A 57-year-old Lakeland man was arrested early Saturday morning after being found in possession of stolen sheet metal and illegal drugs, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
According to investigators, on March 15th, just before 7:00 AM, a PCSO deputy observed Matthew Case pushing a bicycle and trailer carrying large pieces of sheet metal that were protruding into the roadway, creating a traffic hazard on Walker Road.
The bicycle also lacked any lighting in the early morning darkness.
A traffic stop was conducted, and Case was identified. Deputies discovered that Case was on probation for burglary, had been released from prison in August, and was listed as a career offender in the state of Florida.
During the stop, deputies found that Case was in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. These items were seized, and Case was arrested.
He was transported to the Polk County Jail and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Violation of Probation.
Further investigation revealed that the sheet metal panels in Case’s possession, valued at approximately $800, had been stolen from a property about two miles away. Case was subsequently charged with Grand Theft and Trespassing.