LAKELAND, Fla. – Polk County deputies arrested a Lakeland man Sunday night after he allegedly choked a pregnant woman and tried to outrun law enforcement.
Marquel D’es Watson, 29, faces felony charges of aggravated battery on a pregnant victim and violation of probation for driving with a license suspended or revoked.
Deputies were called out around 10 p.m. on Aug. 30 to the area of East Main Street and Idaho Avenue in Lakeland regarding a battery complaint. Investigators said Watson grabbed a woman who was pregnant by the neck and shoved her to the ground before taking off on foot.
Patrol deputies, the sheriff’s office Air Unit, and a K9 team set up a perimeter to track Watson down. A police dog eventually located him hiding on Magnolia Street East, where deputies took him into custody without further incident.
Following his arrest, deputies transported Watson to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center for booking.
Deputies say Watson has a lengthy criminal record in Florida. His previous charges include burglary, robbery, grand theft, fleeing to elude, dealing in stolen property, trespassing, giving false statements to law enforcement, and resisting arrest both with and without violence.
He has also faced prior charges for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, as well as multiple drug offenses involving cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, mushrooms, marijuana, and other controlled substances.
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