Police Seek Woman in Store Robbery

LAKELAND | Detectives with the Polk County Sheriff's Office are seeking Katrina Nicole Gurganious, 35, in connection with a Nov. 15 robbery at the Family Dollar Store at 2770 U.S. 92, in which the store's manager was dragged by a car while trying to stop a theft.

The second suspect in the case, Shatoya Russell, 24, turned herself in Wednesday after a friend told her that she had been identified in a Crime Stoppers Bulletin.

She has been charged with robbery and aggravated battery. She is being held in the Polk County Jail with no bail.

Russell is accused of being the driver in the robbery. She owns the silver Dodge Neon detectives think was used in the escape after about 15 baby outfits were stolen.

The Sheriff's Office report said a woman entered the store, grabbed the baby clothes and ran out. The manager followed her into the parking lot where the suspect got into the rear seat of the car, deputies said.

When the manager positioned herself between the open door and the vehicle, the driver put the car in reverse and backed up. Hanging onto the door, the manager was able to free herself when the driver stopped to shift the vehicle into drive, the Sheriff's Office reported.

Detectives think Gurganious is the woman who stole the clothes.

Gurganious' last known address is 720 E. Garden St., Apartment 1, Lakeland.

Anyone with information on this case or Gurganious' whereabouts is urged to contact Detective Chris Madden at 863-499-2400 or 863-534-6200.

Anyone with information who wants to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward should call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800-226-8477.