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Published on March 27, 2025
$2,500 Reward Offered in Lake Wales for Information on Suspect in Vandalized Insurance BusinessSource: Lake Wales Police Department

An insurance business in Polk County fell victim to an act of vandalism that entailed not just the hurling of Molotov cocktails but also spray-paint tagging and gunfire, as reported by the Lake Wales Police Department; a $2,500 reward is now on offer by Heartland Crime Stoppers, looking to incentivize information that could lead to the apprehension of those involved in the incident.

According to a WTSP report, the attack not only caused internal damage owing to the firebombs, but the exterior also suffered defacement through graffiti; Lake Wales police are actively searching for a suspect whose actions have shaken the local business community–and the suspect's vehicle images have been released to the public in a bid to expedite their capture.

External surveillance of the property managed to capture these images after the suspect opened fire through the front door, shattering the pane and lodging a bullet into the rear wall of the building—evidence which was collected by authorities, detailed FOX 13 News.

Amidst the shattered glass and charred walls, a clear yet perplexing tag read 'Civil War Trump' sprayed onto the facade of the building, the significance of which remains murky, as the business owner German Portillo, in a state of bewilderment and frustration, inquired in a WFLA interview, "What is the message that you want, that you want to give? Because apparently there was a message sent. You want me out of here? Why? You want me to do business? Why don’t you like me? Why? That’s my question." The police are requesting public's assistance to identify the driver connected to this video.

Tampa-Crime & Emergencies