Polk County sex offender accused of assaulting deputy caught hiding in Lake Bonnet

A Polk County sex offender accused of assaulting a deputy on Thursday was arrested after he was caught hiding in Lake Bonnet, officials said. 

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said deputies were involved in a chase on foot with Curtis Young, 53, in the 700 block of North Lorri Avenue in Lakeland at around 2:45 p.m.

Booking photo of Curtis Young. Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

Deputies said they were searching for Young, because he failed to follow sex offender registration requirements. The suspect was found in the area, but he assaulted a deputy who tried to speak with him, according to the sheriff's office. 

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Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

During the struggle with the Polk County deputy, investigators said Young was able to rip a PCSO gun away from its holster. He then ran off and jumped into the western side of Lake Bonnet, officials said. 

Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

The sheriff's office's air, marine and K9 units all responded and set up a perimeter to prevent Young from escaping the area. According to deputies, he was found by marine deputies hiding in aquatic vegetation, about 50-75 yards offshore. 

That's when he was arrested. 

Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

"This violent and dangerous suspect wasn't going to escape after assaulting my deputy," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. "He was quickly apprehended, and my detectives will thoroughly investigate the incident to file all appropriate charges. Also, I don't recommend jumping in a lake in this weather. Even if you're trying to run from law enforcement. You'll just end up going to jail cold and wet."

Authorities said Young has been previously arrested for lewd and lascivious battery on a victim between 12 and 15 years old, aggravated assault, kidnapping, fraud, forgery, grand theft, grand theft of a motor vehicle, DUI and failure to register as a sex offender. 

The Source: The information in this story was released by the Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

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