FL Homeless Man Steals, Crashes Police Car With K-9 Dog Inside: Police

WINTER HAVEN, FL — A homeless man is facing numerous charges after police said he stole a police car with an K-9 dog inside and crashed it into multiple vehicles after trying to burglarize a Winter Haven Amscot.

On Saturday at 9:20 p.m., a 911 call was received from employees at Amscot at 2121 8th St. NW in Winter Haven, reporting that three employees were inside the business when a rock was thrown through the front glass door.

Winter Haven police said 21-year-old Menylek Jarrett entered the business and threw another rock at the teller glass, which failed to shatter. He then attempted to enter the door of the teller area and, when he couldn't get in, he left the business.

Officers arriving on the scene were unaware that Jarrett had left the business. As officers entered the Amscot, police said Jarrett broke the driver's side window of Sgt. Luis Garcia's locked patrol vehicle where K-9 Logan was secured in the back.

Jarrett drove off toward the intersection of 8th Street (Highway 17) and Havendale Boulevard where he crashed into multiple vehicles. The patrol vehicle broke down and Jarrett got out of the car and started running toward Inman Park.

Additional officers responding to the scene chased Jarrett on foot, ultimately using a Taser and taking him into custody.

One person in a vehicle Jarrett crashed into was taken to the hospital with head pain. No other injuries were reported, and K-9 Logan was found safe.

Jarrett was taken to Winter Haven Health for treatment and then booked into the Polk County Jail.

He is currently being held with no bail and has been charged with burglary of a business, grand theft of a motor vehicle, attempted burglary of a conveyance, tampering with a police K-9, resisting arrest without violence, leaving the scene of a crash with an injury, reckless driving and driving without a driver's license.