A 31-year-old Mulberry man with a history of minor offenses is now facing a string of serious charges after being apprehended by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the overnight damaging and theft from multiple dryer machines at local laundromats.
Rickey Dale Clark was arrested on Friday, June 6th, after deputies pieced together surveillance footage and ultimately cornered him back at one of the crime scenes.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began early Friday morning when a PCSO deputy responded to a report from an employee at a Mulberry laundromat. The employee discovered that several dryer machines had been damaged overnight, apparently in an attempt to steal change.
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Further investigation revealed that a similar incident had occurred during the same night at a second laundromat also located in Mulberry. Security video from both establishments quickly confirmed that the same individual was responsible for both crimes.
The break in the case came around 5:20 p.m. on Friday, when the Sheriff’s Office received a tip that the suspect had returned to one of the victimized laundromats and was still present. Deputies responded to the scene and successfully took Clark into custody.
Authorities identified the suspect as Rickey Dale Clark, noting his prior criminal history which includes charges of trespassing, assault, and marijuana possession.
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Clark was transported to the Polk County Jail and is currently being held on multiple charges, including attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools, petit theft, damage (break) vending machine (eight counts), and criminal mischief.
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