LAKELAND, Fla. – A Lakeland man’s attempts at landscaping came to an abrupt halt when Polk County deputies arrived to serve an outstanding warrant.
Charles Michael Wells, 36, was intercepted by authorities while mowing the lawn at his residence on Park Byrd Road. The arrest followed an investigation by the Lakeland Police Department, which established probable cause to charge Wells with multiple crimes, including dealing in stolen property, felony petit theft, and providing false information to a pawn shop owner.
The encounter occurred after deputies tracked Wells to his current address to execute the active warrant. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Wells was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center.
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Records indicate that Wells has a significant criminal background involving various felony offenses. His prior history includes convictions for armed burglary, grand theft, commercial fraud, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
He has also been charged previously with fleeing to elude law enforcement and violation of probation.
Florida Department of Corrections records show that Wells has served two separate sentences in state prison, totaling two and a half years. He was most recently released from state custody in 2018.
Following his arrest at the scene of the yard work, Wells now faces a second-degree felony charge and two third-degree felony charges stemming from the Lakeland Police Department’s investigation.
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