LAKELAND, Fla. – What began as a search for a suspect at a Lakeland residence on Tuesday quickly escalated for two brothers living there, leading to their arrest on multiple environmental and nuisance charges.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies visited a home on Sleepy Hill Road on June 3rd, attempting to locate an individual. During one of these visits, 39-year-old Eric Tipton, a resident of the property, became visibly agitated by the deputies’ presence.
“Why are you cops on my property? You’re not allowed on my property!” Tipton reportedly yelled at the deputies.
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While the deputies did not locate the suspect they were initially seeking, their attention was drawn to the condition of the property itself. Investigators observed an astonishing 79 tires, many of which were filled with standing water and mosquito larvae, scattered across the premises.
In addition to the tires, deputies found an accumulation of household garbage, discarded engine parts, old furniture, and used oil spilled directly onto the ground.
Further investigation revealed that Eric Tipton did not possess the necessary permits to operate a landfill or a waste tire site. This discovery proved problematic not only for Eric but also for his 37-year-old brother, Brian Tipton, who also resides at the Sleepy Hill Road address.
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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office subsequently arrested the Tipton brothers. Both Eric and Brian Tipton were transported to the county jail and charged with a litany of offenses, including: Operating a Landfill without a Permit, Operating a Waste Tire Site without a Permit, Storing Used Oil not in a Double-Walled Container, Storing Unlabeled Used Oil, and Maintaining a Nuisance Injurious to Health.
According to the PCSO, both Eric and Brian Tipton have extensive criminal histories.
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