POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A traffic stop near the I-4 interchange in Lakeland turned into a felony arrest on Saturday afternoon after deputies spotted a vehicle reported stolen out of Tampa.
At approximately 5:00 p.m. on April 11, a Polk County Sheriff’s deputy pulled over a black Dodge Charger at the intersection of State Road 33 and the interstate.
The driver, identified as 29-year-old Exavier Ellis Walker of Tampa, was taken into custody after a brief investigation revealed the car’s complicated history.
According to investigators, the Dodge had originally been rented by another individual who allowed Walker to get behind the wheel. Walker allegedly later told the renter that the car had been involved in a crash and was no longer in his possession.
Authorities confirmed that the story was a fabrication and the vehicle had never been crashed or disposed of.
READ: Seffner Teen Killed, Mulberry Man Injured In 3-Car Crash As Hit-And-Run Driver Flees On Foot
During the stop, deputies also discovered marijuana and drug-related paraphernalia in Walker’s possession. He was transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and officially charged with failure to return a leased vehicle, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Records provided by the Sheriff’s Office indicate that Walker is no stranger to the legal system. His criminal history includes a wide range of prior offenses, such as robbery, multiple burglaries, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and fleeing to elude law enforcement.
He previously served time in Florida State Prison and was released in 2018. Following this latest incident, Walker remains in custody.
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