Sheriff Grady Judd

***UPDATE: MARCH 26th***
Our battery thief has been identified and arrested. A sergeant was driving in the area of this crime on Wednesday, March 25th, and saw a similar vehicle to the one in this video. Upon closer inspection, the vehicle was determined to be the very same. The man driving was identified as 51-year-old Johnny Lee Taylor of Lakeland. Johnny has the same distinct limp as the man in the video, due to a prosthetic leg. When confronted about the video, Johnny Lee told a detective, "Unless my face is seen in the video, it was not me." A check of Johnny Lee's scrap history shows that he has been scrapping a lot of batteries. Johnny Lee was arrested and charged with two counts of conveyance burglary and two counts of petit theft.

ORIGINAL STORY FOLLOWS:

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a burglary and theft case involving semi-trucks.

This crime occurred on Saturday, March 7th at about 7 a.m., while the targeted truck was parked in the area of New Tampa Highway in Lakeland.

A picture of the suspect appears below. It appears that he may be wearing a special boot for an injured foot. He was driving a white 4-door. 

The suspect stole several batteries that morning, and decided it went so well for him, he did it again on Thursday, March 12th at about 3:15 a.m.

PCSO detectives requests your assistance on this case. Do you recognize the suspect or even the white car? If you do, please contact Detective Skidmore at (863)577-1621 (reference case # 20-12405), or to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers - call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477), visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on "Submit A Tip," or download the free "P3tips" app on your smartphone or tablet.