POLK CITY — There are at least two murder suspects at-large who need to be caught quickly, Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said.
William Reiss, 68, was found shot to death in his Polk City home at 7462 Berkley Road before 2 p.m. Wednesday. Another resident was found by “Good Samaritans” outside the home with noticeable injuries, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.
Judd said that victim was able to flag down two semis and a car that stopped to help him. He was taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where he is in critical but stable condition.
“He was shot several times and he said, ‘We’ve been robbed,’” Judd said at a news conference Thursday. “(His) condition deteriorated as EMS arrived.”
The robbery and killing, Judd said, lasted between 20 and 25 minutes. During the incident, the suspects took at least 31 guns from the location. Judd said the Sheriff’s Office was able to determine that through records kept by Reiss.
“Bill Reiss sold guns to friends and family,” Judd said. “These folks who chose to commit these robberies and murders knew they were there. These aren’t Sunday school teachers who will be purchasing these guns. These are going to be sold back to thugs, robbers and thieves.”
The sheriff would not say how many shots were fired. Judd said that when the robbery first started, neither of the victims was present in that part of the house.
Reiss’ 2008 Dodge Ram 1500, which has four doors, a handicapped logo, a license plate numbered Z2SKD, wooden fence rails on the back and shiny rims, was missing from the driveway. Surveillance footage from about 20 minutes before the incident showed a black Chevrolet sedan traveling southbound on Berkley Road and Commonwealth Avenue North.
“After they committed the robbery, the murder and the attempted murder, they took the victim’s truck,” Judd said. “We need to find these vehicles.”
The sedan, along with Reiss’ vehicle, were seen traveling north on Commonwealth Avenue North at about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office said. Judd said it’s possible the car is a Chevrolet Sonic model between 2016 and 2018.
Judd said the Sheriff’s Office won’t be investigating the legalities of Reiss’ sales practices. Judd said most guns were pistols and hunting rifles — not automatic weapons or assault rifles. The sheriff said he just wants to find the killers.
“If you ever bought a gun from Bill Reiss, you may be able to help us,” Judd said. “These are not traditional thug guns. We’re told by friends and family (Reiss) was extremely cautious in the way he sold guns.”
Judd offered advice for reselling guns.
“I recommend if you’re going to sell a firearm, sell it back to a reputable dealer,” Judd said. “If you sell back to a convicted felon, you’re creating a world of trouble.”
Anyone with any information about the location of the stolen vehicle or the driver of the black Chevrolet sedan is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. To remain anonymous and to be eligible for a $3,000 reward, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800-226-8477 (TIPS) or submit the tip online at www.p3tips.com.
The suspects are considered to be armed and dangerous and deputies advise against interacting with them.
“They are very dangerous people,” Judd said. “We need to treat them as dangerous people and lock them up quickly.”
Mike Ferguson can be reached at Mike.Ferguson@theledger.com or 863-4016981. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.