On September 15, 2023, shortly after 4:30 a.m., Lakeland Police officers were called to investigate a possible burglary in progress at a vacant residence in the 600 block of West Crescent Drive. A witness observed a white Ford truck pull up to the house and then heard a window break on the residence.
When officers arrived, the suspects attempted to flee from the scene in the truck. The driver, 26-year-old James Williams, intentionally drove the white truck at one of the patrol officers while she was attempting to exit her vehicle, and her door was ajar. The truck struck the officer’s driver’s side door, causing the officer’s leg to be partially pinned against her vehicle. Williams continued to flee and eventually crashed into a utility pole. Williams fled on foot, and another occupant, 33-year-old Jimmy Robinson, remained at the scene and was transported for a broken arm sustained in the crash. Upon completing medical treatment, Robinson was arrested and transported to jail. Williams was apprehended after a coordinated effort with patrol officers, K-9 team and PCSO air support. Both suspects were from the Orlando area.
Officers discovered that while the suspects were inside the residence, they used clippers to cut wires off the appliances and were in the process of removing the refrigerator, washing machine, dryer, stove, and microwave from the residence when they were interrupted.
The Lakeland Police Department would like to thank our citizens who call in to report suspicious activity or crimes in progress. Our partnerships with the community are critical to keeping our community safe against criminals who seek opportunities to steal from our neighbors. We also would like to commend the hard work and quick actions of the officers involved. Situations like these have the potential for violence when criminals attempt to flee at all costs. Fortunately, our officer injured in this event did not sustain serious injuries and continues to work, serving the citizens of Lakeland.