Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Haines City Police Department are asking for the public’s help in a fraudulent citrus theft investigation.

On Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, at an unknown time, unknown suspects removed approximately $25,000 worth of oranges belonging to a trucking company from a trucking lot in Lake Hamilton.

An unknown suspect contacted the business and offered to pick up the oranges for an undisclosed amount of money, and after the money was received, the oranges were taken but the company did not have any further contact with the carrier.

The oranges were removed with a tan with black lines freight liner truck with a white refrigerator on the trailer. Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact Detective Donald Carter at (863) 287-2227.

Anyone with information who wants to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Heartland Crime stoppers at 1(800) 226-TIPS or log onto www.heartlandcrime
stoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed. iPhone users can download a free tip submit app to anonymously report crime. To install this free app, search for “TipSoft” or “TipSubmit” on the Apple App Store.