Polk County Sheriff’s Office-
In 2021, the PCSO began using a program called Live911, which allowed deputies to hear live 911 calls through their laptops as the calls are being answered by dispatch. The technology allows for quicker response times by deputies during emergencies, and has led to numerous lives being saved. It also aids in the quicker apprehension of criminals too. Such as this case:
On Sunday, August 18th, just after 3 am, PCSO deputies heard a Live911 call regarding a retail theft at the 7-Eleven store at 420 Magnolia Avenue in Auburndale.
As luck would have it (good luck for the deputy, bad luck for the thieves), deputies Maynard & Colon had just driven past the store and heard the 911 caller say that the suspects’ vehicle left the parking lot and turned onto the street RIGHT BEHIND the deputies.
The deputies then got behind the suspects, and when they stopped, the two men were taken into custody.
The men were identified as 64-year old Willie Lott (the driver) and 47-year old Frank Gainers, Jr.
Willie is from Bartow, and Frank is an Auburndaler.
The two men were found with one case of Modelo and one case of Miller Lite. The cases of beer were returned to 7-Eleven, and the theft case and suspects were turned over to Auburndale PD (the theft occurred within the city limits).
Willie also got a couple of criminal drug charges from the deputies. During their interaction, the deputy discovered a blue pen that contained cocaine in it. Willie said he got the pen from the bank. Willie didn’t want to say where the cocaine came from though.
