POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Two people, including a fourteen-year-old, were arrested for car theft in separate cases early Wednesday morning.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said deputies were following a stolen 2000 Nissan pickup on I-4 east around 1 a.m. Deputies, along with the Florida Highway Patrol and Lake Alfred Police, boxed the Nissan in.
The 14-year-old suspect officials said was driving the truck was then taken into custody and charged with grand theft motor vehicle, no valid Florida driver's license, criminal mischief x2, and fleeing to elude LEO.
“This kid is 14 years old. His first arrest was in Tampa two years ago, for armed robbery with a firearm,” said Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff.
Shortly after the first arrest, deputies found another stolen vehicle at a Circle K located at the intersection of Highway 27 and the Ronald Reagan Parkway. The driver, Tamari Lucas, 24, and an unknown passenger allegedly ran from the 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck before Lucas was apprehended by deputies.
Officials said both vehicles were seen driving together east on I-4 and that they believe both suspects committed multiple vehicle burglaries in Tampa and Pasco County.
"These two folks and their accomplices, we have some Ring door cameras in Pasco. They broke into at least 60 or 65 cars,” said Judd.
Mentorship programs like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County said they are competing with peer pressure to keep teens away from a life of crime.
“If they’re not belonging at home, then they’re going to belong to whoever can help them out. So my competition isn't the other terrific after school programs that are out there. It's the gangs and the people who will show these kids that they can belong with them,” said Steve Giordano, President/CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk.
