Deputies in Polk County apprehended a 36-year-old Lakeland man on Sunday afternoon after a local liquor store reported an unpaid bottle of tequila missing from its shelves.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the event occurred around 3:30 p.m. on October 18, 2026, at Jay’s Liquor, 2620 US 92 East, Lakeland. Investigators claim James Saul Fullwood IV, a frequent customer, left the store without paying for a $53 bottle of Patrón Reposado.
Deputies later located Fullwood’s home.
When questioned, Fullwood promised to return to Jay’s Liquor and pay for the bottle, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies proceeded to arrest Fullwood instead. According to authorities, Fullwood tensed and refused to enter the patrol cruiser when being escorted to it.
Following the brief fight, deputies captured Fullwood in his vehicle and booked him into the Sheriff’s Processing Center.
Fullwood is facing misdemeanor charges for retail theft and resisting an officer without violence. He was also charged with violating probation based on prior convictions for sexual battery on a victim aged 12 to 18, lewd and lascivious battery on a victim aged 12 to 16, and failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements.
Leave a Reply