On September 6, 2024, the victim had his cell phone and wallet stolen while playing pickleball at Kelly Recreation Complex on Imperial Boulevard. A little over an hour after the theft, the victim’s credit cards had been used at five different locations.
Through their investigation, officers and detectives learned the suspect had played pickleball with the victim and left immediately after taking the property. The suspect was identified as Jason Lafferty (age 53) of Lakeland, who was on non-expiring state probation/supervised release.
Lafferty was arrested on September 13, 2024, and charged with Grand Theft, Criminal Use of Personal Identification, Scheme to Defraud/Obtain Property by Fraud, 3 counts of Possess Receive Keep Stolen Credit/Debit Card, 3 counts of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card and Violation of Probation/Community Control.