On February 29, 2024 Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested and charged Michael Angle Prado with multiple charges including 2 counts of 2nd Degree Attempted Murder. The arrest came following an alleged robbery at Market World International Flea Market In Auburndale, Florida.
The following is an arrest affidavit from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (It should be noted that this is an unedited, but redacted, report of facts by A law enforcement agency. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions. Additionally, the offender in this case is a minor, but he has been charged with a felony and thus their name has been released):
“On 01/21/2024 at approximately 1420 hours, I, Detective Quattlebaum #9005, arrived at the International Market World Flea Market located at 1053 Highway 92 West, Auburndale, Florida in reference to a retail theft investigation. Through my investigation, I learned the following:
On 01/21/2024 at approximately 1137 hours, a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident involving a golf cart with two occupants and a white pickup truck was reported at 1053 Highway 92 West, Auburndale. The occupants,VICTIM1 (Victim 1) and VICTIM2 (Victim 2) reported minor injuries and VICTIM1 was transported to Lakeland Regional Hospital for treatment. The suspect vehicle, described as a white Dodge pickup bearing the Florida tag #50DEZB, fled the scene before law enforcement’s arrival.
Deputies responded to the scene and learned the truck was also involved in a retail theft at the flea market.VICTIM3 (Victim 3) advised a young adult white male subject entered her booth, took a basket of video games, and proceeded to leave the market, passing all points of sale. VICTIM3 advised he was not allowed to take these items and at no point attempted to pay for the items. VICTIM3 advised the games were worth approximately $350. VICTIM3 stated she observed the suspect meet with two other young adult white male subjects and were going through the basket of property and advised she began chasing the suspects towards the parking lot. Security was made aware and security guards VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 responded in attempt to stop the three suspects. VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 were in a golf cart, VICTIM1 was driving and VICTIM2 was riding in the passenger seat.
VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 were flagged down by a customer that one of the suspects was seen getting into a white Dodge pickup truck bearing the Florida tag #50DEZB. VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 observed the vehicle beginning to pull out of the parking lot. VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 both observed the truck come to a complete stop and then proceed to accelerate toward the golf cart they were seated in. VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 advised there was plenty of room to maneuver around them, but the truck accelerated towards them and struck the front of the golf cart. The truck then proceeded to flee the scene onto Highway 92 West. VICTIM1 and VICTIM2 advised they were in fear for their lives at the time of the crash.
At approximately 1213 hours, a report of a stolen vehicle was received at REDACTED, Lakeland, Florida byVICTIM4 (Victim 4). The vehicle was described as a white Dodge Dakota pickup bearing the Florida tag #50DEZB and was owned by VICTIM4. VICTIM4advised REDACTED, Michael Prado, told her over a phone call that he took VICTIM4 ‘s truck and was in possession of it at the time of the phone call. VICTIM4advised Prado had no permission to take the vehicle. VICTIM4 further stated he left the keys and his cell phone inside the truck and that Prado was not allowed to take or access these items.
At approximately 1158 hours, Auburndale Police Department located the truck at the Shell gas station located at 1795 Berkley Road, Auburndale. The vehicle was unoccupied at this time. During a search of the area, deputies located a white and blue jacket that was observed being worn by Michael Prado in the video footage of the retail theft behind the Shell gas station. A firearm and mask was also located behind a residence at REDACTED Shalisa Blvd., Auburndale, where a witness advised the truck was observed driving through a nearby yard and throwing the gun and mask over a fence.
At approximately 1709 hours, I arrived at REDACTED, Lakeland to make contact with REDACTED, who advised Michael Prado is REDACTED and VICTIM4 is her boyfriend. REDACTED advised she had gotten a call from Prado stating he was in possession of the truck and had hit a golf cart at International Market World in Auburndale. Prado advised REDACTED he knew he was on camera and was going to get caught and stated he fled the scene after striking the golf cart. Prado toldREDACTED he was with two other guys but did not advise who. Prado told REDACTED he ran out of gas at Berkley Road and Denton Ave., which is where the vehicle was located, and advised he had gotten an Uber.”
The following are the updated charges Prado is facing:
BURGLARY OF A CONVEYANCE
GRAND THEFT (MOTOR VEHICLE)
PETIT THEFT ($100 OR MORE)
ATTEMPTED MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE (WEAPON)
ATTEMPTED MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE (WEAPON)
DELINQUENT IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM OR AMMUNITION
ATTEMPTED TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE
