News and Investigations

A Frostproof woman was arrested on Thursday, March 6, 2025, after she made two separate attempts to flee deputies during attempted traffic stops.

At about 5:09 pm, a deputy attempted a traffic stop on a silver Ford Mustang on Masterpiece Road in Lake Wales. The driver refused to stop, and sped away from the deputy. 

Another deputy saw the same vehicle a short time later and also attempted a traffic stop, but the driver again sped away from the deputy.

Due to the driver's reckless disregard for other motorists, a deputy found a safe area and immobilized the vehicle with a PIT maneuver.

The driver was identified as 35-year old Kristin Ann Mittelstadt. 

Mittlestadt was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail and charged with: Fleeing to Elude, Possession of Methamphetamine and Drug Paraphernalia, and Knowingly Driving While License Suspended/Revoked (her license was revoked in 2009).

Mittlestadt told deputies that she fled because she knew that if she got caught, she would likely be going to jail for a long time. She may have thought that due to the fact that she was already out on bond for Fleeing to Elude and Knowingly Driving While License Suspended/Revoked.