POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 30-year-old Tampa woman was arrested after a high-speed attempt to evade law enforcement ended in her arrest Friday afternoon. Mekeda Adelia Roseann Babb was taken into custody on May 8th following a chaotic pursuit that stretched across several miles of Interstate 4 in Lakeland.
The incident began around 1:30 p.m. when a Polk County Sheriff’s deputy spotted a pink Infiniti with no license tag traveling westbound near Exit 32.
When the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Babb reportedly accelerated, weaving through lanes and using the shoulder of the highway to bypass traffic. During the flight, a can was thrown from the vehicle’s window.
Due to the driver’s aggressive maneuvers and lack of concern for public safety, the initial deputy stopped the active pursuit but radioed the vehicle’s description to units stationed further down the interstate. Minutes later, deputies successfully intercepted and stopped the Infiniti at Exit 27.
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Investigations at the scene revealed that Babb was driving without a license or insurance. Furthermore, she was found to have an active warrant out of Hernando County for Throwing a Deadly Missile into an Occupied Vehicle.
Babb was transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and faces a litany of new charges, including felony Fleeing to Elude, Driving While License Suspended/Revoked, No Motorist Insurance, and Littering.
According to records, Babb has an extensive criminal history including prior arrests for burglary, criminal mischief, obstruction, tampering with a witness, DUI, and reckless driving.
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