Five of the Most Wanted Polk County Fugitives Have Active Warrants. You Might Be the Key to Finding Them.
Law enforcement has a new tool it didn’t have two decades ago, and it lives in your pocket. Open-source intelligence, known in investigative circles as OSINT, refers to the practice of gathering information from publicly available sources, including social media, online directories, and digital footprints.
Amateur sleuths and concerned citizens using nothing more than an internet connection have helped crack cases that sat dormant for years.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is counting on exactly that kind of community eyes when it comes to five fugitives with active warrants, some of whom have been at large for more than two decades.
None of these are cold cases in the traditional sense. The crimes are not unsolved, and the warrants are active. But with the longest-running cases now approaching 20 years outstanding, public tips and digital leads may be what finally closes them.
All five suspects are considered dangerous. If you see any of them, call 911 immediately. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Heartland Crime Stoppers at heartlandcrimestoppers.com.
Uriel Aguilar: Wanted for Second Degree Murder (2008
Uriel Aguilar is wanted for second-degree murder in connection with a June 26, 2008, stabbing at the Prima Supermarket in Mulberry. Aguilar and the victim, Pedro Trevino, were co-workers with a history of conflict. After Trevino approached Aguilar in the parking lot, Aguilar stabbed him multiple times. Trevino died at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Aguilar was last seen near Sparkman Road in Plant City. PCSO has released an age-progression image of what he may look like today.
Brian Dale Andrews: Wanted for DUI Manslaughter (2007)
Brian Dale Andrews is wanted on two counts of DUI manslaughter and two counts of driving with a suspended license causing death, along with a failure to appear charge. Andrews was involved in a June 30, 2007, head-on crash on U.S. Highway 27 in Frostproof that killed Danny and Patricia McCown. His blood alcohol content was recorded at 0.36% at the time. He posted bond after the crash and fled. An age-progression image is available through PCSO.
Paul T. Edwards: Wanted for Manslaughter (2005)
Paul T. Edwards is wanted for manslaughter and carrying a concealed firearm stemming from an Aug. 6, 2005, shooting at a Jamaican Independence Day celebration on Palm Drive in Winter Haven. Multiple witnesses reported seeing Edwards point a firearm at victim Deborah Grier and fire. He was last seen in Fort Lauderdale. PCSO has released an age-progression image.
Guerson Duverga Polynice: Wanted for First Degree Murder (2023)
Guerson Duverga Polynice is wanted for first-degree murder in connection with a Sept. 10, 2023, shooting in the Lake Wilson Preserve neighborhood in Davenport. The incident occurred after midnight at a residence rented for a child’s birthday party. Victim Alix Dorvil died from multiple gunshot wounds. A second victim, Kennecia Roberts, was treated for a non-life-threatening injury. A co-suspect, Chris Saintange, has already been arrested. Polynice remains at large.
Reinaldo Ramirez-Peraza: Wanted for Conspiracy to commit Armed Robbery
Reinaldo Ramirez-Peraza is wanted on charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and accessory after the fact to a capital offense following a Dec. 18, 2019, fatal shooting at a Wahneta residence. The victim was shot in the front yard of a home that investigators determined to be an active marijuana grow house. Two other suspects, Julio Ramirez-Peraza and Lazaro Perez-Toledo, have been arrested. Ramirez-Peraza is accused of assisting those directly involved in the murder.
If you recognize any of these individuals or have information on their whereabouts, call 911 or submit an anonymous tip to Heartland Crime Stoppers at heartlandcrimestoppers.com or by calling 1-800-226-TIPS.
Source: Polk County Sheriff’s Office, polksheriff.org/news-investigations/five-most-wanted
