A high-speed chase following a traffic violation led to a repeat offender's arrest in Winter Haven, with charges piling up against the convicted felon. The Winter Haven Public Safety Department reported on social media that 35-year-old Jarrod Cole ran a red light on Thursday, triggering a sequence of dangerous events.
Upon attempting a routine stop, Cole fled the scene, leading police on a chase that involved near-misses with oncoming traffic. Although the officers maintained a safe distance, they managed to keep the silver Chrysler 200 in sight. At a subsequent traffic light, when approached again by an officer, Cole chose to flee once more, this time crashing into a red Jeep before being apprehended.
According to the Winter Haven Public Safety Department's post, Cole disclosed to the officers that his decision not to stop was because he did not possess a valid driver's license. A search of Cole's vehicle revealed a loaded rifle with 60 rounds of ammunition and a collection of drugs in a backpack and the center console.
Chief Vance Monroe expressed his relief over the incident's resolution without more serious incidents. "This dangerous felon had total disregard of the lives of our officers and other drivers with his reckless actions," Monroe said. Additionally, the discovery of the rifle and drugs have now compounded Cole's legal troubles; he currently faces a spectrum of charges, including armed drug trafficking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
