By Ciara Perez, News Reporter | iSkyNews (ISC)
Published November 3rd, 2024
Polk County, FL — In the early hours of November 1, 2024, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies solved a series of car burglaries in the north Lakeland area, recovering three stolen firearms and arresting a 17-year-old suspect. The suspect’s stepfather also ended up behind bars after physically attacking deputies during the investigation.
The investigation began in September 2024 when a wallet and later firearms were stolen from vehicles in the Hamlet Circle area. Video surveillance from an October burglary showed a masked suspect flipping car door handles and attempting to break windows. The burglar struck again on October 31, but was scared off by a resident after making a threat involving a firearm.
Deputies canvassed the area and spotted a suspect matching the description. When they tried to stop him, the suspect fled but was caught shortly after. The suspect, identified as 17-year-old Ronetae Degraffenreid, was found living at 8314 Porch Court with his mother and stepfather, having recently moved to Polk County from North Carolina.