Suspect Tells Police He Was Waiting For Someone To Report Car Key Missing On Facebook

POLK COUNTY, FL — Deputies issued a sixth DUI to a suspect of Lakeland who officers accused of driving while under the influence early Thursday morning following a single-vehicle crash on Creekwood Road, a Polk County Sheriff's Office news release said.

According to deputies, Kevin Patrick, 55, faces charges of DUI subsequent offense, failure to give information at a crash, refusing to submit a breath alcohol level test, knowingly driving with a suspended license, and DUI with property damage.

Deputies saw at about 6:10 a.m. an unoccupied 2019 Kia Sportage that had flipped over and the driver's side door open. Detectives said a deputy found an open bottle of alcohol outside the door.

Moments later, deputies found Patrick walking covered in grass and dirt as he walked eastbound on Creekwood Run. Authorities accuse Patrick of dropping the key belonging to the Kia Sportage involved in the crash as they walked over to him. The suspect told deputies he found the key and thought someone on Facebook would report it missing, and then he'd give it to that person.

The news release said Patrick later changed his story and told deputies that the Kia belonged to his roommate, who is currently in jail.

Detectives looked at the security video at a nearby Circle K, 10704 U.S. Hwy 98 N., Lakeland; it showed the Kia driving into the parking lot at around 5:50 a.m. The store clerk told deputies Patrick is a regular customer, and he asked her that morning if it was too early for him to buy alcohol, deputies said.

“When someone gets behind the wheel of a vehicle drunk, they have no regard for life," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "Thank God he didn’t hurt or kill anyone when he was driving under the influence on Thursday. With five prior DUI arrests, Patrick has been given chance after chance to change. Not to mention he’s not even supposed to be behind the wheel of a car because he doesn’t have a valid license. He needs to stay locked up.”