WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A retail theft investigation in Winter Haven took an unusual turn when a suspect was identified through the store’s own rewards system. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that on January 31, 19-year-old Ronin Lynn Williams entered the Steezy Smoke Shop at 2791 Recker Highway and allegedly accessed an employee-only restricted area.
While inside the staff section, Williams reportedly took four bottles of Kratom chewable tablets, valued at approximately $440.
The suspect fled the scene in a silver 2004 Toyota Corolla, but his departure was not as anonymous as he might have hoped. A store employee recognized Williams almost immediately, noting that he was a registered member of the shop’s loyalty program. This digital footprint allowed authorities to quickly establish a positive identification.
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Following the lead, detectives tracked Williams to a residence on 8th Street South in Lake Hamilton, where he had been staying with his girlfriend. Deputies arrived at the home on February 5 and took him into custody.
According to investigators, Williams confessed to the theft during the subsequent interview. He was transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and charged with second-degree felony occupied burglary of a structure and first-degree misdemeanor petit theft.
The legal process encountered further complications after Williams was initially released. Although he successfully posted bond following his first arrest, officials state that he violated the conditions of that bond within the week.
On February 16, Williams was arrested for a second time by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and remains back in custody.
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