Crime & Safety
Lakeland Man Accused Of Stealing Downed Power Pole
A 71-year-old Lakeland man been charged with grand theft after being accused of stealing a downed power pole.
TAMPA, FL — A 71-year-old Lakeland man been charged with grand theft after being accused of stealing a downed power pole.
On Nov. 16, Florida Highway Patrol troopers responded to the report of a theft on westbound Interstate 4 near Milepost 9 in which a motorist loaded a downed power pole onto the roof of a small sedan.
The motorist then traveled with the pole loaded on the car to a recycling facility on Harney Road, where he was turned away for not having proper documentation for the power pole.
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Just before 11 a.m., troopers located the motorist at North 50th Street, near State Road 60, and arrested Douglas Allen Hatley. The utility pole and Hatley’s 1997 Toyota were recovered at that time.
Hatley was charged and taken to the Hillsborough County Jail.
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