News and Investigations

The man was also arrested in Hillsborough County while out on bond (for auto theft) for DUI, possession of Methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia on January 20, 2019 and released on his own recognizance, posting no bond, on January 23, 2019.
 
Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested 48-year-old Randall Vining Sr. Thursday, February 14, 2019, after he fled from a traffic stop in Mulberry by striking a deputy and dragging him with the car and ramming two Sheriff's vehicles.
 
The traffic stop was initiated at 9:33 PM, in the area of Gladys Fewox Road and Coronet Road in Mulberry, due to a black Jeep displaying an incorrect license plate.
 
While speaking with driver (Vining), the deputy was informed over the radio that the Jeep had been reported stolen out of Hillsborough County. The deputy opened the door, and asked Vining to step out.
 
Vining turned the Jeep toward the deputy and accelerated. The Jeep struck the deputy and caused the door to close on the deputy's arm; he was dragged approximately ten yards before he was able to free his arm.
 
After turning around on the dead end road, Vining swerved directly towards the deputy's car and rammed it, then fled onto Highway 60.
 
Air and K9 units were dispatched to join the backup units that were already en route. Vining intentionally rammed a second PCSO car a short time later, disabling it.
 
While travelling on County Line Road toward Interstate 4, the originally deputy was able to perform a precision immobilization technique (PIT), which disabled the Jeep at 1-4 and County Line Road.
 
Vining was taken into custody, was transported to an area hospital for treatment for non-serious injuries, released, and then booked into the Polk County Jail. None of the deputies were injured.
 
At the time of this arrest, Vining had been released on his own recognizance (ROR) on January 23, 2019 after a January 21, 2019 arrest for DUI, possession of Methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia-at the time of his DUI & methamphetamine arrest he was free on bond for a Grand Theft Auto arrest from August 2018 in Hillsborough County.

"There are people who are pushing for bail reform; they want to do away with the process of having to put up a bond to get out of jail before their trial. This guy is a perfect argument against that. He also should have had his bond revoked after being arrested again, but it wasn't. Instead he was released on no bond at all, just a promise to stay out of trouble and show up for court. He's had over sixty criminal charges, most of them felonies, and yet he's out there running into our deputies and endangering the public. He should have been locked up. Now, he needs to stay locked up-he is a public menace." - Grady Judd, Sheriff
 
Bolt cutters and other burglary tools were discovered inside the Jeep.
 
Randall Vining, Sr., of 13815 Salvation Army Lane in Plant City, was charged with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder of a LEO (F2), Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon (F2, 2 Counts), Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle (F3), Resisting with Violence (F3), Fleeing To Elude (F3), Possession of Burglary Tools (F3), Reckless Driving (M2), and Petit Theft (M2).

Vining's prior criminal history consists of 46 Felony charges, 12 Misdemeanor charges, and 6 Unknown Level of charges. He has been sentenced to Florida State prison on six separate instances. He is currently being held in the Polk County Jail.