POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Lakeland man’s attempt to evade arrest by taking a nap on a couch went awry when Polk County Sheriff’s deputies woke him up and took him into custody. 26-year-old David Ronald Edward Payne now faces new charges after resisting deputies and kicking one of them in the chest.
On Friday, February 28th, deputies went to a residence on Kelly Lane in Auburndale to serve an active felony warrant on Payne for violation of probation. They found Payne sleeping on the couch and woke him up.
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Payne initially denied his identity and resisted arrest, even kicking a deputy in the chest. Deputies were able to subdue and handcuff him.
After being restrained, Payne calmed down, apologized for kicking the deputy, and claimed he had never done that before. He also expressed a desire to avoid additional charges.
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Despite his wishes, Payne was transported to the Polk County Jail on the outstanding warrant and also charged with resisting with violence, resisting without violence, and battery on a law enforcement officer.
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