Florida man with ankle monitor tells deputies he can’t go to jail 'because he has a curfew': PCSO
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - A Winter Haven man who was on probation is back behind bars after deputies say he interfered with a first responder at the scene of a car crash.
The backstory:
Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were investigating a vehicle crash at Winter Lake Road and Brandy Chase Boulevard around 9:25 p.m. on Tuesday when they said 23-year-old Sabastian Angel Suarez approached the scene and asked, "Yo, what the **** happened?"
The deputy said he stopped what he was doing, turned to Suarez and explained it was a crash, and that everyone appeared to be doing all right.
However, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Suarez got within a foot of the deputy and angrily snapped back, "No **** a car crash happened! Who hit who?"
The deputy said he told Suarez to step back so the deputies could work.
Suarez yelled, " **** you! You can't tell me what to do!"
![Sebastian Suarez mugshot courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office.](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox13news.com/www.fox13news.com/content/uploads/2025/01/932/524/sebastian-suarez-mugshot.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Sebastian Suarez mugshot courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
The deputy said he explained to Suarez that he was impeding the deputy's work, and that he needed to move back or be arrested.
Suarez said, "I'm on an ankle monitor with a curfew...you can't do ****, you can't take me anywhere."
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According to deputies, Suarez continued to act out and was uncooperative.
He was arrested and charged with violation of probation (willful child abuse), interfering with a first responder and two counts of resisting arrest.
The other side:
After he arrived at the jail, deputies said Suarez had calmed down and explained that a relative was involved in the crash that the deputies were investigating.
Why you should care:
Florida’s ‘halo law’, which is aimed at protecting first responders by keeping crowds at a distance took effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
It makes it illegal to come within 25 feet of first responders if the intent is to "impede, threaten or harass" them.
People who violate the law can be charged with a misdemeanor or face up to 60 days in jail.
The Source: This story was written with information provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
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