LAKELAND, Fla. – A Lakeland man with a history of prison time found himself back in custody Tuesday afternoon following a routine traffic stop on Interstate 4.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on March 17, a deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a Mercedes-Benz traveling eastbound near Exit 28. The driver was identified as 28-year-old Jose Enrique Navarro, Jr.
During the interaction with the deputy, Navarro reportedly admitted to being behind the wheel despite knowing his legal status.
“I know I can’t drive, but I was heading home from work,” Navarro told the officer, according to investigators. “I’ve got a court date coming up soon for my DUI.”
Department records confirmed that Navarro’s driver’s license had been suspended on January 10 following a DUI incident.
Navarro was arrested on the scene and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center. He now faces a formal charge of Driving While License Suspended or Revoked.
This latest arrest adds to a lengthy criminal record for Navarro. Beyond the pending DUI case, his prior history includes charges for burglary of a conveyance, grand theft auto, criminal mischief, trespassing, dealing in stolen property, and battery. Records show Navarro has served two prior sentences in state prison.
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