By Ciara Perez, Investigative Reporter | iSkyCreations – News & Media (ISC)
Published Feb 12th, 2024
Winter Haven, FL – In an unusual turn of events, a Winter Haven man found himself in hot water after abandoning an airboat in front of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Southeast District and Polk County Fire Rescue Station #44. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, February 11, 2024, led to criminal charges being filed against 43-year-old Jonathan Whitesides.
The ordeal began when a Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) Captain alerted dispatch around 9:17 pm about an airboat obstructing Thompson Nursery Road near Lake Wales. Positioned directly in front of the entrance to the Sheriff’s Office substation on Sgt. Mary Campbell Way, the abandoned airboat initially puzzled authorities.
According to reports, the airboat had fallen off a trailer being towed by a dark Ford F150 truck. Witnesses noted the driver of the truck appeared intoxicated before hastily departing the scene.
Mr. Whitesides, the owner of the abandoned boat, later returned to the site accompanied by another individual in an attempt to retrieve the vessel. However, tensions quickly escalated as Whitesides began berating his companion over the manner in which the boat was attached to the trailer.