Polk County Sheriff’s officials are investigating an incident near a local elementary school that ended with one deputy opening fire on a suspect’s vehicle. It happened at 1:11 a.m. near Winston Elementary School off Swindell Road just outside of Lakeland.

A sheriff’s office spokeswoman says three deputies were serving a warrant at a residence on Swindell Road when they noticed a green Ford Explorer parked near the school.  Deputies then saw a couple of people get out of the vehicle and noticed other individuals inside the fenced property of the school. Deputies ordered the people to stop and then saw two of the subjects jump the fence and take of on foot.  All three deputies gave chase on foot.

Turns out there was still someone inside the Ford Explorer. Deputies say that person started to drive toward Deputy Nathaniel Weinreich. Investigators say Deputy Weinreich feared for his life and fired two shots at the vehicle. One of the shots struck the fleeing vehicle. None of the deputies were injured. Deputies say they eventually found the Explorer off of Ohio Road in Plant City.  They have detained two people, including the owner of the Ford Explorer. 

Detectives have determined that Winston Elementary was not burglarized.  They believe the school property was used as a getaway location for five or six men, all dressed in dark clothing, who had burglarized a home on Mercury Drive. That street runs right behind the school. Investigators say a laptop computer, taken from the home, was recovered from the school property along with tire rims that were being stored in the laundry room area of the residence and some cookies.

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