POLK COUNTY, FL - According to a report from FOX News, one of two suspects with a long criminal history, allegedly bragged that he would be let out of jail not long after his arrest, until he realized that he was apprehended in a county with a sheriff who is a staunch advocate for tough-on-crime policies.
On Wednesday, December 13th, Polk County Sheriff's Deputies spotted a stolen Dodge Ram pickup truck just after 1:00 a.m. The driver, identified as 24-year-old Tamari Lucas and a passenger, who has not been identified, eventually stopped the truck and fled on foot.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said that Lucas was stopped and arrested, but that the passenger was not found. During the arrest, Lucas allegedly told the deputies that he "wouldn't be in jail for long" because he was arrested in Osceola County. However, he was quickly informed that he was in Polk County and it was Polk County deputies that were arresting him.
At that moment, Lucas allegedly said, "Oh, my God! Not Grady Judd! Are you (expletive) serious? This really sucks because you guys don't play around in Polk County."
During a press conference after the arrest, Judd said, "Well, the reality is, we want all burglars to understand that nobody plays." According to FOX News, Judd has a reputation for being a "no-nonsense" sheriff who never "minces words and is frequently seen at news conferences condemning criminals."
He was elected sheriff back in 2004 and in 2021, began his fifth term. His blunt approach to condemning criminal acts and acting on tough-on-crime policies won over his law enforcement colleagues and residents.
Shortly before Lucas' arrest, Polk County deputies apprehended 14-year-old Jeremiah Hamm on suspicion of grand theft auto. Deputies were reportedly following a stolen 2000 Nissan pickup truck on Interstate 4 and with the help of the Florida Highway Patrol, they were able to box Hamm in.
When he was taken into custody, Hamm allegedly asked, "What am I getting charged with, grand theft auto?" He proceeded to tell the deputies that he had a court appointment the following day for a previous grand theft auto arrest and he didn't want to "miss" the court date.
Both Hamm and Lucas have criminal histories. Authorities said that Hamm, at the young age of 14, already has previous arrests for robbery with a firearm, armed burglary, grand theft, aggravated assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, drug possession, and trespassing.
Some of Lucas' previous charges include aggravated assault with a weapon, multiple counts of grand theft auto, dealing in stolen property, and aggravated battery among several others. He has had 30 felony charges, 12 previous misdemeanor charges, and 19 re-arrest charges. He also has eight felony convictions on his record, according to the sheriff's office.
Regarding his most recent incident, Lucas has been charged with grand theft motor vehicle, not having a valid driver's license, two counts of criminal mischief, and fleeing to elude law enforcement.
Judd said in a statement, "These two thieves are running rampant and they obviously don't take our criminal justice system seriously. Why is this 14-year-old out at 1:00 in the morning stealing cars and committing burglaries? Where are the adults in his life? We will absolutely hold these two accountable; we are just not going to tolerate this nonsense."
On Wednesday, December 13th, Polk County Sheriff's Deputies spotted a stolen Dodge Ram pickup truck just after 1:00 a.m. The driver, identified as 24-year-old Tamari Lucas and a passenger, who has not been identified, eventually stopped the truck and fled on foot.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said that Lucas was stopped and arrested, but that the passenger was not found. During the arrest, Lucas allegedly told the deputies that he "wouldn't be in jail for long" because he was arrested in Osceola County. However, he was quickly informed that he was in Polk County and it was Polk County deputies that were arresting him.
At that moment, Lucas allegedly said, "Oh, my God! Not Grady Judd! Are you (expletive) serious? This really sucks because you guys don't play around in Polk County."
During a press conference after the arrest, Judd said, "Well, the reality is, we want all burglars to understand that nobody plays." According to FOX News, Judd has a reputation for being a "no-nonsense" sheriff who never "minces words and is frequently seen at news conferences condemning criminals."
He was elected sheriff back in 2004 and in 2021, began his fifth term. His blunt approach to condemning criminal acts and acting on tough-on-crime policies won over his law enforcement colleagues and residents.
Shortly before Lucas' arrest, Polk County deputies apprehended 14-year-old Jeremiah Hamm on suspicion of grand theft auto. Deputies were reportedly following a stolen 2000 Nissan pickup truck on Interstate 4 and with the help of the Florida Highway Patrol, they were able to box Hamm in.
When he was taken into custody, Hamm allegedly asked, "What am I getting charged with, grand theft auto?" He proceeded to tell the deputies that he had a court appointment the following day for a previous grand theft auto arrest and he didn't want to "miss" the court date.
Both Hamm and Lucas have criminal histories. Authorities said that Hamm, at the young age of 14, already has previous arrests for robbery with a firearm, armed burglary, grand theft, aggravated assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, drug possession, and trespassing.
Some of Lucas' previous charges include aggravated assault with a weapon, multiple counts of grand theft auto, dealing in stolen property, and aggravated battery among several others. He has had 30 felony charges, 12 previous misdemeanor charges, and 19 re-arrest charges. He also has eight felony convictions on his record, according to the sheriff's office.
Regarding his most recent incident, Lucas has been charged with grand theft motor vehicle, not having a valid driver's license, two counts of criminal mischief, and fleeing to elude law enforcement.
Judd said in a statement, "These two thieves are running rampant and they obviously don't take our criminal justice system seriously. Why is this 14-year-old out at 1:00 in the morning stealing cars and committing burglaries? Where are the adults in his life? We will absolutely hold these two accountable; we are just not going to tolerate this nonsense."
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Comments
2023-12-17T13:10-0500 | Comment by: Jim
You have to love Sheriff Grady Judd! I regret that I was already retired on disability in the line of duty, and could no longer remain a LEO when Sheriff Judd became the Sheriff of Polk County because I would have dearly loved to serve under him as one of his Deputies. The Sheriff is a no nonsense Sheriff who will have his Deputies back as long as they have followed the procedures laid out for his Deputies and stayed above the law. He is tough on criminals and that would also include anyone who works for him, gotta love and respect a man like that!
2023-12-19T16:23-0500 | Comment by: Stephanie
Thank God common sense prevails here! If everyone had the mindset that there are consequences to actions, maybe some of this awful, criminal behavior would stop!