Two Arrested in Polk County After Fleeing Deputies During Illegal Deer Hunting
Fort Meade, FL — On Thursday, June 19, two individuals were arrested in Polk County following a pursuit initiated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The suspects, identified as 26-year-old Bryson Peebles of Bartow and 29-year-old Aleia Douglas of Auburndale, were apprehended after allegedly hunting deer illegally from a roadway and fleeing from law enforcement.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, an FWC officer observed a silver Ford F-150 engaging in illegal deer hunting using a gun and a light on District Line Road near Fort Meade. When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled, prompting a chase. PCSO deputies assisted by deploying stop sticks at US-98 and Lake Hendry Road, and again at Lake Hendry Road and Sink Hole Road, but the driver evaded both attempts.
A third stop-stick deployment at Sink Hole Road and Murphy Road damaged the truck’s front right tire. The driver continued fleeing but became stuck in sand while attempting to enter an orange grove near Mountain Cut-Off Road and US-27. Both suspects were taken into custody without incident.
The FWC charged Peebles and Douglas with hunting from a roadway and hunting deer with a light and a gun. The PCSO additionally charged Peebles with reckless driving and fleeing to elude.
Nothing further at this time.
