lake Wales.

Units from the sheriff's office followed the truck east on SR 60 to the Mammoth Grove Road area.