The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an individual involved in a traffic stop incident earlier this morning in Winter Haven. The arrested individual was identified as 33-year-old Ryan Stacy Macklin.
It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions. A suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
“On 12-4-24 I was traveling east on Snively Ave Winter Haven Florida. I observed a black Nissan SUV traveling west on Snively Ave in the outside lane. The vehicle was missing the left front tire and was damaging the roadway and emitting sparks all over the roadway. I turned around on the vehicle to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. I was able to catch up to the vehicle on Hwy 17 after it crossed over the bridge north of Snively Ave. I attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle at Cypress Gardens Rd and Hwy 17. The vehicle refused to stop and continued east on Cypress Gardens Blvd. I observed the subject with his hand out the window and he kept pointing at his head. I then activated my siren and continued to follow the vehicle.
The vehicle did not accelerate in speed due to traffic. The subject turned south off of Cypress Gardens Blvd onto 5th St SE. The vehicle turned west on Lake Lulu Dr N, then turned north on 3rd St SE. The vehicle then turned into the Caldwell Banker Building located at 290 Cypress Gardens Blvd SE and we went around the building 2 times. The driver then stopped before getting back onto 3rd St SE and pointed his finger at his head and stated to kill him. He then turned north onto 3rd St SE and stopped at the red light at Cypress Gardens Blvd SE. The driver again stuck his head out the window and stated “Shoot me” and pointed at his head. The driver then turned east on Cypress Gardens Blvd and immediately turned into the business as 390 Cypress Gardens Blvd. The driver stopped the vehicle and exited the driver side.
When the driver exited the driver door he took several steps out of the vehicle and threw his hands up in the air and stated over and over again ” just kill me.” I advised him there was no reason to kill him and I grabbed his right arm and told him to put his hands behind his back to secure the suspect. The suspect then tried to pull away using his left elbow to try and push off my chest and pull his right arm free. I then pushed the suspect into the push bumper of my patrol car trying to pin the suspect until full control could be gained. The suspect slid to the passenger side of my patrol car and I was able to put the suspect on the ground and hold the suspect on the ground. Another unit arrived on scene and I was able to secure the suspect in handcuffs.
Based on the suspect’s actions of failing to stop at a traffic stop, refusing to stop for a marked patrol car with lights and siren activated and traveling several miles making multiple turns, the suspect committed the criminal violation of Fleeing to Elude.
Based on the suspect refusing to obey verbal commands and place his hands behind his back the suspect committed the criminal act of resisting law enforcement without violence.
Based on the suspect using actual force and pushing off my chest with his elbow the suspect committed the criminal act of resisting law enforcement with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer.
Citation AD0GLWE was issued for Fleeing to Elude.”
—————
10:35 a.m. UPDATE
Scene is clear. Suspect being transported. We will update again this afternoon.
—————-
On December 4, 2024, shortly after 9:00 a.m., Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on a black vehicle at Cypress Gardens Blvd SE and 4th Ct SE in Winter Haven.
Meghan Petty, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer advised the black car was pulled over with a missing front left tire.
Deputies restrained him after an apparent struggle. Witnesses reported that a man came to a screeching halt in his vehicle then jumped out of his car screaming. As the deputies were attempting to restrain the man, a witness reported that a passerby who was nearby heard the chaos, and assisted with the arrest.
Our Lake Wales Daily editor Maria Iannucci observed the encounter. Here is her recollection of events:
“I observed a Polk County sheriffs officer SUV attempt to pull over small black vehicle, a Rogue, that appeared to have at least one flat tire. He pulled off of Cypress Gardens Boulevard into a parking lot, came to a screeching halt, and immediately exited the vehicle. Facing the officers vehicle, he began waving his arms and gesturing aggressively towards the officer who remained in the vehicle. As I was driving on Cypress Gardens Boulevard, I drove around the block and observed the officer, and at least one passerby from a pick up truck were working to restrain the man from the black car.”
This is a developing story. We will update this article as more information comes in from Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
