LAKELAND, Fla. – A routine traffic stop in Lakeland turned into a double arrest after a couple was caught switching seats in their vehicle to avoid driving with a revoked license, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
On Thursday afternoon, March 20th, deputies observed a white van abruptly pull over near North Combee Road and US 92 East. They witnessed the driver and passenger, later identified as 55-year-old David Caviness and 55-year-old Rebecca Joan Smith, exchanging positions. The van then resumed driving.
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Suspecting foul play, a deputy ran the van’s tag number, revealing it was registered to Rebecca Smith, who was now behind the wheel. Further investigation showed that Rebecca Smith’s driver’s license was suspended.
A traffic stop was conducted, and deputies questioned the couple about the seat change. David Caviness admitted that he had been driving but switched places with Smith because his license had been revoked since 2004.
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The Sheriff’s Office highlighted the extraordinary length of the revocation, noting that Caviness last held a valid license during George W. Bush’s first term as president, when Polk County’s population was significantly smaller, and before Sheriff Grady Judd took office.
Both David Caviness and Rebecca Joan Smith were arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail. They were each charged with Driving While License Suspended/Revoked.
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