LAKELAND, Fla. – For Benjamin Jones, law enforcement encounters appear to be a recurring theme. Described as a career offender, Jones found himself in handcuffs once again on Sunday evening following a brief foot chase near a local Publix.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies were actively searching for Jones, 42, due to an outstanding warrant for Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer. This warrant stemmed from an incident the previous day involving the Lakeland Police Department (LPD).
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At approximately 5:35 pm on Sunday, a PCSO deputy located Jones’s white Ford Escape, the same vehicle reportedly involved in the LPD incident, parked and unoccupied at the CVS Pharmacy on CR 540A at Lakeland Highlands.
Shortly thereafter, deputies located Jones himself walking in the vicinity of the nearby Publix store. According to the arrest report, a deputy approached Jones and inquired, “Are you Benjamin Jones?” Jones allegedly denied his identity, claiming he was not Benjamin Jones.
Despite the denial, the deputy recognized Jones and instructed him to stop. Instead of complying, Jones reportedly fled on foot, leaving his Ford Escape behind.
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The pursuing deputy ordered Jones to halt, warning that a Taser would be deployed if he failed to stop. Jones continued to run, prompting the deputy to deploy the Taser, which brought him to an abrupt stop.
Once secured in handcuffs, a search of Jones allegedly revealed the presence of cocaine and a substance he identified as K2, though further testing will be conducted on the latter.
Benjamin Jones was subsequently transported to the Polk County Jail. In addition to the felony warrant for Aggravated Assault on a LEO, he now faces new charges including resisting arrest without violence, providing a false name to law enforcement, possession of crack cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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