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.

Feb 27, 2025

PCSO arrests Auburndale woman for Ohio warrants

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office was contacted by the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Ohio on Wednesday, February 26th, requesting that PCSO deputies attempt to locate 37-year old Brittanie Brunelle, who was believed to be at a residence on Lake Myrtle Drive in Auburndale.

Brittanie was wanted by Washington County on multiple felony warrants for crimes such as: possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a firearm during a felony, endangering children, battery, and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

At about 3:00pm, Brittanie was located at the residence and arrested without incident; she was taken to the Polk County Jail, and will be transported to Ohio at a later date.