News and Investigations

Detectives have determined that Ledbetter initially provided deputies with a false name. This news release corrects that information. 

On March 30, 2026, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 31-year-old Gavin Ledbetter of Lakeland following a grand theft investigation that escalated into a vehicle pursuit and multiple felony charges.

Deputies responded after a victim reported that his backpack had been stolen from his driveway. A neighbor witnessed a white Volvo station wagon stop; a man exited the car, took the backpack, and then fled in the car. The witness was able to relay the tag number of the white Volvo with a Mississippi license plate to deputies. The stolen backpack contained approximately $1,200 worth of property, including keys, a laptop computer, battery packs, and other work related items.

Deputies soon located the Volvo traveling southbound on Kathleen Road in Lakeland. The suspect stopped at the intersection of Duff Road and Green Road, where three marked patrol units and one unmarked vehicle activated their emergency lights and positioned themselves in front of and behind the vehicle.

Ledbetter attempted to drive around the front patrol car but was unsuccessful. He then shifted into reverse, accelerated rapidly, and struck the front bumper of the deputy’s vehicle behind him. The deputy was in the process of exiting his vehicle and was hit by the driver side door, causing minor injuries, including a laceration.

Despite the collision, Ledbetter fled the scene at a high rate of speed, traveling southbound on Green Road. Deputies initiated a pursuit, which ended when a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver disabled the suspect vehicle in a grassy ditch. Ledbetter initially refused to exit the vehicle despite multiple loud verbal commands and had to be physically removed.

A search of the vehicle revealed methamphetamine, cannabis, and drug paraphernalia. Additionally, the victim's stolen backpack was recovered from the back seat of the vehicle. The items reported stolen were accounted for and later confirmed by the victim.

Ledbetter admitted to stealing the backpack while driving through neighborhoods. He claimed he was unaware that he was being pursued by law enforcement. He told deputies that he was under the influence of methamphetamine.

Ledbetter was arrested and charged with grand theft (F3), resistance without violence (M1), resistance with violence (F3), aggravated assault on law enforcement (F2), aggravated battery on law enforcement (F1), fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement (F3), possession of meth (F3), possession of marijuana (M1), possession of drug paraphernalia (M1), and keeping a motor vehicle for narcotics use (M1). Ledbetter will be receiving an additional charge of providing false identification to law enforcement.