Auburndale, FL – On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, a pursuit involving a stolen 2019 black Toyota Corolla began on Interstate 4 eastbound near Highway 27 in Davenport and concluded with the arrest of Tyrik Malik Dickens in Auburndale.
The incident started on October 29, 2025, when deputies responded to reports of the stolen vehicle. Deputies slowed eastbound traffic on Interstate 4 near mile marker 56 to locate it. The vehicle matched the description, entered the left shoulder, then crossed the median to travel westbound on Interstate 4. Emergency lights were activated, and the vehicle stopped briefly on the westbound shoulder before fleeing.
The vehicle reached speeds of 115 mph while weaving through westbound traffic on Interstate 4, as paced by a certified speedometer. It exited at exit 44, proceeded southbound on Highway 559, passed Twenty One Palms Resort, and was lost from view near Highway 559 and Lake Mattie Road.
A pursuing K9 deputy’s vehicle rolled over at Twenty One Palms Resort, resulting in multiple injuries to the deputy, including head injuries, and a laceration above the eye to K9 Ghost. Polk County Fire Rescue transported the deputy to Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
The stolen Toyota Corolla later approached the crash scene. Deputies conducted a felony stop with weapons drawn and K9 warnings. The suspect complied and was taken into custody.
Dickens received Miranda warnings at 7:56 p.m. and stated in a recorded interview that he found and stole the vehicle, initially claiming from Tampa, then Winter Haven.
The registered owner reported the vehicle was taken in Tampa while performing Instacart deliveries. The owner had exited the vehicle at an apartment complex when a black male on a bicycle approached, dropped the bicycle, and drove away in the Corolla.
Checks confirmed no warrants for Dickens, the vehicle stolen from Hillsborough County, and his driver’s license suspended indefinitely since August 4, 2025, for failure to pay a traffic fine.
An inventory search of the vehicle located a small amount of green leafy substance, which tested presumptive positive for THC.
Dickens was charged with the following:
- F.S.S. 316.1935(3)(B) – Fleeing to elude law enforcement with lights and sirens activated causing serious bodily injury
- F.S.S. 316.192(3)(C)1 – Reckless driving with injury or property damage
- F.S.S. 316.1922(1)(B) – Dangerous excessive speeding over 100 mph
- F.S.S. 322.34(2)(A) – Knowingly driving while license suspended or revoked
- F.S.S. 812.014(2)(C)6 – Grand theft of a motor vehicle
- F.S.S. 784.05(2) – Culpable negligence causing injury
- F.S.S. 893.13(6)(B) – Possession of cannabis
- F.S.S. 893.147(1) – Possession of drug paraphernalia
- F.S.S. 322.34(6)(B) – Driving while license suspended or revoked causing serious bodily injury
He was transported to Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center. Nothing further at this time.
Source: Polk County Sheriff’s Office PIO & Arrest Affidavit
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