POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A tip from Heartland Crime Stoppers led Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies to a “Two-for-Tuesday” arrest, capturing two wanted men at a Winter Haven motel.
On March 18th, deputies received information regarding the location of 51-year-old Patrell Bland, who had an active warrant for Violation of Probation (Fleeing to Elude). The tip indicated Bland could be found at the Travelodge Motel in Winter Haven.
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As deputies approached the room, they encountered 49-year-old Jeff Burnham Kersey exiting. Kersey, like Bland, had an active warrant, in his case for Failure to Pay Child Support in Columbia County.
Kersey was immediately taken into custody.
Deputies then approached Bland’s room. Using a clever tactic, they announced they had a “darling doggie” with them, aka K-9.
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Bland, unable to resist the appeal of a canine visitor, promptly exited the room and was also apprehended.
Both Kersey and Bland were arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail.
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