Winter Haven police are on the lookout for a driver involved in a hit-and-run incident that left a young mother without a means of transportation. The event, captured on security footage on December 5 around 10:43 p.m. along Lake Smart Circle, showed a dark-colored, late-model Jeep Gladiator - with distinctive features like large wheels, a lifted suspension, and dynamic neon lights beneath the frame - ramming into a parked car, causing severe damage. The footage, which depicts the Jeep crashing into a sedan and subsequently fleeing the scene, is at the heart of a plea for community assistance to locate the responsible party.
According to WFLA, the impact was forceful enough to push the sedan several feet onto a nearby lawn. In her time of need, the affected young mother finds herself stranded without transportation for her and her family just before the holiday season. Officer Eric Womack is handling the case.
Additional details shared by FOX 13 News include an appeal by local authorities who believe that "Somebody knows something," suggesting that local body shops or neighbors may have noticed the distinctive vehicle or its sudden absence or appearance with damage. There is an implicit belief that someone in the community holds the key to solving this hit-and-run case.
Meanwhile, WTSP reports that the Police Department has released the surveillance video in hopes that witnesses might step forward to aid in the investigation. The owner of a parked car, left significantly damaged, is struggling to manage daily responsibilities without it, and the community's help in catching what officers describe as "the grinch" responsible is crucial. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can direct their tips to Heartland Crime Stoppers.
Community members are encouraged to assist by reaching out to the Winter Haven Police Department with any information that might lead to the identification of the Jeep's driver or the vehicle itself. To provide tips anonymously, individuals can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-TIPS or through their website and mobile application.
