Theft of City-Owned Truck Leads to Arrest for Frostproof Man

Christopher Allen Eismon of Frostproof, faces numerous criminal charges including vehicle theft, fleeing to elude, resisting an officer, trespass in a citrus grove, driving while license suspended, attaching an unassigned license plate, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia after he was arrested following a short chase by local police.

Sometime during the night of December 5th someone entered the locked city wastewater plant located at 840 Henry Street and stole a city owned 2011 Ford F-150 pickup truck.

On December 21, 2022, Lake Wales Police received a tip that the truck was seen in the area of Scenic Highway. Officers responded and located the vehicle on South First Street. When a traffic stop was attempted the driver fled west on Grove Avenue towards Miami Street, then into the Hunt Brothers owned citrus groves to the south.

After a brief chase through the groves the vehicle was stopped off Ray Martin Road. The driver exited the truck and fled on foot, but was taken into custody without further incident brief foot chase.

A press release issued by Lake Wales Police Department identifies Eismon, 42, as "a career felon with an extensive criminal history including vehicle thefts, burglary, theft, aggravated assault, trespassing and narcotics charges."

Anyone with information regarding the theft of the vehicle is encouraged to contact Lake Wales Police Department Detective David Arana at 863-678-4223. If you would like to stay anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers:

• Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)

• From your cell phone, dial **TIPS

• Visit the website http://www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on "Submit A Tip,"

• Or download the free "P3tips" app on your smartphone or tablet.