Winter Haven Police Arrest Accused Knife-Wielding Carjacker

WINTER HAVEN, FL – Winter Haven Police have arrested a 31-year-old man accused of committing an armed carjacking Thursday, July 12.

According to Winter Haven Police, on July 12 at 5:45 p.m., Tommy Allen Harwell of 635 Central Ave. W., Winter Haven, was in the Northgate shopping plaza at 6th St. N.W. when he encountered a former coworker as she walked from Publix toward another store in the plaza. The two had previously worked together at Winter Haven Hospital earlier this year.

Harwell and the 57-year-old woman exchanged greetings and he then asked her for help jumping his car due to a dead battery.

Harwell reportedly told the victim that he locked his keys inside of his car and needed to be driven to the Banyan Beach Motel where he told her he was staying.

Although the victim didn't see a vehicle in the direction he pointed, she agreed to take him to the motel, which was a short distance away, to retrieve his spare key.

Once they arrived at the motel, the victim said he walked into the front office and then came back and got into the passenger side of her car.

That’s when the victim said Harwell pulled out a sharp kitchen knife, held it to her throat and ordered her out of the car.

The victim grabbed the blade of the knife, pushing it away from her throat and was able to grab her cell phone before getting out of the car.

Harwell reportedly jumped into the driver’s seat and took off north on U.S. 17.

The victim received minor injuries to her neck and fingers from the blade of the knife, but did not require medical attention.

Harwell was located and arrested by Winter Haven Police Friday night, July 13.

Harwell has a criminal history that includes a an arrest May 29 on cocaine charges. He was released on July 11 just after midnight.

Image via Winter Haven Police

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