WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A Winter Haven man is facing felony charges after deputies say security footage caught him pulling a distinct “balancing act”—riding his own bicycle while simultaneously stealing his ex-girlfriend’s bike alongside it.
The investigation began on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 13, when a Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputy responded to a theft complaint on 30th Street NW in the Inwood neighborhood. The resident reported that her bicycle, valued at approximately $350, had been taken from outside her home.
Looking for leads, the victim approached a neighbor to view their security camera footage. The video reportedly revealed a familiar suspect: the victim’s ex-boyfriend, 55-year-old James Elliott Anderson.
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According to the report, the footage showed Anderson leaving the scene while managing two bikes at once—pedaling his own while guiding the stolen bicycle.
A PCSO detective located Anderson two days later, on January 15. During questioning, Anderson admitted to taking the bicycle. Authorities were able to recover the stolen property and return it to the victim.
Anderson was arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center. While the value of the bike typically warrants a misdemeanor charge, Anderson’s legal history complicated his booking.
- Suspect: James Elliott Anderson, 55
- Location: Winter Haven / Inwood Area
- Charge: Felony Petit Theft
Due to an extensive criminal history, which includes two prior convictions for theft, the charge for this incident was enhanced to Felony Petit Theft.
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